Windy Sydney

Appearances have been very important to most of the Mormons I know. Not all, but most. It wasn't about being the most spiritual person in the room, it was about making sure everyone thought they were the most spiritual person in the room. Big difference. It's like one big game... being better than your neighbor, being in the spotlight for having the best... perfect family.

One of my aunts was queen of this style of thinking. On the outside looking in, she had everything set the way she wanted it. She had her own business, her kids got perfect grades in school, they wore the latest fashions, her home was decorated and spotless, and her family sat in the church pews every Sunday. It was all a show.

Little did anyone know that she was a giant control freak who made decisions for everyone in her family about everything. No one knew her husband dealt with things by taking a more than occasional dose of heroin. Their bishop certainly didn't know... and they passed their temple recommend interviews easily.

Everyone assumed she was the most faithful woman they knew. They thought she was loving, kind, generous, and above all a good person. They didn't know her as well as I did.

When my father was diagnosed with cancer, I was 18 years old and fresh out of high school. I had plans to go to college, but I wanted to put it off so I could be with my Dad until he was healthy again. College was always important to me, but it would always be there. There was a chance my Dad wouldn't. I didn't tell anyone my plans on postponing college, and my aunt asked me to stay with her while I checked out the college in her area. My Dad wanted me to take the trip, so I did it for him.

When I got there, around Christmas, she asked me if I liked pizza. Who doesn't? She was just trying to be a good hostess and I appreciated it. She told me that her kids would be home from their various after-school activities soon, and she always had dinner prepared for them. What a good homemaker. Another one of my aunts arrived, ready to "help" me transition from high school to college. I know they meant well, but I didn't need someone there to hold my hand. I truly believe they wanted to feel as if they were helping my father in some way. The whole experience of him being so sick made us all feel pretty helpless.

Miss Auntie Control's home was absolutely perfect. Nothing was out of place, dusty, or even remotely dirty. The Christmas decorations were something out of a Martha Stewart magazine, she probably made the wreath herself, out of pine cones she found from the tree she planted in the back yard... by herself.

When everyone arrived for dinner, my aunt (the control freak) turned to everyone eating at the bar/counter and mentioned how sorry she was that my father's cancer was terminal and that he only had a few weeks left to live. Here is the thing... she knew that I hadn't been told yet. My Mom and Dad made the decision to tell us after Christmas, and they wanted it to come from them. Both of my parents made it perfectly clear to her that my brothers and I didn't know he wasn't going to get better. They also made it perfectly clear that they wanted to be the ones to break the news to us kids. I guess she just didn't give a damn. Merry Christmas Andee, Happy Holidays, your Dad is dying. Would you like another slice of pizza? What a bitch.

I must have gone pale, or possibly looked like I was about to cry... but I refused to break down. She looked at me with obvious fake sympathy saying something like, "Andee... you knew... right?" She isn't a very good actress. Luckily, I am.

I played it off, and I didn't want to give her the satisfaction. I pretended like I knew it all along. She wasn't going to control me, or my reactions. It's funny, but within the span of 10 minutes I got a glimpse into the mind of a woman who didn't give a damn who she hurt, as long as she was the one in control. It was a tad bit scary.

The night went on and we eventually went out to do some Christmas shopping. I picked out a couple outfits that I liked (it's not like I was without a job and penniless... I was working full time, and helping my parents when or if they needed it. I was a grown up, making my own financial decisions) and she would make comments like, "Are you sure you want to spend your money on that?" or "Maybe you should wait to buy that..." Was it any of her business? Did I ask for her opinion?

We went to the local university and scouted the music program that I knew I would have wanted to be a part of. I only half-way went through the motions, knowing that I didn't want to get emotionally attached to the school because I knew I wasn't going to be able to go... especially now that I had the knowledge of my Dad's terminal cancer. Dearest Auntie began telling me what classes I should be taking, and what I should be planning for in my future. Whatever lady.

I was helping them wrap their Christmas gifts, and they started in on discussing the church and it's many blessings. The only reason they were able to buy such nice Christmas presents was because they paid their tithing, they said. The only reason they had such a nice home due to the 10% they paid every single month. I didn't want to cause trouble for my Dad and his sisters during this time, so I kept my mouth shut. Those who read this blog regularly know how hard that was for me.

The weekend eventually came to an end, and I drove all the way back home. It was about a 3 and a half hour drive. I spent the whole time crying, because I knew I would see my Dad that day... but would I see him the next?

