50 Reasons Why - I'm OUT (of Mormonism)

50 Reasons Why

I’m OUT (of Mormonism)

1. LDS meetings are boring.
2. Brigham Young owned slaves.
3. The City Creek Shopping Mall.
4. The 1890 Manifesto was a lie.
5. Where are all the steel swords?
6. There was never a “Global Flood”.
7. Joseph Smith was a sexual predator
8. God’s word for the sun is “shinehah”.
9. There is NO Book of Mormon Archeology
10. The Primary manual has ghost stories.
11. Lack of sex education ruins marriages.
12. In 500 BC, American Indians knew French.
13. Missionary medical treatment is abusive.
14. Changing meeting times is not a revelation
15. People who leave the church are shunned.
16. Smith was sealed to 22 women before Emma.
17. Utah cancer survival rates are about average.
18. “Ministry” is a joke that everyone ignores.
19. 148 years of super-racism. 40 years of less.
20. Thomas S. Monson lied about his “85 widows”.
21. Gay men were counseled to marry women.
22. Forcible rape is a lesser sin than gay marriage.
23. Nephi beheaded a man because he had a feeling.
24. The Church is run by an unchecked 93-year-old.
25. The Book of Abraham is a translation of nothing.
26. The papyrus written by Abraham was lost.
27. A man raped women in the MTC and nobody cares.
28. Bearing testimony is a brainwashing technique.
29. Allowing girls to pass out towels is not progress.
30. Joseph Smith plagiarized his Bible “Translation”.
31. Almost every “ faith promoting “ story is a myth.
32. Polygamy had few rules, and those weren’t followed.
33. Every song in the hymn book is like a funeral dirge.
34. Masonic handshakes are just like Mormon temple ones.
35. Today’s Endowment is nothing like it was 40 years ago.
36. Mormons believe that the Tower of Babel story is real.
37. It’s doctrine that God ignored humanity for 1500 years.
38. It takes a lawyer to undo something I did when I was 8.
39. Mormons build $50 million temples while ignoring poverty.
40. Joseph Smith forced Heber C. Kimball to give him his wife.
41. The last time an angel came to Earth was to talk about sex.
42. Girls are taught that if they survive rape they’re tainted.
43. Mormons killed 120 Arkansas migrants and stole their babies.
44. 78-year-old John Taylor slept with his 26-year-old secretary.
45. Brigham Young had a “favorite wife” who was 37 years younger.
46. Joseph didn’t use the Gold Plates to write the Book of Mormon.
47. Mormon bishops are alone with 7-year-old children all the time.
48. Parents can't attend their kid's weddings over money and coffee.
49. Except for tobacco use, the Word of Wisdom is incorrect or ignored.
50. Smith didn’t tell anyone about the first vision for more than 10 years.

"I go like a lamb to the slaughter"

Joseph goes like a lamb to the slaughter

Another error in the LDS "Church History Primary Manual". 

From the Primary Manual Lesson 37.
Joseph knew that if they went back they would be killed, but he told other Church leaders: “I am going like a lamb to the slaughter, but I am calm as a summer’s morning. I have a conscience void of offense toward God and toward all men. If they take my life I shall die an innocent man, and my blood shall cry from the ground for vengeance, and it shall be said of me ‘He was murdered in cold blood!’”


The lesson gives the false impression that Joseph was a quiet simple man that was quick to turn himself in.

Another Church History Book paints a different picture:
The Saints Chapter 44 - written in 2018

“It is thought by some that our enemies would be satisfied with my destruction,” he said, “but I tell you that as soon as they have shed my blood, they will thirst for the blood of every man in whose heart dwells a single spark of the spirit of the fullness of the gospel.”

Drawing his sword and raising it to the sky, Joseph urged the men to defend the liberties that had been denied them in the past. “Will you all stand by me to the death,” Joseph asked, “and sustain, at the peril of your lives, the laws of our country?”

The truth is that he went to his death swinging.  We do know that he had a gun smuggled into his jail cell and that he shot at six times.  Some sources say that two men died from the gunshots, but it isn't certain.
It is also questionable if Joseph really thought he would die.  He had been remarkably resourceful in the past at getting out of tough situations and he did have the assurance that Governor Ford would protect him.   

