[imjustme]

Would I be overly bold to ask why you left the LDS church?

It was a combination of reasons. I had read something in one of the earlier church magazines that basically said not to let the birth of Jesus overshadow the birth of Joseph Smith who I assume was born in December. Not sure of the exact wording but it really opened up my eyes and I felt like instead of holding a magazine filled with inspiration I had in my hands words of satan.
Covering up the past of the church teachings also had a lot to do with leaving.
I did have a 'testimony' of the Book of Mormon and that caused me much soul searching. I reread the 'scriptures' in the book I had marked that had moved me and realized they were the parts that are also found pretty much word for word in the Holy Bible. I could have had a 'testimony' of any book or magazine that had had the same scriptures written in it but it didn't make the rest of the content true.
For the record to any LDS reading this my decision came from endorsed LDS reading materials and not the so called 'anti mormon' books.

[count-your-change]

Thanks for your candor. It wasn't idle curiosity that prompted my question. Oft times people leave a group over petty offenses like hurt feelings and such. Some of the ‘anti’s’ fall into this group so I don't pay them much attention but others argue the validity of a teaching or practice and those I'll examine a bit.
I don't know the quantity or quality of instruction given to the Mormon faithful in their teaching programs but I wonder whether along with what you read they are given an explanation of what the ten Articles of Faith mean?

An example being, “ARTICLE 10-We believe that Christ will reign personally upon the earth”

In the explanation of this Article appeared the following:

“At the time of His glorious advent, Christ will be accompanied by the hosts of righteous ones who have already passed from earth; and saints who are still alive on earth are to be quickened and caught up to meet Him, then to descend with Him as partakers of His glory. With Him too will come Enoch and his band of the pure in heart; and a union will be effected with the kingdom of God, or that part of the kingdom of heaven previously established as the Church of Jesus Christ on earth; and the kingdom on earth will be one with that in heaven. Then will be realized a fulfilment of the Lord’s own prayer, given as a pattern to all who pray: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”Further along it's explained that Zion will be in the United States and from here Christ will rule.

How can this be in light of Scriptures saying Christ's throne or seat of rule is in the heavens? Appeal is made to the Book of Mormon. Doing so in contradiction to the Bible speaks out that the Book of Mormon isn't considered a “companion” to the Bible as the LDS church describes it but is rather taken as superior, a Master of whom it is never said “insofar as correctly translated”.

As you said, reading the official teaching is enough without going to the anti’s or hecklers.

I wish you well if still you search.