Yearly Archives: 2024

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I confessed, “President, I don’t think I can say I know that the Church is true yet, but I sure hope with all my heart that it is. And I am going to live my life in accordance with that hope. Is that enough?” | wasmormon.org
I confessed, “President, I don’t think I can say I know that the Church is true yet, but I sure hope with all my heart that it is. And I am going to live my life in accordance with that hope. Is that enough?”
"We gain or strengthen a testimony by bearing it… testimonies are better gained on the feet bearing them than on the knees praying for them." - LDS Apostle, Dallin H. Oaks - General Conference April 2008 | wasmormon.org
"We gain or strengthen a testimony by bearing it… testimonies are better gained on the feet bearing them than on the knees praying for them." - LDS Apostle, Dallin H. Oaks - General Conference April 2008

I Know The Church Is True

Nearly every speaker in a testimony meeting says “I know the church is true.” This is a nonsensical statement, but considering the Illusory Truth Effect we can see what the church may be after. We know that repetitions don’t make statements any more true, but psychologically we do tend to believe things we’ve heard repeatedly. …

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The emphasis on modern prophets and the latest general conference over the scriptures creates an atmosphere of transience that pervades everything. The only real rule is to do whatever they said most recently. Everything else is optional and unknowable. There's no foundation, or base we can trust. There is no doctrine, no catechism, and no solid foundation of rules or beliefs. It's just a doctrine of authority and spiritual coercion and abuse to ensure the sheep stay in line. The point is to obey the authorities and not question the brethren. The law of obedience is the most important law to follow, it's really the only law to follow. It's as circular as "Do as I say. Because I say so." It's shifting sands, maybes, and implied gotchas. Even though in primary we are taught the tale of those who build their house on the sand, and we know and remember that it doesn't end well for them. | wasmormon.org
The emphasis on modern prophets and the latest general conference over the scriptures creates an atmosphere of transience that pervades everything. The only real rule is to do whatever they said most recently. Everything else is optional and unknowable. There's no foundation, or base we can trust. There is no doctrine, no catechism, and no solid foundation of rules or beliefs. It's just a doctrine of authority and spiritual coercion and abuse to ensure the sheep stay in line. The point is to obey the authorities and not question the brethren. The law of obedience is the most important law to follow, it's really the only law to follow. It's as circular as "Do as I say. Because I say so." It's shifting sands, maybes, and implied gotchas. Even though in primary we are taught the tale of those who build their house on the sand, and we know and remember that it doesn't end well for them.
“The things that I shall tell you are not explained in the scriptures, although they conform to the principles taught in the scriptures.... The things I am going to tell you are not explained in our handbooks or manuals either. Even if they were, most of you don’t have handbooks because they are given only to the leaders. I will be speaking about what I call the “unwritten order of things.” Although they are very ordinary things, they are, nevertheless, very important! We somehow assume that everybody knows all the ordinary things already. If you do know them, you must have learned them through observation and experience, for they are not written anywhere and they are not taught in classes." - Boyd K Packer, LDS Apostle, October 1996 BYU Devotional: The Unwritten Order of Things | wasmormon.org
“The things that I shall tell you are not explained in the scriptures, although they conform to the principles taught in the scriptures.... The things I am going to tell you are not explained in our handbooks or manuals either. Even if they were, most of you don’t have handbooks because they are given only to the leaders. I will be speaking about what I call the “unwritten order of things.” Although they are very ordinary things, they are, nevertheless, very important! We somehow assume that everybody knows all the ordinary things already. If you do know them, you must have learned them through observation and experience, for they are not written anywhere and they are not taught in classes.” - Boyd K Packer, LDS Apostle, October 1996 BYU Devotional: The Unwritten Order of Things
