I testify from personal experience that the LDS church persecutes it's members simply for listening to what someone says that is unflattering to the church. To say something unflattering against the church would surely bring out all sorts of discipline and persecution against an individual.
"Randy Davis" rdavis@tcac.com wrote:
>I cannot comment on whatever personal experience you >had because you didn't tell us. Are you a member of >the LDS Church or are you just speaking for the those >of us who are?
Facts of my personal situation:
I was serving contentedly as ward membership clerk, family history librarian, assistant ward librarian, priesthood organist, props director for a church musical, and home teacher. Minding my own business. Not saying anything to anyone other than what was required by my callings and the customary social graces. I always wore a white shirt and a tie to meetings, but never a suit coat.
I didn't cause the slightest discomfort to anyone, except for having long hair and a beard, which I grow specifically to poke fun at members of the church for their fancy clothes and regimented appearance. And even then, I didn't breathe a word to anyone about why I grew my hair that way. It was a personal private thing, growing out of a feeling that God looks on the heart and not on the outward appearance, and that the church was becoming as Nephi had prophesied: More concerned about the adornment of our fancy buildings and fine clothing than we are about the sick, the poor, and the widows. In the spring of 1996, I read the web site of the True and Living Church of Jesus Christ of Saints of the Last Days, I found truths on their web site. The Spirit of God told me very clearly that I should listen to what they had to say. I therefore started a correspondence with one of the Apostles of the TLC church. He invited me out to Manti, Utah to attend a conference that they were hosting to tell more about their beliefs. The Holy Ghost testified very strongly to me that I should go and listen. So I booked an airline reservation, to go and listen to what they have to say.
At that point, my wife went to the Bishop and told him I was an apostate. He immediately called me into his office, and yanked my temple recommend, telling me that anyone who would listen to what another church had to say was not worthy of holding a temple recommend, or any callings of significant responsibility in the ward. He would not allow me to pray in meetings, which is an act that should have only been taken as part of a church court, which was never held.
(I must say here that I did purposefully inflame the Bishop, because he struggles with knowing whether or not the church is true; so I struck at the heart of his fears by saying truthfully that the Holy Spirit was encouraging me to listen to the message of the TLC people, and that I would follow the Holy Ghost, regardless of what he or any other person might say about it, and regardless of the cost to me personally.)
He sent me to talk with the Stake President, who was considerably more understanding, and listened to what I had to say. He didn't take away my stake callings, but didn't restore my recommend either. When I came back from Manti and told the Stake President that I believed what I had heard from the TLC about the LD$ church having gotten off track, then he yanked my stake callings.
In my initial interview with my Bishop, he told me that he thought there were only three Christ-like men in the ward, and that I was one of them. My response to him was that the reason I was a Christ-like man, is because I follow the recommendations of the Holy Spirit, and that it was recommending that I listen to what the folks in the TLC have to say.
Before going out to Manti, I fasted for three days. While fasting, I received a revelation in which the Lord said to me as he had to Nephi, that he trusted my judgement and that I could act freely according to my own will, because my thoughts were as God's thoughts, and my desires were as God's desires. I saw two paths laid clearly out before me, either one of which would be pleasing unto God. One path was a life of comfort and ease changing the LDS church from within. The other was a dangerous and unpleasant road, full of sorrow and heartache, but one that brought so much more growth and development to me, my family, and the world as a whole. I chose the second path, and have been blessed intensely with the fruits of that choice.
I had already received a fullness of what the LD$ church had to offer, and longed for more. I am now beginning to taste of the fullness of the Heavenly realms. I was always receptive to the spirit. That has been magnified many fold. Revelation, visions, and sacred dreams flow within me in greater power and majesty than ever before. I see into the future. I look into someone's heart and see the secrets hidden there. The past is opened up to me. I behold the dangers and lies upon which we have based our society.
I have always known that the LD$ church is very strict in disciplining it's members. I have even spoken with a GA about my supposed apostasy. From that conversation it became clear to me that there is an organized and well thought out plan of persecution, enacted against those who claim to receive guidance from the Holy Spirit. I never would have believed though that the persecutions would start so soon, and be so severe.
I join Nomad in testifying that every aspect of Nephi's prophecies stating that the LD$ church would persecute and cast out its most righteous members is being fulfilled in our day.
I further state that any of the revelations we read about in the scriptures are available to anyone who will ask for them, and be willing to pay the price for them, which is persecution by those who should have been your friends and who should have been delighted that you were receiving revelation.
