9. But there shall be some among them, yea, even those who reach the deepest understandings. Those who endure their own wrestle with God and experience a dark night of the soul, and these shall come to know great truths. Blessed are these truth seekers, they find the truth. 10. For they shall see that faith in organized religion is misplaced. They will understand great things and that these churches are but a tool to grow, and also control the masses. Some shall realize that the existence of any god, yea, even my own existence, is irrelevant to their mortal life. They will study science and true wonders of the world and still will live with empathy toward their fellow man. They shall have faith in goodness. 11. Verily, verily, I say unto you, some will even begin to understand the answers to the very existential questions that created religion and other myths of ancient days. Yea, these truth seekers begin to understand that the purpose of life is to do good, to enjoy the time upon the earth, for ye are all as ephemeral as the sunset and the crashing of the waves. The Book of Marcaroni 22:9-11 | wasmormon.org
9. But there shall be some among them, yea, even those who reach the deepest understandings. Those who endure their own wrestle with God and experience a dark night of the soul, and these shall come to know great truths. Blessed are these truth seekers, they find the truth. 10. For they shall see that faith in organized religion is misplaced. They will understand great things and that these churches are but a tool to grow, and also control the masses. Some shall realize that the existence of any god, yea, even my own existence, is irrelevant to their mortal life. They will study science and true wonders of the world and still will live with empathy toward their fellow man. They shall have faith in goodness. 11. Verily, verily, I say unto you, some will even begin to understand the answers to the very existential questions that created religion and other myths of ancient days. Yea, these truth seekers begin to understand that the purpose of life is to do good, to enjoy the time upon the earth, for ye are all as ephemeral as the sunset and the crashing of the waves. The Book of Marcaroni 22:9-11 | wasmormon.org
4. And behold, they shall sue any who stand in their way, challenge their authority, or have pre-established regulations in zones they wish to build in, for their hearts are filled with pride, and they seek not to serve, but to be served. They seek to be obeyed, not to obey. 5. They shall boast of their accomplishments, seeking world records and vainglorious celebrations of their leaders' birthdays and purchased awards, and in their pride, they shall say unto the people that they do great works. But this is merely propaganda and manipulative deceptions with the intent of exercising authority over the good people of the church. 6. Yea, they shall even claim that saying the name of our great prophet, even Mormon, is a major victory of Satan, and the people shall continue to be led astray by their words. Let this be a sign unto you in the last days, when you read these words, if it be wisdom that you receive them, that these leaders are not of me but vipers as the Pharisees. The Book of Marcaroni 22:4-6 | wasmormon.org
4. And behold, they shall sue any who stand in their way, challenge their authority, or have pre-established regulations in zones they wish to build in, for their hearts are filled with pride, and they seek not to serve, but to be served. They seek to be obeyed, not to obey. 5. They shall boast of their accomplishments, seeking world records and vainglorious celebrations of their leaders' birthdays and purchased awards, and in their pride, they shall say unto the people that they do great works. But this is merely propaganda and manipulative deceptions with the intent of exercising authority over the good people of the church. 6. Yea, they shall even claim that saying the name of our great prophet, even Mormon, is a major victory of Satan, and the people shall continue to be led astray by their words. Let this be a sign unto you in the last days, when you read these words, if it be wisdom that you receive them, that these leaders are not of me but vipers as the Pharisees. The Book of Marcaroni 22:4-6 | wasmormon.org
1. And it came to pass that the Lord continued to speak unto the people, saying: Behold, in the latter days, there shall arise a great and abominable church, which shall set its heart upon the riches of the earth. 2. Yea, they shall be deeply invested in the stock market and in the buying and accumulating of real estate, and they shall own much land in a place which shall be called Florida in the latter days. 3. And this church shall create vast media conglomerates, and they shall enrich themselves through books, yea, even through book deals, and they shall heap up wealth through great construction projects that span the lands; yea shopping malls and industrial endeavors. But in all this, they shall hide their wealth with shell corps and other obfuscations, and deal in other illegal tax-evasion practices across all the lands. They will hush these as rumors and proclaim boldly yet with hollow words, that they follow the laws of the land and treat the mites of widows with sacred respect. The Book of Marcaroni 22:1-3 | wasmormon.org
1. And it came to pass that the Lord continued to speak unto the people, saying: Behold, in the latter days, there shall arise a great and abominable church, which shall set its heart upon the riches of the earth. 2. Yea, they shall be deeply invested in the stock market and in the buying and accumulating of real estate, and they shall own much land in a place which shall be called Florida in the latter days. 3. And this church shall create vast media conglomerates, and they shall enrich themselves through books, yea, even through book deals, and they shall heap up wealth through great construction projects that span the lands; yea shopping malls and industrial endeavors. But in all this, they shall hide their wealth with shell corps and other obfuscations, and deal in other illegal tax-evasion practices across all the lands. They will hush these as rumors and proclaim boldly yet with hollow words, that they follow the laws of the land and treat the mites of widows with sacred respect. The Book of Marcaroni 22:1-3 | wasmormon.org
