Image Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcQthyiTA7c

I’m putting together a comprehensive list of the problems with Mormonism. Please provide input. What did I leave out? What would you change? What should I remove? Thanks in advance!!!!

  1. Joseph Smith’s character
    1. Joseph Smith’s practice of folk magic and treasure digging was deeply problematic
    2. Joseph Smith’s first vision has significant credibility problems
    3. Kirtland Bank scandal
    4. Joseph Smith silencing and maligning critics
    5. Joseph Smith’s practice of Polygamy was deeply abusive and not of God
    6. Joseph went crazy at the end (Militarism, King of the World, Nauvoo expositor)
  2. Fraudulent Scripture
    1. Old Testament is not historically credible, culturally problematic
    2. New Testament is not historically credible, culturally problematic
    3. The Book of Abraham was not a translation, as Joseph Smith claimed taught
    4. The Book of Mormon is not a record of ancient Americans as Joseph Smith claimed, but instead is a 19th century work of fiction/plagiarism
      1. Sources/plagiarism
      2. Translation process (peep stone, hat, no use of plates)
      3. Anachronisms
      4. DNA
    5. The Doctrine and Covenants has been altered repeatedly
    6. Joseph Smith translation of New Testament is plagiarism of Biblical commentary
    7. Kinderhook plates
  3. Authority and truth claims
    1. Mormon claims around the Melchizedek priesthood are deeply problematic
    2. The Mormon church’s claims of exclusive authority are prideful, insulting, and damaging to many
    3. Mormon epistemology (feelings = truth) is deeply problematic
    4. Mormon prophets, seers, and revelators do not prophesy, see, or reveal
      1. Care about stupid things.  Ignore super important things
      2. Always 30 years behind the progressive world in social justice
    5. Doctrine has changed in major ways.  Inconsistent.
  4. Sexuality
    1. Sex-negative vs. a sex-positive culture
    2. The Mormon church’s teaching around modesty are damaging to girls, boys, women, and men
    3. The Mormon church fosters destructive shame with its masturbation policies
    4. The Mormon church allows adults to ask deeply inappropriate and sexually explicit questions alone to children and adults
    5. The problems with prohibiting pre-marital sex
    6. The Mormon Church has harmed generations of LGBTQ people
      1. Teaching that being LGBTQ is an abomination.  Depression/suicide epidemic.
      2. Conversion therapy
      3. Mixed-orientation marriages
      4. Celibacy
      5. November 2015 policy
      6. Opposing same-sex, committed love
  5. Gender
    1. The Mormon church treats women like 2nd class citizens
    2. The Mormon church treats trans-gender issues in harmful ways
  6. Families
    1. The Mormon church strains, divides, and breaks up families
      1. Beliefs are prioritized over relationships
    2. Keeping non-Mormons or unorthodox members out of temple, weddings
  7. Dishonesty, Abuse
    1. The Mormon church has been deeply dishonest about its historical belief and practices regarding polygamy
      1. Originally denying the practice of polygamy
      2. Post-Manifesto polygamy
      3. Claiming now the polygamy is neither doctrinal nor practiced
    2. The Mormon church has systematically hidden and obfuscated its problematic history for generations, and intentionally misled it members.
    3. Examples of abuse/dishonesty
      1. B.H. Roberts
      2. Richard Lyman
      3. Juanita Brooks
      4. Fawn Brodie
      5. Eugene England
      6. Leonard Arrington
      7. Paul Dunn
      8. George P. Lee
      9. Jerald/Sandra Tanner
      10. Mark Hofmann scandal
      11. Brent Metcalfe
      12. Swedish Rescue
      13. September 6
      14. John Dehlin
      15. Sam Young
      16. Bill Reel
      17. Kate Kelly/Ordain Women
      18. Denver Snuffer
    4. The Mormon church defends abusers at the expense of victims
    5. The Mormon church silences, excommunicates, and shuns its critics
    6. Mormon church behaves like a destructive cult in many ways (BITE model)
    7. Leaders do not model Christlike love.  No humility. No apologies.
    8. Maligning and mischaracterizing those who leave
    9. Finances
      1. No financial transparency.
      2. Supporting consumerism/materialism (vs. BOM and Christ’s teachings)
      3. Inadequate support of charity
  8. Rituals
    1. The Mormon temple ceremony is a rip-off from Masonry
    2. Mormon temple work for the dead is inefficient and disrespectful to those who have died.
    3. Up to 80% of Mormon baptisms for the dead are repeats and thus a waste of time.
    4. Second Anointing
  9. Spirituality
    1. The Mormon church worships Joseph Smith more than Jesus
    2. The Mormon church does not encourage real/true spiritual development and maturity
  10. Racism
    1. The core narrative of the Book of Mormon is racist
    2. Mormon leaders have taught egregiously racist teachings since its inception
    3. Indian Placement program
    4. Mormon leadership is excessively white, Utah/Idaho-based, and non-representative of its cultural membership worldwide
    5. Cultural colonialism/genocide in modern church experience
  11. Doctrine
    1. Doctrine of polygamy devalues women, encourages abuse, causes sadness/anxiety
  12. Culture
    1. Devaluing/denouncing science
    2. History of violence (Council of 50, Mountain Meadows)
    3. Mormon Word of Wisdom is outdated, silly in parts, inconsistently applied
    4. Excessively conservative/Republican in harmful ways
    5. Inappropriate political involvement
      1. Prop 8
    6. Boring/irrelevant
    7. Children are brainwashed, baptized too early
    8. Difficult for single people
    9. Difficult for divorcees
    10. Mission culture
      1. Cultlike missionary culture
      2. Missionaries needlessly put in harm’s way
      3. Corrupt baptisms
    11. BYU students punished if earnestly lose faith
    12. Doctrine encourages focus on next life, but neglect of this one
    13. Culture of perfectionism can lead to anxiety, depression, suicidality
    14. Mormon apologetics are cowardly, deceptive, unchristlike
    15. A history of devaluing valuable mental health resources, therapists
    16. Culture of pyramid schemes, superstition, fraud

