Comments by "" (@DannyAGray) on "Ex-Mormon Speaks Out - Why Did He Leave? 🇺🇸" video.

  1. Have you found the Saint Unscripted channel? They have really clear and digestible videos explaining a lot of things regarding the church.
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  2. 00:15 ROFL!! 15 seconds in and I already know he's full of shit. I was excommunicated, and I can tell you, it was the most beautiful, loving things I've ever experienced. Sure, I hated it at the time, but hindsight is a wonderful thing
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  3. 7:28 And what do you say to someone who doesn't take it personally? Bro, I've been excommunicated, and from my perspective, you just sound bitter. There's nothing personal about that assessment, man, I've been in your shoes.
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  4. @stokenasty  do you frequently know the history and inner workings of every organization you join? How about when you're 8 years old? Do you think an 8 year old should be bothered with those things? Do you think 8 year old are even being asked to know those things? Cuz they aren't.
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  5. Yes, because Gen Z 24 year olds know enough about the world to call other people brainwashed. 😂😂😂
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  6. 8:30 Release Time isn't unique to high schools all over the country. Cmon guys
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  7. Apparently you haven't heard about the archeologists finding TONS of horses in Mexico dating back to Book of Mormon times. You really should look into it. Also, do yourself a favor and go listen to Don Bradley (THE Joseph Smith polygamy historian), and how Don became atheist after leaving the church, then realized the endowment was in the book of Ether (in the book of Mormon) long before JS ever learned about freemasonry. I think that interview is on the *Let's Get Real Podcast*.
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  8. Maybe if those two reviewers went to temple during their open houses, they wouldn't complain.
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  9.  @inrptn  there are perfect Mormons? Where? I've never known a single Mormon who claims to be perfect.
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  10.  @MTLV100  it's a channel done by members, but it's a great resource for really deep researched answers.
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  11.  @xaverrogers4910  ROFL!! What people? Show me who, their credentials, and all their references, and I'll show you others with better credentials and better research. The CES Letter is a farce of a document and a gold star example of the blind leading the blind.
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  12. Where do I start?.... the LDS church members have LITERALLY been spending this entire year reading and studying the New Testament, and last year was the Old Testament. We read the Bible - for lack of a better term - religiously! In the LDS faith, there is no clear doctrine or single belief regarding Christ being married. It's not a topic we bother discussing. Many believe he was married, other believe he wasn't. As for me, I simply ask, "what does that have to do with my salvation." In our temple, women act very much in a priest role under the direction of the priesthood. This is consistent with your statement.
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  13. BRO, JUST ADMIT THAT YOU WERE DECEIVED BY THE CES LETTER!!
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  14.  @RyanMercer  just goes to show you how much of a jerk I am to multiple pages. 🤣🤣
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  15. 😂😂😂😂😂😂
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  16. I grew up in Chandler!
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  17.  @allyjmjm  oh, I'm sorry, you asked where in CA. I grew up in Simi Valley and they had release time there. I have cousins in San Francisco (they're protestants) and they have release time.
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  18.  @allyjmjm  it makes me happy to know that many faiths take the religious education of their youth seriously, and assert their first amendment right to do so. Honestly, I don't even care what faith it is; more kids should be taught the Bible at the very least. That said, a lot of kids also use their release time period at the end of the day to go to their jobs at the store or McDonald's or whatever.
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  19. 20:55 OMG he's a bunk buddy with John Dehlin! 😂😂😂😂 That explains it all
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  20. He's struggling because he read the CES Letter, and doesn't know how to deal with its lies.
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  21. I fit that bill
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  22. Considering that many peripheral before Spencer W. Kimball (church president in 1978, when the ban was lifted) have accounts staying they had regularly petitioned the Lord to lift the ban, and considering that church members before George Romney were elected officials, and further considering the George Romney was a well loved governor of Michigan beefier a presidential campaign - never shying away from his religious beliefs - I'd say your attempt at causation doesn't apply here.
