EVEN THE MORMONS - ExMormon Song Parody (ala Tom Petty)

Born and raised Mormon (a/k/a Brainwashed from Birth).  That's what happened to me.  I know some people (especially TBMs) think that this characterization is ridiculous, absurd and asinine - even melodramatic.  But in reality, that's exactly what the Mormon Church does to its members.  It brainwashes them.  Mormons are told to "just believe."  If they begin to doubt, they are told to "doubt their doubts before they doubt their faith."  They are told that God's way are not our ways, and God works in mysterious ways.  They are told that they may not understand it all in this life, but that if they endure to the end, they will understand everything and will know that it was worth it.  Because of those types of messages, a large number of Mormons just go along, believing that it's them and not the church.  They believe that they aren't righteous enough to accept and understand it all because that's what they're told - that if they are doubting, they need to pray more, read the scriptures more, be more faithful, attend church meetings more, and on and on and on, ad nauseum.  They are given the message that if they do those things, perhaps then they'll be able to accept and understand the questions that are on their minds.

But obviously, since a lot of people are leaving the Mormon Church these days, at some point many Mormons do start questioning in earnest, and decide to research on their own. In doing so, though, those Mormons are going against what they told not to do since Mormons are only supposed to research within approved parameters, only read Church-approved books and publications, and only rely on what they are told by Church leaders.  Of course, that is one of the signs of the Mormon Church being a cult.  Naturally, Mormons are offended when the "One and Only True Church" is called a cult.  But the fact that they even think the Mormon Church is the "One and Only True Church" is another sign of being a cult (called Exclusivity).

Despite what the leaders of the Mormon Church preach, critical thinking is the key to discovering the truth about Mormonism.  Getting beyond the brainwashing.  Getting beyond doing what you are told to do and thinking for yourself.  Ridding yourself of the notion that every negative book/article out there is "Anti-Mormon Propaganda," which is a phrase designed to keep Mormons from researching anything outside the approved parameters, and keep them from finding the actual truth (that they have been duped into adhering to a bogus religion).

After spending 52 years trapped inside Mormonism, I'm so glad that I finally decided to research on my own because otherwise I would never have discovered the actual truth - that Mormonism was made up from the get-go by Joseph Smith, its founders, and has been perpetuated ever since by others who have their own agendas for maintaining this bogus religion.

And so, here is my latest song parody.  Because Even the Mormons get thinking sometimes, and critical thinking needs to be encouraged.

EVEN THE MORMONS

Sung to the tune of Even the Losers by Tom Petty

Well, I was really brainwashed, told what to believe,

And I didn’t question, didn’t know they’d deceive.
Yes, they programmed me and I couldn't see,
No, it shouldn't have been that easy to Mormon-ize me.

So I went along, and it all seemed real,
I stuffed down my doubts to maintain the zeal.
But then eventually, I saw the lies,
Though it really wasn't that easy to rip off the disguise.

[Chorus]
Maybe even the Mormons
Get thinking sometimes,
Even the Mormons
Give a little bit of thought,
They get thinking sometimes.

[Bridge:]
Finally looked and it made no sense,
For too much of it, there’s no defense.
I should have known before that it’s simply not true,
But I’m really glad I finally got a clue.

[Chorus]
Maybe even the Mormons
Get thinking sometimes,
Even the Mormons
Give a little bit of thought,
They get thinking sometimes.

© Diane Tingen
12/28/2014

I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW, THE MORMON'S GONE

Continuing with my current theme of song parodies, here is another song parody that came to me as I was driving in my car, listening to music.  Interestingly, only a couple of words have been changed from the original, and it fits perfectly with how I feel.  Yes, I can see clearly now that the Mormon's gone.  Gone from my day-to-day life.  Gone from my psyche.  Gone from everything!!

And yes, the pain is gone... all of the bad feelings have disappeared.  To many TBMs, that probably sounds melodramatic, but that's really how I feel.  When I finally began to examine how I felt being Mormon, I began to realize that for many years I had been in pain.  Constant pain caused by the cognitive dissonance that I had dealt with for so long.  Knowing deep inside that none of it made sense, and yet trying to continue to go along, trying to accept so many things by faith, and "just believe."

