Life In The Cross

A Joe Moment

The Prophets Answer to Sundry Questions

"Are the Mormons abolitionists?"
No, unless delivering the people from priestcraft, and the priests from the power of Satan, should be considered abolition. But we do not believe in setting the negroes free."
(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Deseret Book Co., pgs 119 & 120)


The anti-slavery movement was in full swing when ole' Joe made this quote. The Northern states were helping those who wanted to be free, become so. Among those of the South, most believed it was Biblical to have slaves. Where Joe made this statement, I do not know, however, the state that he designated to be the land of Adam-ondi-Ahman loved their slaves. The Mormon church's official stance on slavery was mixed. Joe, he clearly put the official final word on the subject of the abolitionists within that time period. Joe Smith did not want any human, unless "white and delightfulsome", to be a part of the new movement called Mormonism.
The many 'prophets and quorums', since the time of Joe, have changed their official opinions on the abolishment of slavery many times [about as many as a baby's diaper change]. So, the final word in the present diaper is: Give me your colored human of any race, because I'm hungry for all the money I can get, no matter who is giving it to me...!

The Illness:The Double-Bind

If there could be a diagnosis deemed by the medical world for mind rape, "The Pattern of The Double-Bind in Mormonism" would be the name of that grave illness. An illness that is a complex, hidden cancer that festers unceasingly and is undetectable to almost everyone. It erodes away every healthy mind it comes in contact with, and will cause necrotic cranial fissures that deepen in time.
If there is an arc of life that remains within the cell bodies of what is left of an untouched area of healthy brain tissue, then, and hopefully then, that spark will energize a warning sign or an urgent message that screams out how something inside is terribly wrong.
Marion Stricker, who wrote "The Pattern of The Double-Bind in Mormonism," was able to give identity to a vast corrosive epidemic within the mind of all who believe in the so-called prophet Joe Smith and his cult.
My husband skimmed through the book and commented to me about how this particular book described me. He said it fits me to a "T". It's a long road to reality and truth (especially if you never had them in the first place). I've spent the majority of the past fifteen years fixing the problem. Some of the symptoms creep in now and again and my husband is quick to point that fact out. So, I strongly urge everyone to spend the money and get the book. It is a must read for anyone who is in Mormonism (and out) to understand why Mormonism is so hard to brake free from and heal (move) on with life in a mature way.
Leaning on the Lord is the cure for this disease. He will be your constant companion and guide. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28 NIV).

A Joe Moment

God an Exalted Man (???)

"God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great secret." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Deseret Book Company, pg. 345)

Nowhere in the Bible does it say that God is or was an exalted man!
This is what the Bible has to say:
"God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24)

"This is what the Lord says-Israels King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God." (Isaiah 44:6)

"Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one." (Isaiah 44:8)

"Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me." (Isaiah 43:10)

"...for I am God, and there is no other." (Isaiah 45:22)

"The Lord is the true God; he is the living God, the eternal King." (Jeremiah 10:10)

"You were shown these things [God speaking out of fire, taking one nation out of another nation, testings, miraculous signs, wonders,...] so that you might know that the Lord is God: besides him there is no other." (Deuteronomy 4:35, brackets added)

Jesus Christ is our deity.
"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority." (Colossians 2:9&10)

A Joe Moment

Excerpts from a Sermon by President Joseph Smith

"Christ was the head of the Church, the chief corner stone, the spiritual rock upon which the church was built,..."
( Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Deseret Book, pg. 318)

Was...., I think not. More like, IS!!!!!!

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)
"...Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior." (Ephesians 5:12)
"Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal." (Isaiah 26:4)
There are many more Bible references that point to our Lord who IS our chief cornerstone and always will be throughout eternity. Christ is not past tense.
*Ps 118:22
*Mt 21:42
*Mk 12:10
*Ac 4:11
*1 Peter 2:4
*Eph 2:19-21
*Isiah 17:10
*And so many more....

Mormon Women, Prozac, and Therapy

*The title above is linked to a report put out by Kent Ponder, Ph.D. in 2003. Please click on the link to read the full story. Anyone who needs to know the truth about how damaging Mormonism is, take the time to read it.

When I was a Mormon I experienced the depression that went along with the duties of being an LDS woman. I was on Prozac myself, I had the therapy, both Mormon therapists and non-Mormon therapists. Nothing worked or helped. I became even more depressed as time went on.

The paper mentioned above, hits the subject on the the head. It doesn't matter if a woman is born and raised in the church, or converted, the stress of perfect conformity is crushing for both. My life revolved around those who were in "authority." Because of this, my life became a mess and I didn't have the skills to mentally understand how I could escape this cult that had done so much damage. Just like my teenage years at home with my parents, I didn't know anything about self preservation or truth. Both of which were not in my personal mental dictionary at the time.

I encourage all to read this report that is in the link, especially those who are suffering for perfection.

Feelings, Nothing More Than Feelings

Feelings are a peculiar set of emotions that have a unique way of transforming all thoughts into action, reaction or inaction. Most often than not, feelings are subjective or personal, and most of what we believe is a result of feelings. The outcome from any information taken in is controlled solely by the thought process in the brain. There is not one single feeling that gives an automatic response, good or bad, and is uncontrollable.
All feelings can be easily seduced and misled by preying spirits that seek out the destruction of our spirits. Those evil spirits, as well as Satan, who himself can masquerade as an angel of light, deceives unwary people into feeling that something is truth when it's a lie.

To be preoccupied with our personal feelings is selfish, and is dangerously wrong.

"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1)

When it comes to the Book of Mormon, people are told to 'feel' the truthfulness of it. If that 'feeling' didn't come, those people are admonished to pray again, only this time, pray harder "with a sincere heart" (Moroni 10:4), and you will get the correct outcome, or feeling. How are Mormons instructed to tell themselves about the 'truthfulness' of their feelings? "The burning in the bosom" if it is true and "A stupor of thought" if it is false. I don't remember how many times, when I was a Mormon stake missionary that I used those two phrases, burning in the bosom and stupor of thought, on those who were searching for the truth. I was wrong in doing that.

As a Christian, we are to "test" the spirits to "prove" all things.

Here is a list of Bible references to help with knowing the truthfulness of a spirit or a prophet is from God:
*1 John 4:1
*1 Timothy 6:3-4
*2 Corinthians 13:5
*Revelation 2:2
*1 Thessalonians 5:21
*1 Corinthians 15:1-8
*Galatians 1:6-8
*2 Corinthians 11:4
*Jeremiah 23:16
*Deuteronomy 13:1-5
*Deuteronomy 18:22
*Acts 17:11

It is not Biblical to pray about the Book of Mormon as the Mormons teach you to do. If you gained a testimony about the Book of Mormon, you should sit down, grab a Bible and read the scripture references above to know if you have been deceived by preying spirits.

"Why should subjective feelings be suspected? Because we are sinful creatures and can be swayed by our emotions and sinful desires:
* "The heart of man is desperately wicked and cannot be trusted." (Jeremiah 17:9)
* "There is a way that seems right to man, but the end is death." (Proverbs 14:12)"
(www.leaderu.com/offices/michealdavis/docs/mormonism/feelings/html)

"The peril is real.To become preoccupied with inner feelings is dangerous and wrong in this age in which we are called to "walk by faith, not by sight." (Life In The Son, Robert Shank, Westcott Publishers, 1982, pg. 304)

A Joe Moment

False Reports

"What is it that inspires professors of Christianity generally with a hope of salvation? It is that smooth sophisticated influence of the devil, by which he deceives the whole world."

(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 270)