Jason Hodlers on Nostr: This a very personal note, but my life has changed a lot this year: my 6th child was ...

This a very personal note, but my life has changed a lot this year: my 6th child was born, my 1st book was published, I started working on Satlantis, and even my religious views have changed.

I've been keeping that last part secret, but I think now is the time to state my beliefs publicly.

For those of you who don't already know, I grew up as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as "Mormons". That may come as a surprise to some, but others may have already known that, or figured it out.

For any believing Latter-day Saints reading this: Trigger warning.

First, a few quick points about Mormons:
- Yes, Mormons are Christians. They believe that the Jesus of the Bible is the only way back to God.
- No, Mormons aren't polygamists. They officially stopped that in 1890, and then again in 1904, and then for real in the early 1920s.
- Yes, Mormons believe in the Bible.
- No, the Book of Mormon was never intended to replace the Bible.
- Yes, Mormons believe God can make us how He is and give us all that He has (Romans 8:16-17).
- No, Mormons don't believe they'll get their own planet.🙄

With that out of the way, here's what I really came here to say:

I no longer consider myself a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I haven't removed my name from their records yet (I'd like to stay on the church's directory for now), but I do not consider myself a Mormon anymore.

That's probably shocking to those who knew I was a Mormon, and especially to my Mormon friends.

To them I say that I hold nothing against the church or any member. I've simply learned that the church has been corrupt and apostate for ~190 years.

I'm not interested in arguing with anyone about this, though.

Here's what I still believe:
- God is real.
- Jesus Christ died so the Father could raise us up to His level.
- The Bible (as it was originally written) is the word of God.
- The Book of Mormon is also the word of God, translated by God's power through Joseph Smith.

That's right, I still believe the Book of Mormon is (mostly) true, but the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not, and has been far off course for a long time.

I believe in 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 of Joseph Smith's teachings, but others were altered after his assassination, and others were just his opinions.

But from that point forward, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and I part ways.

And no, Joseph Smith never practiced polygamy. That was 100% from Brigham Young, as well as Joseph and Hyrum Smith's murderers, Willard Richards and John Taylor, who got it from a group known as the Cochranites.

Joseph and his brother Hyrum were 2 of polygamy's biggest opponents, and preached against it almost literally to their deaths. Brigham Young and others later spread many lies about them to serve their own credibility, but the truth is now coming to light, as it always does.

Let me emphasize that I hold no animosity toward the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or its members. My family (who have all come to the same conclusions...well, except for my 8-month-old) and I love attending our local ward [i.e. congregation] for any truths taught, and our friends there.

For those of you who have not read the Book of Mormon, I still highly recommend it, but I also recommend that you stay away from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Ironically, the "Mormon" church, as it's nicknamed, is likely the worst thing that ever happened to the Book of Mormon.

There are dozens of Mormon splinter groups that have split off from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but they're all at least as lost as the mainstream Brighamite branch that's headquartered in Salt Lake City. So for anyone wondering, no, I have no plans to join with any of them.

I now simply conder myself a Christian, a follower of the Way. I refer to the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and all other true books for guidance, no matter where they come from.

𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝗻𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗼𝗻.

One more thing:

"Mormon" is said 21 times here, but contrary to what President Russell M. Nelson (think of him like the Mormon version of the Pope) has said, saying "Mormon church" is not a victory for Satan. But Nelson hiding his works (and those of past church presidents) in the dark, is.

I wish him a very happy 100th birthday, though.😁