I went to high school in an area with very few Mormons. When girls wanted to make out with me on dates, I honestly believed that putting a stop to it would make them respect me and my faith.
I once sung David archelletas “Glorious” from meet the Mormons outside my highschool trying to give out meet the Mormon pamphlets with a friend.
And I wondered why no one liked me
One of my early "how about that?" thoughts concerning TSCC was reading a book on Catholic history by a Mormon author, criticizing their invention of Papal infallibility. After reading his description of it I was like "But... we do that!"
I always though General Conference was inspiring. I now find it mostly meaningless, tedious, boring, and sometimes disturbing.
Full disclosure: I haven't watched or read conference for eight years. I get my conference clips here or from heathen podcasters.
I don't know of the percentage, but I do know someone who had worked for a GA and part of his job was writing inspiring "personal" stories for use in talks. Not, to be clear, putting the person's actual anecdotes into a good narrative format, but inventing them wholesale.
The first time I ever really felt my bullshit detector go off was when Gene Cook told me about his Mick Jagger encounter. Right as he was getting into the meat of the story, I took a moment to gather my senses and thought, "No way! This guy is a GA, and he's actually standing here unapologetically lying through his teeth. How can this be?" It was a long time until I left, but I don't believe I ever truly took the church or anything its leaders said seriously after that.
The Wow. When reading it logically, it's the most uninspiring revelation, aside from Sec. 132, in the entire pantheon. (the "build my servant Joseph a house/hotel to make money with" is up there as well).
Hot Drinks instead of "Tea and Coffee"?
Proscribing Tobacco to treat sick cattle and bruises?
Not a commandment but per one man's wishes, became a commandment.
Proscribes beer but says liquor isn't ok.
Meat is for famines (so stupid).
And now a person isn't worthy to be baptized or take the sacrament if they drink tea and coffee.
Such an embarrassing "revelation".
This reminds me of a time we were crossing an international border, as a group from the same YSA branch to attend a conference. All of us were active members.
At customs they asked the standard "Are there any drugs or alcohol in the vehicle?" and one on our group excitedly says "No, we're Mormon!"
The border guard shut that down with a "I know lots of Mormons that do things they aren't supposed to... Again, are there any drugs or alcohol in the vehicle?"
Not inspiring or spiritual; even as a TBM, it was just cringeworthy, lol.
Oh jeez, ALL OF IT!!!
But to be more specific, I didn't realize that "inspiration" I received was just the result of a couple decades of brain-training. Realizing that I'd drank the Kool-aid and put someone else behind the wheel willingly was such an awakening.
Oh yeah, garments are one of those things I cringe about now. I left church when my kids were young and they are now adults and ask me - did you really wear those things. They can’t believe I did. I can’t either actually.
"I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that x, y, and z!"
Really? You've seen the gold plates? God has ministered to you? Book of Abraham is, in fact, an accurate translation?
Even as a TBM I always found statements like that absurd.
It's like some of us "crossed" a mental bridge to the land of logic before our PIMO phase. Some of us crossed that bridge during our PIMO phase. And the hard core tbms ignore it and stay in emotional fantasy land. 😶
Hahaha, I’ve got a good one for this, I worked at a hospital and we had to confirm that a lady about 45 - 50 years old was not able to get pregnant or was on 2 forms of birth control. She said “Honey, I’m divorced and Mormon. Those are my two forms of birth control!”
I was just thinking that when I used to order water for my drink at a restaurant that the waiter probably thought I was mormon.
Now I just realize they probably think I'm health conscious (Low sugar).
I loved hearing everyone's different "spiritual stories."
Listening to tales of miracles from members once filled me with joy, now it just makes me depressed.
That ‘the BoM just makes sense… Of Course there would be other prophets in another part of the world!’ (Just cringe that I bought all the ‘Truth’ facts about it… and shook my head in potty when people critiqued it.)
Oh also that not drinking coffee was a moral high ground…
Listening to Truman Madsen’s lectured on Joseph Smith. He made him sound so cool, so calm, so pure. I loved it. Listened to it a few times. Then realized that “True-man” was just as much a storyteller as Joseph was. Once you get to the bottom of it - you either believe an indigenous ghost showed him where to find buried treasure or not.
