I Was a Mormon: Tara Sivulka

Mormoninfo.org ^ | Tara Sivulka

[Colofornian]

I just wanted to share with you my story of grace so you can more fully understand why we do what we do. Rob Sivulka is definitely more on the truth end of things and I am on the grace end, but whatever the approach our goal is the same. I pray that you would read my testimony and not go by emotions, but by the facts. I know some of what I say will well up anger or frustration in some of you (it did in me when I was first confronted that Mormons are not Christian), but please see past those feelings. To set the tone here, I would like to share with you this verse: "but the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith" (1 Timothy 1:5).

I grew up in Utah, and came from a solid Mormon family. My mom worked at BYU, and my dad went on a mission and served in the Church. When I was 15 I had the shock of my life when my father was killed in an accident. I stayed active in the Church and served in my Young Women's class, but inside I was a mess. I didn't understand why God took my dad and why I was not receiving comfort from God. I grew more and more bitter, and eventually I became so rebellious, I ended up pregnant at 17. I then found myself in a horrible marriage, and by the time I was 21, I was going through a nasty divorce. I moved to Dallas, Texas and knew I needed to get right with God, so I went to the local Mormon Church. That Sunday I was so broken and needed comfort. I went to sacrament meeting, but not once was Jesus mentioned... except at the end of prayer. Relief Society was all about how to serve your husband well. Needless to say, it wasn't really what I needed at the time.

I had a friend named Molly Winebrenner (now Ansley) who invited me to her Christian church (Northwest Bible) and I thought, "Well, I am a Christian," so I went. Well the whole sermon was on having a personal relationship with Christ that was independent of one's worthiness to be in it.

This was a whole new concept. Mormon Apostle Bruce McConkie said,

"We worship the Father and him only and no one else. We do not worship the Son, and we do not worship the Holy Ghost." McConkie went on to say, "Our relationship with the Father is supreme, paramount, and preeminent over all others. He is the God we worship. ...Our relationship with the Father is one of parent and child. ...He is the one to whom we have direct access by prayer, and if there were some need--which there is not!--to single out one member of the Godhead for a special relationship, the Father, not the Son, would be the one to choose. Our relationship with the Son is one of brother or sister in the premortal life and one of being led to the Father by him while in this mortal sphere." Then McConkie chided those that "[i]n an effort to be truer than true they devote themselves to gaining a special, personal relationship with Christ that is both improper and perilous. ...Another peril is that those so involved often begin to pray directly to Christ because of some special friendship they feel has been developed. ...This is plain sectarian nonsense. Our prayers are addressed to the Father, and to him only."

And the Book of Mormon claims that "we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do" (2 Nephi 25:23, emphasis added).

But after listening to the sermon at the Christian church, I thought, "Wow, I can do this." I was looking for the quick fix, but found myself still living in rebellion. It took about 4 years and the failing of a serious relationship to humble myself and really see my sinful nature and my deep need for Christ. On October 9th of 2003 I gave my life to the Lord, and it is through my relationship with Him that I have found healing and hope.

Once I gave my life to the Lord I knew I was different, but I wasn't sure what exactly was different. I knew it was different though, and I wanted to share it with the everyone, but mostly my family. I tried to talk to my mom, but was constantly reminded that "the Mormon Church is the only true church" and that Mormons were Christian. The more I studied the Bible, the more I was convinced that Mormons weren't Christian, but I was still confused on exactly why. Well, I have a great Christian friend, Bekah Self (my shepherd at Watermark Community Church), who referred me to Rob's website (MormonInfo.org), and I began to be able to clearly communicate the differences between Mormons and Christians. I also came to find out the Book of Mormon, unlike the Bible, had no historical basis. None of the New World places mentioned in the Book of Mormon have ever been found, there were no artifacts to support the Book of Mormon, and even the DNA evidence of Native Americans being Jewish was not in line.

Also, Joseph Smith did have a good reason to make up the Book of Mormon... for fame and glory. Mormons elevate him above any other prophet. See, in our sinful nature we have a desire to elevate ourselves. Smith even went on to say that if you are worthy enough, you can elevate yourself to becoming a God. But the Bible says that there are no Gods formed before or after the Lord (see Isaiah 43:10).

