THE LEAVING - ExMormon Song Parody (Tom Petty Classic)

Here's another ExMormon-themed song parody set to a Tom Petty song.  Yes, the leaving really was the hardest part.  From the point when I started my research (prior to going on a Mormon Church History Tour in the Summer of 2001) to the time when I realized that Mormonism is a total and complete fraud was a relatively short period of time.  But actually leaving?  That took much longer.  After all, I was born and raised Mormon, and spent 52 years as an active member.  So leaving was not an easy thing to do.  I hung on and hung on, thinking that maybe I was misunderstanding.  During that time, I held on firmly to the Mormon Mantra that I wasn't righteous enough to understand the intricacies of it all, that the ways of God are mysterious, and on and on, ad nauseum, blah, blah, blah...

My experience then was very similar to when I went to the Temple for the first time at 22 years old (the day before I got married in the Temple).  The Temple was so different than what I had imagined - full of symbolism, weird gestures, and strange hand signals, all of which was very disturbing at first glance (and second glance... and third glance... well, you get the picture).  But I bought into the Mormon Mantra then as well, tried to accept it on faith, and believed that if hung in there, read the scriptures, studied, prayed, and regularly attended my church meetings that eventually I would understand it all.  Never happened then - and it didn't happen later or during my AHA! moments when I finally realized that Mormonism was made up from the get-go (and began kicking myself for buying into it for so long).

So here's my latest song parody, which I'm posting with a huge thank you to Tom Petty for providing me with such great music as my inspiration.

THE LEAVING (was the Hardest Part)

Sung to the tune of The Waiting by Tom Petty

So happy, makes me feel like heaven right now,
And it feels like something from a dream.
Yeah, I've never known nothing quite like this,
And it feels so good since I finally got away,
It really doesn’t matter what the Mormons say,
But then no one coulda ever told me ‘bout this,
I said yeah yeah (yeah yeah)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah…

[Chorus]:
The leaving was the hardest part,
Every day I saw one more card,
I took it on faith, I took it to the heart,
The leaving was the hardest part.

Well yeah, I wish I’d found the lies a long time ago,
Too long I just went with the flow.
But then I saw I was out of touch,
I buried my head in the sand too much,
It took me a while to finally disavow
The Mormon ways and live like I wanna live now,
I said, yeah yeah (yeah yeah)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah…

[Chorus]:
The leaving was the hardest part,
Every day I went one more yard,
I took it on faith, I took it to the heart,
The leaving was the hardest part.

[Bridge:]
Oh, why did I just believe it before I saw the lies?
Why did I just believe it before I saw the lies?
After I realized, it took me quite a while
Before I walked away,
I stayed for much too long.

[Chorus]:

The leaving was the hardest part,
Every day I went one more yard,
I took it on faith, I took it to the heart,
The leaving was the hardest part.
Yeah, the leaving was the hardest part.

© Diane Tingen, 4/10/2015

A MORMON NO MORE (No, Not Me) - Song Parody (ala Tom Petty)

Here's another ExMormon-themed song parody I've written.  This one is set to the tune of a Tom Petty song (as was Even the Mormons, which I posted in December 2014).  As a side note, the video link is to a concert version of this song which Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers performed at Red Rocks (near Denver, Colorado) in October 2014 (an incredibly beautiful outdoor amphitheater to which I've been a few times since living in Colorado, but sadly not to this concert).  
Tom Petty is one of my favorite singers from way back in the 80's.  I find it interesting that so many of his songs elicit my inclination toward song parodies of the ExMormon ilk. I'm working on some other Tom Petty based song parodies, too, including: (1) The Leaving (was the Hardest Part), set to the tune of The Waiting; and (2) You Don't Know How it Feels (to be free), set to the tune of You Don't Know How it Feels (to be me).  Others I might post are ones like Refugee and I Won't Back Down, but those are the types that will probably require very few changes in the lyrics because they already fit the ExMormon theme so well.  In fact, when I drove to Salt Lake City in October 2010 for my first ExMormon Foundation Conference, Refugee was my anthem as I crossed over into Utah.

