Sin & Death in Mormon Country: A Latter-day Tragedy

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_Willy Law
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Sin & Death in Mormon Country: A Latter-day Tragedy

Post by _Willy Law »

http://www.affirmation.org/suicide_info/sin_and_death_in_mormon_country.shtml

Ray posted this link on another thread. The most tragic and unbelievable story I have ever read. And yes Simon, we know it is the boys fault, no need to pile on.

Some nuggets from the article:
the late Mormon Prophet Harold B. Lee stated: "I was shocked to have you raise the question about 'oral lovemaking in the genital area among married couples.' Heaven forbid any such degrading activities which would be abhorrent in the sight of the Lord. For any Latter-day Saint... to engage in any kind of perversions of this sacred God-given gift of procreation would be sure to bring down the condemnation of the Lord whom we would offend were we to engage in any such practice."


One pamphlet written for teenage boys is titled Steps to Overcoming Masturbation [reprinted on this website—see link below]. It recommends avoiding being alone whenever possible, but "if you have a friend who masturbates, end the friendship immediately — don't fool yourself by thinking you can stop together; it will only lead to even greater perversions."

As a reminder of their particular sin, Mormon masturbators are instructed to carry a pocket calendar with them wherever they go. They are told to paint the days they masturbated black. Masturbators are also told not to read about or talk to anyone about their problem.

In the bathroom, Mormons are advised to always leave the door slightly ajar to avoid being alone, and to never admire themselves in the mirror. "Never stay in the bathroom for longer than five minutes, even to bathe-then GET OUT FAST." The author recommends never touching the "intimate parts" of the body except during normal toileting.

In the bedroom they are instructed to dress for security. The more layers of clothing, the better. If the urge to masturbate becomes unbearable, yell "STOP!" as a way of changing the subject. Another option is to grasp a Book of Mormon and hold it tightly. In severe cases the masturbator is told to tie his hand to the bedframe so that semi-sleep masturbation doesn't occur.

In the pamphlet Love vs. Lust, Kimball warned masturbators that if they don't stop, they will end up homosexual: "Masturbation is the introduction of the more serious sin of exhibitionism and the gross sin of homosexuality." And in Tools for Missionaries the church states that medical doctors believe masturbation "dulls the mind and has adverse effect on the memory."


If the church's stand on masturbation is based on turn-of-the-century science, its controversial treatment for homosexuals might be right out of the futureshock novel and cult-film classic A Clockwork Orange.

The so-called electroshock conditioning starts in the downtown Salt Lake City office of psychologist and active Mormon Robert Card. First, electrodes are strapped to the homosexual's arms or fingers, biofeedback monitors are attached to his head, and a circular electronic sensor is placed around his penis. Next, the patient sits in a darkened room where he views videotapes of heterosexual and homosexual sex acts.

If the patient gets an erection while watching the heterosexual tapes, a biofeedback digital-display monitor registers a positive numerical reading. But if the patient begins to have an erection while viewing the homosexual tapes, the electrodes strapped to his arms or fingers deliver an electrical shock.

Don Atridge, an ex-Mormon homosexual who was also a member of the famed Mormon Tabernacle Choir, underwent five months of shock treatments conducted by Dr. Card, whom he refers to as Dr. Frankenstein. "Every time I left his office, I was hornier than ever. Many times my arms were red and cut up from the shocks — they looked like hamburger."

Another ex-Mormon gay, Les (who wanted only his first name identified), is very angry. "It's horrible having the hell shocked out of you when you get sexually excited. The entire thing was disgusting." Les even considered suicide. "After a while suicide looked like the most honorable thing to do. Many Mormon gays do it. I had it all planned, an automobile accident on a certain curve in the mountains; it was a way my children and family would be spared."

In February 1984 the Australian television version of 60 Minutes aired a segment about the treatments, titled "Saints and Sinners." Utah native and ex-Mormon Gary L. Stone told producer Warren McStoker that be didn't just leave the church after being treated by Dr. Card. He kidnapped his four-year-old daughter from his ex-wife to get her away from the church and then moved to Australia.
It is my province to teach to the Church what the doctrine is. It is your province to echo what I say or to remain silent.
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_Tchild
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Re: Sin & Death in Mormon Country: A Latter-day Tragedy

Post by _Tchild »

Willy Law (or anyone for that matter) - Any information on Eliason Sr's wrongful death lawsuit against the LDS church?

What luck that Kip had chronicled his perceived moral failings relating to masturbation in a well kept journal. That is exactly what would be needed for a lawsuit.

