fraud - wasmormon.org

Fast Food Orders vs Quitting Church – McDonald’s, Messed-Up Orders, and the Commoditization of Religion

Meme, "McDonald's can mess up your order 101 times and you still keep going back... but one thing goes wrong at church and you quit. People just aren't hungry enough. - If by “one thing goes wrong at church,” you mean “I studied its history and lost my belief.” It’s not about not being spiritually hungry enough—it’s about realizing the entire foundation is built on claims that collapse under scrutiny. McDonald’s never claimed to be led by God or to even be divinely inspired—the church does. | wasmormon.org

A popular meme has been making the rounds. These memes read: “McDonald’s can mess up your order 101 times and you still keep going back… One thing goes wrong at church and you quit.” This suggests that people are more forgiving of mistakes at fast-food restaurants like McDonald’s than they are of issues with a church. It …

Continue reading “Fast Food Orders vs Quitting Church – McDonald’s, Messed-Up Orders, and the Commoditization of Religion”

Bednar’s Evasive $300 Billion Answer Only Raises More Questions

“[To] the people who want to tell us how to spend the money, I would just emphasize one undergirding principle. The assets of the church are primarily income consuming; they are not income producing.” - David A. Bednar, LDS Apostle & Ryan Smith, Qualtrics/Utah Jazz Owner Silicon Slopes Summit, September 28, 2023 'What Does the Church Do With Tithing Money?' Church Video | wasmormon.org

In February 2025, the LDS Church released a new video featuring an interview with David A. Bednar at the Silicon Slopes Summit on September 28, 2023. The interview was conducted by Ryan Smith, Mormon billionaire, co-founder of Qualtrics, and owner of multiple professional sports teams, including the Utah Jazz (NBA), Utah Hockey Club (NHL), and …

Continue reading “Bednar’s Evasive $300 Billion Answer Only Raises More Questions”

Analyzing Henry B. Eyring’s Paystub

Leaked payroll paystub for Henry B Eyring showing living allowance of over a thousand per week and even more in the form of reimbursements.

This paystub provides a detailed breakdown of Henry B. Eyring’s compensation and deductions, contradicting the LDS Church’s claim that it has “no paid clergy.” Let’s analyze each section: Earnings Breakdown: Total earnings for the period: $8,461.22. The majority of which are reimbursements of some form. Deductions: The total deductions for this pay period are $597.10, …

Continue reading “Analyzing Henry B. Eyring’s Paystub”

Reformed Egyptian The Caractors on the Anthon Transcript – Deformed English

The LDS Church purchased historic artifacts and buildings for an undisclosed price from the Community of Christ in 2024. This ‘Caractors’ document is believed to contain a sample of inscriptions from the gold plates. | wasmormon.org

Joseph Smith’s claims about the discovery of the gold plates and the translation of the Book of Mormon are at the core of the founding narrative of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. According to Smith, in 1827, he found (or was led by an angel to) gold plates buried near his home …

Continue reading “Reformed Egyptian The Caractors on the Anthon Transcript – Deformed English”

Joseph Smith’s Kinderhook Plates Kinder-Surprise Translation Redaction

Contemporaneous sources say very little about Joseph Smith’s encounter with the Kinderhook plates, which occurred over a span of just a few days in 1843. Joseph apparently examined the plates and, according to his clerk William Clayton, remarked that they contained “the history of … a descendant of Ham through the loins of Pharaoh king of Egypt.” Joseph evidently did not attempt a revelatory translation as he had done with the Book of Mormon plates, but rather appears to have compared the symbols on the Kinderhook plates with other ancient artifacts in his possession. - LDS Website, Church History Topics: Kinderhook Plates https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/kinderhook-plates | wasmormon.org

In Kinderhook, Illinois, about 50 miles south of Nauvoo, six bell-shaped brass plates were allegedly found when digging up a burial mound on a farmer’s land. He said he’d dreamt about finding treasure in the mound and organized a dig. A couple Mormons were present when some small plates with ancient-looking inscriptions were found and …

Continue reading “Joseph Smith’s Kinderhook Plates Kinder-Surprise Translation Redaction”