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  23. Catholic cardinals have literally killed each other for the papal throne. Nearly every church has something sketchy or sinful in their pasts. Even prophets in the Bible screwed up A LOT. So what's your point, that Joseph Smith was a flawed human being? GOD FORBID!
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  24. He doesn't explicitly say it, but the timing of his leaving - and many of the points he refers to - lead me to believe he read a book by an ex member called the CES Letter. This book has been debunked by multiple people, and yet guys like this act like it's full of truth. Really sad.
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  25. The irony of you calling it "deprogramming" while suggesting those YT morons is quite hilarious.
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  26. We don't believe in neo-genders and teach very firmly that God created males and females. However, I think you're alluding to the idea that we teach love and acceptance of all people - not necessarily their ideas or beliefs - as children of God.
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  27. If you're talking about baptism, what is it that those being baptized are consenting to do?
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  28.  @stokenasty  when was the last time you read the terms and conditions for YT, or your Google account, or your credit card?
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  29. @lukev483  8 year olds aren't asked to take on all the nuances of church history and doctrine. Their baptismal covenant is to commit to loving and serving others and trying to draw closer to Jesus as they learn and grow. That's it. As they learn more, they can make choices related to their learning. It's really that simple.
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  30. @stokenasty  the interpretations is accurate. I've been teaching primary and Sunday school for the teens for YEARS and I've taught them all the same things. The baptismal covenant conditions can be found in the sacrament prayers as well as Mosiah chapter 15. It's quite simple. Regarding missionary service, etc., you're missing about 10 years of primary and Sunday school classes of further teachings and preparation for those things. Yes, I do teach my current class (5-6 year olds) that sharing the gospel with their friends is a wonderful thing - and I teach that because I agree with it, not by force but by experience - and that serving a mission one day could be an excellent choice. When I teach the teenagers, I talk to them about the many classmates they have with different beliefs, how to connect with them as people, and how they might invite them to church. With the older teens, we talk about how serving a mission is a great way to not only serve and teach, but how to get along with a companion, pay bills, keep a work-type schedule, meet appointments, etc., which can help prepare them for college and even marriage. Further, I teach them that knowing everything in order to serve a mission is not necessary. They aren't serving to go teach everything; they are going out to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ, live it by example, and teach the basics of the restoration. As someone who did NOT serve a mission, I see a lot of value in the idea of it.
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  31. @lukev483  I accept your challenge and raise you by 7 months. I've already done it back in 2019. Not only did my family know about it, but I was open about it with friends and coworkers and even strangers. So...I guess I best that challenge already.
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  32. @lukev483  when I teach 8 year olds preparing for baptism, this is what I teach them they are committing to (because this is all they are committing to: And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life— Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?
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  33. @lukev483  on the contrary: Jesus regularly attended synagogue with his parents, even teaching others at the age of 12. Christ participated as a jew throughout his life. Saying he waited til he was an adult is ignorant of Christ's life.
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  34. @lukev483  again, what they are signing up for or committing to at 8 is what I've posted above.
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  35.  @stokenasty  What is indoctrination? Why do we teach students in school anything at all, lest it be indoctrination? Young members are taught the fundamentals (hence the organization name being PRIMARY) and then they build up their knowledge. And it's really dumb to claim that it's indoctrination when the reality is that SO MANY teens pull away from the church during their adolescent years; I see this all the time, and it's a generalization to say that parents force them to go to church. The reality is that most of the people like Todd, here, are bitter because they didn't take the time to ask questions in their youth, they didn't confront their parents, and they were duped by bad faith actors like Jeremy Runnells. It's possible that they didn't have good leaders - yes, I'm aware that members were more closed off even 15 years ago - but the church has come a long way to really open up. The sad part is that Todd will always prefer to keep his heart closed off and not bother to doubt his doubts. It's also true that members in the Mormon belt (Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Wyoming) live in their own bubble. I've been amazed at how many exmos come from these states and claim they weren't taught certain things. I laugh at this because I WAS taught many of the things they complain about, and it's even more hilarious because I grew up in an inactive home. It sounds to me that Todd went to church his whole youth without ACTUALLY being present in church; he must have missed a lot while sitting there in Sunday School.
