Sandra’s story is a powerful account of resilience amid a culture that, for her, enabled abuse. Growing up in the Mormon Church, Sandra’s experience was shaped by religious structures that were more protective of image than of truth or individual well-being. From a young age, she endured severe physical and emotional abuse from her mother, …
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The cycle of poverty is a vicious trap where a parent’s poverty affects the lives of their children. Families in poverty often have limited resources, which makes it difficult to escape. Some examples of self-reinforcing disadvantages that can trap families in poverty include: Lack of financial capital, Lack of education, Lack of connections, Poor health, and Low working …
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 …
When members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints leave the church, they are often met with oversimplified explanations from those who remain. The common refrain is that people leave for one of three reasons: they were offended, they wanted to sin, or they were simply lazy. This narrative is pervasive among both …
Have you seen the 1999 film, The Matrix? The Matrix is an excellent movie for deconstruction. Anyone familiar with The Matrix trilogy knows it presents a complex philosophical and even religious worldview. Even ordinary people, who had no education in philosophy, metaphysics, or neuroscience, came away from viewing those fanciful stories, asking themselves, “What is …
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Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is known for recounting dramatic and miraculous personal experiences that highlight his faith and divine protection. However, over the years, these stories have evolved into exaggerated, faith-promoting narratives, raising questions about the accuracy of his accounts. One such story is Nelson’s account …
Corey’s journey from a devout member of the Mormon Church to an individual outside its walls is a powerful example of courage, intellectual honesty, and the pursuit of truth and genuine faith. Raised in southern Idaho within a large Mormon family, Corey was deeply woven into the fabric of the Church. His identity, values, community, …
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A few years ago, Russell M. Nelson revealed how Joseph Smith would translate by using a rock in a hat a few years ago. Suppose, for a moment, that he could know this technique from experience. What if President Russell M. Nelson knew more about the translation process? What if he used the same technique …
Kathy’s journey is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the courage it takes to walk away from a faith that has defined so much of one’s life. Raised in the Mormon church, Kathy’s early years were marked by the expectations of religious conformity, deep-rooted shame, and a sense of never …
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Frank grew up in a devout Mormon family, fully immersed in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he was seen as a model member, served a mission, married in the temple, and attended BYU. He always loved learning, and his quest for deeper understanding led him to explore the internet, where he …
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The church makes misleading statements about how much the Apostles and Prophets of the LDS church are paid. They state regularly that there is no paid ministry, no professional clergy, and that no one is paid for their church service. This omits the fact that all senior leaders in the church are paid what they …
Meet Kate, a woman who has faced incredible challenges as she navigated a profound faith transition. Kate was “born in the covenant” and spent her life in the Church. But at 45, her “proverbial Mormon shelf” came crashing down, triggered by a series of life changes that left her feeling lost, uprooted, and homeless—all tied …
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In 1983, Gordon B. Hinckley, then Second Counselor in the First Presidency, but later President of the Church spoke to students at the Salt Lake Institute of Religion. An edited version of this address was then given as the First Presidency Message in the October 1984 Ensign. The message, God Hath Not Given Us the …
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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 …
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A respectful note for whoever thinks Mormonism is not a cult, please consider the BITE model developed by Dr. Steven Hassan based on his own observations and experiences as a cult survivor. The BITE model describes the four areas of authoritarian control cults exert over their followers. The acronym refers to [B]ehavior Control, [I]nformation control, [T]hought control and …
Steven Hassan Dr. Steven Hassan is a prominent mental health professional, author, and advocate known for his expertise in cults and undue influence. Having experienced firsthand the effects of mind control and manipulation as a former member of the Unification Church (commonly known as the Moonies), Dr. Hassan has dedicated his life to helping individuals …
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Jana’s journey is a powerful testament to the courage it takes to question deeply ingrained beliefs and to prioritize personal well-being over rigid expectations. Raised in a devout Mormon family in Utah, Jana spent years trying to conform to the ideals of her faith, despite the inner turmoil it caused her. As she struggled with …
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In October of 2022, Russell M. Nelson announced a temple in Texas in the town of Prosper during General Conference. Prosper is north of Dallas, where the church already has an established Temple. Prosper is only about 30 miles north of the existing Dallas Temple. Prosper, Texas The city of Prosper is located within the …
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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 …
Meet Erica, a woman with deep spiritual roots and pioneer ancestors. Raised as a devout Mormon, Erica valued her spirituality and sees it as a vital part of her identity. However, her journey took an unexpected turn when a prayer about tithing led to a surprising answer that she did not need to pay money …
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Meet Brian, an engineer and pianist with a realist’s perspective on life. Despite his early involvement in the church, Brian always felt like he didn’t belong. Brian’s faith wavered when he discovered inconsistencies and historical issues within Mormonism. His belief in Occam’s Razor led him to question the origins of the Book of Mormon, ultimately …
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In an attempt to convince people that the lack of archaeological, DNA, or linguistic evidence supporting the Book of Mormon is nothing to be concerned about, LDS Apostle M. Russell Ballard makes quite an interesting claim in the video shown below. He says… I don’t believe that’s how people will ever come to know whether …
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Meet Adam, a dedicated software developer with an insatiable thirst for knowledge, who was raised in a strict Mormon household. From an early age, Adam adhered faithfully to the tenets of his religion, participating fully in church activities, seminary, a mission, and a temple marriage. However, a journey of deep reflection and relentless inquiry led …
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Though Chelsea wasn’t a perfect example of a Mormon, she did hold herself to impossibly high standards, which eventually led her to therapy. Her journey away from the church began with unsettling experiences and growing doubts about church leadership and teachings. Despite her efforts to conform and push aside her feelings, Chelsea faced numerous instances …
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LDS Apostle Mark E. Petersen, is known for his intolerance and prejudice. He gave a speech at BYU entitled Race Problems – As They Affect the Church in 1954. This talk is not included in the list of BYU Speeches, though they do include his earlier talks from 1953 entitled Tolerance and Chastity. This talk …
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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 …
Despite being raised in the church, Frey couldn’t shake the sense that something wasn’t right. As they grappled with their faith, Frey went inactive multiple times, searching for answers to questions that remained unanswered or dismissed. As Frey embraced their identity as a queer individual, they confronted the stark reality of the church’s teachings on …
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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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With every General Conference, President of the Church, Russell M. Nelson announces a list of new temples the church plans to build. These announced temples are often in early stages of development. They love to build these temples and there are likely multiple reasons for this. They are eager to show the church is growing. …
Continue reading “Apostle Oaks Admits, Temples Easier to Build Temples Than Fill”
Raised in a devout Mormon family in Utah, Olivia spent the better part of her life immersed in the teachings and traditions of the church. However, even from a young age, she found herself at odds with certain aspects of her faith, grappling with feelings of doubt and discontent. Despite her initial rebellion during her …
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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](https://i0.wp.com/wasmormon.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/M-Russell-Ballard-addresses-the-question-of-whether-there-is-scientific-proof-of-The-Book-of-Mormon.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1)
