The Ex-Mormon Foyer

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Location: Mesa, Arizona, United States

Was a Mormon for over 30 years but now I am free.

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Elder Smith's Story

Hi guys, as you probably guessed by the name of our blog I am not a TBM. I was born and raised Mormon, went on a mission from 1988 to 1990, got married in the temple and attended the temple over 60 times before and after my mission.

I have experienced the "burning in the bossom" many times and testified for the church when I did. But even the "burning in the bossom" could not keep my heart from telling me that their was something seriously wrong in Zion and that my emotions my have gotten the best of me.

I don't mean to come off as insulting to those who do believe in the church and I am glad that people can discuss their questions and beliefs about mormonism here... although this was not so for so many years before the internet and so much information being available to the masses. When I did believe in the church, I had many questions that would only be responded to with "I know Joseph Smith was a prophet and the Book of Mormon is true." I began to realize this is what we were all taught to say from the day we could say "Joseph Smith" and "Book of Mormon." We are then told that if we question these claims that the devil will take over our hearts like the lamanites and the darkness of apostasy will set in. Well folks, I did question, I did get answers from leaders of the church - but not the ones living in our day... I had to "study it out in my heart and mind" and ask for quidance and now I am in the Light and Love of God and do feel his Peace.

The Lord did tell me in my heart to come out from the mormons, just as he did David Whitmer and many, many others who listened to their heart and what Jesus taught very clearly.

It is very hard to fathom that what you have been taught and experienced all your life could be an illusion. People all over the world, and from every generation, have lived and died by religeous illusions.

Polygamy did not promote the Love of God to his children, Blacks being cursed was an outdated lie stemming from the prejudice thinking of previous generations and mormon temple ceremonies did not come from king Solomon and has nothing to do with the teachings and practices of those people at that time -- it is a conjured legend and pagan in it's nature.

I know that this is bold and may be upsetting to hear by some but this comes from my heart, mind and over 35 years of experience with the mormon church.

I know that TBMs out there see me as confused and in darkness. I have also heard this many times by my friends and family. They have said that I have brought a curse upon my family and that we will suffer because of it. The opposite is true for those who are curious... the only suffering that has come is from their cruel statements and rumors that have spread like wild fire. This does not bother me however. I love my family and they are now seeing that their very prophecies or cursings are not true. God does not curse us, as this is why Christ came... to shed his mercy and love on us ignorant and self-righteous beings.

Perhaps the mormon church is slowly moving toward these simple truths as they have been slowly removing evidence of past mormon revelations and teachings. Thank God, they do not practice polygamy anymore, see blacks as cursed and have removed the blood and vengance oaths from the temple ceremonies. Although the residual effects of these teachings still have influence upon people. Some mormons still use the cursing excuse to explain the poor life situations of non-white people, in fact, individuals in my own family have expressed that they believe the curse is still lingering around the globe. Also, I am greatful that Zion never was established in Missouri or the mormon "Sons of Aaron" would be peforming sacrifices to fulfil the restoration of all things before Christ was to appear.

I have no problems with mormons but there beliefs are deceptive. I personally believe that missionaries should let people know the facts of history before they ask them to be baptized and commit to pay 10 percent of their income.

God bless

Elder Smith