ONE MORE STRAIN OF CRAZE - LDS Hymn Parody #108

"One more strain of craze."  Of course, this is a take-off on "one more strain of praise," from the LDS hymn "Sing We Now at Parting" - and is also a take-off on the book by Neal Maxwell entitled "One More Strain of Praise."

Having been an active Mormon for 52 years, I know the "craze" well.  I lived with it for all that time until I began to (finally) do some independent research and discovered the realities behind the Mormon Curtain.  And that was it for me...

As someone said on the discussion board on PostMormon.org:
"Like the members are just fish in a large school that's following the leader without any thought or concern.  They refuse to ask reasonable questions and without stopping to think and consider facts, and they discard their personal responsibility of being totally honest with themselves and instead, they just go with it... So many of them would, if ask to do so, toss on their best Sunday clothing, drive to the Stake Center, stand in line and then gulp down the styrofoam cup filled with purple Kool-Aid because... they know God would never allow their leaders to lead them astray."

Oh yes, not using any type of critical thinking whatsoever but rather just going along with whatever you are told.  That is just what Mormons do.

Then there are the judgmental Mormons assuming things that they know nothing about. Not listening to anything critical about the Mormon Church but rather closing their minds to any negative information whatsoever, calling it "Anti-Mormon Propaganda."  Mormons telling you that you're giving up eternal life by turning away from the Mormon Church (and in some cases, such as my father, telling people that they will go to Hell if they don't join the Mormon Church).

But this past week, while perusing the discussion board on PostMormon.org, I came across a post that takes the cake as far as "craze" goes.  The title of his post was "...another strain of craze..." (and from what he relayed, that is an apt title).

In his post, this man talked about what happened after he announced to his TBM wife and Bishop that he no longer believes the Mormon Church is true.  After that revelation, he has been followed to see what he is doing (even so far as Las Vegas), and has been accused of wanting to commit sin, having an affair or having unrepented sin, etc., etc., blah, blah, blah.  This is a man who converted in his 20's after meeting and falling in love with his Mormon girlfriend (to whom he has now been married for 30 years and with whom he has several children - good little TBMs all).  He has held numerous callings over the years, including Young Men President, Seminary Teacher, Bishopric Counsel (2 different times), 10 years on the High Council, and most recently Bishop of a Young Singles Adult Ward.

It was during his time as Bishop of the YSA Ward that his journey toward the actual truth about Mormonism began.  He said that the YSAs would come to him with their doubts and share their concerns with him - and in turn, he would ask them to substantiate what they were saying with fact, which they would do.  In doing so, he began to find out the truth about much of the sordid history of the Mormon Church including the "translation" of the Book of Mormon (the old hat and stone story), and the truth about Polygamy and Polyandry (the fact that Joseph Smith married 11 women who were already married to living husbands).  Of course, I can relate to this completely because I didn't find out about this until I began my independent research before, during and after going on a Mormon Church History tour in the Summer of 2001.  Quite a shock to discover that the Founder and first Prophet of the Mormon Church was basically just a sexual predator, particularly since he also married 10 teenage girls, one as young as 14 years old.  I truly believe that if Joseph Smith had not been killed in 1844 that he would have gone on to marry many more teenage girls and women, and may have ended up with as many as Warren Jeffs now has (72, I believe).  After all, he was only 38 years old at the time of his death.  If he had lived, he would have had plenty of time to accumulate many more wives.  Looking at Brigham Young, the other main Mormon polygamist, history shows that he had 55 wives at the time of his death at 76 years old (which included several teenage girls and some other women who were married to living husbands as well).

Naturally, Mormons have to blame something or someone else if people leave.  The fact that Mormonism is a total sham can't be the reason people are turning away from the Mormon Church.  No, that's not it.  And of course, the fact that the Mormon Church basically tells people to stay away from "apostates" adds to the furor (apparently because it might rub off).  In particular, Mormons have a hard time accepting the fact that someone they love is turning away from "The One True Church," and won't be part of their family unit in the Celestial Kingdom.

And so goes the "craze."  My heart goes out to the man I spoke of above.  It can't be easy to be dealing with all that is being thrown at him.  But then, leaving the Mormon Church isn't easy.  But it is worth it.

