I tried to be a Mormon

[_Boaz & Lidia]

For the last 2 1/2 years, I've tried to be a Mormon. I got baptised, attended sacrament meetings and held a calling for a couple of months. I can't do it.

Sacrament meetings with three children are too stressful. I can't say I've taken anything of value away from the meetings. I don't feel like a better person or mother.

All of my so called friends I can live without. I could never get anyone to open up to me. I think they are afraid for anyone to know they aren't really perfect. No one gives a rats ass. They ask, "is there anything I can do for you?" in the same manner Burger king asks if you want Fries or a coke with that.

I don't want to wear funky underwear.

I don't want my peers in my financial business.

I don't want my children to have the stress.

I don't think there is anything evil about coffee or tea.

I am drinking a big glass of sweet tea right now.

I am done.

Good for you! I am drinking a mild drink made from barley.

Watch your children though. The Primary presidency and teachers are the minions of the local bishop and will attempt to coerce your children back to church, and quite often without your knowledge or approval. The best way to avoid this is family resignation.

For your sake I hope you do not live in a mo'tropolis(Mormon majority population).

If I may pry, are you female? Married? If so, did you husband join?

[_Dr. Shades]

[MODERATOR NOTE: Thread moved by Dr. Shades due to what appears to be the desire of the thread originator.]

[_Daniel Peterson]

Hey Bish, is this how you treat the inactive doubting college kids in your ward? I hope so.

I'm not always quite as brutal as I've been on this thread.

[_antishock8]

Hi, Twinkie. I think it's true that you have to want to believe in Mormonism in order for it to be true for you. It's clearly a pain-in-the-rear to be a practicing Mormon, and if you don't possess the desire to believe in it you better have some strong social connections/economic incentives to keep you put. It sounds like you made the right choice for you.

I think any adult member who comes to the conclusion that Mormonism is a good fit is taking on a hard turn in his life's path. While I don't see anything wrong with choosing to believe in something, Mormonism, like so many other faiths demands evangelism and the indoctrination of your children. There's too many fruits of the Mormon gospel that produce bigotry, inequality, and outright contempt for others in the human race. This isn't a good lesson to internalize, but if an adult wants to do that fine... Too bad he can't confine that to himself, though.

[_Inconceivable]

Did you ever actually believe in it?

Peterson,

Twinkie got baptised.

Is what you're asking, "did Twinkie get flogged by number coveting Mormon missionaries and pressured into a baptism she didn't really believe in or even understand"?

Or are you making an attempt to determine in your own little twisted paradigm that maybe she was a wolf in the first place? Maybe Twink just heard the bleeting of sheep rather than the master's voice?

Self righteous little man. You look rather tall atop that Rameumtum of yours.

[_truth dancer]

Hi Twinkie,

I'm all for people embracing a religion, even Mormonism, if it makes ones life better, true or not. OTOH, if it harms ones life then I think it is best left behind. :-)

in my opinion, there are basically two questions to ask of a religion:

l. Is the church/religion/belief system/faith tradition true or not?
2. Is the church/religion/belief system/faith tradition helping or hindering my life.

If the church is true and it makes someones life better, great.

If the church is true but it damages one's life then the truthfulness seems less important.

If the church isn't true but it helps someone manage life, there is still value to being a member.

If the church isn't true and it harms one's life then, best not be a part of it.

When any organization, religion, group, or even individual is harming your life, your family, your personal spiritual/human journey it seems appropriate to disengage.

My observation is that your experience exemplifies many adult converts. Of all the convert baptisms of which I am personally aware in the last ten or so years, only one woman is still active, (an older single woman who got baptized two years ago), several had their names removed.

I just think it is easier to be a member of the LDS church when one is born into the religion.

I hope your find life peaceful.

~dancer~

[_Gadianton]

I remember an EV radio preacher once in Utah, one who would make snide remarks on occasion about Mormonism, speaking to the reasons why people backslide from his faith. It turns out that the backsliders were never elected in the first place. So one could be sentenced to damnation before being born, join this man's congregation and be an active Christian for 40 years, then have some doubts and oops! It looks like he was one of those silly damned folks who didn't know it (as no one did) thought he could get saved! Never quite works out for them.

I didn't know at the time Mormons had their own tactic to handle this situation. If someone were to ever doubt the church, it turns out they never really believed it or had a testimony in the first place. It was all a ruse. An amazingly good one considering part of the reason why a person has a baptismal interview by pristhood holders is to determine worthiness and belief. I'm sure there is a good reason for the spirit not spilling the beans in the first place and disallowing the person to be baptized. I'll bet that reason would make just about as much sense as God predetermining a person to damnation and then watching him try to be a good Christian and fail.

[_twinkie]

I think Mr. Peterson's question was fair.
To answer some of your questions: I don't live in a motropolis, in fact there are very
few LDS here.

I'm female, my husband joined too but he hasn't gone in over a year. He supports my decision. I think he is just worried that I'll want to join another church.

[_guy sajer]

Did you ever actually believe in it?

Based on your experience with the world-wide Mormon Church, Dan, what % of convert baptisms do you think ever actually believed it?

Of these, what % believed it fervently (had a real 'testimony').

Of #s 1 and 2 above, how many remain active in the Church 5 years later?

[_Boaz & Lidia]

Did you ever actually believe in it?

Based on your experience with the world-wide Mormon Church, Dan, what % of convert baptisms do you think ever actually believed it?

Of these, what % believed it fervently (had a real 'testimony').

Of #s 1 and 2 above, how many remain active in the Church 5 years later?

The sales force(a.k.a. missionary program) does not care if people actually believe in it, their main goal is baptism. Let the local ward convert them.