There is a great body of sacred writings, Holy People, and angels, which you will find to comfort and teach you if you are willing to pay the price, which is becoming a hiss and a byword to your friends and family within the LDS church.
Be still, and know that GOD IS.
Stan Barker sbarker@protree.com wrote:
>And, yes, the church does disfellowship or excommunicate members >who decide that church leaders have taken the church into apostasy. >And so would any other church.
All IAO members are forbidden to coerce or seek to manipulate another member by compulsion or force, or to use their office or reputation to force another to do something against their will or better judgement.
>Uh huh... And how does this relate to the LDS Church?
There are churches that do not force their members to believe in a certain official way.
I frankly and freely forgive all those in the LDS church who have heaped persecutions upon me, because by doing so, they have separated me from all that was near and dear to me within the LDS church.
>"because?" Your sentence doesn't make any sense to me. You forgive >them because they separated you from all that you hold dear? Please >explain how this has even the remotest connection with logic.
Because I was separated from the LDS church, upon which I had based my whole life and soul, I have found the further light and knowledge that God had promised in the temple to send to me. What a beautiful and glorious vista God has opened up to me once I was freed from the chains of tradition, that had kept me rooted within the mindset of the SLC LD$ church.
They broke my heart and my faith in the traditions of my fathers. They have caused me to ask, "What should the ideal society be like? And where would I find it on this Earth?" The LDS church used to be an idol to me. I naively believed that if I simply went to church and obeyed all the commandments, held a temple recommend, did my home teaching, etc. that I would be exalted to the highest levels of Godhood.
>We are to the crux of the problem. You have stated it yourself. It was >a "naive" understanding that you had. Of course that doesn't make the >Church untrue. I hardly know anyone who is that naive about the Church's >belief's, though I'm sure some are.
Isn't that a very mainstream LDS Mormon belief? That if you do everything you are supposed to, that when you die, that you are in some way qualified for Godhood? I still say that it was a simple minded way of looking at the church. I also say that most members of the church look at the church in a similar manner. I could fill up several pages with the names of church members who said I would go to hell if I stopped attending meetings at my local ward building. (Later on in this post, I will quote you implying much the same thing)
By the way, I have never stated or implied that the church is not true. I believe very sincerely that the church is not in harmony with some of Christ's teachings, and I believe that the LDS church will not have the power to save it's people from the calamities preceding the Second Coming of Christ. I have witnessed spirituality and truth in many organizations both religious, and irreligious. There are truths within the SLC LD$ church, but there are also great falsehoods within that organization, which blind the people, and prevent them from receiving the fullness of spirituality which Christ longs to pour out upon them.
I will not find fault with the goodness of the Catholics, Wiccans, Pagans, Mormon Fundamentalists, SLC LDS, or any other group of people who are seeking after truth and righteousness, for in His own way, God is bringing the world out of obscurity and darkness. I have no hesitation about pointing out specific traits which lead a people away from goodness.
The specific assignment that Christ has given me, is to show the people that there are higher truths than those which they are currently living. It doesn't matter who a person is, or how Godly they are, or what organization they belong to, there are higher levels of holiness waiting for them, if they will but seek them. I am not to tear down peoples faith, but am to give them hope for something better within themselves. If you find me being destructive, please call me on it, because I am called to be a maker. (You think my posts are short because I don't write much. They are actually short because I read them to delete that which is merely jabbing at someone.)
I myself am but a baby in dealing with spiritual matters and in traversing the veil, my understanding is small and petty in comparison with Gods wisdom. And yet how beautiful it is to have communion with heavenly beings, and to enter the lower reaches of heaven. Perhaps some can find a way to reconcile those types of experiences with their bishop, but I could not.
I have re-evaluated my place in the eternal scheme of things, and have come to wildly different conclusions about who God is, and what his purpose is for me, for the LDS church, for our society, and for people in general.
(And now for the promised quote that I will not be exalted.)
>To me this is very sad, for in so doing, you have abandoned the one true >way back to the presence of God.
I used to think that I would have to die in order to enter the presence of God. That was a false notion. I have been with Angels, and have been in the presence of Christ, while still on this earth. I fully expect that I will yet, while in my current flesh, or some transfigured version of it, walk into the presence of God the Father. In other words, one can come very close to exaltation, while still living on this earth. The only little detail that needs to be taken care of after death, is a resurrection. That can happen within the twinkling of an eye, you don't have to wait thousands of years to learn how to be Godly, you can learn now.
