FOR THE STRENGTH TO EXPRESS MY FEELINGS - LDS Hymn Parody #48

Another LDS Hymn Parody - #48 to date.  This one is dedicated to my evolution, growth and progress since leaving the Mormon Church.  At first, I was very leery about talking about my "apostasy."  But as time as gone on, I have become more and more comfortable with openly expressing my feelings and opinions (and of course, this blog has really helped). 

But mainly, discovering that there are so many others out there who have had similar journeys away from Mormonism has been a key factor in helping me to speak up.  What amazes me is that in exchanging messages (on Facebook, PostMormon.org, ExMormon.org, the RFM discussion board, etc.) with fellow ExMormons, PostMormons, and Shadow Mormons, so much of the time the feelings they express are extremely close to my feelings about it all.  Darn near identical.  As the PostMormon.org website says, and as another one of my hymn parodies reiterates, "I am not alone."  

FOR THE STRENGTH TO EXPRESS MY FEELINGS
Sung to the tune of For the Strength of the Hills, #35

For the strength to express my feelings
About the Mormon Church.
I have made some grim discoveries
As I’ve done my own research.

It’s a farce, and all the doctrine
I openly besmirch.
For the strength to express my feelings,
About the Mormon Church.

All my life, I just followed blindly,
So very sad to say.
But when I began to question,
It was much to my dismay
That the lies are laced throughout it,
The truth I must convey.
For the strength to express my feelings,
About the Mormon Church.

Time goes on as I’m growing stronger,
And I’m no longer blind
For I see it all so clearly
As the countless lies unwind.
All the years my voice was silenced,
Not afraid to speak my mind.
For the strength to express my feelings,
About the Mormon Church.

© Diane Tingen, 11/30/2011

WHY THE DECEPTION? LDS Hymn Parody #47

Short and to the point.  Just like the original LDS hymn/children's song - at least in its length, but obviously not in its point.

WHY THE DECEPTION?
Sung to the tune of Keep the Commandments, #303

Why the deception?  Why the deception?
The lies are apparent, of this I am sure.
Look at the history, look at the history,
Ugly and sordid, Why the deception?
The lies are apparent for sure.

© Diane Tingen, 11/29/2011

AS NOW I LOOK BACK ON MY LIFE - LDS Hymn Parody #46

It's very challenging writing hymn parodies.  Looking at the LDS hymns that I used to sing with conviction, and changing the words to reflect what I now know, brings up a lot of emotions.  It is disturbing to a certain degree, but at the same time very cathartic.  And this one is my 46th hymn parody.

Leaving the Mormon Church was not an easy thing to do.  In fact, when I began to discover all the lies, it took me over 2-1/2 years to finally stop going to church.  I kept thinking that what I had discovered couldn't be the reality of it all.  I was born and raised Mormon, and had believed it this church and its gospel doctrines my entire life.  How was it possible that what I had been told my entire life was simply a stack of lies?  I mean, this was more than the white lies that parents tell their children about Santa Claus.  Or the Easter Bunny.  Or the Tooth Fairy.  Being a member of the Mormon Church is a full-time job - a life style - a huge commitment.  And to realize that it was all just a mound of lies was devastating for me.

But over time, I began to feel very secure in the actual truth.  I wasn't wrong.  I did know what I was talking about.  And so finally, I came to the sad conclusion that I could no longer associate myself with a religious organization that played so fast and loose with the truth. 

And now as I look back on my life, I realize so many things - and I am finally happy and secure in my knowledge and beliefs.  And that feels very good.

AS NOW I LOOK BACK ON MY LIFE

Sung to the tune of As Now We Take the Sacrament, #169

As now I look back on my life,
To Mormonism true
Until I saw the many lies
And finally got a clue.
I read and researched on my own,
Convinced I must be wrong,
For I was born and raised in it,
Believed my whole life long.

