TREATMENT

Reason 16

Also see Posts "WHAT KNOW?" April 27 and "Mormons v. Mormon Church" May 2

This is a fairly new reason. I left the church in March 2010. I resigned in July 2010. I began my blog in March 2011. Everything was just fine when I was quiet about my journey out of the church. Everything was just fine as long as I did not discuss my decision to resign or my reasons. It was not until I began sharing my journey that I lost many of my mormon friends, and I now have very few left in my life. Those few still love me even though we disagree about the LDS church. Those few still love me even though I am openly stating my Reasons for resigning. Those few understand I had to resign in order to salvage my life and gain a personal relationship with Christ. I am actually surprised and grateful I still have a few LDS readers following my journey.

     Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Once I began blogging about my journey out of the church I have received lots of horrible comments as well as hate email. Before I began writing about my journey I had no enemies that I know of, and then...I decided to share my story. It is very upsetting that some have the requirement that you must be mormon or agree with mormonism in order to be their friend. It is becoming clear to me who has Christ in their life and heart and who does not. I am very sad by the way some have chosen to treat me through this entire ordeal. Do not get me wrong, I am happy they are happy and they believe they belong to the one true church. But don't tell me I am wrong or that I spent seven years in a lie or that you are sad for me. I am not wrong for me. I did not spend seven years in a lie. I was definitely, without a doubt a TBM (True Believing Mormon). There is absolutely no reason to be sad for me. Just be happy that I am finally happy!

     Colossians 3:13
bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

I can categorize my LDS friends into two groups...true mormons and true friends who just happen to be mormon. Here are a few comments I have received from those I believe to be true mormons...

• I am not only much older than you, I am wiser.
• I have lost some respect for you.
• You have all the answers after just a few short years?
• I will respect your opinion on something like education or the virtues of living in Texas, but don't count on me respecting your opinion on issues of religion, because I've got years on you when it comes to that subject.
• I can't believe you would write something like this.
• What a load of crap.
• I don't believe you "resigned" from the LDS church, I believe you ran away.
• It's clear that your parents and siblings made it difficult for you, so you chose their good opinion of you over God, Jesus, your husband and your life with him and your children.
• I'm sure you have driven a huge wedge between you and Ken (and you don't care that you did) simply because you found that your parents' objection to your membership was too much for you to bear.
• I just feel sorry for you!
• It's clear to me that you are so far from the mark and chose this path for all the wrong reasons.
• It's [choosing the LDS church] not for me to find something that fits into my life choices and makes me feel good about myself the way I am.
• You say you're a Christian? Act like one.
• It's [the church] definitely NOT supposed to "give" us something; it's supposed to help us lose ourselves in what HE wants.
• You have made a very selfish and self-serving decision, and I would appreciate you not trying to make yourself feel better about it by trying to indict the LDS church and me along with it.
• I, unlike you, am not easily swayed by the fear-filled comments of the haters of this religion.
• Act like an adult. Take your pride, or whatever you have, in silence.
• I believe that you, and others who seek to pull others away from it [the church], only do it because they have taken the coward's way towards finding God...and that is to join a faith that says all you have to do is believe and you're saved. And because you are cowards, you want to bring everyone down to your level.
• You want to follow a religion that asks nothing of you in order to be worthy of His blessings, and you can go about living your selfish life as you please.
• This decision of yours is clearly drenched in bitterness, and no decision should be made when your heart is this bitter.

I still love all of these people with all my heart. In fact, I could say I love them more now since they have shared their true feelings towards me and have held nothing back. I pray for their pain and animosity to be washed away and their hearts to be filled with love and understanding.

     Leviticus 19:18

You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself

     Matthew 22:39

And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'

* The law was set forth in negatives. Thou shalt have no other gods. Thou shalt not, thou shalt not. Jesus put it in a very positive way, just love God with all your heart, soul, mind, strength, love your neighbor as yourself. And this is the law. This is basically what the law is declaring, that we should have a loving relationship with God first; that is reflected in a loving relationship with fellow man. ~ Chuck Smith, Blue Letter Bible Commentaries

I was able to abide by the "thou shalt nots."  It was the love commandment that I was not fulfilling as a mormon. Since resigning, I have unending love, and that is nothing for anyone to be sad or angry about.

