COME, LET US REVIEW - LDS Hymn Parody #72

Well, it's been quite awhile since I wrote an LDS Hymn Parody - the last one I wrote was back in July.  But with General Conference having taken place this past weekend, it's no wonder that this new hymn parody popped into my head today. 

So here is my 72nd LDS Hymn Parody.  As in so many of my other hymn parodies, the theme of this new one is the deception and lies that Joseph Smith conjured up to form the basis and foundation of the Mormon Church, and the perpetuation of those lies since his time through to the present.  It also touches on another recurring theme - that many TBMs tend to simply accept everything they are told, regardless of any evidence against it all, and "just believe."  Otherwise known as the "Sheep" syndrome.

Recently, though, it has become clear me that more and more people are seeing through the lies and deciding to walk away.  The church leaders try to say that's not the case, and attempt to characterize the Mormon Church as the "fast-growing Christian religion in the world."  In my opinion, it is creative accounting that bolsters the statistics they hold out.  From what I have observed in various places on the internet (including many ExMormon and PostMormon type of groups on Facebook), there are more and more former sheep all the time who have seen the light and have decided that they, like me, can no longer live the lie.  For me, that is very reassuring.  As time goes on, I am certain that more and more Mormons will begin to "review the clues" that are so obvious to me now, and decide that life is too short and precious to continue to associate themselves with a religion that plays so fast and loose with the truth.  At least, I hope so...

COME, LET US REVIEW
Sung to the tune of Come, Let Us Anew #217

Come, let us review
Each obvious clue,
Discussing the lies
That they cover up
And attempt to disguise.
It is filled with deceit,
Many falsehoods replete.
But the Mormons believe,
Without thinking accept
All the lies that they weave.
Without thinking accept
All the lies that they weave.

They follow along
Although it is wrong,
And simply obey,
Their eyes fully shut,
As in darkness they stay.
But if they’d only look
Then they’d see what a crook
Joseph Smith really was.
And they might recognize
All the obvious flaws.
And they might recognize
All the obvious flaws.

The man they revere,
Their prophet and seer,
Created a fraud,
The gospel they teach
Is not the Word of God.
Joseph Smith was a con,
I could go on and on,
Mormonism untrue.
The deception is clear
So I bid it adieu.
The deception is clear
So I bid it adieu.

© Diane Tingen
10/8/2012

YET ANOTHER ANONYMOUS COMMENT

Yes, another ANONYMOUS comment. 

On September 21, 2012, somebody posted this gem on my post entitled "Offended."

You feel that others must think your opinions are important?  Inferiority complex much?

Obviously this person is a TBM (true believing Mormon) because what he/she posted is a typical Mormon response.  How dare I feel that my opinions are important!!  And how dare I voice those opinions!!  Of course, this Anonymous person's view is obviously that I should keep my mouth shut and my opinions to myself.  That stance is prevalent in Mormondom  - because in that repressed world, whatever independent thoughts a person might have they are supposed to keep to themselves.  Naturally, when I left the church, I also left that type of mentality behind.

So yes, Anonymous, I do think my opinions are important.  And no, I don't think I'm either inferior - or superior. 

As I stated before in response to Anonymous comments that have been posted on my blog, I find it very interesting that this person posted these comments with an "Anonymous" persona.  If this person has such strong feelings about this subject, then why not include their name and email address so we could communicate directly?  I guess it's easy to berate a person's motives and expound on such subjects anonymously.

And I'll reiterate here some thoughts that I wrote earlier this year when responding to an Anonymous comment that was posted on my blog:

I realize that obvious devout Mormons, and the religion organization to which they belong, would like it much better if I had left the church "quietly."  But that is not what is best for me.  I spent 52 years inside Mormonism, and when I began to discover the truth behind its history (which was prior to, during and after going on a Mormon Church History Tour in July 2001), I was flabbergasted and almost despondent.  Initially, I tried to convince myself that I just didn't understand it all - that perhaps if I studied more, it would become more clear.  So for the next two years, I spent a lot of time researching, studying, and questioning what I had discovered before I realized that what I had felt initially was right, that the Mormon Church is a fraudulent religious organization built on an enormous stack of lies - and I finally decided that I could no longer associate myself with a religious organization that plays so fast and loose with the truth.  At first after leaving, I was very quiet about what I had discovered - but over time, I began to realize that by remaining quiet, I was helping to perpetuate the lies and deceit by not speaking out against it.  My decision to actively speak out against the Mormon Church was not made lightly - but I have never regretted speaking out because I recognize the need to try to help others to see the reality behind the Mormon Curtain.

