P.S. my friend would like to tell you something also. If you say anything bad, I wouldn't doubt it if you go staight to "OUTER DARKNESS" or hell in your next life -K-
I feel sorry that you do not beleive what is in our religion. This is something that I beleive with all my heart. I can write this as plain as i could ever speak this that I know without a shadow of a doubt that this is the only true church. not because thats what i was taught all my life, but because i have found it out through my own experiences. You must not have had a testimony, because once you get it, there is no doubt that this is the only true church. Sorry if i sound a little arrogant, but i just dont think it is right that because you dont beleive in it, that you need to put a web page out for it. not everyone will see things your way, i know i dont and i dont beleive what you say, because i can tell you that this is the only true church. I would be curious to hear a little more in detail why exactly you left the church. what was the straw that broke the camels back. thanks for taking the time to read this note, and take it for what it is worth. please email me back though.
You can chuckle but you will not have the last laugh, of this I have no doubt. I sincerely hope that all of this effort has brought you peace here on earth; it may be all that you will ever know.
Think seriously of what you are doing, not only to yourself but to other poor weak mortals who are being misled into thinking they will be exempt from the judgement that we all must someday face.
You, like all the rest of us, have your agency, and that has been given you by a most gracious God that loves you, even with all your faults. Talk with him in ernest and he will make that love known to you and by this you will know of his existance.
May God bless and keep you.
I read with interest your ex-mormon page on web. I still don't understand why you left the church. All religons ask people to swollow some tall tales. Sikh is the only religon I know of that holds crazy speculations to a minimum. The problem with religon in general is that it claims to have the answers now. The good thing about religon is that it teaches us good values and helps build comunities.
Did you leave just because the book of M tells some tall tales? Why not just take the good lessons of love and friendship?
Also, do you think that the stuff in the book of M could have occured in a parellel universe? Some people believe that anytime a person has a decision, they actually take both paths, bifricating the world. Perhaps in a world where many different decisions were made, Ox and wheat could have ended up in America.
I have had many problems and the people who help me the most are the ones in my church. I am a very bright young girl and very involved in sports and school. I think being a Mormon is the best religion you could have!!! PLEASE write back!
Other religions bag on the LDS, we dont bag bag on other religions. That just goes to show that we are sure of what we believe in and the others shouldnt say bad things about us. that shows how RUDE those people are. They say we are a cult? Are they dumb? We don't worship Satan or do sacrifices or any of that disgusting stuff. We are perfectly normal people and if they think we are a cult why don't they follow the lives of us closely and they would see that we are normal people. Thank you for your time. And I get REALLY angry when people say things about my religion, SO DON'T. And anyone who does can talk to me!
How pitiful you are. Yes I use the word pitiful. You say that you did not leave the Church because of sin or anything like that. You, and I as well as God know that is your first lie. One does not fall away from the Truth because of "findings".
I would be interested to be the fly on the wall when you lost your testimony. I know this religion is true. No doubt. I too have served a mission, been married in the temple, and have been the best Latter Day Saint and a not so good Latter Day Saint.
Why do you spend so much time trying to tear down something you have turned against. The Church has not turned against you, you have turned from the Church. Look inside yourself and you will see the monster.
Satan is a powerful being that can mislead our thoughts and actions. I am astonished that a grown man can be so naive and ignorant. Please, dont spend so much time destroying what other people find dear to their hearts. Why is it only Mormonism that you try and destroy??? I know, because it is the only TRUE CHURCH and misery loves company no sorry misery loves company. You once knew what was right and yes You KNOW that it was something that you did for you to loose your testimony.
What a pathetic excuse for a human being. Remember my name, let me say it to you again, Aaron Covey. When the second coming comes I will stand next to Jesus Christ and will confirm the ridiculous things that you have said against His true church. Yes I too am a witness against you.
Remember, repentance repentance repentance. Please, don't bother e-mailing me back. If your e-mail is against anything I believe in, please don't bother. There is nothing, I repeat nothing you can say, do, or show me that may waiver my testimony. Don't think that I haven't seen it all because I have.
Please, for your sake repent and ask for Heavenly Father's forgiveness. I would hate to stand before you at judgement day and testify of the horrific things I have seen on this page.
