The TRUTH About Mormon Missions

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  • Опубликовано: 7 янв 2025

Комментарии • 998

  • @JW9161
    @JW9161 4 года назад +182

    My letters home became so negative that my parents told me to stop writing home so that I wouldn’t sour my brother from serving a mission...

    • @karyndewit193
      @karyndewit193 4 года назад +19

      Wow, that’s sad.

    • @misspolly2812
      @misspolly2812 4 года назад +27

      Very Sad you didnt get the empathy of your parentes, especial ly being alone in a mission🌹

    • @Hanleia1
      @Hanleia1 4 года назад +13

      @JW9161 That is so very sad that you went through that. Hoping you are better now.

    • @margenn3889
      @margenn3889 3 года назад +5

      That is so sad.

    • @ThunderTaker1215
      @ThunderTaker1215 3 года назад +5

      I’m so sorry. I hope that you’re feeling better.

  • @Cryptosifu
    @Cryptosifu 5 лет назад +66

    My friend. When you said you were too much of a coward to jump, your wife gave the most honest look of love, I have ever seen. It is hard for a man to admit weakness, but to have a wife, who loves you regardless, is so beautiful. I'm married to a wife that reminds me of yours. I love you guys!

    • @reaganruthie2176
      @reaganruthie2176 3 года назад +1

      this has got me tearing up

    • @nanoparticle5988
      @nanoparticle5988 5 месяцев назад

      Yes, so nice you two are together and happy! - And thanks for sharing the information in this video which has been very eye opening for me.

  • @kevinalmiron8693
    @kevinalmiron8693 5 лет назад +77

    I got tired of the culture of shaming, guilt and prejudice plus all the facts that tell me that the church is not true
    I asked myself at one point. what the heck am I doing here.

    • @highlandparkgeneraldetroit7715
      @highlandparkgeneraldetroit7715 4 года назад +2

      Lol, I laughed out loud at this comment, I been thinking that myself

    • @thudor1
      @thudor1 4 года назад +2

      Wow! Did you get out while you were still serving your mission or afterwards? Some ex-Amish have set up safe houses for those who leave....and not just on Rumspringa. They teach them to use a computer, get a social security number and a driver's license and other skills necessary outside the Amish World.

    • @mohican6147
      @mohican6147 4 года назад

      Bob Holmes kh FS f

    • @ASMRyouVEGANyet
      @ASMRyouVEGANyet 4 года назад +3

      @@highlandparkgeneraldetroit7715 this is exactly how I felt. I was EXTREMELY devout. Nothing but shame if you don't spend every waking hour devoted to the church.

    • @highlandparkgeneraldetroit7715
      @highlandparkgeneraldetroit7715 4 года назад +1

      @@ASMRyouVEGANyet
      I feel bad for you people that were brought up in this mess
      It must be really hard for you to leave, I'm thankful that I'm only a convert for a year and a half, so this is easier for me

  • @brettlindsay3027
    @brettlindsay3027 5 лет назад +87

    I totally forced myself to cry when I bore my testimony! Sometimes I would even fake cry because I wanted to be seen as a really spiritual young man in my ward and I wanted to make my parents proud and set the example for my younger brothers.

    • @rickhuntling7338
      @rickhuntling7338 4 года назад +3

      @Brett Lindsay It took a lie to sell a lie. What drove you was your own pride not your parents or peers. You made yourself the image your pride created in side you not them. You made it a false image for the ones around you.
      I love having liars knock at my door so I can show them the truth.✝❤

    • @RB-zh1eq
      @RB-zh1eq 3 года назад +3

      @@rickhuntling7338 The truth? You sound very enlightened. Good for you. Welcome to atheism.

    • @rickhuntling7338
      @rickhuntling7338 3 года назад

      @@RB-zh1eq
      "wellcome to atheism? How did you come up with that false witness of me R B?
      Let's see? We start with an adulterate stone seer who invented the practice when Smith justified lying as "lying for the lord". The two of you are the rotten fruit of the LDS liers, cover ups, omissions and out right deceptions.
      The post on top is a young man fake crying "for the lord. In your case the false witness and accusation of me being an atheist is another lie for the lord. Knowing who was the liar and murderer from the begining to be Joseph's, Brett's and your lord, your comment is predictable.
      May GOD lead you to HIS Truth and Light.
      ✝❤

    • @claytonknight3867
      @claytonknight3867 3 года назад +1

      Yeah man, crocodile tears do exist, 😂🤣😂 but my testimony is true. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is The Lords Church and the only way where by man can be saved.

    • @rickhuntling7338
      @rickhuntling7338 3 года назад

      @@claytonknight3867 LOL you drank the Kool Aid and went back for seconds. Enjoy your portion on this earth because your adulterate stone seer and your testimomy have no part of CHRIST Kingdom.
      When you see Joseph in hell punch the conman in the mouth and thank him. He can be your god now and his false prophets his voice "if you do not like it you must lump it" LOL.

  • @TreasureMapsGenealogy
    @TreasureMapsGenealogy 5 лет назад +170

    You guys should do more videos together. You compliment each other delivering the content.

  • @kaitlynwagner2167
    @kaitlynwagner2167 4 года назад +59

    I lived above some Mormon missionaries for a year in my early 20's and listening to these stories makes me really sad and ashamed that I didn't try to be more neighborly at all during that time because I was trying to avoid all the Mormon cult like stuff I knew they would try on me. I still should have been a nice neighbor.

    • @Hanleia1
      @Hanleia1 4 года назад +10

      @Kaitlyn Wagner Glad that you knew that early in your life Mormonism was a cult. Avoiding them you were working on your mental health by not getting tied up with them. I can understand how sad these stories make you.

    • @janellescott210
      @janellescott210 3 года назад

      Same

  • @rach_bot
    @rach_bot 5 лет назад +160

    My family was never part of the mormon church, but my mum has a big heart. She met a couple of Elders at our local library, they were there to email their loved ones. She quickly found out they were struggling to eat. So in the end they were always at our place to eat and just chill. No lessons tho my mum would say, but we would end up doing these sort of 'mock lessons' so that the guys didn't have to lie all the time. If they had a strict partner we wouldn't see them for a couple of months then suddenly they're back lol. Poor guys never got help for their problems, so we were there as much as we could. Even if it was just watching a little TV and feeling normal. Anyhow, I'm rambling....great vid, keep up the good work :)

    • @livingstonward160
      @livingstonward160 5 лет назад +22

      its nice to be nice.

    • @robsanders5808
      @robsanders5808 4 года назад +34

      "They were struggling to eat"....??...you mean the extremely wealthy church did not provide enough of basic life necessities for their missionaries??...another reason to believe this cult sucks.

    • @thudor1
      @thudor1 4 года назад +4

      I always try to engage them in dialogue.

    • @jacobopstad5483
      @jacobopstad5483 4 года назад +22

      I remember playing Super Mario World on my mission and feeling so good doing it. I didn't care that I was at the bishop's house. I saw his son playing and I asked if he wanted to see how to make Mario fly. I used that as an excuse to get the controller and played for the best few minutes of my mission.

    • @raysalmon6566
      @raysalmon6566 3 года назад +6

      Yeah I have had visiting missionaries
      Always tried to be nice to them they loved soft drinks and good refreshments
      It was obvious they really didn't buy their own dogma

  • @gnomiehomie5368
    @gnomiehomie5368 5 лет назад +25

    what I've taken from this is that if missionaries ever approach me again I'm going to let them know that they can come to me if they need anything so maybe they can have at least one person to advocate for their physical and mental wellbeing.

  • @Hanleia1
    @Hanleia1 5 лет назад +58

    My husband knew a girl whose husband went to his bishop pre mission telling him he had homosexual thoughts. His bishop told him to go serve a mission. He served the 2 years. Told his bishop after he still had those homosexual thoughts. His bishop him then to just get married and have lots of sex. He did and ended up about 6 months to a year left his wife for a man.

    • @ExmoLex
      @ExmoLex  5 лет назад +21

      Catherine Johnson that poor guy. I’m happy he was finally able to fine someone he truly loved.

    • @__-cr6fv
      @__-cr6fv 5 лет назад +21

      Poor WIFE! ... jeez.

