Apostasy

(Last Updated 1/14/2017)

For those first exposed to “advanced history,” It probable takes a few weeks to overcome the initial feelings of deception, betrayal, and/or being lied to. Some leave the LDS Church at this point. I believe they exited the LDS Church too early. Not that their conclusions aren’t correct, but they shorted themselves of knowledge, the sure foundation. Others will spend a lot of time privately researching “advanced history”  topics. According to LDS Apologist Michael Ash, the topics that affect people the most are polygamy, the Book of Abraham, or some aspect of the BOM. At some point a person will make THE decision: to stay or leave the LDS Church.

Cognitive Dissonance:

The obsessive research phase is caused by cognitive dissonance or the mental discomfort experienced by an individual when confronted by new information that conflicts with existing beliefs, ideas, or values. People seek to relieve the discomfort, and all people (members and Critics) avoid situations and information that cause mental discomfort.

Each person assigns a different level of importance to each belief. Those beliefs with which we have personal experience will have a higher level of importance.  For example, a person who received blessing after paying tithing will more likely have greater discomfort (cognitive dissonance) than someone who does not pay tithing when encountering new and opposing information about tithing.

The trustworthiness of the source of the new information and the information ratio also affects the level of discomfort. For example, if your doctor told you to do something seemingly unhealthy you would probably have little discomfort (cognitive dissonance) if a co-worker thought the doctor's advice is unhealthy because the doctor is a more trustworthy source for health information than a co-worker. Further, if you then firmly believe your doctor’s (unhealthy) advice but then read an article where many doctors disagree with our doctor's advice, we would most likely have great discomfort (cognitive dissonance) sticking with the original (unhealthy) advice due to the information ratio (many doctors vs. one doctor).

We relieve the mental discomfort (cognitive dissonance) in one of 4 ways:

1.     We reject the new information as false. For example, Critics claim Joseph Smith practiced polygamy and therefore was not a prophet. We dismiss it as false without investigation.

2.     We ignore the new information as unimportant. Per the above example, we ignore it as unimportant without investigation.

3.     We add more information. We learn more about topic and synthesize information, but our belief does not change. Per the above example, we learn about Joseph Smith’s polygamy, but our belief that Joseph Smith was a prophet does not change.

4.     We accept the new information. The new information, with or without adding more information (see #3), changes our belief. Per the above example, we learn about Joseph Smith’s polygamy, and conclude Joseph Smith was a fallen prophet.

Nearly all people (members and Critics) operate using #1 and #2. We rely on our existing beliefs  because we simply don't have the time to study the topics.

People, especially the LDS Church and LDS Apologists, who will read this Work might accuse me of (intellectual) apostasy. The LDS Church defines apostasy as:

1.     Repeatedly act in clear, open, and deliberate public opposition to the Church or its leaders.

2.     Persist in teaching as Church doctrine information that is not Church doctrine after they have been corrected by their bishop or a higher authority.

3.     Continue to follow the teachings of apostate sects (such as those that advocate plural marriage) after they have been corrected by their bishop or a higher authority.

4.     Are in a same-gender marriage. (added November 2015)

5.     Formally join another church and advocate its teachings.

(Handbook 1: Stake Presidents and Bishops, Section 6.7.3 [page 57], 2010)

Before you pass judgment, READ ALL WEB PAGES. If I’m ever dragged into a Disciplinary Council, then I consider this entire Work (all web pages) as my evidence. LDS leaders have spoken about embracing me and winning me back to the LDS Church.

Apostle J. Reuben Clark (bold added):

"Any individual who does not accept the fullness of these doctrines as to Jesus of Nazareth or as to the restoration of the gospel and holy priesthood is not a Latter-day Saint…This does not mean that we would cast out such teachers from the Church—not at all. We shall take up with them a labor of love, in all patience and long-suffering, to win them to the knowledge to which as God-fearing men and women they are entitled."

(J. Reuben Clark, The Charted Course of the Church in Education, 1938, pgs. 3 and 7)

Apostle M. Russell Ballard:

"Some disciples struggle to understand a specific Church policy or teaching. Others find concerns in our history or in the imperfections of some members and leaders, past and present. Still others find it difficult to live a religion that requires so much. Finally, some have become “weary in well-doing.” For these and other reasons, some Church members vacillate in their faith…

My heartfelt plea is that we will encourage, accept, understand, and love those who are struggling with their faith. We must never neglect any of our brothers and sisters. We are all at different places on the path, and we need to minister to one another accordingly.

Just as we should open our arms in a spirit of welcoming new converts, so too should we embrace and support those who have questions and are faltering in their faith.

(M. Russell Ballard, "To Whom Shall We Go?", 2016 October General Conference)

Prominent LDS Apologist Michael Ash:

"The cure for intellectual apostasy is better education. The Church is responding to the apparent lack of historical knowledge among members by discussing potentially challenging topics and by exhibiting scores of early Mormon documents…"

 (Michael Ash, “Healing When Trust is Broken with The Church”, mormonhub.com, 2015)

Let’s examine some “advanced history.”