Bridger's incredible story of returning to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

True, like the fine the church got charged for a small misdemeanor that isn't even a crime. The same harassment they just did to Trump.Nobody broke the law but the IRS spent four years since 2019 looking for a crime. Now the critics will cry fowl. Nobody is going to jail because it's a minor infraction not a crime. Trump's company got fined a million dollars for nearly the same thing and the liberals were mad because they couldn't make a crime out of practically nothing.

I think it is noteworthy that when the Savior was asking Peter who He was in Matthew 16:16-17, He said he was blessed because he learned it from the Father. Even though Jesus was spending quality time with him and doing lots of great miracles! Power comes as we learn how to commune with the Father and gain strength as we act in faith. I believe that is the ‘why’ of these faith testing situations the Lord let happen. To force us to learn how to access the power of a God that He aches for us to enjoy in every area of our lives. Not convincing by the arm of the flesh that has no helping or staying power. It is the perfect plan! We shouted for joy in the pre-existence for the growth that we could get no other way! Muscle ripping -> Muscle building.

Well said! Your explanation is plan &simple

That is so well said, thank you!

I know what you’re saying is true, because The Spirit has taught me those exact same things and I’ve heard others express it as well. At the end of the day, I have chosen to believe and live my life this way! And that erased all the confusion and doubt.

Your church is literally the quantifiably least generous religion in America if not the world... It's not a secret the LDS church hordes nearly all of its money. It's under investigation in both Australia and Canada because they give such a teeny tiny percentage of the money they receive and use a bunch of other shady business practices to hide their money.

You mean the way you decide if a book is accurate or not, inspired or not, truthful or not is ... to pray about it? Is the how it works with the Koran? Read the whole thing, then pray about it?

Would love to hear your story if you are willing to share email ashly.comebackpodcast@gmail.com

How can a book that is loaded with zoological, botanical, technological, and literary anachronisms be true? Including literary anachronisms that are unique to the Smith family's 1769 KJV Bible? Serious question, not try to offend.

@@3thingsfishing427 That's what I was asking. Whoever heard of reading a newspaper article that sounded a little biased or outlandish, then deciding to just pray about it - and let God inform you?

@@brendanjobe6895 try reading it and praying about it. Maybe you will be surprised?

David Alexander is a good youtube channel, Saints unscripted, Latter-Day Saints Q&A, and a few others that are positive LDS youtube channels. David Alexander is one of my favorites

Same! Great comment.

Ward Radio and Latter-Day Disciples are two Awesome positive Podcasts/RU-vid channels you should give watch❤

Would love to hear your story if you are interested! email ashly.comebackpodcast@gmail.com

We see things differently. For me, I can use the Bible alone to see why the church is the only true church. For example, the Bible says that God gave to the New Testament church prophets and apostles. Only one church today has that organization. Another example is that the Bible says the New Testament saints were attending temple ceremonies. Only one church has temples today. There are tons of other examples. I just listed two.

Unless you're gay... or black until 1978...

@@HelloThere-xx1ctwhat if I were both, and remain? Is that not allowed in your world view?

@@dcarts5616 I don't want to offend you but I mean you literally can't be gay and receive all the promised benefits of the lds church. You can either be celibate or in a mixed sexual orientation marriage while abstaining from gay sex. I'm sorry for the cards you've been dealt in terms of your upbringing and I know its a long battle ahead but I'm sure you'll figure it out. I hope the church changes its policies and that you can find happiness one way or the other. The black identity issue is way more complex and I can't say much beyond it's certainly a deal breaker for me. Even if the lds church was proven true, I would still have to morally not participate. I'm sure any just god would understand. Identity and moral issues aside the church isn't true based on fairly basic historical evidence. I doubt I would even need to leave the lds church website to shake your faith and challenge what you think you know about your church's history. The Gospel Topics Essays are a bore but they will back up every "anti-mormon" claim you've ever heard.