If Anonymous has taken the time to read through my blog, he/she will understand while I hate Mormonism and all it attempts to do to people, I do not hate Mormons because there are many very good people who are trapped inside its walls, including many of my family members.  I am not "Anti-Mormon" but rather "Anti-Mormomism."  Leaving Mormonism behind and being able to speak out against it has relieved me of years of feeling confused and frustrated by so many doctrines and beliefs that make absolutely no sense, and a portrayal of its history that is filled with lies and is completely white-washed.  Outside of Mormonism, people use their intellectual curiosity freely to do actual independent research, make their own decisions about truthfulness or lack thereof, and choose their own direction.  That is not allowed inside Mormonism, but only outside of its belief system.

In my opinion, Mormonism is the opposite of Christ's teachings since it engages in lying, deceiving, shading the truth, and attempting to get people to believe in a religious organization for its own purposes and financial gain. 

So many times I hear the statement, "You have left the Mormon Church but you just can't leave it alone?"  In that regard, let me relate this quote:

"Some of you are probably thinking, 'Why don't you just leave them (the Mormons) alone?'  So I ask you, if you saw a thirsty man drinking water from a well you knew to be poisoned, would you let him continue to drink or would you guide him to a safe well?"~Christopher Miller

Since it is my belief that Mormonism is extremely poisonous to its members and potential investigators, I am sharing my thoughts and beliefs with whomever wishes to read them.  And I am not doing so anonymously...

SO ENTRENCHED IN MORMONISM - LDS Hymn Parody #71

I've been thinking about how many people get so wrapped up in religion that they accept certain things blindly, without really looking at the background or even searching for the actual truth.  Blind faith is simply not wise.  Accepting religious principles without researching its subject matter is basically giving your own power away and allowing a religious organization to dictate what you believe.  As I've said before, having faith is all fine and good, but when a person ignores the actual facts and evidence, then it's not faith anymore but rather denial.

Sadly, that’s how it was for me within Mormonism.  Being born and raised Mormon, I just went along for many years, accepting what I was told to believe, not really looking at it with a critical eye or doing any independent research, away from the “accepted parameters.”  And even when I did discover something that didn't make sense to me, I tried to accept it anyway.  Denial - deep denial.  That mindset really irritates me now, and I wish I had become more intellectually curious when I was much younger so that I could have found the actual facts while I was in my youth.

I'm so grateful that I finally began doing my own independent research.  Of course, anyone who does that is bound to find the same sort of facts and evidence.  But sadly, some people cling to it anyway, trying to rationalize it all out in their minds.  I did that for quite a while, but in the end, that was no longer an option for me.  The actual truth is what's important to me, and once I knew without any doubt that the Mormon Church is actually a fraud, that was the absolute end.

Entrenched once, but no more... and the biggest reward is living my life authentically.

With that said, here is my 71st LDS Hymn Parody...

SO ENTRENCHED IN MORMONISM

Sung to the tune of O Thou Rock of our Salvation, #258

So entrenched in Mormonism,
They refuse to see the lies.
Close the eyes and just believe it,
Blind acceptance is not wise.
What I found when I did research
Made me finally face the truth.
Wish that I had questioned sooner,
Found the facts while in my youth.

Born and raised in Mormonism,
I believed what I was taught.
It took years for me to see it,
In denial I was caught.
What I found when I did research
Made me finally face the truth.
Wish that I had questioned sooner,
Found the facts while in my youth.

Now I know that Mormonism
Was made up by Joseph Smith.
Not an ounce of truth to speak of,
It is nothing but a myth.
When I found when I did research
Made me finally face the truth.
Wish that I had questioned sooner,
Found the facts while in my youth.

