Hi, Jerome,
Yes, I am that Susan you spoke with quite a while back on this board, and do have family all over the religious spectrum, including a favorite and much-loved sister who has been JW for many decades and is totally devoted to it. In her case, I actually feel it has been of benefit to her in many ways, though of course I would rather she belonged to the religion I do as I think it would make her much happier. Maybe in the future. For now she is content where she is, and I won't disrupt her already troubled life by forcing the issue.
You said it is not accurate that Mormons don't do the shunning thing. Sorry, but it is. We don't shun. In fact, those who have been df'd, or ex'd, are usually surrounded by the congregation to help them through it. We NEVER would consider making anybody "invisible" or refusing to even say hello. That is monsterous.
You said we no longer believe "negros bear the mark of cain" and have corrected our literature. No, actually that doctrine has not changed. The only part that has changed is that the Priesthood has been extended to include them, but the reason for that is definitely beyond what I would bother to go into here since belief in there were three limitations on the descendents of Cain having that restriction, and only Heavenly Father could know when the necessary ones had been fulfilled so that it could be lifted, as we were all praying it would be. Funny how this issue was a total non-issue to our many black LDS members, and still is. If it isn't so difficult for them to deal with, why would it be for you when you aren't even LDS so it can't possibly affect you in the least.
You said only Mormon males go door to door. NO. As I told you before, women also go door to door on full-time missions. And older men and women can also be called to serve full time or part time. My son married a sister who had served a full-time mission. Wonderful lady. She is definitely a woman. My Bishop and his wife are currently serving full time in South America. She is definitely a woman, too.
You said we "consider it okay to 'lie' to non-Mormons in certain instances. Would you care to give an example of that, since I don't believe that is true. My missionary sons were never taught to lie, nor did they ever find it necessary. They simply tell the truth and allow the listener to accept or reject. If it is a subject they cannot discuss, such as the details of sacred ordinances beyond what a nonmember has any reason to know and which would only be pearls before swine, they simply say it is not something they discuss. Perhaps to you that is a lie or an evasion. It is not. Every religion has some things that are sacred to them which is nobody else's business. So does every family. So does every individual. Not everything has to be shared in detail just because some outsider asks. Want an example? How about asking your minister to share with you exactly what he and his wife did the last time they shared physical intimacy, IN DETAIL. Think he will tell you? Only if he is a pervert. Think you had the right to ask? Only if you are a pervert.
As for the supposed vast amounts of original documents concealed from the public and with only limited access ... When was the last time you held the original Declaration of Independence in your own hot little hands? Is the Government being evil because they don't pass it around to everyone for them to hold, for babies to drool on, for people with colds to sneeze on? I don't think so. Important thing, rare things are ALWAYS put in temperature-controlled, light-controlled, restricted access environments. Personally, I'd love to go hold the Hope diamond, and see how great it would look on MY hand, but I rather doubt I could get the people in control of protecting it to let me do that. Do you have a clue how many original paintings are kept in the lower vault of the largest art museums in the world? Most of them have half again the number of paintings on their walls down in their vaults, and many of those have not been out of the vaults in decades for anyone to view. Guess they must be trying to deceive the public, huh? Or are they merely protecting what they know is valuable and cannot be replaced? Yeah, I think that's it. And that's what we do, too.
You said, "A loathing for Ex Members even to the point of informal shunning." Didn't we cover that? We don't shun anybody. Our leader said, on nationwide TV during a Mike Wallace interview, "It is better to be a good Baptist than a bad Mormon. When the Baptists come to town, I've got a few people I'd like to introduce them to." He was serious. Interesting, though, no Baptists went to him to get those names. An opportunity missed on their part.
So you see, your "problems" are really straw men. No substance at all. If you don't like us, fine. Don't. But don't base your dislike on such drivel.
Hope this helps. Good luck and God bless!
Susan