I know that you will probably use this e-mail as more documents against the Church but I had to say my peace. I in no way have connection with the church authorities by doing this. I am just a member of the church who stumbled on your home page that was disgusted by your ignorance.
Regards,
Aaron Covey
But I am sure that you were expecting, and possibly wanting, these types
of letters. After all, you stated your beliefs as to why the most
important thing in their life is wrong and they are stupid not to
question it. Nobody likes that, not even yourself!
I believe, as do we all, that we all have our free agency. This gives
us all the right to do as we feel is best for ourselves. This ability
allows you to write about your feelings and beliefs. This ability allow
gives me the right to follow my heart and conscience in how I want to
live my life.
After 10 years away from the Church, and now a VERY active member again,
I am happy with the decisions I have made. To that end, Eric, I truly
wish you the same joy in the decisions you have made.
I have done more than study, Eric. I have been true to my temple covenants.
I have been true to my baptismal covenants. Have you? NO! You have broken
them and you have broken your integrity. Of course you will think this
church is a cult. How else could you feel good about your decision to break
your covenants that you made out of your own free will and choice. No one
forced you to make them and you did. Then you broke them, and as prosmised
you are delivered up to the buffetings of Satan. Of course you think you are
so well read and right, so does satan. You will be asked at the judgement
bar if you were true to your covenants and you will have no excuses. Your
not led by God, your led by the vain imaginations of your own heart, and
satan has his way with you. You know it and so does God. You are not man
enough to come face to face with it. I wouldn't come so personally against
you, but you openly and boldly and actively fight against the church. Your
not led by love, you're led by hate and anger. Anyways, I'll not write
again. I have said my piece. you can say what you want, I know the truth.
My Question is: Why is your e mail the only one I am able to find? What
happened to so many other tough anti's you brag about?
Eric's comment: My answer to the first paragraph is found below the next letter. I was a member for over 20+ years. That is a brief membership? The second paragraph makes no sense. About 1/3 of the stories have e-mail addresses on them from the authors. I do not "brag" about them anywhere.
Eric's comment: I served a mission with no financial help from my parents or the church. I was married in the temple, served as Elders' Quorum President, Young Mens' President, Ward Clerk, Scout Master etc. for over 20 years. Yes, I gave the church a "chance". The church is a cruel hoax.
i am 15 years old, and have been a member my entire life. i do not want to
argue, but i would like to say a few things. what could have happened to
you that made you turn away? your testimony of the church must have not
been great enough or was changed in some way for you to turn away. i would
really like to know what it was.
let me tell you about myself. as i said, i am 15 and a male. i live in
ohio, and am basically a 4. student in the 9 grade. i have had a few sins
but repent of them. my testimony of the church has NEVER been greater
since reading your web page. why? you might ask. because i have sat here
crying about all of the people who have learned the truth and then denied
it. how they are now damned, as you are, because of their denial. i could
NEVER think of denying the church and cannot even FATHOM any one else
doing so. why did u??
i really am not an in depth person, but i want to continue, somehow. my
heart aches for you and everyone else who has turned away, because of you
or not. tonight, i am going to pray for you and all the others who have
turned away, for you are the ones who need saving.
oh yes, i have a friend who is not a member of the church. he ridicules
it, and calls it a cult. i only think to myself how when we die we will
all know the truth. so why don't you leave it at that?? stop your page
and wait until you die to ridicule our church. if you are ending up being
right (which i know will NEVER happen) then you can watch me be damned, but
if i am right (as i KNOW i am) then, well i will be right. Oh. i have just
one favor, tonight when you go to bed, kneel down and pray with a sincere
heart i do mean the sincerest, ask god who is right. and i PROMISE you
that if you ask with an open heart and mind, and you REALLY do want to know
the truth, you will find who is right and it will be me. thanx for your
time.
you may leave my name
Adam T. Nichols
p.s. please notify me when it has been put in your little web page thanx
You can't prove that Joseph Smith is a fraud and a learned man, because he is not and was unlearned. It is written in the bible, if you believe that, that there would be a learned man who would be shown records and say that he could not translate a sealed record, but then they would be given to an unlearned man and he could when told. Joseph Smith translated the plates, and gave Martin Harris a short message from them with a translation. Martin Harris wasn't so sure of Joseph then, so he took them to the best man that knew of ancient writtings. The man then looked at the writtings and said that they were perfect. Martin Harris then asked for a certificate so he would be able to show people. The man agreed then asked Martin Harris where did he get those writtings, and Martin Harris told him about Joseph, then the man asked for the certificate. Martin Harris gave him the certificate and the man tore it up. He told Martin Harris to stop making up stories and get out, because he felt it was absured.