    • @georgewicksw2153
      @georgewicksw2153 4 года назад +3

      They are being led a stray but to dumb to realize that

    • @Hanleia1
      @Hanleia1 4 года назад +6

      @@georgewicksw2153 As much as I want to agree with you, I sort of can't. Here is why. The church uses many tactics of the BITE model that other cults use. Behavioral Control, Information Control, Thought Control, Emotional Control. The mental, emotional, psychological abuse that instills in persons is awful and horrible. So it isn’t that they are dumb, they are honestly mind-controlled. Fear is used to keep the members in line.
      ruclips.net/video/SzQHT26FXJI/видео.html This video really helped me to see how a smart, intelligent, thinking adult can fall into a cult.
      Now with that being said here is how I agree with you. Since the internet has become in everyone’s life, the information that can be seen and viewed by comparing past and current information all of what the Mormon church has said did, the way it has contradicted itself, changed information, whitewashed its history, etc. Except for the reason of being so thoroughly mind-controlled and being taught false information on what constitutes truth/knowledge i.e. emotions and feelings, which can be manipulated, there is no excuse not to believe the authentic factual information on how the church is just not factually or historically true. I hope that makes sense.

    • @ronjones4069
      @ronjones4069 4 года назад +3

      Lucky wife. She found out so soon in their marriage. Good for him leaving her.

  • @marioc.9202
    @marioc.9202 5 лет назад +118

    This man is fortunate having his wife beside him. A lot of women leave her husband if he don't go to church.

    • @thanesmashmontages412
      @thanesmashmontages412 5 лет назад +18

      I am indeed. She's the best.

    • @rmhutchins7
      @rmhutchins7 5 лет назад +18

      That's what I was thinking -- she is an intelligent supportive wife for him. I wish I had such a supportive wife!
      (My wife puts me down for questioning; she is a well-trained robot -- dedicated to her god (the Mormon Church). :(
      (The Church is not the Gospel of Jesus Christ.)

    • @tjbutler6121
      @tjbutler6121 5 лет назад +3

      Agreed

    • @angeldream1
      @angeldream1 5 лет назад +6

      @Jon Schoen messianic synagogue would be a good place to visit. I left the church of christ cult after 30 years and now we visit the synagogue sometimes but I'll never go to a Sunday church again. There is so much freedom in the real Jesus. I was never mormon but the churches I was raised in told us it was the only true church and there was no food allowed in building and no instruments allowed and a lot of other messed up stuff.

    • @thanesmashmontages412
      @thanesmashmontages412 5 лет назад +9

      @Jon Schoen Follow what you feel is best, though I highly recommend ditching religion as a whole. Every religion hides an underlying message of hate... especially through forcing you to feel guilty for being a regular human being.

  • @ShinbrigTV
    @ShinbrigTV 4 года назад +117

    One of my converts recently went inactive and got a tattoo, I'm glad she did because I'm about to do the same thing.

    • @lindsayjacobson6162
      @lindsayjacobson6162 3 года назад +3

      Nobody asked me if I had tattoos when I became a mormon

    • @gd8205
      @gd8205 3 года назад +9

      I got a half sleeve after reading the GTEs. Then the other arm after reading CES lol

    • @Baseballisbest67
      @Baseballisbest67 3 года назад

      Y that be a “glad” thing? Y tattoos be good?

    • @sarahharmon6609
      @sarahharmon6609 3 года назад

      @@Baseballisbest67 why not?

    • @Baseballisbest67
      @Baseballisbest67 3 года назад +1

      @@sarahharmon6609 oh I asked HOW it be good? How drawing permanent ink in skin a GOOD thing? Answer is obvious

  • @rmhutchins7
    @rmhutchins7 5 лет назад +74

    I attended a Stake Priesthood Meeting where they discussed how to get more young men to serve missions. They talked about instilling a feeling of expectation (guilt), offering them a car upon their return, paying college tuition, etc.; I, finally, piped up and said: "Why don't we help them be converted to the Lord; and, then, they will want to go be a missionary (I am a convert); they, all, looked at me as though I was from another planet -- they had never thought of missionaries serving missions because they, actually, wanted to go!
    (I have learned that the Church is not the Gospel ; although the Church teaches portions of the Gospel -- along with a bunch of the philosophies of men.)

    • @ExmoLex
      @ExmoLex  5 лет назад +11

      This is crazy!!

    • @johntaylor6319
      @johntaylor6319 5 лет назад +4

      Been there done that. It's hard to watch people with position strongly disagree. Sometimes the spirit has been so pungent so as I could see the palm face plant and disappointment in the stature of it.

    • @ScentitarFragrance
      @ScentitarFragrance 5 лет назад +3

      You should see lds people reaction to me suggesting as love to be needed and promoted tp foster better and more marriages. Both of these are outrageous

    • @livingstonward160
      @livingstonward160 5 лет назад +5

      Was this in Utah? I would have welcomed a car and a house as a bribe, but since I was the only active member in my area, until the missionaries and I reactivated a few people, there was no one rich enough to give me anything. My fiancee also got married to the friend of the missionary who came to my area, the same month I left on my mission. Guess some of us were converted before we went. Any missionaries that I met that didn't have a strong testimony were mostly Utah Americans. Maybe it is more about the Utah isolationist culture that is the problem: not so much the church.

    • @mariewilliams4753
      @mariewilliams4753 4 года назад +4

      RM Hutchins: Sorrowfully, you are correct. I taught gospel doctrine for six years in the 90's and the classes went very well. People listened and participated in class, we had really good discussions etc. Now, everyone just sits there like a rock in a chair or its the weekly fashion show and I'm sure peer pressure has a lot to do with it also. I am surprised how many do not know simple principles because they don't learn in class, let alone study at home on their own. I have a strong testimony but I do a lot of my own study because the time for a lesson that lets you really learn something isn't there. It makes it hard sometimes to want to go. I enjoy being around my friends and the spirit to a degree but I do my learning mostly at home.

  • @tmitchellbarker
    @tmitchellbarker 5 лет назад +31

    Sorry for all of the comments, this is clearly striking a chord with me. The comments about pretending you are someone you aren't hit me pretty hard. Even though I have been alive for 34 years, and I only was on a mission for 2 years, the pretending that I did on my mission has damaged me ever since. I really missed my family so much every day of my mission. It hurt a lot and I would cry a lot in the early days. But eventually I just taught myself to hold those feelings in. I ended up being able to just completely isolate who I was externally and how I behaved from how I felt internally. The most damaging and lasting message that I learned from my mission is that you can train yourself to feel your own emotions less. You can teach yourself that you don't need the contact, love, and intimacy of others. I still struggle very hard every day to discover, be, and share my true self. I just feel like there is this unbreakable barrier between me and everyone else that I can't break down.

  • @Sassy_Alaskan
    @Sassy_Alaskan 4 года назад +22

    A girl I grew up with died on her mission, from a tooth infection. A TOOTH INFECTION. Do you know how long that takes to kill someone?! It must’ve been agonizing. The infection got into her blood stream and she died.

    • @ExmoLex
      @ExmoLex  4 года назад +14

      That is so heartbreaking 😞

    • @sarahpinho1114
      @sarahpinho1114 2 года назад +3

      I'm surprised the church didn't get sued over that, being obvious medical neglect

    • @Sassy_Alaskan
      @Sassy_Alaskan 2 года назад +6

      @@sarahpinho1114 I don’t really end up knowing all the details. She was close friends with my sister, and we grew up together in the same Ward.
      I was abused physically and mentally by some church leaders. People that just seen my family as outsiders. It was hell.

    • @quasi8180
      @quasi8180 2 года назад +2

      @@sarahpinho1114 they shouldve got sued oh my fucking god. They never shouldve let that happen

    • @sarahpinho1114
      @sarahpinho1114 2 года назад +1

      @@Sassy_Alaskan I'm so sorry that happened to you

  • @ASMRyouVEGANyet
    @ASMRyouVEGANyet 4 года назад +10

    The thing that blew my mind was learning that the missionaries have to pay for the mission themselves. Something like $10k+. This could be used to further their education or as a down payment on a house or to buy a car, honestly, so many other things. The church should pay for these missions.