 

51 Comments

  1. Harold Huff March 31, 2019 at 2:50 pm - Reply

    Unwillingness of Mormon leadership to have dialogue with members/former members, like Sam Young, about horrible policies, etc. It seems if there ever is a round table with Mormon leadership they like to control the narrative, venue, etc.

    • Matthew Mitchell July 19, 2021 at 9:07 am - Reply

      Agreed if you criticize the church you face excommunication, shunning, losing family ties, cut from school because of the honor code!

  2. Don March 31, 2019 at 2:52 pm - Reply

    In section 12 (Culture) I would add leader worship and the pharisaical posturing of GAs and Q15.

  3. Jacob H March 31, 2019 at 3:08 pm - Reply

    Idolatry of “priesthood authority” and putting men between individuals and God

  4. Alana March 31, 2019 at 3:13 pm - Reply

    Tithing is encouraged to be paid before paying for food and medical care for your family.

    • Kaylee April 15, 2021 at 3:30 pm - Reply

      Actually while tithing is encouraged and it is only ten percent, if one cannot afford to pay tithing then they are provided help by our bishopric, (food, service). Tithing is not put before food and medical care. But if one is leading a steady life then yes, tithing is encouraged.

      • Ronald Sharp April 25, 2021 at 1:24 am - Reply

        But no tithing, no temple recommend. Sorry don’t want to buy my way in. I know too many persons who are more christ like than most LDS temple attendees. Recall myself 2 apostles have been replaced for behaviors so far in my life. Have witnessed 2 bishops convicted of spouse abuse and both wives left the church. Also knew of stake president caught having sex with other than his wife. Heavenly inspiration in the LDS church is fiction.

        • Erick MacSparran December 21, 2021 at 9:52 am - Reply

          I forgot the title of the bishops right hand man, but mine, while I was in high-school, stole my oxycodone medication he was holding on to for me (I had a broken arm) while at a young men’s camp out. Then he got caught breaking into a ward members house and stealing pills.

      • Paul Douglas June 16, 2021 at 6:27 am - Reply

        I am sure you believe this Kaylee, but there are many talks from GSs admonishing members, even in poor countries, to pay their tithing before they feed their children.

      • Harrison Peterson July 28, 2021 at 12:35 pm - Reply

        But they “strongly encourage” you to pay before everything else.

      • Mike December 11, 2021 at 10:14 am - Reply

        If everything we need to know about God and his life instructions is in the Holy Bible, why do we need the book of mormon? God didn’t decide 2,000 years later to say, “oh crap, I need to send Joseph Smith to add some things I should have said when I sent my son Jesus.”

  5. Micki March 31, 2019 at 3:18 pm - Reply

    Joseph’s practice of abortion among his wives. You hear often that Joseph had no polygamous offspring. The reason of this is Abortion was practiced on a large scale in Nauvoo. Dr. John C. Bennett.