I like wise have two daughters who left the church. Never give up on them.

The one attending a Christian church... don't be afraid to ask her what her biblical beliefs are. You just might learn something you've never heard before. Don't be afraid to listen to all your kids about why they left. I had parents who refused to listen and it was the most unloving experience ever.

God (not Satan) led me from Mormonism (through much prayer and study) into biblical Christianity and boy, has my life changed in such a positive way! Jesus broke my chains that I didn't even know existed as an LDS member in good standing.

Even if it means supporting an organization that is built on lies and deception?

@@jasonroyce295 no lies, no deception Read Book of Mormon and pray Jesus will answer your humble prayer. Jesus Christ rules and reigns.

You can repent too. Point your finger at yourself

@@joannenardoni17 I was a member for nearly a decade. I did read it. And I was deceived. Perhaps you should study the history of the church and the origin of the book of mormon. As for repentance, I've not done anything wrong. I simply learned the truth about the church.

@@jasonroyce295 the lds church is true church of Jesus Christ You are full of pride. You have proven it to me already. We all have pride and can repent. Leave the lds alone. Go worship the lord how you can. Harassing the lds is not a good idea. God bless you.

The Bible contradicts everthing the LDS church teaches. The true and living God offers forgiveness of sins, salvation and eternal life for free. That is how much God loves everyone! ❤️ Christ said that the church would never need to be restored. Matthew 16:18 The gates of hell would not prevail against it.

@@estherlewis7458 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints IS God's Church here upon the earth today, and teaches everything that is in the Bible as the Lord God originally revealed it.

@@livingtruth2374 The gospel is in I Corinthians 15:1-4. It is not a to-do list. Christ has already done the one work that was necessary to reconcile all mankind to God. Christ shed his blood on the cross, died and rose again. He paid the penalty for our sins in full. Christ said, "It is finished." The debt has been paid. Christ took all of my sins upon himself when he died on the cross. 1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness.... By repentance and faith alone in what Christ has already done for me on the cross, Christ has forgiven me of all my sins and has given to me his righteousness, which is the righteousness of God. God now sees me as perfect and I can walk out of God's court room free! 2 Corinthians 5:21 For God made Christ, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. I have peace with God. Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God. Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering Christ hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. I know that my sins have been forgiven. I know that I have been made perfect. I know that I have eternal life and will live forever with Heavenly Father. John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. Come unto Christ and be perfected!

@@estherlewis7458the Biblical roots of “Mormonism” are evident. I disagree with you.

We have observed the pendulum swinging back as well! Amazing to see.

It’s the comfort trap that draws you in. Most humans have a longing to belong to a tribe. It goes back survival instinct, we are a communal species. I have felt the pull myself back myself many times because of the people. My mind however is now more rational, my main problem is not just a few questions about the Church, it’s foundation, history, conflicting doctrine, claims of the one truth, and other issues. If there were a few issues, I could work with it, there are hundreds when you actually do the research. I was lied to and gaslighted about things that happened. The Lords true Gospel should be easy to understand. It should not have so many contradictions. In the end to me I have realized it is just another system of control. It’s much easier to walk with my creator with out a middle man telling me what is right for me. Like Jiminey Cricket said “let your conscience be your guide”

You don't have to believe in things that are true.

@@HelloThere-xx1ct Yep people reject truth all the time.

Thank you so much!!

You can't defend Mormonism and stand up for truth. Mormonism is built on lies. Founded by a convicted conman who went on to use his power and authority to sexually abuse his followers and their children.