ONE MORE STRAIN OF CRAZE
Sung to the tune of Sing We Now at Parting - #156

Sing we now of Mormons,

One more strain of craze.
Of their strong delusions,
Each self-righteous phrase.
Always so judgmental,
Faulting those who leave,
Saying they are sinners
Since they don’t believe.

Mormons will not listen
To the evidence.
Labeling it as “Anti”
Is their one defense.
But if they would research,
Look at all the facts,
They would see the problems,
Not just lame attacks.

It is clear that Joseph
Weaved a stack of lies,
Made up Mormonism,
Truth it all decries.
Clearly just a shyster,
Charlatan and fraud,
Touting Mormonism
As the Word of God.

Just look at the history
Of the Mormon Church,
Independent study,
Actual research.
Do not bend and twist it,
Do not “just believe,”
Think about it clearly,
Do not be naïve.

© Diane Tingen

8/2/2014

A LITTLE MORE ON THE CRAZE...

AND SO THE CRAZE GOES ON... AND ON... AND ON...

CAN'T YOU SEE IT'S ALL DECEPTION? LDS Hymn Parody #107

Here's another LDS Hymn Parody - the 107th one I've written.  After apparently having writer's block for the first few months of 2014, I seemed to have emerged from that dry spell (at least for now).

The LDS hymn to which this parody was written is lesser known and not often sung (at least in my experience).  Evan Stephens (1854-1930) was the composer of the music to this hymn, and he was the composer of more than 15 hymns contained in the LDS Hymnal (such as more well-known hymns like Let us All Press On (words and music); For the Strength of the Hills (music); True to the Faith (words and music); and others).  He served as the director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for 26 years, and wrote "Utah, We Love Thee," which became the official state song in 1937.

On the other hand, the words to this hymn were written by John S. Davis (1813-1882), and this was the only LDS hymn for which he wrote words.  

With those facts in mind, I'm sure neither of these men would like the fact that I have written "other words" for this hymn.  Who can blame them?  I'm sure they were both devout members of the Mormon Church and worked hard to make a lasting contribution to their religion.  But they lived back in an era when actual facts about the Mormon Church were not readily available from such sources as the Internet today.  I'm sure they relied on what they were told (as well as their "feelings"), which is understandable in their day and age.  But today, with all the information that is so easily accessible (via Google, for instance), it is so much harder to believe that so many people are duped into believing that what the Mormon Church exposes as true and factual.
  
Doing independent research is so important.  Relying on what a religious organization tells you, rather than finding out for yourself on your own, is simply not wise.  Sadly, though, that's what so many Mormons do.  They accept what is taught within Mormonism as the gospel truth without even questioning it.  That's why I ask, "Can't You See It's All Deception?"

CAN’T YOU SEE IT’S ALL DECEPTION?

Sung to the tune of What Was Witnessed in the Heavens? #11

1.  Can’t you see it’s all deception?

Was made up by Joseph Smith.
Are there facts that tell the story?
Yes, it’s nothing but a myth.
Fraudulent, replete with fiction,
Obvious, by research shown.
Joseph Smith was not a Prophet,
As a charlatan was known.

2.  So there’s lies in Mormonism?
Yes, it’s filled with much deceit.
But they say to just believe it?
That’s a catchphrase they repeat.
Please examine every doctrine,
And the sordid history.
Study for yourself each aspect
So they’ll be no mystery.

3.  For so long I just believed it,
Went along with everything.
Just accepted what they told me,
And to falsehoods I would cling.
But one day, I started looking
At it all with open eyes.
Soon discovered all the falsehoods,
For the truth no compromise.

© Diane Tingen, 4/30/2014

JOSEPH, JOSEPH, WHAT A SCOUNDREL - LDS Hymn Parody #86

Some of these LDS Hymn Parodies just seem to write themselves, and my most current one is a prime example of that.  Joseph, Joseph, What a Scoundrel - truer words have never been written.

 

But then, it's like the meme says that is posted on my other blog - (http:/exmormonhymnbook.blogspot.com) -

"LDS Hymn Parodies - Because they're just asking for it."