But though I once believed it all,
I now know it’s a fraud.
It’s not what it appears to be,
It’s not the Word of God.
I know from deep within my soul,
Examined every part,
That Mormonism was a hoax
Right from the very start.

I know that Joseph Smith was not
A Prophet or a Seer.
From what I’ve read about his life,
That much is very clear.
He was a charlatan supreme,
A shyster and a con.
He was arrested many times,
The list goes on and on.

It was a shock to finally learn
The sordid history,
And if you'd read it on your own,
I think you might agree.
The martyrdom of Joseph Smith,
A farce to say the least.
Polygamy and all the rest,
My admiration ceased.

The truth is what we all should seek,
Not lies within the church.
For Mormonism is a scam,
Just do your own research.
The truth is there for all to see,
Not hard to figure out.
The Mormon Church just is not true,
No shadow of a doubt.

© Diane Tingen, 11/27/2011

THIS MUCH I KNOW - LDS Hymn Parody #45

I used to believe that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (the Mormons) was the only true church of God. I believed that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God who had restored God's true church in the latter-days. Basically, I believed everything they told me to believe.

But in 2001, I decided to go on a Mormon Church History Tour. Since I had not done much research into church history over the years, but had rather just accepted what they told me to believe, I decided that I would do some reading and research prior to going on this trip so I would know more when I visited the key places. You know, so I would know what happened at each place and be more versed about important events. But that was the beginning of the end for me as I began to discover the truth underlying it all, and finally came to the conclusion that the Mormon Church is built on a stack of lies.  Sad and shocking, but also true.

I do not say any of that lightly or flippantly. After all, I was a TBM (true believing Mormon) for over 50 years before I began to seriously question it all. I had various issues over the years but nothing that drove me away - until I began to realize that the church I had devoted my life to was actually filled with lies. Not an easy thing to realize or accept. But I now know, without any doubt whatsoever, that the Mormon Church is actually a fraud created by Joseph Smith and perpetuated by others through the years to the present day. Yes, this much I know...

THIS MUCH I KNOW
Sung to the tune of Lead, Kindly Light,#97

The Mormon Church is just a stack of lies,
This much I know.
Deception deep, but that is no surprise,
This much I know.
The lies are clear, I’ve seen beneath the mask,
Just tell the truth, is that too much to ask?

Once I believed, and tried to live it all,
But now I know.
Read on my own, and then I hit the wall,
For now I know.
Life is too short to overlook the lies,
So grateful now I finally opened my eyes.

But it is sad that there are many who
Believe the lies.
I only wish that they would get a clue,
It’s filled with lies.
It was made up, for me there is no doubt,
And if they’d look, they too just might find out.

What can I say, it is so clear to me,
A stack of lies.
It’s common sense, so very plain to see,
No compromise.
For Joseph Smith was not a Prophet of God,
The Mormon Church is simply just a fraud.

© Diane Tingen, 11/24/2011

JUST TELL THE TRUTH - LDS Hymn Parody #44

The Truth and Nothing But The Truth. No Wiggle Room - and no Bobbing and Weaving.

Is that too much to ask?  I mean, REALLY!?!

Contrary to Boyd K. Packer's statement that "Some things that are true are not useful,"

THE TRUTH is always the best path.

No Ifs, Ands or Buts about it...

JUST TELL THE TRUTH

Sung to the tune of God Speed the Right, #106

Though there are no easy answers,
Just tell the truth.
Though the facts may cost you dollars,
Just tell the truth.
When researching Mormon doctrine,
Filled with lies and that’s for certain.
Just tell the truth, just tell the truth.

For the Mormons wearing blinders,
Just tell the truth.
Though they think they’re happy campers,
Just tell the truth.
Lies are such a vicious cycle,
Honesty a righteous battle.
Just tell the truth, just tell the truth.

So they pray and read their scriptures,
And they obey,
Shading things to make them better
Is not the way.
A religion should be truthful,
Not exploring every angle,
Make sure they pay, make sure they pay.