But after finally beginning to research on my own and discovering the sordid history of the Mormon Church and realizing, once and for all, that the doctrines are extremely tenuous (and likely bogus), I finally walked into the light... and I really can see clearly now. Clarity is awesome.  And it's not only "gonna be a bright, bright sunshiny day," but a bright and wonderful life because I am now living it authentically.  No longer am I trapped inside a religion built on an enormous stack of lies.  What a relief!!

I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW, THE MORMON’S GONE

Sung to the tune of I Can See Clearly Now by Johnny Nash

I can see clearly now, the Mormon’s gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way.
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind.
It’s gonna be a bright, bright sunshiny day.
It’s gonna be a bright, bright sunshiny day.

Oh yes, I can make it now, the pain is gone,
All of the bad feelings have disappeared.
Here is the clarity I’m looking for,
It’s gonna be a bright, bright sunshiny day.

Oh, look all around, there's nothing but blue skies.
Look straight ahead, there's nothing but blue skies.

I can see clearly now, the Mormon’s gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way.
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind.
It’s gonna be a bright, bright sunshiny day.
It’s gonna be a bright, bright sunshiny day.

It's going to be a bright, bright sunshiny day.
Yeah, hey, it's gonna be a bright, bright sunshiny day.

© Diane Tingen

11/27/2014

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS - Song Parody of a Classic by The Who

Lately, I've been hearing songs on the radio and have started writing alternative lyrics in my mind (usually having to do with my Ex-Mormon state of mind).  It seems to have started just after I wrote the words for "50 Ways to Leave the Mormon."

What I've discovered is that after writing 109 LDS hymn parodies, I seem to be running out of ideas in that arena.  Obviously, there are a lot more LDS hymns, but the remaining ones aren't really conducive to parodying, at least for me.  So now I've started nurturing this other avenue that seems to have opened up in my mind.

The below song parody is to a favorite of mine by The Who, adapted to reflect my feelings about finally getting away from Mormonism.

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
Sung to the tune of "Behind Blue Eyes" by The Who

No one knows what it’s like
To be a Mormon,
Except a Mormon
Behind closed doors.

And no one knows
What it’s like to awaken,
To be shaken by seeing all the lies.

Chorus:
But my life is not as empty
As it once appeared to be.
I am peaceful, I’m not lonely,
Not seeking vengeance
Now that I’m free.

No one knows what it’s like
To feel these feelings,
All the lies, to realize.
No one can understand
How I’m feeling,
But I can’t compromise,
No disguise.

Chorus:
But my life is not as empty
As it once appeared to be.
I am peaceful, I’m not lonely,
Not seeking vengeance
Now that I’m free.

Bridge:
Though Mormon doctrine may be spouted,

Incessant drivel that makes no sense,
I can smile, think of some good news,
Try not to laugh, that is my defense.
Too long I swallowed all the malarkey,
As they stuffed it down my throat,
A true believer, whatever they told me,
But no more, found the antidote.

No one knows what it’s like
To be a Mormon,
Except a Mormon,
Behind closed doors.

© Diane Tingen
11/16/2014

CAST DECEPTION AND LIES ASIDE - LDS Hymn Parody #109

The hardest part of my journey away from Mormonism was going from discovering the truth to wallowing in denial for a very long time until I finally faced the truth and realized that I had to extricate myself from its grasp.  From the moment I began to seriously doubt, after discovering so much about the sordid history of the Mormon Church and how its founder ("good ole Joe") had duped so many people, I developed cognitive dissonance to the max.  Looking back, it astounds me that I remained TBM for so long.  After all, if anyone uses any amount of critical thinking, then they can't help but question what the Mormon Church teaches as fact.  But that is an enormous conundrum.  How do they get relatively intelligent people to swallow it all?  People who use critical thinking in other areas of their lives but do not apply it to the teachings of Mormonism at all?  It boggles my mind.

