Why I Criticize The Mormon Church
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Or The LDS Church, or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Recently, some of my old friends asked me why I share my critical thoughts of the Mormon church, knowing I may well offend those still active in their faith. So I based my answers on a poster I had seen on Facebook (Seth Jones) from a friend because they work so well.
My responses?
1 — My thoughts are rarely personal. They are not directed at people I know, including the 'faithful.' In fact, my family, or a large proportion, are practicing Mormons. They believe and adhere to the institution, the corporation, and the leadership. However, I will without fail criticize any institution, corporation, and administration that I consider to be causing significant harm in such deceitful ways. Mormonism is my area of expertise and interest. I have been involved at every level for 35 years. Having been on both sides of this Mormon wall and atop it, I have seen and experienced much that, for many years, I kept in a drawer or put on a shelf as Mormons are told to do by their leaders. I was first exposed to this by President Robert Garff, a Mission President at the time, back in 1997. A challenging task for anyone, but especially for a professionally trained historian and researcher. I soon learned faith is not about reality but conformity (Betty Bowers).
2 — From childhood, I have always preferred 'truth.' I guess what I mean by truth is, in fact, provable data with a sure provenance to primary documentation. I have always loved books and educational experiences. University trained on one hand and autodidact on the other. Initially, it seemed that Mormonism encouraged the pursuit of truth anywhere it could be found. However, the caveat was that if the fact contradicted Mormon teachings and thereby could affect believers' faith, it should not be revealed. Elder Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the LDS Church, once said, "I have a hard time with historians because they idolize the truth. The truth is not uplifting; it destroys . . . Historians should tell only that part of the truth that is inspiring and uplifting."
3 — Much of what I discuss is simply history. If historical events or accounts offend, then perhaps further research for the offended may be helpful as it…
