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Mormonism and The BITE Model

Determining whether The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly known as the Mormon Church) qualifies as a cult hinges on various criteria. According to the BITE model, we find evidence that it meets several characteristics associated with cults. Note that the term “cult” carries negative connotations and lacks a universally agreed-upon definition, and …

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"You could have [the gold] plates, you could turn the pages, you could look at them, you could hold them, and you wouldn't know any more after that experience whether or not the book is true than you would have before... You will not get to know it by trying to prove it archaeologically, or by DNA, or by anything else, in my judgment... I don't believe that's how people will ever come to know whether or not the Book of Mormon is the word of God... Religious truth is always confirmed by what you feel." - Elder M. Russell Ballard, LDS Apostle addresses the question of whether there is scientific proof of The Book of Mormon | wasmormon.org
"You could have [the gold] plates, you could turn the pages, you could look at them, you could hold them, and you wouldn't know any more after that experience whether or not the book is true than you would have before... You will not get to know it by trying to prove it archaeologically, or by DNA, or by anything else, in my judgment... I don't believe that's how people will ever come to know whether or not the Book of Mormon is the word of God... Religious truth is always confirmed by what you feel." - Elder M. Russell Ballard, LDS Apostle addresses the question of whether there is scientific proof of The Book of Mormon
"I don't believe that's how people will ever come to know whether or not the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I remember an experience that I had as a mission president some years ago when I presided over the affairs of the church in Eastern Canada. I had met with about 30 different ministers of different religions, and then I let them ask me questions. The very first question I was asked was by a fine minister who said, "Mr. Ballard, if you just give us the gold plates and let us see that they exist, then we would know that the Book of Mormon is true." I looked at him and said, "Father, you know better than that. You're a man of the cloth. You know that God has never revealed religious truth to the heart and soul of a man (or a woman) except by the power of the Spirit. Now, you could have those plates, you could turn the pages, you could look at them, you could hold them, and you wouldn't know any more after that experience whether or not the book is true than you would have before. My question to you is, have you ever read the Book of Mormon?" He said, "No, I haven't." That's how people will come to know whether or not the Book of Mormon is true. You will not get to know it by trying to prove it archaeologically, or by DNA, or by anything else, in my judgment. Just pick it up, read it, and pray about it, and you will come to know. Religious truth is always confirmed by what you feel. That's the way Heavenly Father answers prayers." M. Russell Ballard, LDS Apostle addresses the question of whether there is scientific proof of The Book of Mormon, 2007 | wasmormon.org
"I don't believe that's how people will ever come to know whether or not the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I remember an experience that I had as a mission president some years ago when I presided over the affairs of the church in Eastern Canada. I had met with about 30 different ministers of different religions, and then I let them ask me questions. The very first question I was asked was by a fine minister who said, "Mr. Ballard, if you just give us the gold plates and let us see that they exist, then we would know that the Book of Mormon is true." I looked at him and said, "Father, you know better than that. You're a man of the cloth. You know that God has never revealed religious truth to the heart and soul of a man (or a woman) except by the power of the Spirit. Now, you could have those plates, you could turn the pages, you could look at them, you could hold them, and you wouldn't know any more after that experience whether or not the book is true than you would have before. My question to you is, have you ever read the Book of Mormon?" He said, "No, I haven't." That's how people will come to know whether or not the Book of Mormon is true. You will not get to know it by trying to prove it archaeologically, or by DNA, or by anything else, in my judgment. Just pick it up, read it, and pray about it, and you will come to know. Religious truth is always confirmed by what you feel. That's the way Heavenly Father answers prayers." M. Russell Ballard, LDS Apostle addresses the question of whether there is scientific proof of The Book of Mormon, 2007

Even if it turns out that the church isn’t true, so what? What’s the harm in believing?

This question about the relevance of the church being true gets asked all the time by Mormons when confronted with evidence that the church’s claims aren’t true. Some members of the church will even candidly admit that the church’s doctrines and history seem sketchy to them, but they don’t worry about it. They say the …