There is only one true way back into the presence of God, and that is to follow the Spirit of the Holy Ghost as it teaches one to repent, until one is pure enough to enter into Christ's presence to be taught by him, until one has repented enough, and purified oneself enough to enter into Fathers presence. There is no way other than repentance and pure living, that one can enter into Gods sphere.
You are equating the SLC LD$ church with being the only vehicle that can take a person to God. That is a very dangerous and seductive belief. Yet that belief pervades the LDS church, and will soon lead to the absolute destruction of the people who hold to that idea. There will be some in the SLC LD$ church who escape the calamity of pride caused by this idea, but they will be few. My heart grieves at the carnage of that dark time, and at the sense of loss that will pour like a ravaging flood into the hearts of the Mormon people. I have seen it in vision, and I weep. I sorrow at my own loss of innocence, I sorrow all the more that pure knowledge will soon flow freely, to the consumption of all who will not hear.
>If you have told the whole story, and you truly were persecuted, then you >should have been wise enough to keep things to yourself.
It is much more wise to follow the promptings of the Spirit. I have conversed with many people within the LDS church who hide their true feelings about things so that they will not be trampled under foot of non-understanding leaders and members. Each person makes their own decisions about what they will tolerate in the name of unity, even though it goes against their better judgement. I drew my line in a different place than some might.
>Here's a real revelation for you: The truth of the >LDS Church is not based on individual members and their actions!
The LD$ church is exactly the sum of the actions of the individual leaders,
members, and associates. No more, and no less. An organization cannot be any better than
the summation of its parts. It is inexcusable to say that the church is perfect, but the
members are not. If the members, who are the leaders, and followers of the church are not
perfect, then they have not built a perfect church, and to believe that they have, is to
lift oneself up in a pride that would have astounded the people who were building the
tower of Babel.
>It is based on the fact that it has the saving ordinances of the Gospel of >Jesus Christ and you need to have a testimony of that. This is why >Matthew (NT) warned that in the last days, if it were possible, even the >very elect would be deceived.
That is why the purges that will occur prior to the establishment of Zion, will start with the LDS people, and other covenant peoples; because of all the people on earth, they should have known how to live in humble harmony, but they have choked on pride, and will be brought low.
I had received a fullness of what the LDS church has to offer, and was pleased and happy with what it gave me.
>That I seriously do not believe. Did you receive your anointings >relating to "calling and election" in the Holy of Holies in the Temple? >If not, you have no idea of what you are saying.
There is not any member of the LDS church who can truthfully say that they have received these ordinances. If they do, they are either lying, or breaking a covenant. I will simply state again, that I have received a fullness of what the SLC LDS church has to offer, and I wanted more, so Christ opened the door to give it to me. The first step was my understanding that it might cost me everything that I held near and dear. I weighed the cost against the benefit, and freely gave all.
>Ok. I misunderstood the point of your sentence. However, I am confused >as to why a person would think they could come to a false church and in >what is considered the most sacred place of the Church, believe a >"promise" that is intended for the faithful members of the Church.
The promise of further light and truth is given to all who were cast out of the garden of Eden, in other words to each individual now living on the earth. In the temple, we simply learn about the promises that were made to us before the creation of the earth.
> I too have received "further light and truth." >And the glorious vistas that have opened to me are too deep and > sacred to go around sharing with people.
Joseph Smith said, "I saw God. I saw Christ. I saw Angels on many occasions." The brethren today say, "I know through experiences to sacred to share" that Christ exists." What a contrast!!
>Moreover, each has strengthened my testimony that the LDS Church >is the only true church recognized the the Lord Jesus Christ. Only >through it (where you accepted a promise than can only be taken as valid >and true if you accept the church as valid and true) can a person >receive the ordinances necessary for full exaltation.
It is not the ordinance that saves a person. Ordinances exist in order to bring a person to Christ. It is Christ that saves a person. I went on a Spanish speaking mission to the catholic people. The Spirit of the Lord moves mightily among that people, who you claim do not have the ordinances necessary for full exaltation. It would indeed be an injustice of eternal proportions if many of those faithful, humble, serving Catholics were denied exaltation, just because they didn't get a proper Mormon ordinance. The ordinance is the least of God's worries. Any resurrected angel can perform the ordinances if someone didn't get them in person or by proxy on earth. The real concern is whether or not a person will repent of their pride, listen to the teachings of Christ, and walk in harmony to those teachings. If they do, they will be exalted.