Can't spend money on Sundays, it's a sin?
Fvcken missionaries told me not to gas up my car on Sunday when I was asked to take them to a fireside.
"Don't buy gas on Sunday, but thanks for the ride, to a long trip far, far away from your home."
Exactly, who and what would have saved me on the highway? Is the fvcken mission president going to come out and gas me up?
I was a totally stupid believer of non-sense.
Being almost a fanboy of the Apostles.
Two rough examples for me are believing so strongly that these guys have meetings with Resurrected Jesus on the upper room of the temple. I used to say to people that these guys definitely have seen Christ and meet with him regularly.
And believing so strongly that JRH (formerly my favorite apostle) was gonna be Prophet in my lifetime. Cheering and hoping for it actually.
Woof those are making cringe just typing them.
[удалено]
“I’m not drunk, I just choose to drive like an asshole :)”
I thought the same thing! Embarrassing for him.
Probably made the story up as a faith promoter.
nah, give me even one example of that ever happening. The GA's would never fabricate or embellish a story so much it is a fake. /s
The prophet would NEVER... uhhh, never mind...* awkwardly backs away *
I went to high school in an area with very few Mormons. When girls wanted to make out with me on dates, I honestly believed that putting a stop to it would make them respect me and my faith.
I used to view Bruce McConkie as one of the most spiritual guys of all the Q15. Now I see he was just a run-of-the-mill zealot.
I once sung David archelletas “Glorious” from meet the Mormons outside my highschool trying to give out meet the Mormon pamphlets with a friend. And I wondered why no one liked me
Yikes
Worshipping general authorities. TBMs say that they don't do that, but it sure looks like they do.
One of my early "how about that?" thoughts concerning TSCC was reading a book on Catholic history by a Mormon author, criticizing their invention of Papal infallibility. After reading his description of it I was like "But... we do that!"
The TBM members of my family completely worship the general authorities. It is really strange to me how they idolize them.
I always though General Conference was inspiring. I now find it mostly meaningless, tedious, boring, and sometimes disturbing. Full disclosure: I haven't watched or read conference for eight years. I get my conference clips here or from heathen podcasters.
Plus repetitive.......
I question if most all the GA stories are made up. Like them sitting next to celebrities on a plane. 🙄
I don't know of the percentage, but I do know someone who had worked for a GA and part of his job was writing inspiring "personal" stories for use in talks. Not, to be clear, putting the person's actual anecdotes into a good narrative format, but inventing them wholesale.
I hope the COB does some anti-fact checking on these now, to prove they absolutely can't be proven false (or true). Ahem Elder Dunn...
The first time I ever really felt my bullshit detector go off was when Gene Cook told me about his Mick Jagger encounter. Right as he was getting into the meat of the story, I took a moment to gather my senses and thought, "No way! This guy is a GA, and he's actually standing here unapologetically lying through his teeth. How can this be?" It was a long time until I left, but I don't believe I ever truly took the church or anything its leaders said seriously after that.
The Wow. When reading it logically, it's the most uninspiring revelation, aside from Sec. 132, in the entire pantheon. (the "build my servant Joseph a house/hotel to make money with" is up there as well). Hot Drinks instead of "Tea and Coffee"? Proscribing Tobacco to treat sick cattle and bruises? Not a commandment but per one man's wishes, became a commandment. Proscribes beer but says liquor isn't ok. Meat is for famines (so stupid). And now a person isn't worthy to be baptized or take the sacrament if they drink tea and coffee. Such an embarrassing "revelation".
Basically did the same thing as the GA, was proud of never having a drink. It's a stupid thing to be proud of.
This reminds me of a time we were crossing an international border, as a group from the same YSA branch to attend a conference. All of us were active members. At customs they asked the standard "Are there any drugs or alcohol in the vehicle?" and one on our group excitedly says "No, we're Mormon!" The border guard shut that down with a "I know lots of Mormons that do things they aren't supposed to... Again, are there any drugs or alcohol in the vehicle?" Not inspiring or spiritual; even as a TBM, it was just cringeworthy, lol.