@@jasonroyce295 it would appear that way, but none of that is true. Joseph fought against Polygamy nearly every day of his life. He spoke out against it both in public and in private conversations. Joseph never had any type of sexual relationship or marriage relationship with anyone other than Emma. It was Brigham Young that loved the idea of polygamy. Joseph had one wife and only one wife. Brigham had 56 wives, and 10 of them divorced him. The story of the angel that supposedly came to them to force them to practice Polygamy is all hogwash. It’s a story that cropped up 30 years after Joseph’s murder. The story about Emma watching Joseph have sex with a young girl through a crack in the barn door is hogwash also. That story was fabricated by Oliver Cowdrey who was upset because he had been excommunicated. Emma swore until the day she died that story was not true. The CES letter claims that Joseph had 38 wives. Recently every blood line was checked scientifically for Joseph’s genetics using DNA testing. The final results were that 0.0% were connected to Joseph Smith genetically. That’s substantial proof that he was telling the truth even though many other people claimed he practiced Polygamy. Just because other people said things doesn’t make them true. Just because people wrote in their journal that they were married to him or that he sired their children, doesn’t make any of it true. All of the stories about Joseph being with other women are third, fourth and fifth hand information. One of the stories is secondhand information. Joseph always claimed that he only had one wife, surely he knew how many he had. All of the stories about Joseph practicing plural marriage are lies and rumors. Joseph was a great man and a great leader, he was truly a man of integrity. God chose him to be the prophet and leader and to restore the gospel of Jesus Christ. God chose the right man. God would have never chosen a con artist, an adulterer, a sexual deviant or a man with no integrity. I know that Joseph is Gods prophet, I know the first vision really took place and that Joseph saw the Father and the Son, I know that Joseph translated the Book of Mormon and I know the Book of Mormon is true. I have spent literally thousands of hours researching this exact subject. I have found much of church history to be inaccurate and conflicting. Why the brethren don’t clean it up I do not know. Like I said before lies and rumors don’t make true history. I don’t have any love for Brigham Young. It’s obvious he was a horn dog, and loved the idea of being surrounded by many women. He taught many others that polygamy was a true principle. Joseph and Brigham disagreed greatly in many of their beliefs. Brigham also loved the idea of slavery. He openly stated that blacks are a lesser people. Joseph taught that we are all Gods children and that owning another person is wrong. Joseph taught blacks the gospel, baptized them, gave them the priesthood and encouraged him to look forward to the time the temple would be finished so they could receive their endowment. After Joseph‘s death Brigham changed all of that. It wasn’t God that didn’t want blacks to have the priesthood and temple blessings, it was Brigham Young. And the priesthood was restored to the earth to be received by everyone, no matter what color they were. That’s what Joseph taught.

@@psmith535 have you read the gospel topics essays? The church admits Joseph had over 30 wives, the youngest of which was 14 years old. You can read first person accounts, such as Helen Mar Kimball's diary. Not to mention DC 132.

@@psmith535 and on Racism, have you read the Book of Mormon? The entire plot is based on an unoriginal racist early 19th century idea about the origins of the Native Americans. And that racism was taught by church leaders for another 200 years, including Russell Nelson, who repeatedly spoke against interracial marriage.

Perhaps, but you don't need faith to see that Joseph Smith raped teenage girls, married other men's wives, married mother-daughter pairs, and sister pairs. No amount of faith can change those things.

@@jasonroyce295 heard that before…. And such stuff…. Good luck on your quest!!

Genuine question here…based on that logic, why couldn’t the Jehovah’s Witness be the one true religion? Or Seventh Day Adventist? Or any of the other dozens of religions who claim to be the one true path back to God and or eternal lives with our families? They all have major issues with their truth and authority claims and they use the same argument; it requires faith. I have heard dozens of very powerful testimonies from members of other faiths who KNOW their religion is the one true way because the spirit bore witness to them, their lived experiences, and ultimately their faith. What makes the LDS church different if despite the legitimate evidence that would challenge its truth and authority claims, we simply need to rely on faith? It seems that the same LDS member who makes that claim, would make the same claim about JW or SDA had they been born into one of those religions…

@@jeffyates9821 sure.... me too! They have the gospel of Jesus Christ and are intent to follow and I would be willing to bet that they are probably better at it than I am.... The Lord knows them and they will have the reward of following His teachings with such dilligence... I have family members that are 7th Day Adventists and I know of their devotion.... the Church of Jesus Christ just have additional doctrines, a prophet today that guide us in these, the last days we are living... that is all! Bless you!

