Church Over Family

Posted by: Andee / Category: ,


Today I had a long conversation with a friend of mine about my exit from Mormonism. He has never been inside a Mormon Church in his life, and he can't really understand why a church would ask someone to cut off family and friends just because they leave the church. It was really nice to have someone understand... someone who hasn't been through what I am dealing with, but still gets it.

I guess the emotional toll of this whole thing is getting to me more and more. The more people I encounter online that have been kept outside of Temple Weddings and sealings... purposefully left out of family gatherings... simply because they left the Mormon Church, the more I get more emotional over the whole thing.

What kind of church would ask you to do things like this? Would God ask you to do things like this? To keep the woman who gave birth to you and raised you... kissed your boo-boos and made your birthday cakes from your wedding?

Absolutely not.

God is about love, not exclusion. Nothing any Mormon can say about this matter will ever change my mind.

My own Grandmother had to wait outside the temple when her son was married. She cried that day. Not because she was witnessing her child become a man and marry the woman he loved. She cried because she was denied. She gave birth to him, fed him, held him when he cried, bought his clothing, helped him... and she was denied the right to see her son be married.

It's not right. It's not.

For a church that claims family is the most important thing, they have a really funny way of showing it.


15 comments:

  1. donangelo Says:
    May 26, 2008 at 7:55 PM

    The truth is this Sydney,

    Family is not the most important thing to the lds cult.

    That's why they have began to cut so many programs to save money and to build billion dollar malls.

    Because when I was a mormon sydney friend they would not even help me out when I had fell on hard time.

    Because everyone needs some help sometimes.

    Because I have also read and heard of other accounts of former mormons who was treated like crap and recieved no help from the mormon cult when they needed it.

    Because some where even tithe payers and still in their most critical time of need the lds cult turned their backs on them just like they did me someone who's mother use to feed those mormon missionaries and they basicly said at the lds cult family is not important and I am worthless so no thanks we can't help you what a shame and a disgrace.

    Because God is going to punish all those evil mormon leaders for all of their false hoods.

    Because Jesus Christ said when you do unto the least of these my brothers,you have also done it unto me.

  1. donangelo Says:
    May 26, 2008 at 8:07 PM

    And also remember Sydney,

    The lds cult is also known for breaking up families not keeping them together.

    Because Syd it is not a church it is a evil cult,that says it is a church to hide what it truly is.

    But mormon inc actions shows us other wise that they don't care any thing about family and etc.

  1. Andee Says:
    May 26, 2008 at 8:14 PM

    Donangelo,

    I am wary about the word "evil."

    While the LDS Church does things we both find morally wrong, I don't believe in my heart it is evil. I think the leaders are cold-hearted, and make very harsh and horrible decisions, but I don't think I would line them up with the devil himself.

    In my opinion, 90% of the Mormons who are practicing and that believe are truly misguided. I believe MOST leaders are honest, and believe the hype promoted by the church (priesthood powers, temple rights).

    I just want to be careful on the blog, because I don't believe most Mormons are evil...

  1. donangelo Says:
    May 26, 2008 at 8:34 PM

    But Sydney Jesus Christ said you are for me or either against me there is no middle ground.

    Jesus Christ also said my sheep know my voice and no other voice will they answer.

    That is all I am saying Sidney if someone is not living in the marvelous light,it means they are living in the darkness.

    It is not what I say sidney,but it is what the word of God says.

  1. Andee Says:
    May 26, 2008 at 8:35 PM

    Donangelo,

    I respect and understand your point of view, I just want to make it clear that it is your point of view and not mine.

    You believe things about God that I don't believe.

    Thats all.

  1. Nicko Says:
    May 28, 2008 at 6:26 AM

    donangelo...I really don't like being called 'evil' when I profess to 'attempt to make the world a better place' in my own day to day moral code of living, I think you should refrain from judging personally.

    Syd, I guess I've had a different experience to those you've discussed with. I've had nothing but family shoved down my throat!!! haha...ever since I joined my leaders have always urged me to spend more time with my mum and dad and be tight with them. Ever since my membership, I can honestly say, my family has never been closer. We do so much more together and I can actually say I enjoy spending time with them, which I didn't pre-baptism days.

    But thats my experience. As always, I'm just trying to give the other side of the story...from my point of view.