Cameron Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight

Cameron’s life was steeped in the culture and expectations of Mormonism, growing up in a loving yet disciplined home in Orem, Utah, with milestones like baptism, priesthood ordination, and temple marriage shaping his path. These events were celebrated as pillars of faith and family life, and he embraced them wholeheartedly. However, as he began to …

Continue reading “Cameron Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight”

Church Mischaracterized Since 1830: Fact or Fiction

"We have been mischaracterized since 1830, when the church was re-established. That's always been the case. I don't think it will ever go away. We don't like it, but we don't spend all of our time trying to respond to it." - David A. Bednar, LDS Apostle

Reporter: In 2003 the church denounced the book Under the Banner of Heaven by John Krakauer, calling Krakauer a storyteller who cuts corners to make the story sound good. Now Krakauer’s book has been adapted for TV and is streaming on Hulu. What does the church think of the Hulu adaptation, and more generally how …

Continue reading “Church Mischaracterized Since 1830: Fact or Fiction”

Mormonites Footnote on Book of Mormon Translation Gospel Topic Essay

[Joseph Smith] was again arraigned before a bar of Justice, during last Summer, to answer to a charge of misdemeanor. This trial led to an investigation of his character and conduct, which clearly evinced to the unprejudiced, whence the spirit came which dictated his inspirations. During the trial it was shown that the Book of Mormon was brought to light by the same magic power by which he pretended to tell fortunes, discover hidden treasures, etc. Oliver Cowdry, one of the three witnesses to the book, testified under oath, that said Smith found with the plates, from which he translated his book, two transparent stones, resembling glass, set in silver bows. That by looking through these, he was able to read in English, the reformed Egyptian characters, which were engraved on the plates. - Mormonites, Evangelical Magazine and Gospel Advocate, April 9 1831 - Footnote 31 in Gospel Topic Essay on Book of Mormon Translation | wasmormon.org

The Book of Mormon Translation Gospel Topic Essay references an article in Footnote 31 from an Evangelical Magazine titled Mormonites. The essay cherry-picks comments from Oliver Cowdery about the translation process: The principal scribe, Oliver Cowdery, testified under oath in 1831 that Joseph Smith “found with the plates, from which he translated his book, two …

Continue reading “Mormonites Footnote on Book of Mormon Translation Gospel Topic Essay”

Mormons Expected to Stand Forever – Despite Questions

“If you answer the primary questions, the secondary questions get answered too, or they pale in significance, and you can deal with things you understand and things you don’t and things you agree with and things you don’t, without jumping ship altogether.” - Lawrence E. Corbridge, LDS Seventy, BYU Devotional, Stand Forever, January 22, 2019 | wasmormon.org

Church leader Lawrence E. Corbridge, an LDS Seventy, gave a BYU Devotional that addresses how to properly deal with questions. Corbridge explains that he’s read all the anti-Mormon literature out there, but was successfully able to put all his questions on the shelf because he was able to convince himself that his questions don’t matter …

Continue reading “Mormons Expected to Stand Forever – Despite Questions”

Facts vs Beliefs – No Limit At All On What Church Is Required To Teach Or Not Teach

The LDS Church Corporation is currently involved in many many lawsuits. One such is a RICO case, where the church is being accused of behavior more similar to an organized crime network, like the mafia, than a religious institution. What is RICO? A RICO case refers to charges brought under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt …

Continue reading “Facts vs Beliefs – No Limit At All On What Church Is Required To Teach Or Not Teach”

Email to Sydney Australia Mortdale Stake: Pilot Program – Informed Consent

Sydney Australia Mortdale Stake | Pilot Program: Informed Consent | wasmormon.org

The members of the Sydney Australia Mortdale Stake received an email informing them the area had been selected for a Pilot Program named Informed Consent. The program announced two objectives: 1) to ensure that converts are fully informed before they commit to baptism, and 2) for all members to have a “short” lesson to make …

Continue reading “Email to Sydney Australia Mortdale Stake: Pilot Program – Informed Consent”