True: It can't be proven. But it can be DISproven. I've recently been looking at the problems with the " translation" of the Book of Abraham.

@@Themanyfacesofegoyou can try to disprove the origins of it, but you can’t disprove the veracity of the content of the Book of Abraham. That is some if the most beautiful theological record I have ever read. People choose to believe in what they want, I choose to believe in the text. Let the doubters fight over the origins all they want, I don’t care.

You let the devil win.

@@hrv4908 Can I ask why you feel that way? If I have put my faith and trust in Jesus as my Lord and Savior, how does the devil win? Isn't the ultimate goal to bring people to Christ? Are you saying I can't have Jesus without the lds church?

Jesus still belongs as your Savior friend even outside the LDS beliefs.

@@dragonwarrior365 Yup, same for everyone.

@@hrv4908 Matthew 7:21

@@jaasynergy8 that’s really well said.

Thank you so much!

Is it the doctrine that’s changing or the application of the doctrine?

@@kristinrichmond8185 I used to believe and teach that doctrine remained the same while tradition and policy changed. Then I allowed myself to study church history outside of the correlated material. From reliable historians that thoroughly document their work. I am still a faithful active member, but yes, I believe the doctrine has changed drastically and will continue to change. Here are some examples I have been studying recently. A man must be a polygamist to achieve the highest degree of the celestial kingdom Adam is God the Father Hundreds of changes to the book of Mormon and doctrine and covenants People of African descent were not valiant in the pre existence Joseph was a polygamist, then he wasn’t, now he is again Denying baptism to children of gay parents by unanimous revelation then reversing it. Blood atonement ; only way to be forgiven for denying the Holy Ghost or murder is to have blood spilled Zion is in Independence Missouri; the faithful will one day walk back to find all the Missourians annihilated. Every endowed person must seek opportunity to avenge the blood of Joseph and Hyrum on the Missourians. Nature of Holy Ghost (original section 130 stated HG cannot dwell in us) Calling and Election was a personal visit from the Savior. Now it is a secret ceremony in the temple called Second Anointing which Jesus does not attend. Garments must be full length, wool, and lace up in front Mental and physical handicap was because of unfaithfulness in pre-existence. Now it is a protection because of valiance in pre-existence. Gregory A Prince; scientist and faithful LDS historian stated “If they take the time to read their own history, they will understand that not a single, significant LDS doctrine has gone, unchanged throughout the entire history of the church…” My relationship to the church has become much more healthy since accepting the fact that everything in it changes, including its doctrine. God still works in the church, just as he does anywhere his children are found.

@@thedailydump7407 thank you for the response. Respectfully, your examples to seek to be doctrinal. Not sure what I would call it though. Agreed that there will always be changes as this is an ongoing restoration of Christ’s church. And there are most certainly things that we don’t understand. Thank you for sharing your testimony with me.

That is where I am today. I don’t even know if God exists anymore, but I do know how I feel attending this “restored”church and how I feel when I don’t. That is what I chose to listen to, as God seems to be silently speaking through the fruits of this beautiful LDS organization.

@Surely Serious please be honest enough to also admit the direct irrefutable hits the Book of Mormon has that only now corresponds with modern archaeological discoveries.

Faith is a journey and very close to someone’s heart. Responses will usually be intense, on all sides. Understanding, love and patience is necessary.

And a year’s supply of food storage, making sure to change immediately back into garments after swimming, not going to the grocery store after my 11pm nursing shift, because I’d be there on the Sabbath shopping, shame if I had to work outside the home, yet being told I should get more education (which is $100k in debt to get a 4 year public college education, Texas run college), etc.

