tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8445204255254702636.post1166294642802747771..comments2023-10-30T06:51:58.621-07:00Comments on Disillusioned Mormon: I No Longer Actively Participate In The LDS ChurchBrother Zelphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138332337674962461noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8445204255254702636.post-67064769066247485302007-07-26T16:10:00.000-07:002007-07-26T16:10:00.000-07:00Imagine my surprise upon finding my "If JS had the...Imagine my surprise upon finding my "If JS had the Internet" post copied here by anonymous without reference to me as the writer of it. <BR/><BR/>Who did that?<BR/><BR/>:) I'm glad you like it, tho.<BR/><BR/>Zelph, I'm enjoying your blog.Sister Mary Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00642154849765529070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8445204255254702636.post-82641376932192298862007-07-16T15:24:00.000-07:002007-07-16T15:24:00.000-07:00If Joseph Smith had the Internet.....Helen Mar Kim...If Joseph Smith had the Internet.....<BR/>Helen Mar Kimball sits on her bed, computer in her lap.<BR/>sweetiepie14 (online)<BR/><BR/>Suddenly a pop-up message appears on her computer screen: nastyboyJS wants to chat ~ ACCEPT/DENY ~ She accepts.<BR/><BR/>nastyboyJS: hi. got your address from heber.<BR/>sweetiepie14: my dad?? who is this?<BR/>nastyboyJS: brother joseph<BR/>sweetiepie14: oh! hi!!! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8445204255254702636.post-46587878475248193072007-07-10T10:34:00.000-07:002007-07-10T10:34:00.000-07:00Oh, I forgot to add that I found this great site t...Oh, I forgot to add that I found this great site that shows nearly verse by verse how the Bible and BOM are totally inconsistent and absurd.<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/BOM/abs/long.html" REL="nofollow">Skeptics Annotated Book of Mormon</A>They call him James Urehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05171585857015973860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8445204255254702636.post-60927043263742051512007-07-10T10:30:00.000-07:002007-07-10T10:30:00.000-07:00Excellent blog. Former Mormon here as well. I was ...Excellent blog. Former Mormon here as well. I was raised in the church, indoctrinated and told to question NOTHING. I went to the mission training center (MTC) and taught how to manipulate people to believe and do what you tell them. <BR/><BR/>I served two full years in Africa and was faced with a crisis of faith when I was constantly asked questions about the black and the priesthood. This They call him James Urehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05171585857015973860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8445204255254702636.post-50480410856333461792007-07-07T10:55:00.000-07:002007-07-07T10:55:00.000-07:00Jeremy-I am glad that you enjoy reading my posts a...Jeremy-<BR/><BR/>I am glad that you enjoy reading my posts and I encourage you to post your comments, thoughts, observations and opinions.<BR/><BR/>The short answer to your question is because I choose to remain anonymous at this time.Brother Zelphhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10138332337674962461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8445204255254702636.post-33324902569292723362007-07-07T01:29:00.000-07:002007-07-07T01:29:00.000-07:00I find your posts very interesting and can relate ...I find your posts very interesting and can relate to many of them. I am curious though... why do you disguise your voice in the YouTube videos?Jeremyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11726005550858397355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8445204255254702636.post-13955724401858853382007-07-06T11:54:00.000-07:002007-07-06T11:54:00.000-07:00I would be very interested in chatting with you, a...I would be very interested in chatting with you, and with TBM Mike if possible.<BR/><BR/>E-mail me chuckroundhousekick@yahoo.com if you'd like.<BR/><BR/>Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8445204255254702636.post-18038664130088488872007-07-06T09:48:00.000-07:002007-07-06T09:48:00.000-07:00ZelphNothing makes sense in this religion .D&C sec...Zelph<BR/><BR/>Nothing makes sense in this religion .<BR/><BR/>D&C section 9 is about Oliver Cowdery failing to translate anything ? and told to be content to be the scribe etc ..<BR/><BR/>This proves further that no one was looking at any gold plates or using any Urim and Thummim type instrument which supposedly came in the supposed box ..<BR/><BR/>Oliver wasn't allowed to see the Gold Plates soElder Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12151167504450803568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8445204255254702636.post-46065432603598425312007-07-04T12:04:00.000-07:002007-07-04T12:04:00.000-07:00Well, in fairness, wine can be made from many diff...Well, in fairness, wine can be made from many different fruits, but I'm sure it was intended to have been from grapes.