    • @ej4122
      @ej4122 4 года назад

      No one is forcing them to pay. But I do feel bad for them.

    • @charlesmendeley9823
      @charlesmendeley9823 2 года назад +2

      The real problem is that the Church is ultra rich. They own a shopping mall (City Creek) and have a lot of investment funds. But they push poor people to donate from what little they have. At least they could pay the expenses of these young men and women.

  • @AN-zz8ps
    @AN-zz8ps 5 лет назад +39

    the missionaries came to my place and I asked them if they knew Joseph Smith married a fourteen year old girl and they both looked at me and said at the same time "I didn't know that" I didn't either till I was 24 funny how the church hides that little detail....

    • @ratherbenapping10
      @ratherbenapping10 5 лет назад +4

      I knew that and I’m not even Mormon

    • @Lillith1941
      @Lillith1941 5 лет назад

      No longer hidden - but what the pleasure in beating up mentally on an 18-20 year old and trying to kill his/her faith. My great young grandson on a mission says there are all sorts of men/boys on his mission and they talk--some still go because of their parents.

    • @ExmoLex
      @ExmoLex  5 лет назад +11

      Stefanie with an F it’s much more common for people outside the church to know those details. Within the church we are taught to stay far away from “anti-Mormon” material.

    • @krissander1
      @krissander1 5 лет назад +6

      @@Lillith1941 I don't think people tell missionaries the truth to mentally beat them up, more just to tell them the truth, doesn't it tell you something about the organisation if it kept that hidden anyway?

    • @whenpigsfly3271
      @whenpigsfly3271 5 лет назад +2

      Famous Joseph Smith quote after one of his wives accused him of being a pedophile: "That's a pretty big word for a 12 year old."

  • @tjbutler6121
    @tjbutler6121 5 лет назад +41

    I felt like a salesman the whole time I was on my mission. I enjoyed the other missionaries

    • @giabarrone7422
      @giabarrone7422 4 года назад +2

      Isn't that kind of the job? Selling memberships to the church for the low cost of 10% of your life savings?

    • @videoluvr4204
      @videoluvr4204 3 года назад +4

      you WERE an unpaid salesman

  • @BluePeacocks421
    @BluePeacocks421 4 года назад +9

    We are non Mormon, but have sheltered many missionaries. Everything from chilling out at home, to taking them to the dr, watching TV. Calling home. Them whole thing.

  • @kaijessen3654
    @kaijessen3654 4 года назад +11

    I had a friend whose boyfriend died with his mission companion, in Argentina, because the missionaries weren’t aware that it would be cold there when they left SLC in summer. They tried to warm up by turning on a gas stove and they died because the pilot light went out. Missionary work was never worth dying for in my book.

  • @greatmike3120
    @greatmike3120 4 года назад +26

    The worst experiences I had on my mission were when I was a district leader every Sunday we had to give the zone leaders our "numbers". He was a bully who would often belittle me for my lack of "success" in his mind I was lazy and inadequate because I was introverted and almost done with my mission. I would literally spend the entire day out in the streets contacting but would not be invited into one home. To make matters worse my mission made use count street contacts so often we would be tallying people we talked to right in front of them. Tell me this is not a crazy sales MLM.
    Edit: By the way that zone leader later became the assistant to the president.

    • @kayjohnson4062
      @kayjohnson4062 4 года назад +5

      Must of made him feel amazing being such a big fish in such a small pond.

    • @misspolly2812
      @misspolly2812 4 года назад +2

      Yes, what you Said its true, IT was an internal bulling between Zones and missionaries companions about who had, more NUMBERS to baptized on a sunday

    • @rickhuntling7338
      @rickhuntling7338 3 года назад +4

      @@misspolly2812
      Show me the money!!! Recruitment is all about the numbers and tithing revenues. The LDS is a corporation that must meet their sales predictions.

  • @tiffanie401
    @tiffanie401 4 года назад +55

    I also am so shocked about how missionaries are basically children. I grew up thinking they were so grown up and wise. I also grew up in the time that women who weren't married by 21 were considered old maids. Ridiculous. I left the church at 18 and still felt the inner psychological pressure from all the conditioning to be married by 21 which resulted in a terrible choice and a young divorce.

    • @martinandersen9810
      @martinandersen9810 4 года назад +1

      Yes our missionaries are primarily young men and women from the ages of 18-24, often fresh out of high school. This is a tremendous sacrifice for them. I remember when I was a 19 year old missionary thrown to the wolves. It was very exciting and stressful at the same time, but I loved it. My testimony of the gospel was strong, I felt, but it was tested and molded as a result of being a missionary. I tried to represent the Lord as best I could, and I felt His help lift me and guide me. As I look back upon this time I am so grateful for the desire I had to serve at that pivotal time. It has shaped the rest of my life. I have friends who chose to stay home, and friends who chose to go serve. We are all still good friends today, which is several decades later.

    • @ASMRyouVEGANyet
      @ASMRyouVEGANyet 4 года назад +5

      @@martinandersen9810 the lds church is pressuring these kids to sacrifice money and time to something that isn't even true. It's been proven to be a scam. Your testimony is based on lies.

    • @martinandersen9810
      @martinandersen9810 4 года назад

      @@ASMRyouVEGANyet Not at all. We volunteer to go and it blesses our lives. Actually, the church is amazing - and what you don't get is that it is all true. All of it. Joseph Smith actually did see God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ, and they did in reality speak to him. The Book of Mormon is amazing. It is true. Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of the world. The Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored. I am in awe of it all, but it is marvelous and amazing. You should turn your life around and come to Christ.

    • @LeBaoBeatha
      @LeBaoBeatha 4 года назад +3

      @@martinandersen9810 This entire video is full of testimonies proving that many young people are pressured into going, and suffer depression/anxiety/abuse while there.

    • @martinandersen9810
      @martinandersen9810 4 года назад +1

      @@LeBaoBeatha - so don’t abuse them. Let them in. Give them a chance to share their message with you. Warm them with a hot cocoa and cookies. Many are angels.

  • @farside2055
    @farside2055 4 года назад +22

    I served a mission as well. My experience was quite different. I didn't feel pressured at all but drawn to the service after obtaining my testimony. I had read the Bible and Book of Mormon for the first time in my life (At age 18.5) and noticed a change in my life, thoughts, passions, etc. I found that wanted to listen to better music, be kinder to others, love others, serve others more and so much more. This is what I get every time I read the scriptures! I then started wanting to pray to God for the first time in my life and felt drawn to Him and His son, Jesus Christ. I asked if the Book of Mormon is true and received an overwhelming witness that it is. That was 16 years ago, and I have received many other confirmations of its truth.
    May God Bless us all, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic. Let's all try to be kinder to our neighbors, no matter what religion they choose to follow.

    • @irielion3748
      @irielion3748 4 года назад

      Baby D - Let Me Be Your Fantasy - It's a great song.

    • @HeardFromMeFirst
      @HeardFromMeFirst 4 года назад +2

      How did you come to the conclusion it is true ?

    • @savezelda
      @savezelda 4 года назад

      ​@@HeardFromMeFirst "I asked if the Book of Mormon is true and received an overwhelming witness that it is. That was 16 years ago, and I have received many other confirmations of its truth." I had the same experience. :}

    • @shawnstatzer3137
      @shawnstatzer3137 4 года назад

      Very well said.

    • @HeardFromMeFirst
      @HeardFromMeFirst 4 года назад +1

      What was your "overwhelming" witness ?

  • @spencermcclellan1557
    @spencermcclellan1557 5 лет назад +27

    You guys seem awesome! I told my wife a few months ago that I no longer believe and she took it very well and has even started doing her own research. I think we might be the lucky ones. I look forward to hearing more from you!!

  • @unicorntamer2207
    @unicorntamer2207 3 года назад +7

    As a kid, I thought something was wrong with me for not crying when feeling the spirit. As a tween, I started forcing myself to cry. It's weird.

  • @stevenricks1703
    @stevenricks1703 5 лет назад +44

    I am happy that I went to a foreign country, because I still value the experience of learning a language and experiencing a different culture. But I would definitely take back the preaching if I could.