Joseph Smith was not a prophet,
Just tell the truth,
But you work to keep that quiet,
Just tell the truth.
History is not subjective,
And the lies are not persuasive,
Just tell the truth, just tell the truth.

© Diane Tingen, 11/23/2011

THE TRUTH IS MARCHING ON - LDS Hymn Parody #43

Another LDS Hymn Parody... the 43rd one I've written (so far). Since it's obviously self-explanatory, I won't go into a long explanation. Suffice it to say that the truth is very apparent and very easy to find, if only those who "believe" would seek the actual truth...


THE TRUTH IS MARCHING ON

Sung to the tune of Battle Hymn of the Republic, #60

I know that Mormonism is a massive stack of lies,
Although they will deny it, the deception’s no surprise.
In examining the history, there can be no compromise,
The truth is marching on.

(Chorus)

Just look close at Mormonism,
Show some common sense and wisdom,
Don’t rely upon the dictum,
The truth is marching on.

It is so clear to me that Mormonism is not true,
And I could not be happier I bid the church adieu.
After all the years of questioning, I finally got a clue,
The truth is marching on.

(Chorus)
Just look close at Mormonism,
Show some common sense and wisdom,
Don’t rely upon the dictum,
The truth is marching on.

But still there are so many who are trapped within the church,
Who listen to the leaders and won’t do their own research.
Who might think that all I’m doing is to flippantly besmirch
The one true church of God.

(Chorus)
Just look close at Mormonism,
Show some common sense and wisdom,
Don’t rely upon the dictum,
The truth is marching on.

I know that life is much too short to spend it feeling trapped,
And feeling like there’s something wrong with you who must adapt,
But I came to the conclusion I must leave before I snapped,
And now I’m finally free.

(Chorus)
Just look close at Mormonism,
Show some common sense and wisdom,
Don’t rely upon the dictum,
The truth is marching on.

© Diane Tingen, 11/19/2011

I AM NOT ALONE - LDS Hymn Parody #42

Another LDS Hymn Parody - the 42nd one I have written so far - addressing the fact that although it is quite common to feel alone in dealing with the issues related to questioning Mormonism since hardly anyone really acknowledges that they actually have issues, there are many people out there who have the exact same issues as ExMormons, PostMormons, New Order Mormons, Shadow Mormons, and the like.  I think it is very important to realize that because so many times when questioning the history or doctrines of the Mormon Church, members are told to "just believe," and that "when the prophet speaks, the debate is over."  Questioning is normal - it is a part of the human existence, and to make people feel as though they are alone, misled and/or not righteous enough to understand is making those people feel inadequate or "less than."  The best part of leaving Mormonism was discovering that I truly was not alone in my questioning - that many others had the same questions and had arrived at the same conclusions, leading to their exit from Mormonism as well.

I AM NOT ALONE

Sung to the tune of I Believe in Christ, #134

I am not alone, there’s many more
Who see the truth and close the door
On what the Mormon Church believes
And what they’re hiding up their sleeves.
I am not alone, I see the lies,
The false pretense they can’t disguise.
It’s all made up, enormous fraud,
The Mormon Church is not of God.

I am not alone, deceit is plain,
I’m not a fool, I use my brain.
My common sense is telling me
To run away and let it be.
I am not alone, though they will say
That I have tossed it all away.
But to the lies I can’t adhere,
I won’t remain because of fear.

I am not alone, and in my soul,
I finally feel completely whole.
The questioning tore me apart,
There was a hole within my heart.
I am not alone, the truth revealed
What all the lies had once concealed.
And now I know with certainty
That I cannot a Mormon be.

