As an apostate, I know what I believed as an active Mormon and at the time, believed it to be true. However, during a priesthood meeting one Sunday, the class was going over the D&C's and skipped Section 132. I wondered why and began to read and study it. It didn't pass the “smell check”. I started looking into it more and eventually approached our bishop about it.
I was told that in due time, I would gain an understanding of what was meant. I didn't accept that answer, so I began researching the answers to those questions. What I found out is what gave me the impetus to quit Mormonism.
I was asking you those questions in hopes you would research the answers so that hopefully, you would see the conflict within the LdS religion.
See the post you replied to by posting the LdS articles of faith without answering any of the questions.
I believe those questions undermine not only the credibility of JS, but ultimately, the LdS church as well.
I also believe God gave us the ability to reason and use our powers of deduction to separate truth from fiction. I don't rely on my feelings to determine what is and isn't true.
The main problems for me are; The hubris of a Mormon priesthood holder to believe that he can become a god is not only egotistic, it is heresy. The temple ordinances are another. The fact that a supposed eternal principle in Mormonism has been changed numerous times and has no scriptural backing invalidates its authenticity or the LdS claim of its necessity to return to heaven.
When I was newly Baptized, I started reading the anti Mormon crappola online. I read, and studied, and found it to be garbage and written by people with a bias and agenda of their own.
I printed out the Articles of Faith for you and said this is what I believe. Then I asked you what you believe.
You are insistent on stating what you believe about Mormons but I want to know what you believe, not what you think Mormons believe.
I read your post over again and am left wondering again what do you believe? You say you do not believe that I believe the LDS Articles of Faith because you believe they are in conflict with what you believe about the LDS faith. Sheeeesh already.
The Holy Ghost is my witness that the LDS Church is true, that the Book of Mormon is True, the Bible is true, that Jesus Christ is my Savior, that the Church of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth in these latter days, that we have a living Prophet today . . . everything stated in the 13 Articles of Faith.
I have been a member for ten years. I have been hurt and disappointed by fellow members and I’m sure I have hurt and disappointed others, too. Here’s what I always say: The Church is perfect but the people are not.
I wish you could open your mind and heart just a little to be more understanding of us Mormons. Jesus died for us, too.