As anyone who follows my LDS Hymn Parodies knows, Joseph Smith is the subject of many of them - and rightly so, since he's the man who made the whole thing up, out of thin air.  In studying history, it is very clear that Joseph was a scoundrel and a shyster.  He was a charlatan, a treasure seeker, always out for a quick buck.  According to history, he was also very charismatic, and it was because of that charisma that he was able to convince a lot of people that he was a Prophet and Seer.  Indeed, Joseph found his goldmine in creating Mormonism - and in doing so, he gained power and control over a lot of people.  Because of that power, he was even able to create and practice Polygamy and Polyandry, coercing many young girls and women to become one of his 33 wives.
And so, here is my 86th LDS Hymn Parody, dedicated to "Brother Joseph."

JOSEPH, JOSEPH, WHAT A SCOUNDREL

Sung to the tune of Israel, Israel, God is Calling - #7

Joseph, Joseph, what a scoundrel,
He created such a fraud.
Mormonism was his angle,
Touted as the Word of God.
Pure deception, pure deception,
Just a hoax, a false façade.
Pure deception, pure deception,
Just a hoax, a false façade.

Joseph, Joseph, what a shyster,
Not a Prophet and a Seer.
He was clearly an imposter,
Not a tiny bit sincere.
Do some research, do some research,
All the facts are crystal clear.
Do some research, do some research,
All the facts are crystal clear.

Joseph, Mormons still revere you,
Worship you, their Prophet dear.
Faced with truth, they loudly argue,
Close their ears so they can’t hear.
Mormonism, Mormonism,
False religion, very clear.
Mormonism, Mormonism,
False religion, very clear.

Joseph, Joseph, very callous,
Made it up, no truth at all.
Mormonism, clearly bogus,
Really was the height of gall.
So deceptive, so deceptive,
Truth is written on the wall.
So deceptive, so deceptive,
Truth is written on the wall.

© Diane Tingen, 02/22/2013

DOES THE GOSPEL SEEM WRONG? LDS Hymn Parody #78

Here's another LDS hymn parody... #78.  Writing these parodies is an interesting experience for me.  Like I've said before, it's very cathartic since it really helps me to work through my issues about the Mormon Church and the fact that I was lied to my entire life.  After discovering that there are so many lies laced throughout Mormonism, I came to the conclusion that Joseph Smith made the whole thing up out of thin air.  Of course, since history shows that he was a charlatan, shyster, and flim-flam man, that's not surprising.  As history shows, Joseph had run many scams before that, but Mormonism turned out to be his biggest hoax.  It is said that Joseph Smith was very charismatic, and because of that he was apparently able to convince a lot of people that he really was a "Prophet of God."  But that is SO NOT TRUE!!

I am so thankful that I finally looked at Mormonism with a critical eye, and began doing research on my own - beyond the facade, the pretense, and the outer shell of falsehoods, and found the actual truth.  Not a pleasant experience, as the picture above says, but unless we eradicate untruths from our lives, we will never reach that point of enlightenment.  But however "destructive" reaching that point of enlightenment was, and may at times continue to be, I wouldn't change anything because I am living an authentic life now, and that is what is most important to me.

DOES THE GOSPEL SEEM WRONG?

Sung to the tune of Does the Journey Seem Long? - #127

Does the gospel seem wrong,
Just deception and lies?
Does it simply not make any sense?
Were you filled with surprise
When you saw the deceit,
When you realized there’s no defense?

When I found out the truth,
I felt hurt and betrayed,
Very sad, I shed so many tears.
But I knew in my heart
And when I faced the facts,
I was lied to for so many years.

It is clear to me now
That the gospel’s not true,
And it’s obvious Joseph Smith lied.
Through my research I learned
The historical facts,
All the evidence I had denied.

When I thought it all through,
So apparent to see,
It is simply not the Word of God.
Can’t accept it on faith
When there’s evidence loud
Shouting “Yes, Mormonism’s a fraud.”

© Diane Tingen, 12/26/12

WHEN I WAS QUESTIONING - LDS Hymn Parody #74

Looking back on the days when I was questioning whether what the Mormon Church teaches is true, I remember many moments when my gut feelings were that it is not.  But I continued to struggle with my conflicted feelings, wondering if I was misunderstanding the history and doctrine.  After all, I had been conditioned my entire life to just go along.  So in essence, my feelings of possible inadequacy were placed inside my psyche by Mormonism over the years.  They wanted me to think that it was all me.  They wanted me to think that I simply didn't have enough faith or wasn't "righteous enough" to fully comprehend the meaning behind it all.  Of course, that's how the Mormon Church traps people.  They work hard to make people think that if they try harder, pray more, read their scriptures more, attend church more, etc., etc., ad nauseum, then they will understand it all and it will all make sense.

