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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/avilabeach77/. There are stories of Mormon faith journeys contributed by hundreds of 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/avilabeach77/. There are stories of Mormon faith journeys contributed by hundreds of users like you. Come check them out and consider sharing your own story at wasmormon.org!
It has been so difficult, but it is getting better. I promise that it gets better. Now I look at the church much as I did when I was an eight year old. It's one of many religions. And certainly there are many good believing Mormons trying to live good believing lives. But I'm out—out of the boat. And I love who I am. - Christi's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/avilabeach77/
It has been so difficult, but it is getting better. I promise that it gets better. Now I look at the church much as I did when I was an eight year old. It's one of many religions. And certainly there are many good believing Mormons trying to live good believing lives. But I'm out—out of the boat. And I love who I am. - Christi's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/avilabeach77/
I wanted it all to be true. Like so many others, I began researching and chasing footnotes not to prove the church false but to prove it true. I felt sick. I felt angry. I felt deceived. So here I am, after nearly 50 years in the church, realizing that all I had believed in is false. The keystone of my religion has come crashing down taking Joseph Smith and the doctrines of the church with it. The Mormon church is not the one true church. Joseph Smith is not a prophet. The Book of Mormon is not a true history. I don't believe any of it because I can't. - Christi's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/avilabeach77/
I wanted it all to be true. Like so many others, I began researching and chasing footnotes not to prove the church false but to prove it true. I felt sick. I felt angry. I felt deceived. So here I am, after nearly 50 years in the church, realizing that all I had believed in is false. The keystone of my religion has come crashing down taking Joseph Smith and the doctrines of the church with it. The Mormon church is not the one true church. Joseph Smith is not a prophet. The Book of Mormon is not a true history. I don't believe any of it because I can't. - Christi's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/avilabeach77/
Thank you Internet. Thank you Fawn Brodie, B.H. Roberts, Richard Bushman, Dan Vogel, William Clayton, Todd Compton, Linda King Newell and Valeen Tippetts Avery, Grant Palmer, Robert Ritner, the Tanners, the Joseph Smith Papers, and a host of podcasters. And thank you Jeremy Runnells, Letter for My Wife, and thank you Gospel Topic Essays. There's more, so much more. And I had not been taught ANY OF IT—not at church meetings, general conference, Institute classes, BYU, a mission, a lifetime in the Mormon church. What a betrayal. - Christi's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/avilabeach77/
Thank you Internet. Thank you Fawn Brodie, B.H. Roberts, Richard Bushman, Dan Vogel, William Clayton, Todd Compton, Linda King Newell and Valeen Tippetts Avery, Grant Palmer, Robert Ritner, the Tanners, the Joseph Smith Papers, and a host of podcasters. And thank you Jeremy Runnells, Letter for My Wife, and thank you Gospel Topic Essays. There's more, so much more. And I had not been taught ANY OF IT—not at church meetings, general conference, Institute classes, BYU, a mission, a lifetime in the Mormon church. What a betrayal. - Christi's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/avilabeach77/
But the questions were growing. What about Joseph Smith and polygamy? 30+ wives? Did he really marry children as young as 14? Did he marry married women? What were the plates for if Joseph just needed a rock in a hat? Wait—a rock in a hat? What in the world does Masonry have to do with the temple ceremony? The Book of Abraham doesn't have anything to do with Abraham? - Christi's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/avilabeach77/
But the questions were growing. What about Joseph Smith and polygamy? 30+ wives? Did he really marry children as young as 14? Did he marry married women? What were the plates for if Joseph just needed a rock in a hat? Wait—a rock in a hat? What in the world does Masonry have to do with the temple ceremony? The Book of Abraham doesn't have anything to do with Abraham? - Christi's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/avilabeach77/
We began work at then Ricks College, later BYU Idaho, in Rexburg. Wow, if I had thought that Provo was an insular place, I was to live for three decades in a claustrophobic, narrow-minded, self-righteous community where I never entirely felt I belonged. I tried. Oh I tried. And I held the usual callings, but again the niggling. What I needed to do was try harder. Pray more. Attend that temple where I felt so uncomfortable. Read the scriptures. Put that shoulder to the wheel. - Christi's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/avilabeach77/
We began work at then Ricks College, later BYU Idaho, in Rexburg. Wow, if I had thought that Provo was an insular place, I was to live for three decades in a claustrophobic, narrow-minded, self-righteous community where I never entirely felt I belonged. I tried. Oh I tried. And I held the usual callings, but again the niggling. What I needed to do was try harder. Pray more. Attend that temple where I felt so uncomfortable. Read the scriptures. Put that shoulder to the wheel. - Christi's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/avilabeach77/