    Hyrum Smith’s account of the abortions: http://rsc.byu.edu/archived/joseph-smith-prophet-and-seer/joseph-smith-john-c-bennett-and-extradition-attempt-1842

    Sarah Marinda Bates Source:
    http://olivercowdery.com/smithhome/1886WWyl.htm#pg061a

    William Law source:
    https://www.mrm.org/law-interview

    http://archive.org/stream/josephsmithproph00wylrich#page/58/mode/2up/search/abortion

  6. Harold Huff March 31, 2019 at 3:33 pm - Reply

    Background checks? Culture shift? Some therapists, members argue Latter-day Saints need to do more to vet their leaders.

    https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2019/03/29/background-checks-culture/

  7. steve March 31, 2019 at 4:33 pm - Reply

    A belief in prosperity gospel.

    Time requirements of many callings disrupt healthy family life.

  8. Duane March 31, 2019 at 5:19 pm - Reply

    Under 12.5, you could add Equal Rights Amendment after Prop 8.

  9. Robert (Randy) Ragan March 31, 2019 at 5:49 pm - Reply

    Where Joseph Smith said he did more than Christ: “Come on! ye prosecutors! ye false swearers! All hell, boil over! Ye burning mountains, roll down your lava! for I will come out on top at last. I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam. A large majority of the whole have stood by me. Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him; but the Latter-day Saints never ran away from me yet…When they can get rid of me, the devil will also go.” (History of the Church, Vol. 6, p. 408, 409)

  10. Ezra March 31, 2019 at 6:18 pm - Reply

    Exclusiveness that is not Christlike:

    Exclusiveness and games of “one up-man-ship” that go against the spirit of Christ’s teachings, is particularly evident in Temple practices that divide and hurt families. For example, the most important and most sacred concept in all of Christianity is Christ’s sacrifice; the Atonement. Each Sunday all are welcome to partake of the Sacrament, and talks about the Atonement are a message of love for all…..no exclusiveness applied for this most sacred ordinance of the Sacrament.

    My “still small voice” tells me loud and clear, that separating families, in the “here and now” on one of the most important family days of their life is so, so wrong. The whole Temple thing is the residue of polygamous secret weddings and Masonic Rituals that were “cut and pasted” into Mormonism by Joseph Smith, an example of creativity gone wrong….a master at cutting and pasting other’s ideas. As Richard Bushman said in Rough Stone Rolling, “Joseph had a ‘green thumb’ for growing ideas from tiny seeds”. He did it with the Book of Mormon, Book of Abraham, and the Temple rituals….all man made…. I’m sorry to say, as a life-long older member of the church.

    My next comment that follows, will be on a subject that I’ve not yet heard in Mormon discussions of criticism or apologetic writings. This subject has to do with the lack of art and music in the life of the young Joseph and his family, and how this cultural ‘blind spot’ was manifested in his writings and the characters in the Book of Mormon.

  11. Chris March 31, 2019 at 6:40 pm - Reply

    Pharisaic culture: wear white shirts, beards and moustaches not allowed for leaders and temple workers, BYU students, must stand when leaders enter room, wearing of fine apparel encouraged, marginalization of poor, leaders sit in the best seat in room (red chairs), nepotism in hiring and in higher church callings, members told that leaders never err, that they must trust absolutely i their local and church leaders, pressure to accept every calling, members aspire to callings for spiritual validation, shunning and gas-lighting of members abused by leaders, bishops told to call Kirtin and Mc Konkie if they see abuse and are routinely told by church Attorneys not to report abuse.

  12. Ezra March 31, 2019 at 8:59 pm - Reply

    A missing component in the nature and nurturing of Joseph Smith:

    Art and Music was essentially void in Joseph’s life. No piano, guitar, fiddle, banjo, harmonica, crayons, paper and coloring pencils, watercolors to experiment with, like my grandchild enjoys so much, or radio stations, concerts to attend, or art museums to inspire…..just church hymns and the King James Bible. While art and music was exploding in Europe during this time, it was not to be found as an influence in Joseph’s young life, in the culture of his family and neck of the woods.

    If the Book of Mormon, which spans a thousand years, was a real history and “voice from the dust”, this voice would have more mention of art, color, music, and culture. Of all its many writers surely they would have included more about their art, in their time capsule, that was to help “convince the jew and gentile” that this was a real record. Instead the Book of Mormon only mentions two colors…white and black, for “white and delight-some” and “a skin of Blackness”. How sad that color was only used to describe righteousness and wickedness. The Book of Mormon is literally colorless in more than one way. No Songs of Solomon, not a single poem, or mention of cultural arts that may have brought joy to their lives. There is certainly plenty of evidence of the arts in Ancient America.

    Art and music balances our lives. It was missing in Joseph’s life and his creative output shows this. This blind-spot in his thinking was passed on to the supposed writers of the Book of Mormon. This is one more evidence, to me, of Joseph being the author, without even mentioning the problems with science, archaeological evidences, anachronisms, or the evidences “cut and paste” plagiarisms.

