Yearly Archives: 2024

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"We are called to positions in the Church by inspiration. Even if the call is presented in a clumsy way, it is not wise for us to refuse the call. We must presuppose that the call comes from the Lord." - The Unwritten Order of Things, Boyd K. Packer - BYU Devotional 1996 | wasmormon.org
"We are called to positions in the Church by inspiration. Even if the call is presented in a clumsy way, it is not wise for us to refuse the call. We must presuppose that the call comes from the Lord." - The Unwritten Order of Things, Boyd K. Packer - BYU Devotional 1996
"For counsel, you go to your bishop. He may choose to send you to his file leader--the stake president. But we do not go to the General Authorities. We do not write to them for counsel or suppose that someone in a more prominent position will give a more inspired blessing." - The Unwritten Order of Things, Boyd K. Packer - BYU Devotional 1996 | wasmormon.org
"For counsel, you go to your bishop. He may choose to send you to his file leader--the stake president. But we do not go to the General Authorities. We do not write to them for counsel or suppose that someone in a more prominent position will give a more inspired blessing." - The Unwritten Order of Things, Boyd K. Packer - BYU Devotional 1996
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/baxxiefish/. 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/baxxiefish/. 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 was raised mormon, never really was into it. At first, because I wanted to do other things on Sundays. Back then, I had no clue on what wrong stuff the church had done, or that I would be in actual legitimate danger every time I went." - Baxter's I was a Mormon Story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/baxxiefish/
"I was raised mormon, never really was into it. At first, because I wanted to do other things on Sundays. Back then, I had no clue on what wrong stuff the church had done, or that I would be in actual legitimate danger every time I went." - Baxter's I was a Mormon Story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/baxxiefish/

Would There Be Fewer Mistakes if God Restored His Church Through You?

Elder Kyle McKay, the Executive Director of the Church History Department asks a rhetorical question. He asks during a devotional address (A Sure and Certain Foundation) in which he attempts to bolster testimonies by teaching how to believe. He absolves church leaders of mistakes by basically countering that “you couldn’t do any better.” He suggests …

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Bamboozled Long Enough, We Tend to Reject Any Evidence of The Bamboozle

Carl Sagan, an astrophysicist, cosmologist, author, and science communicator, captivated the world with his unparalleled ability to convey the wonders of the cosmos. Renowned for his role in popularizing science, Sagan’s legacy extends beyond academia, leaving an indelible mark on the public’s understanding of the universe. Carl Sagan’s well-known quote about being bamboozled exactly recounts …