Sadly, I think there are a lot of people still active within Mormonism who are caught in the middle, between a rock and a hard place, still trying to wrap their minds around the fact that Mormonism is built on a huge stack of lies.  That is not an easy premise to accept, particularly if they have been "in it" for many years or perhaps even their entire lives (like me, who finally left when I was 54 years old after being raised in the Mormon Church from infancy).  

Of course, it doesn't help the situation when the Mormon Mantra is echoing loudly in your mind - the mantra that if you are experiencing doubts, then it's you, not the Mormon Church.  That mantra is drummed into the consciousness of every single member so much that they have learned to accept many things as gospel truth that are so far off the actual spectrum of truth that it's frightening.

Despite all that, though, I got away - and I have never been happier.  I am walking my own path, free from the constraints of a religion that plays so fast and loose with the truth that it bears no resemblance to any measure of fact.  It is in that vein that I wrote the below LDS hymn parody (my 109th).  Cast deception and lies aside.  Not an easy thing to do, but it's rewards are immeasurable.

CAST DECEPTION AND LIES ASIDE

Sung to the tune of Cast Thy Burden upon the Lord ‑ #110

Cast deception and lies aside,

And live more authentic.
Why cling to a church overflowing with lies?
Only truth is worthwhile.
The truth will set you free
To live the way you want.
Let none be made ashamed
That walk their own path.

© Diane Tingen
11/8/2014

ONE MORE STRAIN OF CRAZE - LDS Hymn Parody #108

"One more strain of craze."  Of course, this is a take-off on "one more strain of praise," from the LDS hymn "Sing We Now at Parting" - and is also a take-off on the book by Neal Maxwell entitled "One More Strain of Praise."  Having been an active Mormon for 52 years, I know the "craze" well.  I lived with it for all that time until I began to (finally) do some independent research and discovered the realities behind the Mormon Curtain.  And that was it for me...

As someone said on the discussion board on PostMormon.org:"Like the members are just fish in a large school that's following the leader without any thought or concern.  They refuse to ask reasonable questions and without stopping to think and consider facts, and they discard their personal responsibility of being totally honest with themselves and instead, they just go with it... So many of them would, if asked to do so, toss on their best Sunday clothing, drive to the Stake Center, stand in line and then gulp down the styrofoam cup filled with purple Kool-Aid because . . . they know God would never allow their leaders to lead them astray." 

Oh yes, not using any type of critical thinking whatsoever but rather just going along with whatever you are told.  That is just what (most) Mormons do.

Then there are the judgmental Mormons assuming things that they know nothing about. Not listening to anything critical about the Mormon Church but rather closing their minds to any negative information whatsoever, calling it "Anti-Mormon Propaganda."  Mormons telling you that you're giving up eternal life by turning away from the Mormon Church (and in some cases, such as my father, telling people that they will go to Hell if they don't join the Mormon Church).

But this past week, while perusing the discussion board on PostMormon.org, I came across a post that takes the cake as far as "craze" goes.  The title of his post was "...another strain of craze..." (and from what he relayed, that is an apt title).

In his post, this man talked about what happened after he announced to his TBM wife and Bishop that he no longer believes the Mormon Church is true.  After that revelation, he has been followed to see what he is doing (even so far as Las Vegas), and has been accused of wanting to commit sin, having an affair or having unrepented sin, etc., etc., blah, blah, blah.  This is a man who converted in his 20's after meeting and falling in love with his Mormon girlfriend (to whom he has now been married for 30 years and with whom he has several children - good little TBMs all).  He has held numerous callings over the years, including Young Men President, Seminary Teacher, Bishopric Counselor (2 different times), 10 years on the High Council, and most recently Bishop of a Young Singles Adult Ward.

