WHEN THE LIGHT WENT ON - LDS Hymn Parody #82

Darkness... to light.  With the flip of a switch, everything suddenly became bright and clear.  That's how I would describe the beginnings of my transition from TBM to ExMormon.  When I began my journey away from Mormonism (and basically researched my way out of it), everything was so muddied and unclear.  But with every book and article I read, every fact I discovered, everything started to become clearer and clearer.  Although at first I didn't want to admit it, I had been duped my entire life.  Of course, at the point when I began to come to that realization, I began to look back over my life and think of all the things I had put on my shelf for all those years - things that I didn't understand and was led to believe were things that "we cannot understand in this life, but if we endure to the end, we will understand everything and know that it was worth it."  What a cop-out.

Facts are facts, now and forever.  Just as lies are lies, and always will be.  Just because many people believe something, that does not make it true, in and of itself.  As this picture points out, "Facts do not cease to exist simply because they are ignored."

 
Another quote that is applicable to this subject is this one:

So true.  This concept is discussed in this article from the Mormon Coffee blog entitled "Twleve Million Mormons."  In this article, it says:

In promoting their product (Mormonism), Latter-day Saints frequently say, “There are 12 million people around the world that believe it!” They look at that fact as one piece of irrefutable evidence that Mormonism is true. I’ve even had Mormons challenge me: “Do you think 12 million people can be wrong?”

The article goes on to say:

Or take the Roman Catholic Church’s position on Mormonism. In July 2001 the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith stated that LDS baptisms are “not the baptism that Christ instituted.” Though the Catholic Church recognizes the baptisms of converts from most other churches, Mormon converts to Catholicism must be rebaptized because of the LDS Church’s radical (non-biblical) view of the nature of God. Can the more than one billion members of the Catholic Church be wrong?

Then the Mormon Coffee blog post asks:

Regardless of the sensational LDS sales pitch that Mormonism is “proven to work” and that “millions of [people] are already using it,” the question needs to be asked: Can millions be wrong?

Well, yes they can.  It doesn't matter how many people believe something.  The number of people who believe something means absolutely nothing, in and of itself.

But facts speak volumes - and as far as the facts are concerned, Mormonism is not now, nor was it ever, true.  A person can paint the facts any way they want, but they cannot be changed.  Facts are irrefutable.  The problem, though, is getting TBMs to pay attention to the facts and not go into their "Just have faith and believe" routine... or their mantra of "We as mere mortals can't understand the ways of God."  Very frustrating.

I am so grateful for my AHA! moments - those cumulative moments when it finally dawned on me, once and for all, that Mormonism simply isn't true.  I finally knew "beyond a shadow of a doubt" that Joseph Smith made it up from the get-go, perpetrating an enormous hoax on people back then - and that since his time, other men and women have perpetuated the lies and deception.  And so the light went on - and it has never gone out.

So here is my 82nd LDS Hymn Parody, highlighting that life-altering period of time when I realized that my life-long religion is built on an enormous stack of lies - and I felt a lifetime of burdens lift as I began shedding the shackles of Mormonism.

WHEN THE LIGHT WENT ON
Sung to the tune of Let Us All Press On, #243

When the light went on
In my mind, I could see
How I’d been deceived,
It was so clear to me.
That the Mormon Church
Is just packed with lies,
And there is no disguise.

(Chorus)
No truth is contained within the church,
Falsehoods that I found in my research.
It’s so clear now from all that I have read,
All my life I know I was misled.

In the Mormon Church,
They say to just believe,
Do not think too much,
And blessings you’ll receive.
When the Prophet speaks,
If you don’t agree,
Shut up immediately.

(Chorus)
No truth is contained within the church,
Falsehoods that I found in my research.
It’s so clear now from all that I have read,
All my life I know I was misled.

Very gullible
And totally naïve,
I just went along
And tried to just believe.
But until I searched
Independently,
The flaws I did not see.

(Chorus)
No truth is contained within the church,
Falsehoods that I found in my research.
It’s so clear now from all that I have read,
All my life I know I was misled.

© Diane Tingen, 1/25/2013

HIGH ON MY BUCKET LIST - LDS Hymn Parody #81

Everyone needs a Bucket List - all the things you want to do before you die.  There are many things on my Bucket List, and I'm trying to live my life so that many of those things I want to do before I shed this mortal coil.  But for me, the most important thing has already been done.  After coming to the realization that Mormonism is a fraud, I left it all behind - and finally became myself.  THE REAL ME.  