  13. Bryant April 1, 2019 at 1:25 pm - Reply

    10. Mission culture . I would add pressure for youth to go regardless of level(s) of preparation. Shame, depression and anxiety if missionary comes home for health or other reasons.

  14. Charlotte April 2, 2019 at 5:41 pm - Reply

    Biggest problem for me – the Priesthood was restored. When Christ died on the cross (atoned for us on the CROSS, not in the Garden of Gethsemane) the veil in the temple was torn in two (“rent in twain from the top to the bottom”). This signified that there was nothing between us and access to God anymore. Yet the Priesthood was restored by the LDS church creating a hierarchy for men and a type of slavery for women and causing rampant abuse and feelings of superiority by the all powerful leaders. Another class system is also seen by the belief of 3 degrees of glory and another by the war in heaven (favoring white skin). So glad after 49 years in a bizarre belief system, the scales finally dropped from my eyes.

  15. Emma April 8, 2019 at 1:49 pm - Reply

    John, Thanks so much for your work on this.

    Your list is great!!

    All the problems with Mormonism can be summed up with these thoughts

    JS and the church today don’t do or say what Christ would do or say. JS created the cult to gain power money and sex. It is based on corruption, lies, promises and threats. The leaders require blind obedience. Members promise to give everything (including money, time and talents) they have to the church leaders. They put obedience to leaders above everyone and everything. Members are required to stop thinking for themselves. They are not allowed to question what leaders tell them to think or do. It is a cult that controls the minds and actions of its members. Leaders and members cruelly reject those who don’t follow these requirements.

    I know the list could be endless, I realize you will have to prioritize

    We do need this list–for those who left and those who remain in the church.

    I think these are the most damning facts

    JS wasn’t just a polygamist. He was a sexual predator under the guise of polygamy. — He made Sexual advances, married and had sex with underage girls (14- 18) He groomed girls from early childhood (7-12 yrs.) He used his religious authority to manipulate and control with threats and promises… … he also married underage girls who were financially and emotionally dependent on him. (Including step daughters and girls under his care) He lied to others about his relationships with these young girls, and told the girls to keep it secret. His behavior was more like pedophile than polygamy.

    Joseph misused his authority and did immoral things under the guise of polygamy. It wasn’t simply marrying multiple single women… He sent leaders on missions and married their wives in secret. He married close friends wives. (With the promise all the children of the other husband would be sealed to Him in the next life.) He married sisters, and mothers and daughters. He lied to Emma. There is no way he could have been a prophet of God

    I just don’t think you can cover this with saying polygamy abuse—it was sexual abuse. He was a sexual predator

    But many need further proof. All the additional information you will list is just the logical outcome of a corrupt man creating a cult to gain power, sex and money.

    Some ideas

    History;

    Blood atonement

    Church discipline and excommunication

    Danita’s—JS enforcers stole and looted from nonmembers in Missouri

    JS went court many times for illegal activity

    JS escaped from Missouri jail illegally

    JS and BY did not follow word of wisdom

    Temple oaths almost identical to masons

    Temple included complete naked washing and anointing

    Temple included secret Blood oaths of loyalty to leaders above all else

    Polygamy is required to live with Christ and family eternally

    BY: Kill interracial couple who sleeps together

    JS political ambitions

    Polygamy revelation given many years after polygamy practiced.

    Emma threatened destruction if she did not accept polygamy

    Real circumstances B of M witnesses

    Early Mormon leaders speak about JS sins

    William Law and the destruction of the printing press

    Garments and word of wisdom

    Promise that all people will turn white as they become righteous.

    Today

    Nonmember or unworthy loved ones are excluded from marriages

    Temple (to be with Christ and family eternally) — requires paying money monthly

    Leaders ignore and or discipline rape victims at BYU (run by church leaders)

    Sexual explicit questions to teens by male leader

    Sexually explicit questions and rejection of BYU students

    Sexually explicit questions by male leaders to adults who are sexually sinning.

    Church ignoring child/adult abuse victims of church leaders

    Church refusing to discipline male abusers

    Leaders and members shame those who do not follow cultural standards; dress, entertainment, body piercings, tattoos, hair, etc. etc.

    Members and leaders shame and reject those who question doctrine or leaders

    Most doctrine and teachings have been altered through the years.

    Suggestion: —can you give a topic with each name on your list examples of abuse and dishonesty?

    Looking forward to your completed list.

  16. Vern Liljenquist November 12, 2019 at 10:00 am - Reply

    Well, I think that about covers it.