So apparent all their tactics,
How they brainwash and persuade.
Make the members scared to research,
What a price they all have paid.
In the end, I hope they see it,
For the truth will set them free.
Just as it has done in my life,
As I live authentically.

Diane Tingen, 7/22/2012

HOW GREAT THE SWINDLE AND THE LIES - LDS Hymn Parody #70

Here's another LDS Hymn Parody - my 70th so far.  It's hard for me to believe I've written that many, but once I got started I haven't been able to stop.  Writing these LDS Hymn Parodies is very cathartic for me - perhaps because I've always loved music and used to be very involved in music when I was an active Mormon.  Over the years, I held callings as the Ward Organist, Choir Director, Relief Society Music Director and Pianist, Primary Chorister and Pianist, as well as singing solos and duets in Sacrament Meeting and in the Choir. 

I grew up singing LDS hymns, and was obviously indoctrinated in many ways because of that.  With so many LDS hymns still swimming around in my head, it's nice to have new lyrics to sing to them.

So here is my 70th LDS Hymn Parody.  Very self-explanatory, so I won't go into a big description of its contents.  I hope you enjoy reading them (and singing them) as much as I enjoy writing them...

HOW GREAT THE SWINDLE AND THE LIES
Sung to the tune of How Great the Wisdom and the Love - #195

How great the swindle and the lies
That fill the Mormon Church.
So clear to me when I began
To do my own research.

It’s clear that Joseph made it up,
Just spun a web of lies.
And yet the members go along
Though logic it decries.

The history of the Mormon Church
Is sordid through and through.
And when I finally looked at it,
I knew it wasn’t true.

Why don’t the Mormons question it?
Why do they close their eyes
As blindly they accept it all?
It simply is not wise.

But sadly there are many who
Refuse to look beyond
What they are told to just believe,
Not knowing they’ve been conned.

I hope that more will see the lies,
And realize the truth.
To live their lives authentically
While they are in their youth.

© Diane Tingen, 7/8/2012

OH, DECEPTION - LDS Hymn Parody #69

OK, I know... I've turned into a broken record (again).  Sometimes I get tired of hearing myself ramble on and on about how the Mormon Church is nothing but a stack of lies - that it is pure deception.  But only sometimes.  The rest of the time I simply want to have my voice be heard - and I hope that by speaking out, people will be compelled to do their own research, to look behind the curtain and finally see the Wizard.  And once they do that, then hopefully they will realize that the deception ala Mormonism runs very deep - and do something about it.

In November 2011, I wrote an LDS Hymn Parody that goes along with this theme.  In that post, I said:

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

My latest LDS Hymn Parody expands on this theme.  Actually, this new one is set to one of my favorite LDS Hymns of all time - O My Father.  This hymn (the lyrics to which were written by Eliza R. Snow) is famous for speaking of Mother in Heaven.  Perhaps that's why I always liked it so much.  My feminist side coming out, way back then.

I remember not only singing this hymn in church, but also at funerals.  In fact, I think it was sung at my mother's funeral in 1977... back when I was still very TBM and still just going along.  The research that led me to realize the truth had not yet begun.  I had a lot of questions back then, but rather than doing independent research to obtain the answers, I simply adhered to The Mormon Way by believing what they told me - basically, that if I didn't understand certain things, then it was a failing within me.  The message that was given to me was that in order to get the answer to my questions, I needed to pray more, study the scriptures more, attend meetings regularly, and adhere to the gospel.  You know, the ol' it's you not them mindset.  If there is anything wrong, it couldn't possibly be that the church is wrong, so it must be that you are not worthy enough.  Of course, I was also given the message that we cannot understand everything in this life, but that if we endure to the end, it will all be made known to us and then we will know that it was worth it.  With that rhetoric, the Mormons basically cover all the bases, don't you think?

The truth is apparent to me now, but that clarity wasn't obtained from doing all that "they" said I needed to do.  Instead, the clarity I gained was from opening my mind and doing some actual independent research.  I stopped burying my head in the sand - and also followed a famous "Mormon" scripture (James 1:5) - slightly revised:

So here is my latest LDS Hymn Parody... #69... and counting... 

