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Ex-Mormon Atheists

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There seem to be a few of us ex-mo's in the Nexus and it is good to share the particular intricacies of extracting oneself from Mormonism.

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Comment by Aaron S. (USA) on August 24, 2010 at 4:45pm: LarryW: When you say "we", do you mean that you're a Mason? I was told that only theists could be Masons.

Comment by Debbie Morris on August 23, 2010 at 2:43pm: Does anyone know how I can view 8 The Mormon Proposition from Ireland. Dying to see it and can't view it anywhere!

Comment by LarryW on April 16, 2010 at 10:20pm: Thanks, Gustavo, for the link. Very interesting. The more I am learning, the more Joseph Smith sounds like a frustrated Mason. There is so much of Masonry in the Mormon church it's unbelievable. As I read the Endowment ceremony, except for the text, of course, I could swear that I was listening to a Masonic Initiation lecture. The square, plumb and level are the three principal symbols in Masonry, although we use the compass and straight edge as well in our teachings. I wonder if Mr. Smith learned of these symbols from the Angel that visited him. Maybe the Angel was the frustrated Mason, or perhaps they are one in the same.

Comment by Gustavo Keener on April 11, 2010 at 9:14pm: The Masonic symbols in Mormon Temples are the square, the compass, and the straight edge. Respectively, they symbolize (paraphrased from the last time I went sometime before 2002) "exactness and honor in obeying the commandments of the lord," "all truth can be circumscribed into one whole," and I forget what the straight edge symbolizes. You can see it all here at http://www.ldsendowment.org/telestial.html (and the following links from that page). The link shows the LDS Endowment ceremony as it was before sometime in the 1990s. It has evolved quite a bit to be more "politically" correct, inasmuch as such a religion can be P.C. whatsoever.

Comment by Gustavo Keener on April 11, 2010 at 8:58pm: I agree with Debbie. For "faithful" (read: deluded) Mormons, the man is supposed to "preside" over the household. A wife and husband are supposed to be equal, but perhaps like those of African decent being able to hold the "Priesthood", that might be more of a reflection of changes in society than any revelation from some higher being. The actual way it is phrased in the Temple (paraphrased by me) is like, "[Husband], you will take your revelation from God, and [Wife] you will take your revelation from the husband."

Also, even though the Mormon church does not practice polygamy in this life, it is allowed in the mythological next life. In other words, women get one husband and a lot of "sisters" with whom they share a husband, if they all make it to the Celestial Kingdom (by obeying laws learned in the Temple). Summarized in one sentence: It's a whole lot of sexist rubbish.

Comment by Al Jensen on April 9, 2010 at 4:58pm: Yes, there are tons (literally) of Jensen's in the LDS Church. My father's parents were converted in Denmark and came to this country early in the 1900's. A great many Danes were attracted to the possibility of free (or cheap) passage to the US. In the middle of the 19th century Denmark had a great deal of rural poverty, which made the US an attraction. Jensen is the most common name in Denmark -- It's like Smith in the US. It means son of Jens (danish for John), so its the Danish equivalent of Johnson. There are eight columns of Jensen's in the Salt Lake Phone book. Best to you and your wife and your long marriage.

Comment by LarryW on April 9, 2010 at 4:46pm: Al... Oddly, or ironicly, my wife's sisters married name is Jensen.

Comment by LarryW on April 9, 2010 at 4:43pm: Thanks, Al, I'll try that Google idea. I didn't know how Smith died. That's very interesting! At present, Mormons can become Masons. Brigham Young was a Mason as were many Mormon leaders of his day, or so I'm told. I have heard that Masonic symbols and rituals were carried over to the Mormon church service. I have wondered about this for years, just never looked into it until now. I am in NW Arkansas and surrounded by my wife's family... Her Mom, 2 sisters, 2 Brothers-in-law and 6 kids, all Mormons and all within a mile of our house. They don't bug me and I leave them alone as well. My wife has yet to join them, but you never know. At present she is a Baptised Xtian but not active. She doesn't give me any grief whatsoever about my Atheism. She is a great person. Married 40 years last Feb.

Comment by Al Jensen on April 9, 2010 at 3:38pm: Larry, Joseph Smith is reported to have made the Masonic distress signal (whatever that is) before he fell from the window of the Carthage Illinois jail after being shot in 1844 (he died of course).
Many of the Mormon temple rituals are said to echo Masonic ritual (including wearing an apron). Some of the symbols carved into the Granite of the Salt Lake City temple are purported to be masonic symbols. If you Google mormon temple rituals or mormonism, masonic ritual, I'm sure you'll find a wealth of gossip and perhaps some factual information. I was told when I was a child that a Mormon could not become a Mason and vice versa, but I'm not sure this is currently true. Keep searching. Where are you that you are surrounded by Mormons?

Comment by Rick on April 9, 2010 at 8:48am: LOL - I didn't realize that. If you don't mind I would like to add you as a friend! I like angry ex-mo's, they are fun people!