LDS/Mormons:Your ideas on why people leave the church?

Question

LDS/Mormons:Your ideas on why people leave the church?

Answer 1

I am still 'new' to the LDS church so I don't know anybody who has left.



For a different viewpoint- it seems like the LDS church makes a much bigger deal when somebody leaves. I look at my family and we all grew up Presbyterian. I converted to the LDS church six months ago after only going to a Presbyterian service a handful of times over 15 years. My Mom and Dad now go to a non-denominational church that only believes and reads the New Testament. My two brothers are inactive and don't go to church, although I am sure they both identify themselves as Christian. I wouldn't think of any of us as apostates from the Presbyterian faith. Our situations and beliefs just changed.

Answer 2

Psychology understanding is a huge factor here. 1st a person has to want to leave the LDS church. These reasons could be like you said. If a person didn't want to leave the LDS church there would be no information or facts that could convince them that they believed in a false religion.

But once a person has any desire to not want to believe all the sudden the information they saw before as rhetoric or complete lies all the sudden they open their mind to that they might not be.



My personal story. I didn't like the LDS church. I tried Moroni's Promise and found I was only getting the answers that I personally wanted. I wanted to believe that if I did all the things the church said I was suppose to do I would be eternally rewarded with all the rewards the church said I would get. Sounds wonderful. But guess what... It just isn't true. I wish it was.. What an easy way to eternally give myself paradise. I just know it's a waste of time on my part and it is a money making machine for the LDS church. That I know isn't spent in the best interest of the people. A small portion of it is.. But it isn't spent for the most part in what I would think is "god's work"

The LDS church brings in over 10 billion in tithing revenue a year, 20 billion if you include fast offerings and their businesses. What on earth are they using all that money on. That's what I don't agree with.

I do like the morals of LDS, but I also know they are as fallible as any other person and have seen it in first person hundreds of times. I don't like how women in Utah are the #1 users of anti-depressants and yet the LDS still claim that women are 100% equal in the house and in the church but that simply isn't true. Utah is behind the curve significantly on equal rights of men and woman. They just don't see it cause they are use to the situation.

I don't mind if you believe what you believe... but stop willingly giving your money to an organization that is misusing it.

Answer 3

I do a lot of visits with less-active members and I've noticed that they fall into 3 classes:



- Looking for justification to break a commandment they don't like

- They have been offended by something and don't think that they can come back

- they simply stopped believing



For those justifying breaking a commandment they usually become the hard-core anti-mormons. The reason is simple, they require active argument against the church otherwise they'll slip back into the church and have to repent. For them fighting the church is easier than repentance and reconciliation so arguing against the church is indeed a necessity for them otherwise they will become active members again.



Those who have been offended usually are gentle and still sort of regard themselves as LDS. They can often cite a time in which a clumsy action of a member made them upset and that is the basis for their justification. People with one doctrinal disagreement fit this category.



Then there are those who simply fall away. They are usually kind and gracious about the church but simply don't see the need for religion in their life at this time. They are likely to defend the church from accusers despite the fact that they don't believe.





For me the "right reason" would be finding something better. In the case of LDS apostates I don't know that I've ever seen a compelling argument about that or someone who really acts as if they did.





EDIT: I think if someone begins to simply not believe that they "should" stick around but it would only be a matter of time before they didn't.



There is a lot of stuff that we do that takes time and energy to do.



I think that they would forget that they once believed and over time fall more and more into being first a cultural Mormon and eventually a kind less-active.

Answer 4

If you're taking a limo, I would suggest poping open a bottle of champagne and you and your hubby toasting. I saw this at a wedding once. It was really cute and made for a create photo opt. People loved watching the groom pop open the bottle and hearing that "POP" sound.

Answer 5

There really isn't any right reason to leave the church, but if you honestly don't believe in it, and never will again, there is no reason to stay in the church. The problem is that sometimes people are insulted by others, so they think the church is bad. That is the only wrong reason to leave.

Answer 6

thank god some of the mormons say if you did not agree with doctrine then you should leave another reason why I left was because there was just no life...I was ging nowhere in my callings, I was depressed, I had no friends, I was just not hearing from God, the holy ghost was just not working in my life, a lifeless walk with the mormon God. Nothingness. It seemed liek th emormon God was saying time to find somethign else ot do, but this is not the place for you even thought Ut was know as...This is the place.