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"One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we’ve been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We’re no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It’s simply too painful to acknowledge, even to ourselves, that we’ve been taken. Once you give a charlatan power over you, you almost never get it back." - Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark, 1995 | wasmormon.org
"One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we’ve been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We’re no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It’s simply too painful to acknowledge, even to ourselves, that we’ve been taken. Once you give a charlatan power over you, you almost never get it back." - Carl Sagan
"I was born and raised in Southern California, as a seventh generation Mormon of Pioneer heritage and I reached every Mormon youth milestone. An Eagle Scout, Returned Missionary, BYU alumnus, I was married in the San Diego Temple with expectations and plans of living Mormonism for the rest of my life. I was a Mormon." - Jeremy Runnells' I was a Mormon Story | https://wasmormon.org/profile/jeremyrunnells/
"I was born and raised in Southern California, as a seventh generation Mormon of Pioneer heritage and I reached every Mormon youth milestone. An Eagle Scout, Returned Missionary, BYU alumnus, I was married in the San Diego Temple with expectations and plans of living Mormonism for the rest of my life. I was a Mormon." - Jeremy Runnells' I was a Mormon Story | https://wasmormon.org/profile/jeremyrunnells/
"For me, having been a Mormon is like the other stages of my life. It’s something that I was, and it’s something that I did. It had its positives and negatives. But my current self is not defined by my former relationship to that church. I lived in New York City – I’m not an ex-New Yorker. I attended and graduated from BYU but I’m not ex-BYU. I was a Mormon." - Jeremy Runnells' I was a Mormon Story | https://wasmormon.org/profile/jeremyrunnells/
"For me, having been a Mormon is like the other stages of my life. It’s something that I was, and it’s something that I did. It had its positives and negatives. But my current self is not defined by my former relationship to that church. I lived in New York City – I’m not an ex-New Yorker. I attended and graduated from BYU but I’m not ex-BYU. I was a Mormon." - Jeremy Runnells' I was a Mormon Story | https://wasmormon.org/profile/jeremyrunnells/
"Prior to sending off the letter to the CES Director, I shared my draft in a closed Facebook group as well as on Reddit. I wanted feedback to ensure that it was as accurate as it could be so that I didn't waste the director's time or mine. Unbeknownst to me at the time, a lot of people liked it and started sharing it with family and friends. This is how it started going viral on the internet. Next thing I know, the document is promoted on the home page of MormonThink.com and everything went next level. FairMormon began attacking me and the letter a few months later and I found myself pulled into this current that I never sought or wanted." - Jeremy Runnells' I was a Mormon Story | https://wasmormon.org/profile/jeremyrunnells/
"Prior to sending off the letter to the CES Director, I shared my draft in a closed Facebook group as well as on Reddit. I wanted feedback to ensure that it was as accurate as it could be so that I didn't waste the director's time or mine. Unbeknownst to me at the time, a lot of people liked it and started sharing it with family and friends. This is how it started going viral on the internet. Next thing I know, the document is promoted on the home page of MormonThink.com and everything went next level. FairMormon began attacking me and the letter a few months later and I found myself pulled into this current that I never sought or wanted." - Jeremy Runnells' I was a Mormon Story | https://wasmormon.org/profile/jeremyrunnells/
"The CES Director approached me first. He asked me to share my questions and concerns with him. Seeing a glimmer of hope that he might have official answers that were better than the unofficial Mormon apologetic crap I was frustrated with, I took his offer seriously. I wrote a letter to him. I emailed it to him. He read it and stated that it was "very well-written" and that he would give me a response. Days turned to weeks, and weeks turned to months, and months turned to years. I never heard back from him again." - Jeremy Runnells' I was a Mormon Story | https://wasmormon.org/profile/jeremyrunnells/
"The CES Director approached me first. He asked me to share my questions and concerns with him. Seeing a glimmer of hope that he might have official answers that were better than the unofficial Mormon apologetic crap I was frustrated with, I took his offer seriously. I wrote a letter to him. I emailed it to him. He read it and stated that it was "very well-written" and that he would give me a response. Days turned to weeks, and weeks turned to months, and months turned to years. I never heard back from him again." - Jeremy Runnells' I was a Mormon Story | https://wasmormon.org/profile/jeremyrunnells/
"I’ve graduated and transcended from Mormonism. It’s a part of my past but it no longer is a part of my present and future. To me, it’s something like my missionary journals… I’m reminded of my past from time to time seeing the journals on my bookshelf but it no longer has much power or much influence over my present life and my future." - Jeremy Runnells' I was a Mormon Story | https://wasmormon.org/profile/jeremyrunnells/
"I’ve graduated and transcended from Mormonism. It’s a part of my past but it no longer is a part of my present and future. To me, it’s something like my missionary journals… I’m reminded of my past from time to time seeing the journals on my bookshelf but it no longer has much power or much influence over my present life and my future." - Jeremy Runnells' I was a Mormon Story | https://wasmormon.org/profile/jeremyrunnells/
"In the fall of 2014, I was approached by my Stake President. This began a circus that ultimately ended on April 17, 2016 when I - out of disgust for the LDS Church's truth crisis, censorship, silence, and attempt to slander my name and reputation - excommunicated the LDS Church from my life (resignation). All of this is recorded and documented and no one has to take my word on anything. See cesletter.org/resign." - Jeremy Runnells' I was a Mormon Story | https://wasmormon.org/profile/jeremyrunnells/
"In the fall of 2014, I was approached by my Stake President. This began a circus that ultimately ended on April 17, 2016 when I - out of disgust for the LDS Church's truth crisis, censorship, silence, and attempt to slander my name and reputation - excommunicated the LDS Church from my life (resignation). All of this is recorded and documented and no one has to take my word on anything. See cesletter.org/resign." - Jeremy Runnells' I was a Mormon Story | https://wasmormon.org/profile/jeremyrunnells/
"I believe in love. Kindness. Empathy. Compassion. Respect. I believe in today and this very moment. I believe in life before death. There is awe, wonder and mystery in the Universe. I embrace open-mindedness over dogmatism." - Jeremy Runnells' I was a Mormon Story | https://wasmormon.org/profile/jeremyrunnells/
"I believe in love. Kindness. Empathy. Compassion. Respect. I believe in today and this very moment. I believe in life before death. There is awe, wonder and mystery in the Universe. I embrace open-mindedness over dogmatism." - Jeremy Runnells' I was a Mormon Story | https://wasmormon.org/profile/jeremyrunnells/
"In February 2012, I experienced an awakening to the LDS Church's truth crisis, which subsequently led to a faith transition that summer. In the spring of 2013, I was approached and asked by a CES Director to share my questions and concerns about the LDS Church's origins, history, and current practices. In response, I wrote what later became publicly known as the CES Letter." - Jeremy Runnells' I was a Mormon Story | https://wasmormon.org/profile/jeremyrunnells/
"In February 2012, I experienced an awakening to the LDS Church's truth crisis, which subsequently led to a faith transition that summer. In the spring of 2013, I was approached and asked by a CES Director to share my questions and concerns about the LDS Church's origins, history, and current practices. In response, I wrote what later became publicly known as the CES Letter." - Jeremy Runnells' I was a Mormon Story | https://wasmormon.org/profile/jeremyrunnells/