You also should be wary of assigning a witness of the Book of Mormon, or any gospel principles to the LD$ church. The spirit of God will testify of all truth, whether it be in the LDS church or the Catholic, or the fundamentalists, or the Wiccans, etc.
>Hell? What is hell? In the LDS context it is quite different than >mainstream Christianity, so I'm not understanding how you mean it. You >are speaking in generalities.
To a Mormon, the implication is that anything other than Exaltation in the highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom is damnation. Damnation is hell.
>On the other hand, it really is a simple >matter, if you stop doing those things that are designed to help you >live a better life (towards becoming like God), and coming to Church is >a life's direction, then odds are you will end up in the LDS definition >of "hell," unless you repent. From your statement I would have to >assume that you quit believing that it was necessary for you to partake >of the sacrament, for example.
I don't wish to discuss my private feelings towards the sacrament. But in general, you are right to suppose that I no longer think that some of the rules that the LD$ church imposes on it's members are in harmony with Christ's will, for example, even though I have never used tobacco or drank alcohol in any form, I think that it is a terrible travesty of eternal justice that people are kept out of the temples for using these materials.
By the way, I have never stated or implied that the church is not true. (I know it exists because I can touch it's buildings.) I believe very sincerely that the church is not in harmony with some of Christ's teachings, and I believe that the LDS church will not have the power to save it's people from the calamities preceding the Second Coming of Christ.
>I see, and you have reached above all the rest of us? None of us have >obtained what you claim to have obtained? The LDS Church is not out of >the way my friend, it is you.
Yes, I am out of the way. I have many faults. There are many areas in which I lack understanding. But, I admit it. I acknowledge that I need to be taught truth. I seek for that truth where it may be found, for anything that teaches me to trust Christ, keep the commandments, and help my fellow beings, comes from God. To say that the LD$ church is not out of the way is intensely prideful, and it is that pride which will prove it's downfall. In a church that pokes it's finger into so many aspects of a persons life, there has to be some tiny insignificant area in which it is out of the way. Be careful though, because if you ever honestly ask yourself the question, "How am I or my church out of the way", it might open a dilemma the likes of which you never imagined.
I have witnessed spirituality and truth in many organizations both religious, and irreligious. There are truths within the SLC LD$ church, but there are also falsehoods within that organization, which blind the people, and prevent them from receiving the fullness of spirituality which Christ longs to pour out upon them.
>Doctrinal falsehoods? Those are the ones that will damn people. The >others may be administrative, but if a person seeks God, those problems >will be overcome in my belief.
Yes, doctrinal falsehoods.
The specific assignment that Christ has given me, is to show the people that there are higher truths than those which they are currently living.
>Are you a prophet?
Yes.
>What is your specific calling from Christ?
I already told you a few lines above.
>And how do you know it isn't my assignment >from Christ to help you find your way >back to the truth?
I fully accept that Christ would have me gain light and truth from you. Every person I come in contact with has some lesson to teach me. I thank you for the gift of your time and interest in my affairs. As I ponder what you have to say about me, the light of Christ grows ever stronger within me. May the Fathers smile fondly upon you that you spend your time to enlighten me.
I am not to tear down peoples faith, but am to give them hope for something better within themselves.
>If that is as far as it goes fine.
That is my CURRENT assignment. I don't know how or if it will change in the future, but for now it is sufficient.
If you find me being destructive, please call me on it, because I am called to be a maker.
>And what is that calling?
| A Maker: | A Maker does not: |
| Builds | Tear down |
| Persuades gently | Swear |
| Understands | Condemn |
| Learns | Claim a fullness of truth |
>What scriptural basis (God's revealed) is >there for it?
What scriptural basis was there for:
- Nephi's murder of Laban.
- The commandment to Abraham to murder his son.
- Abinidi preaching to the authorized priesthood.
- Christ telling his priesthood leaders they were out of line.
- The resurrection of Christ.
>Lyman Wight, James Strang and others couldn't do it either. On the >other hand if communion with these "heavenly beings" brings you closer >to the truth in God's Church, then I doubt there is a Bishop in the >world that would give you a problem. I myself have had some very >wonderful experiences. But, since God has called someone to lead his >church (and ordained him to such), it is hardly my place to attempt to >"steady the ark." Nor do I believe that God will call others such as >yourself (without going through proper Priesthood channels) to "steady >the ark." It is very dangerous ground.
If God wants to smite me, then I guess that is his business. The real danger though comes about by being smitten by the "Proper Priesthood Channels" as you call them.