Other Resources:
LDS.org
Mormon Mosters Blog
Bernhisel Letter

Criticizing the Prophet will get your horse killed by God.

Sylvester Smith’s Horse Dies because he criticizes the Prophet

Lesson # 28 Link

Lesson Story Summary:

The Zion’s Camp expedition was struggling. Food and water were short or contaminated. The weather was extreme. The men were fighting each other and many were blaming Joseph Smith for their suffering. A man named Sylvester Smith was very angry with The Prophet. Joseph rebuked Sylvester and the other men. Almost every horse got sick. The men repented of their complaining. Every horse got better, except Sylvester Smith’s horse, which died.

Why it is wrong:

The purpose of the lesson appears to be:
                      Argue against authority at your own peril.

If you disagree with the Prophet or other church leadership, your horse might die or something terrible might happen. What a terrible message to give children. Church leaders make mistakes all the time. Don’t give the message that if you disagree you will be cursed.

The fact is that the expedition was horribly planned. Even though Joseph Smith had months to prepare. They didn’t take nearly enough provisions or money and their equipment was poor. The horses were suffering more than the men and often went days without adequate or clean water. It isn’t surprising that the men complained and that a horse died.

The lesson oversimplifies that if you disagree, your horse will died. When there are so many other factors to consider. This also creates a modern church culture that even if the criticism of a leader is justified, you should still not complain.

Further Reading
Signature Books - Journal Entry

BYU - Studies Article

Wikipedia Arti

More Primary Manual Craziness !!

The LDS Primary Manual has more lies than the Nauvoo Expositor

NO.  Don't destroy printing presses,  but we need to call out when a church prints myths as truth, especially to children.  

VS. 

Over the past year I have chronicled the many lies in the LDS Church manual for children.  

Here are a few of my other posts:  

Willard Richards Prophecy

1000 Young Indian Braves Don't attack Brigham Young

70 year old man walks 26 miles twice a week on a peg leg.

Here is a Link to a Reddit post listing the lies

Chapter 37 says that the Nauvoo Expositor was "filled with vicious lies" about Joseph Smith.

The reality is that the "Church History" Primary Manual contains more lies than the Nauvoo Expositor and when William Law called out Joseph Smith's abuse and polygamy it was true.

Is it time to destroy the printing presses of the LDS Church ?  No, but it is time to call them out on the lies, myths and half truths that are contained in a manual taught to children.  

In Chapter 37 of the Primary Manual #5,  it says,

"Some enemies of the Church....started a newspaper in which they told many vicious lies about Joseph Smith. The members of the Church were angry about these lies. Joseph Smith, who was mayor of Nauvoo at the time, called a meeting of the city council, which was composed of both Church members and nonmembers. The city council declared the newspaper a “public nuisance” and ordered the town marshal to destroy the printing press used to print the newspaper."

The Nauvoo Expositor did not tell lies, it exposed Joseph Smith's polygamy, abuse of power and 

The Nauvoo Expositor article had three main points:

1. Joseph Smith was a fallen prophet.

2. Joseph was practicing polygamy.

3. Joseph Smith had too much power and was trying to create a theocracy.

All of these are true, but there are at least 25 lies that the LDS Church knowingly teaches children between the ages or 8 and 11 in their manual.  

Sources:

Mormon Think

$50 challenge

116pages.com

Titanic Warning - Missed Opportunity

Mormon Church - Titanic
April 1912 Timeline

Wednesday April 3rd - 

     The Titanic Arrives in Southampton.

Thursday April 4th -

     Crew, cooks and employees begin to fill the ship.

Friday April 5th - (Gen. Conference)

     Supplies, foodstuffs and freight is loaded.

     LDS Prophet Joseph F. Smith talks about tithing and the enemies of the church.

Saturday April 6th - (Gen. Conference)

    Beds are made and freight continues to be loaded.

    President Smith spoke about his uncle Joseph Smith

Sunday April 7th -  (Gen. Conference)

     Titanic launch preparations continue.