The below song parody is very self-explanatory, so I won't go into a long explanation of its meaning.  Basically, I'm a Mormon No More (aka MoMo NoMo) - and for that, I am very grateful.

A MORMON NO MORE (No, Not Me)

Sung to the tune of A Woman in Love (It's Not Me) by Tom Petty

They looked in my eyes, told me to stay,

Said “Don’t even doubt it, that would be crazy.
Why you doing research? You should just believe.”
But I didn’t stop it, that didn’t faze me.

[Chorus:]
I’m a Mormon no more,
I’m a Mormon no more,
When I really looked, it fell to pieces,
But they don't wanna see,
I’m a Mormon no more – oh no, not me.

Well alright, say what you want,
I walked away, never looked back.
I used to be the kind of Mormon
Who just went along, I just didn’t see the problem,
I simply went with the flow.

[Chorus:]
But I’m a Mormon no more,
I’m a Mormon no more,
When I really looked, it fell to pieces,
But they don't wanna see,
I’m a Mormon no more – I just let go.

[Bridge:]
Time after time, day after day,
I would look at it all
And it sounded crazy.
I don’t understand just why I stayed,
I don’t understand what compelled me,
I gave them everything and threw it all away on nothin’

[Chorus:]

But I’m a Mormon no more,
I’m a Mormon no more,
When I really looked, it fell to pieces,
But they don't wanna see,
I’m a Mormon no more – oh no, not me.

© Diane Tingen, 4/9/2015

COUNTERFEIT, A TOTAL SCAM - LDS Hymn Parody #111

Today is Easter Sunday - and it is also the Mormon Church's 185th Semi-Annual General Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. In the Christian World, Easter is a very sacred day - but in the Mormon World, it is apparently a day to condemn and attack. So far, there have been numerous different Conference speeches that have mentioned "real families" consisting of a marriage of only one man and one woman.  Apparently, L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve stressed the importance of opposing homosexuality, and also said, "We want our voice to be heard against all of the counterfeit and alternative lifestyles that try to replace the family organization that God Himself established."

Wow.  Counterfeit?  Obviously a case of the pot calling the kettle black.  The Mormon Church was founded by a man who, during his tenure as President and Prophet of that bogus organization, married at least 33 women, including 11 teenage girls and 10 women who were already married to living husbands - and he constantly lied about it.  Of course, after that man's death, another man took over his legacy and upped him considerably, marrying 55 women. Just how "Counterfeit" can you get?  Looking at the sordid history of the Mormon Church and examining its "doctrines," it is clear to me that Mormonism is not only counterfeit, but also a scam, a fraud, and a totally bogus religious organization.

The dictionary defines "counterfeit" as:  "an imitation intended to be passed off fraudulently or deceptively as genuine; forgery."  In my opinion, that is exactly what Joseph Smith did when he founded Mormonism - created a bogus organization which he passed off fraudulently and deceptive as genuine.  

The Mormon Church never ceases to amaze me.  "Judge not, lest ye be judged" obviously means nothing to them.  "Live and let live" is also a lost concept.  The Mormon Church's hard-line stance against gay and lesbians has caused massive damage to the psyches of so many gay Mormons, to the point of many committing suicide.  And yet they continue to berate and attempt to demean those individuals.  Not Christ-like at all.

And so, here is my 111th LDS hymn parody, set to the Easter-themed hymn, "He is Risen."

COUNTERFEIT, A TOTAL SCAM

Sung to the tune of He is Risen -#199

Mormonism, Mormonism,
Feel the love in all they say.
They condemn and spout their venom
At "apostates" every day.
Yet they say in solemn voice,
Praise the Lord, let us rejoice.

Christ-like love is touted loudly,
Loving everyone alike.
Yet their words are very empty
As they criticize and strike.
Such self-righteous hypocrites,
Calling others counterfeits.

