Why

Why is perhaps my most favored of any question to ask. Why indicate intent on the part of the person asking, to understand more about a specific topic or entity. When asked with sincerity and genuine interest it can open worlds to the person asking.

I like Why.

Some weeks ago, another blog on Mormonism pointed me to this video presentation on YouTube. It's about an hour long, but very interesting.

The person presenting is an active member of the LDS Church and presents the video in an attempt to help active members of the Church understand why many decide to leave the Church.

Amongst Mormons, there is a perception that anyone who leaves would only do so if they have committed some grave sin against God and feel guilty in the presence of God. I myself used to think the same way. When a good friend told me something that blew my mind, surrounding a part of LDS Church history which was being hidden, my first assumption was that he must be into Pornography or having an affair or something. It doesn't make any logical sense, but that's the mentality within the group.

This video discusses many aspects of LDS History which are hidden to the membership. One person who has studied this, refers to this practice as a faithful history. The belief that only the parts of history which support the mission of the organization should be shared. I believe most religions likely practice this to some extent, and generally when the truth rears it ugly head, many are left with egg on their face.

Anyway, without going into too much more detail... What I wanted to to was post the video and then offer up a question, dealing with something raised towards the end of the presentation.

First a warning, and this warning will be repeated in the presentation... He will raise historical facts which most LDS members have no clue about. It's stuff that will blow your mind. I've been looking into actual LDS History for a couple of years now, and I even learned a couple of new disturbing facts.

If you are an active member of the LDS Church, and happy with where you are in life, might I suggest click over to my other blog Being the Urban Koda and perusing that instead.

The presenter talks about the reason people leave the Church and discusses how active members should react to them. It's pretty much the complete opposite of how everyone has reacted to my expression of doubts and I would think would be far more effective. I found him to be refreshingly honest about it all, and with the exception of the last bit, thoroughly enjoyed it.

The last section talks about an ethical responsibility of people who want to leave. Basically he suggests that those who become aware of the problems within the Church stay involved to try and effect change. I didn't like that idea, but it has been something I've considered.

Here are my concerns with that approach though...

1. I may be one of many in my particular area that might have these doubts. I'm fortunate enough to have a spouse who is willing to discuss this with me, and shares many of my concerns. Many don't have that. They are forced by guilt into remaining quiet and keeping with the status quo. If I were to speak out against things which are wrong, I would become a lightning rod for disciplinary action and would quickly be demonized by Church leaders, thereby discrediting anything I have to say. And if you think I'm kidding, let me know and I'll share the story of the light bulb incident again!

2. By continuing in silent mode, and I am in many way supporting the corruption which I loath. The problem is people have doubts, then look at everyone around them who claims to have found the truth, and then naturally assumes something must be wrong with them. It initiates feelings of low self-esteem, and further perpetuates the problem. Everyone in my congregation could have these doubts, but just be going along with it, so they don't get ostracized. Interestingly enough, even if everyone did doubt, were I to raise the doubts amongst them, years of mentally conditioning would take hold, and I would be cast out as an anti-mormon.

Well that's about it on my concerns about the video, and to be fair, it's kind of the same concern. It comes down to, should I stay or should I go, and if I decide to stay, does it do more harm that good to those around me?

Here's the video...