I want to ask you something. Think back to how you felt when you first joined the church, when you had no misgivings for it. It was a happy life, and you enjoyed it, you have never felt that way before. When you were married in the temple it was a far greater feeling and experience than anyting at all. Now I ask you since you left the Church have you ever felt like that. I don't know if you drink or do drugs, but feeling like as you did in the temple drinking or drugs Won't get you that.
When you joined the church had you read the book of Mormon, and had you read Moroni 10:3-5. After you read it did you pray about it? If you did how did you feel. While in the church did you ever gain a testamony?
Many things do get dismissed, because they are small and there is no need to worry about it. If you just do what the lord wants you to And live in the world, but not of the world you will be happy. We are all human we do make mistakes so if the prophet recieves revelation that does not flow with what someone said it was mans mistake and not Gods.
Did you watch 60 minutes after general conference. Learn from your mistakes.
We were asked not to talk to you because you would take what we give you and twist it. We don't want to through our pearls before swine.
I have spent the last several days examining your web pages regarding
the Mormon faith. I have also spent much time browsing web pages
maintained by avid defenders of the LDS faith. And to be quite honest,
I have learned quite a bit about early LDS church history. I commend
you for your use of the Internet as an educational tool. Where else
could I possibly learn about the beliefs and values of countless others
in a few short hours. And the best part is that I have the opportunity
to express my point of view as well.
After reading some of the e-mail messages send to you by aggravated LDS
church members, I feel inclined to apologize for any offense that you
might have taken. I believe that one of the greatest gifts God granted
to man was that of free agency - the opportunity to think and act for
himself (or herself). You are certainly free to express your beliefs
and opinions. And as you are obviously aware, some members of our
church have the tendency to overreact when confronted by opposing points
of view (I am not praising or attacking such orthodoxy, only stating
what I have seen). So again, I would like to apologize for any
upsetting remarks that you might have received.
Before I go any farther, I guess I should give you my background. I was
born into the LDS church. My parents are members, as were my
grandparents and great-grandparents. I served a two-year LDS mission in
Argentina. I was married in an LDS temple. I am currently active in my
ward as a Sunday School teacher. I present this information so that
others reading my comments will better be able to understand what I have
to say.
I consider myself to be a rather level-headed LDS church member. As I
mentioned earlier, even I have noticed that some members of our church
tend to overreact on occasion (I'm sure the same holds true for members
of other faiths). I will even admit that some members of the LDS church
are overbearing at times. And it seems that much of the criticism of
the LDS church is directed at the behavior of its members. I would just
like to offer one piece of advice: we shouldn't judge an organization's
value or truthfulness by the behavior of its members. I would dare say
that there is not a single organization in the history of the world that
consisted entirely of perfect people (even the members of Christ's
church in biblical times were imperfect - he chastised the 12 apostles
on numerous occasions). I believe God is the source of all truth.
Anyone seeking the truth should place trust in Him; the scriptures say
that we are lost if we place our trust in the "arm of flesh."
Again, I thank you for providing a forum where individuals can express
honest opinions. Communication with others is one of the best ways to
learn. Thank you for your willingness to accept my comments. I would
gladly accept any response you may feel inclined to send. If nothing
else, may we part as friends.
Eric's reply: I know many ex-Jehovah's Witnesses who spend a great deal of time helping their friends and loved ones out of the Watchtower. In fact, I believe they (ex-JWs) are several times more likely to be helping others out of the Jehovah's Witnesses than ex-Mormons helping Mormons out of Mormonism. Using this person's logic does that make the Watchtower truer than Mormonism? The ex-JWs can not leave the Watchtower alone.