I was anticipating marriage and family. As a 26 year old, I felt (wrongly) that I was getting old and didn't want to be a single LDS woman for the rest of my life. There was the temple sealing I had long been looking forward to, but not a single member of my family was allowed in the temple, and I had another question on the back burner: Surely there's a way to include non-member and inactive family members at a temple wedding? And don't get me started on the Endowment ceremony. Could it be any weirder? That back burner was starting to get crowded. - Christi's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/avilabeach77/
I was anticipating marriage and family. As a 26 year old, I felt (wrongly) that I was getting old and didn't want to be a single LDS woman for the rest of my life. There was the temple sealing I had long been looking forward to, but not a single member of my family was allowed in the temple, and I had another question on the back burner: Surely there's a way to include non-member and inactive family members at a temple wedding? And don't get me started on the Endowment ceremony. Could it be any weirder? That back burner was starting to get crowded. - Christi's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/avilabeach77/
Immediately after graduation I left on a mission to Uruguay. Oh how I wanted to share the gospel that I held so dear. It was a good experience all in all, but I began to have questions. And the biggest questions centered on polygamy. Polygamy niggled at me for years. I was told to have faith. We can't understand everything in this life after all. So the whole disquieting issue went on the back burner where it slowly simmered. - Christi's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/avilabeach77/
Immediately after graduation I left on a mission to Uruguay. Oh how I wanted to share the gospel that I held so dear. It was a good experience all in all, but I began to have questions. And the biggest questions centered on polygamy. Polygamy niggled at me for years. I was told to have faith. We can't understand everything in this life after all. So the whole disquieting issue went on the back burner where it slowly simmered. - Christi's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/avilabeach77/
So I dove into the Book of Mormon and excitedly read James Talmage's Jesus the Christ and The Articles of Faith. There was so much to learn. Two years later I was at BYU, thinking it would be a great experience to be surrounded by so many church members. And it was for a few months until a sense of 'Too Much' began settling in. I still loved the church, and I loved my people, although Provo was a strange place indeed, and BYU had ridiculous rules. - Christi's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/avilabeach77/
So I dove into the Book of Mormon and excitedly read James Talmage's Jesus the Christ and The Articles of Faith. There was so much to learn. Two years later I was at BYU, thinking it would be a great experience to be surrounded by so many church members. And it was for a few months until a sense of 'Too Much' began settling in. I still loved the church, and I loved my people, although Provo was a strange place indeed, and BYU had ridiculous rules. - Christi's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/avilabeach77/
Fast forward to the summer before my senior year of high school when my mother, my siblings and I moved far from Los Angeles to a sleepy little town on the central California coast. It was there that we began attending the local Mormon church, and it was a welcoming experience for all of us. I became involved in the Institute where I found a wonderful group of kids, several of whom became good friends. I felt that I was among my people. And I felt that I had a lot of catching up to do. - Christi's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/avilabeach77/
Fast forward to the summer before my senior year of high school when my mother, my siblings and I moved far from Los Angeles to a sleepy little town on the central California coast. It was there that we began attending the local Mormon church, and it was a welcoming experience for all of us. I became involved in the Institute where I found a wonderful group of kids, several of whom became good friends. I felt that I was among my people. And I felt that I had a lot of catching up to do. - Christi's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/avilabeach77/
I was baptized at 8 years old on the Fourth of July. But I wasn't active in the church until I was 18. As a result, I've always felt like a convert. I agreed to the baptism because I felt it was something my mother wanted, but I understood none of it, and in fact, what I was really looking forward to wasn't the baptism at all but the fireworks that night. Mormonism was just another religion to me because all my friends were Catholics or Baptists or nothing at all. I had been attending a Baptist elementary school since kindergarten, and I occasionally joined my friend for Saturday mass. - Christi's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/avilabeach77/
I was baptized at 8 years old on the Fourth of July. But I wasn't active in the church until I was 18. As a result, I've always felt like a convert. I agreed to the baptism because I felt it was something my mother wanted, but I understood none of it, and in fact, what I was really looking forward to wasn't the baptism at all but the fireworks that night. Mormonism was just another religion to me because all my friends were Catholics or Baptists or nothing at all. I had been attending a Baptist elementary school since kindergarten, and I occasionally joined my friend for Saturday mass. - Christi's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/avilabeach77/
Douglas Hendricks and Francis Nelson Henderson were there at this year's Sunstone, explaining what the wasmormon.org website is all about and showing a promo video.