 

OH, DECEPTION
Sung to the tune of O My Father, #292

Oh, Deception, laced throughout it,
Conjured up by Joseph Smith.
He created Mormonism,
Just a hoax, enormous myth.
He convinced them all to follow
Saying he was called of God.
But in truth, he was a shyster,
And the church is just a fraud.

I was born and raised a Mormon,
All my life, I just believed.
Went along with what they taught me,
But I found, I’d been deceived.

When I looked, it was apparent,
All the lies that Joseph told.
Plagiarized the Book of Mormon,
Not obtained from plates of gold.

Mormonism, pure deception,
Not an ounce of truth within.
It is clear when it is studied
How untrue the tales they spin.
But it’s sad that many listen,
Buy it all and just believe.
Unaware of the deception,
And of all the lies they weave.

If they’d only do some research
On their own, then they might see
All the lies, the clear deception
That’s employed, so visibly.
Common sense is sorely needed,
Nothing in it is from God.
It is not the true religion,
But instead, a blank façade.

© Diane Tingen, 6/13/2012

HAVE YOU STUDIED BELIEFS OF THE MORMON CHURCH? - LDS Hymn Parody #68

Being born and raised Mormon, I grew up believing that what I was told about the beliefs of the Mormon Church was the actual truth, and I assumed that what I was told was based on actual facts.  But boy, was I WRONG!!!  Coming to the realization that everything I believed was true is actually FALSE hit me like a ton of bricks.  But it took me a VERY long time to get there - and it took doing my own actual independent research (prior to and after going on a Mormon Church History Tour in 2001) to discover that the Mormon Church whitewashes its very sordid history and misrepresents its beliefs and doctrines.

Sadly, there are many Mormons out there who did just what I did.  They believe what they are told is the truth and don't do their own research.  Such a bad idea.  Therefore, my advice to anyone who is either questioning or investigating the Mormon Church is to do your own research, independently, and don't rely on what you are told is the truth.  Also, don't rely on what the Mormon Church deems to be "authorized reading" to make your decision about its truthfulness.

It should be a RED FLAG that the Mormon Church tells its members to only read from "authorized areas," and to not read or research anything outside those "authorized" areas - what they basically prohibit.  After all, that criteria is one of the signs of a CULT.  Simply put, FIND OUT THE TRUTH FOR YOURSELF... ON YOUR OWN TERMS!!!

And with that in mind, here is my 68th LDS Hymn Parody... 

HAVE YOU STUDIED BELIEFS OF THE MORMON CHURCH?

Sung to the tune of Have I Done Any Good? - #223

Have you studied beliefs of the Mormon Church?
Have you researched it on your own?
Do you just go along, do not question what’s wrong?
If so, you are not alone.

The actual facts are much different than what
They tell you that you must believe.
If you study the history then you’ll see the truth
Through the legion of lies that they weave.

(Chorus)
Then wake up and do something more
Than just bow your head and obey.
There are lies laced throughout it,
Don’t blindly accept it
And give all your power away.

Decisions we make in our daily lives
Take research to make the right choice.
We don’t always accept, and will sometimes reject,
Opinions that others may voice.
And so with religion it should be the same,
Through research the questions are solved.
It takes true discernment to sort through the facts,
And there’s critical thinking involved.

(Chorus)
Then wake up and do something more
Than just bow your head and obey.
There are lies laced throughout it,
Don’t blindly accept it
And give all your power away.

© Diane Tingen, 6/11/2012

FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE TRUTH - LDS Hymn Parody #67

To me, there is beauty in truth.  So simple.  No little white lies.  No wiggle room.  No bobbing and weaving.  No hedging.  Just the pure truth based on facts and evidence.  

But I've been told that I take the concept of truth too literally, at least on some discussion boards where I've attempted to discuss this topic.  But in doing so, I have been criticized for saying that since there are obvious lies laced throughout Mormonism, I had to discard it.  It has been pointed out that every religion has lies within it, as if that is a justification for the lies I have discovered.  But to me, just because "all religions" have lies within them doesn't mean that it is okay for every religion to present lies as absolute truth.  After all, if a religion has lies laced throughout it, then what possible benefit can it have to me in my life?  For example, the Mormon Church teaches honesty and integrity as important values, and yet they have no regard for the actual truth when it comes to presenting its doctrine or history.  I, for one, have a real problem with that.

