Archive
Reason #168: The LDS church handles critical writings
An article today on USA Today relates how libraries are facing the issue of which books to "ban" because of objections to them. The article ends with this quote: Such controversies make headlines, which helps the library association and other anti-censorship groups...
Reason #167: Because of Other Letters –like this one
I recently received this encouraging letter from a reader who asked that her name be withheld: Dear Latayne, I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoy reading your '365 Reasons' on your website. I was raised by extremely Mormon parents, in an all-Mormon...
Reason #166: Because of Letters Like This
I sometimes get letters like this. They do indeed cause me to pause and re-evaluate my reasons for writing what I do, and reasons why I won't return to the LDS Church, in spite of the joyful experiences I had there. Here's the letter, and my reply. Mrs. Scott, I...
Reason #165: The Futility of Trying to Talk Grace to a Mormon
Mormons believe in grace -- as a subsequent to the exhaustion of your own good works. Yet, this is not the Biblical concept of grace; the unmerited favor of God. Grace is central to the Christian gospel, but is more of an attachment to the Mormon teaching. For...
Reason #164: The LDS Church is a Corporate Investment Entity
I recently read an article that quotes a former employee of the LDS Church who has insider information about how this corporation -- which he says is no longer a church, and hasn't been for a long time -- spends its billions of tax-free dollars. As a corporate...
Reason #163: Because of the Joseph Smith Papers
Did you know that all of the published images (and transcripts) of the writings of Joseph Smith are now online in a searchable form? See what LDS scholars have access to -- and know why so many of them study Mormonism's history -- but no longer believe its doctrines....
Reason #162: The Mental Gymnastics of Anticipating Polygamy
As a young Mormon woman I believed that I should prepare myself for plural marriage (the mainstream LDS church does not practice earthly polygamy of course but does command its practice after death.) I believed I might be able to enjoy the exclusive attentions of my...
Reason #161: Fanny Alger
On an ex-Mormon discussion board recently, the question was posed: What was the tipping point that caused you to leave Mormonism? (I asked the same question, but called it a "point of departure" in my book, Why We Left Mormonism (Baker Book House.) One person said it...
Reason #160: LDS attitudes toward non-supportive books
When I was a Mormon at BYU, someone left a pamphlet printed by Jerald and Sandra Tanner on the doorstep of my off-campus apartment. I wanted to read it, but a roommate told me that it was just hateful lies, printed by a couple who had been excommunicated and wanted to...
Reason #159: Continuing Revelation– or Corporate Revelation?
This week I had the privilege of visiting at length with members of the Christian musical group, Adam's Road, and their road crew. If you do not know about this group, you must visit their website -- a unique thing about them is that all of the musicians served...
Regarding Glenn Beck's Restoring Honor Rally
After being invited by Moody Radio Chicago to be a guest on their morning show, one call-in listener said that her husband has questions about the theology of Glenn Beck, especially as manifested in his Restoring Honor Rally in August 2010. I would like to...
Reason #158: The whole becoming a god(ess) thing
This is an excerpt from my book, The Mormon Mirage 3rd Edition: A Former Member Looks at the Mormon Church Today(Zondervan, 2009). Also available as an audiobook and as an expanded-text E-book for Nook, Kindle and other reading devices. Becoming a God Once...