Douglas Hendricks and Francis Nelson Henderson were there at this year's Sunstone, explaining what the wasmormon.org website is all about and showing a promo video.
“Not one of the Three Witnesses [Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, or Martin Harris] ever denied his testimony of the Book of Mormon.” - Michael R. Morris, The Last Witness of the Three Witnesses, The New Era, January 2020 | [Oliver Cowdery] arose and addressed the audience present, admitted his error and implored forgiveness, and said he was sorry and ashamed of his connection with Mormonism. | “Smith, having become worldly and proud, has been forsaken of the Lord, and has become a knave and impostor.” - Martin Harris | “If you believe my testimony to the Book of Mormon; God spake to me again by his own voice from the heavens, and told me to separate myself from among the Latter Day Saints.” - David Whitmer | wasmormon.org
“Not one of the Three Witnesses [Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, or Martin Harris] ever denied his testimony of the Book of Mormon.” - Michael R. Morris, The Last Witness of the Three Witnesses, The New Era, January 2020 | [Oliver Cowdery] arose and addressed the audience present, admitted his error and implored forgiveness, and said he was sorry and ashamed of his connection with Mormonism. | “Smith, having become worldly and proud, has been forsaken of the Lord, and has become a knave and impostor.” - Martin Harris | “If you believe my testimony to the Book of Mormon; God spake to me again by his own voice from the heavens, and told me to separate myself from among the Latter Day Saints.” - David Whitmer
“As to his present relation to the Mormons—Martin Harris believes that the work in its commencement was a genuine work of the Lord, but that Smith, having become worldly and proud, has been forsaken of the Lord, and has become a knave and impostor. He expects that the work will be yet revived, through other instrumentalities. This we had sometime since from Harris himself, and it has been repeated to us within the last week by a brother of his.” - Martin Harris, Financier of the Book of Mormon and Witness of Gold Plates Painesville Telegraph, Volume 7: 1841 June 30, No 26, Page 3 | wasmormon.org
“As to his present relation to the Mormons—Martin Harris believes that the work in its commencement was a genuine work of the Lord, but that Smith, having become worldly and proud, has been forsaken of the Lord, and has become a knave and impostor. He expects that the work will be yet revived, through other instrumentalities. This we had sometime since from Harris himself, and it has been repeated to us within the last week by a brother of his.” - Martin Harris, Financier of the Book of Mormon and Witness of Gold Plates Painesville Telegraph, Volume 7: 1841 June 30, No 26, Page 3
“The two [JST Matthew 26] translations are not identical; in fact, there are considerable differences... The most important changes were those that introduced new content or changed a verse’s meaning... some content changes were unique to one new translation or the other.... He made the same corrections but not in the same words or the same places. Why were the two inspired translations of the same chapter not identical?” - Kent P. Jackson “New Discoveries in the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible” By Study and by Faith (Religious Studies Center, BYU, 2009) | wasmormon.org
“The two [JST Matthew 26] translations are not identical; in fact, there are considerable differences... The most important changes were those that introduced new content or changed a verse’s meaning... some content changes were unique to one new translation or the other.... He made the same corrections but not in the same words or the same places. Why were the two inspired translations of the same chapter not identical?” - Kent P. Jackson “New Discoveries in the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible” By Study and by Faith (Religious Studies Center, BYU, 2009).
