AMAZING LIES - Hymn Parody #118

Well, I wrote this hymn parody to Amazing Grace, and then discovered that it's not in the LDS Hymn Book.  I really thought it was, but I guess based on what the Mormon Church teaches about grace, they decided not to include it.  After all, the Book of Mormon talks about grace "after all we can do," emphasizing that grace alone does not save a person.

On Mormon.org, this appears on the page about GRACE:

The Book of Mormon teaches, "For we labor diligently to write to persuade our children, and also our brethren to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace we are saved after all we can do (2 Nephi 25:23).  A Book of Mormon prophet named Lehi taught, "There is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah" (2 Nephi 2:8).

See this link:  https://www.mormon.org/faq/beliefs-on-grace 

But regardless of the fact that this beautiful hymn is not contained in the LDS Hymn Book, I decided to parody it for the ExMormon Hymn Book anyway since it's a well-known hymn in actual Christianity.

Some of the lyrics to Amazing Grace apply completely to my Exit from Mormonism, such as:
"I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see."  Believe me, that one line says a lot.

And yes, true to the title of this hymn parody, the lies encompassed within Mormonism are truly AMAZING - thanks mainly to the creative imagination of Joseph Smith.  As I have made very clear within this blog (as well as my book, Closing the Door on Mormonism: The AHA! Moments that Triggered my Awakening), it is my firm belief that Mormonism was made up from the get-go by "dear ol' Joe," and that it has been perpetuated through the years with the aid of many others.

In my opinion, not only were Brigham Young, Hyrum Smith, John Taylor, Martin Harris, Oliver Cowdery, and so on, accomplices to Joe's deception, but the current GAs in SLC are also complicit in the deception that is embodied within Mormonism.  I have no doubt but that they know for a fact that it is a complete fraud, but they keep hanging in there, defending it to their dying breaths, in order to get their share of the pie.

So I dedicate this hymn parody to all of the men (and women) who have worked so hard to preserve Mormonism to this day, as well as to all the TBMs who buy into the deception and keep paying their tithing, thereby lining the pockets of the 15 Mormon Men Who Call The Shots.

AMAZING LIES

Sung to the tune of Amazing Grace

Amazing lies the Mormons tell,
Say it’s the Word of God.
But if you look at what they sell,
So clearly it’s a fraud.

‘Twas lies that made me finally see
That truth is nowhere seen
Within their ideology,
Deceptiveness routine.

Through many struggles and discord,

I found myself confused.
‘Tis through the research I explored
My turmoil was defused.

The search for truth began for me
When doubt entered my mind.
Discovered sordid history,
Deception intertwined.

Though it was hard to close the door,
I knew I had no choice.
Denial gone, suppressed no more,

No silencing my voice.

Amazing lies the Mormons tell,
Say it’s the Word of God.
But if you look at what they sell,
So clearly it’s a fraud.

© Diane Tingen, 8/25/2015

THE VOICE OF REASON HAS BEEN HEARD - LDS Hymn Parody #117

Ah yes, the voice of reason has been heard - and thank goodness for that!!  Having been practically born and raised Mormon, I was programmed from a very early age not to doubt and to just believe. Critical thinking was never part of the equation. Of course, just accepting things that are told to you and not questioning or digging deeper is not wise. But that's what Mormons are taught to do.  I'm so glad I finally researched on my own to find the actual truth - that the Mormon Church is built on a stack of lies.

And so the cycle has been broken.  No longer am I clinging to a religion that is obviously bogus.  So yes, I rejoice my extrication every day, so thankful for my final disconnection.

THE VOICE OF REASON HAS BEEN HEARD

Sung to the tune of The Voice of God Again is Heard – #18

1. The voice of reason has been heard,

The cycle has been broken.
Effects of Mormonism gone,
The weight of such a burden.
Rejoice, all those who turn away,
Rejoice your extrication.
Begins anew this happy day
Of final disconnection.

2. The Mormon Church is built on lies,
Duplicity its story.
So clearly it is just a fraud,
But I believed it blindly
Until I opened up my eyes
And saw the truth unfolding.
No compromise for such a sham,
Deception overflowing.

© Diane Tingen
7/26/2015

RESEARCHING ON GOOGLE - LDS Hymn Parody #114

Lately, I seem to be on a Google kick more than ever. I just posted a song parody that I wrote based on a classic Eagles song (Lyin' Ways) that references Google, and now I've written a new LDS hymn parody about researching on Google. Of course, the fact that Google is so incredibly awesome is the reason I promote it so much. Truly, a person can find just about anything on Google... and it sure helps with researching difficult questions.