As a Christian, I struggled with the thought that when I was LDS, "I felt the Holy Spirit" and "I saw miracles." See, the Mormon Faith is based on "good feelings;" that's how you know it's true. You are told to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it. I had done this as well, and I knew it was true. As I studied the Bible though, I noticed time and time again that people were deceived by what they "felt in their heart," and I realized that my faith could not be based on feelings alone. It needed to be rooted in truth. Then the Holy Spirit would convict me of my need and convince me of truth. My faith is now based on historical proof as well as the convictions from the Holy Spirit.

The Mormon Church is very attractive with its commitment to families, good works, following the commandments, but at the root, it's empty. Jesus is not at the center... even though it is called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Bible warns that even Satan transforms himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

I want you to know that I am telling you all these things because that is what God has commanded us. "Go therefore make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19-20). My desire is to draw you to the Lord and to let Him convince you of the truth. May God direct your path and may you truly have a relationship with Him.

To watch my video testimony, click here.

Tara Sivulka

General Manager, Courageous Christians United

Tara@MormonInfo.org

[Colofornian]

From the article: I grew up in Utah, and came from a solid Mormon family. My mom worked at BYU, and my dad went on a mission and served in the Church. When I was 15 I had the shock of my life when my father was killed in an accident. I stayed active in the Church and served in my Young Women's class, but inside I was a mess...after listening to the sermon at the Christian church, I thought, "Wow, I can do this." I was looking for the quick fix, but found myself still living in rebellion. It took about 4 years and the failing of a serious relationship to humble myself and really see my sinful nature and my deep need for Christ. On October 9th of 2003 I gave my life to the Lord, and it is through my relationship with Him that I have found healing and hope. Once I gave my life to the Lord I knew I was different, but I wasn't sure what exactly was different. I knew it was different though, and I wanted to share it with the everyone, but mostly my family. I tried to talk to my mom, but was constantly reminded that "the Mormon Church is the only true church" and that Mormons were Christian. The more I studied the Bible, the more I was convinced that Mormons weren't Christian, but I was still confused on exactly why...our sinful nature we have a desire to elevate ourselves. [Joseph] Smith even went on to say that if you are worthy enough, you can elevate yourself to becoming a God. But the Bible says that there are no Gods formed before or after the Lord (see Isaiah 43:10).

This pervasiveness of trying to convince young Mormon women that they are inherently divine even pervades the Lds "Relief Society" lessons for Mormon women:

From an Lds.org Relief Society chapter detail lesson: It is for the exaltation of man to this state of superior intelligence and Godhead that the mediation and atonement of Jesus Christ is instituted; and that noble being, man, made in the image of God, is rendered capable not only of being a son of man, but also a son of God, … and is rendered capable of becoming a God, possessing the power, the majesty, the exaltation and the position of a God
Source: Lds.org Relief Society chapter detail: The Origin and Destiny of Mankind

[Terry Mross]

In the last election we had to choose one of two men who both claimed to be Christian.

[Ouderkirk]

neither of them are

[Flick Lives]

Perhaps a hobby. Maybe a nice cooking class. Art lessons?

[Colofornian]

In the last election we had to choose one of two men who both claimed to be Christian.

One (Obama) pretended to be some sort of political "savior";
the other pretended to be a LITERAL family-member "savior" by necro-baptizing their relatives (see Confirmed: Romney family had Ann Romney's atheist father posthumously baptized into the Mormon...)
-- all as a part of this broader Mormon teaching: Are Mormon people LITERAL saviors of dead Jews, others? (Baptism of DEAD Top Lds mission: Vanity)

One (Obama) pretended not to be sourced from another country;
the other (Romney) pretended to be an alien from another country! (See Romney & Huntsman: You were spirit-born in Kolob? Show us the spirit-birth certificates! [Vanity])

(Along with the reality that the GoP ran a guy vs. Obama who up thru age 30 gave 10% of his income to an openly racist org, the 2012 election proved to be one of ironies galore)

[presently no screen name]

Perhaps a hobby. Maybe a nice cooking class. Art lessons?

Perhaps you need some education...

"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things". Col 3:22

"Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns." Matthew 16:23

"Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things." Philippians 3:19

Capiche?

[svcw]

neither were

[dragonblustar]

This was a good post. If Mormons claim to be “Christian”, then there shouldn’t be any problem with them attending another Christian church, ie Methodist, Lutheran, Catholic...

[Colofornian]

This was a good post. If Mormons claim to be “Christian”, then there shouldn’t be any problem with them attending another Christian church, ie Methodist, Lutheran, Catholic...