  17. Dion grace November 13, 2019 at 4:31 pm - Reply

    Families can be together forever, through heavenly fathers plan, EXCEPT ON DIFFERENT PLANETS. because I want my own.lol

  18. Ken Latchers June 14, 2020 at 12:51 pm - Reply

    polygamy racism and sexual predator stuff sure. But some of the things in here are also anti-biblical. In your world view you might think that things like homosexuality are fine, but the scripture specifically teaches against it.

    So if you’re trying to sterilize all world religions that violate your world view point, then this list is useless.

  19. Branagan September 25, 2020 at 8:40 pm - Reply

    1:6 Joseph went CRAZY at the end (Militarism, King of the World, Nauvoo expositor)

    I WOULD CHANGE the word CRAZY to EGOCENTRIC. Crazy just sounds biased and can only be proven through personal opinion of what “crazy” is. EGOCENTRIC fits (Militarism, King of the World, Nauvoo expositor)

  20. John Payzant November 15, 2020 at 1:06 pm - Reply

    Interesting facts about the Church

  21. Will February 21, 2021 at 9:26 am - Reply

    As an ex-Mormon, most of these points are reasonable and realistic but the current Church does so much for charity in my community. 78 percent of the food in our local Food Bank was donated by the church. The current leaders are making steps towards repairing the damage their religion has caused towards myself and others.

    • Harrison Peterson July 28, 2021 at 12:42 pm - Reply

      What about the billions starving in impoverished countries?

  22. Andy February 26, 2021 at 10:00 pm - Reply

    The entire premise of the church is that all other churches had it wrong and that Joseph Smith was bringing back the one true and correct church with everything restored correctly and perfectly through the power of God.
    The original translation was supposed to be perfect thru the power of God. It’s been edited and altered many times.
    The original temple rituals were supposed to be perfect – they’ve been altered.

    And the most powerful one for me – this is what opened my eyes and made me leave: Just read the transcriptions of the revelations. Those are supposed to be exact, word for word conversations with God. God sounds like a scam artist caught in a lie he’s trying to cover up – could it be …. oh, I don’t know … maybe Joseph making stuff up to get things he wanted?

  23. Average Mormon September 22, 2021 at 6:02 pm - Reply

    Thank you for compiling this list! As a current member, I am looking for ways to better my understanding and misunderstanding instead of throwing everything under the rug. I cant turn a blind eye to half these topics, so I’m gonna try and find out more about them!

  24. John Cunningham November 27, 2021 at 11:25 am - Reply

    The aaronic priesthood was of only the tribe of levi.
    The melchizedek priesthood was a canninite priesthood.
    See the baby melchizedek story. He was born fully clothed, speaking & circumcised.
    The hook that all abrahamic religions use in eternal life.
    There god died went to heaven and has not returned.
    If and when he does. Every one is resurrected and those who are still alive are changed in a twinking of an eye.
    That hasn’t happened. So either the bible and jesus are wrong or it wasn’t jesus.
    How did Joseph Smith identify those who appeared to him.
    Brass was not invented until about the time the plates were found.
    The names did not exist in any available languages.

  25. Kris Murphy May 8, 2022 at 6:36 pm - Reply

    I will give you a list of things that as a LDS “Lifer” chronologically initiated questions and raised DOUBTS.

    The Pre 1978 Period regarding the unworthiness of “Blacks” in the Pre Existence. I was in high school at the time of the “Revelation” and before that, I had passed along The Church’s explanation. THIS POLICY basically justified what those in favor of Slavery, the KKK, and Jim Crow Laws were doing…since The Church’s Policy was a form of slavery (tithing without full blessings), KKK Doctrine (Blacks were inferior), and Jim Crow (Blacks were not entitled to the same level of rights).

    Later, when I went through the Temple for the first time in 1982, I was shocked at the ritualistic “throat slitting” and “disembowelment” penalties that have NOW been removed. The Penalties, Secret Handshakes and Passwords, and Arrangement of Special Clothing seemed to have little to do with the New Testament or ANYTHING Christ ever said. And, the Content of the Temple Ceremony was devoid of any significant revelations to me about God, Christ, Adam & Eve, The Fall. Nothing really new.

    The Entire Mark Hoffman Debacle caused the common question of HOW could The Prophet and other “prophets, seers, and revelators” be SO DECEIVED (The Church of Jesus Christ be SO DECEIVED) on so many topics and documents?