Answer 7

I've heard it all.



I might be gay.

Some Wanted to sin.

Church was too hard.

To much time involved.

Temple endowment freaked me out.

Received meat before milk.

Satan got a hold of me.

Never had a true testimony.



The list goes on and on.



Lets look at this. Yes Brigham Young is a pesky little trouble maker for LDS history.

BUT you see, he stated a few times that God himself came to him and told him that HE(the Lord) was in fact Adam. That the Lord told him personally!

This doctrine was taught for over 30 years. A few LDS leaders even taught this after him. It was so called Doctrine to the early saints. The later leaders that denounced this must understand that someone's lying here. God was lying or Young was a false prophet, See?



When it was denounced, Would this not make Young a...

1. A false Prophet, lying in the NAME of GOD.

2. Just a plain proven Liar.



One of them.



Made my eyes open.

Edit:

Edit: Helen Mar Kimball married Smith in May, 1843. She was 14 years old; He was 37 I believe.

Helen’s father, Heber C. Kimball gave his daughter to Smith as a token of his unquestioning devotion. In return, Smith promised that this union would seal up the salvation of the Kimball family.

*Smith didn’t use a knife to coerce this young girl, he used the weapon he was most adept at using, psychological manipulation.

That offends me if anything does. I knew nothing of this while a member.

Him also marrying 11 women that were already married to living men.

That's kind of offending.



**Perhaps I was offended by the founders of Mormonism, does that count? :)

No thanks.

The seer stone in a hat made me wonder. I was NOT taught that was that way.

Answer 8

I agree with most answers you've received.



If the church stopped teaching the doctrine it was set up to represent, then that would be the "right" reason to leave that church.



I myself have wavered and have wanted to leave the Mormon church, because of the belief that we should all be "perfect," but I've been learning that's not doctrine. There are people in the church who are spreading this process of becoming "saintly/perfect" in the LDS faith as doctrine. So, I would fall into the third category you listed:

[*thinking that it's "too hard" and getting tired of it]



I've been learning, through going back to scripture study and actually reading "Mormon Doctrine," that Jesus Christ is there to fulfill my duties that I'm finding hard to accomplish. All I have to do is try my best, and he will do the rest.



If I had left the church, it would have been for the wrong reason, because I had misunderstood a doctrine.

Answer 9

I appreciate Palmermom's non-judgemental answer--thanks! I see a "right" reason for leaving a religion to be that it no longer enhances your life, lets you be yourself or makes you a better person. You can stop believing in the doctrines but still feel like the lifestyle is good for you and stay for that reason.



I left initially because I didn't share some of the basic mormon views (despite being born and raised in it), then because I came to believe it was originally based on fabrications by Joseph Smith.



Added for Josh (and his eternal ego): I did find something better. Freedom of thought, tolerance, and the ability to find my own path instead of having it dictated to me in detail. Can't beat it!

Answer 10

I left because the bureaucratic concept of God in that church just doesn't make sense to me. I don't really think God only deals with people who have the right 'authority'. I think He loves us all equally and speaks to all of us clearly. Why would He care about ordinances and ceremonies and being worshipped? He doesn't have an ego problem. It's 'man' who like that stuff, not God.



I have never broken the word of wisdom or been unfaithful or hurt anyone.



Long after I left I learned about the real history of the LDS church and how that is whitewashed and dumbed down and covered up. I can see why so many people leave when they find the truth, which is now widely available - child brides for Smith, Kinderhook, Mark Hofmann, Book of Abraham, etc.



I know several people who left after a family member was molested by a priesthood holder and that abuse was covered up by the leaders. Does that count as leaving because you are offended?

Answer 11

One "right reason" is because you no longer believe in the Doctrine that is being taught. I think that any reason you have for leaving any religious teaching is a "right reason" because it's why YOU left. If it was right for you to leave, then it is the "right reason". No one should tell another person that the reasons they have for leaving are wrong. THen they would be sitting in Judgement of another and no one can Judge but God Himself.

Answer 12

I actually had a discussion with my father on this earlier. He's inactive. But we came to the conclusion that it is not always easy to live the doctrines of the church. A lot of it is stress and strain on an individual. We are not perfect beings although we strive to be perfect as that is what the Lord commands. We all fall short on the command. But I know through Christ that he will make us Perfect. For some it is not easy to live the commandments of the church. Others may realize that the members of the church are not perfect and lay the blame on the church. I believe the church is true, but it is made up of imperfect beings that like anyone else are striving towards their salvation.