     James 2:8

If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well;

Some still think I am writing to convince myself I have done the right thing. Some feel I am writing to try and prove them wrong. Both of these reasons are incorrect and I wish these people knew how wrong they are. I need absolutely no validation that I have done the right thing by resigning from a false church. Just take a moment to look into how many blogs or support groups there are from ex-mormons. Then compare that to how many blogs or support groups there are from ex-Baptists, ex-Methodists, or ex-Presbyterians; not too many. There is an overwhelming pattern here with people turning away from the mormon church and having to journal about their story. It is very sad that some people refuse to see the truth for what it really is. As far as trying to prove anyone wrong, I have no reason to do that. I have no reason to try and talk you out of your beliefs just as you should not tell me I am a coward or wrong for my beliefs, whatever they may be. This blog is for me and me alone to try to heal from the pain I have been through. If I can help just one other person by sharing what I have been through, then I have done what God has asked me to do. God did not ask me to try and "save people from mormonism." God has asked me to share my story for those who need to hear it; not for those who are attempting to chastise it.

A few others have decided to journal about their journey as well; I am not the only one. Here is one website with just a few other Former Mormon testimonies. The links take up the bottom half of the webpage.

     mormoninfo.org/testimonies

     Romans 14:13

Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way.

And here are a few comments from my true friends who just happen to be mormon...

• I can respect your decision, and I fully understand where you are coming from in this decision.
• Since I still consider you to be a friend, I wanted to understand where you are coming from. I am just trying to understand your view. Not promote confrontation. I hope that I have not offended you in any way by asking, that is not my intent. If it's none of my business, I accept that.
• I love you.
• Know that we love you!
• Love you guys.
• Good luck on your journey. I wish you all the best!
• We have never talked about your religious decision, but I will tell you I have always supported you in your decision.
• Please don't feel awkward around me because you aren't going to church anymore. I loved you before. I still do.
• I don't think less of you for your decision.
• Very proud of you for standing up for yourself!
• I hope your message box is being filled with some apologies.
• Y'all will continue to be some of our best friends despite any differences on faith.
• Obviously, what you choose to do is your choice, and I have no judgment towards you.
• I have not felt contention with you, just so you know.
• I don't think anyone should be involved in a religion that doesn't bring them happiness and closer to Christ.
• I'm sorry that you felt burdened and inadequate. That's definitely not how it should be.
• It is good that you've been lead to study the Bible more and pray more and lead you to have a closer relationship with Christ. That is so important.
• I saw your facebook and want you to know that I love you as a sister and am supportive of you regardless if I agree with how you feel about the mormon church.
• You have always been someone I have looked up to in the church and now out of the church!
• I share this in love, and I will respect your decisions and opinions regardless of the path you choose.
• I am sorry that anyone would have implied that this was easy for you, that is just obviously wrong.
• I have read your blog. It's exactly what you had told me when we talked.
• Hope things have gotten better.
• You and Ken have to make choices for yourself and your family.
• It's good also to follow the spirit...as you are doing.
• I still like and respect you as a human being.
• Thank you for being so honest with me.
• I do not want our relationship to change.
• You will always have a friend in me and thank you for sharing your story.
• I have the utmost respect for your decision, I value your opinions, and I will not stand in the way.
• Despite what will ever be said to you know this, you are a good Christian, a good mom, and a good friend, and I sure love and admire  you.
• When I just read your most recent post, I felt a sense of love for you. I just want to give you a hug. Not because I think ill of you or anything like that, but I just have compassion on you for what you are going through. You said you are a lost soul looking for your path. I really hope you find what you're looking for. I do. Whether in or out of the church, I hope you find your peace.
• Let us know if there is anything we can do.
• Take care and know that I'm always here for you. Love you!
• I hope that you will find peace, and I hope that you will continue to leave your heart open to the spirit.
• This is simply your test.
• I do not know what others have said to you. I just wanted you to know that nothing has changed with me.
• I will be following your journey! 
• I am always happy to discuss any of these items with you, and I would always do so in a manner that is respectful on elements of faith that you hold dear.
• I am sure this has been quite an ordeal for you. It seems that religion can get people in conflict real fast. It becomes this great debate (or argument) about who and what's right. That's exactly what I don't want to get into. People will feel threatened on both sides. I don't quite understand the contention but it does exist and is very tangible. As I'm sure you have felt recently.
• I am always willing to talk with you. Give me a call if you want.
• I agree with you about it being more important to be a disciple of Jesus Christ than anything else. My husband and I are always annoyed at some of the people who are "mormons" but not disciples of Jesus Christ.
• Everyone is free to choose and I understand that.
• As your friend, I hope that you find peace. I hope that you discover that you do not have to be perfect. I hope that you do not feel the need to 'measure up' to anyone else's standard but to be content with who you are. To be happy in your daily pursuits and to just be the best, and the only you! You have something wonderful to offer.
• I'm sorry about the negativity and all of the stress that was caused because of it. It's just not how it should be.
• I still think you are a wonderful person and still want to be your friend.
• I enjoy seeing your posts.
• I love you like a sister. You know that.
• Thank you for being honest with me.
• If you ever need a shoulder to cry on or someone to vent to, or someone to laugh with, you know I'm always here. I wish you happiness and peace and more happiness and more peace. Love you!