It was during his time as Bishop of the YSA Ward that his journey toward the actual truth about Mormonism began.  He said that the YSAs would come to him with their doubts and share their concerns with him - and in turn, he would ask them to substantiate what they were saying with facts, which they would do.  In doing so, he began to find out the truth about much of the sordid history of the Mormon Church including the "translation" of the Book of Mormon (the old hat and stone story), and the truth about Polygamy and Polyandry (the fact that Joseph Smith married 11 women who were already married to living husbands).  Of course, I can relate to this completely because I didn't find out about this until after I began my independent research before, during and after going on a Mormon Church History Tour in the Summer of 2001.  Quite a shock to discover that the Founder and first Prophet of the Mormon Church was basically just a sexual predator, particularly since he also married 10 teenage girls, one as young as 14 years old.  I truly believe that if Joseph Smith had not been killed in 1844 that he would have gone on to marry many more teenage girls and women, and may have ended up with as many polygamous/polyandrous wives as Warren Jeffs now has (72, I believe).  After all, Joseph Smith was only 38 years old at the time of his death.  If he had lived longer, he would have had plenty of time to accumulate many more wives.  Looking at Brigham Young, the other main Mormon Polygamist, history shows that he had 55 wives at the time of his death at 76 years old (which included several teenage girls and some other women who were married to living husbands as well).

Naturally, Mormons have to blame something or someone else if people leave.  The fact that Mormonism is a total sham can't be the reason people are turning away from the Mormon Church.  No, that's not it.  And of course, the fact that the Mormon Church basically tells people to stay away from "apostates" adds to the furor (apparently because it might rub off).  In particular, Mormons have a hard time accepting the fact that someone they love is turning away from "The One True Church," and won't be part of their family unit in the Celestial Kingdom.

And so goes the "craze."  My heart goes out to the man I spoke of above.  It can't be easy to be dealing with all that is being thrown at him.  But then, leaving the Mormon Church isn't easy.  But it is worth it.

ONE MORE STRAIN OF CRAZE
Sung to the tune of Sing We Now at Parting - #156

Sing we now of Mormons,

One more strain of craze.
Of their strong delusions,
Each self-righteous phrase.
Always so judgmental,
Faulting those who leave,
Saying they are sinners
Since they don’t believe.

Mormons will not listen
To the evidence.
Labeling it as “Anti”
Is their one defense.
But if they would research,
Look at all the facts,
They would see the problems,
Not just lame attacks.

It is clear that Joseph
Weaved a stack of lies,
Made up Mormonism,
Truth it all decries.
Clearly just a shyster,
Charlatan and fraud,
Touting Mormonism
As the Word of God.

Just look at the history
Of the Mormon Church,
Independent study,
Actual research.
Do not bend and twist it,
Do not “just believe,”
Think about it clearly,
Do not be naïve.

© Diane Tingen

8/2/2014

A little more on the "craze"...

And the "craze" goes on.... and on... and on... and on...

50 WAYS TO LEAVE THE MORMON

I was on the discussion board on PostMormon.org today, and someone posted a message asking, "Am I Abnormal?"  Here's the post:

SunnyDee:  I keep reading so many stories of people who have left the church and it seems as though most people simply go inactive for a long period of time before resigning. Up until a few weeks ago I was "fully active" (did callings, held recommend, church every Sunday, whatever). In reality, it was just going through the motions, with my own issues and questions slowly brewing. One week ago I decided I was done, told DH I was done with church, and now this week I'm ready to write a resignation letter for me and my kids. Is there some sort of unspoken waiting period most people go through? I'm admittedly impulsive, but my impulse for action is never without a long period of mental/philosophical preparation and giving careful attention to detail.  I just feel like getting myself away from it ASAP now that I'm firm that it's all complete BS. I've been avoiding people at church for years, this just seems like a good way to cap that all off--just get taken off the record. Is there a problem with wanting to act so fast?

Many of the responses to this post said essentially the same thing - everyone goes through this process differently.  Some discover the lies and leave immediately.  Others sort through everything for a long period of time before they finally decide they cannot continue to associate themselves with a devious religious organization.  The key is individuality.  Everything in its own time.  Everyone to their own process. Nobody telling you what "the right way" is because it really is "to each his/her own."

One of the responses to this post caught me as very funny:

Brad (ZeeZrom):  When it comes to leaving the LDS church, there is a wide range of normal.  It can depend heavily on your personality and your personal circumstances.  I left very abruptly, but didn't formally resign for over 20 years.  Others ease out over time.  As long as you are comfortable with how you are leaving, it's all fine.