With advent of the internet and the invention of Google (as well as other search engines), it has become very difficult for certain truths to be covered up and hidden (as they were in the past). Looking back at my 52 years in the Mormon Church, I really wish there had been Google way back when. It really would have helped and would have made it so much easier to find out the reality of the sordid history of the Mormon Church and its bogus doctrines. Perhaps I would have left the church even earlier...

Of course, there are those who want people to think that Google doesn't have all the answers. Such as religions and churches (and cults). Google is a gateway to true knowledge, though, whether or not religious leaders want to admit that. After all, it isn't Google itself that has the answers - it just gives people places to look to provide answers to questions that are perplexing them. In my opinion, that's a VERY good thing.

So thank you, Google, for providing questioning people with so many avenues to explore and find answers. You really are awesome!! 

RESEARCHING ON GOOGLE

Sung to the tune of Redeemer of Israel – #6

Researching on Google,
The internet age,
On whom for true knowledge we call.

The evidence shown
By the all-knowing sage,
Through you, we uncover it all.

We know you are showing
The truth to us all,
And our lives are much better now.
No longer we’re banging
Our heads on the wall,

So here at our keyboards we bow.

How long we have wondered
Why we just believed
In the Mormon Church for so long.
But through our research
We’re no longer deceived,
By using your engine so strong.

As users of Google,
Good findings for us,
The benefits offered are clear.
Whatever we seek,
You’re a total genius,
To Google, we give a big cheer!!!

© Diane Tingen, 6/16/2015

SMART WOMAN!!

THE EVIDENCE IS THERE - LDS Hymn Parody #113

Here is another LDS Hymn Parody - my 113th.  I'm not sure how many more I'm going to able to write since I've done so many of the familiar ones already.  But I'm going to keep going until I run out of steam. After all, they're just asking for it...

This hymn parody is entitled THE EVIDENCE IS THERE - and it truly is.  Mountains of evidence against the Mormon Church being true.  Facts galore supporting my hypothesis that Mormonism is completely bogus. Again, I'm sure I sound like a broken record, but so be it.  I have cited the evidence over and over in this blog - and it is available in many sources.  Google is a good start. Accepting anything that you're told to believe without doing your own research is not wise. Critical thinking is tantamount to forming a person's own opinions and basing them on actual facts, not blind faith and a admonition to "just believe."  Really, THE EVIDENCE IS THERE - if Mormons would pay attention to it rather than simply buying the party line.

The original hymn (An Angel from on High) was written by Parley P. Pratt (1807-1857) who was, in my opinion, one of the biggest sleazes in the early days of the Mormon Church as well as one of the biggest perpetrators of the lies that encompass Mormonism.  He was also one of the men who participated in both Polygamy and Polyandry.  In fact, he was murdered in 1857 by Hector McLean, the estranged husband of his 12th wife (Eleanor McLean) (estranged meaning they weren't divorced, so it was a polyandrous marriage). 

There is a lot of information about Parley P. Pratt on the internet.  Some people call him a religious martyr, and Brigham Young apparently thought of him in that category along with Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith, both of whom died in Carthage Jail.  But in my opinion, calling him a religious martyr is ridiculous.  Having been murdered by the estranged husband of a woman he had married and had helped to keep her children from their father does not make him a martyr.  In fact, Hector McLean pressed criminal charges against Parley P. Pratt, saying that he had aided Eleanor in the kidnapping of his children. The result of the subsequent trial (in Arkansas) was an acquittal due to lack of evidence. Shortly after his release, Pratt was shot and stabbed by Hector (on May 13, 1957) on a farm northeast of Van Buren, Arkansas.  Some writings, though, say that Hector was aided in the killing by at least two other men.  They have been otherwise characterized as "a small Arkansas band antagonistic toward Pratt's teachings," which in my opinion is a total fabrication designed by the Mormon faction.

From what I've read, Pratt's death may have also played a part in events that lead up to the Mountain Meadows Massacre a few months later.  There were a number of people in the party who were from Arkansas, and it was rumored that some present had participated in Pratt's murder.  Apparently, in this way members of the Mormon Church rationalized out the horrendous circumstances of the Mountain Meadows Massacre.

Interestingly, Parley P. Pratt was the great-great-grandfather of Mitt Romney, and the great-great-great grandfather of Jon Huntsman.  As mentioned above, Pratt practiced plural marriage and had 12 wives, 30 children, and 266 grandchildren.  In 2011, Pratt's living descendants were estimated to number between 30,000 and 50,000.

So much for background.  Here's my 113th LDS Hymn Parody.  My advice to TBMs is that the evidence really is there, so at least look at it - and consider it.  Really, a little bit of critical thinking goes a long way...