Joseph Smith was a Glass Looking Treasure Digger

“The treasure-seeking stories of Joseph Smith’s youth have done more than cast a shadow on his character. They supply a secular explanation for his extraordinary religious claims... The response of Mormon historians in the 1970s was to deny almost everything... Not only the Smiths but also many of their neighbors were looking for treasure in Palmyra in the 1820s. It may not have been the most uplifting activity, and some scoffed, but it was something like reading astrological charts today—a little goofy but harmless. The only harm came when someone tried to deceive others to get gain. That was why Joseph Smith was put on trial.” - Richard Bushman, LDS Historian | wasmormon.org

Today, the fact that Joseph Smith was involved in treasure digging is undisputed, yet still hardly common knowledge among members of the church. This is likely due to the historic denials from church leadership on Joseph and any such occult practices. The church has sought to distance itself from the strange magic practices of the …

Continue reading “Joseph Smith was a Glass Looking Treasure Digger”

“If a court record could be identified, and if it contained a confession by Joseph Smith which revealed him to be a poor, ignorant, deluded, and superstitious person, then it follows that his believers must deny his claimed divine guidance which led them to follow him... How could he be a prophet of God, the leader of the Restored Church, if he had been the superstitious fraud which 'the pages from a book' declared he confessed to be?” - Francis W. Kirkham, LDS Historian A New Witness For Christ in America (1942), Pages 486-487 | wasmormon.org — “If a court record could be identified, and if it contained a confession by Joseph Smith which revealed him to be a poor, ignorant, deluded, and superstitious person, then it follows that his believers must deny his claimed divine guidance which led them to follow him... How could he be a prophet of God, the leader of the Restored Church, if he had been the superstitious fraud which 'the pages from a book' declared he confessed to be?” - Francis W. Kirkham, LDS Historian A New Witness For Christ in America (1942), Pages 486-487

Benjamin Franklin on Treasure Seeking Seers

“This odd humour of digging for money ... has for several years been mighty prevalent among us. Men, otherwise of very good sense, have been drawn into this practice through an over weening desire of sudden wealth, and an easy credulity of what they so earnestly wished might be true. While the rational and almost certain methods of acquiring riches by industry and frugality are neglected or forgotten. There is certainly something very bewitching in the pursuit after mines of gold and silver, and other valuable metals; and many have been ruined by it. Surely, this is nothing less than the most egregious folly and madness.” - Benjamin Franklin, The Busy-Body, No. 8, March 27, 1729 | wasmormon.org

Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin, didn’t know Joseph Smith since they lived in different times, but Joseph certainly knew of Ben Franklin. Ben Franklin did know however about many of the folk magic practices that Joseph’s family still practiced a hundred years later. Franklin saw the folly and called it out as nonsense. He described the …

Continue reading “Benjamin Franklin on Treasure Seeking Seers”

“There's this underpinning belief in Mormonism that even if something is make-believe, does it matter? It's this fantasy that keeps the church going. They don't care about evidence or science. They care about faith and promoting this feeling of goodness and happiness... Members only see the good because the good works for them, but this is a selfish point of view. Even if the doctrine teaches unkind, bad, horrible, racist, sexist, and homophobic things about other people, if it works for me why would I walk away? That's why the heart of Mormonism is very insidious because those who are members turn a blind eye to the people who are damaged by the religion, because if it works for them, where's the problem?” - Alyssa Grenfell, YouTube: ExMormon Reacts to South Park's "All About Mormons" | wasmormon.org — “There's this underpinning belief in Mormonism that even if something is make-believe, does it matter? It's this fantasy that keeps the church going. They don't care about evidence or science. They care about faith and promoting this feeling of goodness and happiness... Members only see the good because the good works for them, but this is a selfish point of view. Even if the doctrine teaches unkind, bad, horrible, racist, sexist, and homophobic things about other people, if it works for me why would I walk away? That's why the heart of Mormonism is very insidious because those who are members turn a blind eye to the people who are damaged by the religion, because if it works for them, where's the problem?” - Alyssa Grenfell, YouTube: ExMormon Reacts to South Park's "All About Mormons"