Lately, I've been thinking about how much I have changed over the past few years since leaving Mormonism.  I used to be very complacent.  Didn't want to make waves.  Tried to blend into the background.  Took everything so seriously.  Especially Mormonism.  I didn't understand many things about my "chosen religion," and I had many questions, but I still went along.  Just like a good little Mormon girl/woman.  What irks me the most if that for most of my life, I wasn't intellectually curious enough to research or study anything that wasn't "authorized" by the Mormon Church.  I accepted whatever they told me.  And whatever I didn't understand, I put on my "shelf," thinking that I must not be righteous enough to comprehend those doctrines or principles.  I believed the hype that I just needed to study more, pray more, attend more church meetings, and try harder to be a good Mormon woman.  Didn't make me feel very satisfied, but I was certain that was the price I needed to pay for not being "good enough."

Simply put, I was the Mormon version of my true self - who I thought I was supposed to be.  NOT THE REAL ME.

Leaving Mormonism is the best thing that ever happened to me.  Shedding the shackles of the past freed me to finally BE MYSELF... and I've never been happier than I am right now.  When I discovered all the lies laced throughout Mormonism, it was quite a shock.  The more I researched, the more I discovered, and the more flabbergasted I became.  Layer upon layer, I uncovered the deception, the intricate web of lies created by Joseph Smith and perpetuated through the years by many other men.  At first, I didn't know what to do, but in the end, I knew I had no other choice than to disassociate myself from the Mormon Church.

When I finally stopped going to church with no intention of every returning is when I finally began to realize who I really am.  A strong, competent, intellectually curious woman who spent many years with her true personality being suppressed and squelched by a religion that plays very fast and loose with the truth.  Of course, I was very angry that I had spent 52 years in such a religion - and in many ways, I felt that my life had been stolen from me.  I questioned why my parents even joined the church when I was only 10 months old, essentially subjecting me to a Mormon life without my consent.  I kicked myself for not being more intellectually curious at a younger age because perhaps then I would have discovered the lies sooner.  Basically, I had let them lead me along for so many years.  A mindless sheep.  But eventually, I worked through the anger and realized that if I let those types of thoughts define my life, then Mormonism is still winning.  That's when I decided to start this blog, which has been a great outlet for my many thoughts about Mormonism, its lies, and the effects of the deception it perpetuates.

And so, below is an LDS Hymn Parody I have written about My Bucket List.  Although there are many other things on my Bucket List, #1 is already checked off.  SIMPLY BE MYSELF.  DONE.

HIGH ON MY BUCKET LIST
Sung to the tune of High on the Mountain Top - #5

High on my Bucket List,
The things I want to do
Before I leave this world
And bid this life adieu.
I simply want to be myself,
And empty off my Mormon shelf.

For way too many years
My shelf did overflow,
Just shoving things up there
And watching it all grow.
But then I saw the stack of lies,
The truth revealed, no more disguise.

That’s when I finally found
The courage from inside
To simply be myself,
And I no longer hide
From what the truth has done for me,
It made me strong and set me free.

So thankful that I’m not
Still caught within the Church,
I’m Mormonism Free,
Their doctrine I besmirch.
It was made up by Joseph Smith,
The Mormon Church, a total myth.

No shadow of a doubt,
I know it’s filled with lies.
I've seen the evidence
Each TBM denies.
I wish they’d look with open eyes,
Then they might say their own goodbyes.

So now my Bucket List,
A check by #1,
The most important thing
I finally have done.
I've shed the pain and dried my tears,
In peace I’ll live throughout my years.

© Diane Tingen, 1/21/2013

SO....

SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUR BUCKET LIST...

LIAR, LIAR, PANTS ON FIRE...

Over the years since leaving Mormonism behind, my dislike and distaste (perhaps hate) for the "Prophet Joseph" has grown substantially.  Even remembering hearing him called the "Prophet Joseph" that makes me nauseous.  I mean, the dude made the whole thing up.  A complete and total hoax from the get-go.  And it seems to me that in the process, he just had to keep going, creating new and improved "evidence" to bolster his position as "Prophet and Seer."  Always going one step further, one step further, one step further.  First it was the Book of Mormon, translated from golden plates.  Then it was the Book of Abraham, translated from Egyptian papyri.  Both false documents, in my opinion.  Plagiarized, most likely.  But both canonized, nonetheless.  And of course, there's the "revelations" in the Doctrine & Covenants to add extra support - also canonized.  I could go on and on...