    In the 1990’s I read some histories of the “Nauvoo Period” written by active LDS Authors. I became convinced that Joseph Smith was a narcissistic, megalomaniac leader who apparently placed himself in a position of power whenever possible. And, that the destruction of the Press, that printed the Nauvoo Expositor was a serious unconstitutional action by Mayor, Justice of the Peace, General of the Nauvoo Legion, President and Prophet of the LDS Church. (And I found when I read the Nauvoo Expositor, that it apparently was actually accurate and true…NOT what I was taught during my life attending Primary, Sunday School and Seminary) I read about things that conflicted with The Narrative of The Church… which I had been taught since I was old enough to understand the English language. While I was aware of polygamy, I had no idea how it started or was practiced by Joseph & Hyrum SECRETLY and THAT JOSEPH HAD LIED ABOUT DOING DO PUBLICLY.

    With the expansion of content and access via the Internet, I became aware of DETAILS OF CHURCH HISTORY that completely conflicted with the STANDARD NARRATIVE CORRELATED BY THE CHURCH. That Joseph had married over 3 DOZEN women and GIRLS, some as young as 14. That there were multiple Versions of The First Vision, the first of which was not written down until 1832…12 years after the fact. The there is no evidence Joseph told ANYONE about The First Vision until a decade after it occurred. (And realized that The First Vision was not the reason why The Church was formed in 1830) . Toss in the Book of Abraham question and the fact that Joseph got almost everything wrong about the Facsimiles, and the Egyptian Language, it’s clear he could not translate…and that his ability to produce “The Book of Abraham” pointed to a talent that he had, that over time he could create “scripture”…. The Book of Mormon too???

    Things like the history of Masonic Activity and its direct relation to The Temple Ceremonies, penalties, handshakes, passwords and clothing.

    One of the things that had bothered me for years was after my Wife and I visited Nauvoo and found out that initially Joseph and family lived in almost squalid conditions, before “receiving the revelation” in D&C 124:56, which reeked of a self-serving message from Jesus, for The Church to build Joseph and Family a mansion. (The Stock Scheme laid out by Christ in that Section is patently fabricated…since I can’t imagine The Lord commanding anything so temporal.)

    And over the past few years, I’ve become aware, FOR THE FIRST TIME, of ALL of the ISSUES listed above by “Mormon Stories.” ALL OF WHICH APPARENTLY ARE TRUE AND ACCURATE!!!…and CONFLICT with The Church’s Narrative about its history. Correlated LDS History does not stand up to The Internet.

    Now we have The Church ADMITTING to all sorts of embarrassing, faith eroding, frustrating history and facts. That Prophets and Apostle’s PERSONAL RACISM drove the Policy of The Church for over 100 years. That the “Golden Plates” were not directly translated and not used in the process, but that it was a “peep stone” in a hat process…the SAME PROCESS Joseph used FOR YEARS in his money digging operations.

    Over time, and one after another, doubts and shaking my head moments occurred. Now, I’m still a Member of The Church, I guess deep down I hope there is some explanation, but, I’m about 98% GONE.

    Hope this helps with The List of Issues and Topics that THE CHURCH needs to honestly address.

    As a Lifetime Member of The Church, I am owed answers to the conflicts in the Correlated Narratives I was taught vs the Actual Church History…including omissions and distortions.

  26. Jule Eberle May 14, 2022 at 1:30 pm - Reply

    My mother was abused and impregnated by an Elder of a church in Pocatello, Idaho. She was an adult at 22, but had sought counseling due to the death of her infant son, and loss of marriage. She got pregnant. She wanted to keep the baby. 15 days before I was born my grandparents and mother were given an ultimatum, get rid of me or face the wrath if the congregation. They helped an arranged, paid for adoption, to a non-mormon couple. That resulted in physical and sexual abuse for the child,(adoptive mother and her friends) TBI’s from repeated beatings. The other child a older boy was secually abused by the adoptive mother.
    My mother did recieved enough money to go to a four year college with all expenses paid. Enough left over to invest an eventually buy a home.
    I have done extensive investigation. I am a pariah by no fault of my own. I have refused repeatedly to not join the church, and been treated brutally, now they, people of LDS faith have bought out most of my neighborhood. I am dwarfed by the Temple and 6 property lots that surround me. Now they demand I recind my signature off the subdivision deed documents CCNR’s.
    I refuse to do so, not only because my morals and ethics, but because of their intentions to become able to subdivide the agricultural subdivision here for 50+ years. 38 of which I have used here.

  27. Dave Ferguson June 13, 2022 at 12:25 am - Reply

    I believe that there are literally endless issues that are, as a minimum, debatable re Mormon Theology. I have found fault with hundreds, if not thousands, over the past 50 (at least) years. But as a friend of mine, a devote Christian, once pointed out to me, if Mormonism doesn’t teach/preach the Biblical God and Christ, nothing else matters. As a basis, neither God NOR Christ were created, according to the Bible. With that as a starting post, questions about the character of Joseph Smith, for example, are just distractions.

