Hey all,
For those who believe that being a Mormon is better - please read the book "under the banner of heaven". It is a true life story about two mormons who murdered a young woman and her child. The reason behind it is what is so interesting. Seems like they view "worldly" people and "apostates" with just as much disgust as the JW's. Only these two guys took it a step further.
One of the killers gives the reasons for the killings and an inside view about growing up in one of the mormon fundamental type sects and the indoctrination. The similarities between the mind control in the JW's and the Mormons is very striking. Of course this is a fundy group but the author of it goes back into the history of Mormonism too to see why these people felt the way they did. And like pahpa pointed out, they have very similiar backgrounds to the JWs.
I also read some of their literature to keep a friend from joining, I needed to find out what they believed to help her:
Like the JW's they believe they are the only true religion
They believe that there will be a new world that only Mormons will live in
They view anyone outside of their church with disgust and they are deserving of death for being sinners
You must be 100% loyal to the upper men who speak from God and decide all matters of doctrine
While the JW's believe in "new light" the Mormons believe in "new revelation" (both go contrary to the bible)
The JW's had Russell in the beginning as their 7th messenger, that servant, etc. Mormons have Smith as that special agent, messenger of God
The JW's believe their work is directed by angels, the Mormons believe the same thing
The JW's have their own bible, the Mormons have "book of mormon" which is on the same level as the bible
They both use other writings by thier leaders to interpret the bible (contrary to the bible itself)
They both believe that God only answers their prayers and protects them from harm
There is much more but these are a few of the glaring similiarities. Lilly