Although Mormons practically worship him, Joseph Smith was actually a shyster, a charlatan, a con artist, a flim-flam man.  From all accounts, he was very charismatic, and people were drawn to him.  And from what I've been able to gather, he just couldn't get enough of being the "center of attention."

In my opinion, Joseph's main motivation was power, money and control over people.  But there is also the aspect of creating polygamy and polyandry to satisfy his sexual desires.  When I began looking at the timeline for events that occurred in the history of the Mormon Church, it was obvious to me that the "Prophet Joseph" was driven by his sexual desires.  His first "polygamous wife" is listed as being Fanny Alger, who he "married" in 1833 - but according to what I've read, that union was actually, according to Oliver Cowdery, a "dirty, filthy affair."  My opinion is that he got caught cheating, and decided to create polygamy (and then polyandry) to cover his tracks. 

The whole thing smells to high heaven.  It makes me sick to my stomach because in actuality, he was a sexual predator and a pedophile (and I suppose I should say IMO).  Every time I think about all this, I could kick myself for not researching Mormon Church history earlier in my life.  Of course, as TBM as I was back then, I probably would have rationalized it all out just like all the TBMs do today.

Anyway, here's a short poem I wrote in tribute to the "Prophet Joseph."  Like the poem says, I hope he's "burning in hellfire." 

ODE TO THE "PROPHET JOSEPH"

Thoughts of Joseph Smith inspire
Darkened scenes and strong desire,
Gruesome fate so grim and dire
That he’s burning in hellfire.

Once a man I did admire,
Now I’d throw him in the mire,
Singing “Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire,
Your nose is longer than a telephone wire…”

© Diane Tingen, 1/2/2013

THERE IS SUNSHINE IN MY SOUL AT LAST - LDS Hymn Parody #80

Looking back over the past few years, I can honestly say that I am happier now than I have ever been.  Leaving Mormonism behind was the best thing I ever did.  I am living an authentic life now, without any of the strife I felt for so many years.  Trying to "have faith" and "just believe" as they told me to do was literally killing me.  This is especially true when I began to question in earnest, after going on a Mormon Church History Tour in the Summer of 2001.  When I began to discover the lies behind the Mormon Curtain as well as the sordid history that is the foundation for it all, I began to realize that I had been struggling for so long because it simply isn't true. 

For so long, I thought it was me - that I was the problem.  Being given the message (whether spoken or implied) that I wasn't righteous enough to understand it all made me feel completely inadequate.  I accepted the challenge to study more, pray more, and be more obedient, and also took to heart the admonition given in the Book of Mormon, Moroni 10, 4-5:

4  And when we shall receive these things, I would exhort you that we would ask God, the Eternal Faith, in the name of Christ,. if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

5  And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

Of course, the message a person is given is that if they do not receive the answer that the Book of Mormon, as well as Mormonism itself, is true, then they are at fault - they are not asking with "...a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ..." 
But what I finally realized is that doing all that didn't work because that premise was being applied to the wrong scenario.  What I ultimately discovered is that Mormonism is an elaborate web of lies made up by Joseph Smith and perpetuated since his death by many others who had or have as much riding on keeping everyone in the dark as did Joseph Smith himself.

Naturally, though, the Mormon Church strongly admonishes its members to not do any independent research, to only rely on "faith-promoting materials" that the Mormon Church itself disseminates.  That directive is wrong on so many levels - and at its root is the fact that charging its members with these instructions is one of the defining signs that it is actually a CULT.  The bottom line is that if there was nothing to hide then it would not matter what anyone reads or researches.

Breaking free from Mormonism gave me a new lease on life.  It helped me to shed years of strife that had placed a burden on my shoulders that was at times overwhelming.  Living an authentic life and being true to myself is a tremendous relief.  I hope that others who are still trapped within Mormonism will do their own independent research without fear of reprimand, chastizement and/or punishment - particularly since it is my understanding that a question has been added to Temple Recommend Interview List about doing independent research and looking at what the Mormons consider to be "Anti-Mormon propaganda" contained on various websites (and if answered that a person has looked at this type of material, a temple recommend will most likely be denied).