My kids (now 37 & 39) saw how trying to live the gospel exactly like we were told by the brethren, made me suicidal constantly. Since the BoM says grace won’t kick in until ALL we’ve done. And the ALL list in Mormonism is extremely long. So they want nothing to do with the church.

That is really difficult I am sorry that you struggle with this. I truly believe that when this life is over and we come face to face with our Father in Heaven He will look on each of us with more compassion and understanding than we ever could. He knows the reasons behind every thought and action we take and He will take that into account with loving understanding. - Lauren

I'm sorry that you went through that. I highly recommend the book 'Believing Christ.'. The author has the premise that many of us are reading that verse wrong and really should look at it as after all we can do, we are saved by grace. I.e., We can try to do everything exactly as we're taught but we will always fall up short so we must rely on the Savior.

In other words, we cannot earn our way into the celestial Kingdom. We must accept the grace that comes from the atonement of Christ. That book really changed my perspective on that verse and on what the atonement really means. Men are that they might have joy and trying to be perfect all the time feeling bad when he fall short is not joyful. More of us need to believe Christ and our burdens would be lighter

Very well said. I do see an interesting phenomenon though with those who leave the LDS faith. First, they usually think they’re unique or special, or the BIGGEST victim in the room if you will, as if nobody has ever left a community or a god-belief or an institution before. So weird. Second, LDS people who leave, don’t usually leave it alone. I don’t see it with my Muslim faith deconstructionist friends, nor my catholic faith deconstructionist friends or even my JW faith deconstructionist friends. Mostly my “Ex-mo” friends just can’t let it go and are always trying to get me to “realize the cult I’m in is destructive and abusive”. (Am I using the correct term, hip phrase of FAITH DECONSTRUCTION?, I never know anymore as day by day the terminology and abuse claims change) Why is this? I could go on. I’m not trying to sound rude. I just can’t put it together as to why such a tiny little church of MAYBE 7-8 million “active” members (.0009% of earths 8,000,000,000 members of the human population) attracts so much attention. I’m grateful that while I was in my down days that I didn’t actively and relentlessly attack the faith and beliefs of my family and friends, that would have been totally selfish and childish, especially as I’m back to attending, reading scripture, praying a lot more (0 times a year to maybe 10 times a year personal out loud kneeling in reverence praying) and trying to be a better human who lifts people up via what I see as the light of Christ. I wish you luck. Thank you for your time.

You do not have to “ignore observable reality in order to have faith.” I’m absolutely convinced of the truthfulness of Joseph Smith’s claims based solely on the objective evidence. Joseph got too many things correct about the ancient world that he had no way of knowing. He did this repeatedly in the Book of Mormon, Book of Moses, Book of Abraham, and the doctrines revealed in the Doctrine and Covenants, temple ceremony, and other discourses. Critics conveniently and frequently ignore this evidence and hyper focus on things that are harder to explain, such as anachronisms in the BOM, supposed mistranslations in the Book of Abraham, etc. That’s my biggest critique of the CES letter. You can add up all the negatives of some organization or person and paint a pretty negative picture. But is it a full and complete picture if you’ve ignored all the positives and best supportive arguments? The CES letter is just a reader’s digest version of the best critiques of the LDS Church. But it doesn’t give you the other half of the picture. I would recommend doing what Bridger recommended and really consider the best arguments from the best sources in support of something to truly get a better and more complete picture. Otherwise you are being dishonest with yourself and others you are trying to persuade.