THE EVIDENCE IS THERE

Sung to the tune of An Angel from on High - #13

The evidence is there,
The facts are clear to see,
And no amount of prayer
Can change its history.
No, Mormonism is not true,
It was made up by Joseph Smith.
No, Mormonism is not true,
It was made up by Joseph Smith.

When I began to doubt
And question what they say,
I had to check it out,
And all the details weigh.
So as I researched carefully,
The lies were very clear to me.
So as I researched carefully,
The lies were very clear to me.

The lies are laced throughout,
Deception to the core.
There really is no doubt,
That’s why I closed the door.
They say have faith and just believe,
But all the while they do deceive.
They say have faith and just believe,
But all the while they do deceive.

No matter what they say,
It is a stack of lies.
And so I walked away,
With truth no compromise.
On Mormonism closed the door,
Deception I cannot ignore.
On Mormonism closed the door,
Deception I cannot ignore.

© Diane Tingen, 5/6/2015

COME YE MORMONS, FALL IN LINE - LDS Hymn Parody #112

Once again, I'm sure I sound like a broken record - but that doesn't stop me from reiterating my view over and over again.  Really, the fact that there is so more information out there that refutes what the Mormon Church holds out to be true and yet so many people are still adhering to its doctrines (apparently overlooking all the facts and evidence) that I feel none of it can be said too much.

And so I go on, posting blogs, writing LDS hymn parodies, and parodying various songs, all with the hope that some of it strikes a chord with those who are either fully entrenched in Mormonism or investigating the Mormon Church.

So here is my latest attempt at unveiling the truth about Mormonism, in the form of another LDS Hymn Parody - my 112th.  This one is about the Mormon Church wanting everyone to simply fall in line and not question anything.  Of course, the danger of falling in line, without question, is following blindly, sometimes into dangerous territory (or right off the proverbial cliff).

COME YE MORMONS, FALL IN LINE

Sung to the tune of Come,Ye Children of the Lord – #58

Come ye Mormons, fall in line,
Just accept what we define.
Do not question what is said,
We will think for you instead.
Simply follow what we say,
Don’t let facts get in your way.

All we teach is good and true,
Just believe the Mormon view.

Oh, how simple it will be
When you follow mindlessly.
Research on the internet
Not allowed, don’t you forget.
Those who talk of evidence
Saying that it makes no sense,
Speak of facts and say we lie,
But their claims we do decry.

Anti-Mormon, all of it,
Saying we are counterfeit.
Vilify our history,
Bringing up polygamy.
Calling Joseph Smith a con,
As they ramble on and on.
They condemn our prophet dear,
Don’t believe a word you hear.

Stay in line and argue not,
In their web, do not get caught.
Just have faith and go along,
We will never steer you wrong.
Mormonism is the way,
Read your scriptures, always pray.
Guard against those who attack,
We will always have your back.

© Diane Tingen, 4/30/2015

TRUTH IS THE SOUL'S SINCERE DESIRE - LDS Hymn Parody #105

To me, it all boils down to truth.  Is something true or isn't it?  If it isn't true, then it's false and a lie.  And if that's the case, I have no use for it.  When doing research about Mormon Church history, I uncovered an enormous stack of lies - and that was something I couldn't accept.  Once I made that discovery, my days were numbered in the Mormon Church.  After a while, I came to believe that Joseph Smith made the whole thing up from the get-go - and at the same time, I came to the conclusion that the Mormon Church is a complete fraud.

Truth is my soul's sincere desire as I think it should be for everyone.  Occasionally I get into discussions with people on various internet discussion boards, and it always surprises me when Mormons say that they know the history of the Mormon Church and accept it as the truth anyway.  That mindset makes no sense and simply does not compute for me.

And so, here is my 105th LDS Hymn Parody, dedicated to that premise.

TRUTH IS THE SOUL’S SINCERE DESIRE
Sung to the tune of Prayer is the Soul’s Sincere Desire ‑#145

Truth is the soul’s sincere desire,
Honesty undefiled.
For truthfulness, we should aspire,
Deception so reviled.

Lies are a burden to behold,
Discovering the fraud.
The insight that deceits withhold
Reveal the false façade.

While Mormonism claims to be
The one true church of God,
To me it’s clear, so plain to see
It’s really just a fraud.

It’s obvious the Mormon Church
Is laced with lies, no doubt,
Disguised deceit, but through research
The truth I figured out.

History sordid, filled with lies,
Deception to its core.
For truth there is no compromise,
And falsehoods I can’t ignore.