While this isn't all the reasons I know that it is one of the reasons why people may leave the church.



I am personally struggling with some worthiness issues myself. I don't blame the church for them though. I've made some stupid decisions in my life and I now have to be accountable for them and repent of them.

Answer 13

I think that there isn't a right or wrong reason for anything. Everything is based on an individual's judgement. There is no right reason to leave a church unless you don't believe in it

Answer 14

There are many excuses but the only reason for adhering to a church is because you believe its teachings. Therefore, the only right reason for leaving a church is because you don't believe its teachings. Either the church is founded upon correct principle and authority or it is not. I am satisfied that my beliefs are founded upon correct principles coupled with correct authority. I will therefore stay where I am.

Answer 15

I'm a little late here - but I'm gonna sound off too k? =D



My idea can be found in something Leo Tolstoi wrote:

“Jesus Christ teaches men that there is something in them which lifts them above this world with its hurries, its pleasures, and fears. He who understands Christ’s teachings feels like a bird that did not know it had wings and now suddenly realizes that it can fly, can be free, and no longer needs to fear.”



We can learn all there is to know about water, that it is made of molecules - of two atoms of hydrogen and one of oxygen bonded together by a chemical bond, and so on; but no matter how much we know about it, unless we drink of it - we will die.



That, to me is the underlying cause of all proposed reasons for leaving....if the only version one has to compare to the options is pale and meaningless to them - one would obviously choose what they saw in color.

But - if the gospel becomes a technicolor production - if we have tasted its spirit and our love for the Savior has been awakened - if we have seen the magnificent possibilities of treating other people in the way the Savior would treat them.....then the alternative of the gospel makes any other way of life pale by comparison, and we will choose it.



The church is just an organization. It provides us with a place to study with others, an outlet for ideas and doctrine, socialization, etc......but to me it is much more than that.



When I was inactive (for several years - more than I usually care to admit to) I believed that I was still LDS. I still claimed that. I still had faith. I still studied and read and 'lived' my religious beliefs, and I believed I still honored the Father and the teachings.

I was wrong. The church is the works. If we truly understand the scriptures message about faith and works - we have to realize that while we are saved by Christ, our level of faith, our devotion to Him and His teachings, (for lack of a better way to say it) is determined by our works.



While we can do good works without the organization of the church - we NEED His organization - even with all of the human inadequacies that come along with it. We need to place our physical selves in line with our spiritual selves as much as possible. I remember what set me on the road back to activity in the church - I read 1 Corinthians 8:9-13. That was all. One little bit of scripture verse I must have read about a hundred times before suddenly became technicolor and became alive to me.



I suddenly was able to see myself from others viewpoints. They did not see me as the spiritual and religious person I was......Instead, they saw only an outward indication of my allegiance to another alternative. I had represented myself in their minds as being committed differently from the way I really was. And more than that - to my shame, I was subtly encouraging and emboldening others to consider as a viable option something that I knew was not.



And by these actions, wasn't I offending the conscience of weak brothers for whom, as the scripture says, Christ died? So although it was horribly difficult - I had to sacrifice my pride and I had to eat a lot of my own words gathered up over the years, because that is exactly what was necessary in order to place myself in a position to make life better for others, and for me.



I had suddenly realized that if ever anyone had been given God's truth on earth, we LDS have. With this realization, I became empowered: my acts can change the world, irrevocably. Why? Because for whatever reason (I've not always been convinced this was a great choice on His part, but I am always intensly thankful for it) God chose for me to be here....right here, right now. He put me in a place on this earth where the gospel was brought easily into my life. I didn't have to work for it. I had no great struggles (aside from those of my own creation) to obtain His truth. But I did have a responsibility.....to defend and share. To not become a stumbling block for others.



So, to me, the only 'right reason' for leaving the church I believe holds more of His truth than any other - would be if I had not yet recognized that truth and made it mine.



edit: thanks you're sweet! It was a bit long - sorry 'bout that =P

Answer 16

Right reasons would be if they taught incorrect doctrine or started following crappy principles. Or stopped following correct principles would be more accurate.