© Diane Tingen, 11/14/2011

TURN AWAY - LDS Hymn Parody #41

Another LDS Hymn Parody - the 41st one I have written - and I'm having a blast writing these.  It really is cathartic, coming up with these hymn parodies.  After having my voice squelched for so long, to be able to finally speak the actual truth is very fulfilling.  And the truth is:  The Mormon Church is a fraud.  Plain and simple.  In my opinion, based on the evidence, Joseph Smith was a shyster and a con who invented Mormonism as a way to gain power over people, thereby elevating his own ego; and of course, polygamy was a huge part of his plan.

Naturally, though, the Mormon Church seeks to hide its sordid history to the point where a lot of its members don't even know the actual history.  No, they think that whatever negative is said about Mormonism is "Anti-Mormon Propaganda" because that is how the church characterizes it.  In essence, the Mormon Church tells its members not to study on their own, but to only pay attention to "authorized materials" (one of the signs of a cult).  Instead, the Mormon Church tells them to...

TURN AWAY
Sung to the tune of Carry On, #255

White-washing all of the history,
We’ll make it go away
So the members will not know it,
And they will not go astray.
But if they should happen to find it,
The truth on the internet,
We’ll tell them it’s Anti-Mormon,
So they must not forget…

That they are out to get us,
Turn away, turn away, turn away.
Do not let them persecute us,
Turn away, turn away, turn away.
You must not doubt the doctrines,
Stay strong and simply obey.
When they slander Mormonism,
Turn away, turn away, turn away!

They’ll probably try to discredit,
The prophet Joseph Smith.
They might say that he invented
The church and it is a myth.
But if they should call him a shyster,
Or say that he was a con,
Remember what we have told you,
Turn away and carry on.

Oh yes, they’re out to get us,
Turn away, turn away, turn away.
Do not let them persecute us,
Turn away, turn away, turn away.
You must not doubt the doctrines,
Stay strong and simply obey.
When they slander Mormonism,
Turn away, turn away, turn away!

© Diane Tingen, 11/11/11

WHY DO THEY BELIEVE? LDS Hymn Parody #40

Yes, another LDS Hymn Parody - the 40th one I've written (so far).  Well on my way to my current goal of 50.

This hymn parody addresses the issue of blind faith and compliance without questioning, definitely applicable to members of the Mormon Church.  Sadly, I used to be one of them - just went along, believed what they told me to believe, bought into it all.  But I am so glad that I finally opened my eyes and started examining it all because doing so uncovered a plethora of lies and deception. 

This quote by Buddha really hits home for me - "Believe nothing, no matter where you read it or who has said it, not even if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense."  Such good advice.  Of course, in order to use reason in any given situation, a person has to have studied an issue out, to have actually thought about it.  After doing so, that person must apply their own common sense to see if it makes sense to them.  And if it does not make sense to them personally, then it should be discarded. 

Naturally, the leadership of the Mormon Church doesn't want its members looking closely at the doctrine or history, and they certainly don't want members thinking on their own.  They want everyone to accept it all without question.  In researching about cults, I discovered that is one of the signs of a cult.  If an organization has nothing to hide, then no amount of independent research can hurt it.  But, of course, that is not the case with the Mormon Church because it has plenty to hide, and has been trying to do so for its entire history.  With the internet age in full swing, though, their ability to continue to hide it all is diminishing as people "Google it" and discover the actual truth. 

Critical thinking is so important.  Examining issues and deciding for yourself whether it is true or false.  I hope that more members of the Mormon Church begin to realize that to simply follow along without doing any independent research is not wise - and that they open their eyes to the possibility that what they have adhered to is built on a stack of lies.

WHY DO THEY BELIEVE?

Sung to the tune of Now Let Us Rejoice, #3

Why do they believe what they’re told without question?
Although it is nonsense, they cling to the lies.
Why don’t Mormons study and find out the answers?
The concept of critical thinking applies.

(Chorus)

Just open your eyes and you’ll see the truth clearly,
Examine it all, the deception is deep.
Important to think for yourself, independent,
Don’t let them corral you like one of the sheep.