My Dad ended up passing away on January 17, 1998. My Mom was distraught, and I can't even bring up a word that could come close to describing the mental and emotional state I was in at the time. My father was an amazing man. He wasn't perfect, but he and my mother taught me what being a good person means. I knew I would miss him, and I knew I wanted to make him proud of me.

Mom started attending church again. She was taking classes to become temple ready so she could get my father sealed to us in the temple. She told everyone on both sides of the family that it was important for her to do this. She was raised strictly in the church, and she felt at the time that getting to the temple was the only way to see her husband again.

A few weeks later we get a phone call from Auntie Control. "We are planning on going to the Manti temple. It's going to be on this date _____. We would like you and the kids to be there." I could have killed her. Really. She knew that my Mom was going to take care of things, but she had to get herself involved. She took that moment away from my Mother, and even though I didn't believe in the church (even then) I knew it would be good for my Mom to do it. It would help her heal and move on.

Mom, brother and I drove to Manti. We were unable to take part in the temple sealing because we didn't have recommends. Auntie knew this. Do you think she gave a crap? No. What were her first words when she saw us? "Since you guys can't go inside, it would be great if you could watch the little kids for us." What? Are you fucking kidding me? You want me to wait outside a religious building that you claim I am not righteous enough for, while you do work for my father, and on top of that you want me to watch your little brats? What the hell is wrong with you? What the hell is wrong with a church that would ask that (referring to the part where families are separated from the righteous and the sinners.)

A few months after I moved to Orlando, I got a phone call from my Mom. She wasn't sure how to tell me the news she had... but she found a way. My uncle, dear auntie control's husband, was found in a coma on the streets of Las Vegas. Police say he was attempting to buy heroin from a drug dealer, but the buy went wrong and the dealer shot him full of some kind of drug and robbed him. He was left in the Las Vegas sun for hours and hours before he was found. Luckily, he survived and is now doing fine. As far as I know, he has beaten his drug habit and I sincerely wish him the best. A few of the people I know said, "If I had to live with her, I would be hooked on drugs, too!" A little harsh, but sort of true.

What bothers me is that she and her husband walked into the temple grounds in Manti, she told me it would be "great" if I could watch everyone's kids while she went inside, and she didn't deserve to be there.

This is where the appearances theme fits in. She was more concerned with what other people would think of her than actually believing and following through with her supposed beliefs that the temple was for worthy people only. She knew she was hurting us by leaving us outside that day, and it didn't even phase her. She was fine as long as everyone thought she was the perfect person she pretended to be.

I am not saying that all Mormons are this way. I know this story and these events wouldn't possibly happen to other people in the same manner, but I truly believe that the church puts pressure on it's members to maintain that constant state of perfection. I know many people will disagree, and that is fine... but my mind immediately goes to the talk that Julie B. Beck made at General Conference last October. Here are a couple of my favorite quotes:

They bring daughters in clean and ironed dresses with hair brushed to perfection; their sons wear white shirts and ties and have missionary haircuts. These mothers know they are going to sacrament meeting, where covenants are renewed. These mothers have made and honor temple covenants. They know that if they are not pointing their children to the temple, they are not pointing them toward desired eternal goals. These mothers have influence and power.

Latter-day Saint women should be the very best in the world at upholding, nurturing, and protecting families. I have every confidence that our women will do this and will come to be known as mothers who "knew."

Is this what made my aunt turn into the mega-controlling uber-insane crazy woman who didn't care who she hurt? No. But it certainly didn't help matters, did it?

Andee

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Thanks to the hard work of dedicated volunteers, SigningForSomething.org is online and ready to go. I can't say enough about the people who took time out of their busy lives to put this together, the work I did compared to their hard work isn't even comparable. They worked harder, they were more organized, and they didn't let the setbacks get them down.

SigningForSomething.org is a place where you can go and share your thoughts about the Mormon Church's recent efforts to ban gay marriage in California. Many of you know that the church asked Mormon Bishops to read a letter from the first presidency in all wards, asking it's members to push for the ban of gay marriage. Those who are among the committee of SigningForSomething.org believe that church officials over-stepped their bounds by asking this of it's members.

The issue of gay marriage is a heated debate. I have always been very vocal about equal rights for everyone in the United States of America, and I will stay vocal.

My point is this...