Thank you, friends, for your encouragement, love, and support! I love you all, and I am blessed to call you a friend!

My unanswered question was:

If mormons are Christians, then why are so many treating me in a non-Christian manner, saying hurtful words and telling me I am wrong?

I was initially devastated when I received this answer that no matter what "religion" someone claims to be, they might not ever be a true Christian; yet overjoyed to find the truth that my true friends will remain my true friends no matter what I believe or what information I share. My true friends will continue to love me through this difficult and painful journey.

NOT GOOD ENOUGH

Reason 15

The LDS church teaches perfection. They teach members to pattern their lives after Christ and to live their lives worthy of the Savior's Sacrifice; to think like Him, to act like Him, and to be like Him. I completely disagree with this teaching. Since Christ is the Only Perfect Person, they are striving for perfection. It may not be a direct doctrine, but it is expected. What you do and how you act is preached over a love for Christ. Now I know why I came across as holier-than-thou for so many years. It was through no fault of my own since I was trying so hard to get to the celestial kingdom by living a sinless life as Christ did. So naturally, I would judge others for their sins not even realizing I had plenty of my own. The fact is we can't be and never will be sinless, and He has always known that!
     carm.org/striving-for-perfection

No one is perfect except Christ, and no one should expect us to be perfect. God certainly does not expect us to be sinless, and that's exactly why Christ died on the Cross. He made that sacrifice for us because He loves us so much. He has always known that each one of us are sinners regardless of how hard we try to 'live our life worthy of His sacrifice.' He knows and has always known we would make mistakes and not be perfect as He is. There is no striving for perfection in Christianity; just striving to love Him with our entire being without overwhelming ourselves or trying to fulfill impossible expectations. Just by believing in Christ makes us worthy of His Sacrifice. It is a free gift He has given all of us, and all we have to do is accept it! That is how much He loves us. Any other teaching of this is not giving Christ the Praise and Glory He deserves.
     --LDS believe all will be resurrected, not just those that believe in Christ, and I also disagree with this teaching. Unfortunately, many will not accept His free gift. I am pretty sure I would not get a free gift from Someone that I did not believe in, but I certainly could be wrong.

One of my main reasons for resigning is my children. I could never expect my children to be perfect, and I know they will make mistake after mistake. I do not and never will expect them to live the life that I am living, just as Christ does not expect us to live our life as He lived His. I expect my children to live their lives for themselves, be who Christ made them to be, and learn from their own mistakes -- another reason I was unable to force the church on them. What kind of mother would I be if I tried to protect them from making mistakes? What kind of mother would I be if I taught my children that they must live their lives 'worthy of the Savior's Sacrifice' or they would not make it to God and me in heaven? I would not be giving them the full experience of learning for themselves through the mistakes I know they will make. I will ALWAYS forgive them for the mistakes they do make, no matter how big their mistake is or how many times they make the same mistake - or any mistake. I certainly do not expect my own children to think like me, act like me, or be like me. Why would God feel any differently? He wouldn't. He feels the exact same way about every one of us as we feel about our own children! Except He loves us infinitely more than we love our own children. He does not want us to think like Him, act like Him, or be like Him. He does not expect us to live sinless lives; just as we do not expect our children to live sinless lives. And just as we will always allow our children in our presence and in our home and accept them for who they are, He will always do the same for us!

We certainly do not need to earn our way into Heaven (God's home) just as my children will  never need to earn their way into my home. And earning our way into Heaven is what the LDS church is all about. I never understood how that would not transfer over into my children feeling the need to earn their way into my home. The entire focus and emphasis of the LDS church is not what I am looking for or what I need for me or my entire family, especially my children. All I need is Christ - no middle man will be sufficient. I could never expect my children to earn my love, earn their way into my home or earn a free gift from me. Why would Christ?

