OK I am a 'Mormon', who wants to try to witness to me?

Question

Believe it or not, I am very open minded. I have been a LDS for quite a while, and I don't think there is anything anyone could say to me that could change my mind. I am however mature enough to answer questions, and consider other people's point of view. Bring it on.

I don't want to fight with anyone. I want mature points of view.

I watch r-rated movies, but no one is perfect.

I have not seen any archaeological evidence at all either way. I have heard a lot of here- say about it, but, as far as I know, there aren't any papers written and published specifically on the subject. If there are, please let me know where I can get a copy.

I also love South Park, but that goes with the no one is perfect line. I do try though. I just have a sense of humour.

princess_t_princess, can you allow me to mail you so we can chat? Or just e mail me.

I need to also say that I own and I have read and studies the book, "Reasoning from the Scriptures with Mormons", by Ron Rhodes, but I find that the book had no real point. It keeps bringing up little pieces of scripture to use to refute the Mormon religion, but when you read the whole thing, especially in context, he just doesn't make sense.
Also, I think that anyone who would write a book just to lure people away from a religion that worships Jesus Christ, and does nothing but good things, needs a new hobby.

Answer 1

Hey.. I have a site to give you. This may help with the archeology aspect...

Oh.. I'm mormon, so I hear it all the time too!! None of us are perfect, I still watch R rated movies too, and every once in a while south park is funny.

It weird, when I first started answering questions on here, I would get best answer all the time from this section, then I started saying that I was mormon, and now I hardly ever get a best answer. I'm pretty sure it's because people know now that I'm a "mormon". I hate that nickname by the way!! Anyways, check out the link below.. it's pretty cool. The whole site is cool, so feel free to read up!!

The guy that wrote it is an old bishop in Appleton, WI. My friend went on her mission there, and he was her bishop in that area. He's a pretty cool guy, and I've learned a lot from reading his site.

Answer 2

If the shoe fits, you know the drill. Changing a mind that is made up is a waste of time and dangerous to relationships.

On the other hand, if there is anything intriguing or possibly conflicting you hold regarding the lds organization, you have two choices: Ignore it as advised by the GAs, or read ALL the published publications by the church and others. You can begin by a simple google search of Joseph Smith, but the subjects are endless. The book "Having Visions" is an excellent re-translation of the BoM in normal english and a good starting point for an unbiased review of the church.

If you choose the former, you're insulated by lds culture; you risk nothing but your intellectual integrity. This is the "blue" pill.

However, if you take the "red" pill, you risk friendships within the church, possibly becoming a pariah, and your motives will be suspect. The church's history isn't as clean as the missionary position (sorry, couldn't help that one), and the doctrinal changes, omissions, and declarations will open your eyes considerably. You'll become an 'Illuminati", but there's a price to pay.

You have to determine if the intellectual gain is worth the cultural, social and 'spiritual' risk.

Answer 3

I am LDS I watch Rated R movies once in a while, some things are rated R and really I have no idea why. Things like the Hills have eyes, I would never watch that not because it is rated R but because watching people be raped on TV is not entertaining for me.
Once in a while I go to Starbucks.....And I watch South Park all the time, it is actually very amusing! Some people think that Mormons are sheltered and have never seen South Park....

Answer 4

With all that is known about and public about the LDS, the claims of its founder, the facts about its documents, its history, etc. if you're still a Mormon your either not curious enough to investigate your own faith, or you don't care. Either way there would be little point to witness to you. And as an atheist I don't have a horse in the race for which delusion you embrace.

But as a student of Church History I can assure you that while his scholarship is pretty sloppy, your boy Bickmore's argument that Mormonism revives many early heterodoxies and heresies is correct. So you can certainly argue Mormonism is restoration of many things the church rejected as error. We all know the ecumenical councils were political events, and just because you are outmaneuvered in council by someone with better rhetoric doesn't mean you are wrong.

But for me that is simply trading one set of delusional patristic fathers for another set of delusional ecumenical councilors. God didn't divinely reveal a mesoamerican culture that never existed or divinely translate an Egyptian burial scroll as the Pearl of Great Price. Smith was a carnival huckster from beginning to end.

Answer 5

Let me preface this by saying that I am an atheist. Also, the tone of this answer may sound insulting. I apolagize for that up front, but if you want to grow intellectually, you will need the courage to look at your religion from an "outside looking in" perspective. This is what open-mindedness really means.

No, I do not want to try to witness to you. Why? Because you have abandoned rationality and reason for myth and superstition. One day you will die, but that is too difficult for you to accept, so you buy into a fantasy that is not supported by evidence. Let me see if I understand the rationale; live your life according to an untestable and unprovable hypothesis, die, and then all will be revealed to you...is that about right?

During Infantry Officer's Basic Course, I dated a lovely Mormon girl in Georgia. She was the product of a failed Mormon marriage, and she had a 3 year old daughter. I found her to be funny and kind, like most Mormons, so I went into the whole endeavor with an open mind. We began dating and I thought things were going well. When she invited me to her parents house, I felt honored. That was, until they ambushed me with Elder Johnson and Elder Jarvis. Trying to be polite, I began the "conversations." It wasn't long after that Mormonism began to fail the smell test.