“Joseph Smith translated Matthew 26 twice, each with the help of a different scribe. The translations were done several months apart, and it appears that the Prophet simply forgot that he had translated the chapter already. We studied the duplicate translations carefully, believing that they would help us understand the nature of the JST better. The two new translations are not identical; in fact, there are considerable differences.” - Kent P. Jackson “New Discoveries in the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible” By Study and by Faith (Religious Studies Center, BYU, 2009) | wasmormon.org
“Joseph Smith translated Matthew 26 twice, each with the help of a different scribe. The translations were done several months apart, and it appears that the Prophet simply forgot that he had translated the chapter already. We studied the duplicate translations carefully, believing that they would help us understand the nature of the JST better. The two new translations are not identical; in fact, there are considerable differences.” - Kent P. Jackson “New Discoveries in the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible” By Study and by Faith (Religious Studies Center, BYU, 2009)
KJV Matthew 26 vs JST Matthew 26 (June 1831) vs JST Matthew 26 (Sept 1831) - KJV 25-26: Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. | JST June 1831: Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said truly, for thou art the man. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat of it. And a commandment I give unto you, and this is the commandment which I give unto you, that as you see me do, you shall do likewise in remembrance of my body. | JST Sept 1831: Then Judas, who betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and brake it, and blessed it, and gave to his disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is in remembrance of my body, which I gave a ransom for you. | wasmormon.org
KJV Matthew 26 vs JST Matthew 26 (June 1831) vs JST Matthew 26 (Sept 1831) - KJV 25-26: Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. | JST June 1831: Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said truly, for thou art the man. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat of it. And a commandment I give unto you, and this is the commandment which I give unto you, that as you see me do, you shall do likewise in remembrance of my body. | JST Sept 1831: Then Judas, who betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and brake it, and blessed it, and gave to his disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is in remembrance of my body, which I gave a ransom for you.
KJV 50: And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. | JST June 1831: And Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? And Jesus also said unto the captain, Friend, wherefore art thou come? And then they came, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. | JST Sept 1831: And Jesus said unto him, Judas, wherefore art thou come to betray me with a kiss? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. - KJV Matt 26 vs JST Matt 26 v1 and v2 - verses 25 and 26 | wasmormon.org
KJV 50: And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. | JST June 1831: And Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? And Jesus also said unto the captain, Friend, wherefore art thou come? And then they came, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. | JST Sept 1831: And Jesus said unto him, Judas, wherefore art thou come to betray me with a kiss? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. - KJV Matt 26 vs JST Matt 26 v1 and v2 - verses 25 and 26
“Furthermore, insofar as the authorities of the Church are concerned, since this pretended revelation, if ever given, was never presented to and adopted by the Church or by any council of the Church, and since to the contrary, an inspired rule of action, the Manifesto, was (subsequently to the pretended revelation) presented to and adopted by the Church, which inspired rule in its term, purport, and effect was directly opposite to the interpretation given to the pretended revelation, the said pretended revelation could have no validity and no binding effect and force upon Church members, and action under it would be unauthorized, illegal, and void.” - Official Statement from the First Presidency (Heber J. Grant, Anthony W. Ivins, J. Reuben Clark) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Deseret News, June 17, 1933. | wasmormon.org
“Furthermore, insofar as the authorities of the Church are concerned, since this pretended revelation, if ever given, was never presented to and adopted by the Church or by any council of the Church, and since to the contrary, an inspired rule of action, the Manifesto, was (subsequently to the pretended revelation) presented to and adopted by the Church, which inspired rule in its term, purport, and effect was directly opposite to the interpretation given to the pretended revelation, the said pretended revelation could have no validity and no binding effect and force upon Church members, and action under it would be unauthorized, illegal, and void.” - Official Statement from the First Presidency (Heber J. Grant, Anthony W. Ivins, J. Reuben Clark) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Deseret News, June 17, 1933.