You are equating the SLC LD$ church with being the only vehicle that can take a person to God.
>No, I'm suggesting that it is the only place where necessary ordinances >can be performed, that allow what you are talking about to fully take >place. Just like baptism is a requirement, so are higher Temple >blessings.
You are saying that the only way a person can get to the highest level of the Celestial Kingdom (where God dwells) is through the ordinances that only the LD$ church can provide. Therefore according to your logic, the SLC LD$ church is the only vehicle that can take a person to God.
It is much more wise to follow the promptings of the Spirit. I have conversed with many people within the LDS church who hide their true feelings about things so that they will not be trampled under foot of non-understanding leaders and members.
>Well, you're conversing with one right now.
I'm sorry that you feel like you cannot follow the Spirit of God as it teaches you truth.
The LD$ church is exactly the sum of the actions of the individual leaders, members, and associates. No more, and no less.
>Therein I have strong disagreement with you. The Church does not belong >to the members the members belong to the Church and it is Christ's >Church. Notwithstanding your assertions to the contrary. It appears >that is the basis for your difficulty in understanding the doctrine and >position of the Church.
An organization cannot be any better than the summation of its parts.
>Of course it can. The Church is extraneous to it's members. It is a >vehicle. The members didn't build the vehicle. Christ did.
Christ did not build the church. It was built by humans who were doing the best they could with their limited understanding of what Christ's will is.
It is inexcusable to say that the church is perfect, but the members are not. You can't build a perfect church when all you have to work with are fallible leaders and members.
>Who said the Church is perfect? Let's understand a semantical >difference here. While in one sense the members are referred to as "the >Church," yet in a more real sense, the Church is the Church and people >have membership in it, not it in them.
The Church which "IS the Church", and not referring to the people who make it up, IS imperfect, because it was built by humans who do not, and did not understand Christ as fully as Christ understands himself.
>The "saving ordinances" are not found elsewhere, otherwise >there would be no order in the Lord's kingdom.
Again I say that any resurrected angel can perform the saving ordinances. What is important is whether a person will follow the Holy Ghost as it leads them to those resurrected beings who can perform those ordinances. The ordinances in the LDS church are preparatory ordinances: They even place a disclaimer on the temple ceremony stating that if you are true and faithful to your covenants, THE TIME WILL COME WHEN YOUR WILL BE CALLED UP AND ANOINTED KINGS AND QUEENS PRIESTS AND PRIESTESSES, WHEREAS YOU ARE NOW ANOINTED ONLY TO BECOME SUCH. It can only be a resurrected being who performs this final CALLING UP.
There is not any member of the LDS church who can truthfully say that they have received these ordinances. If they do, they are either lying, or breaking a covenant.
>So? That doesn't mean many haven't received them. Around the turn of >the century the Church printed a family history book that included a >place to record 2nd anointings. I have on record one of my ancestors >who so recorded, when, where, and who officiated. He was not lying and >he wasn't breaking a covenant. There are many such recordings.
Around the turn of the century the church abandoned many other practices and beliefs that were once held to be at the very core of Mormonism, such as polygamy, God-Adam, Christ being sired by God, gathering, consecration, adoptive sealing, true order of prayer, long garments, etc.
Kirt Moser wrote:
>Do you hold any priesthood keys?
Sufficient for my needs.
>I'm curious, did you receive this calling at the hands of Orson Scott >Card? I'm an avid Card fan myself (though your devotion appears to >exceed mine.)
When I was searching for the right word to use, maker was the one that came to mind. I am aware of Cards writings, but don't attach religious significance to them.
>you've made claims that members and leaders in the church have >told you that following the Holy Ghost will lead you to destruction, >damnation, etc... Here is one quote, "Time and again, people have >testified in Christ's name that I will be (or already are) damned for >following the Holy Ghost."
Only the foolish members tell me this. The wise ones know better.
>This is a lie, subtle; but still a lie. Furthermore, I believe that you >know it is a lie. Perhaps they've told you that following the spirit >which you are listening to will lead you astray; but I'm certain they >would not tell you that "the Holy Ghost will lead you astray."