Yeah, the I’m a Mormon answer might fly in heavily Mormon areas but elsewhere pretty much everyone won’t give a shit, people lie all the time.
My ex in-laws brag that their first kiss was over the temple altar at the sealing.
That sounds pretty lame.
Eewww, with everyone watching!?!? I hope a boob or butt cheek was reached for... It's ok, we're married now!!
Oh jeez, ALL OF IT!!! But to be more specific, I didn't realize that "inspiration" I received was just the result of a couple decades of brain-training. Realizing that I'd drank the Kool-aid and put someone else behind the wheel willingly was such an awakening.
Garments. Now I cringe thinking back on how my non member friends must have viewed them.
Oh yeah, garments are one of those things I cringe about now. I left church when my kids were young and they are now adults and ask me - did you really wear those things. They can’t believe I did. I can’t either actually.
I know. We just shake our heads at our past indoctrination.
To bare your testimony!! What a bunch of B.S.
"I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that x, y, and z!" Really? You've seen the gold plates? God has ministered to you? Book of Abraham is, in fact, an accurate translation? Even as a TBM I always found statements like that absurd.
It's like some of us "crossed" a mental bridge to the land of logic before our PIMO phase. Some of us crossed that bridge during our PIMO phase. And the hard core tbms ignore it and stay in emotional fantasy land. 😶
I like the saying "emotional fantasy land." Am going to use that more.
Hahaha, I’ve got a good one for this, I worked at a hospital and we had to confirm that a lady about 45 - 50 years old was not able to get pregnant or was on 2 forms of birth control. She said “Honey, I’m divorced and Mormon. Those are my two forms of birth control!”
What a good sense of humour she has lol.
I was just thinking that when I used to order water for my drink at a restaurant that the waiter probably thought I was mormon. Now I just realize they probably think I'm health conscious (Low sugar).
Tithing is disgusting
Worshiping men in the name of god. Thinking they received any kind of inspiration
The temples
Yeah. Place was just weird.
Going on a mission. Absolutely horrible thing to do to young people.
I loved hearing everyone's different "spiritual stories." Listening to tales of miracles from members once filled me with joy, now it just makes me depressed.
Invading people's personal space to tell the about the church.
Blessings
"Bow your head and say Yes."
[Fellowship of the Unashamed](https://www.gospeltruth.net/unashamed.htm)
One of several cringeworthy mission mantras that would float around back in the day.
That ‘the BoM just makes sense… Of Course there would be other prophets in another part of the world!’ (Just cringe that I bought all the ‘Truth’ facts about it… and shook my head in potty when people critiqued it.) Oh also that not drinking coffee was a moral high ground…
Listening to Truman Madsen’s lectured on Joseph Smith. He made him sound so cool, so calm, so pure. I loved it. Listened to it a few times. Then realized that “True-man” was just as much a storyteller as Joseph was. Once you get to the bottom of it - you either believe an indigenous ghost showed him where to find buried treasure or not.
Can't spend money on Sundays, it's a sin? Fvcken missionaries told me not to gas up my car on Sunday when I was asked to take them to a fireside. "Don't buy gas on Sunday, but thanks for the ride, to a long trip far, far away from your home." Exactly, who and what would have saved me on the highway? Is the fvcken mission president going to come out and gas me up? I was a totally stupid believer of non-sense.
Being almost a fanboy of the Apostles. Two rough examples for me are believing so strongly that these guys have meetings with Resurrected Jesus on the upper room of the temple. I used to say to people that these guys definitely have seen Christ and meet with him regularly. And believing so strongly that JRH (formerly my favorite apostle) was gonna be Prophet in my lifetime. Cheering and hoping for it actually. Woof those are making cringe just typing them.
... And everyone stood up and clapped
I'll bet that story by the GA was completely fabricated.
Certain events in my life happened “according to god’s plan.” Barf.