I was raised mormon, descended from the Martin Harris family, and was a bishopric member at the time.
I was sticking up for the religion during the runup to the 2008 elections and set out to prove a referenced Joseph Smith quote posted by GreyFoxx39 (I think) was false.
I went to the stake library where I had noticed an original copy of the "History of the Church" set, and to my utter horror at the time, FOUND IT TRUE THAT JOSEPH SMITH HAD CLAIMED TO BE GREATER THAN CHRIST....PUBLISHED AND PRINTED RIGHT IN THIER OWN BOOKS !
I asked the stake president about it immediately and saw the wolf come out from behind the sheep's clothing. He responded with threats of excommunication for apostasy etc.
Once I had the courage to check online at the BYU Library website the many Journal of Discourses quotes posted here, with 100% accuracy....Things like Brigham Young teaching that Christ was a polygamist and a sinner, God was a reincarnated Adam, Certain sins are beyond the reach of Christ's atonement and only the shedding of blood could atone for them, Mary was not a virgin at Christ's birth etc......Once I had the courage to check for myself, the ENTIRE FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH BUILT ON SAND WASHED AWAY IN LITERALLY 2 HOURS.
God saved me, and he can save anyone here in these threads, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO PERFORM THEIR GOD ASSIGNED DUTY TO TEST ALL THINGS AND HOLD FAST ONLY TO WHAT IS TRUE.
Amen
Amen Sentinel and thank you for sharing your testimony. God has done great things in your life these past few years.
Love ya, brother.