  1. Andee Says:
    May 28, 2008 at 6:02 PM

    Hey there Nicko! I was worried I would never hear from you again!

    I sincerely believe that you haven't had these problems I discussed here because you don't live in Utah. Utah Mormons are ULTRA-Mormons. Everything they do is an extreme. There are so many activities, meetings, callings... you don't get time to be together as a family unless it's at church or about church.

    Good to see you again!!!!

  1. donangelo Says:
    May 28, 2008 at 8:39 PM

    Look Nicko don't you talk to me like that.

    I use to be a mormon and I know how evil and twisted and dark mormonism really is.

    Because if it walk like a duck and sound like a duck it usually is a duck.

    Because Nicko it is not what I say but it is what the word of the living God says.

    Jesus Christ say that you shall know them by their fruits.

    And all of us former mormons know that mormonism fruit is vile wicked and corrupted period.

    Let God be true and every man a liar romans 3-4.

  1. Andee Says:
    May 28, 2008 at 8:43 PM

    Donangelo,

    Nicko is a believing Mormon. While we don't believe in the church anymore, I don't think it's evil.

    I try really hard to understand where you are coming from, but telling someone else that their beliefs are evil isn't going to help anyone. It seems you have made up your mind, and that is fine, because I have too... but it is not our place to judge someone else.

    This blog is about the issues of why I am leaving the church... it's not about calling believing Mormons evil. Please don't do that here, thank you.

  1. donangelo Says:
    May 28, 2008 at 9:02 PM

    Okay Sydney I truly honor your request.

    But remember Jesus Christ did say Sydney that you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.

    because I love every body sydney no matter what their religion or background is.

    And that is why when I preach thus says the lord I am so passionate about it.

    Because when you love someone who you see is in bondage.

    You must tell them the truth to set them free that's all I'm saying.

  1. Andee Says:
    May 28, 2008 at 9:05 PM

    Donangelo,

    Thank you for honoring my request. While we disagree with the Mormon church, we need to remember that the people in the Mormon Church are not to blame... it's the leaders. Calling someone evil isn't showing love at all.

    We can share the truth without insulting someone's personal character, don't you think?

  1. donangelo Says:
    May 28, 2008 at 9:14 PM

    Sydney I absolutely agree that we can share the truth without insulting someone's personal character.

    Because to tell you the truth Sydney I still wanted to be friends
    with some of the people in the mormon church.

    because they were kind nice people
    from our generation.

    But on the other hand sydney some of the mormon lds church leadership was rotten to the core.

    They made the whole experience in mormonism go sour real quick.

  1. Andee Says:
    May 28, 2008 at 9:20 PM

    I agree that there are many leaders, past and present, that have lied and hurt people. Brigham Young had people killed for crying out loud, and lets not even get into the Mountain Meadows Massacre...

    Do I think they were evil? I don't know. Evil is an extremely strong word. I do think they were egotistical, and they wanted money and power. I do think they lied to get ahead.

    Calling the mormon church as a whole, "evil," isn't right. Thats all. I just want to make sure that the people reading this blog, along with the comments, understand that is not my point of view.

    The truth will set you free, but what good is it when you have offended the very people you are trying to help?

  1. Nicko Says:
    May 28, 2008 at 10:20 PM

    donangelo,

    I'm not going to use Sydney's forum to get into what is essentially a religious argument about what is evil and what is not. But using Christ as an example seems quite hypocritical when you seem to be quite at home telling me I'm evil.

    Enough said on the matter.

    Syd, I think that you are right and this blog should be more about the whole UTAH experience which I am still wanting to get a blog out of your from btw...I will email you soonish as soon as I get my life back in order.

    I remember serving with two guys from the East who said the same thing...life is just different in Utah...

  1. donangelo Says:
    May 29, 2008 at 12:43 AM

    Sydney I just wanted to say,

    I pray that the great God of Israel give you all the strength and support that you need as you make your transition out of mormonism into something so much more.

    because we are all here praying for you that the lords perfect will is done in all of our lives.

    Because we former mormons have been where you have been.

    Because we know that all things work together for good,for those who love God who are called according to his purpose romans 8-28

    Because the greatest gift of all is love 1 corinthians 13.

    Jesus Christ and all of your friends far and near truly love you sidney.

    So continue to stay strong because your insight is greatly appreciated by us former mormons now and that is to come.

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