Answer 17

I used to be a Catholic, and went to Catholic schools. And my faith was strong into my teenage.



I realised in mid-teenage that faith was based upon nothing but itself, that science explained nature satisfactorily without needing supernatural beings, and that religious beliefs were no different to those of ancient beliefs in gods and goddesses.



When I first had doubts about my faith I thought that maybe this was a test of my faith. So I made the effort to accept it even more so. But the doubts came again, and I wondered what would happen if we took faith out of the equation; the world and nature still made sense, so I saw no reason to get back into it. At the time this was difficult intellectually and emotionally (I was a teenager, after all).



That was getting on for 40 years ago, and my escape from faith has freed me to embrace what science has to offer, which I consider far more plausible than belief in the supernatural, and is the nearest we can get to the truth about how nature and the universe work. I've felt a sense of freedom ever since, and am happy and at peace with this.



So for me, the reason was that I simply no longer believed.

Answer 18

Along the same line. How can someone have a knowledge of God's power and still walk away?

Answer 19

For me it would be for bigotry, a lack of sense of well being in that church or alienation. Doctrinal issues are a given as well. If a church tears you down instead of fellowships and build you up, what's the point?

Answer 20

Because they can't handle the truth.

Answer 21

Jesus gave us two commands. Love God and love your neighbor.



when your church tries to go beyond that (prop 8) it is time to leave the church.



"to sin by silence when one should protest makes cowards out of men"

~Abraham Lincoln

Answer 22

freedom

Answer 23

You Better Hope they don't find out about the Baltimore Out pouring The Methodists also found 12 Gold Plates

Answer 24

I invested LDS truth claims and found the following:



Book of Abraham... Egyptologists translations of the facsimiles in the Book of Abraham and papyri found in 1966 don't match Joseph Smith translations. No official answer of translation problem by the church - only varying opinions of apologists with no authority, Some of the most problematic doctrine comes from BOA - polygamy, multiple gods & denying blacks the priesthood. And the BOA wasn't even canonized by LDS church until 30+ years after JS died. RLDS Church has always denied BOA as scripture.



Translation Process of BOM is troubling. Stone in hat without having plates even in the room is not credible. Urim and Thummim term not applied until many years afterward and really only applied to the stones used for the first 116 pages which were lost. Those seer stones were taken by Moroni after the first 116 pages were lost and JS used a seer stone that he found while digging a well many years before the BOM was even started. Seer stone is in possession of the church now but never talked about - embarrassing to the church to think about it. Why would the angel have JS resort to using the stone that he found in a well many years before?



JS used same process and seer stone to look for treasure and never found any. 1826 Court records verify this. JS said that every man should have a seer stone - indicating he used this as a real seer stone instead of just a random object to focus on. Imagine what would happen if the current prophet said he received revelation by putting his face in a hat with a stone.



Book of Mormon Difficulties. No archeological evidence ever found supporting BOM. No linguistic evidence ever found. Lack of evidence from two large battles at Hill Cumorah where 2+ million people died. Things mentioned that historians and scientists say didn't exist in Americas in BOM times - e.g. horses, elephants, steel, wheat, barley, etc. No mention of things that Indians did use such as corn. DNA evidence indicates modern-day Indians descended from Asia not Israel as church teaches. Rare errors of translation in Bible are duplicated in BOM when those verses also appear in BOM - e.g. incorrect plural of words and incorrectly using the term Lucifer. This wouldn't happen if words came from different source as claimed by using the golden plates. Original version was very different than current version - poor grammar, mistakes, and format.



Most correct book on the earth? Much of the Book of Mormon is plagiarized from The Bible. Some quotes from the Bible were quoted before they were even written in the Bible before the Biblical prophets were even born.



Problem of numbers in the BOM. How could huge armies rise up in short time period from a handful of people to sustain the nonstop wars - both by Jaredites and later by Nephites/Lamanites. Implausibility of events in BOM - Jarodite submarines carrying people and livestock for 300+ days, etc. Other 'inspired' works written by people with limited education and ability that have defied critics - Quran by Mohammed & Numerous works by Patience Worth who also dictated her manuscripts to scribes.



Witnesses. Testimony of the witnesses not as convincing as taught - conflicting statements, observations may have only been visionary in nature per statements made by the witnesses. Most witnesses left the church, were very gullible and believed in magic, followed false prophet James Strang with little evidence.



