I comment alot about the similarities with cultic practices because I've been researching these as well as the Eastern Religions. Never realizing the vast infiltration of their practices into many of the main stream religions. It is stunning how people are not only accepting these beliefs and practices.....but they do BELIEVE them despite the obvious truth they know that they are NOT to be believed.
Anyone would read your post and wonder how could anyone willingly subject themselves to these rituals! But as with cults by the time these rituals are introduced the critical thinking abilities are pretty much mush or they didn't have it to begin with. Which would explain why many mormons reveal the lack of qualified and strong leadership in their organization...and often one of the reasons people do leave.
Our hope is to rip the top off of this cult so people will not get sucked in by the pretty commercials.
And our prayer is that those already enmeshed will break the chains and escape.