Just to add to your opinions of why and how "antis" assail the church. I have been working with the hypothesis that those who leave the church and then profess to have found greater truth, began their departure from the church because of a single commandment or point of doctrine. Often this point is adultery, but not necessarily. Then, after taking issue with the church on this point, and being reproved, they acquire the spirit of the adversary and become obsessed with validating their own beliefs. This pattern produces the kind of individuals whose comments pepper this newsgroup. They have lost the companionship of the Holy Ghost and have enlisted the spirit of the devil (although they usually state that the reverse is true). Calling the good evil, and the evil good and all that...
Eric's comment - Many Mormons can not comprehend, just like active JWs can not, that someone leaves their group because it is not what it claims to be.
I know that the Bible contains much of the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as revealed anciently to man through prophets called of God to perform this work. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, revealed also through prophets of God.
I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true and correct organization of Jesus Christ, founded by Him upon the earth in these latter days, and that it represents the stone cut out of the mountain without hands as described in King Nebuchadnezzar's dream as interpreted by Daniel, and which will fill the whole earth.
I know that Joseph Smith, Jr., was a prophet of God, that he did see God the Father and Jesus Christ, that they did commend the keys of the kingdom to him through their servants, that he did receive the Book of Mormon plates at the hand of the Angel Moroni, and that through the gift and power of God he did translate the plates to bring forth the Book of Mormon.
I know that there was a council in heaven, at which every soul who has lived, who does now live, or who will ever live on this earth attended, and that we shouted for joy when the great Plan of Salvation was revealed to us by the Lord Jesus Christ.
I know that I am a literal, spiritual child of my Heavenly Father, and that the Plan of Salvation was brought to fruition as far as mankind is concerned, by the earthly mission of my Elder Brother, Jesus Christ; that he suffered, was crucified, died, and rose on the third day, with healing in his wings, that the dead may rise and live once more in Him.
I commend to you this, my testimony, in the name of our Beloved Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.
well i came across your page and was interested. first of all you didn't
post a single real article of faith. AND MORMONS ARE CHRISTIAN. ITS EVEN
IN THE NAME " CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS" NOTICE THE
FIRST 4 LETTERS. anyway anyone who reads this and is either a ex-mormon
or non-mormon please e-mail me i would be more than happy to prove our
REAL BELEIFS. and i would use the bible to prove them if you want!
( post this letter in whole i will look for it)
She sends a different kind of letter
Hi Eric!
This should be interesting to see if this is posted in your letters from
Mormons. Either way, here goes.
I would like to first let you know that all members of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are not like those that have responded
to you in the past. I feel that some (most) of those letters posted are
horrible. I hope that you are just not posting the ones similar in
nature to the one I write you now. I do not feel that anyone should be
treated like that, no matter what they may say or do. No wonder you
would want to stay out of a religion when treated like that. But as it
has been said many times before, the church is perfect, but the people
aren't. Still, that is no excuse for their behavior. I only hope that
those thinking of writing to you in the future will do so with a Christ
like attitude, and not that of a cornered animal.
A letter showing the kindness of Mormons toward those of us who leave 12/15/96
<
b>Eric's comment: The majority of the letters I get from Mormons are like the ones here - mean, condescending and clearly written under a cult mind set.
Another letter showing the kindness of Mormons toward those of us who leave
11/30/96
What did you think mormonism was suppossed to do for you? You cannot
disprove it's doctrines any more than you can prove it's doctrine.
Mormonism is a way of life for those who want to reach the highest state
in this mortal existence. It is obvious that neither you or your wife
had the intestinal fortitude to prove that it's doctrines are correct.
Do you think that you and your finite knowledge mingled with scripture
is any match for men of God? Indeed your bitterness is just because you
are ashamed of the time you invested into it's beliefs and didn't get
back what you thought it owed you. Your experience typifies those who
are weak and find it easier to quit than to prove it truths. The church
members actions do not make the doctrines more or less true. The values
mormonism teaches out weigh by far any sacrifices you felt you were
burdened with during your brief membership in God's kingdom.