I undoubtedly felt the church was trying to make me 'live a perfect life' as the Savior lived, and if I didn't live a perfect life, I would not be worthy enough to live with Him in heaven. Every time I made a mistake--and trust me, I make lots of them,--I felt like I was falling farther and farther away from the celestial kingdom and in essence, God.
     James 2:10
For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.

A very good friend told me we must be held accountable for our sins. However, that is what the law is for. That's not what religion is for. Christ died for our sins and that is good enough for me!

     Romans 10:4
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

     Galatians 5:4
You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
          --As a mormon, I had definitely fallen from grace. I was trying so hard to make my good works outweigh my faults.

     1 John 1:8-9
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Many LDS women are trying to be perfect; I was one of them. Some may think it is not preached that way, but it certainly is felt and understood that way. What you wear, what you do, what you eat, what you drink, how you dance, what you say, what you read, what you listen to, what you watch, how you act, where you go, who you are friends with, etc. you are expected to be 'worthy' and better than the rest.

The Bible tells us there is no expectation of being sinless. The expectation is to love our enemies, pray for those who hurt us, and show love to all. I was not taught this when I was a member, because I was trying so hard to be sinless. I was so wrapped up in myself and trying to reach the celestial kingdom that I wasn't even thinking of others.

During my lifetime, I have attended several Christian Churches. I can speak for those churches by saying that guilt, expectation, weakness, and perfection were not issues. I can say I did not have judgmental feelings in any of those churches. I can say not one of those churches claimed to be the only true church. I can also say not one of those churches said they have the full truth and all the other churches are an abomination. They are just so happy you are there to worship and you accept Christ as your Savior. If by some chance I ever felt not good enough, then I would leave that particular church and find a new one. This is something you are not allowed to do in the LDS church. You are told where you will worship.
     --Churches are called wards. Wards are zoned like schools, so where you live determines where you will worship. You are not allowed to search for a new ward. You worship where they tell you to worship.

I know the LDS church does not have to be miserable and depressing. However, mormonism has been proven to have a high depression rate in women. That is not something to blink an eye at and I suppose I used to fit in that statistic. Sometime within those seven years that I was a member, I lost myself in the church. I became somebody that I'm not. I became what the church wanted me to be. I became somebody that no longer had the Spirit of Christ guiding my life. I became a horrible, judgmental, miserable, unreasonable person with depression and anxiety. It took me resigning from the church to realize this, and that is very frustrating to me. Please don't misunderstand me; I am truly grateful for this journey. But I was extremely angry for a long time for allowing myself to become a 'molly mormon.'

     iamanexmormon.com/2011/07/kevin-millet

After doing an internet search on depression statistics in the church and mormon depression, my heart aches for many people. I know exactly what they are going through.
     bycommonconsent.com/mormons-and-mental-illness
     lifeafter.org/mormonsuicide

When I was lost as a member, these were the questions I would get...are you praying enough...are you paying a full tithe...are you attending the temple often enough...are you reading your scriptures with a sincere heart...when is the last time you read the book of mormon...Just turn to the church and everything will be okay. It was all about me and what I was or was not doing. I don't think so! That's exactly what I did and that's when I lost myself in the church. I need a church with the first question being...How is your relationship with Christ...instead of what are you doing or not doing to make it to God. There is absolutely nothing I can do to be 'worthy.' However, I can do all things through Him.
     Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
          --I cannot do anything on my own without Him. And I need a 'church' that teaches me and my children that exact doctrine. I need a 'church' where we hear 'Jesus Christ' more than we hear 'Joseph Smith.' I need a 'church' where we hear 'Love' and 'Relationship' instead of 'testimony.'

     mormoninfo.org/testimonies/johanna-lakin

     1 Corinthians 3:6
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.
          --God makes it grow. The church was not allowing me to grow. I was at a spiritual stand still headed backwards.

As a member, I never knew if I was going to make it to the celestial kingdom. This was entirely too much pressure. I had no desire to put my children through that same pressure. As a Christian, I have absolutely no doubt that I will be in heaven with God and my entire family, and that is such a comforting feeling! I am full of peace and certainty now and this is something I never had as a mormon.

My unanswered question was:

Why am I trying to live a life as Christ lived when He will always be the only Perfect Man who has ever lived?--especially since Satan was cast out of heaven for trying to be like God.

I was initially devastated when I received this answer that I will never be even close to sinless and should never try to be, yet overjoyed to find the truth that never again do I have to feel 'not good enough.' I am so happy with the person God made me to be and I certainly do not need a church to guide my life or tell me who I should or should not be!

