The REAL Story of the Mormon Church
Understanding the roots of the Latter-day Saints.
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Joseph Smith grew from a treasure hunting farm kid in Upstate New York, to the prophet and founder of the LDS Church. This is a story of American expansion, persecution, and a gifted storyteller.
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About:
Johnny Harris is an Emmy-winning independent journalist and contributor to the New York Times. Based in Washington, DC, Harris reports on interesting trends and stories domestically and around the globe, publishing to his audience of over 3.5 million on KZhead. Harris produced and hosted the twice Emmy-nominated series Borders for Vox Media. His visual style blends motion graphics with cinematic videography to create content that explains complex issues in relatable ways.
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The end of the original upload was cut abruptly. Fixed now.
Johnny would love to have you on the Mormon Stories podcast! We've reached out before, but haven't heard back.
I volunteer to help create a "What Muslims really believe?" video :)
"caught my eye in the order of Minji, Kang, Goyang, and Hyein. Finally, Hani became a fan of South Korean girl Beom Ok-heun. Hani, fighting~~" You edited this out but it got me really curious. What do you mean by these? It almost sounds like newjeans' member name
PLEASE COME TO BRAZIL
I feel like I've been waiting for Johnny to tell this story for years
ok
ok
ok
Ok
It's funny because I was actually having a conversation with my father about this recently, and I think this would be the best way for him to hear the story Edit: Ok
Ex Mormon branch president here, I did a great deal of research on the churches history before I left the church. I realised that the members didn't want to know the truth, they just felt comfortable living in their own false reality. A mission president told me "I am happy where I am". They don't want the truth, often.
And some know the truth, but their false reality has benefits that they wouldn't have otherwise. Most of religion is a means to control man. People want to feel like they have some sort of purpose, that they fit in somewhere, and that's why they find comfort in religion.
I’d rather be controlled by a religion and get a community and some morals out of it rather than be controlled by a soulless capitalist society who’s only out to exploit my labor and gives me nothing but a barely liveable stipend in return
Is it better to be happy or right?
Congrats on escaping!
It's either the red pill or the blue pill. Most mormons actively choose the blue pill.
I can’t imagine how difficult this was for you. As an ex-Mo, and not by choice, but by excommunication, I resonated with the paradox of when you found comfort in something you no longer find yourself believing in. Thank you for sharing.
What did you do to get booted?
There are many Pastors doing excomunication for living and dead lds. Breaking them free lucifers grasp
Wow the best source for accurate information about the church. Someone who broke so many rules they got kicked out.
@@Lazerbadger2 Your ignorance is nearly absurd. I was “kicked out” because of my sexuality, not because I “broke so many rules”. I didn’t break any, I just refused to live my life as a lie. Thanks for responding with so much vigor though.
You were not kicked out due to your sexuality, you were kicked out because you refused to follow Church standards. Just as any other person would have. I'm sorry if that was hard for you but the rules are the rules and it doesn't make you less of a person because you didn't want to follow them. @@AndrewMarkle
I am an African American and I joined the Mormon Church in 1989. My wife, at that time, my three children, Along with myself, were baptized at the local ward. I can’t deny that there were some really good things to come out of my time with the church. I was a stake missionary and truly enjoyed sharing the gospel with others. I greatly expanded my scriptural knowledge and made some great friends. I’ve since increased my knowledge of scripture greatly. I just couldn’t get with the Joseph Smith story.
*Joseph Smith's story really!!, what about their racist history they only changed because then-President Jimmy Carter threatened to revoke their tax exempt status? I can't understand why any black person would want to be part of that church or any of the Abrahamic religions that have demonized black people in their scriptures starting with the curse of Ham*
Joseph Smith's story really!!, what about their racist history they only changed because then-President Jimmy Carter threatened to revoke their tax-exempt status? I can't understand why any black person would want to be part of that church or any of the Abrahamic religions that have demonized black people in their scriptures starting with the curse of Ham
Joseph Smith's story really!!, what about their racist history they only changed because then-President Jimmy Carter threatened to revoke their tax-exempt status? I can't understand why any black person would want to be part of that church or any of the Abrahamic religions that have demonized black people in their scriptures starting with the curse of Ham
honeslty. most of the history that is said is false. Ive literally never heard of this magical chocolate stone in my life. Nor can I find any mention of it in joseph smith history. edit:actually, everything he says is false. He did say he wasnt going the anti mormon path, and yet he did.