“The First Presidency have recently received letters making inquiry concerning the position of the Church regarding the contracting of polygamous or plural marriages. It is evident these letters, a well as from certain published material—some of it distributed during our last General Conference—that a secret and, according to reputation, an oath-bound organization of misguided individuals is seeking to lead the people to adopt adulterous relations under the guise of a pretended and false polygamous or plural marriage ceremony.” - Official Statement from the First Presidency (Heber J. Grant, Anthony W. Ivins, J. Reuben Clark) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Deseret News, June 17, 1933. | wasmormon.org
“The First Presidency have recently received letters making inquiry concerning the position of the Church regarding the contracting of polygamous or plural marriages. It is evident these letters, a well as from certain published material—some of it distributed during our last General Conference—that a secret and, according to reputation, an oath-bound organization of misguided individuals is seeking to lead the people to adopt adulterous relations under the guise of a pretended and false polygamous or plural marriage ceremony.” - Official Statement from the First Presidency (Heber J. Grant, Anthony W. Ivins, J. Reuben Clark) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Deseret News, June 17, 1933.
“While the position of Church since 1893 has been repeatedly set forth, namely that polygamous or plural marriages are not and cannot now be performed, yet in order that there may be no excuse for any Church member to be misled by the false representations or the corrupt, adulterous practices of the members of this secret and (by reputation) oath-bound organisation (of which the history of the Nephites and Lamanites show so many counterparts), it is deemed wise again to set out the position of the Church on this matter, at the same time tracing the outlines of the historical facts lying behind the Church's position, of which many young Church members might not be fully aware.” - Official Statement from the First Presidency (Heber J. Grant, Anthony W. Ivins, J. Reuben Clark) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Deseret News, June 17, 1933. | wasmormon.org
“While the position of Church since 1893 has been repeatedly set forth, namely that polygamous or plural marriages are not and cannot now be performed, yet in order that there may be no excuse for any Church member to be misled by the false representations or the corrupt, adulterous practices of the members of this secret and (by reputation) oath-bound organisation (of which the history of the Nephites and Lamanites show so many counterparts), it is deemed wise again to set out the position of the Church on this matter, at the same time tracing the outlines of the historical facts lying behind the Church's position, of which many young Church members might not be fully aware.” - Official Statement from the First Presidency (Heber J. Grant, Anthony W. Ivins, J. Reuben Clark) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Deseret News, June 17, 1933.
“As to this pretended revelation it should be said that the archives of the Church contain no such revelation; the archives contain no record of any such revelation, nor any evidence justifying a belief that any such revelation was ever given. From the personal knowledge of some of us, from the uniform and common recollection of the presiding quorums of the Church, from the absence in the Church archives of any evidence whatsoever justifying any belief that such a revelation was given, we are justified in affirming that no such revelation exists.” - Official Statement from the First Presidency (Heber J. Grant, Anthony W. Ivins, J. Reuben Clark) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Deseret News, June 17, 1933. | wasmormon.org
“As to this pretended revelation it should be said that the archives of the Church contain no such revelation; the archives contain no record of any such revelation, nor any evidence justifying a belief that any such revelation was ever given. From the personal knowledge of some of us, from the uniform and common recollection of the presiding quorums of the Church, from the absence in the Church archives of any evidence whatsoever justifying any belief that such a revelation was given, we are justified in affirming that no such revelation exists.” - Official Statement from the First Presidency (Heber J. Grant, Anthony W. Ivins, J. Reuben Clark) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Deseret News, June 17, 1933.