PRIORITIES

Reason 14

Simply put, I had it all wrong...I had placed all my faith into the church when I should have placed my faith into Christ.

Everything I did was for the betterment of the "church."
We had family home evening because the "church" preached it. Now we spend every night together as a family instead of just Monday evenings.
We spent our Saturdays preparing for "church." Our entire Sunday was spent doing things for or at the "church."
I paid a full tithe not because I could afford to or because I wanted to but because the "church" required me to. They give no knowledge of where your money goes. All the churches I attend now give you detailed information about finances; how much comes in, how much goes out and where it goes.
I willingly accepted all callings not because I wanted to but because I was told to by the "church."
I tried my best to keep my children quiet during sacrament because I didn't want anyone in the "church" to judge me if they were disruptive.
I followed the word of wisdom not because I wanted to but because if I didn't, I wouldn't be able to attend the temple and would be considered an unworthy mormon. Now I am following an eating lifestyle for my blood type that suggests I eat mainly meat. I feel better and am healthier than I have been in a very long time!
I wore garments not because I wanted to but because the "church" instructed me to.
I continually worked on "strengthening my testimony" not because I wanted to, but I had to in order to continue believing. This is constantly pushed in the "church." Everything is about "strengthening your testimony."
I fed missionaries because the "church" needed us to.
I studied scriptures and prayed because the "church" told me to not because I wanted to.
I made time for visiting teaching and home teaching because that was part of "church."
I attended all meetings for the "church."
I worked so hard to be a worthy mormon and keep my temple recommend.
When speaking with others, the first question on my mind was, are you a member of the "church"?

How is any of this helping me get closer to Christ? How is following all these rules helping me have a personal relationship with Christ? I felt so bogged down just trying to get everything done the "church" asked of me that I didn't even feel like I had time to do anything else.
     *Some of these things I did enjoy and I did sincerely even though I was only doing them because I was supposed to. However, I did not feel they helped me attain a personal relationship with Christ.

As you can see, my priorities were all about the "church." I put the "church" above everything else in my life. I put the "church" above Christ. I put the "church" above Ken. I put the "church" above my children. I put the "church" above my family and friends. My heart was in the wrong place. I was doing everything for the wrong reasons; for the "church" or for my benefit of getting to the celestial kingdom. Everything I was doing was for the "church" or because the "church" instructed me to keep on doing what they preached. I certainly was not a Christian as I was doing absolutely nothing from my heart or for Christ. I didn't even have Christ in my life.

The problem with religion-it gives its adherent a false sense of security. ~ Gloria Pickering

As a member I could not imagine my life without the "church."
As a Christian I cannot imagine my life without Christ.

What an amazing difference! Resigning from the "church" is the best decision I have ever made for Christ and myself! I have no religion; I have Christ!

My unanswered question was:

What exactly is a personal relationship with Christ that Christian Churches teach about and why does the LDS church not preach "relationship" instead of everything else?

I was initially devastated when I received this answer that I had no idea what a personal relationship with Christ was, yet overjoyed to find the truth that all I had to do was resign from the church to find the relationship I so desperately wanted and needed!

CHRIST

Reason 13

Also see Reasons 8 and 12

LDS claim the true gospel was lost then restored by Joseph Smith, their founding prophet for the latter days. The LDS prophet leads and guides the church in these last days, and all worthy temple going members must sustain the current prophet. Joseph Smith is the head of the church, which claims to be the one true church.
     D&C 132:40
I am the Lord thy God, and I gave unto thee, my servant Joseph, an appointment, and restore all things. Ask what ye will, and it shall be given unto you according to my word.
     D&C 28:2-6
But, behold, verily, verily, I say unto thee, no one shall be appointed to receive commandments and revelations in this church excepting my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., for he receiveth them even as Moses. And thou shalt be obedient unto the things which I shall give unto him, even as Aaron, to declare faithfully the commandments and the revelations, with power and authority unto the church. And if thou art led at any time by the Comforter to speak or teach, or at all times by the way of commandment unto the church, thou mayest do it. But thou shalt not write by way of commandment, but by wisdom; And thou shalt not command him who is at thy head, and at the head of the church;

I never understood why only Joseph Smith is named. God would know the names of future prophets.

However, the Bible tells us that Jesus is the Only Head of the Church.
     Colossians 1:18
And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. 