At the time, I was a Christian. This was before I woke up and noticed that there is absolutely no evidence to support any religion over another, and it's all hogwash to make us sleep better at night. In any case, even from a Christian perspective, I was disturbed by what I learned. Joseph Smith was not a "prophet" nor a "Saint." He was a con artist. The "witnesses" of his prophecy were a few of his close family and friends. Perhaps if we had the "golden plates," there would be a little more reason to buy into his tale, but alas, they ascended into heaven. How convenient.

Have you ever asked yourself, "Why were these plates made of gold?" Gold has no spiritual value, only one we as humans subscribe to it based on the fact that it is rare and pretty. Gold means nothing to God. The Book of Mormon gives the exact dimension of these gold plates, and they would weigh hundreds of pounds...EACH. Did Joseph Smith have super human strength? How did he get them down from the mountain? Furthermore, why does the Book of Mormon claim that if an Indian becomes a Mormon, he will turn white? This doesn't actually happen....not in real life.

If you are truly open minded and you want to challenge your beliefs, I encourage your to read "The End of Faith" by Sam Harris. It will open your eyes. Your "truth" is nothing more than than the invention of a charlatan. The South Park episode on LDS lays out the history of the Mormon Church is surprising accuracy...it's funny too.

If you are looking for a reason to revert to normal Christianity, I invite you to examine the flaws with LDS's core doctrine. Like many cults, it promises to make you a God; one with the same powers as "Holy Father." This is one of the oldest lies on record. It demands that you earn your way into heaven. Unfortunately, the Bible makes it quite clear that you cannot earn your way in. Salvation is a free gift that has been bought and paid for by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Only he was perfect enough. You can only get in by accepting this free gift. Of course, as an atheist, I think all of that is hogwash as well.

Still believe in God? Try praying for an amputee Iraq War Veteran to grow his arm back. It's not selfish. It would glorify God and show his power and mercy. Nonetheless, I am willing to bet everything I own and will ever own that his arm won't grow back. Funny how people only pray for things that are logically and scientifically possible, despite the fact that they claim to have an "all powerful" God. If God can create a woman from a rib, then there's no reason why he can't help an amputee do grow back his arm. Salamanders do it all the time.

I know this answer has been harsh, and again, I apologize for the edge. If you care to talk with me over the phone, e-mail me and I will talk with you anytime. If there is a God, he gave us an intellect and a brain that values evidence over blind faith in unprovable conjectures. I'd love to believe in God and angels and even unicorns....but there just isn't any evidence.

Answer 6

I recommend seeing some of my Mormon questions and answers. I've left them alone for the last week or two (I've concentrated more on JWs), so I think they're like 2 or 3 pages back.

My questions are based on factual information, and most of them are sourced with websites you can consult for historical background.

If you have questions on any of it, I would love to chat. I'm not an ex-mormon or anything, but I do know a lot about your church and know how to sift out the garbage from the genuine criticisms about the LDS beliefs and history.

God bless.

mr. penguin

Answer 7

First of all - Christianity is about Jesus Christ and Him alone - a relationship with Jesus - not religion. I don't call myself a Baptist - I call myself a Christian - because I am a Christian who just happens to worship in a Baptist church.

If you can call yourself a Christian without labeling yourself a "Mormon" I would say you are right on the mark and are a true Christian. If you cannot - you are worshipping God under the umbrella of "religion" and not following Jesus Christ. Does this make sense to you??

I will not try to convert you to be a Baptist, a Methodist, a Church of Christ, etc - as those are buildings of worship - denominations made by man. True Christianity comes from Jesus and Him alone - not the building we sit in.

So my question to you is - are you saved by Jesus? Have you accepted that He is the Son of God, that he died on the cross for you and will save your soul from Hell. Do you have the Holy Spirit that dwells within you?? These are questions you need to ask yourself - it is not for me to decide if you are a Christian or not - only you and God will know.

Blessings dear one. I pray you find Truth - that is Jesus Christ and his teachings - not the teachings of the "so called church."

Answer 8

Hi! It sounds kinda like you might wanna fight and I'm very peaceful. I like that you are open-minded tho.

I think the biggest problem the mormons have, for me personally, is that you can prove beyond a doubt with modern genetics research, that no south american tribes are remotely related to jews. There are others, but that's pretty much the biggest one.

Answer 9

JOSEPH SMITH DIDN'T WRITE THE BoM (THAT'S RIGHT IT IS THE BOMB) HE TRANSLATED THE BoM.

The 3 degrees of heaven are talked about in the BIBLE!

2 Cor. 12: 2
2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the THIRD HEAVEN.

Answer 10

I appreciate someone who has an open mind and heart to discuss their faith. I'd be interested in hearing how you came to be a LDS.

And, I don't believe any Christian whose intent is on "changing your mind" understands the call we have to spread the good news of Christ. That certainly is never my desire when I speak of what Jesus has done in my life. In addition, that would imply that WE were the reason you were convinced when God should always get the glory.