@@MyTosewosies If we're being actually honest here, he was telling the truth, and he skipped over a LOT of far worse things he could've said. If you've never heard of the stone, you just haven't read enough. Trusting only church-approved sources will get you nowhere, but since I know you probably wouldn't trust anything else, the church admitted he did the magical-seer-stone-in-a-hat thing. On the church website, look in the "Gospel Topics Essays", under "Book of Mormon Translation" in the fourth paragraph under the "Translation Instruments" subheading. While you're at it, you should read the rest of the Essays. And everything else in the video was correct as well. I'd know. Just like him, I spent decades in that church before I actually read up on the stuff.
As an ex-mormon, I really appreciate the perfect tone you held the entire video. Excellent balance of blatant facts, while avoiding the pitfall of mockery. I felt your closing message. There absolutely is a level of loss having left. As much as I feel frustrated and sometimes angry with my past experiences, I can't help but find myself missing it on occasion. Paradox indeed.
What church do you go to now?
@@johnbrion4565 I do not attend any church.
I think I can understand it even though I'm not an ex-Mormon. It must be so wonderful to believe that you've got the key that unlocks all kinds of mysteries, that your community has it all figured out. As a Christian, sometimes I feel like the Bible isn't enough. It has everything we need for life, but not always everything we want. There's uncertainty there that is kind of uncomfortable, especially in regard to the future and the last days. I've noticed that a lot of sci-fi and fantasy authors are Mormons. Writing such stories must be a gift of the movement--Smith's legacy to his people. 😁
@@frostman9661 just because Mormonism isn’t true doesn’t mean Christianity isn’t true. Why don’t you keep searching?
@@BiggaNigga69 it’s not a waste. It’s called the journey through life seeking truth. Mistakes are made along the way but that’s how we learn and discover and grow.
Ex-Mormon here (I was actually roommates with Johnny's little brother while we attended BYU together as freshman)... The only point that I'd contest in this recounting is Joseph's level of education. While it's true that he had very little "formal" education, his father was a school teacher and his older brother attended Dartmouth. The family was very much focused on education and Joseph certainly was more educated than the LDS church states. They try to use his lack of a formal education as evidence that he couldn't have made up the Book of Mormon from scratch. (Even though, like you said, a lot of the book is copied from the Bible or other similar books of the time.)
yes but if he got it from the "plates" he talked about as a christian i believe it.. but like he didnt confirm if they actually exist and ive never heard of these plates, im christian but not like super religious i just believe in god and jesus basically
Lack of education is also not lack of intelligence. There are many people that lack education that are exceptionally good at something. Especially when it comes to creative endeavors. Joseph did obviously have some background knowledge in judeo christian theology though as he did make the Book of Mormon mesh with the Bible.
@@josephvanas6352 Knowledge of theology not withstanding, there is far too much insanity with the doctrine for any of that to matter.
@@elismart13"He didn't confirm they exist" summed up religion right there
Everything being discussed in this thread has been the very argument through the last 190 years. most of it conjecture. Interesting isn't it. It shouldn't make anyone mad or try to prove it wrong, it should be looked at like any other phenomena or unexplained artifacts we marvel at today.
Excellent presentation, Johnny. I was a bishop in the church for a few years but no longer attend. It took me thirty years to 're-wire' my brain, and now I find myself in a safer and happier place. I found your video to be a very effective message, indeed. Well done.
I’m not an LDS member and I found this video interesting and very informative. Where is Part 2? Don’t leave us hanging!
Not a reliable source at all. I'm heartbroken for this man.
@@susanbcohrs2170Everything that Johnny said is confirmed by LDS church sources. Do you think the church is not a good source?
@@abramwingle8324It’s surprising how many members don’t actually know a whole lot about their own church history.
@@susanbcohrs2170These are historical facts. If you'd like to dispute something specific, feel free, we can have an informed conversation, but you just paint yourself as an ignorant follower by denying events that the mormon church even admits to because it contradicts your idea of what the church is. If he wanted to smear the mormon church, there is plenty of material to do so.
Also eagerly awaiting part 2 and also not a Mormon. I wasn't raised in a religious household growing up and this story is fascinating to me.