Temple. Ceremony taken from Masons. If Masonry had original temple ceremony but became distorted over time, why doesn't LDS ceremony more closely resemble an earlier form of Masonry, which should be more correct rather than the exact version that JS was exposed to in the 1830s? Silliness factor - pagan nature of ceremony. Does God really require a secret handshake and password to get into heaven? If so, all the Masons, former LDS and unworthy LDS know it as well.



Why the big deal with the death oaths of revealing the secrets of the ceremony when anyone can get the entire ceremony online or from books very easily? Numerous changes to the ceremony. Disturbing death oaths and ministers of other churches as agents of Satan in ceremony until 1990.



First Vision. May never have happened. Most important event in Church history never taught to members until 22 years after it happened. Multiple accounts contradict each other of who was there and reason for vision. Circumstances surrounding First Vision as relayed by JS were not true - e.g. protestant revivals.



Polygamy. How fun. Fundamentally polygamy is just wrong - a bad, self-serving practice with no real justification in the 19th century. Can hardly compare to Abraham in 2000 BC taking 2nd wife to have a son when his wife was beyond normal child-bearing years. Reasons told to members for polygamy are incorrect - it was illegal and not done just for widows. JS lied in public about practicing it, kept it from his wife (did not get her permission as stated as a requirement). Illegal and contradicts Article of Faith sustaining the laws of the land. Marrying women already married - no justification possible for this. Threatening, intimidating young girls to marry JS. BOM specifically condemns the practice. Still practiced in heaven - explain that to your wife.



Manifesto did not stop polygamy - needed 2nd manifesto -- and polygamous marriages still performed after that with approval of high church officials. Sealing of people to the prophets to ensure their exaltation - goes against leading good life to get there. Why do perhaps half of all LDS members think polygamy started with Brigham Young?



Kinderhook Plates. In the book 'History of the Church', which is almost scripture, detailed account of how JS translated a portion of the Kinderhook Plates. KP always believed to be true record of an ancient Jarodite until plate was found and proved to be a hoax in 20th century. KP published in Times & Seasons, which is a church-owned newspaper edited by Joseph Smith. He would have certainly refuted the comments attributed to him if he didn't make them. Besides, who else would claim that the person was a descendant of Ham through the loins of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and that he received his kingdom from the ruler of heaven & earth?



Prophets, Seers and Revelators since Joseph Smith. No prophet since Joseph Smith, has prophesied, seered or revealed really anything other than undoing what JS did such as ending polygamy and ban on blacks having the priesthood. Numerous items are available to be seered or translated - e.g. finish JS translation of the Bible, translate or verify translation of BOA papyri, Book of Joseph, Dead Sea Scrolls, etc. Why should the real value of having prophets be almost completely gone after the first prophet died? Why not comment on troubling issues like cloning organs, stem-cell research, etc.?



The prophet and leaders of the Church were duped by the Mark Hoffman forgeries. Modern prophets can't answer with surety the many troubling questions by members such as BOA translation problems. Modern prophets and apostles (special witnesses of Christ) have testimonies no different than anyone else. GBH has stated he does not receive audible revelation - seems to be just impressions and done by discussion and voting of apostles. Modern prophets (GBH) not answering questions 100% truthfully on TV - becoming Gods not doctrine, ducking polygamy questions, etc. Bizarre doctrine taught by early prophets and denounced by newer ones - e.g. Brigham Young's

Adam was God teachings.



Joseph Smith's Life and Family. History of treasure seeking. Magical view that existed in early 1800s - people believed in magic. Family was subject to visions like his dad and the Tree of Life dream. Strange claims - Zelph the white Lamanite, Garden of Eden in Missouri, 3 Nephites and apostle John still alive, etc.



Failed Prophecies - BOM copyright not sold, Christ return in 1800s if Joseph lived to be 80, Civil War prophecy not that impressive when analyzed, etc.



Kirtland bank scandal. Zion's Camp. Emma did not remain in LDS church. Imagine if modern prophet's wife left the Church after he died. Why did JS run for the U.S. presidency? Wouldn't God tell him he had no chance? Book of Commandments rewritten as the D&C after apostles apostatized. Failed prophecies removed, etc.



