Park Romney: Mormonism Is a Fraud

[_Buffalo]

Not all Romneys are as enamored of Mormonism as Mitt. Take Park Romney, Mitt's cousin. He used to be a Mormon high priest, but finally left the religion. "I became convinced that it's a fraud," he tells the BBC. He doubts many aspects of the religion, such as founder Joseph Smith's prophecies, including those based on Smith's translation of an Egyptian scroll he said he purchased from a traveling mummy exhibit. The translation, which became part of the Mormon book of Abraham, has been discredited by Egyptologists. "There's compelling evidence that the Mormon Church leaders knowingly and willfully misrepresent the historical truth of their origins and of the church for the purpose of deceiving their members into a state of mind that renders them exploitable," says Park Romney, 56.
....

Park Romney says he's been the victim of the Mormon practice of "shunning" for criticizing the religion. "I'm alienated from my family," he says.

http://www.newser.com/story/142656/park ... fraud.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17487873

[_Buffalo]

I'm just waiting for them to interview Diamond, Bleachers, Mound, Bat and Cup Romney.

[_Sethbag]

The Romney brothers opened their own law firm, called Mouse Bat Follicle Goose Creature Ampersand Spawn Wapcaplet Looseliver Vendetta and Prang (Romney).

Anyone who thinks I just ripped the above off from Monty Python is absolutely correct.

Every family has that ornery malcontent who just makes a scene at the family party or reunion. Apparently the Romneys have Park. Good on him though, it sounds like he's done his homework.

[_bcspace]

I've yet to see any evidence that Park is telling the truth about Mormonism.

[_Buffalo]

I've yet to see any evidence that Park is telling the truth about Mormonism.

In another news story he claimed the church is spending tithing on business ventures. That's probably not true, though there's no way to falsify it.

Everything else he said about the church is 100% true. And furthermore, you know it's true.

[_Uncle Dale]

I've yet to see any evidence that Park is telling the truth about Mormonism.

I saw evidence -- with my own eyes -- of the "shunning" part of his testimony.
Living in Idaho Falls, Idaho in the 1950s, my own family of RLDS-associated
'postates were shunned --- to say nothing of the Church of the First Born
folks farming out in adjacent Ammon.

Jack-Mormons (who left their names on the Church rolls) were less shunned
by the "Temple Mormons," but actual "leavers" -- who converted to Lutheranism,
Methodism, etc. -- were shunned by the pious almost as much as us 'postates.

Shunning included not being invited to family activities, such as Thanksgiving;
not being allowed to buy or sell farm property to/from active Mormons; not
being able to date observant LDS kids, etc.

My first date with a Mormon girl did not occur until after highschool graduation --
and then limited to escorting her to "Mutual" and walking her home afterwards.

Such was life for the apostates, quitters, and gentiles in a temple town that
was 99% LDS, until the 1960s.

UD

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

I was shunned by my own mother when it was clear I was Inactive. This was a common practice by Mormons. Can't get tainted by the Apostates, and such... ;)

- VRDRC

[_ldsfaqs]

Not all Romneys are as enamored of Mormonism as Mitt. Take Park Romney, Mitt's cousin. He used to be a Mormon high priest, but finally left the religion. "I became convinced that it's a fraud," he tells the BBC. He doubts many aspects of the religion, such as founder Joseph Smith's prophecies, including those based on Smith's translation of an Egyptian scroll he said he purchased from a traveling mummy exhibit. The translation, which became part of the Mormon book of Abraham, has been discredited by Egyptologists. "There's compelling evidence that the Mormon Church leaders knowingly and willfully misrepresent the historical truth of their origins and of the church for the purpose of deceiving their members into a state of mind that renders them exploitable," says Park Romney, 56.

There is ZERO evidence that the found "museum fragments" is the actual Book of Abraham Joseph translated the Book of Abraham from. There is every evidence that these fragments are just some of the junk Joseph gave away, that was a dime a dozen. Facsimiles don't prove anything either, they also are dime a dozen.

These materials were found in someones storage from people who had died and then was donated to a museum.
What somehow makes these the "actual" Book of Abraham? NOTHING!

Why are people so stupid? They judge the Church entirely by a LIE.

....

Park Romney says he's been the victim of the Mormon practice of "shunning" for criticizing the religion. "I'm alienated from my family," he says.

Well duh.....! Who want's to associate with a bigot???

[_Buffalo]

There is ZERO evidence that the found "museum fragments" is the actual Book of Abraham Joseph translated the Book of Abraham from. There is every evidence that these fragments are just some of the junk Joseph gave away, that was a dime a dozen. Facsimiles don't prove anything either, they also are dime a dozen.

These materials were found in someones storage from people who had died and then was donated to a museum.
What somehow makes these the "actual" Book of Abraham? NOTHING!

Why are people so stupid? They judge the Church entirely by a LIE.

Sorry, that's not true. The extant papyrus match the description of the section Joseph translated. Moreover, the facsimiles (canonized by the church) are also mistranslated.

Don't you ever get tired of lying? I know that Satan is your master and everything, and that you spend every waking hour in service to the Dark Lord, but I don't think it's worth it.

[_Uncle Dale]

...There is every evidence that these fragments are just some of the junk Joseph gave away
...

Did Mother Lucy know that, when she charged visitors to see them?

Or Brother William, when he sold some of the texts in St. Louis?

UD