  28. Harry Hudson September 18, 2022 at 2:38 pm - Reply

    My wife is from polygamy as
    are many other Utah people.
    They don’t know it, of course,
    but. there were so many. Some fled to Canada in order to continue the practice just as the thousands who went
    there to avoid a certain death
    In Vietnam.

  29. Sky Queue October 13, 2022 at 11:01 am - Reply

    Most of these criticisms are based on the woke, degenerate culture that pervades today. As a new follower of the church, I am a Jack Mormon who refuses to be baptized as I cannot promise the no premarital sex b4 legal marriage- This would create a huge financial burden on us as an elderly couple to be LEGALLY married. Also, Words of Wisdom ARE hugely out of date as far as health, but overall, the enphasis on health needs to be promoted as well as family values and community service. Also, President Russell Nelson is a role model, and a good man as far as a human could be as well as being a very inspirational speaker.
    Also, the Mormon church is probably the most progressive about science of any religion!

  30. Craig Wilkinson November 30, 2022 at 10:44 am - Reply

    The church promotes the idea that the “so called intellectuals” are enemies of the church! In other words God gave you a brain but “do not use it”!

  31. Wuendy January 5, 2023 at 7:34 am - Reply

    I have been a Mormon my whole life let me tell you I did a lot of mistakes in life but the church teachings is about Jesus and his love for all of us . They teach what is in the Bible. Thanks to all their teachings I was able to go back to the right path and the temple is not about doing a ceremony is about the feeling after all of that. People who talks bad of the church is because they feel so guilty of themselves and just blame the church.

  32. Sheldon January 9, 2023 at 8:03 pm - Reply

    I know you have not been in the church for a long time but they are using Sophisticated technology to reduce repeats of baptisms for the dead… They have an extremely talented IT team… While many of your characteristics are correct.. You have a lot of Weak arguments in your list as well.. Especially around destruction to families in my experience it’s been quite the opposite.

  33. Evelyn March 22, 2023 at 2:15 pm - Reply

    As a Teen born into the church, I agree with many of these points. I myself have experienced the abuse both in the church itself and in my family because of it. I was punished if I refused to go to church that week, and if I returned I would be guilted by many of the leaders and regular members for skipping. Many of the beliefs are way outdated, and can no longer be used in modern times, but still are resulting in many internal battles in the youth.
    Whenever someone had a question about the church, the leaders avoided answering instead being told to read the scriptures and pray, and trust me when that’s the answer to everything you get REALLY sick of it. And after you attempt to read and pray and still have a question, they still won’t answer saying to repeat the process or wait because the answer will come someday. So far through my experience, BULL.
    Being a member not only destroys family relationships but also social ones such as friendships. Many of my friends introduce me as their Mormon friend even though I don’t believe in the teachings and wish I could leave.
    I could go on forever but I’m gonna call it there and leave you to your own research.

  34. Gary April 25, 2023 at 11:12 am - Reply

    Why do Christians assume Joseph Smith was deranged (or a liar) for his supernatural claims but give Paul of Tarsus a free pass?

    https://lutherwasnotbornagaincom.wordpress.com/2023/04/23/why-do-christians-assume-paul-was-sane/

  35. Anne July 4, 2023 at 9:16 am - Reply

    One aspect of Mormonism I haven’t seen addressed is Baptism for the Dead. How does that even compute? So whatever kind of life you lived 200 years ago doesn’t matter – you could have tortured, murdered and burned whole villages, but as long as your 10 times great grandson finds your name in a church record and gets baptised for you by proxy, you get a ticket to the Celestial Kingdom? And if you lived like a saint but lack the benefit of genealogical-minded progeny, you don’t stand a chance? So… how many billions of good people does that leave in immortal darkness?

    My mother had her older sister thus baptised after she had died. Well, I knew my aunt – she was a dyed -in-the-wool atheist and had a particular bee in her bonnet about Mormonism. It’s almost like Mom did it out of spite, as they never got along. I can just about imagine my aunt clawing her way out of the Celestial Kingdom.

    It’s this incredible arrogance, that only Mormons have a corner on the One and Only Truth, that never ceases to amaze me. Indeed, it’s this very tenet that got me to really question Mormonism, back when I was a teenager / young adult. In the World Religions class at BYU, they even taught how all or most of the major religions consider themselves to have the One Truth. How can that be? I wanted to know. Don’t ask, they said. I persisted. Well all right, since you asked – they’re all deceived, and only Mormons are right. Sure, that makes sense. Just like the mother watching her young soldier son on his first parade, “Oh look, everyone’s out of step except my Johnny.”