"Maybe Joseph Smith did make it all up, but I have a great life!" - Gary Harrison, South Park Season 7, Episode 12: "All About Mormons" November 19, 2003 | wasmormon.org — "Maybe Joseph Smith did make it all up, but I have a great life!" - Gary Harrison, South Park

Joseph Smith’s Failed Attempt At Raising the Dead

A dead body, which had been retained above ground two or three days, under the expectation that the dead would be raised, was insensible to the voice of those who commanded it to awake into life, and is destined to sleep in the grave till the last trump shall sound, and the power of God easily accomplishes the work, which frustrated the attempts, and bid defiance to the puny efforts of the Mormonite. - That an attempt was made to raise the child, is denied, of course, as every other attempt has been, after its entire failure was obvious to all. The parents of the deceased child, however, state, that they were prevented from procuring medical aid for the child, by the representations of the elders, that it was in no danger—that it would certainly be restored. The father had no other idea but that the child was to be raised; neither did his faith fail him till preparations were made for its interment. He then awoke from bis dream of delusion, and dissolved his connexion with the impostors. - Ezra Booth Letters – Mormonism Unvailed, 1834. Page 190 | wasmormon.org

The Mormons had a revival in Ohio on June 4, 1831. Joseph Smith led the meetings and there were quite a few spectacles in the meetings. The conference received a lot of hype in the area because many were converting to the church. There were rumors that there would be miracles performed at the conference. …

Continue reading “Joseph Smith’s Failed Attempt At Raising the Dead”

The Mormon-Canadian-BYU Billion Dollar Tithing Funnel

The church is taking away the government's ability to fund health care, and education, and provide other essential services. They've done it at the expense of taxpayer dollars. There's definitely been a change in [my] perspective. The church teaches that the temple should always be a focal point in your life. The temple has become a physical reminder of greed for me. - Nigel Kennet, a Canadian accountant, was working on the books of a church of a different faith, when he saw how much their members gave to charity. So, he looked into the Mormon's books, and was stunned by where their donations were going. - The Fifth Estate, October 27, 2022 | wasmormon.org

Investigation reveals more than $1 billion raised by the Mormon church in Canada has been funneled to the U.S. rather than going to charitable works in this country. We hear from former members in Canada and elsewhere who say concerns about how money is spent have led them to leave the church. – The Fifth …

Continue reading “The Mormon-Canadian-BYU Billion Dollar Tithing Funnel”

Dianne Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight

Dianne’s path reflects a profound shift from unwavering faith to skeptical inquiry. Raised in the Mormon tradition and deeply devoted to its tenets and beliefs, her journey toward disbelief began with a clash between science and religious doctrine. As she grappled with the stark disparities between empirical evidence and faith-based teachings, Dianne embarked on an …

Continue reading “Dianne Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight”

If The First Vision Did Not Occur, This Work Is A Fraud – Hinckley

"Our whole strength rests on the validity of that vision. It either occurred or it did not occur. If it did not, then this work is a fraud." Gordon B Hinckley | wasmormon.org

Gordon B. Hinckley’s quote underscores the foundational importance of the First Vision in Mormon theology. Our whole strength rests on the validity of that vision. It either occurred or it did not occur. If it did not, then this work is a fraud. …Upon that unique and wonderful experience stands the validity of this Church. …

Continue reading “If The First Vision Did Not Occur, This Work Is A Fraud – Hinckley”

Mormon Church Ripping off Millions of Dollars from Australia

“Accusations of lightening the pockets of the Australian tax office by 400 million dollars. The church's members claim very generous tax benefits, while other religions in Australia go without. It's alleged the Mormon books are actually being cooked in a massive tax dodge. Handed out on doorsteps around the world, [The Book of Mormon] promises to answer all of life's great questions. But we're throwing open a set of books the Mormons would rather nobody reads – their financial books.” - Mormon Church Accused of Ripping Off Taxpayers by Millions, 60 Minutes Australia | wasmormon.org

The Mormon church wants everyone to read the Book of Mormon, but it will do nearly anything to keep anyone from reading their financial books. 60 Minutes Australia did some investigative reporting and alleges that the Mormon church is ripping off hundreds of millions of dollars from the Australian government in tax evasion. In many …

Continue reading “Mormon Church Ripping off Millions of Dollars from Australia”

How Could Mormonism Not Be True?