And the Bible also tells us that Jesus Christ is the foundation, or chief cornerstone, of the Christian Church.
     Ephesians 2:20
having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,

And the Bible also says the Prophet for the last days is Christ.
     Galatians 4:4-5
But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
     Hebrews 1:1-2
God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;

So who is the Head, the Foundation, and the Prophet of the Church; Jesus or Joseph Smith?

And the Bible also says the Word of the LORD goes on forever.
     1 Peter 1:25
But the word of the LORD endures forever." Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.

If the word of the LORD goes on forever, then how did it get lost and need restoration from Joseph Smith? The "gospel" was not taken from the earth.--quotes are used because the LDS definition of "gospel" is completely different than the Christian definition of gospel. This will be a later reason.

The LDS church has offices of high priest and believe only LDS have authority to baptize, ordain, etc. They have a two-part system of priesthood-Melchizedek and Aaronic. Thousands of LDS hold Melchizedek Priesthood.
     D&C 107:1-21
lds.org/scriptures/dc/107

However, Jesus Christ is the only High Priest according to the Bible.
     mormonhandbook.com/priesthood
     Hebrews 2:17
Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
     Hebrews 3:1
Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,
     Hebrews 4:14
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
     Hebrews 5:9-10
And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, called by God as High Priest "according to the order of Melchizedek,"
     Hebrews 7:26
For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens;
     Hebrews 8:1
Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,
     Hebrews 9:11
But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.
     Hebrews 9:15
And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
     Hebrews 9:25-26
not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another-He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

     mormoninfo.org also explains how the Aaronic priesthood was finished at the cross and the Melchizedek priesthood is unique to Christ. (THE PRIESTHOOD?)
The Aaronic priesthood was done away at the crucifixion of Christ, since He has become our permanent high priest. There is no more need for Levitical priests to offer imperfect sacrifices on behalf of the people in the temple. Jesus alone is worthy to hold the Melchizedek priesthood. Any believer today who has been called out of darkness into the light, regardless of age, race, or sex, is a member of the holy and royal priesthood. The believer operates in the highest authority that is offered today, viz., that of being a child of the Lord Omnipotent. Christians have the true priesthood, since they have the true God who gives it to them. (Jn. 1:12; Gal. 3:26-9; 1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 4:14; 5:9-10; 7:11-8:2; 9:24; 1 Pt. 2:5 and 9; and Rev. 1:6; 20:6).

So what does all of this mean? I disagree with the LDS teaching of prophets, the head of the church, the foundation of the church, and high priests. The Bible mentions nothing about the "true church" needing to be restored. The Bible mentions nothing about Joseph Smith being a prophet in the last days. In fact, the Bible does not tell us there will be a man to serve as prophet on the earth in the last days and that we should follow and listen to latter-day prophets; except Christ, of course. Prophets were on the earth at the time they were needed. Christ replaced the office of the prophet. The Bible does not tell us that Joseph Smith will be the head of the "one true church." Jesus will always be the Only Head of the Church. The Bible does not tell us that the foundation of the church will change because some gold plates will be found and translated into another book that will surpass the Bible. Christ's apostles are our apostles today. Jesus, and only Jesus, is My High Priest and My Foundation.
     1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.

God Will Not Give His Glory to Another, not even Joseph Smith.
     Isaiah 42:8
I am the LORD, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor my praise to carved images.

One more contradiction: Deacons in the LDS church are 12-year-old boys.
     From lds.org
And office of the Aaronic Priesthood, A boy is normally ordained a deacon when he is 12 years of age or older. Some of a deacon's responsibilities are to pass the sacrament and collect offerings.
In the Church today, worthy male members may receive the Aaronic Priesthood beginning at age 12. These young men, typically ages 12-17, receive many opportunities to participate in sacred priesthood ordinances and give service. As they worthily fulfill their duties, they act in the name of the Lord to help others receive the blessings of the gospel.

     1 Timothy 3:8-13 in the Bible explains Deacons much differently.
Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

These are 2 completely different definitions of Deacons.

Excellent article on prophets for today.
     mormoninfo.org/prophets-for-today

Another article about Priesthood Authority
     carm.org/priesthood-authority-and-mormonism

This guy does a great job explaining Priesthood.
     www.ldsvideo.org/2011/03/mormon-priesthood.html

In other words, Jesus is the ONLY way. No one else has any keys or ordinances. Christ did not need Joseph Smith's help. If the church needed restoring, which it didn't, then Jesus would have been able to "restore" the church all by Himself.

     Acts 4:12
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

My unanswered question was:

Do I need someone other than Jesus to be my High Priest or to help me get to heaven?