<BR/><BR/>Zelph,<BR/><BR/>Have you noticed on LDS.ORG that the church is preempting the fallout that is sure to come over the Mountain Meadows Massacre, by giving an LDS view of what happened? There is an article written to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the MMM for the Bishop Rickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05385909789743073477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8445204255254702636.post-47152098398479653892007-07-04T00:47:00.000-07:002007-07-04T00:47:00.000-07:00Nate -You hit the nail on the head. The most diffi...Nate -<BR/><BR/>You hit the nail on the head. The most difficult and often times frustrating thing is when trying to explain how you became so skeptical of the church, TBM's want you to pinpoint one instance, as if it must be just some kind of minor blip. They make you feel like you are just being nit-picky and have no faith, you know, they make you feel like the "REAL" problem must be YOU. Are Brother Zelphhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10138332337674962461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8445204255254702636.post-44920000223506890082007-07-03T22:58:00.000-07:002007-07-03T22:58:00.000-07:00While I have not left the Church, and do not plane...While I have not left the Church, and do not plane to do so, there is something I appreciate to your Jenga metaphor. That is that people who have sincere problems/doubts as regards the Church, generally don’t go whaling about over just one thing. It takes a number of things to start to make the tower a little wiggely or unstable. TBM’s who wish to ‘resolve the concerns’ of the ‘skeptical Mormon’NateDredgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07312989322231452410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8445204255254702636.post-73633984890939949362007-07-03T18:01:00.000-07:002007-07-03T18:01:00.000-07:00Still Firm,If only those that believed in the book...Still Firm,<BR/><BR/>If only those that believed in the book of mormon were excomunicated.<BR/><BR/>My life would be much easier.Bishop Rickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05385909789743073477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8445204255254702636.post-68908699623095796302007-07-03T17:09:00.000-07:002007-07-03T17:09:00.000-07:00EJPlease do not put words in my mouth... I did not...EJ<BR/><BR/>Please do not put words in my mouth... I did not say the Bible was not true! I was simply pointing out that a lack of imperical evidence does not make something false. <BR/><BR/>As far as further scriptures coming forth... thank you for PROVING my point!<BR/><BR/>As you know, polygamy is no longer practiced in the Church... those who do believe in the BoM and still practice polygamy Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8445204255254702636.post-17679827927180846502007-07-03T17:04:00.000-07:002007-07-03T17:04:00.000-07:00Zelph, I have been known to get up in RS, tell the...Zelph, <BR/><BR/>I have been known to get up in RS, tell the sisters that the6y are hypocrites, and walk out... self-gratification (because they are mormons) has created an internal uproar on more than one occasion! <BR/><BR/>I want you to know that I really do enjoy reading your blog for the most part... The ideas are wonderful and thought provoking... the part I don't like is the BASHING... it Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8445204255254702636.post-22557889861282171902007-07-03T12:35:00.000-07:002007-07-03T12:35:00.000-07:00EJ,Don't worry, I am going to keep the blog runnin...EJ,<BR/><BR/>Don't worry, I am going to keep the blog running. I think the purpose of the blog has shifted from questioning to simply informing.<BR/><BR/>You are in a great position where you have interaction with the missionaries, whereas an exmo would be seen as an apostate, and a member would be disciplined for even bringing up questions.<BR/><BR/>It is amazing that so much has transpired and Brother Zelphhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10138332337674962461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8445204255254702636.post-42030766208832021262007-07-03T12:30:00.000-07:002007-07-03T12:30:00.000-07:00Still firm,Thank you for your comments and I take ...Still firm,<BR/><BR/>Thank you for your comments and I take every comment seriously. I think people do decide what they believe ultimately. I think people can convince themselves that either it is true or it isn't. I think deep down everyone has their doubts. I think for me, there came a point where I couldn't keep lying to my self.<BR/><BR/>I thought about what you said and I think you have Brother Zelphhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10138332337674962461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8445204255254702636.post-66423061410847911982007-07-03T11:45:00.000-07:002007-07-03T11:45:00.000-07:00Zelph ,Please keep the blog running .There are som...Zelph ,<BR/><BR/>Please keep the blog running .There are some great though provoking articles and I haven't managed to copy them all yet .<BR/><BR/>I've had an email from yet another of my returned missionaries who admits he has a number of issues acummulated on his shelf and is going to take a good look at them now he's home again .