Then church's own advice damned them in this case.
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Re: Sin & Death in Mormon Country: A Latter-day Tragedy

Post by _asbestosman »

It's scary in a way that suicide actually does influence society to change--that through their deaths people have more power than they did in life. It's particularly frightening to me because I want people to find just the opposite--that by living they will accomplish more and be able to create a world where they can find some peace even if only on holidays and weekends.
That's General Leo. He could be my friend if he weren't my enemy.
eritis sicut dii
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_Willy Law
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Re: Sin & Death in Mormon Country: A Latter-day Tragedy

Post by _Willy Law »

Tchild wrote:Willy Law (or anyone for that matter) - Any information on Eliason Sr's wrongful death lawsuit against the LDS church?

What luck that Kip had chronicled his perceived moral failings relating to masturbation in a well kept journal. That is exactly what would be needed for a lawsuit.

Then church's own advice damned them in this case.


I cannot find any information on a court case. I would guess that Eliason Sr's attorney made a request for the church's financial records and the church offered to settle for a ridicules amount of money.
It is my province to teach to the Church what the doctrine is. It is your province to echo what I say or to remain silent.
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_Lucinda
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Re: Sin & Death in Mormon Country: A Latter-day Tragedy

Post by _Lucinda »

Unbelievable!!! My jaw is still on the floor. Having one, almost two teenage sons--I am disgusted. This motivates me even more to get them away from this church.
_Jason Bourne
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Re: Sin & Death in Mormon Country: A Latter-day Tragedy

Post by _Jason Bourne »

Well not sure what to make of this. Some accurate, some not. A lot of hyperbole in it. These statements were certainly over the top somewhat:


Mormon anti-sex indoctrination start early. Children are taught that sex is dirty and disgusting, that it is the tool of Satan. The church uses guilt and the threat of eternal damnation to drive its message home. When a child reaches adolescence, the conflict between what he or she has learned and sexual feelings experienced can create devastating consequences.


Mormons are taught that only by achieving perfection on earth will they reach "godhood" and find eternal life in heaven. To reach "perfection" one must first be found "worthy." Bestowing "worthiness" is a shared responsibility between God and the church's elders.


For most Latter-day Saints, including Kip, the constant battle to become "worthy" is a hopeless struggle. Becoming "worthy" and ultimately reaching "perfection" means living up to the church's 4,300 commandments — including those condemning natural sex acts.



But there is a lot of truth in there and the Church has done a really poor job in teaching about sexuality and its proper use. The heavy handed tactics, shaming, guilt, confession to and adult in a closed room, the current Raise the Bar rules that will exclude a repeated sexual offender even if they repent, all of it sure can hurt people emotionally.
_MsJack
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Re: Sin & Death in Mormon Country: A Latter-day Tragedy

Post by _MsJack »

Tchild wrote:Willy Law (or anyone for that matter) - Any information on Eliason Sr's wrongful death lawsuit against the LDS church?

The church settled outside of court (it usually does in cases like this).

I'm not sure that the amount was ever disclosed to the public (it usually isn't).
"It seems to me that these women were the head (κεφάλαιον) of the church which was at Philippi." ~ John Chrysostom, Homilies on Philippians 13

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_The Dude
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Re: Sin & Death in Mormon Country: A Latter-day Tragedy

Post by _The Dude »

Jason Bourne wrote:But there is a lot of truth in there and the Church has done a really poor job in teaching about sexuality and its proper use. The heavy handed tactics, shaming, guilt, confession to and adult in a closed room, the current Raise the Bar rules that will exclude a repeated sexual offender even if they repent, all of it sure can hurt people emotionally.


I left the church just before the birth of my first son because I didn't want him learning these sick values from Mormons. He's now a teenager nearing puberty and he has no idea how much he should thank me for this.
"And yet another little spot is smoothed out of the echo chamber wall..." Bond
_Doctor CamNC4Me
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Re: Sin & Death in Mormon Country: A Latter-day Tragedy

Post by _Doctor CamNC4Me »

Hello,

I have to wonder if Mormon authorities struggle with homosexuality. They seemed terrified that their own behavior would turn them into practising homosexuals. For example, the thought that masturbation would lead to homosexuality would never have occurred to me. However, they seem fixated on that aspect of masturbation.

V/R
Dr. Cam
In the face of madness, rationality has no power - Xiao Wang, US historiographer, 2287 AD.

Every record...falsified, every book rewritten...every statue...has been renamed or torn down, every date...altered...the process is continuing...minute by minute. History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which the Ideology is always right.
_Willy Law
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Re: Sin & Death in Mormon Country: A Latter-day Tragedy

Post by _Willy Law »

Doctor CamNC4Me wrote:Hello,

I have to wonder if Mormon authorities struggle with homosexuality.


Are you saying they enjoy washings and anointings a little more than they should?
It is my province to teach to the Church what the doctrine is. It is your province to echo what I say or to remain silent.
Bruce R. McConkie
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