I claim I am following the Spirit of the Holy Ghost. They claim I am following the Spirit of the un-Holy Ghost. They say the spirit which I am following, which I assure them is the Holy Ghost, is leading me down to hell. So yes, they are telling me that the Holy Ghost is damning me. The implication they always attach to this is that I am following the spirit of the evil one. I have walked with the Holy Ghost throughout my life. I have been in Christ's presence, I know what the administration of angels is from first hand experience. I also understand the feeling of oppressive darkness that engulfed Joseph Smith just prior to the first vision. I know what spirit I am following. It has always, and still does, lead me to greater understanding of God's purpose for me here on the earth. I guides me to increased faith in Christ, and to a more sanctified lifestyle.
>Of course I'm sure that this 'minor' exaggeration was for a good cause. >But I'd like to know, was it a conscious misrepresentation, or a >subconscious one?
The story was once told about me, that I am like a large boulder sitting in the middle of a tiny stream. I sit there most of the year, and the steam never even notices me, but every once in a while, the stream sees that I am blocking its path, and it decides that it is going to flood, and push me out of the way.It pushes, and grinds, and washes, building up to a terrible fury, but eventually sees that all it is doing is providing a little polish to some of my rough edges, and so it gives up an settles back down for a while. Such is my lot in life. From time to time, nasty people decide that they have to get rid of what I represent. So they build up all sorts of tales to belittle me, but find out in the end, that they have simply turned me into a better man.
You are trying to imply perhaps, that the Spirit I am following is not the Holy Ghost? I think it inappropriate for you or anyone else to try to separate the Spirit I am following from the Holy Ghost. They are one and the same. One can say anything they like about it, but in the end, it is my word against theirs.
My hardest struggle of all during my so called "apostasy", was deciding whether I trusted myself more than I trusted my church leaders. In the end, I decided that I was living a more Saintly life than those who were telling me I am on the wrong track. So I told them I would follow the Holy Ghost where it lead me,regardless of what they had to say about it.
>I'm not real familiar with your specific points of contention with the >church. Would you care to tell me which specific points of doctrine or >policy you disagree with?
You could check out http://www.dejanews.com/ where my postings to Usenet are archived.
I think there is merit in the writings at:
http://www.tlcmanti.org (The web page that started this deal)
http://www.absalom.com/mormon/
http://www.sisna.com/users/donovan/infall.html
http://www.midwest.net/scribers/dmorriso/
In a nutshell, I am opposed to the following among other things:
1) Even though I have never smoked a cigarette, or drank alcohol, I believe that keeping users out of the temple, and thus keeping them from exaltation, is wrong. Christ taught that what goes into the body does not defile a person.
2) I believe that the prophet is capable of leading the church astray.I do not think that his every official decision and policy is the mind and will of Christ. This belief among members of the church sets up all sorts of opportunities for leaders to believe that only they are Holy and Righteous, and that anyone who doesn't do what they say, as soon as they say it is an apostate. The oppression this creates among the people would make the Gadianton robbers blush in shame. This also fosters the belief that only prophets or leaders in the church can receive revelation, thus oppressing the people still further.
3) I believe that the churches heavy handed oppression of anyone who disagrees with the current policy statement, is more in tune with the evil ones way of doing things than with Christ's.
4) The fascination of the church with fine buildings, and fancy regimented clothing.
5) The scattering of the people, as opposed to gathering them in to Zion.
6) The abandonment of polygamy.
7) The abandonment of the law of consecration.
8) General selfishness, greed, and false speaking among the people. I have recently been given a gift to discern lies. I never before had realized how much the people of the church lie. Often times I receive just the inspiration to know how to encourage someone to confess their falsehood.
9) LD$ church claims a "Fullness of the Gospel", when in reality, what we have at any time prior to our Godhood graduation ceremony, is at best a dim shadow of the gospel. The other implication of this is that we are absolutely right, and all others are absolutely wrong. This leads to the Rameumptum syndrome, which is prayed in almost every public and private prayer in the church.
Or to sum all of the above up into one sentence:
The church has become so lifted up in pride, that her arrogance would have astounded the people who were building the tower of Babel.
I have been aware for years of this arrogance. It wasn't until I asked if the church had the power of save me, and received the answer of NO, that I took steps to distance myself from the church. My priesthood leaders helped me along very nicely, by trying to force me to deny the Holy Ghost as it worked within me.
My belief system now can be summed up as follows.
All of the visions, revelations, Holy dreams, spiritual and angelic manifestations that have ever been revealed to any Holy person, are available to each and every one of us, if we are willing to pay the price: which is obedience to those principles that are taught by these experiences. All people and all organizations have some measure of truth within them, and all have some measure of falsehood. Our purpose in life is to help each other find and hold to those truths which uplift the individual and the society.