Perhaps the search for truth and beauty is an elusive one.  Obviously truth and beauty mean different things to different people.  But regardless of whether or not that may be true, wouldn't a person think that within religion that search would be simpler?  That those qualities would intermingle and co-exist within the worship of God?  Sadly, though, that doesn't seem to be the case. 

THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH, AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH.

Yes, as far as I am concerned, TRUTH is the bottom line.  Is something true - or is it false?  If it's false, then I want nothing to do with it.  To me, it really is that simple.

Of course, that explains why, when I discovered so many lies laced throughout Mormonism, I had to extricate myself from its grasp.  And that also explains why I have such a hard time understanding why some people can know all the flaws, all the deception, all the lies, all the sordid history, and still adhere to Mormonism.  Makes no sense to me.

Anyway, here is my 67th LDS Hymn Parody, all about TRUTH...

FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE TRUTH
Sung to the tune of For the Beauty of the Earth, #92

For the beauty of the truth,
Sorting through apparent lies.
Seeing that it’s all made up,
Facts that brought me much surprise.
Truth is what it’s all about,
Knowing without any doubt.

For the beauty of the facts,
Recognizing every clue.
When the evidence is there,
Standing up for what is true.
Truth is what it’s all about,
Knowing without any doubt.

Finding truth, a worthy search,
Ripping off the veiled disguise.
Finally seeing what is false,
Then discarding all the lies.
Truth is what it’s all about,
Knowing without any doubt.

For the joy of feeling free,
Living an authentic life.

Finally facing all the facts,
Free from all the pain and strife.

Mormonism is not true,
So I bid it all adieu.

© Diane Tingen, 5/29/2012

WHERE IS THE PEACE DENIAL BRINGS? - LDS Hymn Parody #66

Denial.  An interesting topic.  In my opinion, there are a lot of Mormons who are in total and complete denial.  Just like the picture says, "Denialism - Denying reality, one fact at time."  Because really, when you really examine Mormonism on an independent level (away from the areas "authorized" by the church itself), it is obviously filled with all kinds of lies, deceptions and half-truths.  And no, that isn't Anti-Mormon Propaganda, but the actual truth based on actual evidence and actual facts.  I've said it before, and I'll say it again, if the Mormon Church had nothing to hide, then it wouldn't matter what people read or where they research.  But the fact that the church is very concerned about its members doing research on their own is very telling.

Of course, there are many who are still counted within the ranks of Mormons who have realized the lies, know the actual truth, but have decided to "pretend" to still believe to keep the peace within their families.  Very sad.  It doesn't seem to matter what the 11th Article of Faith says... "We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may."  Most Mormons don't follow that philosophy, but rather berate people who decide they cannot adhere to Mormon beliefs any longer - even shunning and turning their backs against those who choose to use their free agency.  And sadly, this happens a lot within families.
 
There are so many types of Mormons:  Shadow Mormons.  Social Mormons.  Cafeteria Mormons.  Dry Mormons.  Jack Mormons.  True Believing Mormons (TBMs).  But regardless of what type of Mormons they are, they all have two things in common:  Mormonism and Denial.  Please don't get me wrong - I feel a lot of sympathy for people who find themselves trapped within Mormonism (at least in their minds), but it takes a lot of denial to not realize that staying within the parameters of something in which you don't believe (and is obviously filled with lies) has a devastating effect on a person's psyche and mental well-being.  I know because I've been there.  Thankfully, I realized several years ago that I could not "pretend" any longer, and left the fold - and I've never regretted my decision.

And so here is my 66th LDS Hymn Parody... highlighting the denial that is alive and well, and being adhered to faithfully within Mormonism.  And no, denial is not a river in Egypt...

WHERE IS THE PEACE DENIAL BRINGS?

Sung to the tune of Sweet is the Peace the Gospel Brings, #14

Where is the peace denial brings
To Mormons everywhere?
Just following as they are told,
Their thoughts they cannot share.

So sad their lives are intertwined
In Mormonism’s ploy.
But sadder still to realize
It strips your life of joy.