@@tylerahlstrom4553 The temple ceremony doesn't have ancient roots to Solomon's temple. It comes from the Free Mason movement that was prevalent in the 1800's. Basically, Joseph Smith became a secret polygamist in the 1830's. He eventually decided to create a secret ceremony for the the polygamous marriages, combined with a promise that the people who became polygamists becoming gods in the afterlife. A simple study in Freemasonry reveals that their ceremony goes back a few hundred years, but not to the time of Solomon. The Freemasons claim that the ceremony goes back to King Solomon, so does Smith, who founded the Masonic lodge in Nauvoo. Jesus, when crucified, changed the need for physical temple buildings to making the body of believers into temples. The temples are a Jewish relic, no longer needed by Christians for sacrificial offerings. This is actually evidence of Joseph Smith's fraud, not a confirmation of his authenticity. His teachings contradict the Bible, and he taught people that they can become gods, even though the Bible teaches there is only one God and that there has never been another and there will never be another.

Oh but it does, why else would Joseph Smith asked for an answer to begin with!

Fairlds has a whole series on the problems with the CES letter.

@@JD-pr1et yes I’ve watched those. But my daughter hasn’t. I guess she won’t until she’s ready.

@Surely Serious 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Exactly. "The shelf" the words are the same. They use the same phrases. 🙄

@@royalty165I’m a fellow Faith reconstructor here and I have to point out these kind of comments really don’t help anyone. If I were to point out that members all use the same words and phrases bearing their testimonies, “I know the church is true. I know that President Nelson is a true prophet, and how brainwashed this sounds to others you probably wouldn’t appreciate it. Also, to talk about someone’s appearance when they’ve left or doubted the church may lead someone to ask if you’re able to see a persons aura and tell them what color it is. Please be kind and don’t criticize those who have very valid reasons to doubt the church’s truthfulness. To dismiss their experiences and not investigate what caused their doubts actually validates the persons doubts and demonstrates you know that whatever they know could be true so you don’t want to know.

Those pesky sites. Especially the gospel topics on that LDS site. Destroying testimonies.

Many people that have observed faults with the BoM have no skin in the game. They are anthropologists, geneticists, Egyptologists, and historians that could care less about disagreements between denominations. For example, geneticists have determined there is no Middle Eastern DNA in Native American populations, living or dead. Most of the people involved in these studies likely know nothing of the LDS church, or the claims made by the BoM. Do you think it is possible that the church indoctrinates its members to see anyone with a differing viewpoint as "others"? Even ones who have no biases whatsoever? Just saying!

@@3thingsfishing427 when you do a little deeper study you find that after 2600 years there would be little DNA left but that isn’t present by the detractors. Some have been found in the Heartland theory. Some left the church when they heard that but those whose testimonies are strong and who nurture it don’t rely on these evidence because absence of evidence isn’t evidence. When you have a wealth of experiences telling you it is true, you don’t need someone else to validate that. What would anyone in the church have to gain from falsifying anything. The church has a few employees but everything goes into furthering the gospel. Do you think they want to fool people to build more temples, don’t think so. I believe the Bible but there are much harder stories to believe in the Old Testament than the Book of Mormon but I will take those on faith as well. Thanks for being respectful.

ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-hY9_bN7EFOc.html

“Logic” would include some scientific observation, some analysis or academic reasoning. This includes none of the above.

Logic would result in you leaving church.

@@jasonroyce295 everything is spiritual before it ever becomes tangible.

Both spirituality and logic are necessary in the learning process. There are additional methods are learning and those should also be considered too. Patience will be necessary, but stay sincerely determined and keep going.

I have studied the CES letter and the truth easily stands up against it's (quite pathetic) criticism.

​@@larrykelly893 "quite pathetic"? You're biases are showing. Perhaps you could go on a podcast and share how you dismantled it.

@@kylel5752 I'd love to go on a podcast to dismantle it. It takes very little intellectual work to see past it's deceptions.

@@larrykelly893 in all sincerity, please do... Then, post the link. Or, write your response. Many have said they could do this, then, never do. Many of us are interested in a thoughtful "dismantling". However, please stick to the topics in question and avoid ad hominem attacks on the author etc.

We can prove it one way or another. Look at the problems surrounding the Book of Abraham. They are insurmountable.

My pleasure!