But sadly, Mormons still adhere
To what they’re told is true.
The prophets false they still revere
Though they should say adieu.

Mormons are told to just believe,
And many go along,
To the deceits they are naïve,
Not knowing they are wrong.

Someday I hope they’ll see the light,
Recognize the disguise.
Finally see what’s true and right,
Everything truth belies.

© Diane Tingen, 12/18/2013

LDS HYMN PARODIES #97, 98, 99, 100 and 101

As I have gotten nearer to the #100 mark in my writing of LDS Hymn Parodies, it seems that my brain has gone into overdrive - because in the past two days, I have written FIVE of these parodies. The minute I finished one, another one began writing itself in my mind. Of course, in reality, these parodies always seem to write themselves. Or perhaps it's just the way my mind works since, as my daughter recently told me, I apparently have a gift for blasphemy.

After I finished these five LDS hymn parodies, I was going to post each one separately, but then I decided to post them all together as a testament to not only reaching my goal, but surpassing it. Of course, now I'm going to have to set a new goal (which is becoming much more difficult since I've done so many already). But I'm up to the challenge...


LDS Hymn Parody #97
WITH LIES AT ITS CORE
Sung to the tune of The Time is Far Spent - #266

With lies at its core, there is little remaining
To bolster its claims that it is the true church.
Then hasten, ye Mormons, go forward unyielding,
Despite what they tell you, just do some research,
Despite what they tell you, just do some research.

For years, I believed and accepted the teachings,
Whatever they said was the truth, I agreed.
Just followed the doctrine, no critical thinking,
Relying on faith was my ultimate creed,
Relying on faith was my ultimate creed.

But then realized that within Mormonism
Are mountains of lies and deception complete.
I knew in an instant, much more than a symptom,
So clearly I saw it, the fraud and deceit,
So clearly I saw it, the fraud and deceit.

So patently clear, there is nothing redeeming
In holding out lies as though they are correct.
Throughout Mormonism, the members deceiving
With fraudulent teachings, the truth they neglect,
With fraudulent teachings, the truth they neglect.

© Diane Tingen, 5/23/2013



LDS Hymn Parody #98
THE TRUTH IS MY LINCHPIN
Sung to the tune of The Lord is my Shepherd - #108

The truth is my linchpin; please don’t tell me lies.
Don’t feed me deception, and tell me it’s true.
Just give me the truth and don’t try to disguise
Whatever the facts are, the truth will shine through,
Whatever the facts are, the truth will shine through.

I was born and raised Mormon, and just went along,
Whatever they told me, in faith I believed.
Though I had some issues, I tried to stay strong,
But then I discovered that I’d been deceived,
But then I discovered that I’d been deceived.

As I went through the teachings of the Mormon Church,
My mind filled with questions; it didn’t make sense.
And so as I studied and did some research,
The questions were answered, it’s filled with pretense,
The questions were answered, it’s filled with pretense.

© Diane Tingen, 5/23/2013



LDS Hymn Parody #99
DRAPED IN LIES
Sung to the tune of Secret Prayer - #144

1. When I began to have some doubts,
I soon would realize
That Mormonism is not true,
In fact, it’s draped in lies.

(Chorus)
There’s no truth within the church,
Found the facts through my research.
Very clear, it’s filled with lies,
And there is no compromise.

2. So now I have no doubts at all,
And there is no disguise.
No question it’s a total fraud,
And clearly draped in lies.

(Chorus)
There’s no truth within the church,
Found the facts through my research.
Very clear, it’s filled with lies,
And there is no compromise.

3.For many years, my faith was strong,
But much to my surprise,
When I began to question it,
I found it’s draped in lies.

(Chorus)
There’s no truth within the church,
Found the facts through my research.
Very clear, it’s filled with lies,
And there is no compromise.

4.I used to simply go along,
Although that wasn’t wise.
Because when I researched it all,
So plainly draped in lies.

(Chorus)
Very clear, it's filled with lies,
And though they try to disguise
All the facts, deception deep,
No one buys it but the sheep.

© Diane Tingen, 5/23/2013


LDS Hymn Parody #100
IF YOU LOOK OBJECTIVELY
Sung to the tune of I Have Enough Work to Do - #224

If you look objectively,
You will find the truth.
Do some research carefully,
You will find the truth.
Every question will be answered
That by which you have been bothered,
All the qualms that you have whispered,
You will find the truth.

If the doctrines you appraise,
As you seek the truth,
As you sort through Mormon ways,
When you seek the truth.
Every time you have felt censored,
Each resentment you have harbored,
As for comfort you have hungered
When you seek the truth.