“Other churches at the time—including ones with which many early Church members were familiar—taught about the priesthood. The Disciples of Christ, from which many early members of the Church converted, for example, had developed its own priesthood doctrines, influenced by Alexander Crawford, a Scottish minister living in Canada. In 1827, Crawford had delineated the existence of three distinct priesthoods: a patriarchal priesthood (which he also called a priesthood after the “order of Melchisedec”), an Aaronical priesthood (originally held by Aaron)... Alexander Campbell and the Disciples of Christ were influenced by Crawford’s ideas...” - Matthew C. Godfrey “A Culmination of Learning: D&C and the Doctrine of the Priesthood” 2012, Exploring the Text of the Doctrine and Covenants, Religious Studies Center, BYU | wasmormon.org
“Other churches at the time—including ones with which many early Church members were familiar—taught about the priesthood. The Disciples of Christ, from which many early members of the Church converted, for example, had developed its own priesthood doctrines, influenced by Alexander Crawford, a Scottish minister living in Canada. In 1827, Crawford had delineated the existence of three distinct priesthoods: a patriarchal priesthood (which he also called a priesthood after the “order of Melchisedec”), an Aaronical priesthood (originally held by Aaron)... Alexander Campbell and the Disciples of Christ were influenced by Crawford’s ideas...” - Matthew C. Godfrey “A Culmination of Learning: D&C and the Doctrine of the Priesthood” 2012, Exploring the Text of the Doctrine and Covenants, Religious Studies Center, BYU
“No mention of angelic ordinations can be found in original documents until 1834-35. Thereafter accounts of the visit of Peter, James, and John by Cowdery and Smith remained vague and contradictory. The distance between traditional accounts of LDS priesthood beginnings and the differing story of early documents points to retrospective changes made in the public record to create a story of logical and progressive development.” - Dr D. Michael Quinn, Historian on Mormonism, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, p. 14–15 | wasmormon.org
“No mention of angelic ordinations can be found in original documents until 1834-35. Thereafter accounts of the visit of Peter, James, and John by Cowdery and Smith remained vague and contradictory. The distance between traditional accounts of LDS priesthood beginnings and the differing story of early documents points to retrospective changes made in the public record to create a story of logical and progressive development.” - Dr D. Michael Quinn, Historian on Mormonism, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, p. 14–15
“[Sidney Rigdon's] passion for learning and preaching the word of God took him into the Christian ministry... He soon found himself within the expanding influence of Alexander Campbell’s Reformed Baptist movement... Sidney Rigdon honed his public-speaking skills as a minister of the First Baptist Church... After his own conversion, Rigdon traveled to New York state with his former parishioner Edward Partridge to meet Joseph Smith. Rigdon’s extensive biblical knowledge and powerful preaching helped nurture the young Church. Rigdon also served as a scribe for Joseph Smith’s inspired revision of the Bible and was the subject of several early revelations.” - LDS Website, Church History Topics, Sidney Rigdon | wasmormon.org
“[Sidney Rigdon's] passion for learning and preaching the word of God took him into the Christian ministry... He soon found himself within the expanding influence of Alexander Campbell’s Reformed Baptist movement... Sidney Rigdon honed his public-speaking skills as a minister of the First Baptist Church... After his own conversion, Rigdon traveled to New York state with his former parishioner Edward Partridge to meet Joseph Smith. Rigdon’s extensive biblical knowledge and powerful preaching helped nurture the young Church. Rigdon also served as a scribe for Joseph Smith’s inspired revision of the Bible and was the subject of several early revelations.” - LDS Website, Church History Topics, Sidney Rigdon
In 1985 the hospital attorney, Quentin Cook, and its CEO, Henry J. Buhrmann, presented a 30 year lease to the five elected directors who signed without dissent. A shell corporation was formed with the hospital attorney and CEO assuming similar positions in the privatized hospital. Late 1985 millions of dollars of public assets were transferred to the new corporation which began operation behind closed doors... Gary Giacomini, then a county supervisor, called it "the biggest theft of public property in Marin's history." - Coastal Post, Marin County's News Monthly: Marin General Hospital Update, August 2004 | wasmormon.org
In 1985 the hospital attorney, Quentin Cook, and its CEO, Henry J. Buhrmann, presented a 30 year lease to the five elected directors who signed without dissent. A shell corporation was formed with the hospital attorney and CEO assuming similar positions in the privatized hospital. Late 1985 millions of dollars of public assets were transferred to the new corporation which began operation behind closed doors... Gary Giacomini, then a county supervisor, called it "the biggest theft of public property in Marin's history." - Coastal Post, Marin County's News Monthly: Marin General Hospital Update, August 2004
“Claims that polygamy was never a central tenet of Mormonism, or that it was not essential for the highest reward in heaven, ignore a large body of teachings to the contrary. The subject was frequently addressed in religious meetings where church members were told to live in a manner worthy of entering the new order. Those who turned away from it were reproached. Polygamy, some said, was as important as baptism.” - B. Carmon Hardy (1934–2016) Professor of History. Doing the Works of Abraham: Mormon Polygamy, Its origin, practice, and demise. | wasmormon.org
“Claims that polygamy was never a central tenet of Mormonism, or that it was not essential for the highest reward in heaven, ignore a large body of teachings to the contrary. The subject was frequently addressed in religious meetings where church members were told to live in a manner worthy of entering the new order. Those who turned away from it were reproached. Polygamy, some said, was as important as baptism.” - B. Carmon Hardy (1934–2016) Professor of History. Doing the Works of Abraham: Mormon Polygamy, Its origin, practice, and demise.