Mormonism, Mormonism,
Counterfeit, a total scam.
Its true nature, hard to fathom,
But they just don’t give a damn.
As they talk on Easter Day,
It’s not love that they display.

© Diane Tingen, 4/5/2015

DON'T TAKE ME TO CHURCH

Since today is Sunday, I thought it would be fitting to post my latest song parody - "Don't Take Me to Church."

Of course, the original song is amazing.  So deep and thought-provoking.  I've watched some videos online in which Hozier explains his thoughts behind the song, and talks about his disillusionment with his own church and religion in general.  In one of those videos, he explains that he has very strong opinions on the topic, which is obvious from the lyrics he wrote.

Here's a quote from an article that appeared in Rolling Stone:  "Growing up, I always saw the hypocrisy of the Catholic Church.  The history speaks for itself and I grew up incredibly frustrated and angry.  I essentially just put that into my words."

You can read more here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Take_Me_to_Church

I'm completely amazed by the lyrics to this song.  Like I said, they have such depth and are so thought-provoking.  Here is a link where you can read all the lyrics:
http://www.metrolyrics.com/take-me-to-church-lyrics-hozier.html

Shortly after I started hearing this amazing song on the radio, my mind began to echo with the line, "Don't Take Me to Church," catapulting me back to my "end of Mormon days." Yes, after discovering the lies behind Mormonism, its sordid history, and the final realization that it is completely bogus, I finally walked away, having been complacent for far too long.  Not content to just go along for one more second.  Comfortably numb no longer.

So I ended up writing this song parody, which was a challenge since the song is so unique. And now sometimes when I heard this song on the radio, I sing my own lyrics.  I hope Hozier will forgive me for commandeering his incredible song for my own purposes.

DON’T TAKE ME TO CHURCH

Sung to the tune of Take Me to Church by Hozier

My mind was electric,
Even though I felt pathetic,
I finally studied Mormon history,
I should've looked so much sooner.

Bogus doctrines, clearly phony,

Final straw to hit me.
Every Sunday now a blessing,
Not so depressing,
“Just believe it,” I heard them say it.

My church offered no consolation
Once deception was apparent,
The only question that’s remaining
Is why I was believing.
I was Mormon, but I left it,
So glad I saw the light.
Dead end.  Dead end.  Dead end.

[Chorus – 2x]:
Don't take me to church,
I finally got away after wasting my life
On nothing but lies, but the deception is clear,
Finally faced reality,
Good God, would you leave me alone.

If I'm a heathen, then so be it,
I’m now in the sunlight.
The term apostate is their word,
And their boundaries are too blurred,
They go on blindly,
To put it mildly.

Something phony for the main course,
They should get off their high horse.
What you got at the table?
Nothing more than myth and fable.
What you showed us,
That is bogus.
That is full of lies.

[Chorus – 2x]:
Don’t take me to church,
I finally got away after wasting my life
On nothing but lies, but the deception is clear,
Finally faced reality,
Good God, would you leave me alone.

[Bridge]:

I know for a fact that it’s bogus throughout,
I have researched it completely and found all the lies.
When removed from the madness of what they dispense,
Only then I am happy,
Only then I am free.
Amen.  Amen.  Amen.

[Chorus – 2x]:
Don’t take me to church,
I finally got away after wasting my life
On nothing but lies, but the deception is clear,
Finally faced reality,
Good God, would you leave me alone.

© Diane Tingen

3/8/2015

BECAUSE I FOUND THE TRUTH AT LAST - LDS Hymn Parody #110

Here's my 110th LDS Hymn Parody.  110 has been my goal for quite some time, and there for a while, I didn't think I was going to make it - but I did!!  I'm not sure why I haven't parodied this hymn before this except that the music for it is not on the list of LDS hymns on their website because of "copyright issues." But, naturally, with the internet as expansive as it is today, I was able to find the music on YouTube, and there is a link to that version below.