The church can believe whatever it wants. The people in the church can believe what they want... whether it's agreeing with the church, or disagreeing with the church about this political issue. If you think gay marriage is bad, and it's a big old sin... fine. That is your right as an American. Thing is, you don't have the right to tell other people what their rights should be. You shouldn't tell other people what to think or believe if they are not in your church. Forcing your beliefs on people is wrong... and that is exactly what the Mormon Church is doing.

If you go to the website, you can write a personal letter to leaders of the Mormon Church. There are helpful hints and examples of things you can use while writing your letter, but whatever you say is fine.

The idea originally started as a mass resignation effort to take place on July 24th. This has changed. We decided that instead of *just* a resignation effort (which is still something you are more than welcome to do if you feel it) it would be a place to send a letter of complaint. These letters of complaint can come from anyone. People who have never been in the church, people who have already resigned, people who are still believing the Mormon religion but are against the church's efforts, and those like me who feel this is the final straw and plan on resigning.

For those who want to resign (there is no pressure to do so... it is not necessary) the date has been changed to November 4th. This will give us more time to be organized, make sure all letters of resignation and complaint are valid, as well as give us time to get the word out. If you or any of your friends and family members are interested in letting the LDS leadership know they crossed the line, please go to SigningForSomething.org and share your letter. All letters will show on the website for other people to read. Your voice can, and will be heard.

I wish to thank everyone involved who helped my small, spur-of-the-moment idea turn into such a force. We now have the ability to ban together and make a difference. We have the ability to tell other people that basic rights belong to everyone, and there is no excuse to ban a group of people from marriage simply because of who they happen to fall in love with.

Thank you again everyone,
Andee

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I ran into an old copy of Discourses by Brigham Young while with my family. The book was published in 1941, but originally copyrighted in 1925 by Heber J. Grant. Since the book was so old, and obviously well-used, I wanted to take it with me. I wanted to see exactly what my Grandfather was talking about, what he had studied, what he had believed... and how in the world he could have believed it.

The book was purchased second hand, there are notes written on the sides of the pages, as well as line after line of highlighted text. Some of the highlighted text screams out to me immediately, especially quotes like, "Ever since I knew that my mother was a woman I loved the sex, and delighted in their chastity," and "It is the privilege of a mother to have faith and to administer to her child; this she can do herself, as well as sending for the Elders to have the benefit of their faith."

Here are more quotes from Brigham Young that makes me wonder why the church still looks at him with pride:

"A good housewife, whether she possesses much or little, will have a place for everything she has in the house, and make her house orderly and comfortable, and everything when wanted can be found in its place." 9:157

"Do not marry unbelievers- Be careful, O ye mothers of Israel, and do not teach your daughters in future, as many of them have been taught, to marry out of Israel. Woe to you who do it; you will lose your crowns as sure as God lives." 12:97

"One of the first transgressions of the family called Israel, was their going to other families or other nations to select partners. This was one of the great mistakes made by the children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, for they would go and marry with other families, although the Lord had forbidden them to do so, and had given them a very strict and stringent law on the subject. He commanded them not to marry young gentiles, but they did and would do it." 16:11

Those quotes are not extremely shocking considering the time of which they were written. Most women were housewives at that time. It's just how it was. There is no excuse for it, but it was how it was.

The quotes I found that screamed, "AHA!" were the quotes highlighted and marked with a bookmark left by the original owner:

"...Are you not aware how easily we may be deceived?" 3:156

"There are many Elders in this house who, if I had the power to mesmerize that vase and make it dance on that table, would say that it was done by the power of God. Who could tell whether it was done by the Power of God or the Power of the Devil? No person, unless he had the revelations of Jesus Christ within him. I suppose you are ready to ask Brother Brigham if he thinks the power of the Devil could make the vase dance. Yes, and could take it up and carry it out doors, just as easy as to turn up a table and move it here and there, or to cause a rap, rap, rap, or to bake and pass around pancakes, or to get a hold of a person's hand, and make him write in every style you can think of, imitating George Washington's, Benjamin Franklin's, Joseph Smith's, and other autographs. Can you tell whether that is by the power of God or by the power of the Devil? No, unless you have had the revelations by Jesus Christ." 3:157

It seems pretty damned convenient to me that Brigham Young could be the only one to know if his "revelations" came from God or Satan. I am surprised that people believed him... they did so probably only because they were afraid of him. He had money and power, and he wasn't afraid to use either one of those things. Heaven forbid you cross him the wrong way, you might just end up dead.