The bottom line, your peace of mind
And how you feel inside,
Is tied up in your happiness
And cannot be denied.

To live your life authentically,
And not give in to fear,
Accept the false philosophies
To which they all adhere.

To me, it’s clear the Mormon Church
Is not the Word of God.
It’s nothing but a sham and hoax,
So obvious a fraud.

So difficult to understand
How anyone can stay
Within a church so clearly false
And give their lives away.

To those still trapped within the grasp
Of Mormonism’s ruse,
I hope that you will find a way
To finally get loose.

Because the peace that you will find
When you are finally free,
Is worth whatever it will take,
Just as it was for me.

© Diane Tingen, 5/25/2012

JOSEPH SMITH, THE MORMON PROPHET - LDS Hymn Parody #65

Here's another LDS Hymn Parody.  This one speaks of Joseph Smith and the fact that a study of actual history shows he was a treasure hunter, money digger, charlatan, shyster and a total fraud - and that he was clearly not a Prophet and Seer as the Mormon Church claims.  In my opinion, Joseph Smith initially made up Mormonism as a way to gain power and money - and that led to his introduction of polygamy when he was caught "in a compromising position" with Fanny Alger who he claimed was his first polygamous wife.  I find it interesting that Oliver Cowdery felt Joseph's "marriage" to Fanny Alger was actually a "dirty, nasty, filthy affair," and not a polygamous marriage.  The timeline that a study of history shows is that after Oliver confronted Joseph about this "affair," Joseph announced that he had been commanded by God to practice polygamy.  Very convenient (as the SNL Church Lady would say).  In fact, Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer were both later excommunicated from the Mormon Church for speaking out against Joseph's practice of polygamy (and later polyandry, the practice of marrying women who were already married to living husbands). 

It is an actual fact that Joseph Smith married 33 women - 10 of whom were teenage girls, and 11 of whom were already married to living husbands.  Just look at this website - http://www.wivesofjosephsmith.org/ - which contains well-documented historical references concerning each polygamous wife (and polyandrous wives as well).  None of this is "Anti-Mormon Propaganda," and in fact was created and is maintained by an active member of the Mormon Church.  And yet I am sure that this website, along with any information along these lines, is considered "Anti-Mormon Propaganda" by members of the Mormon Church.  Even on the Mormon Church's own genealogy website (http://www.familysearch.org/) are shown 24 wives of Joseph Smith, and if actual research is done on that website alone, many of his polyandrous marriages are shown.  Th fact that none of this is discussed in any church meetings is very suspect to me as is the fact that I was a member for 52 years and never even knew this information.  In fact, I never knew about the polyandrous marriages until I was already out of the church for 3 years (and only learned of them when researching on http://www.familysearch.org/) - and I am certain that the majority of active Mormons today don't know about this historical fact - or many of the other sordid details of Mormon Church history either.

What I find even sadder than the fact that members of the Mormon Church treat any type of negative information about the Mormon Church and its history as "Anti-Mormon Propaganda" is the fact that they mindlessly voice the theme that we just don't understand why the Lord commanded Joseph Smith and others to practice polygamy.  They say that God works in mysterious ways - and that God's ways are not our ways so we need to just accept these things and not question.  But to me, the repetition of that line of thought is nothing more than pure denial.  Personally, I don't want to live in a state of denial.  I much prefer an informed existence - one in which I don't close my eyes to the actual truth and just go along.  For me, the main reward of my apostasy is living an informed existence - knowing that I finally found the actual truth and am now living an authentic life.

So here is my 65th LDS Hymn Parody... just 10 more to go to hit my current goal of 75...

JOSEPH SMITH, THE MORMON PROPHET

Sung to the tune of Come, Rejoice – #9

Joseph Smith, the Mormon Prophet,
Died a martyr's death.
Claimed to be the Lord's true mouthpiece
To his dying breath.
Mormons still revere his name,
Though he played a shyster’s game.
Joseph was a total fraud,
Clearly not a man of God.

Joseph Smith was just a con man,
Charlatan supreme.

