alt.religion.mormon newsgroup

I held a very different view of the LDS church before I got online and started participating in a Mormon newsgroup, and saw that truly, we have forsaken every teaching of the Prophet Joseph that would have resulted in the establishment of the Kingdom of God on the earth and the building of Zion. I saw people like "The Shoe" who proclaim that they are building up the church, when in reality they are disgracing it by their poor behavior towards others. I saw other people like David Bowie who claims that much of what the early prophets taught was nothing more than their own opinion and hear-say. I saw others like Red Davis who have an undying devotion to the idea that the brethren could never stray.

It was specifically a.r.m. that showed me in very clear terms that the apostasy of the church has been sealed upon us, and that it is everlastingly too late for the church as a whole to repent. Surely destruction hangs over this people, and a desolating scourge awaits to devour us at any moment. Some individuals may find repentance, and may step into the grace of Christ, but for the vast majority, ruin is just around the corner.

In the end, the views of those claiming to be LDS were so foreign to the ideas that were taught to me in my tiny, out-of-the-way traditional Mormon community, that I was left shaking my head in wonder at what had become of the church. Then I came in contact with some beautiful groups of people, full of faith, and gentle; Christian in demeanor. Groups of people who's writing glowed with the Spirit of the Lord, and who brought sanctification into my life. These writings came from fundamentalist Mormon acquaintances. And what a difference in tone and perspective! Where the writings of the LDS tended to be combative, and self-righteous, even prideful and arrogant... the writings of my fundamentalist brothers and sisters were often peaceful, and caused holiness to flow into my life. It didn't take long to determine that the Lord wanted me to be a Mormon Fundamentalist. So here I am badmouthed by someone who says he would never badmouth someone who believes in Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon.

I actually think of myself as a boulder, sitting in the middle of a mountain stream. Every once in a while, the stream decides it doesn't like me disrupting the smooth flow it had planned out for itself, so it pours out a flood with the intention of washing me away. It pushes and shoves, but in the end all it does is knock of a few rough edges here and there, wipes of the algae from behind my ears, and polishes me to a higher state of beauty. I'll still be sitting here in the same spot long after the stream has frittered itself away rushing here and there after every new gospel doctrine that is thrown out by the brethren in their mad rush to climb into the whore-bed of Babylon, and to make good face about it with the media.

Such is my lot in life, to grow and develop from each person who takes the time to read my writings, and provide feedback by which I can grow. For those who take an interest in my writings, I am indeed honored, and humbled by your kindness. Thank You all.

Permission granted to copy and distribute this page for non-commercial purposes. Please retain this notice. These writings are not shared as "Revelations to any Church", because we believe that all may receive revelation direct from the Fathers regarding their own circumstances in life. Joseph Absalom

a.r.m.

Demonstrating the disconnect between LDS and traditional mormonism.