DiscussMormonism.com

As a former Mormon, I feel a sense of obligation to share information with folks considering joining Mormonism and also with questioning members. I do not approach questioning members--they approach me. And, when they do, I talk with them. My discussions with questioning Mormons have resulted in my assisting several of them in writing letters of resignation to the Mormon church. It's not easy for me to do that, and I don't revel in it. I know how hard it can be to leave the Mormon church.

I also feel that folks taking the missionary discussions deserve the whole story about Mormonism, the meat as well as the milk, so when I notice the missionaries visiting homes in my neighborhood more than a few times, I drop off pertinent information to those families. I've knocked on the door of a complete stranger before, talked with her about Mormonism, and she decided, along with the rest of her family, to stop visiting with the missionaries. I didn't tell her to stop, or not to join the LDS church, I simply shared information with her--all of it truthful. I've not visited with every family I've known to be taking discussions, but I have left packets of information for them and my email address and phone number if they had any further questions. Some have called, and some haven't. But, I can't not do what I do. I feel obligated, having learned the truth about Mormonism, to share that information with others so that they can make fully informed decisions.

What, if any, obligation do former Mormons have when it comes to sharing information about Mormonism? I'd say none, other than what they personally feel obligated to do. But, other folks may feel differently.

I do know that all the investigators with whom I've spoken have expressed gratitude for what I've shared with them and I don't feel any guilt whatsoever for telling them the truth about Mormonism. Mormon missionaries feel compelled to share their message with folks by going door to door, and the Mormon church asks it's members to share their "gospel" with others, so they can surely understand the obligation some ex-Mormons may feel to share their truth as well.

KA

Is there anything you offer, aside from a counter-explanation? In other words, your work appears to be in preventing, breaking down, etc. Is there a positive message you offer? (I realize some believe that a lack of Mormonism is positive.)

Thanks for sharing that KA.

I've owned my own business for about 18 years. I have the opportunity with every client to discuss things that have nothing to do with my work with them. Invariably we speak about family, religeon and even politics.

In all these years I have never qualified myself by telling them up front that I am a Mormon. Never. I have never trusted anyone that wairs their religeon or any other general membership on their shirt sleeves. These people, with little variance have always ripped me off.

That being said, many of my clients I have known for over 10 years. Nearly every one of them know I am Mormon because they asked. I've "born my testimony" to many of them, even place Book of Mormon's, referred the missionaries. I walked my talk.

They refer to me as their "Mormon" friend, or remind me that they have juice or water instead of coffee or beer etc. Rarely have any of them ever called me on Sundays (except for the damn Mormons - I have few Mormon customers and have always disliked working for many of them because they undervalue my services and have this sense of entitlement).

Over the last year I have been quite vocal about my disaffection with all of my clients that are not Mormons. It is interesting to note that I have yet to receive any negative responses. If anything, it is eye opening to many of them. Some express thoughts they would have never shared with me - mostly about the Mormon neighbors that only have time for their Mormon friends and don't allow their children much, if any, time with their children. The Christians relate that they are happy to see me broken free of the cult.

I did tell one Mormon about my disaffection. He stiffed me for $5k and will never pay me. Said he couldn't trust someone (an apostate) that won't believe in Joseph Smith. What an ass. Truth is, he lacks integrity. I've been unable to collect only one other time in 18 years.

LifeOnaPlate wrote:Is there anything you offer, aside from a counter-explanation? In other words, your work appears to be in preventing, breaking down, etc. Is there a positive message you offer? (I realize some believe that a lack of Mormonism is positive.)

Truth, in and of itself and for its own sake, is a positive message.

LifeOnaPlate wrote:Is there anything you offer, aside from a counter-explanation? In other words, your work appears to be in preventing, breaking down, etc. Is there a positive message you offer? (I realize some believe that a lack of Mormonism is positive.)

Loap, I'm glad you asked this (I'm sure KA has a strong opinion on this as well).

I was taught by the Mormon church that it is evil to be a "faith destroyer". In other words, to destroy one's faith (in their mormom beliefs) and leave them with nothing in return - it's not kind.

However, sometimes we confuse this term with simply being a "messenger" or "consumer advocate". I believe Mormonism is a fraud (it's not a full disclosure philosophy). It's best in my opinion to warn people not to invest there. Ultimately it brought me a negative return. I hate to see people suffer like myself (and my family) have these past few years.

Dr. Shades wrote:

LifeOnaPlate wrote:Is there anything you offer, aside from a counter-explanation? In other words, your work appears to be in preventing, breaking down, etc. Is there a positive message you offer? (I realize some believe that a lack of Mormonism is positive.)

Truth, in and of itself and for its own sake, is a positive message.

See my comment: "I realize some believe that a lack of Mormonism [hence, what they consider "truth"] is positive."

Are you arguing that truth is always positive, by the way?

Inconceivable wrote:

LifeOnaPlate wrote:Is there anything you offer, aside from a counter-explanation? In other words, your work appears to be in preventing, breaking down, etc. Is there a positive message you offer? (I realize some believe that a lack of Mormonism is positive.)

Loap, I'm glad you asked this (I'm sure KA has a strong opinion on this as well).

I was taught by the Mormon church that it is evil to be a "faith destroyer". In other words, to destroy one's faith (in their mormom beliefs) and leave them with nothing in return - it's not kind.

However, sometimes we confuse this term with simply being a "messenger" or "consumer advocate". I believe Mormonism is a fraud (it's not a full disclosure philosophy). It's best in my opinion to warn people not to invest there. Ultimately it brought me a negative return. I hate to see people suffer like myself (and my family) have these past few years.

Again, this doesn't answer my question. If you notice, I bracketed the truth claims of the Church. See my comment "I realize some believe that a lack of Mormonism is positive."

So warning is fine, but is there anything positive offered, as well? Is there any cause, ideology, worldview, which you, or any Mormon critic here advances?

LifeOnaPlate wrote:So warning is fine, but is there anything positive offered, as well?

Does anything positive even need to be offered?

It seems to me that finding out that your religion is actually false is its own reward.

Is there any cause, ideology, worldview, which you, or any Mormon critic here advances?

No. Nor need there be.

The opportunity for the teach-ee to finally choose for him/herself is its own reward.

Personally, I think not joining up with the Mormons is a positive! But, I don't really give a "message." I offer truthful information, and what folks do with it is their own business.

As for the Mormons who contact me: I answer their questions and don't really guide them one way or another. If they ask my personal opinion, I give it. But, I don't seek out questioning members, they seek me, so I let them guide the discussions, if that makes any sense. I believe answering their questions and being available if they need me is a positive.

KA

KimberlyAnn wrote:As a former Mormon, I feel a sense of obligation to share information with folks considering joining Mormonism....

I've not visited with every family I've known to be taking discussions, but I have left packets of information for them and my email address and phone number if they had any further questions.....

KA

That is a great service you are doing.

What does your "packet" consist of? What basic things do you tell them?
I really like Richard Packham's page he wrote at
http://www.exmormon.org/tract2.htm

People are entitled to all the information that is available. They will then be able to make a better decision to join the church or not.