I was initially devastated when I received this answer, yet overjoyed to find the truth that Jesus is my only High Priest and He always will be; no other will be sufficient!

PROPHETS

Reason 12

Also see Reason 8

The Bible has very clear warnings of another Jesus, another Gospel, another Spirit, and False Apostles.

     Deuteronomy 13:1-5
"If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, 'Let us go after other gods'-which you have not known-'and let us serve them,' you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the LORD your God is testing you to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him. But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has spoken in order to turn you away from the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of bondage, to entice you from the way in which the LORD your God commanded you to walk. So you shall put away the evil from your midst.

     Jeremiah 14:14-15
And the LORD said to me, "The prophets prophesy lies in My name. I have not sent them, commanded them, nor spoken to them; they prophesy to you a false vision, divination, a worthless thing, and the deceit of their heart. Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who prophesy in My name, whom I did not send, and who say, 'Sword and famine shall not be in this land'-'By sword and famine those prophets shall be consumed!

     Lamentations 2:14
Your prophets have seen for you False and deceptive visions; They have not uncovered your iniquity, To bring back your captives, But have envisioned for you false prophecies and delusions. 

     Ezekiel 22:28
Her prophets plastered them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies for them, saying, 'Thus says the Lord GOD,' when the LORD had not spoken.

     Matthew 7:15
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

     Matthew 24:11
Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.

     Matthew 24:24 and Mark 13:22
For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

     2 Corinthians 11:3
But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

     2 Peter 2:1-2
But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways,...

     1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

HOW DO WE TEST A PROPHET?, by Sandra Tanner (Great-great-granddaughter of Brigham Young), Utah Lighthouse Ministry
I have included only parts of the article. To see the entire document, please see this link
     utlm.org/howdowetestaprophet
...The Mormon missionaries...challenged them to pray about Joseph Smith's message and the Book of Mormon...Is this the proper way to determine if his message is truly from God? The Bible never says to test a prophet by prayer, but by his message. Deuteronomy 13 warns that a prophet must teach correctly about God...Paul tells us in Galatians 1:8-9 that even angels can appear with a wrong message. ...In Acts 17:10-12,..."these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed..." ...Paul did not tell them to go home and pray about it. They were praised for searching the scriptures, in other words, testing the message to see if it agreed with the prophecies of the Messiah.


...John made an appeal to fact, not feeling, ...(1 John 1:1-3)...


  Peter wrote specifically to warn about false teachers: (2 Peter 1:15-16) "Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty..." ...in Chapter 3...he refers them to past teachings and facts, not to feelings or prayer.


  The Mormons misuse James 1:5. That verse is for wisdom during times of temptation and persecution, not for knowledge or testing a prophet. He goes on to warn in Chapter 4, verse 3, about those who pray (and we assume it was in Jesus name) for the wrong things-"Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss..." This verse shows our own desires or misdirected ideas can play a part in the answer. If someone claimed God said we should rob a bank and give the money to the poor, would we need to pray about it? God has already spoken on the issue in the Ten Commandments. So why should we pray to know if God and Jesus appeared to Joseph Smith to show him that they are two totally separated gods with resurrected bodies? Or that there were gods BEFORE our heavenly father. (See Smith's sermons in the LDS History of the Church, vol. 6, pp. 305-312, 474-476) Compare his sermons with Isa. 43:10-11, 44:6-8, 24-25, 45:5-6, 18-24, 46:5-10. Joseph Smith contradicts Isaiah-which one should we believe? Christians test prophets, pastors, and teachers by the Bible. LDS test the Bible by their prophets. They go about testing the message backwards. The Bible was here first, therefore Joseph Smith must be tested by it, not the other way around. 


  Certainly a decision regarding our eternal life is the most important one we will ever make and deserves careful examination. Anyone meeting with the LDS missionaries should know both sides of the issue. There are plenty of facts from LDS sources to show that Joseph Smith taught false doctrine, lied about polygamy (even to his own wife), changed his revelations, gave false prophecies, etc. He hardly meets the test of a prophet. Truth will stand up to investigation.

Another site showing Joseph Smith as a false prophet
     carm.org/book-abraham-papyri

This information is very clearly fact and evidence. I do not need to pray about these facts or the evidence to know if it is true or not. I have tested Joseph Smith by The Bible, and he has clearly failed the Biblical test of a true prophet.

My unanswered question was:

Since The Bible is clear that there will be false prophets, is it possible that Joseph Smith was a false prophet?

