LDS Bear traps

[Jarid in Cedar]

Given the propensity of posts/threads of this nature, I thought it would be valuable to make a hierachy of apostacizing issues. I am going to rank them in the relevance to me. Feel free to add, edit, alter to your liking.

1. Priesthood ban
1a. Polygamy
3. Masonic root of Temple ceremonies
4. BOA
5. Multiple versions of first vision
6. Seer stone and felt hat
7. BY's various doctrines(Adam-God, Blood atonement, etc)

[All-American]

8. The Gary Crowton Era.

[Jarid in Cedar]

8. The Gary Crowton Era.

Well played. If I was given the authority by the holy teaching quorum led by Wuap to give you a grade, it would definitely be an A+

[TripletDaddy]

My personal take: none of those issues is remotely sufficient to make me want to leave the Church.

[SloanHater]

9. Paper Sacrament Cups

[Pheidippides]

My personal take: none of those issues is remotely sufficient to make me want to leave the Church.

Yeah, same here. Some of them (e.g., Masonic origins) don't even bug me in the slightest.

[byu71]

My personal take: none of those issues is remotely sufficient to make me want to leave the Church.

True, it would take the adding of the honor code to the D&C and accepted as revelation to cause me to aposticize.

[Jeff Lebowski]

1a is the biggest issue for me. But not big enough to make me head to the exit.

[Hazzard]

10. Relief Society General Conference Speaker voice

[ERCougar]

My personal take: none of those issues is remotely sufficient to make me want to leave the Church.

I guess what you're saying here is that your devotion to the Church is so deep that these pale in comparison, but on first reading, you seem to be blowing these off like they're no big deal. I hope that's not what you think. I get concerned sometimes that we're all becoming "social" Mormons--so attached to the social programs of the Church that we don't even care if it's true anymore.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I get concerned sometimes that we're all becoming "social" Mormons--so attached to the social programs of the Church that we don't even care if it's true anymore.

That's awfully cynical.

[byu71]

I guess what you're saying here is that your devotion to the Church is so deep that these pale in comparison, but on first reading, you seem to be blowing these off like they're no big deal. I hope that's not what you think. I get concerned sometimes that we're all becoming "social" Mormons--so attached to the social programs of the Church that we don't even care if it's true anymore.

Yea, if that happens we wouldn't be any different than the Catholics.

[RobinFinderson]

1. Priesthood ban

I don't have a problem with the church's racist history, even though it was well behind liberal atheists on this issue. It is of greater concern that the church won't settle this issue. Yesterday's racism is bad. Today's racism is worse.

1a. Polygamy

I don't really have a problem with polygamy. I have a problem with lying about polygamy. Joseph Smith was a liar and an adulterer when it comes to the issue of polygamy, and he used his position of authority to convince other women to become liars and adulterers.

I also don't have a problem with a church having a liar and an adulterer as its founder. It is of greater concern to me tha the church tries to cover this up. Yesterday's lies are bad. Today's deception is worse.

3. Masonic root of Temple ceremonies

I have absolutely no problem with this. None at all. I'm mildly bothered by attempts to historically tie the Masons to the temple of Solomon. But this is more of an 'oh brother!'

4. BOA

Again, no problem. It is obvious to anyone who cares about historical truth that the BOA is not what JS claims it to be, but I have no problem with the idea that JS lied about this. Mullah's should be bothered by this, by I certainly don't care. IMO, if you are going to rely on the 'authority' of someone that has to make a spiritual message appeal to the masses, it will follow that there will be a circus.

5. Multiple versions of first vision

No problem. Same reason as BOA.

6. Seer stone and felt hat

No problem. Same as BOA.

7. BY's various doctrines(Adam-God, Blood atonement, etc)

No problem. Same as JS being a liar and an adulterer.

[Art Vandelay]

Given the propensity of posts/threads of this nature, I thought it would be valuable to make a hierachy of apostatizing issues. I am going to rank them in the relevance to me. Feel free to add, edit, alter to your liking.

1. Priesthood ban
1a. Polygamy
3. Masonic root of Temple ceremonies
4. BOA
5. Multiple versions of first vision
6. Seer stone and felt hat
7. BY's various doctrines(Adam-God, Blood atonement, etc)

In my experience, and the thing I would fear most knowing my weaknesses, the #1 reason most people leave the church is apathy. I suppose your list depends on your definition of apostatizing, but I find in most cases people quit coming not because of one big thing they do or don't believe but many small things they grow tired of doing

[Jarid in Cedar]

So to flip this question, outside of TSM ordering a missle strike on the Vatican, what events or circumstances would lead any of you to disavow your current affiliation with the church?