If you open up your eyes,
As you seek the truth,
You’ll see there’s no compromise
As you seek the truth.
Every time you have felt pressured
By the issues you have pondered,
As your confidence is bolstered,
You will find the truth.

If you see that it’s a fraud,
As you seek the truth,
Recognize its false façade,
As you seek the truth.
When you see the lies you’ve weathered,
You may feel your world is shattered,
But you’ll see it’s truth that mattered,
When you find the truth.

© Diane Tingen, 5/24/2013


LDS Hymn Parody #101
SEARCH FOR THE TRUTH AND DON'T SETTLE
Sung to the tune of Praise to the Lord, the Almighty - #72

Search for the truth and don’t settle for pitiful answers.
Think for yourself and examine each one of the layers.
It’s filled with lies,
And there is no compromise
For all the obvious errors.

Search for the truth and discard the apparent deception.
Study it all as you look closely at every question.
The Mormon Church
Cannot stand up to research,
Look at the history and doctrine.

Searching for truthfulness in Mormonism is pointless,
So clear in my mind that all of the doctrine is bogus.
It is a fraud,
It is not the Word of God,
Built on a fraudulent premise.

Search for the truth and rely on your own intuition,
As you review it, look closely at each contradiction.
Then you will see
And then perhaps you’ll agree
That Mormonism is fiction.

© Diane Tingen, 5/24/2013

IT IS SO APPARENT - LDS Hymn Parody #95

You know what really irritates me??? That I went along with Mormonism for so many years, and then when I finally used critical thinking, it made absolutely no sense.  At that point, it was an absolute mystery to me why I ever believed it in the first place. 

Now I look so many things embodied within Mormonism, and I am appalled.  Like the Book of Abraham and Joseph Smith's supposed translation of the Egyptian papyri, as well as how he obtained the papyri.  Five papyri and four mummies were purchased from Michael Chandler who was touring the area and stopped in Kirtland, Ohio with a traveling mummie exhibition.  When Joseph Smith entered the exhibition along with two others, Mr. Chandler asked Joseph (knowing of his notoriety for claiming to have "translated" the gold plates of the Book of Mormon) to look at the scrolls and tell them what they said.  After examining them, Joseph and two others paid over $2,400 for the five papyri and four mummies (which was a lot of money in 1835).  Obviously, this "traveling salesman" saw them coming.  One con man duping another con man.

Of course, there are so many more bogus claims within Mormonism, as well as a lot of extremely sordid history.  In looking at Mormonism closely, it became transparently clear to me that none of it is true.  It was at that moment when I finally accepted the fact that I had been duped my entire life, and it was as if my eyes were open for the first time.

Accepting it all at face value was my biggest mistake.  Having been born and raised in the Mormon Church, I relied too much on what other Mormons told me (including my father), and not enough on my own inner voice.  I should have started doing my own independent research much earlier in my life.  But then, I wasn't very intellectually curious back then.  Looking back, I really think Mormonism squelched my intellectual curiosity  and I came to accept things without looking at them objectively. 

But then, everything happens in its own time.  Perhaps I was meant to uncover the truth and find my own voice later in my life.  Who knows?  What I do know, though, is that finally living an authentic life is a very rewarding existence.  Being able to openly talk about my issues with Mormonism is also very fulfilling.  Although TBMs would like for me to just shut up and keep my opinions to myself (and stop blogging!!), I cannot do that because I know it's very important for me to express my feelings and make my voice be heard.  Keeping quiet about it all is the very last thing I want to do - and the least healthy for me psychologically.

So here is my 95th LDS Hymn Parody, dedicated to being Mormonism free - and being free to simply be ME.

IT IS SO APPARENT
Sung to the tune of We Are All Enlisted - #250

1.  It is so apparent that it’s packed full of lies,
The Mormon Church, The Mormon Church.
They can try to mask it, but there is no disguise,
Found out when I did my own research.
Studied the details, found out the truth,
Wish I had done that back in my youth.
A devout Mormon for many years,
Then broke away, broke away, shedding many tears.

(Chorus)
It is so apparent that it’s packed full of lies,
The Mormon Church, the Mormon Church.
They can try to mask it, but there is no disguise,
So apparent when you do research.

2.  When I did my research, the deception was clear,
Opened my eyes, opened my eyes.
Full of fabrications, not as it would appear,
Knew right then that I had not been wise.
They said believe it, I followed suit,
So very faithful, did not dispute.
Blindly accepted what they would say,
Until I saw, til I saw, much to my dismay…

(Chorus)
It is so apparent that it’s packed full of lies,
The Mormon Church, the Mormon Church.
They can try to mask it, but there is no disguise,
So apparent when you do research.