Yeah, it's always hilarious to see official Lds news sources -- its church newsroom or the DesNews it owns -- reference themselves or orthodox Christians as "other" Christians...like they just did with the newsroom Easter press release...all as they lambast us as "apostates"...Over 50% of their hymns in their hymnal were written by Christians...(as in non-Mormons)

They always seem to want to have their Joey Smith cake & then eat it, too.

"Yup, we believe in eternal polygamy." Press release: "No, we don't"
"Yup, you can become a god." Lds "prophet" Gordon B. Hinckley: "I don't know that we teach that; it's just a couplet."
"Yup. Your church is in apostasy; your professing believers are 'corrupt'; ALL of your creeds are an 'abomination.'" [LDS first vision] "But, hey, we're like you, too. We're Christians, too. See, even 53% of our hymns were written by you non-Mormon Christians. They may be corrupt abominable apostates, but they sure write great worship hymns!"

[caww]

She learned...”the Book of Mormon, unlike the Bible, had no historical basis.... None of the New World places mentioned in the Book of Mormon have ever been found,.... there were no artifacts to support the Book of Mormon,.... and even the DNA evidence of Native Americans being Jewish was not in line. “

This girl wanted to know the truth and God did not disappoint her....He never does the sincere seeker if they keep on seeking.

[Elsie]

Mormons elevate him above any other prophet.

It seems that way...

---

What Joseph Smith Means to Us  (From: various sources )

 

 

 

"He (Joseph Smith) is the man through whom God has spoken... yet I would not like to call him a savior, though in a certain capacity he was a god to us, and is to the nations of the earth, and will continue to be."

- Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 8:321

 

 

 

 

"You call us fools; but the day will be, gentlemen and ladies, whether you belong to this Church or not, when you will prize brother Joseph Smith as the Prophet of the Living God, and look upon him as a god..."

- Herber C. Kimball, Journal of Discourses 5:88

 

 

 

 

"If we get our salvation, we shall have to pass by him [Joseph Smith]; if we enter our glory, it will be through the authority he has received. We cannot get around him [Joseph Smith]"

- (as quoted in 1988 Melchizedek Priesthood Study Guide, p. 142)

There is "no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith. If Joseph Smith was verily a prophet, and if he told the truth...no man can reject that testimony without incurring the most dreadful consequences, for he cannot enter the kingdom of God"

- Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, p.190

 

 

 

 

"I tell you, Joseph holds the keys, and none of us can get into the celestial kingdom without passing by him. We have not got rid of him, but he stands there as the sentinel, holding the keys of the kingdom of God; and there are many of them beside him. I tell you, if we get past those who have mingled with us, and know us best, and have a right to know us best, probably we can pass all other sentinels as far as it is necessary, or as far as we may desire. But I tell you, the pinch will be with those that have mingled with us, stood next to us, weighed our spirits, tried us, and proven us: there will be a pinch, in my view, to get past them. The others, perhaps, will say, If brother Joseph is satisfied with you, you may pass. If it is all right with him, it is all right with me. Then if Joseph shall say to a man, or if brother Brigham say to a man, I forgive you your sins, "Whosoever sins ye remit they are remitted unto them;" if you who have suffered and felt the weight of transgression—if you have generosity enough to forgive the sinner, I will forgive him: you cannot have more generosity than I have. I have given you power to forgive sins, and when the Lord gives a gift, he does not take it back again."

- Orson Hyde, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 6, p.154-155

 

 

 

 

"It is because the Lord called Joseph Smith that salvation is again available to mortal men.... If it had not been for Joseph Smith and the restoration, there would be no salvation,"

- Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 396, 670

---

---

They succeeded in killing Joseph, but he had finished his work.

He was a servant of God, and gave us the Book of Mormon.

He said the Bible was right in the main, but, through the translators and others, many precious portions were suppressed, and several other portions were wrongly translated; and now his testimony is in force, for he has sealed it with his blood.

As I have frequently told them, no man in this dispensation will enter the courts of heaven, without the approbation of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Jun.

Who has made this so?

Have I?

Have this people?

Have the world?

No; but the Lord Jehovah has decreed it.

If I ever pass into the heavenly courts, it will be by the consent of the Prophet Joseph.

If you ever pass through the gates into the Holy City, you will do so upon his certificate that you are worthy to pass.

Can you pass without his inspection?

No; neither can any person in this dispensation, which is the dispensation of the fulness of times.

