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Cracks in the Mormon Dam [Ex-Mormon Grant Palmer points to 'seeping out' evidence]
Mormonism Research Ministry ^ | July 11, 2013 | Aaron Shafovaloff

Posted on 07/15/2013 8:34:23 AM PDT by Colofornian

(Starts at about 8m45s)

Cracks in the Mormon Dam. Some water already beginning to gush.

Atheist LDS current mission presidents. Unbelieving return-MP’s. Doubting General Authorities. A General Authority that stops BYU’s NAMIR/FARMS from publishing a piece against the agnostic-in-longtime-LDS-sheeps-clothing John Dehlin. Daniel Peterson fired and FARMS abandoning unabashed apologetics. Mormonism’s greatest expert on the Book of Abraham, John Gee, says the LDS Church doesn’t stand or fall on the Book of Abraham, and has offered no credible apologetic for the fraud. Extremely few identifiable up-and-coming LDS apologists, and even most of those seem to have liberalized their Mormonism. LDS philosophers abandoning traditional LDS beliefs. LDS theologians and authors embarrassed by the teachings of their own apostles and prophets.

Palmer claims that approximately 45% of return-LDS-missionaries no longer have a temple recommend within five years of returning. Speaking of the unbelief going upstream, Palmer says, “I think it’s beginning to penetrate the upper echelons of the Church.” Lest we jump ahead of ourselves, he says, “And I emphasize ‘beginning.’”

He even says, “I know at least 10 LDS Seminary and Institute teachers who think like I do.”

“I had a daughter and her husband and their two boys leave the Church two months ago. And the answer that they got is, well, ‘Even if it’s false, stay anyway.’” This is what I call, “Practical Mormon atheism.”

Mormonism is atrophying. “It’s like a balloon in the corner that you walk by every three days, and it’s getting less vibrant…”

More and more falling out of the LDS nest. Will they land on Jesus? Or will they go from Mormon atheism (yes, I said Mormon atheism) to secular atheism or pagan atheism, etc.?

Some fellow evangelicals have argued that this state of affairs call for a retreat — that we ought to stop critically engaging Mormonism and treat Mormons in general as transitioners. That we ought to simply encourage Mormonism to gradually, not definitively, mainstream into evangelicalism, even without integrity, even enjoying the delusion that Mormonism has always been evangelical at its core.

I say: Welcome, encourage, teach the transitioners as transitioners, and be aware of the shifts taking place, but don’t prematurely put up the banner. Increase the pressure of critically engaging Mormonism. Increase the maturity and depth of our intellectual critique of Mormonism. Increase the spread of knowledge of “unauthorized” LDS history. Increase the clear delineation between traditional Mormonism and Christianity. And increase the demand that persons of influence in Mormonism take their non-traditional positions with open and honest integrity (not whitewashing them as mere changes of “emphasis”, or as mere re-articulations of traditional positions). All the while gently encouraging Mormons, at an individual level, to consider the Jesus and the gospel of the Bible, to visit a local Christian church, and to take what is good with them as migrants to a new religious territory, but to definitively “jump ship.”


TOPICS: Apologetics; Current Events; Other non-Christian; Religion & Culture
KEYWORDS: inman; lds; mormonexodus; mormonism
Click on the video portion @ top of the article for hearing Grant Palmer's comments:

Cracks in the Mormon Dam. Some water already beginning to gush.

* Atheist LDS current mission presidents.

* Unbelieving return-MP’s. ["MP's" are "Mission Presidents]

* Doubting General Authorities.

* A General Authority that stops BYU’s NAMIR/FARMS from publishing a piece against the agnostic-in-longtime-LDS-sheeps-clothing John Dehlin.

* Daniel Peterson fired and FARMS abandoning unabashed apologetics.

* Mormonism’s greatest expert on the Book of Abraham, John Gee, says the LDS Church doesn’t stand or fall on the Book of Abraham, and has offered no credible apologetic for the fraud.

* Extremely few identifiable up-and-coming LDS apologists, and even most of those seem to have liberalized their Mormonism.

* LDS philosophers abandoning traditional LDS beliefs.

* LDS theologians and authors embarrassed by the teachings of their own apostles and prophets.

Palmer claims that...

* ...approximately 45% of return-LDS-missionaries no longer have a temple recommend within five years of returning.