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  36. The CES Letter and the "problems" it presents have all been debunked by many people. The author cites inconsistent sources and regularly mis-quotes those sources. Jeremy Runnells, the author, acknowledged that he didn't present the material in any accurate way. The CES Letter is the biggest joke by faithful members who read it while actually doing the cross reference work.
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  37. You can read about it in the Joseph Smith Papers project, as well as a video put out by the church a few years ago. Honestly, this is something I knew about 25 years ago in primary; I'm not sure why anyone is surprised about it. However, I suspect he only learned about it from the CES Letter, which is a bogus document that has been debunked and refuted by multiple people. Jim Bennett's response to the CES Letter is probably one of the more detailed refutations. Sadly, a lot of people read the CES Letter and didn't do any of their own research to double check its claims, and they fell for it (including a boss of mine).
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  38. And I say you probably have blue hair and smell like stale cereal. But neither of our "saying" is based on truth.
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  39. @thefullgamutofShit  is that the full context of the event, or are you leaving out huge swaths of information. Was that marriage consummated? Did they act married? Were they ever even together privately? (Hint: Brian Hales and Don Bradley are the leading historians on Joseph's polygamy, and they have all these answers regarding Helen Marr Kimball, if you need to look it up). Have a nice day.
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  40.  @thefullgamutofShit  Joseph never said anything about a flaming sword. That came way later, and not from him. How about we start with your lack of accuracy on that?
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  41. Then so are employers
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  42. Define a cult
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  43. An odd question, but no
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  44. 44:47 Hey Todd, why didn't Jesus cover the entire world while he was on earth? Was his conversion rate just as bad as you say the LDS church's is? For that matter, Christianity has been on earth for 2000 years and only 31% of the entire world is Christian! Does that mean their "plan" isn't good?
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  45. I'm sorry you thought you had to be closed, cold and less loving towards people while you were a member. I'm curious if you grew up around Utah. I've been a member almost my entire life and never felt I had to be any of those things toward people.
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  46. LDS is the acronym used by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, sometimes referred to as "the Mormons."
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  47. The portion of the Book of Abraham that we have is roughly 9% of the total work which was lost in a fire. While it was previously thought that what is in the remaining piece is not part of what we consider scripture today, egyptologists agree that it really does depend on the dynasty and time it came from. If you're looking for more information, check out Stephen Smoot.
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  48.  @Timelapse_relaxation  look in to Stephen Smoot. A lot of his research is with non-LDS egyptologists and researchers.
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  49.  @sudosuga  there was nothing barbaric about it! It was a bunch of dudes asking me questions, and then asking how they could help me moving forward, even if I didn't return to church.
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  50. Except that what he's claiming is all lies
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  51. ​@patriciak.2474 they have it in California for catholic students (I single them out because they have their own buildings) and my friends in NC have it for their evangelical kids out there. Two examples of not the Bible belt. Wanna try again?
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  52.  @allyjmjm  California
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  53.  @allyjmjm  I was doing some reading and saw that release periods and seminaries are actually a really big deal in NY high schools for Jewish students as well. I'm actually more surprised that I didn't know that already; maybe I've read it somewhere and just forgot it.
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  54. People leave all kinds of groups for all kinds of reasons. People leave states and countries because of the cultures. Are states and countries cults?
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  55. No to your first and last questions. As for your second question, I do know some members to this day attend freemason lodges; but they'll be the first to tell you that the two practices aren't related in any way.
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  56. Not even close
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  57. As if man is so high that he can lean on his own understandings? Yeah, that's not how it works
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  58. There are accounts from his scribes that specifically debunk the notion of a curtain, and they testified that he did not use any notes or cheats. Try again after you've actually studied up.