Why does Mormonism promote such reliance
On what they are told to believe down the line?
Accepting by faith is a form of denial
When all of the facts with the truth don’t align.

(Chorus)

Just open your eyes and you’ll see the truth clearly,
Examine it all, the deception is deep.
Important to think for yourself, independent,
Don’t let them corral you like one of the sheep.

I once was a Mormon, believed without question,
But now that I’ve opened my eyes, I can see
It’s all laced with lies, there is no doubt about it,
And I hope they will all know eventually…

(Chorus)

That looking more closely will help them see clearly
It’s not the true church but is riddled with lies.
If only the members would do their own research,
They would find the truth – there is no compromise.

© Diane Tingen, 11/10/2011

JOSEPH, THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU - LDS Hymn Parody #39

Another LDS Hymn Parody - the 39th one I have written to date.  Getting closer to my goal...

This LDS Hymn Parody is obviously self-explanatory.  It addresses my firm belief that Joseph Smith made up the whole thing.  In my opinion, he created the Mormon Church for his own purposes, one of which was his desire to practice polygamy.  And I don't say that lightly or flippantly.  I once believed that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God who at the age of 14 was visited in the First Vision by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  I used to believe that Joseph Smith was guided by God to create the Mormon Church, and that it is the only true church on the face of the earth.  I was a True Believing Mormon to the core.

As I have explained at various places in this blog, I was a TBM until I was 52 years old.  My journey away from Mormonism began in 2001 when I started doing my own research in preparation for going on a Mormon Church History Tour.  Before going, I decided to study church history so I would know more when we visited the key places (since I had never really done that but had rather relied on what I was told to believe).  But that was the beginning of the end for it as I began to uncover the actual sordid history of the Mormon Church, and the more I studied and researched, the more I realized that there was only one explanation for it all - that Joseph Smith made it all up.  And since its inception, the lies have been perpetuated by various Mormon leaders who have convinced many people that the Mormon Church truly is the only true church.  Unfortunately, many TBMs rely on what they are told and do not engage in any type of independent research.  That was my downfall - relying on what I was told without studying it out on my own, independently.  Believing it all without really knowing for myself.  Not wise, and something I totally regret now.  If only I had studied it out more in my youth so I wouldn't have had to spend more than half my life in the Mormon Church.  Woulda, coulda, shoulda...

JOSEPH, THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU
Sung to the tune of Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee, #141

Joseph, the very thought of you
Fills me with such disdain.
Making it up so blatantly,
Facts no one can explain.

What were you thinking when you said
All of it came from God?
It is apparent to me now
You were a total fraud.

Why did you think it was okay
To all those women wed?
It is so obvious to me
You wanted them in bed.

Joseph created all of it,
Made up the Mormon Church.
It is so clear when studied out,
Just do your own research.

© Diane Tingen, 11/9/2011

WHY DO YOU QUESTION? LDS Hymn Parody #38

Another LDS Hymn Parody (38 now!!).  This one addresses the fact that the Mormon Church doesn't want anyone questioning anything.  Well, you can question things, but... "When the prophet speaks, the debate is over."  So in essence, it really doesn't matter what anyone questions or thinks - what matters is what the Mormon Church decides - what the Prophet says.  Even if the answer given makes absolutely no sense (which is often the case).

The quote "When the prophet speaks, the debate is over," which was initially said by N. Eldon Tanner, First Counselor in the First Presidency of the Mormon Church, in a speech entitled "The Debate is Over," given in August 1979, given at a Churchwide Fireside meeting for women of the church.  In that speech, of course, emphasis is placed on simply following the prophet because he is guided by God and therefore knows best.  I find that concept interesting, especially when looked at from the angle that supposedly every prophet of the Mormon Church has been God's mouthpiece at the time they became his prophet.  So it follows then that when Joseph Smith lied about having only one wife when he clearly had at least 25 at that time, he was speaking as God's prophet.  And when Brigham Young made extremely racist remarks and spoke of the Adam-God Doctrine or Blood Atonement, as easily found in the Journal of Discourses, he was speaking as God's prophet. 