With apologies to Paul Simon, there must be 50 ways to leave the mormon... 

And naturally, since my mind is already geared to think lyrically and/or poetically about almost everything, I started singing this song in my head.  At first, I thought it should remain "as is" since the wording fits not only leaving a lover but also leaving the Mormon Church (which is how I responded).  But as the day went on, I started thinking of new versions of the chorus.  Those variations are included in the following rendering of this song.

50 WAYS TO LEAVE THE MORMON
Sung to the tune of 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover

The problem is all inside your head

She said to me

The answer is easy if you

Take it logically

I'd like to help you in your struggle

To be free,

There must be fifty ways

To leave the Mormon.

She said it's really not my habit to intrude.

Furthermore, I hope my meaning

Won't be lost or misconstrued,

But I'll repeat myself

At the risk of being crude,

There must be fifty ways

To leave the Mormon,

Fifty ways to leave the Mormon.

(CHORUS)

You just slip out the back, Jack

Make a new plan, Stan

You don't need to be coy, Roy

Just get yourself free.

Hop on the bus, Gus

You don't need to discuss much

Just drop off the key, Lee

And get yourself free.

Oh, just get up and go, Joe,

Let the door slam, Sam,

Don’t wait til you're dead, Fred,

To get yourself free.

Just walk away, Clay,

But you do it your own way.

Just listen to me, Dee,

And get yourself free.

She said it grieves me so

To see you in such pain

I wish there was something I could do

To make you smile again

I said I appreciate that

And would you please explain

About the fifty ways.

She said why don't we both

Just sleep on it tonight

And I believe in the morning

You'll begin to see the light

And then she kissed me

And I realized she probably was right,

There must be fifty ways

To leave the Mormon,

Fifty ways to leave the Mormon.

(CHORUS)

You just get up and leave, Eve,

Tell them goodbye, Di,

You don't need to explain, Shane,

Just get yourself free.

Oh, at your own pace, Grace,

On your way to a good place,

Just listen to me, Bree,

And get yourself free.

You just follow the truth, Ruth,

Breathe the fresh air, Claire,

While you are still sane, Jane,

Just get yourself free.

Live your own way, Kay,

You don’t need to live their way,

Just listen to me, Bree,

And get yourself free!!

Diane Tingen - 5/8/2014
...with some "help" from Paul Simon - and Brad (ZeeZrom)

CAN'T YOU SEE IT'S ALL DECEPTION? LDS Hymn Parody #107

Here's another LDS Hymn Parody - the 107th one I've written.  After apparently having writer's block for the first few months of 2014, I seemed to have emerged from that dry spell (at least for now).

The LDS hymn to which this parody was written is lesser known and not often sung (at least in my experience).  Evan Stephens (1854-1930) was the composer of the music to this hymn, and he was the composer of more than 15 hymns contained in the LDS Hymnal (such as more well-known hymns like Let us All Press On (words and music); For the Strength of the Hills (music); True to the Faith (words and music); and others).  He served as the director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for 26 years, and wrote "Utah, We Love Thee," which became the official state song in 1937.

On the other hand, the words to this hymn were written by John S. Davis (1813-1882), and this was the only LDS hymn for which he wrote words.  

With those facts in mind, I'm sure neither of these men would like the fact that I have written "other words" for this hymn.  Who can blame them?  I'm sure they were both devout members of the Mormon Church and worked hard to make a lasting contribution to their religion.  But they lived back in an era when actual facts about the Mormon Church were not readily available from such sources as the Internet today.  I'm sure they relied on what they were told (as well as their "feelings"), which is understandable in their day and age.  But today, with all the information that is so easily accessible (via Google, for instance), it is so much harder to believe that so many people are duped into believing that what the Mormon Church exposes as true and factual.
  