Mormons are told to "just believe" and to have "faith."  As I've said before, though, having faith is all well and good, but when there is a mountain of evidence against something being true, then continuing to "just believe" is not faith anymore but rather denial.

So here is my 80th LDS Hymn Parody, dedicated to transcending beyond Mormonism and discovering that There is Sunshine in my Soul - AT LAST!!!

THERE IS SUNSHINE IN MY SOUL AT LAST
Sung to the tune of There is Sunshine in My Soul Today - #227

There is sunshine in my soul at last,
A joy I can’t disguise.
So glad that I have broken free
From Mormonism’s lies.

(Chorus)
Oh, there’s sunshine, blessed sunshine
Without Mormonism in my life.
The questioning is gone for good,
Said goodbye to years of strife.

There is music in my soul at last,
A glorious refrain.
For I did research on my own,
And finally used my brain.

(Chorus)
Oh, there’s sunshine, blessed sunshine
Without Mormonism in my life.
The questioning is gone for good,
Said goodbye to years of strife.

There is springtime in my soul at last,
The dreariness is gone.
For now, I know that Joseph lied,
And he was just a con.

(Chorus)
Oh, there’s sunshine, blessed sunshine
Without Mormonism in my life.
The questioning is gone for good,
Said goodbye to years of strife.

There is gladness in my soul at last,
Such ecstasy and bliss.
For I have seen the false pretense,
That it is all amiss.

(Chorus)
Oh, there’s sunshine, blessed sunshine
Without Mormonism in my life.
The questioning is gone for good,
Said goodbye to years of strife.

© Diane Tingen, 12/28/2012

AS I HAVE CAST OFF ALL THE LIES - LDS Hymn Parody #79

Recognizing the LIES within Mormonism is a recurring theme in the ever-expanding ExMormon Hymn Book.  As I've said before, sometimes I feel like a broken record, repeating the same things over and over again, but in my opinion the subjects on which I dwell bear repeating.  It upsets me greatly that I spent 52 years in a church that is so obviously based on blatant lies and pure deception.  Having been born and raised in the Mormon Church, I tried to "just believe" as I was told to do, but in the end, I simply couldn't  continue to "have faith" when I realized that the evidence is stacked against Mormonism actually being true.  Ultimately, the only conclusion to which I could come was that Joseph Smith simply made the whole thing up.  In my opinion, there were several reasons that Joseph created  Mormonism, including his drive for power over people, no matter the cost, his desire to be worshiped as a "Prophet of God," and having his perverse sexual desires fulfilled via polygamy and polyandry (which I believe he created for that very reason).  Also in my opinion, Joseph Smith was a sexual predator, preying on people who believed he was a "Prophet of God," which included 10 teenage girls varying in ages from 14 to 19.  I do not say that lightly, and to me, it was unconscionable for him to take advantage of young girls and women in that manner.  The fact that 11 of his polygamous wives were already married to living husbands is further indication to me of the depth of his depravity. 

And so I have cast off all the lies, and am now living an authentic life, simply being myself.  There have been a number of TBMs who have visited my blog and have asked me why I can't just leave Mormonism alone, why I have to be so vocal about my opinions. The answer to that question is contained within 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

Although most Mormons will scorn me and call me an Apostate who just can't leave it alone, that's okay with me.  While I was an active Mormon, I tried to "just believe" and kept my doubts and questions to myself.  Back then, I was a perfect little Morgbot.  But since discovering the actual truth behind the Mormon Curtain, I cannot stay quiet any longer.  If people who have discovered that the Mormon Church is based on an enormous stack of lies keep quiet about it, then others will continue suffer within Mormonism's walls.  They will do as I did - simply keeping quiet about their doubts and questions, thinking that perhaps they are the only one who don't understand it all, believing that they are not righteous enough to grasp it all, and feeling completely and totally inadequate.  It took me a very long time to finally break free from Mormonism, and if I can do anything to help others recognize the lies, then I see that as my duty and obligation.  Others may disagree with me, but that's okay, too.

So here is my latest LDS Hymn Parody... #79 and counting...

