First off, I must admit I have become obsessed with this web page since finding it. While not having been raised mormon, I moved to predominantly LDS area and have been fascinated by the whole religion since day one. Since finding this web page, I am as fanatic about reading it daily as my friends are for reading Facebook.
My heart goes out to each and every one of you as you move forward recovering from this cult.
The reason I chose to become a member is because I found some interesting information I had not been aware of prior to today. I have not seen it mentioned (if it is on here, I apologize for having missed it) and thought it needed mentioning.
Below is a link comparing the two religions and I found the read very interesting. If I were to mention this to mormon friends, it would damage our relationship. At times I hold my tongue about how I truly feel about what they believe and at other times I can be honest with those folks who know I tell it like it is. One day on of these friends I can joke with asked me my opinion about something he and another mormon were talking about. I told him he didn't want my opinion, he said yes he did, so I blurted out, "Well I think Joseph Smith is in hell and his hair is on fire!" My friend just laughed. :0) The other mormon tending the cash register broke her jaw when it hit the check stand, LOL.
As I said, please see the link below if you are interested.

http://www.bible.ca/islam/islamic-mormonism-similarities.htm

Thanks for listening to me ramble!

In the heat of the Missouri “Mormon War” of 1838, Joseph Smith made the following claim, “I will be to this generation a second Mohammed, whose motto in treating for peace was ‘the Alcoran [Koran] or the Sword.’ So shall it eventually be with us—‘Joseph Smith or the Sword!’ ” http://bsimmons.wordpress.com/2006/11/29/i-will-be-a-second-mohammed/
I tend to think that Joseph Smith saw Islam as a successful religion, so he decided to copy it - as well as stealing ideas from various Christian denominations.

During his lifetime, newspapers would sometimes refer to Joseph Smith as "the American Mahomet."

The city of Nauvoo also had a religious liberty ordinance that specifically granted toleration to several faiths, and specifically included Islam. This was a period when there were still states and cities that limited some political rights on the basis of religion (the First Amenment was not made binding on non-federal governments until 1947), so it was pretty progressive for its time.

Thanks for further insight!

I have the hardest time wrapping my mind around why people, especially the seemingly intelligent folks I am around, cannot see the crap/lies they are being fed. I realize that it is easy for me to judge, not having walked in anyone's shoes.

I got to thinking about things the other day (told you I was obsessed!!) and realized that if people got in my face about what I believe (was raised to believe) and told me it was all wrong, I would most likely react in the same manner that TBMs do when they are confronted.

As a Bible believing Christian, I realize there are plenty of folks who scoff at the very idea of God. I can sit back and say, "Can't you see all of the wonderful things He has created! How can you deny the truth of His existence?" and others sit back and say "Whose to say that the Big Bang Theory is wrong?"

The bottom line for me is that it breaks my heart to read about the suffering of so many. Makes me wonder as I drive through this LDS town, what folks are really feeling behind the smiles pasted on their faces.

Mormonism's misogynism and sexism is only distinguishable from Islam's because mormonism is tempered by a secular ambience.
When I saw the unbridled Islamic version it made the mormon version more apparent.

I'm with you. The only reason mormonism isn't a bigger threat to liberty is because they are such a minority.

"We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature an disposition of almost all men...' Got that right! JS and his mormonism is exhibit A.

amos2,

Glad you made it home safe from your tour! I served in the Navy in the first Gulf War but don't think the two wars can even be compared. Plus, being on a ship vs. in the thick of things on land is a monumental difference.

If you don't mind, I would like to pose a question of you. Ever since my four years in, I have thought the US should require all people to serve for at least two years upon completing high school. That it shouldn't matter if you have a football scholarship or are scheduled for a mission. I felt it would be good for kids to experience the real world while at the same time having the structure of the military to guide them. When I moved to my husband's hometown after his tour (he was Army), I believed this an even better idea as the focus for 98% of our town is, "mission, marriage, farm like dad." Girls are pushed to go to college in order to land a husband, not much focus on an actual degree. Kids here don't think about "the big, wide world." Their parents don't push them to get out and see beyond the county line (unless it is church related, of course). Having said that, you having experienced both the religion and the military, do you think it would change or break the mindset these kids have? Is my thinking seriously convoluted? :0)

I know the question wasn't addressed to me, but I'm also a veteran so maybe you won't mind if I comment.

obsessed Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
I felt it would be good for kids to
> experience the real world while at the same time
> having the structure of the military to guide
> them.


How would that be different from kids serving a mission overseas with the structure of the mission to guide them?
The military is a great opportunity for many young people, but in my opinion it should be kept voluntary.

Well, you have a point I didn't even think about!! LOL! I guess my line of thinking was the military exposes us to a lot of people from different backgrounds that was an eye-opener to me. I was also gonna say that being in gave me a feeling of doing something bigger than myself and for the benefit of my country. No doubt the poor little missionaries think exactly the same thing. In fact, my hubby was told the job of missionaries is viewed by the church as being equal to serving the country in the military. I just about came untrained when he told me they said that. :0)

Another thing I didn't think about (not a new thing for me - ha!) is that my time in was for the most part low-key. We didn't enter the war until I was nearing the end of my duty so I spent approximately six months in during that one. Today is all about the war(s) and I may not think it is such a good idea had I been in the last few years.

Thanks for giving me something to chew on!