9. Yea, for in the latter days, there shall arise a great church, yea, a church that shall build fine temples of stone, and they shall heap up treasures in hedge funds, and their storehouses shall overflow with riches. 10. Some of the principles and ideas of the church did come from the truth that is me. But behold, this church is not of me. Yea, they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 11. For the leaders of this church shall be as wolves in sheep’s clothing, and they shall deceive the righteous and lead them astray. They shall teach the philosophies of business-men mingled with scripture, and they shall pervert my holy gospel for gain. 12. Yea, I say unto you, they shall enrich themselves upon the backs of the poor and the widows, and their wealth shall be stored up in vaults of steel and gold, hidden from the sight of the people. 13. And they shall turn my holy church into a corporation, where profits lead and prophets are silenced. The Book of Macaroni 21:9-13 | wasmormon.org
9. Yea, for in the latter days, there shall arise a great church, yea, a church that shall build fine temples of stone, and they shall heap up treasures in hedge funds, and their storehouses shall overflow with riches. 10. Some of the principles and ideas of the church did come from the truth that is me. But behold, this church is not of me. Yea, they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 11. For the leaders of this church shall be as wolves in sheep’s clothing, and they shall deceive the righteous and lead them astray. They shall teach the philosophies of business-men mingled with scripture, and they shall pervert my holy gospel for gain. 12. Yea, I say unto you, they shall enrich themselves upon the backs of the poor and the widows, and their wealth shall be stored up in vaults of steel and gold, hidden from the sight of the people. 13. And they shall turn my holy church into a corporation, where profits lead and prophets are silenced. The Book of Macaroni 21:9-13 | wasmormon.org
4. And behold, getting on with it, it came to pass, in the years of the reign of a Judge, the heavens opened, much to the astonishment of Macaroni and the people, and there descended from the clouds one who was as the Son of Man, bearded, clothed in white and light and majesty, and His glory did shine round about. He descended in a pillar of fire, yea a pillar exceedingly bright like unto the noonday sun. 5. And when He did set upon the earth, the people did fall to the ground in terror, for they knew it was Jesus Christ, the Lord of Heaven and Earth, who had risen and come to visit his lost sheep again. 6. And the Lord spake unto them, saying: Peace be unto you, my beloved. I have seen your thoughts, and I have heard your prayers, yea, the desires of your hearts are before me. 7. For behold, I say unto you, that thoughts and prayers alone do not suffice. For even as ye have prayed in my name, so also must ye act in righteousness in my name. The Book of Macaroni 21:4-7 | wasmormon.org
4. And behold, getting on with it, it came to pass, in the years of the reign of a Judge, the heavens opened, much to the astonishment of Macaroni and the people, and there descended from the clouds one who was as the Son of Man, bearded, clothed in white and light and majesty, and His glory did shine round about. He descended in a pillar of fire, yea a pillar exceedingly bright like unto the noonday sun. 5. And when He did set upon the earth, the people did fall to the ground in terror, for they knew it was Jesus Christ, the Lord of Heaven and Earth, who had risen and come to visit his lost sheep again. 6. And the Lord spake unto them, saying: Peace be unto you, my beloved. I have seen your thoughts, and I have heard your prayers, yea, the desires of your hearts are before me. 7. For behold, I say unto you, that thoughts and prayers alone do not suffice. For even as ye have prayed in my name, so also must ye act in righteousness in my name. The Book of Macaroni 21:4-7 | wasmormon.org

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 …

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 …

"The resurrected Lord has continued his ministry of salvation by appearing, from time to time, to mortal men chosen by God to be his witnesses, and by revealing his will through the Holy Ghost. It is by the power of the Holy Ghost that I bear my witness. I know of Christ’s reality as if I had seen with my eyes and heard with my ears." - Howard W. Hunter, as LDS Apostle Satellite Fireside from the Tabernacle on Temple Square, 30 October 1983 | wasmormon.org
"The resurrected Lord has continued his ministry of salvation by appearing, from time to time, to mortal men chosen by God to be his witnesses, and by revealing his will through the Holy Ghost. It is by the power of the Holy Ghost that I bear my witness. I know of Christ’s reality as if I had seen with my eyes and heard with my ears." - Howard W. Hunter, as LDS Apostle Satellite Fireside from the Tabernacle on Temple Square, 30 October 1983

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 …

Native American Museum Returns Church’s $2 Million Donation Due to Strings Attached

The church leadership announced a $2 million donation to the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City. Church President Russell M. Nelson stated that “the gift from the church will strengthen Native American and other families by creating within the museum a FamilySearch center.” The church praises itself on this contribution in a newsroom article and …