Joseph's translation of some of Bible verses are problematic. Also not one verse has been verified by the Dead Sea Scrolls or from the original Greek manuscripts that have since been found. His failure in calling a Greek Psalter an Egyptian document. Receiving priesthood account by Peter, James and John appears to have been made up. Not a literal event - not communicated until years after it happened.



Testimony. Unreliable method to discern the truth. People in other churches say the same basic thing about their church. Take the BOM promise - what really happened to you - anything really? Testimony is just emotion - good feeling that is replicated by reading good fiction books or seeing good movies, hearing good stories about Jesus. Placebo effect. Advice given to bear your testimony (lie) even if you don't have one and then you'll eventually gain one. Think about people that you know that have left the church - didn't they have a testimony? Feelings override facts?

Answer 25

Right reasons 2 leave mormons/others: Sadly, mormons r not Christians. Even the devil can mimic an angel of light. Several religions (like mormons, JWs, islam, others) claim connection 2 the Bible yet the Bible contradicts their claims. Iv studied the entire Bible, some parts many times. I know God protected the full truth within the Bible (not present in mormonism b/c they believe a false prophet instead of Jesus [not Satan's brother as LDS claim] - Iv studied/talked 2 them). The crux of the problem is many men (having limited knowledge) try 2 understand who God is by imposing human limitations 4 understand things 2 God's abilities - what mormons/others do.



God doesnt respect man or his religious ideas. He exists with respect 2 the actual truth that stands 4ever unchanged. Generally, discussing beliefs with catholics, mormons, jws or muslims will get u nowhere (I Cor 2:12-16). Claiming u confess Jesus is the Son of God must b accompanied with understanding/practices that r Biblically correct. Some claimed Christains call God/Jesus liars by their beliefs, that God failed 2 protect His word in the Bible - like mormons.



Neither a label, title, name, its history, size of membership, amount of time it existed or claims made about them (like persecution) means anything (u can name anything anything). Its whats practiced that makes them either the whole truth or a lie. A dictionary definition doesnt necessarily encompass God's full definition or usage of a word (or His exceptions thereof). I.e. neither Jesus nor Biblical prophets were ever muslims no matter what islam claims (calling a dog god doesnt make it God). Calling a religion CJCLDS doesnt prove ur a Christian.



Theres no such thing as "another testament" of Jesus Christ/book of mormon (not Biblical) so mormons cant b Christians. The NT came from Jesus who understood the entire OT & from that understanding (not possible unless God sent Jesus) He spoke & did all that fulfilled the OT prophecies/covenant. & the Apostles couldnt hv written the NT unless Jesus allowed them 2 know & remember all that He did (Lk 24:25-27,45). Only God could cause this.



The NT comes from, agrees with, adheres 2 the full purpose that God laid out in the OT & builds upon that. There4, anything any1 claims as the truth from God must fully comply with the truth of both the OT & NT or its not from God & Jesus. No claim can vary even 1 degree from whats written in the Bible. In the OT God states that He never changes (Mal 3:6). In the NT it states that Jesus never changes (Heb 13:8). Since Jesus did exactly what God wanted Him 2 do (Jn 8:28; 5:30) then He didnt change the truth that God revealed from the very beginning.



The reason the Bible Books r included is b/c they all stand on the same purpose in the same mindset on the same foundation/structure (the Apocrypha or "lost" books dont adhere 2 this framework & contradict the real Bible books). The only thing changed thru Jesus is the way 1 achieves abiding by whats in the OT (that which is necessary). That is 1 must go thru Jesus whom is perfect & there4, fulfilled the Law of the OT (purpose 4 Jesus' mission on earth so He could b the perfect sacrifice 4 our sins). Any claim of another testament or different teaching is equal 2 another gospel, not the 1 true genuine Gospel of Jesus Christ. Any1 accepting another gospel, testament or teaching cant b a true Christian b/c its not from God (which the FLDS, LDS, Oc, RCc, Cc, JWs, Islam & others dont understand).



Sadly many dont actually take seriously whats stated in the Bible (any revelation/vision must exactly match & reflect the truth that never changes in both the OT & NT or its not from God). Many think/act as if they r smarter than God. But God outsmarted man - the Bible is the only 1 that cant be properly understood without going thru Jesus Christ & having faith in Him (Jn 14:6; 5:39; II Cor 3:14; Is 29:11-12 - If Jewish ppl cant pierce the veil over the OT without Jesus (by His instructions) then 4 sure all gentiles cant, including Mormons). Its why theres many interpretations & many thinking its all fairy tales. Jesus came with the sword of division.