It details the historical problems of the Mormon Church. It was written by Jeremy Runnels.

read it. every part of it is sourced so that you can fact check it yourself. as you should! you should fact check everything you read before deciding its true (including the book of mormon)

Fairlds has a whole series about the problems with the CES letter.

@Surely Serious yeah. That is the story. However, if you know the timeline, that is bogus. The "information" he allegedly requested and was denied an answer has been publicly available for many years. Runnels unfortunately cherry picks things and leaves out much information. Fairlds has a whole series of essays with footnotes showing what is left out to make the antichrist case.

How does Satan lie? He just does

@@surelyserious3166 exactly! There was no lying. It was questions. You can't lie when you're asking a question 😂

It really comes down to a matter of faith. Everything in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints boils down to the Book of Mormon. It exists and has a promise that can be put to the test. Moroni 10:3-5 If you believe the Bible and Jesus promise to send the comforter to testify of truth and have faith then you should believe that God will reveal all truth to the sincere seeker. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 says "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." KJV therefore as Christians we have an obligation to examine all things and hold on to that which is good and that includes The Book of Mormon. Additionally there is only so much evidence that can be found, if you are looking for "evidence" you are not seeking knowledge by faith, but by fear. I say this because there are many things that are in the Bible that there is no evidence for yet people believe. So if you are basing your faith in God on evidence, then you are not exercising true faith. Jesus said in Mark 16:17 "....signs follow them that believe." Also in Hebrews 11:1 we read "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." As soon as you exercise unfettered faith in God and Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Israelites

@@jamesnielsen1220 when there are hard and troubling facts that discredit the church dramatically, I need something with a bit more substance than what you are offering me. I served a full-time mission, and can recognize that you’re giving me the investigator discussion #1 treatment. A few warm feelings can’t make me un-know all of the problematic historical stuff that I’ve learned about the church. Alarm bells are going off and there’s a blimp in the sky with a giant banner reading: “FRAUD!” It’s just not possible for me to approach it the way you are mentioning, I know too much already. Bridger said there were just as many evidences for as there were against. An elaboration is absolutely necessary.

@@OrangePickleAudiobooks There will always be unanswered questions. Its wonderful that you served a full time mission. I also myself had doubts about the church after my mission and I couldn't reconcile my doubts that had cropped up with the powerful spiritual experiences I had on my mission, that were more than just warm feelings. In the end, everything came full circle to the Book of Mormon - independent of the strange things that happened with Joseph Smith (I've read Rough Stone Rolling btw so I know about the multiple wives etc.). The book exists, and cannot be explained away. It means one of three things; either Joseph Smith was a genius and masterful liar to have composed the book in one shot through nothing but dictation during the translation, always resuming where he left off and never going back to review what he wrote (this was attested to by his wife and Oliver Cowdery who handled the gold plates btw, left the church and then came back). Or he was a raving lunatic who also somehow managed to write the Book of Mormon without any formal education or he was of the Lord. There are no other options. I encourage you if you haven't already researched the word print analysis of the Book of Mormon you will find that it was written by multiple authors who each had unique writing styles. Not everything is meant to be understood, there are many stories in the Bible for example that are troubling such as Lot's daughters getting their father drunk and then sleeping with him to get pregnant. Incest doesn't seem in line with God's principles at all but it served a purpose for some reason. Some things are left to faith, not to mention that much of the Old Testament can never be proven. There is no archeological evidence to support the existence of the Israelites in Egypt, to prove Moses lived or any of the ancient patriarchs. The most reliable records we have the corroborate anything in the old testament are the Babylonian tablets that actually have the account of Nebuchadnezzar conquering Jerusalem around 600 BC. Prior to that we have almost nothing to corroborate the Old Testament. Lots of unanswered questions to be found anyplace that we look. The main difference is that there are plenty of eyewitness accounts (positive and negative) that detail the history modern day church due to effective record keeping and the year in which the church was founded. So in the end it is all about faith. Are we as Latter-day saints and Christians doing our part daily to pray and study and live by faith to recognize truth, or are we demanding answers to questions that may never be answered since they aren't ours to know? Only God can truly pass judgement on Joseph Smith for example regarding his multiple wives, or any other church leader or member for example. Only the Holy Ghost can reveal truth and give us proper perspective. The most important thing for us to worry about is our personal salvation and nothing more. Are we repenting of our sins before God daily as commanded in the scriptures? Are we praying daily? Studying the scriptures daily? (I know these are the canned basic church questions, but they are fundamental to maintaining faith) If not our faith will waver, it is an unavoidable consequence, and I know first hand that especially if we don't repent we lose the spirit independent of how much we pray or go to church or read etc. If anything is missing from these fundamentals, faith will waiver and we will feel like we can never come to a knowledge of the truth and will lose our testimonies and begin to doubt the things we once felt and knew to be true in our hearts. The last thing I want to mention, without the church eternal families are just a dream , we would only be angels in the next life with no hope of increase, so anytime I considered other faiths or leaving the church I always felt like I would be receiving way less than God wants to give me and I could not see a clear path ahead. I wish you the best of luck in your search for the answers to the questions that concern you, I hope you can resolve your doubts and that something I shared resonates with you.