     Prophet of God speaks about missionary work.

Monday April 8th - 

     Titanic food preparations begin. 

      LDS Leaders meet briefly to discuss attendance rest. 

Tuesday April 9th - 

      Final touches on put on the ship, 20 lifeboats in place. 

      74 year old President  Joseph F. Smith attends temple works in his office.

Wednesday April 10th - 

     The Titanic sets sail from Southampton England
     Joseph F. Smith silent

Tuesday April 11th - 
     The Titanic leaves Ireland, the last chance for a warning by telegraph.
     Prophet, Seer and Revelator Smith is silent.

Monday April 15th -

     The Titanic Sinks  in the Atlantic Ocean.  More than 1500 people die, Including President Joseph F. Smith's Irene Corbett cousin. 
     Word arrives in Salt Lake City by telegraph the same day.

Wednesday April 17th -
     LDS Church leaders meet to discuss tragedy.  No public statement is made. 

Thursday April 18th - 
Carpathia brings first survivors into New York City

Sources:

BYU Article on Mormons and the Titanic

History.net - Titanic

     

LDS Living - Titanic

Transatlantic Cables - Wikipedia

Carpathia Rescue Timeline

Salt Lake Tribune - Irene Corbett

How is myth is made....

How a Myth is Made...

Elder Thomas S. Monson from 1977

In the vicinity where I lived and served, we operated a poultry project. Most of the time it was an efficiently operated project supplying to the storehouse thousands of dozens of fresh eggs and hundreds of pounds of dressed poultry. 

General Conference - 1977

Deseret News - 2008

The Ensign - 2014

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland from 1986

Many may know that young Bishop Monson took a week of his personal vacation time every Christmas season to visit all of those eighty-five widows in his ward. Many may not know that for the first several years the gift he would take them was one of the Barred Plymouth Rock or Rhode Island Red hens raised and dressed out by him in his own poultry coops. And although it has been more than thirty years since he was released as their bishop, President Monson has taken a gift and visited every one of those widows every Christmas for as long as each has lived. 

The Ensign - 1986

In 1994 Jeffery R. Holland version Jeffery Holland added two widows and add the fact that Monson left gifts purchase from his own pocket. 

"Nearly all of those eighty-seven widows are gone now, but their “bishop” kept visiting them to the end. One night during the Christmas holidays some years ago, President Monson was making his customary rounds to “his” widows, leaving gifts purchased from his own pocket, including plump dressed chickens that were, in the early years, raised in his own coops."

The Ensign - 1994

See Also:  Did Thomas Monson really speak at All 85 Widow's Funerals

How Long Does it Take to Kill, Skin and Cook a Rabbit ?

Two questions to think about before reading this story:

1. How long does it take to kill, skin and cook a rabbit by somebody who has never done it?

2. Does the family below look like they have never tasted chicken?

 Thomas S. Monson told this story on several occasions:

This version is from a book on Thomas Monson by Heidi Swinton

"One year, the home was buzzing with Thanksgiving preparations when Charlie Renshaw, a friend from over the back fence, stood outside, as was the custom of these young friends, and hollered, “Tom-my!”

.... “It sure smells good in there. What are you eating?”

Tommy told him it was turkey, and Charlie asked what turkey tasted like.

Tom responded, “Oh, about like chicken,” to which Charlie asked, “What does chicken taste like?”

Tom ran into the kitchen, snatched a piece of breast meat, and handed it to his friend. “That’s good!” the boy said.

When Tom asked what Charlie’s family was having for dinner, the answer was, “I dunno. There’s nothing in the house.”

Tom pondered. He knew his mother always found something to feed those who came to the door. He had no extra turkeys, chickens, or money. But he did have two pet rabbits, a male and female, the pride of his life, beautiful New Zealand whites. He motioned to his friend and headed for the specially constructed rabbit hutch built by one of his uncles. He reached in and grabbed his two pet rabbits, put them in a gunnysack, and handed the bag to Charlie.