I have bipolar schizophrenia and this story scarily mirrors my struggle with psychosis. I was actively resisting my christian parents attempts to get me into religion and out of nowhere one day i become super religious, start hearing god and having intricate dreams where i feel like the fabric of the universe and it’s truths are being revealed, i felt manically to compelled to write what i saw as i worsened in my obsessive religious spiral and would stay up entire nights writing. I was convinced I was one of Gods chosen profets and would spam my social media with schizo posts of my writing and would tell anyone who would listen in person my delusions. I literally acted just like this dude as someone with no religious knowledge or interests for months on end and it makes me wonder if maybe he just had schizophrenia? If i didn’t have people surrounding me who recognized i was ill and helped me get treated and instead convinced me i was right and to dive deeper into my spirals I really don’t think I would have ever recovered… I am a religious person now, but the things i believed in psychosis i would never believe in a million years out of it so I know it wasn’t God talking to me but my own personal delusions… part of this feels like a sad story about a poor man in psychosis who was unfortunate enough to be born at a time when everyone would rather agree with his delusion than question his health due to a lack of education on psychology.
I had a similar experience in a Mormon context, as someone who has Bi-Polar/OCD. I felt that shame and guilt for not following those intense feelings as well.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I can't imagine what that must have felt like. I wonder why after resisting religion your brain suddenly threw you into the position of prophet. I would think that would be more common among people who already have some strongly held religious beliefs but hey the human brain is an enigma.
Lmao😂🤣
super interesting, though you should now go further by exploring the next step: evolutionary psycho, and coevolution, is key to understand human nature, and thus the world
@@HeidiThompson7 I don’t know if you’ve heard of something called i believe “Jerusalem syndrome” but people who are simply tourists in Jerusalem with no religious history have suddenly donned cloaks and given sermons from atop boxes as self proclaimed profets or reincarnations of God in town squares the human mind is wild… My theory for why me as a non religious person is bipolar has a pattern of behavior called “loops” where someone feels strongly compelled and obsessively act or think a certain way on repeat in a way that basically inhibits them mentally from being able to want to focus on anything but their spiral and this symptom typically arises from overstimulation or stress. I imagine my younger mind along with all the stresses of being pushed hard to become a church goer pushed me into an obsessive spiral over if God was real so I could finally make a choice on if I should believe or not.
I suspect you will never see this, but as a complete stranger with zero religious history in my life, I'm proud of you and thankful I discovered your channel years ago. Bravo sir.
i saw it. thanks for the kind words.
@johnnyharris you're too kind man 🥹
So then now when you found it also see and learn what Islam (the final revelation) says. through which the revelation came to end. and may Allah (the God) guide you. because so many things in this video are wrong and the proof of Islam being the truth is the fact that Islam has only one Quran not many versions like other books before that like bible. and they lost the original teachings so much that they now say so many lies.
Right here with you pall
@@Bits-Lab All religions are wrong.
As a former devout Mormon, thank you for making this
😮
Johnny Harris, you expose one scam, mormon, while PROMOTING a scam that has been sued for FRAUD: BetterHelp. Why don't you do a video exposing BetterHelp? Because this is all about MONEY MONEY MONEY, not about telling the truth about LDS. Google "BetterHelp lawsuit".
lds stupid?
You can only claim to have been a devout Mormon if you have a testimony of its truthfulness. If you ever had a testimony nothing anyone says about it could have decieved you into leaving it.
Uhhhh no
The edited and animated mormon graphics in this is a work of art. I need part 2. This is such a great video to help explain what mormonism is.
@michaelstrickland3820 0 seconds ago My name is Michael Earl Strickland I am from Las Vegas, NV, I am too am a returned missionary who served in Florida and Alabama from 01-03 and as a witness of Jesus Christ and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I would like to offer some words of encouragement to those who feel lost in life, I am including myself when I share what I am about to share with you all. I firmly believe that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true Church of Jesus Christ on earth today. Though I am not perfect, I am grateful for God's mercy and grace that helps me get through every day. Including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints the Prophet Joseph Smith and The Book of Mormon, I know without a shadow of doubt Joseph Smith the Martyr the man the Prophet who the Lord Restored his church to the earth one last time before his second coming even "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints" which was also done with the Lord calling a young boy only 12 years old at the time he translated the Book of Mormon by and through the gift and power of God the Prophet Joseph Smith. I came across this page and felt compelled to share my testimony and echo the words of President Russell M Nelson, the prophet on Earth at this present time. The Lord shared a message with him, and through President Russell M Nelson who is my Savior's mouthpiece on the earth today, I too am encouraged by the spirit at this time to share this message with all those blessed souls who are on this page if you don’t mind. President Nelson stated that “the Lord impressed upon my mind the importance of the name He decreed for His Church, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. going to share the message that President Nelson gave in the October 2018 General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.” President Nelson also stated that “Others wondered why, with all that’s going on in the world, it was necessary to emphasize something so “inconsequential.” And some said it couldn’t be done, so why even try? Let me explain why we care so deeply about this issue. But first let me state what this effort is not: It is not a name change. It is not rebranding. It is not cosmetic. It is not a whim. And it is not inconsequential. Instead, it is a correction. It is the command of the Lord. Joseph Smith did not name the Church restored through him; neither did Mormon. It was the Savior Himself who said, “For thus shall my church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer, and His promises are real. If we come to Him with a broken heart and contrite spirit, having faith in Him, He will heal us. I have personally experienced the truthfulness of this Church, which is led by Jesus Christ. If you are curious about why The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is referred to as "the Mormon Church," I encourage you to do more research and pray to God with faith in Jesus Christ.