The Bible specifically states our hearts can't be trusted, yet these members base everything on their feelings and call it "faith." God gave us the ability to reason and evidence to believe, yet the church limits your resources and tells a person to just have faith. Why? Because truth harms them and people fall away. Calling exterior information (which has been verified, but whitewashed in lds essays) "anti-mormon" is simply using mind control over the members by limiting information.

@@sherrywimmer3069 Regarding doubting the feelings of our hearts I would challenge you to dispute the feelings the disciples experienced while walking with Jesus when his true identity was hidden from them Luke24:32 "And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?" Additionally; Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. These are feelings. Additionally when you say we shouldn't trust our hearts you are essentially denying the power of God to communicate with us through our feelings and relying on your own faculties which are prone to error in understanding truth. You are essentially without faith. In Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." God cannot lie and is true to His word Jesus promised to send the Holy Ghost John 14:26 "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." Which we know he did in Acts. So it is impossible for you to use reason and your faculties to come unto God correctly without believing that God has the power to truly communicate with you to confirm truth, through feelings, or dreams or visions, which are all promised to those who are sincere and have faith. Jesus promised in Matthew 7: 7 "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? All of these verses are from the Bible - not once does it say 'Rely on your own faculties and reason to find the truth, just read the scriptures and you'll come to a knowledge of the truth." Not once, in fact Proverbs 3:5-7 says 5: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 ¶ Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil." Lastly, James 1:5-6 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed." These scriptures completely contradict your position and are all taken from the Bible. I didn't include any Book of Mormon or LDS scriptures. Our faculties and reason are not enough to guide us to truth. We are promised answers if we seek them and will receive them through Holy Ghost if we are sincere and have faith. That is the promise God has given to all of His children who will humble themselves, seek to do his will, rely on Him with the expectation that he will deliver on His promises with knowledge and a spiritual witness that come with fruits of peace, love and joy basically the love of Christ.

Why read something that is from normal people. I have too strong of a testimony that I don't need to read stuff like that. I kind of put it like Wikipedia , which you can put what you want.

ignorance is bliss! my mom sent me this the other day. I told her that it's comfier to believe that the structures around you are there to serve you. when you look deeper into history (the church, Utah state, United States) it gets uncomfy real fast. I told her I would rather be empowered by the truth than living in blissful ignorance.

I’m not totally sure I understand this comment.

@@erniechambers8845 if belonging to a deceptive Corporation intent on padding its bottom line, knock yourself out. 99.8 percent of the world has figured out that Mormonism is a joke.

Why does Jesus Christ plainly say “He that believeth on me hath everlasting life”? Is “everlasting life” the terrestrial kingdom? I really don’t think so.