But alas, that didn't work for me.  I continued to feel conflicted until I began to research it independently, and after a while, I realized that it is actually a fraud.  It wasn't me or my lack of faith that created the questioning inside me - it was the sordid history, doctrine and tenets of the Mormon Church.  The Mormons choose to believe that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God in spite of the facts and evidence against that assertion.  They choose to believe that Joseph Smith "restored the everlasting gospel to the earth" although the facts and evidence demonstrate otherwise.  To me, when the facts and evidence are against something that a person continues to insist is true, they are not demonstrating faith, but rather denial.  And as far as I'm concerned, TBMs  (true believing Mormons) are steeped in denial, big time.

Realizing that I had been lied to my entire life was a very painful revelation, but it is one for which I am very grateful - and I am very thankful that I will not be spending the rest of my entire life devoted to a religion that is obviously false.

My latest LDS hymn parody is set to the music for "Where Can I Turn for Peace?"  This used to be one of my favorite LDS hymns.  As I wrote this hymn parody, I kept thinking about the inner peace I found when I turned away from Mormonism.  No longer am I questioning.  My conflicted feelings have been replaced with a firm belief that Joseph Smith made the whole thing up - and others have spent many years perpetuating his lies for their own purposes.  I just wish TBMs would look at their religion with open minds, researching and examining its history and doctrine on their own, independent from the choke-hold that the Mormon Church imposes on its members.  Then, just maybe, they would come to the same conclusion as I did.

So here is my 74th Hymn Parody...

WHEN I WAS QUESTIONING
Sung to the tune of Where Can I Turn for Peace? #129

When I was questioning, looking for answers
To all the queries racing through my mind.
When with a wounded heart, seeing the errors,
I finally recognized, no truth I’d find.

The Mormon Church is filled with such deception,
When I examined it, I saw the lies.
Through sordid history to its false doctrine,
It is so clear to me, there’s no disguise.

I know that Joseph Smith was not a Prophet,
He simply made it up, that was his scheme.
He was a charlatan, there was no limit
To what he’d say or do, shyster supreme.

Why did I just believe in Mormonism
When it’s so obvious that it is a fraud?
Opened my mind and then, there was a schism,
I knew without a doubt, not Word of God.

© Diane Tingen, 11/20/2012

OH, HOLY CRAP, IT'S FILLED WITH LIES - LDS Hymn Parody #60

So here's my 60th LDS Hymn Parody... with no signs of stopping...

Pretty self-explanatory... follows my recurring theme that Mormonism is just a pile of lies, made up by Joseph Smith and perpetuated by many others since his time...

OH, HOLY CRAP, IT’S FILLED WITH LIES

Sung to the tune of Oh, Holy Words of Truth and Love, #271

Oh, Holy Crap, it’s filled with lies,
The Mormonism fraud,
And though they say it was restored,
It did not come from God.

(Chorus)
It is a total fraud,
Nothing but a façade.
The lies revealed, no more concealed,
No doubt it’s a total fraud.

It was made up by Joseph Smith,
A charlatan supreme.
Perpetuated through the years,
Just like a Ponzi scheme.

(Chorus)
It is a total fraud,
Nothing but a façade.
The lies revealed, no more concealed,
No doubt it’s a total fraud.

I was a Mormon through and through
Until I found the lies.
And now I find myself appalled,
Dismay I can’t disguise.

(Chorus)
It is a total fraud,
Nothing but a façade.
The lies revealed, no more concealed,
No doubt it’s a total fraud.

I wish the Mormons weren’t so blind,
That they would take a look
At what they’re told to just believe,
Examine every nook.

(Chorus)
For it is just a fraud,
Nothing but a façade.
The lies revealed, no more concealed,
No doubt it’s a total fraud.

But sadly, Mormons just believe,
Don’t research critically.
Accepting what they’re told is true,
They follow dutifully.

(Chorus)
But it is just a fraud,
Nothing but a façade.
The lies revealed, no more concealed,
No doubt it’s a total fraud.

© Diane Tingen, 02/29/2012