You are so absolutely correct. It was discovering that the Church lies about its history that led me away. God’s Church absolutely cannot lie, if it does, it cannot be from God.
Today, with the advent of the internet it is imperative for the Church to deal with its issues honestly. Church apologetics may work on TBMs, but it doesn’t work on those with questions. That tactic will definitely NOT work with the voting public who are not LDS.
What I find in reading the posts from the mormons here is that they seem to be describing an entirely different church from the one I grew up in, and it has been only 50 short years.
The denial of the progression to become a god is especially noticeable. That is something that was continually stressed in church lessons and talks in my day. I have also seen a certain trend among some to speak openly of personal spiritual revelations, which I do not recall hearing before....it used to be that was left to the prophet, and for a member to claim such personal gifts would have been frowned on.
Another odd thing is the drive to be known as "Christian", being accepted in the larger Christian community now. There was much pride in being different in the past, because of the firm belief that all the other churches were wrong. I'm sure that in testimonies you can still hear the phrase, "I'm thankful for the one, true church." If this is really believed, why would you want to be lumped in with all the others? It makes no sense to me.
I see much avoidance from apologists when asked a direct question of simple basic beliefs, as though it is something to be hidden from public view. In the same way, I have noticed some of Romney's answers to be avoidance rather than factual.
I think that what has happened is the "milk before meat" attitude has become widespread nowadays, and it just doesn't work with the present easily available information. It is a pleasant surprise when someone just flat out states their beliefs without misdirection and avoidance.
...now your story continues to evolve