"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

The church published a video on YouTube and other social media channels making seemingly outrageous and impossible-to-fake claims about the Book of Mormon with the conclusion “How can it not be true?” Here is the content of the video: Imagine writing a book: How can it not be true? This mirrors the famous Hugh Nibley …

Continue reading “How Could Mormonism Not Be True?”

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 …

Continue reading “Cherish Your Doubts”

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

"Would there have been fewer mistakes, fewer messes, if God had only restored His Church and gospel through you?" - Elder Kyle S McKay: Lawyer, Seventy and Executive Director of the Church History Department | wasmormon.org

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 …

Continue reading “Would There Be Fewer Mistakes if God Restored His Church Through You?”

Anja Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight

Anja was raised Mormon and the church was her entire community. She was a model Aaronie Priesthood holder and served an honorable mission, but recently realized she was a trans woman. Even before this, she had doubts and at first, was able to keep them to herself. However, as she began to get to know …

Continue reading “Anja Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight”

Will the Church Ever Have Sufficient To Stop Requiring Tithing?

"We expect to see the day when we will not have to ask you for one dollar of donation for any purpose, except that which you volunteer to give of your own accord, because we will have tithes sufficient in the storehouse of the Lord to pay everything that is needful for the advancement of the kingdom of God." Joseph F Smith, LDS Church President, 1907 General Conference | wasmormon.org

Is tithing a forever part of the Mormon church? Or will there be a day when it will have enough funds in the bank and in the “rainy day fund” that it will direct members that it is no longer required to enter the temple? Will the church go as far as to ask members …

Continue reading “Will the Church Ever Have Sufficient To Stop Requiring Tithing?”

Convince Mormons of Delusions and Errors

“Convince us of our errors of doctrine, if we have any, by reason, by logical arguments, or by the Word of God, and we will be ever grateful for the information.” - Joseph Smith, Nauvoo, July 12th 1843 Celestial Marriage: A Revelation on the Patriarchal Order of Matrimony or Plurality of Wives. Published in 'The Seer', January 1853, Volume 1 Number 1, by Orson Pratt | wasmormon.org

Orson Pratt, an Apostle in the Mormon church once invited others to “teach us our errors; convince us of our delusions.” He thought that the church was walking in true Christianity. This echoes a statement from Joseph Smith asking others to “convince us of our delusions,” and claiming that “we will be ever grateful for …

Continue reading “Convince Mormons of Delusions and Errors”

Gordon B. Hinckley 2004 Larry King Live Interview

KING: A problem they caused, or they were born with? HINCKLEY: I don't know. I'm not an expert on these things. I don't pretend to be an expert on these things. The fact is, they have a problem. KING: Do you favor some sort of state union? HINCKLEY: Well, we want to be very careful about that, because that - whatever may lead to gay marriage, we're not in favor of. President Gordon B. Hinckley on Larry King Live in 2004 | wasmormon.org

Gordon B Hinckley was interviewed on Larry King Live in 1998 (see Hinckley’s 1998 Larry King Interview, briefly in 2001, and then again in 2004. Here is the transcript of the 2004 interview. In this interview, Hinckley states that, as the prophet, the Lord speaks through him or makes his will manifest through him, even …

Continue reading “Gordon B. Hinckley 2004 Larry King Live Interview”

Mike was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Story Spotlight

Mike was raised in a part-member family but never had missionary aspirations. Instead, he wanted to get an education and “fly jets.” He found immense pressure to serve a mission from ward members and was surprised when his Bishop presented him with mission papers. He declined and has been on a road to personal growth, …

Continue reading “Mike was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Story Spotlight”

Latayne was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Story Spotlight

Latayne converted to Mormonism and was swept up in the fullness of the Gospel. She attended BYU and loved it. She came to a realization though that she trusted the Bible first and foremost, and began to study the church closer. As she studied she was startled by the “contrast between what I’d been taught …

Continue reading “Latayne was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Story Spotlight”

Profile Details