<BR/><BR/>I am happy to have helped him stack his shelf !! lol<Elder Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12151167504450803568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8445204255254702636.post-71457897527123530542007-07-03T11:33:00.000-07:002007-07-03T11:33:00.000-07:00still firm you said "The BoM is not the last scrip...still firm <BR/><BR/>you said "The BoM is not the last scripture to be brought forth... when the next comes (not that our world is even remotely prepared for it), "<BR/><BR/>How ridiculous .If non of the so called Prophets can even translate simple ordinary Egyptian ( when the book Of abraham papyrus scrolls were handed to the church ) and they are meant to be Prophet Seers and Revelators . Who Elder Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12151167504450803568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8445204255254702636.post-4299584008237257412007-07-03T09:12:00.000-07:002007-07-03T09:12:00.000-07:00You should all back away from Stance for Truth, or...You should all back away from Stance for Truth, or he may stretch forth his hand and "shock" you like Nephi shocked his brothers, though that did not actually occur in real life. Indeed, Nephi's shocking was done in a more metaphysical sense, in what I like to call the fourth dimension (or is it the fifth?). <BR/><BR/>Like Stance for Truth, I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that the Book of Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8445204255254702636.post-83948915518185851492007-07-03T08:31:00.000-07:002007-07-03T08:31:00.000-07:00I think the easiest part of this blog is getting y...I think the easiest part of this blog is getting your mind set in one aspect and ensuring security by never waivering. After reading several posts (and not participating) I have determined that those opposed to the Church are just as set in their mind-frame than those who believe in the Church... <BR/><BR/>You are absolutely correct that there are evidences that don't jibe with BoM.... There are Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8445204255254702636.post-34881029043245630662007-07-02T23:16:00.000-07:002007-07-02T23:16:00.000-07:00Stance for truth-It is apparent that you fall unde...Stance for truth-<BR/><BR/>It is apparent that you fall under the "inspired fiction" camp like LDS apologist and talk show host Van Hale said in an interview with the Australian microbiologist bishop that went exmo. Although in a way, I admire you for your non-orthodox views, I still can't wrap my brain around how a church that is supposed to be by God would lie and use deception to lure in its Brother Zelphhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10138332337674962461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8445204255254702636.post-63479809911548812062007-07-02T22:02:00.000-07:002007-07-02T22:02:00.000-07:00Stance for truth-I find your name oxymoronic. You...Stance for truth-<BR/>I find your name oxymoronic. You claim to be a stance for TRUTH, yet admit in the same breath that the Book of Mormon is not what it claims.<BR/><BR/>Even if what you say was the case, the LDS church is being dishonest with their members. <BR/><BR/>I think overall, you are being dishonest with yourself. Why did Joseph need the golden plates to begin with? If the story Brother Zelphhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10138332337674962461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8445204255254702636.post-42633630459591416632007-07-02T18:55:00.000-07:002007-07-02T18:55:00.000-07:00Bishop Rick,Of course our church leaders use rheto...Bishop Rick,<BR/><BR/>Of course our church leaders use rhetoric that strengthens the member's positions. They have to if they want the members and particularly the missionaries to preach with any amount of zeal.<BR/><BR/>I think the biggest mistake people make is thinking that Joseph Smith was perfect. He and all the other prophets that have ever lived on earth are men and therefore imperfect. Stance For Truthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15813673241960728520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8445204255254702636.post-11000931641307858042007-07-02T17:19:00.000-07:002007-07-02T17:19:00.000-07:00Stance for Truth,Didn't you hear what GBH said abo...Stance for Truth,<BR/><BR/>Didn't you hear what GBH said about the BofM? He said that the whole foundation of the church began and ended with the truthfulness of the BofM.<BR/><BR/>How can you hold up a liar (JS) as a prophet? He lied about the first vision (many church accounts back this up). He lied about the BofM. He lied about his practice of polygamy, and was ultimately killed for his Bishop Rickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05385909789743073477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8445204255254702636.post-48337924441768456042007-07-02T14:03:00.000-07:002007-07-02T14:03:00.000-07:00Zelph,I know exactly what you are going through. I...Zelph,<BR/><BR/>I know exactly what you are going through. I have gone through the same crisis of faith. I asked the same questions, but I have gone the other way. I still believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet and god had a message to give us through him. The vehicle to which Joseph gave us this message was in a format that we could understand. Joseph Smith was a great storyteller and that is Stance For Truthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15813673241960728520noreply@blogger.com