I am an Amazon delivery driver and three days ago, I delivered a package to a house and this really nice woman asked if I needed anything. I asked for water and she invited me inside. I usually would never go inside, but she was seemed so genuine! So I decided to follow her inside and there was a party happening. She told me I could grab food and everyone in there was so excited to see me. She even announced my name and everybody cheered. I was kind of shocked but I grabbed a plate of food and wanted and started my way out the door and right before I left she stopped me and handed me “The Book of Mormon” she wrote my name in it and everything and told me to read it. I’m not religious at all but I was feeling kind of strange about the whole thing. It’s super crazy this video came out. I watched the whole thing and I’m just amazed. It’s just weird timing.
That sounds a lot like "Love bombing", a common tactic in many religions.
@@bobhope4288 Love bombing? That's a thing? Sounds rather scary!
That’s a great story. No Love Bombing, that’s how they really are to everyone. Very normal behavior.
Read and pray about The Book of Mormon. God is probably trying to tell you something
@markcavandish1295 it's not normal. Mormons commonly shower people with attention in an attempt to make them feel welcome, but what they really want is to convert, not just to have a new friend. It's a Cult/religion tactic.
I grew up Mormon, raised by a Chirch Historian and a devout believer. Its kind of unreal how all the facts in this video are known and taught in the church to some degree or another, but take on such a different light when viewed analytically vs with the veneer of spirituality. I stopped believing in the church as a teen, and it took years to get over the guilt and conditioning from the 'teachings'. I can tell Johnny is still working through some of that, and im glad he's finding catharsis through these videos.
Same!
thank you for the comment. youre totally right this is catharsis for me and I hope it can be for others working through it. i was in way too deep before i left for this to be a quick process.
I have had a similar transformation with my Christian beliefs. I don’t feel particularly negative towards the church or religion, with obvious individual exceptions. I just don’t believe it is true in any sense. I still find goodness in many of the principals, kindness, charity, selflessness.
This is a wonderful and insightful comment.
It helps if you weren't born into religiousness
I'm not Mormon but all the Mormons I encountered in my life were wonderful people.
there are wonderful people everywhere who are Hindu, Muslim, Atheists, etc..
I know you have a lot of stuff going on with your other newer videos and fun maps, but I’m really looking forward to Part 2 of this!
Can't believe I got to watch this for free? Such high quality visuals and great storytelling
The future will have no money
i love how he tell the story
Forreallll
You didn't watch it for free. Your data was collected and sold for profit lol
@@trestres236 what? Google already has and knows everything about me. They didn’t get anything else off of me from watching this 😂
I’m an ex Mormon and just showed this to my dad who is still involved in the church. He really liked it. Him and I both like that you don’t just crap on lds beliefs, but also don’t sugar coat them. I think this series could be your magnum opus. Really great job
Is he excited to get his own Planet?
@@jeffs4483 idk. He’s never brought that stuff up. Tbh I think he’s mainly just involved because he likes the family values the church teaches.
Really great job?
@@RichardHolmes-ll8ii you don’t think it was a great video?
@@quintonneal2881 Why would I? The 2 response videos to this above video from Johhny clearly confirm its dishonest reporting.
I’m a member of LDS church. Born and raised! I’m grateful for this video and have learnt more about our Prophet Joseph Smith. I always find it hard to read the scriptures & BOM because the language is hard for me to understand sometimes so this really helped me and I can’t wait for part 2. Thank you
do you support polygamy?
@@joaolisboa7775polygamy was practiced in the old days to help raise the church. we have evolved and took into consideration of our prophet.
@@rykenator cringe
@@joaolisboa7775 Any church you can attend or youre attending did something worse than polygamy so whats your point
@@johnx140 not attending to any, just reading the plain bible.
As someone who was brought up in a Mormon family I found this fascinating and really look forward to part two and your other videos. