Deceit

Recently I engaged in a candid conversation with a fence-sitting Mormon about my deconversion. Among my many reasons I mentioned the fact that Mormon scholars and the LDS church both agree that the Egyptian scrolls of papyrus Joseph Smith purchased have nothing to do with the Book of Abraham. It is not a literal translation as the founder claimed. This was news to my Mormon friend. I also brought up the fact that Mormon historians agree Joseph Smith claimed to translate the Book of Mormon by looking at a rock in a hat; a rock that he found as a kid in a well and not the supposed Urim and Thummim found with the plates. At this point she was quite visibly upset. Having been a Mormon for some 30 years she was learning these historic facts for the very first time. I’m certain she is not the only uninformed Mormon.

This is one of my biggest problems with the Mormon church. By all means, I support the freedom of all to believe in whatever they imagine is truth. I don’t even have a problem with the Mormons’ extreme missionary effort. However, it is dishonest to only teach the good and happy bits. Having been a Mormon missionary for a full two years, I can speak from experience about what is taught. Joseph Smith saw God, translated new scriptures, revealed new commandments to not drink coffee, oh and by the way there’s a super bonus heaven. But they don’t mention the differing accounts of the first vision, how Smith translated the new scriptures or the non-matching Egyptian papyrus, don’t provide supporting evidence as to why coffee is a new sin, or mention the Masonic handshakes and passwords required to enter bonus heaven.

Secular morality is typically defined differently than religious morality. The essential key to all moral decisions is informed consent. I have yet to think of a situation where this does not apply. When Mormon missionaries baptize a new willing convert, it is under the pretense of only the good bits of Mormonism. The new convert is consenting, but not fully informed. These baptisms are dishonest and immoral. Also, in the case of parents baptizing eight year old children there are additional issues to be addressed. First, it must be considered that a chicken-nugget-eating cartoon-watching bed-wetting child is capable of serious rational complex decision impacting the rest of their lives and possibly eternity. The government has set the age of individual consent at 18, but Mormonism has revealed the age to be decade sooner. Some argue that early conversion of gullible trusting children is more successful for membership growth. The other issue is teaching children only the good bits of the religion.

My opinion is that if any new convert, child or adult, is completely informed of all the good AND bad bits of Mormonism, they will be less than confident with a decision to be baptized. Missionaries encourage those who are unsure to pray that they might feel the spirit and know. The problem, however, is that the pray ’n feel teaching is not unique to Mormonism. Other religions pray to their respective deity and also receive good feelings. There is no reasonably certain way to distinguish the difference between “the spirit” and personal emotion.

This week, as a bit of reader participation, I would like you to comment on what you consider the most shocking Mormon truth. Is the fact that Joseph Smith had sex with a 14-year old or the founders numerous legal charges for a disorderly person, illegal banking, conspiracy to murder, threatening a judge, treason, perjury, inciting a riot, and so on. Doesn't have to just be about Joseph Smith. There’s so much to choose from. Thank you for your comments and feedback.