"Imagine writing a book (grammatical changes in parenthesis): • About an (imaginary) ancient civilization. • There must be no research of any kind (because it is imaginary). • It must be 531 pages and more than 300,000 (269,320) words. • There must only be grammatical (3,913) changes to the first edition. • It must be written in the (pseudo) style of various authors. • (No unbiased) Archeological evidence supports it. • (Only) Intellectuals & scholars accept the truth of it (who are paid to). • You must finish writing it in 65 (working) days (over 2.5 years). • Volunteer missionaries witness the truth of it (with sales tactics and emotional manipulation)." How Can It Not Be True? The Book of Mormon (parenthesis added) Video from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | wasmormon.org
"Imagine writing a book (grammatical changes in parenthesis): • About an (imaginary) ancient civilization. • There must be no research of any kind (because it is imaginary). • It must be 531 pages and more than 300,000 (269,320) words. • There must only be grammatical (3,913) changes to the first edition. • It must be written in the (pseudo) style of various authors. • (No unbiased) Archeological evidence supports it. • (Only) Intellectuals & scholars accept the truth of it (who are paid to). • You must finish writing it in 65 (working) days (over 2.5 years). • Volunteer missionaries witness the truth of it (with sales tactics and emotional manipulation)." How Can It Not Be True? The Book of Mormon (parenthesis added) Video from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
"There have been at least 3,913 changes made in the [1964 edition of the] Book of Mormon from the time it was first published in 1830... Although there have been thousands of changes made in the Book of Mormon, the changes made in some of the other Mormon books are of a more serious nature. Some of the revelations that appear in the Doctrine and Covenants have had hundreds of words added to them. There also have been many important changes in the Pearl of Great Price... Page 14 of the first edition would have to have 355 words added, 63 words changed, and 4 words deleted to bring it into conformity with the 1989 edition." - Jerald and Sandra Tanner, 3,913 Changes in the Book of Mormon - 1996 | wasmormon.org
"There have been at least 3,913 changes made in the [1964 edition of the] Book of Mormon from the time it was first published in 1830... Although there have been thousands of changes made in the Book of Mormon, the changes made in some of the other Mormon books are of a more serious nature. Some of the revelations that appear in the Doctrine and Covenants have had hundreds of words added to them. There also have been many important changes in the Pearl of Great Price... Page 14 of the first edition would have to have 355 words added, 63 words changed, and 4 words deleted to bring it into conformity with the 1989 edition." - Jerald and Sandra Tanner, 3,913 Changes in the Book of Mormon - 1996
"There was not one thing in the Book of Mormon or in the second edition or any other edition since that in any way contradicts the first edition, and such changes as were made were made by the Prophet Joseph Smith because under those adverse conditions the Book of Mormon was published. But there was no change of doctrine." - Joseph Fielding Smith, The Improvement Era, December, 1961 | wasmormon.org
"There was not one thing in the Book of Mormon or in the second edition or any other edition since that in any way contradicts the first edition, and such changes as were made were made by the Prophet Joseph Smith because under those adverse conditions the Book of Mormon was published. But there was no change of doctrine." - Joseph Fielding Smith, The Improvement Era, December, 1961 | wasmormon.org
Book of Mormon changes between 1981 and 1920 versions. A list of major changes in the Book of Mormon and was compiled by Scott Faulring and printed in the Seventh East Press, October 21, 1981, Provo, Utah.
Book of Mormon changes between 1981 and 1920 versions. A list of major changes in the Book of Mormon and was compiled by Scott Faulring and printed in the Seventh East Press, October 21, 1981, Provo, Utah.