    • @vivianboxer6045
      @vivianboxer6045 4 года назад +2

      Great couple! Just please stop interrupting and talking over your husband.

  • @car54whereru83
    @car54whereru83 4 года назад +29

    These are such sad sad stories of the returned missionaries. Breaks my heart to think of the misery & suffering they experienced; and their leaders denigrated them, or just ignored them. All that anguish for a false religion.

  • @dorothydavis6276
    @dorothydavis6276 4 года назад +14

    I was married to a mormon his uncle was high in the church he went to he played a lot of mind games . I fed the boys on missions I really felt sorry for them.My ex at the end of my marriage kept talking about killing himself.I left him he was cheating .

  • @suzannaturner299
    @suzannaturner299 5 лет назад +34

    Not growing up LDS I thought missions would help men and woman to find themselves and grow up by being exposed to other cultures and people. Right out of High School many people don't really know what they want to do. From these stories your sharing it really does sound quite abusive physically, emotionally, spiritually and sexually. It sounds like the leadership are entirely clueless on how to protect and help these young kids. If one joins the military one can sort of expect some of these abuses but not in a religious setting.

    • @suzannaturner299
      @suzannaturner299 5 лет назад +3

      I have a question Exmo Lex. There are many positive changes in LDS policies regarding missions and loosening of other areas of the faith. I have noticed listening to several different former Mormons that there is this, shall I say resentment for these changes when you had to abide by them. It can be a mixed bag so can you comment on it. Policy changes can be a good thing to help parishioners young and old from abuse or make life a bit easier like no more 3 hrs services so I am all for it. At the same time the more the LDS faith seems to try to look more of a mainstream Christian religion the more people won't see the problems with it's false historic roots.

    • @HoratioIsHere
      @HoratioIsHere 5 лет назад +2

      But you don’t experience those cultures unless you break the rules. I don’t think you understand what a mission is.

    • @suzannaturner299
      @suzannaturner299 5 лет назад

      @@HoratioIsHere Yes My comment is from an outsider view looking into LDS missions. As a Exvangelical missions is completely different.

    • @ashleyingoldsby
      @ashleyingoldsby 5 лет назад +2

      I really felt like my mission was the greatest blessing in my life. I speak a foreign language, have work ethic, have seen other cultures, and experienced many things that fostered independence. Experiences are individual. For me personally, it was the absolute best.

    • @suzannaturner299
      @suzannaturner299 5 лет назад +1

      @@ashleyingoldsby I am glad to hear that it was a good experience for you. Did you feel the pressure to get married in the Temple quickly like l have heard other missionaries do? I recently found an article dated 1935 announcing the upcoming nuptials of my son's Great Grandparents getting married at the Salt Lake Temple. I may not have been LDS but l appreciate all the genealogy that is out there because of them. 😊

  • @ash12317
    @ash12317 4 года назад +9

    As a member I read my scriptures for an hour every single morning. I brought and read church books on my senior trip. I went to the temple every week. The reason I didn't serve a mission is because I have problems with anxiety, have never lived outside of my house, am an introvert, hate public speaking... It seemed like a nightmare. I remember feeling SO GUILTY because I didn't go in a mission. I thought I didn't give heavenly father my ALL.

  • @2Charri
    @2Charri 5 лет назад +22

    I love you guys. It's always amazing to listen to people who understand the struggle of leaving. I live in a small town with a huge Mormon population. My whole immediate family is heavily invested. Sometimes you just need to listen to people who understand how hard it is. It's terrible how alone I can feel at times.

    • @ExmoLex
      @ExmoLex  5 лет назад +4

      Jordan I’m sorry you’re in that situation! I hope you are able to get away from that town at some point. I used to live in a similar situation back when I was Mormon, and I feel really grateful not to be there now.

    • @2Charri
      @2Charri 5 лет назад +2

      @@ExmoLex luckily I have a wife who is supportive so that makes it easier :) thanks!

  • @tmitchellbarker
    @tmitchellbarker 5 лет назад +12

    I definitely was suicidal on my mission as well. One very difficult part of that was that I still wanted to keep up the appearance that I was a happy, effective, obedient missionary. So I would put on a happy face all day and then stay up most nights feeling miserable and sometimes contemplating suicide.

    • @ExmoLex
      @ExmoLex  5 лет назад +4

      Heartbreaking 💔

    • @thanesmashmontages412
      @thanesmashmontages412 4 года назад +3

      Dude, same. It was awful. But everyone pretends they're happy. There were literally missionaries in my districts and zones that would just disappear overnight. Suddenly gone home, mysteriously. There are some I still have no idea if they are alive and well or not. The mission was like living each day amongst a bunch of mannequins and trying to become one yourself. Everyone is always smiling but you knew deep down that everyone was faking it, like you were.

  • @TheSparkalicious
    @TheSparkalicious 3 года назад +6

    The mission left me broken. 25 years later I’m still trying to recover. I feel completely alone. I don’t have any friends or family out of the church and no one understands what I’m going through.

  • @kennance115
    @kennance115 4 года назад +11

    My mission was difficult emotionally because I felt like I was lying to everyone talked to. I found strength in helping other missionaries who were having difficultly. To not finish your mission is a great embarrassment for the ones you love. We we always told in the mission field "As your mission goes, so goes your life".

  • @tracydoverspike5255
    @tracydoverspike5255 5 лет назад +11

    This made me cried. I'm so sorry to hear your story. You're so brave for sharing and speaking the truth. I'm so happy that you were able to make it through this very hard time and are in a much better place now.

  • @jamestrefethen4546
    @jamestrefethen4546 5 лет назад +17

    Being a missionary really sucks. I never really liked the Church and I did not want to go. I felt that my mother would disown me if I did not go, so I went.
    In reality the mission wasn’t half as bad as what I experienced when I got back. The indoctrination was pretty thorough and I had a hard time reverting back to being a civilian.

  • @MrBaskevin
    @MrBaskevin 4 года назад +19

    I wonder whats the conversion rate is when missioning. As someone growing up with out any religious doctrin, its really hard to imagine that anyone would ever hear these stories and go: oh okay that sounds legit sign me up.

    • @rickhuntling7338
      @rickhuntling7338 3 года назад +4

      Most are born or married into the Free Mason cult.

  • @sarasarah3404
    @sarasarah3404 5 лет назад +39

    I have the missionaries over just for dinner.
    They always give a lesson.
    But, they know im not interested.
    I just feel for them.
    I make sure I make good dinners and have leftovers

    • @thudor1
      @thudor1 4 года назад +5

      Me too! I let them present their doctrine to me on the condition that they listen to the words of the 13th Century Japanese Buddhist priest and reformer Nichiren. Tina Turner and Herbie Hancock follow as well.

  • @primalarchitect
    @primalarchitect 5 лет назад +11

    We are the same age only I left the church right before I was supposed to report to the mtc. I was called to Los Angeles.
    Really Really glad I didn't go. It was a crazy time trying to rebuild my identity as 19 y.o. with zero guidance and no life experiance outside of church circles. It worked out well! I was fortunate to have really good friends who helped me become who I am now.
    Keep up the work. You are doing a good thing.

  • @tigerlillypearse8831
    @tigerlillypearse8831 4 года назад +17

    As a kid, I hated the thought of going on a mission. My dad hadn’t been, and most of my siblings and I were inactive by mission time. One sister was going to go, but she got married instead.

  • @Nicole-zr1me
    @Nicole-zr1me 3 года назад +5

    My heart goes out to anyone who has been traumatized by a mission, or anyone whose mental health has struggled because of one. We are so young when we go out, and it’s sad how much it can impact some of us for the rest of our lives.

  • @TanyaJo
    @TanyaJo 5 лет назад +45

    I don’t think a mission is truly considered optional for young men 😞

    • @RUEGREY
      @RUEGREY 5 лет назад +3

      Tanya Sales agreed

    • @bryanpoulsen8969
      @bryanpoulsen8969 4 года назад +9

      It’s not optional. Former missionary here.

    • @guyver026
      @guyver026 4 года назад +5

      Couldn't go and was treated like shit because of it.