Treasure hunting, money digging,
Always one more scheme.
Mormonism came from that,
Head and seer stone in a hat.
A religion he devised,
Book of Mormon, plagiarized.

Joseph Smith, a Seer and Prophet

In his own warped mind,
Who created Mormonism,
Cleverly designed.
Many women, 33,
Married him, polygamy.
Started off with Emma Hale,
Many more can tell the tale.

Second wife was Fanny Alger,
Some said an affair.
Claimed that he had been commanded,
Had a liar’s flair.
Emma wasn’t buying it,
Kicked out Fanny in a snit.
But then Joseph married more,
Emma’s fury he’d ignore.

Yet today they whitewash history,
Anti-Mormon crap.
Try to say it didn’t happen,
Simply a bad rap.
Pure denial, disavow
All the evidence somehow.
Choosing simply to believe,
To the lies they blindly cleave.

© Diane Tingen, 5/23/2012

THE MORMON LEGACY - LDS Hymn Parody #64

Here's another LDS hymn parody.  This one highlights, once again, my opinion that since the Mormon Church has numerous obvious flaws (and in my mind is actually false), Mormons everywhere need to stop burying their heads in the sand, blindly following what the church tells them to believe, and do some actual research so they can find the actual truth.  To blindly believe, without researching independently, on your own, is simply not wise.  Would anyone buy a car without doing research on its origins and history?  No, that would be absurd.  Would anyone purchase a house without having an inspection and title report done - and look closely at its foundation to insure they have avoided any potential problems?  No, obviously not.  And yet Mormons just go along, believing what they are told, not doing any independent research - just believing and having faith.

I find this mindset to be appalling.  Intellectual curiousity is paramount for a thinking individual.  To be told that you can't do any research outside of approved parameters is not only ridiculous but is also one of the signs of a cult.  If a religious organization has nothing to hide then it doesn't matter what people look at, what they read, or what they research on their own.  I really wish more Mormons would think about that instead of accepting it all blindly.  Instead they choose to "just believe" - which, unfortunately, is The Mormon Legacy.

THE MORMON LEGACY

Sung to the tune of How Gentle God’s Commands – Hymn #125

Completely filled with lies,
Created to deceive.
The truth is there for all to find,
Naïve to just believe.

The Mormon Church is false,

Its doctrines are not true.
So clear that it was just made up,
Invented by a few.

The flaws are obvious,
Not hard at all to find.

The sordid history tells the tale,
Not slandered or maligned.

Through research I could see
The lies throughout it all.
Yet others cling to fallacies
Emblazoned on the wall.

They say we must have faith,
That we can’t understand
The ways of God, mysterious,
His ever-mighty hand.

But though that might be true,
That does not testify
To Mormonism’s truthfulness,
The logic is awry.

Not wise to close your eyes,
Submit and just believe
Whatever you are told is true,
The web of lies they weave.

But there is none so blind
As he who will not see
That they’ve been duped by blatant lies,
The Mormon Legacy.

© Diane Tingen, 5/17/2012

IS THERE TRUTH IN MORMONISM? LDS Hymn Parody #63

It's been 2-1/2 months since I wrote my last hymn parody.  My, how times flies.  I guess I've been creatively blocked (most likely by what has been going on in my life, which is a very long story).  But since I'm determined to write at least 75 LDS hymn parodies, it's really good to feel the creative juices flowing again.

So here is my latest LDS hymn parody... very self-explanatory, so I won't go into any further explanation...

IS THERE TRUTH IN MORMONISM?
Sung to the tune of Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah – Hymn #83

Is there truth in Mormonism?
Many think it’s filled with lies.
Just look at the sordid history,
Countless questions will arise.
Look for answers, look for answers,
Search until you find the truth,
Find the truth.
Search until you find the truth.

They want you to blindly follow
What they tell you to believe.
If it’s false, the landscape changes,
You should know if they deceive.
Mormonism, Mormonism,
There is more than meets the eye,
Meets the eye.
There is more than meets the eye.

Though they tell you not to research,
Only read what they approve.
You must study independent,
Any doubts you must remove.
Information, information,
If you look, you’ll find the truth,
Find the truth.
If you look, you’ll find the truth.

© Diane Tingen, 5/16/2012