Illusory Truth Effect

What is the Illusory Truth Effect? Imagine your brain is like a sponge that soaks up information. When you hear something many times, even if it’s not true, your brain starts to believe it. This is called the Illusory Truth Effect. We tend to believe something is true, just because we’ve heard it over and …

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"I also was very much one of the local "anti-Mormons". I was jeered at. Threatened (by a return missionary non the less). But I continued trying to minister to Mormons. Admittedly as of late I'm just tired. I'm tired of the circular conversations and the refusals to listen. I know I shouldn't give in that easily so maybe this group will give me some much needed energy." - JR's I was a Mormon profile spotlight from wasmormon.org - https://wasmormon.org/profile/jrtaylor/
"I also was very much one of the local "anti-Mormons". I was jeered at. Threatened (by a return missionary non the less). But I continued trying to minister to Mormons. Admittedly as of late I'm just tired. I'm tired of the circular conversations and the refusals to listen. I know I shouldn't give in that easily so maybe this group will give me some much needed energy." - JR's I was a Mormon profile spotlight from wasmormon.org - https://wasmormon.org/profile/jrtaylor/
"One day someone left the book 'God's Word, Final, Infallible and Forever' on my doorstep. I threw it in a corner and forgot about it. Then one day I picked it up. My world changed almost overnight. I started reading my trusty KJV Bible and it truly came to life before my eyes. I was sure some of the things I was reading weren't there before." - JR's I was a Mormon profile spotlight from wasmormon.org - https://wasmormon.org/profile/jrtaylor/
"One day someone left the book 'God's Word, Final, Infallible and Forever' on my doorstep. I threw it in a corner and forgot about it. Then one day I picked it up. My world changed almost overnight. I started reading my trusty KJV Bible and it truly came to life before my eyes. I was sure some of the things I was reading weren't there before." - JR's I was a Mormon profile spotlight from wasmormon.org - https://wasmormon.org/profile/jrtaylor/
This is a spotlight on a profile shared at wasmormon.org. These are just the highlights, so please find the full story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/jrtaylor/. There are over a hundred more stories of Mormon faith journeys contributed by users like you. Come check them out and consider sharing your own story at wasmormon.org!
This is a spotlight on a profile shared at wasmormon.org. These are just the highlights, so please find the full story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/jrtaylor/. There are over a hundred more stories of Mormon faith journeys contributed by users like you. Come check them out and consider sharing your own story at wasmormon.org!
"I left because it's a cult and it's history is filled with lies and deceptions. I believe Jesus Christ is my Savior and He is all I need for Salvation." - JR's I was a Mormon profile spotlight from wasmormon.org - https://wasmormon.org/profile/jrtaylor/
"I left because it's a cult and it's history is filled with lies and deceptions. I believe Jesus Christ is my Savior and He is all I need for Salvation." - JR's I was a Mormon profile spotlight from wasmormon.org - https://wasmormon.org/profile/jrtaylor/
"Eventually, I got saved and was baptized in a local Baptist church. I played on the worship team for many years, was a Youth Leader, and numerous other ministries." - JR's I was a Mormon profile spotlight from wasmormon.org - https://wasmormon.org/profile/jrtaylor/
"Eventually, I got saved and was baptized in a local Baptist church. I played on the worship team for many years, was a Youth Leader, and numerous other ministries." - JR's I was a Mormon profile spotlight from wasmormon.org - https://wasmormon.org/profile/jrtaylor/
Ronald E Poelman - The Gospel and the Church - Comparing the Original and the Revised Talk - Diff Screenshot https://gist.github.com/circlecube/b18da97c884683b75d820cd4740e225d/revisions#diff-ccff7643a5d68a6563a3687841b4162943edc8ad7799d66f9c4077d99266c3fb
Ronald E Poelman - The Gospel and the Church - Comparing the Original and the Revised Talk - Diff Screenshot https://gist.github.com/circlecube/b18da97c884683b75d820cd4740e225d/revisions#diff-ccff7643a5d68a6563a3687841b4162943edc8ad7799d66f9c4077d99266c3fb

Cherish Your Doubts

This reading for worship, from the Unitarian Universalize Association, emphasizes the value of doubt as an essential and positive element in the pursuit of truth and knowledge. It contrasts doubt with unquestioning belief, arguing that beliefs immune to questioning can lead to error and incompleteness. Doubt, in this context, is portrayed as the key to …

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"For truth, if it be truth, arises from each testing stronger, more secure. Those that would silence doubt are filled with fear; their houses are built on shifting sands. But those who fear not doubt, and know its use, are founded on rock. They shall walk in the light of growing knowledge; the work of their hands shall endure. Therefore let us not fear doubt, but let us rejoice in its help: It is to the wise as a staff to the blind; doubt is the attendant of truth." - Cherish Your Doubts, Robert T. Weston, Unitarian Minister | wasmormon.org
"For truth, if it be truth, arises from each testing stronger, more secure. Those that would silence doubt are filled with fear; their houses are built on shifting sands. But those who fear not doubt, and know its use, are founded on rock. They shall walk in the light of growing knowledge; the work of their hands shall endure. Therefore let us not fear doubt, but let us rejoice in its help: It is to the wise as a staff to the blind; doubt is the attendant of truth." - Cherish Your Doubts, Robert T. Weston, Unitarian Minister
"Cherish your doubts, for doubt is the attendant of truth. Doubt is the key to the door of knowledge; it is the servant of discovery. A belief which may not be questioned binds us to error, for there is incompleteness and imperfection in every belief. Doubt is the touchstone of truth; it is an acid which eats away the false. Let no one fear the truth, that doubt may consume it; for doubt is a testing of belief. The truth stands boldly and unafraid; it is not shaken by the testing:" - Cherish Your Doubts, Robert T. Weston, Unitarian Minister | wasmormon.org
"Cherish your doubts, for doubt is the attendant of truth. Doubt is the key to the door of knowledge; it is the servant of discovery. A belief which may not be questioned binds us to error, for there is incompleteness and imperfection in every belief. Doubt is the touchstone of truth; it is an acid which eats away the false. Let no one fear the truth, that doubt may consume it; for doubt is a testing of belief. The truth stands boldly and unafraid; it is not shaken by the testing:" - Cherish Your Doubts, Robert T. Weston, Unitarian Minister
This is a spotlight on a profile shared at wasmormon.org. These are just the highlights, so please find the full story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/jarad/. There are over a hundred more stories of Mormon faith journeys contributed by users like you. Come check them out and consider sharing your own story at wasmormon.org!
This is a spotlight on a profile shared at wasmormon.org. These are just the highlights, so please find the full story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/jarad/. There are over a hundred more stories of Mormon faith journeys contributed by users like you. Come check them out and consider sharing your own story at wasmormon.org!