3.  After all the heartache, I am finally free,
Mormon no more, Mormon no more.
No more heavy burden, I am free to be me,
On my life before, I closed the door.
Should have been wiser, not just a clone,
Could have been different if I had known.
Critical thinking, a better choice,
And finally, finally, I have found my voice.

(Chorus)
It is so apparent that it’s packed full of lies,
The Mormon Church, the Mormon Church.
They can try to mask it, but there is no disguise,
So apparent when you do research.

© Diane Tingen, 5/21/2013

GRASPING AT STRAWS - LDS Hymn Parody #93

 

 

In thinking about Mormonism, so many cliches, idioms and phrases come to mind, such as: (1) Jumping to conclusions; (2) Burying their heads in the sand; (3) Turning a blind eye; (4) Turning a deaf ear; (5) Grasping at straws; etc.

Of course, many Mormons think that anyone who leaves the Mormon Church is going to hell in a handbasket. Naturally, TBMs think that all Ex-Mormons have an axe to grind, that we are all loose cannons, and have seriously lost our marbles. They seem to constantly be jumping to conclusions about Ex-Mormons' motives, state of mind, and even morals.

Sadly, though, discussing subjects relating to Mormonism with most Mormons is not a level playing field because so many have absolutely no idea about the real facts surrounding Mormon Church History or that it is extremely sordid. Many TBMs also have limited information about the realities of Mormon teachings and doctrines. Even if they do listen, they quickly jump to the conclusion that what Ex-Mormons are really talking about is simply all smoke and mirrors and that Ex-Mormons are trying to pull the wool over their eyes.

So many TBMs simply go along and turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to anything even slightly negative about the Mormonism. "There's none so blind as those who will not see" (and likewise, there's none so deaf as will not hear). Essentially, they seem to spend their time burying their heads in the sand, refusing to even look at other viewpoints. Also, so many seem to grasp at straws, rationalizing their way through Mormonism and its obvious problems, attempting to invent a way to color it all in a positive light.

So here is my 93rd LDS Hymn Parody, dedicated to one of the exercises that all TBMs seem to get a lot of...

GRASPING AT STRAWS
Sung to the tune of True to the Faith - #254

1. While the Mormon Church continues
To attempt to hide details
All about its sordid history,
In the end, the truth prevails. Yes!!

(Chorus)
Grasping at straws as the Mormons refuse to see,
They just believe what they’re told to obediently.
It’s full of lies, there’s no disguise,
And for the truth, there’s no compromise.

2. The deception is apparent
If you open up your eyes.
Do some independent research
And the lies you’ll recognize. Yes!!

(Chorus)
Grasping at straws as the Mormons refuse to see,
They just believe what they’re told to obediently.
It’s full of lies, there’s no disguise,
And for the truth, there’s no compromise.

3. It is clear that Mormonism
Was a hoax right from the start.
Was made up by Brother Joseph
With deception off the chart. Yes!!

(Chorus)
Grasping at straws as the Mormons refuse to see,
They just believe what they’re told to obediently.
It’s full of lies, there’s no disguise,
And for the truth, there’s no compromise.

4. How they market Mormonism
Saying it’s the Word of God,
Is a ploy to gain new members,
Mormonism is a fraud. Yes!!

(Chorus)
Grasping at straws as the Mormons refuse to see,
They just believe what they’re told to obediently.
It’s full of lies, there’s no disguise,
And for the truth, there’s no compromise.

© Diane Tingen, 4/4/2013

COME, ALL THOSE WHO SEE THE LIES - LDS Hymn Parody #92

Looking back at those very dark days when I was earnestly questioning the Mormon Church, I remember struggling with so many things. Having been born and raised Mormon, my life was completely submerged in Mormonism - so I knew that if I decided to walk away, I was giving up much more than just my religion. I was giving up the only way of life I had ever known. Of course, that's what the Mormon Church counts on, and that's the way they keep a lot of members. In the end, though, I decided that was a small price to pay for living an authentic life - but in the midst of it all, I was in a great deal of turmoil.

I really wish that I had turned to the Ex-Mormon community earlier in my disaffection. But I did not go on any Ex-Mormon or Post-Mormon websites until I had already left the Church. In fact, the first time I went on www.exmormon.org was after Thanksgiving dinner in 2008 when my brother told me that he wanted to show me the genealogy he had uploaded onto the Mormon Church genealogy website - www.familysearch.org. After looking at our family genealogy on www.familysearch.org, I decided to look at Joseph Smith's pedigree chart - and that is when I first discovered that Joseph Smith had married women who were already married to living husbands. When I first made this discovery, I was completely dumbfounded since I had been a member of the Mormon Church for over 52 years before I finally disassociated myself from my life-long religion - and not once had I heard of this even taking place. Naturally, I had heard of Polygamy (although I never really knew the real truth behind that practice until I began my research prior to going on the Mormon Church History Tour in the Summer of 2001). But Polyandry? I was floored!!