He says I am a quitter. Again, a typical reaction from a Mormon
Why are you doing this? Apparently you have too much time on your
hands. Do you really think that by chosing a specific group to harrass
that you are a good man? Do you think that you are leading people to
the "truth"? I suppose you never even gave the church a chance. You
gave up. You are a Quitter.
I have slanderous thoughts
I really feel sorry for you, pal. It is people like you that make this world a
difficult place in which to live. I hope you have the ability to make peace
with your God (who or whatever that may be) and can conjur up enough
common decency to keep your slanderous thoughts to yourself.
His letter is entitled, "Sorry You Feel That Way..."
My name is Matt and I am a pround member of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter Day Saints. I have nothing against you leaving the church but should
be informed on the journey you are about to embark upon. You have been
taught the truth by trustworthy people, but have interpreted it the wrong
way. The true church was laid out before you and you grabbed on, I am sure,
with great faith. But, however, you have fallen away with skepticism. You
know, I am sure, that you will not be able to go to the celestial kingdom,
for you have denied the true, and only true, church of Jesus Christ. I am
not lecturing, merely informing...I am sorry ( TRULY SORRY ) that you feel
this way...Search, Ponder, an Pray...please.
Mormons are friendly - 31 Oct 1996
Let me just tell you...you are probably the most screwed up person I
have ever come across on the internet....the LDS church is so true...one
day you will regret your decision for leaving...this I can promise you.
I rebuke you and call you to repentance!!!
Nov. 2nd, 1996 - A 15 year old writes
i would greatly appreciate it if you would post my letter. please leave my
email address anonymous thanx.
Oct 4, 1996 - A well written letter
i happened upon your website not certain what to exspect. i new there
was a large number of anti-mormon literature but this is shocking. I
tell you this. mormonism teaches this: love you God and love your
neighbor. You have obviosly missed this point of the Lords teaching.
you claim to want to help people, to pull them from the
manipulations of the LDS church. Yet you are doing the same as you
claim against the church. you are manipulative and decietful. I
don't feel sorry for you you are a smart man and you are able to make
your own decisions. Many people who hook on to your page are weak
and need direction. and you like a hawk see your weak prey and
pounce upon them with no remorse. You want as many people to fall
away and join you in denile. This has happened once before I think
you might recall in the councils in heavan. lucifer broke away from
heavenly father and took many spirits with him. he delights in the
evil of others because he does not want to be alone in eternal
damnation. I don't know if it is to late for you or not but, you
have the opportunity to ask Heavanly Father for guidence he will
guide you to know the truth. the truth I know you once beleived.
don't proove the book of mormon wrong with your limited knowlege.
Don't put down the Prophet Joseph Smith, he never would judge you.
here is a fact. joseph smith had a 3rd grade reading level at the age
of fourteen by the time he was 18 you're telling me he accomplished
writing a volume of fictional literature that contained 1000 years of
an itricate civilization with each book within the book of mormon
having a different writing style. don't come out with broken facts
and broken dreams.we can go back and forth all day with facts and you
would'nt have gained an inch. I leave you with this. The Gospel is
true and you will have no effct on that no matter how great the
attempt. men much stronger and much smarter than you have put
greater efforts than yours toward destroying the church. it is still
here and it will stay here. I have no doubt you will not change your
mind in any way. that is your weakness. we all have them and
unfortunately we often succum to them. the only person who can find
out the truth for you is you and the only person who can give you
that truth is Heavenly Father. I truly do pray for you and invite you
to write me on a personal basis. ther is only one truth for if you
hve two truths one of them is false.
He says I am ignorant
Why did you do something like this? I hope that you know deep down
inside that leaving the church was wrong, but then trying to bring
others down with you is synonymous with lucifer and the war in heaven.
You just want to make other people as miserable as you are. Why do you
strive for the list of the sons of perdition? wickedness never was
happiness!!!!!!!!!!!
Replacement for truth?
I was just curious as to your beliefs now that you have left the Mormon
church. What have you found that is a better way to live your life? What
can you possibly gain from compiling a huge collection of stories from
disgruntled members the likes of which or better I could compile from
every sect in the world. There are always going to be such instances of
people becoming offended or disenchanted, especially in the true church I
would think. That's Satan's entire plan (you probably don't believe he
exists either, even though you are helping him out). You are never going
to know the truth for yourself if you keep seeking confirmation through
other people and their stories - I hope you at least find some
"temporary' consolation in it though.
