Why leave the Church? Why not take a stand in ones own ward or stake?
What would happen if thousands of members stood up and spoke out for change?
I know its a silly post. But part of me is not yet ready to leave. I've been struggling with this since I returned from my mission back in 1994.
Maybe I just needed to vent.

I left the LDS Church because I never really believed what it claimed about itself: that it was the ONE TRUE Church, the only one with authority to act in God's name. I don't believe that about ANY church, organization or individual.

Plus, all the historical evidence points to the fact that this claim (to be the one true church and having "Priesthood authority") was a later development in Mormon history and not something that was original to the movement's intent. In fact, the first edition of Joseph's "revelations" (entitled "The Book of COmmandments") states that the purpose of "The Book of Mormon" and the movement it inspired (Mormonism) was to "work a REFORMATION" among the already existing religions ("churches") and people.

Under Brighan Young and Heber C. Kimball, Mormonism transformed into a big, authoritarian sect that valued obedoence (the so-called "first law of heaven') above all else.

During Joseph F. Smith's Presidency LDS Mormon theology began to slowly devolve back toward mainsteam Christianity. Since the 1970's the trend quickened, and for the past 15 years LDS Mormonism has become just another denomination of "the Religious RIght."

Look at all the sermons by General Authorities and books by LDS scholars on the Grace of Christ and the all-powerful nature of God.

The unique religion that Joseph Smith taught at the end of his life is virtually dead in the LDS Church. In fact, for decades GEneral Authorities--and even President Heinkley himself--have denied that Joseph Smith taught most of what he taught.

Reform Mormons are not composed only of former LDS Church members. Many of our 150 members of the Yahoo Reform Mormon Discussion Group have never belonged to ANY Mormon denomination, but have come across Joseph Smith individually and were fascinated by his doctrines.

THOSE are the doctrines (liberal, positive, individualistic) that Reform Mormonism embraces as its foundation, and upon which it builds and expands.

For instance, Reform Mormon Temple rituals are being celebarted this year for the first time. The Reform Mormon Endowments (there are four ceremonies, which one goes through as various points in one's life) have covenants, pass-words, signs and a token which are presented in an inter-active drama (same as in the LDS and FLDS Endowments) ---and yet the Reform Mormon Endowments celebarte the individual, Free Agency, personal progression---NOT obedience to an institution and its leaders, NOT sacrifice of one's own life for that organization, and NOT giving away ""All that you possess or may possess" to that organization. Shame regarding sex is not taught. Whereas LDS ordinances stress unqestioning adherence to strict gender roles (obedience of wives to husbands, etc.) in the name of promoting the family--Reform Mormon ordinances celebrate and stress loving commitment to fanily members, completely honest communication within families.

So don't stress about the LDS Church. Come on and explore Reform Mormonism. I honestly believe you will like what you discover.

I couldn't agree with you more. Of course, the reason the RLDS (Community of Christ) believe the Trinity is because Joseph Smith himself believed in it when he wrote "The Book of Mormon." He later changed his mind and preached polytheism (which I think is morally is a better doctrine than monotheism because it acknowledge that plurality--not monism--is the foundation of nature and existence).

I was in an LDS bookstore in SLC yesterday and found several LDS books that preached the doctrine of Salvation by Grace as opposed to salvation by works. Of coruse, this flies in the face of earlier LDS theology which clearly preached salvation by works. In fact, when I joined the LDS Church in 1977 the song "Amazing Grace" was banned in LDS meetings (along with "Ava Maria") because it preached what the LDS considered "false doctrine." How shocked I was to attend an LDS baptism in the summer of 2001 at which "Amazing Grace" was the closing hymn.


Reform Mormonism is NOT Christian.

Rob
while your in Utah could you pick me up some fry sauce?

Mark (C-GA) wrote:
plus I thought it was neat that the off shoot church of the LDS, the "Community of Christ", follows the Trinity.

Mark,

Did you know that the Community of Chist (the RLDS Church) ISrecognized, legally, THE original church founded by Joseph Smith?

In the 20th century, the LDS and RLDS Churches took the matter to court--to settle legally which sect was the legally recognized entity originally founded by Joseph Smith in 1830. The courts decided in favor of the RLDS.

All the historical evidence points to the fact that during the last year ofhis life, while carrying out what he described as a "reformation": of the church he founded, Joseph wanted his brother Hyrum to take over as "prophet" of Mormonism. (The Mormons themselves rejected this.) The evidence also seems to indicate that Jospeh intended for one ofhis own sons to become "prophet" upon his death and the detah of Hyrum.

This type of inherited "first presidency" was practiced by the RLDS until the last decade or two.

thanks for the info., i joined the my space group because i liked what i read here...

i have always been spiritually curious and independent...

when i was LDS, i always had some views of my own that didnt match the LDS...

peacemaking vs. war, everyone needs revelation, being gay is ok, etc.

i learned to hide them in my own mind, until i left the LDS and now i am free to hold them openly... the way it should be...

i have tried several churches, but they all seem too organized and scarry...

Loren Fay

Albany, NY.