My son (19 years old) is a Mormon. I, an ex-bethelite. Interesting combo.
I have tried not to make it a big issue. He has to decide things for himself now. I have to say that the Mormons (here in Mexico) are a nice bunch of people. My son has made and maintained changes in his life that are very encouraging. For me, the good thing is that he no longer attends their church.
My son lost his father in a plane accident a few years ago. He was a crop dusting pilot who got involved in the drug trade (according to people that knew him; my son's mother has more or less told me the same). My son, Mario, came to me as a martial arts student and basically asked me to be his dad. I am proud to be his dad and look at him as my own flesh and blood. When he is asked at school by people that have known him and his dad how it is that I am his father he just says "he's my dad and that's that! Cool kid.
I made the effort to encourage him because I saw that he was avoiding a lot of things that are bad. The type of things that most teen-agers like to do. So, I attended a few meetings (especially the ones that had to do with moral behavior) to encourage him to learn what good behavior is and why he should avoid the "things of the world". Before this, I adamantly opposed him being in that cult. I still oppose it.
But, it is interesting that he seemed to lose interest when I went along to some meetings with him. Typical adolescent behavior. You can't like something if your dad likes it too!
The Mormons loved me! The bishop and the president went out of their way to accomodate me because, unlike most fathers here where I live, I take an active role in my son's life and development. Most dads just let them do whatever they want and encourage very poor behavior. I'll expand on that point if anyone is interested.
Funny thing is, they really thought they had a convert when I would comment on Bible topics. Especially the pauline scriptures. I'm still a big fan of Paul's writings. They kept after me to "get baptized". They sicked the missionaries on me. But, I told them that I have no interest whatsoever in becoming a Mormon and specifically told them that it is fine to come to my home but that I did not want to "study" with them. It is interesting, this is apparently a way to keep them away. If you are specific, at least here, they will not try to proselytize you.
I did a lot of research on the Mormons because I didn't know anything about them. I used the Internet and their own writings. There is no way I would ever get involved with them. My take on it is that the Mormons and the Witnesses are about the same, barring many doctrinal differences. An organization is an organization and seeks to perpetuate itsself right or wrong.
I did learn that very few of their teachings are based on the Book of Mormon. They seem to rely mostly on their other writings like The Pearl of Great Price and Doctrine and Covenants as well as on the on-going revelations of their "prophets". Many of these teachings directly contradict the B o M.
Like the witnesses, they are nice people sheparded by wolves.
Their theology is at least as twisted and tortured as that of the witnesses.
As for the "love bombing" tactic, they use it too. Perhaps more so than the witnesses. But it IS finite. My son and his mother and other family members are sort of out in the cold now that they don't participate much.
I have had many talks with the bishop, a very kind and sincere man. He doesn't try to proselytize me (he tried but I told him how it is with me). But, he did show great concern for my son and his mother and syblings when we had a rough patch a few months ago. I like him and hope that eventually, he will see through the bs.
My son lives with me peacefully and I pray for him constantly. He now actually asks me questions about spiritual things without always throwing in the "Mormon" point of view. This is real progress.
Anyway, to sum it all up, like the witnesses, they are nice people but highly deceived.
Marcos