“Rabbit meat tastes better than chicken,” Tom said. “Their hide makes really good knuckle pads when you are playing marbles. You know, you can sell the hides for a quarter each over at the hide company. These two rabbits will give your family a good dinner.”

Charlie was on the fence—the boys used the fences like sidewalks in his neighborhood—and heading for his yard before Tom could close the door to his empty rabbit hutch. He realized he had given all he had. He had met someone else’s need and did not regret it. The pattern was in place: “I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat. . . . Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

His life has continued to be a tangible expression of the Lord’s words.”

He gave his 2 pet rabbits to a neighborhood friend who’s family was not going to have a turkey for Thanksgiving.

More questions to think about this story:

1. Wouldn't Tommy's mother have just invited the family to dinner?

2. How many people would be willing to kill a rabbit?  

3. Do you think the Renshaw mother would have talked to Tommy's mom before butchering the rabbit? 

4. How long would it take to kill, skin and cook a rabbit?  

Random Links and Notes:

Mormon Hub

1986 Ensign Article - Jeffery Holland

When young Tom learned a family of one of his friends planned to eat cereal moistened with hot water for Christmas dinner, he invited his friend to his backyard. He then took his two pet rabbits out of their hutch and gave them to his friend for Christmas dinner for his family. 

lds.org Memories of Christmas

https://www.lds.org/new-era/1986/12/christmas-gifts-christmas-blessings?lang=eng

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/12/prophets-at-christmastime?lang=eng

https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/jonathan-g-sandberg_healing-courage-action-grace/

Monson Written in Ensign Dec - 1995

Wheat and Tares - Obituary

LDS Living

 https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/memories/KWZB-7NT
http://www2.byui.edu/Presentations/Transcripts/Devotionals/2012_01_17_ScottCameron.htm

https://www.reddit.com/r/exmormon/comments/8c2m74/another_bullshit_story_told_by_thomas_s_monson/

Many Latter-day Saints have heard President Monson tell a Christmas story about his own toy train, and giving a train car to a less-fortunate friend in the neighborhood. Another Christmas story he wrote about involved two rabbits that he gave to a friend who — when asked what his family was having for Christmas dinner — said he didn't know, and had never tasted chicken or turkey.

He later wrote that he shed tears as he put two of his own rabbits in a bag for his friend, "but there was a warm feeling in my heart (later) ... when he told me this was the best Christmas dinner he and his family had ever had." Ensign, December 1995

Even Less believable Desnews version 

The Sweetwater Rescue Myth

The Mormon Church has stretched the truth so much that it calls into question, every story they have ever told.  

There are 100's of examples:

Here is one.....

From the current Primary Manual #5 - Church History:
        "Then three eighteen-year-old boys from the relief party came to their rescue. George W. Grant, David P. Kimball, and C. Allen Huntington plunged into the icy water and began carrying people across the river. They made many trips and carried almost the entire company across. 
        The cold water caused health problems for the boys, and years later all three died from these health problems. When President Brigham Young heard what these three boys had done, he wept. He later said that this act alone would ensure the three young men places in the celestial kingdom."

Since at least 2006 the LDS Church has known that the basic facts of the story are false:

a. None of the young men were 18 years old.
b. There is little evidence that any of the men died as a result of the act. 
c. Brigham Young has no right or knowledge if they earned their places in the Celestial Kingdom.  
d. There were more than three rescuers.

The true story just isn't good enough!
The reality is that there was a rescue, people did carry others across, the handcart pioneers were really brave and suffered horribly.  Unfortunately, that isn't good enough for the LDS Church.  It has to make a story even bigger, more miraculous and make their leaders look really great.

So why does the church continue to present folklore as fact?

a. Because they've lied for so long.
b. Because it will prove that their leaders have no power of discernment.
c. Because it shows that their lesson manuals are not inspired.
d. Because they would have to correct the church record going back generations.
e. Because they will NOT apologize.
f. Because they would have to re-translate 100's of church manuals and talks.  