AS I HAVE CAST OFF ALL THE LIES
Sung to the tune of Come, Listen to a Prophet’s Voice - #21

As I have cast off all the lies,
And to myself am true.
I’ve tossed aside what they disguise,
No truthfulness to view.
But those still trapped within its walls
Continue to deny
The false pretense on which it falls
And all the facts belie.

They say that I have gone astray,
Apostatized, you see.
They ask me to just go away,
To simply quiet be.
But I must say my piece, at last,
My voice must now be heard.
And I don’t care if they’re aghast,
My words are not absurd.

The Mormon Church was built on lies,
Deception running deep.
So clear to me, no hows or whys,
That secret I can’t keep.
Oh no, the message that I speak
From research on my own,
For it is truth we all should seek,
And not feel we’re alone.

And so you cannot silence me,
The Mormon Church is wrong.
And no, I will not quiet be,
I’ll loudly sing this song.
I know the truth, I’m finally free
From Mormonism’s grip.
But I will not go silently,
My lips they cannot zip.

© Diane Tingen, 12/27/2012

DOES THE GOSPEL SEEM WRONG? LDS Hymn Parody #78

Here's another LDS hymn parody... #78.  Writing these hymn parodies is an interesting experience for me.  Like I've said before, it's very cathartic since it really helps me to work through my issues about the Mormon Church and the fact that I was lied to my entire life.  After discovering that there are so many lies laced throughout Mormonism, I came to the conclusion that Joseph Smith made the whole thing up out of thin air.  Of course, since history shows that he was a charlatan, shyster, and flim-flam man, that's not surprising.  As history shows, Joseph had run many scams before that, but Mormonism turned out to be his biggest hoax.  It is said that Joseph Smith was very charismatic, and because of that he was apparently able to convince a lot of people that he really was a "Prophet of God."  But that is SO NOT TRUE!!

I am so thankful that I finally looked at Mormonism with a critical eye, and began doing research on my own - beyond the facade, the pretense, and the outer shell of falsehoods, and found the actual truth.  Not a pleasant experience, as the picture above says, but unless we eradicate untruths from our lives, we will never reach that point of enlightenment.  But however "destructive" reaching that point of enlightenment was, and may at times continue to be, I wouldn't change anything because I am living an authentic life now, and that is what is most important to me.

DOES THE GOSPEL SEEM WRONG?

Sung to the tune of Does the Journey Seem Long? - #127

Does the gospel seem wrong,
Just deception and lies?
Does it simply not make any sense?
Were you filled with surprise
When you saw the deceit,
When you realized there’s no defense?

When I found out the truth,
I felt hurt and betrayed,
Very sad, I shed so many tears.
But I knew in my heart
And when I faced the facts,
I was lied to for so many years.

It is clear to me now
That the gospel’s not true,
And it’s obvious Joseph Smith lied.
Through my research I learned
The historical facts,
All the evidence I had denied.

When I thought it all through,
So apparent to see,
It is simply not the Word of God.
Can’t accept it on faith
When there’s evidence loud
Shouting “Yes, Mormonism’s a fraud.”

© Diane Tingen, 12/26/12

I FINALLY SAW THE LIES - LDS Hymn Parody #77

Here's LDS Hymn Parody #77 - another addition to the ever-expanding ExMormon Hymn Book.  Since this hymn parody is obviously self-explanatory, I won't go into a long drawn-out explanation.  Just suffice it to say that I'm so glad that I finally saw the lies laced throughout it all - and once that happened, I came to the conclusion that I could no longer be associated with a church that plays so fast and loose with the truth. 
 
I FINALLY SAW THE LIES

Sung to the tune of We Give Thee But Thine Own - #218

I finally saw the lies
Within the Mormon Church.
Deception they cannot disguise,
The truth for which I search.

For way too many years,
I tried to just believe.
But after shedding many tears,
I saw how they deceive.

The Prophet Joseph Smith
Created such a fraud.
So obvious it’s just a myth,
And not the Word of God.

And so, I walked away,
Rejected the deceit.
For in the end, I could not stay
Apostasy complete.