That last quote makes my skin crawl simply because it's painfully obvious that he wasn't a true prophet. If a man walked up to a pulpit, and said these things, you would probably believe he was trying to get people to follow him through fear.

Maybe it's just me, but the more I read from Brigham Young, the more I dislike him. I wonder why there is a University named for him. I wonder why so many people could possibly be proud to remember and idolize him as a man of God... especially after the sexist and racist comments he made in the past.

As I mentioned before, the book has many notes and papers left inside by the previous owner. This is one of the comments written, underlined, and underscored with red ink on a single page of lined paper:

"Elder Packer: Remember in that tithing is not so much a matter of money -as a matter of Faith!"

Hmmm... coming from a man who is directly effected by the large amounts of money the church brings in, I would dare to say that comment is pretty biased. Lets all face it. The many leaders of the Mormon Church are not hurting for money in any way. When they make it that far into church leadership, they are immediately looked upon as righteous, good and faithful men. People buy their books, love to shake their hands. I don't understand why money is a matter of faith. Faith is a matter of faith. Maybe it's just because the church has 2 billion dollars in excess money it claims didn't come from tithing for the mall in SLC. Why would God need more of our money if the church was well off? Especially now that gas prices are insanely high. Wouldn't God want us to take care of our families and make sure they had everything they need? Isn't that more important than giving 10% of everything you have to an already wealthy organization? What sense does that make?

I do realize that I use the term, "What sense does that make?" in almost everything I write on my blog. I have a hard time believing what they dish out, and while I try to make sense out of the things I was taught growing up I find that I can't. It doesn't make sense.

This book only helps me see that.

Oh, and this is a "Church approved" source... just want to throw that out there.

-Andee

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Well, most of you will remember that I posted about a friend of mine in Ohio who is leaving the church. He came back from a 36 hour shift and found this:


And this:


Imagine spending most of your day saving other people's lives and property (he is a firefighter) only to be repaid with this lovely message in your lawn because you are leaving the LDS Church.

Many of his friends were talking about the best course of action to take. He filled out a police report, and his wife (still a believing member, if I remember correctly) told the bishop about what happened. The bishop was understandably upset and angry that someone would do this. He even took money out of his own wallet to pay for the grass seed to fix the lawn. He promised friend that he would punish the person who did this if he found out who it was.

Everything seemed cool for a few more days, and then guess what?

The freaking people came back!

This time they wrote "CTR" in the grass above "apostate" and they also killed the flowers in the planter area in their front yard. First of all, CTR stands for Choose the Right. Was the person doing this choosing the right? Far from it.

Can you believe this? I am not even saying that 99% of Mormons would do this. This is some psycho out there killing this guy's lawn! Why? Because he disagrees with the church? Jesus!

Friend went back to the police, filled out another report, told the bishop about the updated things that happened to the yard, and is considering going to the media about it. I wish him luck, and I hope the crazy-person grows a brain. Fast.

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I spent a quiet day with my Mom today. We took a couple strolls down main street, and I brought my camera with me! (Of course... like I ever go ANYWHERE without it!) Here are some of the shots I took today...

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Late last night I was checking up on all my friends on PostMormon.org, and I ran across a thread posted by our friend Truly Confused. I couldn't believe what I read... well, I guess that isn't true. I can believe it. It still shocks me how bigoted and ignorant some people can be.

Truly Confused found a website where a group of believing Mormons were talking about a fellow Mormon who wanted to wear rainbow ribbons to church this past Sunday to silently protest the church's letter. Instead of any support, the group of people started to bash not only the woman who originally wanted to wear the rainbow ribbon, but also gays and lesbians in general. Here is the quote from the original author's blog:

Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Rainbow Ribbons on Sunday

Last week, church leaders released a letter that will be read on Sunday the 29th. This letter will encourage members to donate time and money to pass a CA ammendment that restricts marriage to one man and one woman.

It's a disappointing letter and hurtful to some people who would like their gay friends and family members to have the chance to marry.

So this week my friends will be wearing rainbow ribbons to church to quietly show our support for our gay friends. I'll be out of town (in Hawaii - yay!), but I'm sad I won't be there to wear a rainbow ribbon with them.

This afternoon Brooke and I are going to make a bunch of rainbow ribbons to distribute to interested people. If you want one, let us know.

I love what this woman was trying to do. She wasn't trying to say, "Hey, the church is wrong and we are going to cause major drama!" She was just making a statement about her personal beliefs. Heaven forbid anyone think for themselves!