When I got home from that Thanksgiving dinner, I decided to do some more research about this - and that's when I found out that this practice is called Polyandry. On Google, I saw links to some articles about Polyandry, and followed a few of them. One of the links lead me to www.exmormon.org and an article by Bob McCue about this. After reading this article, I decided to go on the discussion board, and that was the first time that I even exchanged messages with any Ex-Mormons. It was an enlightening experience because whereas I had struggled for a few years with thinking that I was misunderstanding things, that I must just not be righteous enough to understand it all, etc., etc., ad nauseum, I began to realize that many others shared my views of the lies that are obviously laced throughout Mormonism. What a eye-opener that was!!

Of course, the fact that I didn't go onto www.exmormon.org until then is a testament to the brainwashing I had received my entire life. Even in the aftermath of my discovery of the deception that is encompassed in Mormonism, subconsciously I had continued to follow the admonition not to talk to "those angry apostates." Truly, brainwashing dies hard.

So if I had one thing to do over again in my journey away from Mormonism, it would have been to garner strength from those who were also questioning as well as those who had already made the leap to leave. That would have provided so much reassurance and would have made me not feel so alone in my quest for truth as well as my decision to close the door and walk away. That is what is so valuable about websites like www.exmormon.org. Later on, I discovered www.postmormon.org as well, and I gained a lot of strength from discussions on that website as well. In fact, after talking with a lot of people on there, I ended up going to the 2010 Ex-Mormon Conference in SLC and met many of those people in person, which was a wonderful experience. After that, I ended up joining several Ex-Mormon groups on Facebook, and have made more friends there. During all of this, I have discovered that there is a very large community of Former Mormons out there, providing support not only to those who have already left but also to those who are in the process of questioning and re-examining their views about Mormonism.

And so, here is my 92nd LDS Hymn Parody, dedicated to all the Former Mormons out there...

COME, ALL THOSE WHO SEE THE LIES

Sung to the tune of Come, Ye Thankful People - #94

Come, all those who see the lies,
Those who finally recognize
Mormonism is not true,
Pure deception through and through.
Yes, we’ve seen the truth at last,
And though we were once downcast,
The conclusions we have drawn
Lead us to a brighter dawn.

Lies are laced throughout it all,
Truth is written on the wall.
We reject the Mormon Church
Through the facts and our research.
We’re so grateful that we saw
Each defect and every flaw.
It is just a stack of lies,
Evidence they can’t disguise.

© Diane Tingen, 4/3/2013

BEYOND THE SHADOW OF A DOUBT - LDS Hymn Parody #91

Beyond the shadow of a doubt. There are certain phrases that immediately remind me of my many years in the Mormon Church, and this is one of them. I heard that phrase so many times in church that I lost count, and particularly in Fast and Testimony Meeting - and I'm sure I said it many times way back when I was still a devout Mormon, without even realizing what it really meant.

When I saw this picture, I really liked it because it demonstrates what this phrase really means. The man is standing outside the shadow of the word "Doubt." This precisely shows just how far outside of "Doubt" my convictions really are about the many falsehoods within Mormonism.

On Wikipedia, this phrase is defined as follows:

Beyond the shadow of a doubt, or beyond a shadow of a doubt, is a standard of proof. The phrase means the issue in question is so obvious, or has been so thoroughly proven, that there can exist no doubt. Two possible interpretations of "Beyond a shadow" might refer, first, to the fact that doubt could be nowhere in the vicinity (completely expelled from the issue), or second, to the thoroughness of the argument (a shadow being even less substantial than a doubt itself).

After coming to the conclusion that Mormonism is a complete fraud, I can now say that "I know beyond the shadow of a doubt" that Mormonism was obviously created by Joseph Smith for his own purposes, and perpetuated by other men ever since his death. Of that fact, there is no doubt whatsoever in my mind. It is very hard for me to understand how anyone can stay in the Mormon Church once they discover the actual truth behind the doctrines, teaching and history. But so many members mindlessly cling to it all, refusing to believe that it is actually an enormous stack of lies, and that the entire religion was a hoax from the get-go. Complete and total denial.

So here is my 91st LDS Hymn Parody, dedicated to knowing "Beyond the Shadow of a Doubt" that Mormonism is a complete and total fraud, riddled with innumerable lies...

