Really Odd how Mormons don`t know anything about their religion.
Probably the only Mormons who are even vaguely familiar with Smithmas are those who read about it on F.R.
Probably because it only exists on FR. Certainly not in any Mormon church I’ve ever attended. Don’t you people have anything better to do than invent fake holidays? At least you could make it funny, maybe something with Brigham Young and the twelve wives of Christmas. Now THAT’s got potential :)
Not all Mormons are Lds from birth.
When you look at the 2004 training manual for Lds Missionaries, you see training questions like: "Why is it important to unfold or gradually disclose information?" (p. 183)
The Mormon Church, having derived many of its temple rituals from Masonry, also has at times developed a similar "initiation" approach.
We've all heard the term "33rd degree." (That comes from Free Masonry)
People initiated at the initial levels have no idea what is involved deeper into the ritualism.
That's why this 4-minute video is so revealing: If Mormon missionaries were straightforward about Mormonism…[Best 4-minute video on topic]
If Mormon missionaries -- and Mormonism in general -- didn't assume such a "precept upon precept" anti-early disclosure stance...many potential proselytes would not only run away, but sprint away!
Thus, Mormonism is not only quite guarded about what it PRs to the world at-large, but it's the exact reason the Church has finally only begun to come clean on its sordid history with its series of 2014 "essays" on controversial topics.
The Mormon Church would avoid delving into these topics in its curricula, and then, Mormons would begin finding out more & more of these "tucked away" historical realities...and begin to do their own Internet research.
They felt betrayed when they discovered the truth.
Don't take my opinion alone...look @ what was occurring during the vast 2012 Mormon exodus--an exodus that's continued to this very day!
2012 postings:
* When He Stopped Believing [Mormon exodus underway] [Note: This was in the official Lds church publication, Ensign]
* But I’m a good Mormon wife: Sean and I had the perfect life. Then his faith started to crumble...
* Different takes on Mormon faith from Republican rivals [Mormon exodus underway]
* 'Spiritual Olympics' Series (S.O.S.): A Glimpse of Mormonism Around the Globe [Vanity]
Earlier 2012 postings:
*Notes: Mormonism and the Internet [Duplicity/mixed messages cited; baptism-of-dead issue lingers]
* Survey on Mormon Disbelievers to be Released at UVU Forum [74% point to theological concerns]
* Why Mormons flee their church
* Number of faithful Mormons rapidly declining
* Mormons opening up in an Internet world [& Losing members accordingly]
* Special report -Mormonism besieged by the modern age [Lds church is hemorrhaging in member losses]
* See also 2010 posting: Why Mormons Leave
(Also do a keyword search with "Free Republic" and "John Dehlin" for many eye-opening reasons as to why Mormons have become disaffected)