    After I moved from Utah to California, the Mormons kept hounding me. Home teachers, Relief Society ladies, you name it. I got so fed up I asked to be excommunicated. The reason I gave is that the God I believe in does not hold women to be lesser beings than men, and therefore I supported the Equal Rights Amendment. Well, it took them a year – and a week after my Dad died, they replied and asked if I still wanted my ‘name taken off church records’, probably thinking I’d be too vulnerable at that point to go through with it. Yep, I replied. Well, get this: they did such a good job that years later, they told my mother she only had two children rather than the three she figured she had, me being the third. They wanted to erase me off the face of the earth.

    Having said all that, I appreciate that there is a lot of good in the LDS church – in a forum such as this, that is easy to overlook. It’s also good if they are starting to take a closer look at some of the historical inaccuracies (oh, and speaking of Mormon history, I haven’t heard the Meadow Mountains Massacre mentioned) – but then again, with ‘Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God’ being one of the cornerstones, I don’t see how they can afford to look at it too closely, lest it all implode like some giant Titan.

  36. james tarapacki August 27, 2023 at 3:49 pm - Reply

    Im a big fan of lds —mormons—nicest people love the Joseph smith story –makes me think pf the movie oh God—wih John denver—who are we to say if God showed himself to someone !!I think it happened because of all the peplw that learned about Jesus dying on the cross for our sins!!

    • Anonymous January 13, 2024 at 11:38 am - Reply

      You like the story of Joseph Smith? He abused his political power to try and squash his rivals, got arrested, had friends smuggle in guns for him, and had a shootout against an angry mob that was trying to murder him for starting a cult. He shot at least two people, who possibly also died. He had like 40 wives, the youngest of which was 14 (the LDS church has openly and publicly admitted to these wives). He also started an illegal bank, which was shut down by the government, and he was fined. Many people left his organization after that, because they realized he was using an illegal bank to try and get rich. The man was an absolute scam artist. His entire religion is premised on “just trust me, I really did read these books, just trust I’m telling the truth”, then he grabs at political power and money and sex. What is there to like about this guy?

  37. John January 2, 2024 at 10:27 pm - Reply

    The list needs to also show the sources. For example: Brigham Young said that Adam is God of this world and the only god with which whom we have to do. Source-Journal of Discourses Volume 1 page 50-51

  38. Dallin Skelton January 10, 2024 at 1:40 pm - Reply

    Can we also put a list together of the top problematic books published throughout Mormon history? The original Mormon Doctrine is a good example. Journal of Discourses, Doctrines of Salvation, Man: His Origin and Destiny. The list goes on.

  39. Anonymous January 13, 2024 at 11:33 am - Reply

    Perhaps I missed it, but you don’t really have a lot of the theological problems here. Deification of humans, Elohim once being a man, Jesus and Satan are brothers, explicit polytheism, etc. All of these are horribly blasphemous in Christianity, and directly and explicitly contradict the Old and New Testaments.

  40. Amanda February 20, 2024 at 1:18 pm - Reply

    Under the Gender category please add a total dismissal of the existence of intersex people.

  41. Claire March 13, 2024 at 12:02 am - Reply

    I’ve read through all the comments, and I am so sorry to hear about all of the horrible things members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints have done to some of you all. It makes me sad that while it is taught to love others and to just try and be a good person, there are still so many things wrong. I deeply apologize for the hardships you all have faced, even though I know that will never truly take away the pain and struggles.
    I was reading through the list though, and I was just wondering if you could maybe elaborate on why each of the issues was a problem, and when talking about the church teaching inaccurate/homophobic/transphobic/racist views, cite where on their official website it teaches those things? There is also some sense of personal bias surrounding a number of topics on the list, which if asked about I would be more than happy to discuss. I’m just curious as to how some of these things make sense. For example, the problems with premarital sex. If you could just list some examples, I would also like to see your point of view on this! And another one, treating women like second class citizens, I would also appreciate a discussion surrounding this too, as well as some other points, like how LQBTQIA+ is an abomination. I’m curious to see some of the sources for that as well, because I think, and maybe this is just me, but the most trustworthy way to see what the church truly teaches is to look at their website and lessons! I’m happy to peacefully discuss any of these points and more with anyone interested! That’s really it, I just think there should be explanations about each of these points.
    One last thing! This is not meant in any way to be rude, pointed, arrogant, or anything but friendly and interested in further discussion. I hope to be able to clear up any confusions that one might have, or just talk about some of these points! If anyone is hurt or offended by anything I have said, I would be more than willing to apologize for things that may have come across as hurtful, just let me know.
    Thank you!

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