BEYOND THE SHADOW OF A DOUBT

Sung to the tune of While of These Emblems We Partake - #173

Beyond the shadow of a doubt,
Though I believed and was devout,
Now I am sure it is a fraud,
And not at all the Word of God.

When looking at the Mormon Church,
Investigate and do research,
Examine all the evidence,
Clearly there is no good defense.

Seeing the facts, I could not stay,
Closed all the doors and walked away.
The Mormon Church is in my past,
A web of lies, so huge and vast.

It was made up by Joseph Smith,
What he created is a myth.
Mormons steadfastly cling to lies,
What they believe the truth belies.

© Diane Tingen, 4/2/2013

WHEN LIES ARE TOLD - LDS Hymn Parody #89

THE TRUTH.
No wiggle room.  No poetic license.

THE FACTS.
No dodging, hedging or dancing around.

Is wanting only ONLY THE TRUTH and JUST THE FACTS too much to ask?  For Mormonism, it seems to be.  The Mormon Church has a very long history of distorting the facts and expecting everyone to believe that they are being upfront and honest when, in fact, that is the furthest thing from the actual truth.

Since leaving Mormonism, though, I've realized that not only is the doctrine false (and the history extremely sordid), but that the way in which the Mormon Church disperses information is suspect as well.  Particularly statistics about its membership numbers and growth rate.

On the Mormonism Research Ministry website, there is a blog entitled Mormon Coffee (It's forbidden, but it's good!).  On that blog, I recently read an entry entitled, "Mormonism's growth figures - what can you believe?" posted on May 7, 2012.  This blog entry starts off by saying:

Screaming front page headline in Wednesday, May 2, 2012’s Salt Lake Tribune (in bold, no less): 

“Multiplying Mormons expand into new turf” Subhead 1: “2010 census: LDS Church is fastest-growth Christian faith in 30 states, report shows” Subhead 2: “Only Muslims, with 67% jump from 2000-2010, outpaces 45% LDS increase.” Anyone picking up the paper on Wednesday received several messages: 1. The Mormons are a Christian faith.2. The church grew by 45.5% over the past decade. 3. The church grew from 4,224,000 US members to 6,144,000 from 2000 to 2010.  

This blog entry went on to say:

These are amazing numbers.  The problem is, the numbers were cooked.  A person who only looked at the front page and the major headlines on Wednesday probably missed the follow-up article on Thursday.  Instead of the front page, a story was placed in Section B of the Utah section next to the page's main article, "Dry winter portends a busy wildfire season."  The one-column article next to it had a much small headline, reading, "LDS Church growth really near 18%."  The subhead:  "Only 40% of Mormons attend church regularly, says researcher."

Really??!!  Cooking the books.  Why does that not surprise me?  For a church that plays fast and loose with the truth, creative accounting is not a big leap.  It's simply "business as usual."  Trying to make the Mormon Church look like it is "the fastest-growth Christian faith in 30 states" is simply part of their marketing scheme.

Of course, some people reading this blog entry (as well as many other entries on my blog) are probably saying, "Well, that's her opinion."  But actually, although everything written here is my opinion, the fact is that my opinions are based on actual facts.  You know, the facts that the Mormon Church goes to great lengths to cover up.  Naturally, any "negative information" about the Mormon Church is characterized by them as "Anti-Mormon Propaganda," which is basically their way of attempting to keep its members from either reading or believing the actual truth about Mormonism.  The Mormon Church even goes so far as to "prohibit" research outside their "approved parameters" (one of the signs of a cult), and includes a question about internet usage and research in the interview to obtain a temple recommend.  From what I've been told, Mormons are denied a temple recommend if they admit that they have looked at this "forbidden information."  If the MOrmon Church had nothing to hide then it wouldn't matter what people read, research or look at, would it?

Mormons are told to "have faith and just believe," regardless of how preposterous the whole thing may seem.  And there are a lot of people who do just that, in essence putting aside all critical thinking and just accepting what they are told to believe.
 
Lies should have no part in anyone's life.  I, for one, do not want to live my life based on lies or half-truths - because in plain and simple terms, "...trust departs when lies are told" (as the below LDS Hymn Parody says - my 89th to date).

WHEN LIES ARE TOLD

Sung to the tune of When Faith Endures, #128

I know the truth, it’s very clear,
The Mormon Church, a false veneer.
For lies are laced throughout it all,
The facts are written on the wall.
For years, I simply went along,
Though deep inside, I sensed it’s wrong.
They say believe, the Lord extolled,

But trust departs when lies are told.

© Diane Tingen, 3/12/2013