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A stack of issues on a scale vs a single issue about a warm feeling: • Zero archeological or DNA evidence to support the Book of Mormon's claims • Joseph's "translation" of the Book of Abraham scrolls bears no relation at all to what the scrolls actually say. • Joseph's 14 year old "wives", and his 15 year old ones, and his 16 year old ones, and his "wives" who were still married to other men • Dark skin is how God marks sinners. When they repent they become "white and delightsome". • To prove that a man has the initiative and intelligence needed to become a god, he must accept without question everything "the brethren" say. • Oh, and the best a woman can ever hope for is to be one of a man-god's multiple wives, pumping out spiritual babies. • Drastically differing versions of the First Vision story • Temple ceremony, garments, and secret handshakes copied from Free Masonry • Kinderhook plates • Book of Mormon contradicts later Mormon teachings (about nature of the Trinity, Plan of Salvation, and many others). • Place names in the Book of Mormon strikingly similar to place names near where Joseph grew up • Events in the Book of Mormon strikingly similar to those described in "View of the Hebrews" • For years church leaders denied negative claims about Joseph Smith, and even excommunicated members who talked about them, yet they now admit those claims are true. • And many many more vs • I prayed about it and got a warm feeling in my heart.
A stack of issues on a scale vs a single issue about a warm feeling: • Zero archeological or DNA evidence to support the Book of Mormon's claims • Joseph's "translation" of the Book of Abraham scrolls bears no relation at all to what the scrolls actually say. • Joseph's 14 year old "wives", and his 15 year old ones, and his 16 year old ones, and his "wives" who were still married to other men • Dark skin is how God marks sinners. When they repent they become "white and delightsome". • To prove that a man has the initiative and intelligence needed to become a god, he must accept without question everything "the brethren" say. • Oh, and the best a woman can ever hope for is to be one of a man-god's multiple wives, pumping out spiritual babies. • Drastically differing versions of the First Vision story • Temple ceremony, garments, and secret handshakes copied from Free Masonry • Kinderhook plates • Book of Mormon contradicts later Mormon teachings (about nature of the Trinity, Plan of Salvation, and many others). • Place names in the Book of Mormon strikingly similar to place names near where Joseph grew up • Events in the Book of Mormon strikingly similar to those described in "View of the Hebrews" • For years church leaders denied negative claims about Joseph Smith, and even excommunicated members who talked about them, yet they now admit those claims are true. • And many many more vs • I prayed about it and got a warm feeling in my heart.
Nobody would confess that he couldn't see anything, for that would prove him either unfit for his position, or a fool. - The Emperor's New Clothes, Hans Christian Andersen | wasmormon.org
Nobody would confess that he couldn't see anything, for that would prove him either unfit for his position, or a fool. - The Emperor's New Clothes, Hans Christian Andersen
"What's this?" thought the Emperor. "I can't see anything. This is terrible! Am I a fool? Am I unfit to be the Emperor? What a thing to happen to me of all people!" "Oh! It's very pretty," he said. "It has my highest approval." And he nodded approbation at the empty loom. Nothing could make him say that he couldn't see anything. - The Emperor's New Clothes, Hans Christian Andersen | wasmormon.org
"What's this?" thought the Emperor. "I can't see anything. This is terrible! Am I a fool? Am I unfit to be the Emperor? What a thing to happen to me of all people!" – "Oh! It's very pretty," he said. "It has my highest approval." And he nodded approbation at the empty loom. Nothing could make him say that he couldn't see anything. - The Emperor's New Clothes, Hans Christian Andersen

The Emperor’s New Clothes

“The Emperor’s New Clothes” is a classic fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. Hans Christian Andersen was a Danish author. Although a prolific writer of plays, travelogues, novels, and poems, he is best remembered for his literary fairy tales. It tells the story of an emperor who two cunning weavers deceive. They promise him a …

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Confirmation Bias

Confirmation bias refers to the cognitive tendency of individuals to interpret or seek out information in a way that confirms their preexisting beliefs or hypotheses. When someone experiences confirmation bias, they are more likely to notice, remember, and give greater weight to information that supports their existing beliefs, while disregarding or downplaying evidence that contradicts …

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Moroni’s Promise – A Lesson in Confirmation Bias and Elevated Emotions

In the Book of Mormon, Moroni offers a promise often cited by members of the LDS Church to confirm its truthfulness. This promise is foundational for many Mormons, providing a personal spiritual confirmation of the church’s teachings. Moroni encourages readers to ask God with a sincere heart and real intent if the Book of Mormon …

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Rosanna Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight

Growing up in Utah within a devout Mormon family, Rosana inherited her parents’ beliefs but soon found herself grappling with the suffocating pressures of conformity and cultural expectations. Despite her upbringing in a community steeped in faith, Rosana’s experience with church rituals and teachings left her feeling disconnected and disillusioned. The rigid standards imposed by …

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Mormons Call the Church President the Prophet But Haven’t Always

There has been a significant cultural change within the Mormon Church, shifting from church leaders predominantly being referred to as “President,” to being esteemed as “Prophet.” This change evolved gradually over several decades. Initially, references to the church leader as “Prophet” were reserved exclusively for Joseph Smith, the church’s founder, and prophets from biblical and …

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