Let me know what your great replacement for the truth is - I would really
like to know.
A nice note
Just a quick note to let you know we're not all psycho. When I saw on
your homepage how many thousand people had visited your site, and then
read the letters you tend to get from condescending psycho-Mormons, it
makes me hope my voice is a more accurate representative of the typical
reaction Mormons have to your home page. It's great that those who find
that the church does not work for them have a place to share their stories
and insights, and it's very, very unfortunate that they are typically ridiculed
and condemned by the members of the church. We (I say "we" hoping that
most Mormons would agree with me) realize that we are often introverted,
self-righteous, and sometimes in denial about certain aspects of church
history. We recognize our weaknesses, and yet we continue to believe in
and practice the Mormom faith and lifestyle. You probably get far too much
e-mail to even read it all, so I don't expect a response to this--I just wanted
you to know that I respect what you do and I admire those who have the
inner strength and honesty to sincerely question their beliefs and search for
answers.
I should go back to sacrament meeting
Sir, we are very surprised and shocked to read that you have lost faith in
the one organization that makes the planet Earth not such a bad place to
live. We advise you to go to a sacrement service, repent, and again join
the Church. Heavenly Father is crying for you.
. He writes, "We don't want to throw our pearls before swine"
Yeah right!!!! If you were a member then you should know that what man finds is different than the work of god. Dinosaurs are believed by man to have lived millions and millions of years ago. But we know that is false.
This is typical of an authoritarian group - if you leave, you lose your eternal life
Dear Eric
Repent. Your father in heaven is very sad with you. What can
you honestly tell him in the final judgement? There are no excuses.
Be very carefull what you do. Short term lashing out at God and his
church may do minimal damage , but God will not be mocked, and in the
end all petty things that pretend to stand in his way will be quickly
removed and put in their proper place. Do not become a son of
perdition (Alma 24:30), you are dangerously close. Be very carefull.
Humble yourself and return to the fold. Christ is waiting for you
with open arms(Mormon 6:17).
This person wants me to shut down my web site
i find your WWW page something bewteen amusing and disturbing. in the
stories that have been read, i find only vague problems with the church
membership-at-large or general disagreement of the teachings. this page
poorly sets forth *why* the Mormon religion is an evil, destructive force
that wil get you in your sleep and carry away your children in the night.
I think that the people who have contributed to this collection are in
need of compassion, but to blame their situations on the church is a
pretty lame thing to do. i hope that you come to your senses and disband
this page and realize what a stupid, stupid thing it it. i have seen no
real disputes about church teachings, practices, etc.... i think you owe
the Church and its members an apology for this libel you have helped to
perpetuate, and i hope that if you will not stop you will at least make
your arguments and disagreements meaningful. nothing you or i can do or
say will change the truthfulness of the church, and your petty attempts at
overthowing it will be surely in vain. as the church grows in influence
and becomes one of the powers of the world, you will see the error of your
ways and hopefully join with the fold of the Saints
A refreshing change of letter - thanks
Dear Sir:
An "Apostle" said ex-Mormons can not leave the church alone
I enjoyed reading your page. I do not however lend much weight to the
stories you have seen fit to include. I suppose it as Elder Neil
Maxwell said recently, "People can leave the chruch, but the[y] can't
leave it alone." I know why, and so do millions of others. And you
know why too......It is the truth. Think about it.
This was sent to me from the Mormon newsgroup
"...I have found that anti's always fall into the category of being anti-Mormon for money, ego, or power. Most could not hold a job and don't get along with people, and several of their families report they were on welfare."
It gets redundant, but I included another "testimony" letter.
I know that God lives, and that Jesus is the Christ.
Mormons don't bash other religions?
If for your shallow reasons that makes you think the Mormon church is
false then keep it to yourself...we don't go around bashing other
religions...so keep your mouth shut...
I posted his letter exactly as sent
hi eric,
From: luckyman@gorge.net (Larry Dunn)
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