I was initially devastated when I received this answer that Joseph Smith could most definitely be a false prophet, yet overjoyed to find the truth that I am much safer without following a potentially false prophet!

GOD

Reason 11

Joseph Smith said that God was not always God; He was once a mortal man just like you and me.

God Himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great secret. If the veil were rent today, and the great God who holds this world in its orbit, and who upholds all worlds and all things by His power, was to make Himself visible,-I say, if you were to see Him today, you would see Him like a man in form-like yourselves in all the person, image, and very form as a man; for Adam was created in the very fashion, image and likeness of God, and received instruction from, and walked, talked and conversed with Him, as one man talks and communes with another...I have always declared God to be a distinct personage, Jesus Christ a separate and distinct personage from God the Father...That which is without body or parts is nothing. There is no other God in heaven but that God who has flesh and bones.  Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p 40-42

James E. Talmage agrees with Joseph Smith.
From the evidence already presented, it is clear that the Father is a personal being, possessing a definite form, with bodily parts and spiritual passions. Jesus Christ, who was with the Father in spirit before coming to dwell in the flesh, and through whom the worlds were made, lived among men as a man, with all the physical characteristics of a human being; after His resurrection He appeared in the same form; in that form He ascended into heaven; and in that form He has manifested Himself to the Nephites, and to modern prophets. We are assured that Christ was in the express image of His Father, after which image man also has been created. Therefore we know that both the Father and the Son are in form and stature perfect men; each of them possesses a tangible body, infinitely pure and perfect and attended by transcendent glory, nevertheless a body of flesh and bones. Articles of Faith, James E. Talmage, p 37-38

     D&C 130:22
The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Son also...

     From Mormon & LDS Facts Facebook page
"When the Virgin Mary conceived the child Jesus, the Father had begotten him in his own likeness. He was not begotten by the Holy Ghost." (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 1:50)
"The birth of the Saviour was as natural as are the births of our children; it was the result of natural action. He partook of flesh and blood-was begotten of his Father, as we were of our father." (Brigham Young, JofD 8:115)

     See the Mormon Handbook for other teachings about God being a man.
mormonhandbook.com/god-is-an-exalted-man

     A great article about how the LDS view of God contradicts the Bible
utlm.org/onlineresources/ldsviewcontradictsbible

The Bible says that God has always been God, was never man, is Spirit, is invisible, is everywhere at all times and is unchanging.

     Numbers 23:19
"God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

     Psalm 90:2
Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.

     Psalm 102:27
But You are the same, And Your years will have no end.

     Psalm 139:7
Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?

     Proverbs 15:3
The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.

     Jeremiah 23:24
Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?" says the LORD; "Do I not fill heaven and earth?" says the LORD.

     1 Samuel 15:29
And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor relent. For He is not a man, that He should relent."

     Hosea 11:9
I will not execute the fierceness of My anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim. For I am God, and not man, The Holy One in your midst; And I will not come with terror.

     Habakkuk 1:12
Are You not from everlasting, O LORD my God, my Holy One? We shall not die. O LORD. You have appointed them for judgment; O Rock, You have marked them for correction.

     Malachi 3:6
"For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.

     Matthew 18:20
For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."

     Luke 24:39 (Jesus speaking)
Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have."

     John 1:18
No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

     John 4:24
God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

     Romans 1:22-25
Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man-and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

     Colossians 1:15 (Speaking of Jesus)
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

     1 Timothy 1:17
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

     1 Timothy 6:15-16
which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

     Hebrews 1:12
Like a cloak You will fold them up, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail."

     Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

     James 1:17 (giver)
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

So if God has always been God, was never man, is Spirit, is invisible, is everywhere at all times and is unchanging, then it is not possible that He began as a man and changed or progressed to God.

How Big is God? He is BIG enough to save us all from our sins. Not only is God Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent, Immutable and Sovereign, but no one else will share His Glory! Let the Scriptures Speak, Suzanne Bishop, p 38

     Isaiah 42:8
I am the LORD, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images.
          (We should not praise any other person.)

In Mormonism, man became God. In Christianity, God became a Man. These two are complete opposites and only one can be right.

My unanswered questions were:

Why did Joseph Smith teach that God was a man just like us when The Bible clearly says that God is purely Spirit? How could Joseph Smith have seen God, when He is clearly not a man and no one has ever seen God?

I was initially devastated when I received these answers that Joseph Smith did not know God or The Bible as well as he claimed and that the LDS god is much different than the Christian God, yet overjoyed to find the truth that God was never a man like us and He became a man to save us all!