Here are some of the quotes people made in response to this woman's idea of simply wearing rainbow ribbons to church:

Oh, so the Church has the right to tell us what is and is not a family? Don't you think that is just a tad bit silly? Families come in all shapes and sizes, the proclamation of the family is nothing but mindless dribble.

Why must we all be the same and have cookie-cutter families? Who cares as long as everyone is happy, healthy and loved?

Yep... And this is what I mean about being able to speak more openly...

That is just "morally" wrong.

I don't think I will EVER wear rainbow anything until this is resolved. I don't want people thinking that I am standing for something that I don't stand for at all.

I think I will wear something White, symbolic of eternal TRADITIONAL families.

So white is symbolic of traditional families? You are against rainbows because they are symbolic of people who are different than you, or believe in different things? How ignorant can you possibly get?

How would church membership grow with 'gay couples'? If we were all 'gay' there would be NO LDS Church in one generation! I guess the 'gay' members would have to do a lot of missionary work in order to keep up the numbers.

Whoa... whoa... whoa... wait a minute.

Why in the world would you assume that if you allow gay people in the church everyone would "turn" gay? How stupid is that? The only thing you would be doing is accepting them for who they are. Why would we all end up being gay in the end? What a moron.

This is possibly the most important argument against homosexual actions. Homosexuality is self-destructive to every individual and family that supports it or engages in it. There is nothing related to love, goodness, happiness, or prosperity in homosexual acts. Homosexuality is all about perverting love into lust, goodness into evil, happiness into pleasure, and prosperity into temporary gain.

Homosexuality is self-destructive to every individual and family that supports or engages in it? Where in the name of God is your proof of that?

In my opinion, this is obviously a person who knows no gay or lesbian people at all. At least... that they know of. They are deathly afraid of what they don't know or understand. Judging gays and lesbians, calling them perverts, isn't exactly something Jesus would do, now is it?

This is the kind of thing we are fighting against here.

What are these people so afraid of? How in the world would allowing everyone the same rights hurt them in any way?

Comments like this really make me see red. Redder than red. Maroon. Burgundy. Black.

Here is the deal...

You don't have to agree with homosexuality. You don't have to like it. One thing you should do, however, is treat everyone equally and give them the same rights you ask for yourself. Period. Is it really that hard to understand?

Gawd!

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I have been working in guest/customer service for almost 10 years. Most of this time was spent in various theme parks in the Orlando, Florida area. I have seen and heard almost anything, and I wanted to share this website that allows people who work with the public a chance to share with the rest of the world what they have to put up with on a daily basis.

The Customer is Not Always Right.

Here are a few of my favorites:

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Seafood Restaurant Customer: (While looking at the lobster tank full of live lobsters) “Do you have any fresh ones?”

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Thank you to everyone who has sent me their email addresses and other information. It's very encouraging to know that there are so many people out there willing to take a stand on this issue. There are tons of people working to get the website up and ready, and I just wanted to briefly update everyone on what is happening.

We have decided that our website should be about allowing people to express their opinions, let them post and share their letters if they wish, give them talking points to assist with their letters, and encourage people to share the website with their family and friends.

This did begin as a mass resignation campaign, and we will link to MormonNoMore for those who wish to resign. That way the information is out there for those who need it.

I, along with TONS of other people, will be resigning as a part of this campaign. We just felt it was important to let other people share their opinions... even if they didn't feel it was a good time for them to resign, or if they didn't want to resign.

More updates soon, as promised!

Thank you again for all of your support and time.

Andee

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Yesterday I decided to share my real name with everyone (Andee) and it has made me feel... I don't know... free. Yeah, free is a good word.

When I first started this journey a year ago, I was scared to share my opinions with anyone. I didn't want them to not like me because I was questioning the church. I didn't want them to assume I was a bad person, or evil because I disagreed with the brethren.

There are people across this country who can't talk to their families and friends about the questions they have. When they talk to their bishops or stake presidents about their questions, they don't get any answers. Instead, they are seen as someone with a wavering testimony, and they are watched more carefully. They become ward "projects." People talk about them behind their backs, assuming they are questioning because they sinned.

It's so unfair!

The whole reason I used my nickname, Sydney, was because I was worried my family and friends would disown me completely. I was scared out of my mind to talk about this to my Mom. I thought she would be hurt, sad. The last thing we want to do is hurt the people we love! Sometimes people tell me about conversations they have with their family and friends and they say things like, "Now our family won't be together forever." or "What sin did you commit? You need to confess to the bishop right away!" We have not committed any sins. The only thing we did was start asking questions.