Since that speech was given ("The Debate is Over"), its catchphrase has been repeated numerous times.  And it has been expanded to say that the CURRENT prophet is the one who should be followed.  But trying to discount what previous prophets said by telling people to follow the current prophet is ridiculous.  Following that logic, then one could just assume that whatever is being said by the current prophet will be outdated once a new prophet is ordained.

The upshot of the whole thing is that they don't want anyone doing any independent research - and they certainly don't want people today reading the Journal of Discourses.  People are supposed to just accept what they are told as THE GOSPEL TRUTH without question.  But that type of is mantra runs against the grain of human nature because it is human nature to be curious, to delve into areas of concern, to examine and question.  For me, being able to do that is essential.  For much too long, I felt that I could not be myself, that I had to adhere to what Mormonism taught, and that made me feel trapped and suffocated.  It's a different world for me now, being able to be who I really am.  And that's priceless.

WHY DO YOU QUESTION?

Sung to the tune of Love One Another, #308

Why do you question
True Mormon doctrine?
You say we're lying,
That's your opinion.
You must accept it,
Not so hard to swallow.
Don’t think so much
And simply follow.

Please just believe it,
Why do you research?
Do what we tell you,
This is the true church.
It would be easy
If you would just follow,
Nodding your head,
Uttering “Ditto.”

You’ll feel much better
When you’re obeying.
Reading your scriptures,
And always praying.
Stay off those websites,
They simply aren’t useful.
Enjoy your life
Here in the bubble.

© Diane Tingen, 11/6/2011

TRUTH IS THE BOTTOM LINE - LDS Hymn Parody #37

Another LDS hymn parody.  As usual, once my mind gets going on something, it starts churning and I can't seem to stop it.  Thus, this is my 37th LDS hymn parody - and my new goal is at least 50, so stay tuned...

This hymn parody addresses the fact that TRUTH truly is the bottom line.  It is all-important and non-wavering.  TRUTH is TRUTH is TRUTH, now and forever, and actual TRUTH cannot be denied.  Because of that, the quote by Boyd K. Packer irritates me to no end (depicted in the above drawing), and that is "Some things that are true are not useful."  To the contrary, though, in my opinion, everything that is true is useful in determining a person's belief system.  To say that truth doesn't matter is simply mind-boggling to me.  But that's exactly what Boyd K. Packer says in that quote.  Basically, he is saying, "So what if something is true?  So what if there are lies laced through Mormon doctrine and history?  So what if Joseph Smith made up Mormonism and it is not founded in actual truth?  None of that matters."  Of course, that's what he wants us to believe - and that's what the Mormon Church wants us to believe as well.  Accept it all by faith.  But once examined, if something isn't true, then it should be discarded - at least, in my opinion.  As I've said before, accepting something by faith is all fine and good, but when the evidence points to it actually being false, then what a person is exhibiting isn't faith anymore but rather just denial.

Yes, TRUTH does matter.  If something isn't true, then please don't tell me it is.  Don't lie to me.  Is that too much to ask???

TRUTH IS THE BOTTOM LINE
Sung to the tune of Nearer, My God, to Thee, #100

Truth is the bottom line,
Don’t buy the lies.
Look at the evidence,
Not what they devise.
It simply makes no sense,
And there is no defense
For its complete pretense,
Use your common sense.

The Mormon Church is false,
Just a façade.
Given a deeper look,
Clearly it’s a fraud.
Though Mormons say it’s true,
Try to bamboozle you,

Tactics to ambush you,
Easy to see through.

Research it for yourself,
Just Google it.
Then you will clearly see
How it doesn't fit.
No matter what they say
As you they try to sway,
Facts all their words betray,
Simply say "No Way!!"

© Diane Tingen, 11/1/2011