© Diane Tingen, 12/18/12

I KNOW THAT IT'S FILLED WITH DECEPTION - LDS Hymn Parody #76

Here's another LDS Hymn Parody... #76.  Writing a parody of "We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet" has been on my "to do" list for quite a while now.  Naturally, since I was born and raised Mormon, I remember singing it innumerable times over the years.  In fact, I even remember singing it during general conference in the Conference Center when it was still fairly new.  Of course, it has been sung at most general conferences since it was published in 1863 - and has been sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir many, many times (and is included on several of their albums, including an album entitled "Praise to the Man," which includes many hymns honoring "the Prophet" Joseph Smith). 
  
Since I no longer believe that the Mormon Church is led by a living Prophet (just as I don't believe that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God or "the Prophet of the Restoration" as Mormons refer to him), it gave me great satisfaction to write this new version.  As this hymn parody says, I KNOW THAT IT'S FILLED WITH DECEPTION, and I'm so thankful for that knowledge.  When I was questioning and as the conflicts I felt inside began to diminish, I began to feel a peace, joy and tranquility that permeated my life and finally made me happy.  After years of struggling, trying to "just believe" and accept it all with faith, I finally came to the conclusion that I was living in denial - that I was clinging to religion that was built on a stack of lies that made no sense.  It was such a relief to finally reach that point.  And so I bid Mormonism adieu - and I have never regretted that decision.  As the last line of this hymn parody says, "I could not continue to follow religion that works to deceive."

I KNOW THAT IT’S FILLED WITH DECEPTION

Sung to the tune of We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet - #19

I know that it’s filled with deception,
So clear from the research I’ve done.
Examining all of the doctrine,
I know that of truth there is none.
In going through its sordid history,
The facts that they try to disguise,
I fully reject Mormonism
Because it is nothing but lies.

I know Joseph Smith was a shyster,
Who made up an enormous fraud
By claiming that he was a Prophet,
And saying that he had seen God.
By researching, it is apparent
That none of what he said was true,
And what others say in the present
Are lies they continue to spew.

I'm thankful that I know the truth now,
Tranquility fills me inside.
Resolved are the conflicts that plagued me,
A joyousness I cannot hide.
And though I am labelled apostate
By Mormons who blindly believe,
I could not continue to follow
Religion that works to deceive.

© Diane Tingen, 11/30/12

OH WINTER NIGHT - Another Alternate Carol

OK, here's another alternate Carol for the Holidays.  "Oh Winter Night" (sung to the tune of O Holy Night).  This version was inspired by a comment by someone in the ExMormon Facebook group that I mentioned yesterday (when I posted my version of Silent Night), who said that he would appreciate it if I could write secular words to O Holy Night since it is his favorite and it is "just too damn religious" (with which I have to agree). 

To me, there is a huge distinction between being "religious" and "spiritual."  My version of this Carol dwells on love and the beauty of nature.  A person doesn't have to be spiritual, or even believe in God, to appreciate the beauty in the world and the wonder of nature.  Whether the world was created by God or is the result of the "Big Bang" doesn't matter to me.  It is awesome and beautiful no matter how it came to be.

Since this Holiday song is not in the LDS Hymn Book, my "revision" is not an LDS Hymn Parody, so I won't be adding it to my ExMormon Hymn Book...

OH WINTER NIGHT

Sung to the tune of O Holy Night

Oh Winter Night, the stars are shining brightly,
The falling snow lay in drifts on the ground.
Everything white in its glistening glory,
Majestic scene, picturesque and profound.
In Wintertime, the world is cold and icy,
So beautiful, a frozen wonderland.
Gaze on the world, and view all of its beauty,
In awe, serene, so infinite and grand.
Oh night, oh Winter Night, oh night serene.

Beauty infused in every waking moment,
With glowing hearts we rejoice every day.
Life is a gift so cherish every remnant,
Treasure each breath and don’t ever dismay.
In Wintertime, the world in solemn slumber,
Is draped in snow, magnificent and white.
Sing and rejoice, let's celebrate in Winter,
Behold the world, reflect on every sight,
And fill your heart with joy forevermore.

© Diane Tingen
11/29/12

SILENT NIGHT, PEACEFUL NIGHT - LDS Hymn Parody #75

Can't believe the 2012 Holiday Season is upon us!!  Recently, Jean Bodie posted something in an ExMormom Facebook group about needing alternate words to "Silent Night," because she can't choke out "Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child" anymore.  So of course, my brain cells started churning, and below is the result.