Speaking of the unbelief going upstream, Palmer says, “I think it’s beginning to penetrate the upper echelons of the Church.” Lest we jump ahead of ourselves, he says, “And I emphasize ‘beginning.’”

* “I know at least 10 LDS Seminary and Institute teachers who think like I do.”

* “I had a daughter and her husband and their two boys leave the Church two months ago. And the answer that they got is, well, ‘Even if it’s false, stay anyway.’” This is what I call, “Practical Mormon atheism.”

Bottom line: Mormonism is atrophying. “It’s like a balloon in the corner that you walk by every three days, and it’s getting less vibrant…”

1 posted on 07/15/2013 8:34:23 AM PDT by Colofornian
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To: Colofornian

Oh....Shiz.....


2 posted on 07/15/2013 8:41:59 AM PDT by elcid1970 ("The Second Amendment is more important than Islam.")
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To: Colofornian

Very encouraging article.


3 posted on 07/15/2013 8:49:27 AM PDT by ansel12 ( Santorum appeared on CBS and pronounced George Zimmerman guilty of murder, first degree. March-2012)
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To: Colofornian
OH NOOOOOEZ !!!
4 posted on 07/15/2013 8:57:12 AM PDT by Tennessee Nana
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To: All
From the blog: Daniel Peterson fired and FARMS abandoning unabashed apologetics...Extremely few identifiable up-and-coming LDS apologists, and even most of those seem to have liberalized their Mormonism.

Let me give you yet more evidence by taking a peek behind the Mormon spiritual iron curtain in their apologetics' backyard:

The primary Lds apologetics outfit, FAIR, has its annual conference coming up in August...(FAIR is also tied to Daniel Peterson, who gives the closing talk each time).

What do you think is THE most common topic presentation at its upcoming conference?

Allow me to provide some presentation titles:

Lead-off A.M. talk: Shaken Faith Syndrom, Part Deux

Mid-afternoon: Why Mormonism Matters: Pastoral Apologetics and the LDS Doubter
Second day (A.M.): Disenchanted Mormonism
Second day, Mid-afternoon The Loss and Rekindling of Faith

It's the ONLY topic that gets attention EVERY morning and afternoon of the Mormon apologists' conference!

5 posted on 07/15/2013 9:04:37 AM PDT by Colofornian (Disenchant your Mormonism; No wonder Lds faith is shaken; The loss of J.Smith faith is a GOOD thing)
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To: Colofornian
I am not surprised and am witnessing a shocking turn in current member opinion. ...And why not ? Mormonism 2013 = Harry Reid Marxism and gay scouts.

Charley Monson and Dallin Oaks let Harry declare Ezra Taft Benson to be a false prophet in from of the entire faculty and staff of BYU, and keep his temple recommend.

The same groups of devout salt lake sect mormons who just a few years ago were bashing Catholics for not excommunicating Kerry and Pelosi for their anti-catholic abortion stances, are now seeign their logic fuses blown over Reid and choice to destroy the Boy Scouts of America.

6 posted on 07/15/2013 9:27:01 AM PDT by SENTINEL (Kneel down to God. Stand up to tyrants. STICK TO YOUR GUNS !)
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To: SENTINEL; All
Charley Monson and Dallin Oaks let Harry declare Ezra Taft Benson to be a false prophet in from of the entire faculty and staff of BYU, and keep his temple recommend.

ALL: Sentinel is referencing how BYU invited Harry Reid to speak before its entire staff & student populace...and Reid took the opportunity to bash Christians and to bash even deceased Lds "prophet" Ezra Taft Benson, claiming Benson had taken Mormon church members down the wrong path.

Now...that's not exactly "breaking news" to non- Mormons...of course, ALL Lds "prophets" have taken their church members down the wrong path!

But for Harry Reid to say that on "sacred" BYU turf, and still not only retain his temple recommend, but his "visiting teacher" status in D.C....where Reid goes into Mormon homes and gives Mormon curricula lessons...shows that I guess SLC HQ thought they could look the other way @ this remark...so long as Reid curries them political favors later on.