    • @thanesmashmontages412
      @thanesmashmontages412 4 года назад +2

      @@guyver026 Sorry to hear that. I hope things are looking up. I always felt like I was alone in not treating people that way when I was a member.

    • @guyver026
      @guyver026 4 года назад +1

      Dach \m/ Metal Smash Montages check my videos about why I left. Hail Satan and Pantera!

  • @tmitchellbarker
    @tmitchellbarker 5 лет назад +31

    There is a lot of homosexual contact, teasing, and even activity among male missionaries. I guarantee that just about every "RM" has a story similar to your husband's "knee game"

    • @ronjones4069
      @ronjones4069 4 года назад +3

      I had two gay companions. I was so young and naieve I didn't know what they were trying to do. I feel sorry for them because they must have been frustrated because they never had any luck with me. I hope they have found a loving companion of their chosen sex.

  • @mindeloman
    @mindeloman 4 года назад +14

    Forget temple ordinances....The most heavily guarded and kept secret in the church is just how awful missions really are....or can be. My mission was an absolute hellacious experience. It was mental and spiritual abuse. Every day was brutal. Your entire salvation was on the line for how you performed on your mission. That's how it was reinforced to us. Each day felt like a week. A week felt like a month and a month felt like a year. That was the beginning of me exiting the church...but it took another 15 years. I can finally see now that what I was going through, once I got home, was full-on clinical PTSD. I tried to fake it until I could make it. One of the things I realized upon returning home was that, NO ONE wants to talk with you or listen to you if you had a bad mission experience. You're a pariah. My release interview with my stake president was tense and awkward. I told him how much I hated and resented the whole experience. His insinuation is that the problem had to be all from my side, (victim blaming) and that I was too focused on the negative and my head must not have been in the right place. The word definitely got out, quick. I was not asked to give a homecoming talk, which sucked because I had real character building experiences out there. I know FOR A FACT the fear was that I would say something discouraging and negatively influence young men. Sort of a back to "hiding the truth." A lot of people have "Their moment" when the shelf breaks. The CES letter is a big one for a lot of people. But my moment was when I just couldn't fake it any more and ignore the trauma inflicted on me.

    • @rickhuntling7338
      @rickhuntling7338 4 года назад

      Now you can sell solar door to door and make a fortune. If you could sell j smith's fairytales free electricity is a piece of cake.

    • @davidseegmiller
      @davidseegmiller 4 года назад

      It’s ok to publicly tell everyone in the world that you were called.... but clearly not chosen. Gate is narrow and path is straight. Good luck whining your way through life......

    • @mindeloman
      @mindeloman 4 года назад +2

      @@davidseegmiller You weren't there. You didn't walk the hundreds upon hundreds of miles in my doc martins. You assume way too much. How can you possibly cast stones and pass judgment on me?

    • @davidseegmiller
      @davidseegmiller 4 года назад

      mindeloman I was there except mine weren’t dr martens.....ya it was hard for me too, ups and downs and all. I helped me, I helped others, I gave myself over to the work., lack of understanding and all. The godmakers was the flavor of the day when I served.... there has always been challenges to faith over time of man and always be. If the church wasn’t for you and you can’t cope.... just go away. Why try to tear people down. No one cares about your type of commentary, it’s the same old arguments. Just go be a good person and live your life and be a decent uplifting person and stop tearing people down to make yourself feel better. The bar is high, the gate is narrow and the path is narrow. You let go of the iron rod and are in the mists of darkness.

    • @rickhuntling7338
      @rickhuntling7338 4 года назад +1

      @@davidseegmiller if you're not called you're not chosen. Were you chosen to follow a conman's yarn? Call his SciFi novel inspired? No. You were born, married or believed the two other idiots in magic underwear that came a knocking.
      Your elite, special, drawn and chosen to follow a Captian Kid sequel to your own planet Kolob, "eat and you shall be as gods" Gen. 3:5. Same old lie, different liar, nothing new under the sun. Dave your Kool Aid is prepared I "call" you to come and drink. You shall be as gods. Behind the comet is your future and here are some new Adidas for your adventure. Wear them with wisdom. 😎
      The rod of iron? Might that be a smith's rod. Is the narrow path a mormon path? You went back to the Kool Aid stand for a second helping. I have a magic stone and hat that let's me read the invisible gold plates and they read your going to give me 10% of your gross income for life. Make the check out to cash😜.

  • @EtherealHealing369
    @EtherealHealing369 4 года назад +5

    I served in Nashville. When I got to the mission all the new missionaries went to the temple. I remember my brain being attacked by “Satan” saying, “it’s time for you to go home now. You’re not wanted or needed here.” That was two weeks into the mission. From then to six months later when I was sent home it was a constant battle in my mind against “Satan” to stay out. I begged my mission president to send me home. He wouldn’t. He focused on mind over matter and made me do a lot of mental exercises to overcome my depression and anxiety. The next mission president came in and sent me to counseling. There I was falsely diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Put on meds that sedated me and I was still required to do full time missionary work while falling asleep. I began to have vivid nightmares about blowing my head off with a shotgun. I told my companion about this several months after it started. She told me to tell my counselor. The counselor then called my mission president. The president and his wife were there picking me up from our apartment that night. I was on a plane home the next morning.
    When I got home I didn’t get a homecoming. I wasn’t given a calling. Hardly anyone acknowledged me, they just stared and whispered. Even though I wasn’t dishonorably released I felt like I did some horrible sin by the way the people acted around me.

    • @Patchdee1
      @Patchdee1 2 года назад

      Terrible how you were treated!

  • @tmitchellbarker
    @tmitchellbarker 5 лет назад +12

    Doing stupid things in dangerous areas, thinking you are bullet proof is a big part of mission culture, and a huge problem. I spent a lot of time arguing with, sorry "boldy testifying to" people in very sketchy neighborhoods. We were in danger quite often, and we never acknowledged that fact or did anything to protect ourselves.

    • @ExmoLex
      @ExmoLex  5 лет назад +3

      My brother in law is on a mission and tells some scary stories. I genuinely worry about him.

    • @rickhuntling7338
      @rickhuntling7338 4 года назад

      It must be hard preaching in those "sketchy" poor hoods. Trying to get them to buy into a different gospel other then the one taught by Paul. Those baby mamas know their corrupted bible well.
      Did you tell them they would be as gods if they ate the dung your were trying to feed them?
      Revelation comes from a magic stone in a hat. There baby popas were correct in moving on to the next married woman to impregnate as many as "he as god" wills Sir they might be poor but they are not stupid enough to believe a lie when they hear one. What caused you to believe?

  • @cm0ly989
    @cm0ly989 5 лет назад +18

    Thanks for sharing! There are many many folks who will benefit from your efforts, including myself. Keep up the good work!!

    • @ExmoLex
      @ExmoLex  5 лет назад +3

      Chuck Maloy thank you so much! That’s very kind of you to say ♥️

  • @bigskypioneer1898
    @bigskypioneer1898 5 лет назад +13

    Sorry for so many comments:. Two quick observations: Jesus was 30 when he was baptized according to bible tradition - LDS baptizes at 8. Jesus didn't go on his mission until he was 30, LDS - 18-20. Just say'n - if it isn't about brain-washing why do these things so young??

    • @angelictigerette
      @angelictigerette 5 лет назад

      Exactly. I'm a Christian (not a Mormon) but when I came to Christ, I wasn't forced into baptism or missions. I did a little social experiment recently and went undercover acting as if I was interested in joining the church. I spoke with an LDS missionary about it and she was ADAMANT about me being baptized. I was wondering why. I mean I don't think they even have a proper understanding of what it is outside of "it's something you have to do".

    • @Cryptosifu
      @Cryptosifu 5 лет назад

      Wait... you believe in this story?

    • @rickhuntling7338
      @rickhuntling7338 4 года назад

      Because 30 somethings have responsibilities and can't be sold "to do as your told".
      By the way JESUS was also not dead when baptized. Baptism of the dead is a satanic Free Mason ritual and antichrist. Upside down and backwards is satans sign and Mormonism is his church.