In this generation, and in all the generations that are to come, everyone will have to undergo the scrutiny of this Prophet.

They say that they killed Joseph, and they will yet come with their hats under their arms and bend to him; but what good will it do them, unless they repent?

They can come in a certain way and find favor, but will they?

Brigham Young,

--JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES, vol. 8, p. 224

[Elsie]

and is rendered capable of becoming a God, possessing the power, the majesty, the exaltation and the position of a God

It seems that way...

---

The Doctrine and Covenants

 

Section 132

Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Nauvoo, Illinois, recorded 12 July 1843, relating to the new and everlasting covenant, including the eternity of the marriage covenant, and also the plurality of wives (see History of the Church, 5:501–7). Although the revelation was recorded in 1843, it is evident from the historical records that the doctrines and principles involved in this revelation had been known by the Prophet since 1831.

1–6, Exaltation is gained through the new and everlasting covenant; 7–14, The terms and conditions of that covenant are set forth; 15–20, Celestial marriage and a continuation of the family unit enable men to become gods; 21–25, The strait and narrow way leads to eternal lives; 26–27, The law is given relative to blasphemy against the Holy Ghost; 28–39, Promises of eternal increase and exaltation are made to prophets and Saints in all ages; 40–47, Joseph Smith is given the power to bind and seal on earth and in heaven; 48–50, The Lord seals upon him his exaltation; 51–57, Emma Smith is counseled to be faithful and true; 58–66, Laws governing the plurality of wives are set forth.

 

---

 

 16Therefore, when they are out of the world they neither marry nor are given in ^amarriage; but are appointed angels in ^bheaven, which angels are ministering ^cservants, to minister for those who are worthy of a far more, and an exceeding, and an eternal weight of glory.

 17For these angels did not abide my law; therefore, they cannot be enlarged, but remain separately and singly, without exaltation, in their saved condition, to all eternity; and from henceforth are not gods, but are ^aangels of God forever and ever.

 18And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife, and make a covenant with her for time and for all eternity, if that ^acovenant is not by me or by my word, which is my law, and is not sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, through him whom I have anointed and appointed unto this power, then it is not valid neither of force when they are out of the world, because they are not joined by me, saith the Lord, neither by my word; when they are out of the world it cannot be received there, because the angels and the gods are appointed there, by whom they cannot pass; they cannot, therefore, inherit my glory; for my house is a house of order, saith the Lord God.

 19And again, verily I say unto you, if a man ^amarry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and ^beverlasting covenant, and it is ^csealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of ^dpromise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the ^ekeys of this priesthood; and it shall be said unto them—Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection; and if it be after the first resurrection, in the next resurrection; and shall inherit ^fthrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths—then shall it be written in the Lamb’s ^gBook of Life, that he shall commit no ^hmurder whereby to shed innocent ⁱblood, and if ye abide in my covenant, and commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant hath put upon them, in time, and through all eternity; and shall be of full force when they are out of the world; and they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their ^jexaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the ^kseeds forever and ever.

 20 Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from ^aeverlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be ^bgods, because they have ^call power, and the angels are subject unto them.

 21Verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye abide my ^alaw ye cannot attain to this glory.

 22For ^astrait is the gate, and narrow the ^bway that leadeth unto the exaltation and continuation of the ^clives, and few there be that find it, because ye receive me not in the world neither do ye know me.

 23But if ye receive me in the world, then shall ye know me, and shall receive your exaltation; that ^awhere I am ye shall be also.

 24This is ^aeternal lives—to ^bknow the only wise and true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath ^csent. I am he. Receive ye, therefore, my law.

 25^aBroad is the gate, and wide the way that leadeth to the ^bdeaths; and many there are that go in thereat, because they ^creceive me not, neither do they abide in my law.

[Elsie]

In the last election we had to choose one of two men who both claimed to be Christian.

And two that showed NO evidence of being MORMON.

[Elsie]

Perhaps a hobby. Maybe a nice cooking class. Art lessons?

Perhaps a suggestion. Maybe addressing the FACTS shown, instead of deriding the FACT presenter.

[Elsie]

One (Obama) pretended to be some sort of political "savior"; the other pretended to be a LITERAL family-member "savior" by necro-baptizing their relatives...

Speaking of SAVIORS......

---

What Joseph Smith Means to Us  (From: various sources )

 

 

 

"He (Joseph Smith) is the man through whom God has spoken... yet I would not like to call him a savior, though in a certain capacity he was a god to us, and is to the nations of the earth, and will continue to be."

- Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 8:321

 

 

 

 

"You call us fools; but the day will be, gentlemen and ladies, whether you belong to this Church or not, when you will prize brother Joseph Smith as the Prophet of the Living God, and look upon him as a god..."

- Herber C. Kimball, Journal of Discourses 5:88

 

 

 

 

"If we get our salvation, we shall have to pass by him [Joseph Smith]; if we enter our glory, it will be through the authority he has received. We cannot get around him [Joseph Smith]"

- (as quoted in 1988 Melchizedek Priesthood Study Guide, p. 142)

There is "no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith. If Joseph Smith was verily a prophet, and if he told the truth...no man can reject that testimony without incurring the most dreadful consequences, for he cannot enter the kingdom of God"

- Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, p.190

 

 

 

 

"I tell you, Joseph holds the keys, and none of us can get into the celestial kingdom without passing by him. We have not got rid of him, but he stands there as the sentinel, holding the keys of the kingdom of God; and there are many of them beside him. I tell you, if we get past those who have mingled with us, and know us best, and have a right to know us best, probably we can pass all other sentinels as far as it is necessary, or as far as we may desire. But I tell you, the pinch will be with those that have mingled with us, stood next to us, weighed our spirits, tried us, and proven us: there will be a pinch, in my view, to get past them. The others, perhaps, will say, If brother Joseph is satisfied with you, you may pass. If it is all right with him, it is all right with me. Then if Joseph shall say to a man, or if brother Brigham say to a man, I forgive you your sins, "Whosoever sins ye remit they are remitted unto them;" if you who have suffered and felt the weight of transgression—if you have generosity enough to forgive the sinner, I will forgive him: you cannot have more generosity than I have. I have given you power to forgive sins, and when the Lord gives a gift, he does not take it back again."

- Orson Hyde, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 6, p.154-155

 

 

 

 

"It is because the Lord called Joseph Smith that salvation is again available to mortal men.... If it had not been for Joseph Smith and the restoration, there would be no salvation,"

- Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 396, 670

---

---

They succeeded in killing Joseph, but he had finished his work.

He was a servant of God, and gave us the Book of Mormon.

He said the Bible was right in the main, but, through the translators and others, many precious portions were suppressed, and several other portions were wrongly translated; and now his testimony is in force, for he has sealed it with his blood.

As I have frequently told them, no man in this dispensation will enter the courts of heaven, without the approbation of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Jun.

Who has made this so?

Have I?

Have this people?

Have the world?

No; but the Lord Jehovah has decreed it.

If I ever pass into the heavenly courts, it will be by the consent of the Prophet Joseph.

If you ever pass through the gates into the Holy City, you will do so upon his certificate that you are worthy to pass.

Can you pass without his inspection?

No; neither can any person in this dispensation, which is the dispensation of the fulness of times.

In this generation, and in all the generations that are to come, everyone will have to undergo the scrutiny of this Prophet.

They say that they killed Joseph, and they will yet come with their hats under their arms and bend to him; but what good will it do them, unless they repent?

They can come in a certain way and find favor, but will they?

Brigham Young,

--JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES, vol. 8, p. 224

[Elsie]

Over 50% of their hymns in their hymnal were written by Christians...(as in non-Mormons)

Pod People are EVERYWHERE, sucking up the culture!

Especially in Santa Mira.

[District13]

Joseph Smith did not “make up” the Book of Mormon. No one could have done that. He translated the Book of Mormon.

If you want to see what a real Christian looks like:

http://news.hjnews.com/ldsliving/article_3d8f2b5a-9bb5-11e2-9b60-0019bb2963f4.html

[elcid1970]

Praise to the man! Merry Smithmas, everybody!

[District13]

And I used to be a Baptist and oh the stories I could tell. Now I am LDS. To each her own. Have a great Sabbath Day!

[Colofornian]

Joseph Smith did not “make up” the Book of Mormon. No one could have done that. He translated the Book of Mormon

That's funny. 'Cause when I open up my copy of the Lds "scriptures" -- and turn to D&C 24:1, what do I find?

”Behold, thou wast called and chosen to WRITE [note: word “translate” is nowhere to be found] the Book of Mormon…” (D&C 24:1)

Likewise, in the original 1830 version of the BoM, on the title page, Smith answers this plainly: Joseph Smith, Jr. AUTHOR and PROPRIETOR