Doing independent research is so important.  Relying on what a religious organization tells you, rather than finding out for yourself on your own, is simply not wise.  Sadly, though, that's what so many Mormons do.  They accept what is taught within Mormonism as the gospel truth without even questioning it.  That's why I ask, "Can't You See It's All Deception?"  

CAN’T YOU SEE IT’S ALL DECEPTION?
Sung to the tune of What Was Witnessed in the Heavens? #11

1.  Can’t you see it’s all deception?
Was made up by Joseph Smith.
Are there facts that tell the story?
Yes, it’s nothing but a myth.
Fraudulent, replete with fiction,
Obvious, by research shown.
Joseph Smith was not a Prophet,
As a charlatan was known.

2.  So there’s lies in Mormonism?
Yes, it’s filled with much deceit.
But they say to just believe it?
That’s a catchphrase they repeat.
Please examine every doctrine,
And the sordid history.
Study for yourself each aspect
So they’ll be no mystery.

3.  For so long I just believed it,
Went along with everything.
Just accepted what they told me,
And to falsehoods I would cling.
But one day, I started looking
At it all with open eyes.
Soon discovered all the falsehoods,
For the truth no compromise.

© Diane Tingen – 4/30/2014

DOUBT YOUR DOUBTS - LDS Hymn Parody #106

It's been a few months since I've written an LDS Hymn Parody, but this morning I woke up with this one in my head.  What's interesting about these hymn parodies is that once an idea enters my brain, they practically write themselves.  And of course, I have to thank the Mormon Church for putting their hymnal online (complete with audible music) because this aids me immeasurably in the writing of these LDS Hymn Parodies.

My newest LDS Hymn Parody is based on the talk entitled, Come, Join with Us, given by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf at the LDS General Conference in October 2013.  Of course, as we all know, Dieter Uchtdorf is the Second Counselor in the First Presidency of the Mormon Church.

In that talk, Dieter said to, "Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith."  Below are some sections of this talk that I find especially interesting:

Unanswered Questions

Some struggle with unanswered questions about things that have been done or said in the past. We openly acknowledge that in nearly 200 years of Church history—along with an uninterrupted line of inspired, honorable, and divine events—there have been some things said and done that could cause people to question.

Sometimes questions arise because we simply don’t have all the information and we just need a bit more patience. When the entire truth is eventually known, things that didn’t make sense to us before will be resolved to our satisfaction.

Sometimes there is a difference of opinion as to what the “facts” really mean. A question that creates doubt in some can, after careful investigation, build faith in others.

Mistakes of Imperfect People

And, to be perfectly frank, there have been times when members or leaders in the Church have simply made mistakes. There may have been things said or done that were not in harmony with our values, principles, or doctrine.

I suppose the Church would be perfect only if it were run by perfect beings. God is perfect, and His doctrine is pure. But He works through us—His imperfect children—and imperfect people make mistakes.

In the title page of the Book of Mormon we read, “And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment-seat of Christ.”⁶

This is the way it has always been and will be until the perfect day when Christ Himself reigns personally upon the earth.

It is unfortunate that some have stumbled because of mistakes made by men. But in spite of this, the eternal truth of the restored gospel found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not tarnished, diminished, or destroyed.

As an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ and as one who has seen firsthand the councils and workings of this Church, I bear solemn witness that no decision of significance affecting this Church or its members is ever made without earnestly seeking the inspiration, guidance, and approbation of our Eternal Father. This is the Church of Jesus Christ. God will not allow His Church to drift from its appointed course or fail to fulfill its divine destiny.

There Is Room for You

To those who have separated themselves from the Church, I say, my dear friends, there is yet a place for you here.

Come and add your talents, gifts, and energies to ours. We will all become better as a result.

Some might ask, “But what about my doubts?”