This happens to people all the time! Husbands are afraid to tell their wives about their questions. Young kids are dreading their missions because they don't want to go or they don't believe.

I think it's a shame.

I think people should be more willing to open up and share what they are thinking and feeling. Sure, I know I don't have room to talk... I just started using my real name yesterday, but what real harm can come from having open conversations about things? Wait... nevermind. I forgot... it can harm everything. Marriages break up over loss of faith. Family members disown others. Friendships stop completely. Those questioning the church run the risk of losing everything that matters the most to them.

I wish people could just be who they are. I wish we didn't have to constantly worry if our new beliefs will cause conflict in our daily lives. I wish we could just do what makes us happy.

There are many people out there who go to church every single Sunday that absolutely hate it. They do it anyway. Why? Because they love their families... because they don't want to hurt them. It's a constant non-stop game of "who matters more." Can you really live your life not being happy? Or can you put your own happiness aside for those you love?

My personal decision to talk to my family and friends about my feelings was the scariest thing I have done. Some of these people have cut me out of their lives completely. Some didn't give a flying rats ass and they just want me to be happy. I wish we had less of the former, and more of the latter.

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Many years ago I was taught that I should automatically ignore and mistrust any information I came across online that was negative of the church. My leaders told me it was simply a group of angry, bitter, bored anti-Mormons that would do and say anything to tear down your faith. These people were sad and lonely, and found this kind of thing fun and exciting. These people would love nothing more than to tear the church down. We were to simply ignore what they said, and not even bother reading it.

Thank God I didn't listen to those leaders.

When I first started doing my research a year ago, the first thing I came across was a website about the Book of Abraham. My brain went into auto-pilot and I immediately became defensive and angry about the person spreading lies about Mormonism. I didn't realize that everything I was reading was 100% true, and that the Book of Abraham couldn't possibly come close to be true scriptures. It's obvious now that Joseph Smith made it up.

Then, I came across photo of Joseph Smith using a peep-stone in a top hat. I assumed the author of the website was making fun of the South Park episode which shows the same thing. I remember thinking that the person who made the website obviously didn't do his/her homework. How wrong I was. I soon realized that the stories I had been told in church and church functions were incorrect, and that the paintings and drawings that were shown to me were false.

Who can't trust who now?

The church has been concerned for a very long time about people going online and reading these websites. They tell members that reading the websites will make you lose your testimony in the church, and they are right. They will. It's pretty clear that most of the websites out there are just being honest. There *are* sites out there that are extremely negative, and that paint a worse picture than necessary, but in my opinion the authors of these sites are angry. I am angry too! I was lied to! These websites are talking about things the church simply wants to keep quiet. By telling their members that they should automatically ignore sites like this, they are trying to hold onto that member... trying to keep their version of events alive.

A recent Ensign article is now asking members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to go online and defend the church. Personally, I think this is great news. If members of the church go online and get into discussions they might actually have to THINK critically. They might learn something about church history that was kept from them on purpose. They might actually realize that the brethren are not as honest as they would like you to think they are.

The article from the church magazine goes on to say that members of the church should never become rude or arrogant while talking with those who disagree with you (something I believe is right! Being hateful doesn't get anyone anywhere.) and that being kind is the best way to show them what Mormonism is about.

Most Mormons are amazing, kind, sweet, intelligent people. I think the church now realizes that trying to keep members from the internet isn't going to work. People are going to go online, it's a part of everyday life now. They can't control it any more. So instead of hanging back and asking members to stay away, they want more people out there defending the LDS Church.

M. Russell Ballard, the author of the church article, spells it out for those reading the magazine... he says, "Our position is solid; the Church is true. We simply need to have a conversation, as friends in the same room would have, always guided by the prompting of the Spirit and constantly remembering the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, which reminds us of how precious are the children of our Father in Heaven."

Mayhem, a member of PostMormon.org said:

So I guess no matter what you come across just remember, it doesn't matter, the church is true.

I sincerely hope that more members of the church realize that they are being treated like children. No man in Salt Lake City should have the power to decide what you should and shouldn't know about the history of your own church.

All church members should have all the information, and I still stand by the fact that it is morally wrong for the church to teach investigators inaccurate information to get them baptized.

Who knows, maybe we will get more people involved in the mass resignation thanks to this very article?

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