  • @Sassy_Alaskan
    @Sassy_Alaskan 4 года назад +5

    I have a family member who is currently on his mission and I think it’s crazy that they make them fund their own mission. That’s $15,000. But they assured my sister that anyone in the church can pay tithing and have it go specifically for that missionary. Come to find out, if they raise the $15,000 anything they raise over that will go to the general missionary fund. They basically just give it away to the church.
    The living conditions are crap. They have 4 full grown boys in one small 2 bedroom apartment. They can’t share food, so each of them has to have their own milk, their own cereal, their own bread. It’s all separated in this tiny apartment.

  • @ronjones4069
    @ronjones4069 5 лет назад +6

    I was lucky. I baptised only 2 families and they both left the church. But i inderstand your feeling, but you were like me: young and very naive and when we grew up we left the church. Don't fret too much about folks who made their own decision to join the church. Years after i got off my mission, i returned to New Zealand where i went on my mission and visited one of the families i had baptized. As we sat around the table having a glass of wine, i said "it looks like you saw the light" they said "yes, we saw it twice".

  • @test-kf2zv
    @test-kf2zv 3 года назад +4

    There was a guy in a few local Facebook groups who contacted me a few times. It was pretty obvious, from his profile, that he was a Mormon missionary hoping he could convert me by discussing our "common interest." I responded to his first message politely but affirmatively, ignored his second. Watching these videos, I'm glad I was kind, rather than snarky - realizing how pressured these kids are makes me really understand that while they're an annoyance for us non-Mormons, it goes a lot deeper for so many of them.

  • @BAL301
    @BAL301 4 года назад +14

    I spent 34 years in the Mormon church. My wife and I left almost 4 years ago! I went on a mission because feeling pressured and guilted into doing. So I got to the mtc and I was like wtf am I doing here. I lasted 2 days. I called my dad and told him to come get me. That I couldn’t do it, that it wasn’t for me. He tried talking me into giving it a bit longer. I told him no way. Either come get me or I’m walking out these doors and I’ll get on a bus and go somewhere. The mtc president or whoever he was took me into the office and talked to me coaching me to stay. I told him no I am not staying. He said well if it’s cause you don’t want to go to Seattle or what ( I had a slight case of depression). He said we can send you to Texas? I said no. I thought all these mission calls came from god, how can you change it? So my parent ended up coming to get me. I was automatically accused that I was doing something sinful. I met with my bishop and he told me that if I did not go back on my mission my life would not be successful. Well I’ve proved him wrong. My wife and I have never been happier away from the church. We attend a non denominational Christian church and love it. Anyways. Loved your story and love watching your RUclips channel

  • @zg5672
    @zg5672 2 года назад +2

    i remember as a 6 YEAR OLD during family home evening we were playing an m&m game and then we read a scripture afterward thats supposed to relate to the game AND I DEADASS STARTED CRYING SAYING I FELT THE SPIRIT even though i knew damn well i didnt i just wanted to be dramatic 😭😭
    i am mentally ill now. (perhaps always have been)

  • @rebecaperez7913
    @rebecaperez7913 3 года назад +5

    I thought growing up pentecostal was rough but after listening to this 😳 it was a breeze!

    • @Patchdee1
      @Patchdee1 2 года назад

      That's what I think about growing up Catholic! In comparison, it was a breeze!

  • @gwenna5718
    @gwenna5718 4 года назад +9

    Lovely couple. Thank you for sharing your story. This takes courage. I left the church 20 years ago.

  • @cvwp2157
    @cvwp2157 5 лет назад +23

    Thanks for the video
    Like your husband, I also was in Raleigh. I hated it I was so depressed. They forced me to finish it, people are slowly finding out I left and they hate me for it. Honestly if I could I would not go, I would do anything to take back those years. I am still recovering from it.

    • @ExmoLex
      @ExmoLex  5 лет назад +1

      I’m so sorry you’ve had that experience-it sounds terrible! I hope you’re able to recover fully and move on happy! When did you serve?

    • @cvwp2157
      @cvwp2157 5 лет назад +2

      @@ExmoLex I was in Raleigh from 2014-2016. It's hard but I'm slowly recovering I have a long ways to go. I have so many stories about my depression from those years.

    • @microsoilenhancersinspirey5750
      @microsoilenhancersinspirey5750 5 лет назад +6

      Please do not give up on Jesus because of the church...he is NOT the brother of Satan as the Mormon church teaches...but he does love you and he does communicate with you and he wants you to know the truth!..in John 8:31-32 Jesus says to the deciples...”if ye continue in my word then you are my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth and it shall make you free”.. the truth is out there brother...and I promise you Jesus is calling...not the man made Joseph smith one but the real Jesus!..the WORD that became flesh!..”in the beginning was the WORD and the WORD was with God and the WORD was God (John 1:1)...he loves you and I love you!..I will pray for you brother!!!
      GOD BLESS!!!

  • @kennethd.9436
    @kennethd.9436 5 лет назад +44

    You guys are an awesome couple!
    Passive aggressive approaches are common for Mormons.

    • @kennethd.9436
      @kennethd.9436 5 лет назад +10

      I paid for 1/3 of my mission. Money and time gone.

    • @indigoblue4791
      @indigoblue4791 5 лет назад +1

      Agreed!

    • @stanleymaestas5441
      @stanleymaestas5441 4 года назад +1

      yes

    • @ninapickles9
      @ninapickles9 3 года назад +1

      Is it true that depending on how much you pay, the better the location you get assigned to go to?

  • @annabuhler4871
    @annabuhler4871 4 года назад +3

    I thought of serving a mission for a split second but my family is everything to me. There’s no way I would’ve been able to survive without seeing them for 18 months

  • @ohana_is_family
    @ohana_is_family 4 года назад

    Lovely discussion. Thanks.. Around 45:10 you quote learning about the brain and people mistaking it for the holy ghost. What is that? Is it documented somewhere? Thanks.

  • @Peedarb
    @Peedarb 5 лет назад +13

    Your wife is honest and courageuos, my wife is the same way, we are very lucky.

  • @jenniferburke2972
    @jenniferburke2972 4 года назад +4

    As a former convert who was baptized by a 19 year old missionary when I was 23, don't feel bad. We were all young and dumb.

  • @maxipower6932
    @maxipower6932 3 года назад +3

    New sub. I love your content. Thank you for the work you do.

  • @LadyElina1
    @LadyElina1 4 года назад +10

    I appreciate how honest and real you both are!

  • @markbunker5934
    @markbunker5934 4 года назад +3

    My companion tried to kill himself after a complete break with sanity....he thought he was Jesus.

  • @lisahumphries3898
    @lisahumphries3898 3 года назад +1

    My brother went to Argentina on his mission. He and his companion didn’t have papers on them one day, were arrested and spent a few days in an Argentine jail. He handled it great. I don’t know how, but he was fine.

  • @GoatlikePersonality
    @GoatlikePersonality 5 лет назад +11

    I was depressed and suicidal when I worked in the JW head quarter in Russia. I see our stories are very similar. Except the witness can watch TV in the hospital. We cant take bloodtransfusion thou... So I am glad she was Mormon.

    • @ExmoLex
      @ExmoLex  5 лет назад +3

      Goatlike Personality so sorry for your experience-it still blows my mind that JWs don’t allow blood transfusions.

    • @GoatlikePersonality
      @GoatlikePersonality 5 лет назад +6

      @@ExmoLex She would have died if she was a witness. I am exjw activist and support Sam Youngs #protecteverychild. We incorperate this in our Copehagen protest next week. 😁

    • @giabarrone7422
      @giabarrone7422 4 года назад

      I knew a JW from my high school that passed away as a teen from a heart attack, because her father would not allow medical care to treat an eating disorder. The only other JW I knew was a girl from Freshman year that beat her grandmother to death when she arrived to take her to a meeting. Are these types of unfortunate scenarios common, or is it coincidence that the only 2 I knew had such a horrible fate?

    • @GoatlikePersonality
      @GoatlikePersonality 4 года назад

      @@giabarrone7422 Beating someone to death is not normal. Eating disorders and selfharm is very common among JW Sisters. The stress of always being perfect in tremendous. And since "we are jehovah's happy people" we dont need medicak treatment from wordly people. She Just needed to "change her thinking"

  • @wynnter1973
    @wynnter1973 3 года назад +1

    My nephew’s mom was dying and he wasn’t coming home to see her. I pressed the issue to get him home and was told I was wrong and he was where the lord wanted. I kept pressing and finally he came home to say goodbye. She does shortly after. I’m happy that he came home and that I pushed him.