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/noal_rivetbear/. There are stories of Mormon faith journeys contributed by hundreds of 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/noal_rivetbear/. There are stories of Mormon faith journeys contributed by hundreds of users like you. Come check them out and consider sharing your own story at wasmormon.org!
Life is very different now. I am married to my wonderful husband and we have two incredible dogs. I have learned to love me. I have been at the bottom many times. I have grown to the person that has lived a true and authentic life. One which has freely given me true unconditional love. I am honored and humbled by it all. - Noal's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/noal_rivetbear/
Life is very different now. I am married to my wonderful husband and we have two incredible dogs. I have learned to love me. I have been at the bottom many times. I have grown to the person that has lived a true and authentic life. One which has freely given me true unconditional love. I am honored and humbled by it all. - Noal's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/noal_rivetbear/
I left the Mormon Church because all of the lies, abuse, cover up, dishonesty and deceit. All wrapped in a pretty bow using religion and fear and greed to control people. I've always had questions about the gospel and the unlimited and uncontrolled religions power over people. But it came down to the simple fact that when I needed someone the most, everyone turned on me. It was confirmed in me that nothing good comes from religion. And all the lies became clear. - Noal's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/noal_rivetbear/
I left the Mormon Church because all of the lies, abuse, cover up, dishonesty and deceit. All wrapped in a pretty bow using religion and fear and greed to control people. I've always had questions about the gospel and the unlimited and uncontrolled religions power over people. But it came down to the simple fact that when I needed someone the most, everyone turned on me. It was confirmed in me that nothing good comes from religion. And all the lies became clear. - Noal's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/noal_rivetbear/
Every mistake I've have made was used to learn and become who I am. But the biggest lessons I've learned in life have taught me that everything in this existence is about money and control. Especially in the LDS Church. - Noal's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/noal_rivetbear/
Every mistake I've have made was used to learn and become who I am. But the biggest lessons I've learned in life have taught me that everything in this existence is about money and control. Especially in the LDS Church. - Noal's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/noal_rivetbear/
While I was free from hiding and able to live my true life, everything turned away from me. I was never perfect. I made a lot of mistakes. I've paid a lot of dues. I've lost everything and then some. - Noal's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/noal_rivetbear/
While I was free from hiding and able to live my true life, everything turned away from me. I was never perfect. I made a lot of mistakes. I've paid a lot of dues. I've lost everything and then some. - Noal's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/noal_rivetbear/
I was Baptized, Priesthood, Seminary Council, Eagle Scout, Endowments, Mission, Married in the temple, College including a Masters degree, 3 incredible and beautiful children, many callings and service projects. I gave all I was able to give. And when I was finally exhausted of hiding and pretending, when I was full of all of the lies and abuse, I had to make a decision. I could run or I could continue to live and try to be the best person & father possible. I chose to live. - Noal's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/noal_rivetbear/
I was Baptized, Priesthood, Seminary Council, Eagle Scout, Endowments, Mission, Married in the temple, College including a Masters degree, 3 incredible and beautiful children, many callings and service projects. I gave all I was able to give. And when I was finally exhausted of hiding and pretending, when I was full of all of the lies and abuse, I had to make a decision. I could run or I could continue to live and try to be the best person & father possible. I chose to live. - Noal's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/noal_rivetbear/