It’s natural to have questions—the acorn of honest inquiry has often sprouted and matured into a great oak of understanding. There are few members of the Church who, at one time or another, have not wrestled with serious or sensitive questions. One of the purposes of the Church is to nurture and cultivate the seed of faith—even in the sometimes sandy soil of doubt and uncertainty. Faith is to hope for things which are not seen but which are true.⁷

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters—my dear friends—please, first doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith.⁸ We must never allow doubt to hold us prisoner and keep us from the divine love, peace, and gifts that come through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

When I read this talk, I thought Really!?!!  Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith.  To me, this statement is nothing more than a diversion tactic.  It seeks to get members of the Mormon Church to simply accept it all in a time when it is becoming increasingly apparent that Mormonism is based on an enormous stack of lies.  It tells them to not use any type of critical thinking but to just go along.

In my book, Closing the Door on Mormonism: The AHA! Moments that Triggered my Awakening, I discuss this quote as follows:

"I find it interesting that at the Mormon Church’s General Conference that was held during the weekend of October 5-6, 2013, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (Second Counselor in the First Presidency) said to “Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith.”  For years, this is exactly what I did.  Stuffing down all my doubts, I tried to cling to my faith and just forge ahead, without using any type of critical thinking at all.  But eventually, that tact came back to bite me repeatedly as I realized exactly what I had overlooked over the years."

"On the Mormon Curtain website, there is an article entitled “An Open Letter to President Uchtdorf: When is it OK to Stop Doubting Your Doubts?” which was posted on October 9, 2013 by Craig Paxton.  See www.mormoncurtain.com

"In that article, the question is asked of “When is it OK to Stop Doubting your Doubts and just go where the evidence leads?”  It then talks about the scene in the Wizard of Oz where Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Lion and the Tin Man are standing in front of the Great and Powerful Oz after having done everything they were told to do.  But then, as the Great and Powerful Oz begins hedging on his promise and asks for more time, Dorothy and the others start questioning his power, saying that if he was as great and powerful as he claimed to be, that he would keep the promises he had made to them.  At that point, Oz becomes incensed and begins to verbally attack Dorothy for questioning his authority.  Just then, Dorothy’s dog Toto pulls back the curtain to reveal a man behind the curtain who is speaking into a microphone and pulling levers to manipulate the situation.  But even after first saying not to pay attention to the man behind the curtain and then finally admitting that he is Oz, Dorothy says she doesn’t believe him, even though the evidence is clear and obvious.  She grasps at straws to try to maintain her current mindset.

"The article goes on to say: 'Just as the Wizard of Oz attempted to divert attention away from the man behind the curtain, the church uses apologetic answers to divert those who doubt away from answers that lead to loss of faith.'  The fallacy of Mormonism is so obvious to me now, and yet for years I did exactly what President Uchtdorf said – I doubted my doubts before I doubted my faith.  Like I said, though, in the end, that all came back at me like an avalanche when confronted with the actual truth, and then, I could no longer simply turn a blind eye to the facts and evidence that are so glaringly apparent."

I've gotta give Dieter one thing - he's a very handsome man.  And though he may not be "The Most Interesting Man in the World," he's definitely the most interesting man in the First Presidency (but then, it's not like he has very much competition).

And now, here is the LDS Hymn Parody to further highlight this diversion tactic.  

DOUBT YOUR DOUBTS

Sung to the tune of Choose the Right – #239

1. "Doubt your doubts" is a catchphrase coined by Dieter,
It is used when things do not make sense.
And of course, when discussing Mormonism,
There’s simply not a good defense.

(Chorus)

Doubt your doubts!  Doubt your doubts!
Just stuff them down and build a wall.
When in doubt, doubt your doubts
Before you doubt your faith at all.

2. Doubt your doubts, let no spirit of discretion
Overcome you when your doubts arise.
When the truth and the facts are there before you,
Full denial is the best disguise.

(Chorus)

Doubt your doubts!  Doubt your doubts!
Just stuff them down and build a wall.
When in doubt, doubt your doubts
Before you doubt your faith at all.

3. Doubt your doubts! There is peace in full denial.
Doubt your doubts! A mental game we play.
Doubt your doubts before doubting Mormonism,
Don’t let the facts get in your way.

(Chorus)

Doubt your doubts!  Doubt your doubts!
Just stuff them down and build a wall.
When in doubt, doubt your doubts
Before you doubt your faith at all.

Diane E. Tingen

4/27/2014