  • @JP-JustSayin
    @JP-JustSayin 5 лет назад +26

    The mission experience is definitely the most "culty" part of mormonism even for people born into it. Check out the BITE model of mind control. The mission experience checks all the mind control boxes.
    When I was out part of our training was to "Help others feel and recognize the spirit" which is actually formal training on how to hijack the emotional experiences that are common to all humanity and convince people that their emotions are actually a special message from god, which regular people don't experience, and that message is telling them that they have found gods one true church and need to join. Its a freaky thing to look back on and realize in hind sight what was actually going on ... and to see how well meaning but naive young people were drawn into a system that had them setting up mind control structures in total strangers that were many years older in most cases and not even realizing that is what they were doing.

  • @64maxpower
    @64maxpower 3 года назад +2

    Coward? You need to rethink that statement. You are one of the few bravest people to break free of that life

  • @heatherluna5075
    @heatherluna5075 5 лет назад +16

    No matter what religion your raised in ,it's healthy for you to question your beliefs. Just like it's healthy for you to question who you choose to date and choose to marry. When we loose ourselves in the service of others we find our selves. Missions aren't for everyone just like college isn't for everyone.

  • @blueredmagic
    @blueredmagic 5 лет назад +34

    You guys are awesome. I didn't realize how abusive it could be. I'm so glad that I went to school instead of going on a mission. Sweet Aquabats shirt too!

    • @ExmoLex
      @ExmoLex  5 лет назад +5

      Jayce I’m so glad for you! An education is so much more important. Thank you for watching! ♥️

    • @thanesmashmontages412
      @thanesmashmontages412 5 лет назад +7

      Haha thanks! My awesome wife bought it for me!

    • @ricktompson9453
      @ricktompson9453 5 лет назад +1

      @@ExmoLex Could he relate to Charlie Sheen. In the movie Platoon ?

  • @scrapbookaholic
    @scrapbookaholic 3 года назад +4

    When I was a member, there was a young father in our ward who cried every time he bore his testimony. Everyone admired him for his strong faith. It turns out that he and another woman in the ward were having an affair. I don’t like how the church labels depression as being from the devil. (If you’re depressed you are listening to Satan.)

  • @callyalater
    @callyalater 4 года назад +1

    When I would tell my dad that I didn't want to go to church when I was a kid because I had free agency, he would always say, "You do have free agency. You can go to church and like it or you can go to church and not like it. The choice is yours, but you are going to church." And that is one of my first introductions to what free agency really meant in the Mormon church.
    Also, I remember in the MTC being scolded by other missionaries and teachers when I wanted to use a verse from the Bible to teach a particular principle and being told that if I could find something in the BoM that expressed the same idea. I wondered why I couldn't teach from the Bible if we considered the Bible to be the word of God. It didn't make sense to me. Like why was I being chastised for using the Bible? It always really bothered me

    • @sthorson3955
      @sthorson3955 3 года назад

      Because the mormon church doesn't really believe the Bible to be true.And if they do quote a bible verse, it will be used out of context to promote the Book of Mormon.

    • @callyalater
      @callyalater 3 года назад

      @@sthorson3955 You're not wrong.....

  • @tmitchellbarker
    @tmitchellbarker 5 лет назад +12

    Unfortunately I was one of the letter of the law no nonsense missionaries. I was the horror story DL, ZL and trainer that everyone talks about. I regret that very much.

    • @six1nyne
      @six1nyne 4 года назад +1

      Hahaha missions rocked! You would have been my enemy.

  • @FrankMac59
    @FrankMac59 5 лет назад +7

    Once, many moons ago, and out of courtesy, I allowed two young 'elders' into my home at a time when I was a practising Catholic. In the end, getting them out of my home was like getting limpets off a rock with my finger nails. My experience with the courtesy of the peripatetic Jehovah Witnesses exceeds the intrusive manners of these two young men in 1971 which has not been forgotten. Simple repetition of a doctrine taught before you have the sophistication to question might well be evidence of (even well intentioned) psychological child abuse.

  • @awakenhawk4056
    @awakenhawk4056 3 года назад +5

    im a call center agent and harassing people by phone for money is depleting. can't believe doing it in person for a cult.

  • @Naiimahh
    @Naiimahh 4 года назад +17

    This made me SO glad I left the church before I had kids, I couldn't have sent my kids away on a mission.

  • @SewCreativeDesigns
    @SewCreativeDesigns 5 лет назад +5

    This is a very informative video on the truth about missions. I would like to know what is the main thing a person can do or say to a young missonary when they come to my door to be able to help them? I'm not a Mormon but my grand daughter is and she has/had problems from her mission much like what you've talked about here. It breaks my heart to hear these struggles and how the church uses these precious young people and not providing the proper care they really need.

    • @ExmoLex
      @ExmoLex  5 лет назад +4

      Honestly, the best thing you can do is just be extremely kind to the missionaries. These poor kids endure so much. I absolutely disagree with them proselytizing, but I’m still always nice to them. Many are homesick, depressed, or lonely. Showing them love and acceptance outside of their religion is the best thing you can do.

    • @SewCreativeDesigns
      @SewCreativeDesigns 5 лет назад

      Very good advice, thank you

    • @renaissanceofreason385
      @renaissanceofreason385 5 лет назад

      SewCreativeDesigns
      I feel your concern. I recommend “How to have impossible conversations” by Peter Boghossian. It is an outstanding book that has transformed my approach to controversial conversations. Best of luck.

  • @willmanprw1
    @willmanprw1 4 года назад +2

    Whenever I cried during a testimony or in a Talk, those were real tears, I was feeling something, but I also knew that tears won favors, so I was never afraid of feeling in front of others.

  • @PolymerPolymath
    @PolymerPolymath 4 года назад +4

    Much sympathy with what yall went through. Good for the both of you for your critical thinking and support of each other.

  • @TheGlassball100
    @TheGlassball100 5 лет назад +30

    Control, shame, guilt.... That’s what the church is all about. So happy you are sharing your story.

    • @3ittybittypiggiesstorytime547
      @3ittybittypiggiesstorytime547 5 лет назад +2

      ...and holding families hostage, forever... "It sure would be sad to see that nice family of yours be taken away...." They act like mob bosses and a cult (google BITE model).

  • @HoratioIsHere
    @HoratioIsHere 5 лет назад +6

    I was “lucky”. Missions were extended back to two years from 18 months while I was out. We had a choice. I didn’t even think about my answer. Extending the hell in was not even on the radar. Perhaps the only time in my life I put aside what. People would think. It was the most horrendous 18 months of my life. It changed me in ways I still don’t understand

  • @laminimanadadepaloma
    @laminimanadadepaloma 4 года назад

    OK I HAVE A QUESTION. I WANTED TO ADOPT SINCE MY CHILDREN ARE ADULTS AND I HAVE AN EMPTY NEST SITUATION , SO I STARTED WATCHING ADOPTION VIDEO THAT LEAD ME TO 3 RUclipsRS THAT ADOPTED A LOT OF CHILDREN AND THEY ARE ALL MORMONS. SO WHAT IS THE AGENDA? WHY DOES A MORMON GET A LOT OF KIDS THAT ARE IN TERRIBLE SITUATIONS AND THEN GET SUCKED IN TO THE CHURCH?

  • @KatkaFojcikova
    @KatkaFojcikova 4 года назад +4

    Hi guys, you are a wonderful couple. Thank you for sharing your stories. I live in Slovakia in Central Europe and I meet LSD missionairs quite often. I am atheist and I definitely don't want to be part of any church but I have big respect to any religion. Everytime I met a missionaire I was trying to be nice and talked to.them. I thought it was cool to go to another country, learn a new language (and Slovak language is not very easy) and spred your God's word. I could never imagine what are these young people going through.