Of course, since this "Carol" is in the LDS Hymn Book, I'm including this one in my ExMormon Hymn Book and counting it toward my goal - which, with this one, I have now reached since this is #75.  Of course, since I have already have ideas for others to write, I'm going to just keep going until I totally run out of concepts.  There are a few other Holiday Songs for which I am going to attempt writing new words, including "O Holy Night" (since someone else in that Facebook group said that he would appreciate it if I could write secular words to that one since it is his favorite and it is "just too damn religious").  So stay tuned for that one... and some others...

And now, without further adieu, here is my version of Silent Night
(and there's not a virgin in sight)...

SILENT NIGHT, PEACEFUL NIGHT
Sung to the tune of Silent Night, #204

Silent night, peaceful night,
All the world, draped in white,
Drifted snow all over the ground,
Such serenity, nary a sound,
Fills my spirit with love,
Fills my spirit with love.

Silent night, peaceful night,
As I gaze, such a sight.

Peacefulness is filling my soul,

Love surrounding me, making me whole.

As I stand here in awe,
As I stand here in awe.

Silent night, peaceful night,
Fills my heart with delight.
Fantasies play out in my mind,
Winter wonderland, beauty defined,
Pure tranquility now,
Pure tranquility now.

Diane Tingen, 11/27/2012

WHEN I WAS QUESTIONING - LDS Hymn Parody #74

Looking back on the days when I was questioning whether what the Mormon Church teaches is true, I remember many moments when my gut feelings were that it is not.  But I continued to struggle with my conflicted feelings, wondering if I was misunderstanding the history and doctrine.  After all, I had been conditioned my entire life to just go along.  So in essence, my feelings of possible inadequacy were placed inside my psyche by Mormonism over the years.  They wanted me to think that it was all me.  They wanted me to think that I simply didn't have enough faith or wasn't "righteous enough" to fully comprehend the meaning behind it all.  Of course, that's how the Mormon Church traps people.  They work hard to make people think that if they try harder, pray more, read their scriptures more, attend church more, etc., etc., ad nauseum, then they will understand and it will all make sense.

But alas, that didn't work for me.  I continued to feel conflicted until I began to research it independently, and after a while, I realized that it is actually a fraud.  It wasn't me or my lack of faith that created the questioning inside me - it was the sordid history, doctrine and tenets of the Mormon Church.  The Mormons choose to believe that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God in spite of the facts and evidence against that assertion.  They choose to believe that Joseph Smith "restored the everlasting gospel to the earth" although the facts and evidence demonstrate otherwise.  To me, when the facts and evidence are against something that a person continues to insist is true, they are not demonstrating faith, but rather denial.  And as far as I'm concerned, TBMs  (true believing Mormons) are steeped in denial, big time.

Realizing that I had been lied to my entire life was a very painful revelation, but it is one for which I am very grateful - and I am very thankful that I will not be spending the rest of my entire life devoted to a religion that is obviously false.

My latest LDS hymn parody is set to the music for "Where Can I Turn for Peace?"  This used to be one of my favorite LDS hymns.  As I wrote this hymn parody, I kept thinking about the inner peace I found when I turned away from Mormonism.  No longer am I questioning.  My conflicted feelings have been replaced with a firm belief that Joseph Smith made the whole thing up - and others have spent many years perpetuating his lies for their own purposes.  I just wish TBMs would look at their religion with open minds, researching and examining its history and doctrine on their own, independent from the choke-hold that the Mormon Church imposes on its members.  Then, just maybe, they would come to the same conclusion as I did.

So here is my 74th Hymn Parody...

WHEN I WAS QUESTIONING
Sung to the tune of Where Can I Turn for Peace? #129

When I was questioning, looking for answers
To all the queries racing through my mind.
When with a wounded heart, seeing the errors,
I finally recognized, no truth I’d find.

The Mormon Church is filled with such deception,
When I examined it, I saw the lies.
Through sordid history to its false doctrine,
It is so clear to me, there’s no disguise.

I know that Joseph Smith was not a Prophet,
He simply made it up, that was his scheme.
He was a charlatan, there was no limit
To what he’d say or do, shyster supreme.

Why did I just believe in Mormonism
When it’s so obvious it is a fraud?
Opened my mind and then, there was a schism,
I knew without a doubt, not Word of God.

© Diane Tingen, 11/20/2012