365 Reasons Why I (And Others) Won’t Return To Mormonism

Reason #155: More detail on the Kinderhook Plates

A commenter on a previous post asked for direct evidence that Joseph Smith ever claimed to have translated the infamous…

14 years ago

Reason #154: Joseph Smith’s Polygamous Marriages Produced No Children

When I was a Mormon, I was taught that Joseph Smith had only one wife, Emma Hale Smith. I have…

14 years ago

Reason #153: A Greek manuscript fooled Joseph Smith

Most students of Mormonism know that Joseph Smith claimed to have the ability to translate ancient documents, specifically to produce…

14 years ago

Reason #152: LDS teachings about the pre-existence of men and women

The Pre-existence Thus LDS doctrine says each person was a fully functioning, born entity long before his mortal birth. In…

14 years ago

Reason #151: Because of the Heresy of a “Heavenly Mother”

One of the most complete and well-documented online sources for information about the LDS teaching regarding a "Heavenly Mother" was…

14 years ago

Reason #150: Because of the LDS heritage of “fallen prophets”

One characteristic of religious groups that have branched off from, or departed completely from, the LDS Church is the teaching…

14 years ago

Reason #149: More 19th Century Cultural Sources for the Book of Mormon

Several of my previous "365 Reasons" posts show that materials and ideas that were available to Joseph Smith in upper…

14 years ago

Reason #148: Failed Prophecies of Joseph Smith

Failed prophecies alone are a sufficient reason to leave the LDS church. Years ago when my friend Dick Baer decided…

14 years ago

Reason #147: Because of George P. Lee

This last week marked the passing of a sad figure in LDS history, George P. Lee. At one time he…

15 years ago

Reason #146: It’s silly, but they baptized Jesus in proxy

The LDS church must be embarrassed by the fact that people keep submitting names for proxy baptisms. Helen Radkey, that…

15 years ago