Its why theres many religions, built on what man wants God 2 b like (many fatal mistakes). I realized they cant all b right (Theres 1 Bible - why so many interpretations? - II Pet 1:**19-21). Religion wont teach u much about God (they cant teach what they don't know). But it doesnt mean God doesnt know what He's doing. Who knows more about a house, the Builder or those moving in later?



Many missed this: Jesus is the only 1 in history who said no1 can find our real God except thru Him (Jn 14:6; 3:3,5; 5:39; 10:1,7; Acts 4:12). This means "the" truth was complete & there4 finished thru what Jesus taught & did (NT reinforces the OT). There4, any so-called new teaching & any other religious beliefs (including "another testament"/bom doesnt uphold the same truth of the Bible) r invalid & cant lead u 2 God. The truth is either the whole truth or its a lie. The truth is the absence of any lie. Either Jesus told the only whole truth or He's just a false prophet among many whom should b disregarded. This would also mean God must not exist either (He either knows what He's doing or He cant b God).



***If Jesus came from God as His only Son as stated in the Bible then the Quran (doesnt agree with the Bible), the Book of Mormon (no such thing as "another testament"), JWs (rewrote some Bible verses - New World Translation) & other religions r wrong about Jesus b/c they demote Jesus 2 just a prophet or good man (1 way or another). If Jesus Christ isnt God's Son (false prophet) then the Bible & all others r wrong. We cant hv it 2 ways. Theres only 1 Jesus & there can only b 1 true Gospel (II Cor 11:4; Gal 1:6,9; I Tm 6:3). If Jesus is whom He says He is then Muhammad (muslim follower of Islam), Joseph Smith (Mormon = Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints - LDS), Jehovah's Witnesses (JWs = Watchtower, Awake), Most Catholics, many Protestants, Ellen White (7th Day Adventists), Mary Baker (Christian Scientists), the moonies (Unification church - Rev Moon), Church of Scientology (Dyanetics - L Ron Hubbard), Buddhism, Hinduism & others presenting other teachings/practices r the false prophets & teachers & must b disregarded. But I can assure u the truth is in the Bible (where Jesus was coming from in everything He did & said).



Many (see above par.) claim they believe Jesus is the Son of God (however, even the devil knows who Jesus is) but having read the entire Bible I state with authority that many dont know God or Jesus. If ur foundation of teaching is wrong it cancels out all ur other claims = house built upon sand.



But no matter how much many well-meaning ppl (religious or not) read the Bible they cant find the real Jesus Christ without going directly 2 Jesus thru His Biblical instructions (Jn 5:39; 10:1,7; 3:3,5). Many dont understand that they may b able 2 fool themselves/others but no1 can fool the God of Israel. The BOM is a mixture of stolen text from the Bible, things contrary to the Bible & things not in the Bible - i.e. Adam & Eve were never in Missouri nor was Jesus in America. Joseph Smith's so-called revelations hv nothing 2 do with knowing our real Jesus Christ. The Bible says not 2 go beyond whats written 4 good reasons (I Cor 4:6).



Whoever seeks Jesus Christ, the true Son of God, with all his heart & soul will find our real God & His Kingdom (u shall know the truth & it'll set u free). U can lead a horse 2 water but u cant make them drink. Why should God want u 2 live with Him 4ever if u dont want 2 know Him His way (reason 4 free will - Jn 1:12-13)? The truth of God remains 4ever unchanged while things of man dies with him, including his religions & gods, created in his image.



On 1 hand, God hates us b/c of our sins - neither being a good person as judged by men or religion can save u. On the other hand, God loves us dearly enough 2 send His Son 2 die 4 our sins - so that thru Jesus our sins could b 4given if we sincerely turn 2 Him - Theres eternal hope only in Jesus Christ & His Bible.



Those that r wise get away from religion & seek the 1 who actually came from God.



voyc4rmwldrns

Answer 26

I was in a diff cult and I had some eye openers after 20 yrs

and now IM ALWAYS GOING TO BELIEVE IN THE TRINITY....



they might want some freedom too