Thesis 2: Worshiping a Middle Eastern Man

This is a sensitive essay to write, because I know that many believe that Jesus is the Savior of the world and that he holds a very special place in their hearts. I don’t mean to offend anyone in writing this, but this is important for me to say.

Thesis 13: No Empty Chairs

There is a common saying in the Mormon church that is adopted by many families inside of it, including my own: “No empty chairs.” This refers to the idea that if you’re righteous in this life then you’ll get to go to the highest heaven, the celestial kingdom, and be with others who…

Thesis 1: The Origins of Religion

One of the strangest facets of religious people is their absolute certainty that their religion is…

Thesis 9: The Book of Mormon Logic Train

One of the key trains of logic in the Mormon church goes as follows:

Joseph Smith was a poorly-educated farmboy.

Joseph Smith published the Book of Mormon.

Thesis 7: Mormon Culture

If I believed that a church was true, I would stay a part of it even if the culture of the church wasn’t awesome. Because if a church is right then it’s right, regardless of the imperfect people inside of it. So you can read my other essays for the doctrinal and logical reasons why I…

Thesis 3: The Illusive Atonement

The basic pillar of Christianity rests on the atonement of Jesus Christ. Basically, the atonement says…

Introduction to Thirteen Theses

I was raised in the Mormon church in a great family. My father was a bishop in our ward and in the stake presidency, my mother was raised in a large “pioneer stock” family, and none of my many siblings have ever seemed to waiver (at least from what I can tell) in terms of…

Thesis 11: Masonic Rituals

Growing up I’d watch movies like the Da Vinci Code or Indiana Jones or Sherlock Holmes or National Treasure that highlighted strange groups that had devilish, complex, barbaric rituals. These rituals usually occurred in caves or underground rooms and involved group chants, secret…

Thesis 6: Testimony Meeting

It’s the first Sunday of the month and a young teenager goes up to the podium in front of the congregation. In one sentence she says, “I’d like to bear my testimony I know this church is true….”

Thesis 10: Face to Face With a Magical Rock

Mormon doctrine says that Joseph Smith used this stone to translate the Book of…

Thesis 5: Absolved of an Opinion

Without realizing it, growing up in the Mormon church turned me into a political and social issues vegetable.

On nearly every issue, be it gay marriage, abortion, or transgenderism, the church tells you what to believe. These “beliefs” are…

Thesis 8: Mixed Bag of Commandments

A distinctive feature of the Mormon church is its long list of commandments. Like the 10 Commandments of old, worthy Mormon members are required to adhere to a laundry list of do’s and dont’s in order to maintain their temple recommend and their standing in the…

Thesis 4: The Right Truth

A core part of the Mormon church is the story of Joseph Smith reading the bible, feeling like there was more…

Thesis 12: The End of Learning

As a child growing up in the church, I soaked up the songs and lessons and scripture stories like a sponge. As a teenager, I prepared to go on a mission, learned about the priesthood, and read the Book of Mormon. Then I went through the temple, went on a mission, and came…