If you want a Mormon reference to what Reid said about Benson in late '07, here it is: Harry Reid's speech at BYU

7 posted on 07/15/2013 9:51:35 AM PDT by Colofornian (Disenchant your Mormonism; No wonder Lds faith is shaken; The loss of J.Smith faith is a GOOD thing)
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To: Colofornian
Here in is the biggest issue for Christians in regards to the LDS. This is a cult, the soft touch does not work well with the brain washed which in itself in a quandary for many modern Christians in America because they are inundated with the “all paths are correct” liberal mindset that screams about “judge not” out of context and forgets about defending and contending for the faith lest someone be “offend” (hell is not offensive enough?).

Yet we find in waiting until the LDS member finds their own way free often creates a complete disregard for God due to the experience in and the lies of the Mormon "faith".

The battle for souls in a honorable battle, and one that is far more important than many realize.

8 posted on 07/15/2013 12:18:15 PM PDT by ejonesie22 (8/30/10, the day Truth won.)
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To: Colofornian

Good


9 posted on 07/15/2013 12:37:13 PM PDT by svcw (Stand or die)
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To: Colofornian

If more Christians would arm themselves with the truth and confront these missionaries, more lives could be saved.

http://gnli.christianpost.com/video/are-mormons-christians-lds-mormonism-a-church-cult-12180


10 posted on 07/15/2013 12:42:45 PM PDT by dragonblustar
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To: Colofornian
Transition THIS!



"Now if any of you will deny the plurality of wives, and continue to do so, I promise that you will be damned;

and I will go still further and say, take this revelation, or any other revelation that the Lord has given,

and deny it in your feelings, and I promise that you will be damned.

Brigham Young - JoD 3:266 (July 14, 1855)

11 posted on 07/15/2013 1:14:13 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Colofornian
...ALL Lds "prophets" have taken their church members down the wrong path!

BULL!

It wasn't MY fault that so many people died on their handcart trip I told them to take!!!



12 posted on 07/15/2013 1:22:19 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: dragonblustar

They gotta KNOW the ‘truth’ first!


13 posted on 07/15/2013 1:23:09 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: ejonesie22; All
Here in is the biggest issue for Christians in regards to the LDS. This is a cult, the soft touch does not work well with the brain washed which in itself in a quandary for many modern Christians in America because they are inundated with the “all paths are correct” liberal mindset that screams about “judge not” out of context and forgets about defending and contending for the faith lest someone be “offend” (hell is not offensive enough?).

Yes. Let me provide a parallel example:
If...
...say, alcoholics...
...were brainwashed daily on the hour that orienting their very identity unto alcohol itself was "natural"...
...similar to the degree that homosexuals are told their lifestyle is "natural" -- where the media & the homosexual activists EVERY HOUR reinforce this notion that the anus was purposed for "pleasure" & such "relations" were to be rarely linked beyond any type of true relational commitment...
...then for these groups, as for Mormons & most other cultists, the "soft touch" will not offset that cultural drumbeat.

And for MOST Mormons, they are quite culturally insulated as yet another need to offset their daily reinforcement.

Tough love is therefore what is needed in all the above cases.

The battle for souls in a honorable battle, and one that is far more important than many realize.

Amen. For ANY so culturally reinforced with these alternative identities, be it homosexual or cultist, their souls are of tremendous value to our Creator who made them & desires for them to be re-created in Christ...

For Mormons, their burning bosoms need to be handed over to the LORD Jesus Christ, lock, stock, & feelings.

For homosexuals, what burns within them likewise was bought by Christ on the cross. Give it over. He experientially died for every lust, be it homosexual, heterosexual, or as temple Mormons do, lusting after godhood.

12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God...14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. 15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. (Prophet Isaiah, chapter 14)

Mormons think nothing of a being who says, "I will exalt my throne above the stars of God...I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High." They conflate such godhood-striving as "godliness" -- as if Lucifer was "godly."

All such lusting, whether it be for godhood, or mere hedonistic, that trash is Christ's! He was the Garbage Man on that cross. Let it go.

The call for Christians is tell "alternative identity" individuals to "let it go"...NOT for us as Christians to "let them be" hell-bound in such identities.

14 posted on 07/15/2013 4:28:13 PM PDT by Colofornian
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To: Colofornian
... or as temple Mormons do, lusting after godhood.

Begs for clarification...


So here goes ---


The Doctrine and Covenants

Section 132

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

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

 


 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


15 posted on 07/15/2013 7:50:37 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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