  • @mahonrimoriancumer9932
    @mahonrimoriancumer9932 4 года назад +3

    i served a mission. Hardest thing i ever did. I was the greatest average missionary out there. I found out i had pride and was a bit selfish . I learned a lot. Most important thing i learned is the Lord's voice IS soft as a whisper and fills us with perfect love. true. im glad im not a missionary now, dang that was hard.

  • @RealSlopeDude
    @RealSlopeDude 4 года назад +7

    Thank you for your presentation. I had a great mission experience. I did not feel pressured to go, had good companions, and had competent leadership. My mission president who finally died earlier this year, remained a positive mentor for life. Unfortunately for many, like you, that is not the case. My daughter had companions who were mentally ill who shouldn't have been on a mission and abyssmal leadership.

  • @jamesfoy8389
    @jamesfoy8389 5 лет назад +17

    I love this video. As much as I loved serving my mission, I hated it too. My parents always said that it was my choice, but if I didn’t go they would have felt that they faked as parents. I never really felt I belonged. At the MTC my companion would feel the spirit and I felt empty. My mission president is an awesome Man, I absolutely love him and his wife. I wouldn’t have made it without them. There were so many times I wanted to run away or kill myself, but I couldn’t do that to my Mother. But I absolutely love the people I served and served with. I only had 2 maybe 3 companions I didn’t care for.

    • @thanesmashmontages412
      @thanesmashmontages412 5 лет назад +1

      Sounds similar to my experience. Thanks for watching! I did, however "feel the spirit" often but I now know it was my own self in the back of my mind forcing encouragement and other things to manifest so that I could feel it. I will openly admit I would sometimes almost physically "push" my mind to give me that.

  • @bgroesser
    @bgroesser 5 лет назад +11

    I went to BYU and always listened to metal. I guess that is what I get from growing up in Michigan. I didn't care what people thought of my taste in music. I know some women took issues with it. I never really understood why that was a "thing". I was more than average where I was from. I never capitalized on it. I just listened to this type of music. That's all.
    BTW, I suffered crippling depression on my mission. It affects me to this day.

    • @ExmoLex
      @ExmoLex  5 лет назад +2

      So sorry to hear about the depression-it’s so real and so hard to deal with. Hugs ♥️

    • @thanesmashmontages412
      @thanesmashmontages412 5 лет назад +1

      Same, bro. I always just loved listening to it, because it became a part of me. I've always said screw other people's opinions, I like what I like. Hang in there man, after years of depression myself, I can honestly say it does get better - if you make communicating your feelings a priority.

  • @bigskypioneer1898
    @bigskypioneer1898 5 лет назад +2

    How do they pick which missionaries go where? I know they probably tell the missionaries that god inspires the decisions - so I'm guessing they do a lottery style? Pick a country & go to the fishbowl of names and draw "x" number of names? Just curious? Or do the missionaries get to indicate preferences for international / latin america/ Japan / USA???

    • @ExmoLex
      @ExmoLex  5 лет назад

      Bigsky Pioneer II yes they do tell everyone it’s “inspired” by god. But it’s mostly just putting people where they feel they need more missionaries for whatever reason. They also have you add any languages you have studied when you send your papers in, so they tend to put missionaries in places where they can use those skills. For example, my brother-in-law studied German in high school and they sent him to Germany.

    • @michaeltaylors2456
      @michaeltaylors2456 5 лет назад +1

      They choose like an employer would choose , they essentially check your resume , they also look at your photo and if you’re an especially attractive and well spoken female , for example, you will likely serve in a more high profile missions like the SLC temple mission . It is not divine .

  • @7thwraith
    @7thwraith 4 года назад +4

    I struggled about the decision to serve a mission for about two years. I almost went, on two different occasions, during that time. I'm very glad I did not. After hearing these stories (and the stories of friends), I think I would have struggled heavily. Especially with teaching people something I had serious doubts about. Being inauthentic would have destroyed me inside.
    I'm glad that people are healing and doing better these days. I'm glad there's a healthier community, and these experiences can be discussed and questioned more openly. The world for ex-mos is getting better.

  • @corrionnaboston2561
    @corrionnaboston2561 4 года назад

    Hello I am talking to missionaries right now and we talked about Joseph Smith. What scary things am I missing/not informed? Please tell me.

    • @mylesmarkson1686
      @mylesmarkson1686 4 года назад

      He claims to have seen God in the woods as a 14-year-old, yet he didn't tell anybody about it for years, and he had 9 different accounts of it, so he can't even get his own story straight. He translated the Book of Mormon using a rock in a hat. He plagiarized the Book of Mormon from The Bible, View of the Hebrews, The Late War, and other books. He said polygamy was wrong, and then later said that it was the only way to get to the Celestial Kingdom. He had 35 wives, including girls as young as 14, and some were already married. He burnt down a printing press because they were exposing the truth about him. The list goes on and on and on...

  • @veganmichelle
    @veganmichelle 3 года назад +3

    I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate your honesty. It’s really brave and so helpful to show others that they are not alone 💕

  • @Applest2oApples
    @Applest2oApples 5 лет назад +7

    I started getting sleep paralysis on my mission. It’s a condition where you wake up during the part of the sleep cycle where your body is paralyzed and is often accompanied by hallucinations. So yeah, definitely felt like I was being attacked by evil spirits.

    • @ExmoLex
      @ExmoLex  5 лет назад +5

      Ugh I’ve had that several times and it terrifies me every time.

    • @eyem4freedom
      @eyem4freedom 5 лет назад

      Yep. The name of Jesus. The blood of Jesus. Call on him!!!

    • @renaissanceofreason385
      @renaissanceofreason385 5 лет назад +1

      eyem4freedom
      I had that experience a few times on my mission. I called on Jesus and got up. I’ve had a few episodes since and didn’t say a thing, I just waited to finish waking up. No need for supernatural intervention.

    • @Patchdee1
      @Patchdee1 2 года назад

      I struggled with sleep paralysis for several years as a teenager. It was terrifying, but I always knew it was just my brain playing tricks on me.

  • @HoratioIsHere
    @HoratioIsHere 5 лет назад +11

    Guys, love the simpatico between you. Your kids are lucky to have such parents.

  • @ZulcanPrime
    @ZulcanPrime 3 года назад +2

    It's nice to see a decent young couple who love and support each other during these difficult times.

  • @marklarsen175
    @marklarsen175 5 лет назад +3

    It seems to me that my family blocked any other option besides a mission. I had no vehicle or means to get one so no chance of getting a job. my parents made sure I had no other choice. If I sound bitter I am! I finished my time but the boy they sent didn't come home. I have not been active since. the mission was in 1986-87. I left the church in 2007 and will not look back!

  • @rodneysylvester8249
    @rodneysylvester8249 4 года назад +1

    Brandon, what years did you serve? I was also in the Raleigh Mission May 2008-2010

    • @ExmoLex
      @ExmoLex  4 года назад

      He also served from 2008-2010! Perhaps you met in passing?

    • @rodneysylvester8249
      @rodneysylvester8249 4 года назад

      @@ExmoLex Awesome! I wasn't sure if you'd get this notification, so I messaged your twitter. I'm going to message there again so it's not all on this thread

  • @provocitynews8268
    @provocitynews8268 5 лет назад +8

    The Mormon Foreign Legion sending out naive teenagers that don't know their own history.

  • @eugenesant9015
    @eugenesant9015 2 года назад

    My mom made me go to church with the
    Neighbors while she slept in. I was roused out of sleep and forced to go
    With no time for breakfast. I remember
    Listening to that crap with my stomach growling.....waiting for that piece of bread to squelch my hunger. Made me the atheist I am today. I thank you.

  • @benburrows4826
    @benburrows4826 4 года назад +3

    I was only out on my mission for a couple months, including time at the MTC, I got sent home because my trainer/companion assaulted me in an investigators home. I dont know to this day if anything happened to him or not. I was accused of covering my stake presidents eyes in wool-not sure how or what he meant-i eventually stopped going to church and was eventually excommunicated strangely enough by the person who called my brother a waste of skin but was a stake president-hes now an area authority seventy-and people still get brain washed by the church. My uncle also had a bad time on his mission and left the church because of it.

  • @julianyc422
    @julianyc422 2 года назад +1

    You don't realize that this video is a Master Class in therapy and cult deprogramming. Well done.