Further Reading:
Bry Cox Article
BYU Article - Chad Orton
BYU-I Article - The Problems with Hollywood Style Storytelling
Chad's Musings - Handcart Myths
Mormon Studies Roundtable
Juvenile Instructor

A sample of places on LDS.org where the false story is still repeated:

1981 General Conference - Gordon B. Hinckley

1984 Ensign - Gordon B. Hinckley

New Era Story - 2006

1992 General Conference - Faust

New Testament Lesson Manual

1997 Ensign - Paul Peterson

1993 New Era - Jack Goaslind

1990 Ensign - Thomas S. Monson

1998 Ensign - Image

Gospel Doctrine Manual - Church History

Spanish Language - Church History

1926 Church History Document

Aaronic Priesthood Manual

German Language - General Conference

Portuguese Language - Young Women’s

German  Language - Gospel Doctrine

Portuguese Language - Primary Manual

Italian Language - General Conference - Faust

German Language - Primary Manual

Spanish Language - Primary Manual

Portuguese Language - Aaronic Priesthood Manual

Italian Language - Gospel Doctrine

Swahili Language - Gospel Doctrine

Norwegian Language - Primary Manual

Samoan Language - Primary Manual

German Language - Aaronic Priesthood

Swedish Language - Primary Manual

Tagalog Language - Primary Manual

Romanian Language - Gospel Doctrine

French Language - Sunday School Manual

Cebuano Language - Sunday School Manual

Indonesian Language - Sunday School Manual

Tongan Language - Sunday School Manual

Changes in the Emma Smith Revelation....

Joseph Smith's Elect Lady Revelation 

becomes more strict over time.  

Timeline:  

July 1830:

Joseph Smith received a revelation of comfort for Emma.  The original document has been lost.  It was at a time when Joseph was in serious legal trouble.  

Spring of 1831:  

Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer are assigned to record Joseph Smith's revelations.  The documents are copied into a book called "The Revelation Book".  Below is a scan of their handwriting.  The revelation to Emma is called "27th Commandment".  

(Highlighting is digital) 

July 20, 1833
A group of four to five hundred Missouri vigilantes stormed the Church's printing office in Independence and destroyed or confiscated much of the contents.  The text below is from one of the few books that was made from rescued manuscripts.  There are minor changes made from the 1831 version.  

About 1833 - 1835
A teenage girl named Fanny Alger is hired to live and work in the Smith home.  She helps with Emma with the children, cleaning and cooking.  At some point she starts a relationship with Joseph Smith.  

November 1835
The book called the Doctrine and Covenants was published in 1835 in Kirtland, Ohio.  The Emma Smith revelation was put in Section 48.   A conditional clause is added to Emma's revelation.   In the 1831 version, Emma was called and "Elect Lady", but in the 1835 version it is given "IF THOU ART FAITHFUL and WALK IN THE PATHS OF VIRTUE".

Why would a conditional clause be added?

Is it possible that Emma had begun to grow weary with Joseph's polygamy / adultery?  Would this IF statement put greater pressure on Emma to accept Fanny Alger and the relationship she had with Joseph?

March 27, 1836
For context, be aware that the Kirtland Temple was dedicated after this revelation came out.  At that time, Joseph received the "Sealing Power" from an angel.  

July 12, 1843
Section 132 is recorded.  This section puts even more pressure on Emma Smith to conform.  Saying that she might be "destroyed".  

"and let mine handmaid Emma Smith receive all those that have been given unto my Servent Joseph, and who are virtuous and pure before me; And those who are not pure <​and have Said they ware pure​> Shall be destroyed"

The Emma Smith revelation is now found in Doctrine and Covenants 25 in the present Utah - LDS Scripture.  

Link to Doctrine and Covenants 25

More to think about:
It is also worth noting that the source of the revelation changes between 1830 and 1835.  In the 1830 version,  Emma is called, "My Daughter in Zion", but in the 1835 version she is addressed saying,  "Hearken unto the voice of the Lord your God, while I speak unto you, Emma Smith, my daughter; "

Additional Reading 

BYU Article

FairMormon Article on Fannie Alger

Patheos Article

Mormon Think

The Revelations Books

Book of Commandments at Joseph Smith Papers

Young women saving the papers of the Book of Commandments.