Of course, the words to this parody expound on a recurring theme in many of my writings, the fact that Mormonism is replete with lies and deception.  Sadly, I went along my entire life, believing what I was taught, and it wasn't until much later in my life (beginning when I was 52) that I did actual research on my own and discovered that I had been duped all along.  Yes, I was complacent, and I regret that now.  But on the other hand, at least I'm not spending my entire life trapped behind the Mormon Curtain.

BECAUSE I FOUND THE TRUTH AT LAST

Sung to the tune of Because I Have Been Given Much - #219

Because I found the truth at last, I had to leave.
Because of all the lies, the fact that they deceive,
I had to turn and walk away,
So very clear I could not stay,
I’m done with all the games they play.

Because the Mormon Church is filled with many lies,
The truth behind it all they think they can disguise.
But if you look, you might agree,
And though it was a shock to me,
So glad that I am finally free.

Because I finally did some research on my own,
And finally saw the lies I should have always known.
Too many years, I went along,
And now I know that I was wrong
To be complacent for so long.

© Diane Tingen

1/23/2015

RANDOM DISCUSSIONS

Want to share an interesting discussion I recently had about Mormonism, kind of "out of the blue."  I'm a Legal Secretary at a law firm in downtown Denver, and I just started working with a new attorney.  Last week, he came by my desk to ask me to do something, and we got into a discussion which included the fact that he was born and raised in Fort Collins, Colorado.  This lead to me telling him that my mother was born and raised in Loveland, Colorado, which isn't very far from Fort Collins.  Then I mentioned that I was in Loveland for the first time in October (on my way to Estes Park), and that I went by Loveland Park Cemetery to find my grandparents' gravesites, and that while I was there, I took pictures of their gravesites (and also my two uncles' gravesites which also turned out to be there).  Then I mentioned genealogy, and told him that before she passed away, my mother had done our genealogy way back, and that after her death my brother took it over and later submitted it to the Mormon Church's genealogy website, www.familysearch.org.

When I told him that I was born and raised Mormon but had left the church about 10 years ago after realizing that it is a bogus religion, his eyes lit up and we launched into a 20-minute discussion about Mormonism, during which he told me that he is Christian and goes to a non-denominational church, but that Mormonism has always fascinated him because it makes no sense and yet intelligent people adhere to it seemingly without questions or doubt.  Of course, I told him that this aspect of Mormonism has baffled me since leaving the Mormon Church - the fact that there are a lot of very intelligent people in the Mormon Church who use critical thinking in all aspects of their lives EXCEPT when it comes to Mormonism.

During our discussion, I told him that I didn't discover the truth behind Mormonism until the Summer of 2001 when I (finally) started doing some independent research.  Having been born and raised in the Mormon Church, I had just "gone along" for all those years, and was deterred from doing independent research because of the Church's directive to only study in "approved areas," which as I now know is one of the signs of a cult.  Of course, that directive also includes the Mormon Church characterizing anything negative about Mormonism as "Anti-Mormon Propaganda," a phrase that, in my opinion, is designed to keep people from venturing into areas that the Mormon Church wants them to avoid.  

It was great discussing Mormonism with him, and it was especially great hearing what he already knew about the sordid history of the Mormon Church, including Joseph Smith's venture into polygamy and polyandry; the Book of Mormon (and its questionable origins); the Book of Abraham (and the fact that it was supposedly translated from some papyrus that Joseph Smith found, and that although it has since been proven that the "translation" is not accurate, the Mormon Church still adheres to it as actual scripture); the Three Degrees of Glory, including the Celestial Kingdom; and so on.  It's great to know that others outside of Mormonism, who have never been Mormon, know so much about the Mormon Church and its fallacies.

Our discussion ended with agreeing to talk about Mormonism some more when time permits, and I'm looking for to discussing all of this with him again - and hearing more of what he already knows.  Just fascinating.

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...