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  59. This is an excellent comment! The only push back I'd give is that our church (LDS) does not claim to be perfect, or to have all the truth. We believe in a living church that is led by the Lord. We believe in receiving truth only when we are ready to receive it. We also believe that people of all faiths should connect and communicate and help each other grow closer to God through their faith. If someone doesn't want to join our church, we'd rather take the time to find common ground and help each other than to act as if they should be left as strangers or enemies.
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  60. 39:30 Hey Todd, remember when Christ, in the Bible said, "follow me," and, "keep my commandments," which are both actions statements that require *doing*? You're emphasizing the wrong things, dude!
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  61.  @carolyearsley  do you have evidence that it was changed? The words were written by Naomi Ward Randall, and the only change I see was that the 4th verse was added in 1978, but I don't see any indication that that change was made in the chorus.
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  62. @carolyearsley  According to records, the original lyric was "teach me what I need to KNOW," and President Spencer W. Kimball requested that it be changed to "do" as his only request for a change, and Randall acted on that request. So... maybe what you heard was a one-time alteration? @carolyearsley
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  63. @carolyearsley  knowing something does nothing for anyone. Knowing that Jesus is the Christ means nothing if you doing follow him, as he commanded. Anyone who argues that God doesn't expect you to do anything doesn't know their own Bible. And THAT is a lazy disciple and one that Christ will reject.
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  64. The food reminded me A LOT of Chubby's. They have locations in Tooele (where I live) and Draper I think.
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  65. 23:20 QUICK, ask him how many prophets screwed up in the Bible! Ask him if LITERALLY ANY of the prophets were flawless (excluding Christ himself)!
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  66. Define a cult
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  67. The Burger King preacher? 😂😂😂 That dude is a total idiot!
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  68. To each their own. My brother-in-law was totally non-religious for almost 40 years and I'm not sure he had any notion to even consider God. Now he's one of the best members I know.
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  69. Active church member here. I've been a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints almost my entire life. I have deep, serious questions that I ask regularly, and they're almost always answered right away. Where they are answered, I follow up with further research and investigating. When they aren't answered, I still do my own research until I find an answer. You assume we follow blindly, and you couldn't be more wrong.
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  70. @GodsGrace758  all my research has led me to be a better church member and Christian overall, but also much more convinced that Joseph Smith was directly led by God to reinstate the saviors church in the right way; that creedal Christianity has gotten lost on misunderstood beliefs; that the book of Mormon actually is a true record for which ALL Christians should be grateful for; and that this is where the Lord needs me to be and needs me to do a better job of testifying of. All my research and learning - all the really hard questions and even making some enemies - has led me to a deeper firmer conviction that this is God's church.
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  71. @candicesummers5427  this is really inaccurate. Freemasons only go back as far as the 14th century, by record, despite claims of relating to Solomons temple.
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  72. This line of questioning is super weird. But I guess props to you for having an active imagination. No, sexual assault is NOT permitted or allowed by any church members.
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  73. Translated.
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  74. 1. I'm Mormon 2. This homie isn't speaking any truths 3. I'm not pissed any anything other than dipshits crying "cult" every five seconds because all they know are buzz words.
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  75. 32:30 This is a funny comment, Peter, considering that the majority of members are outside the US, with a heavy population in Latin countries. Nothing white about our people.
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  76. Show me the word "pope" in the Bible
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  77.  @mack2192  could it be that Christ's words to Joseph Smith, where he said that their creeds (aka, the Athenasian Creed, the Nician Creed, etc., where the word "trinity" is proclaimed) are an abomination to God?
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  78. That's just the catholics
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  79. And the Bible is far from perfect
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  80. ​@thefullgamutofShit incorrect. When a person resigns, as Todd did, the church will send a letter to notify the person that their records are removed from the church and they are, therefore, officially excommunicated from the faith.
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  81. There is no such thing as free will. A person can freely choose things - meaning God won't force them into decisions - but a person cannot choose the consequences of that choice. That said, as an active church member, I can tell you that no one has ever restricted my choices.
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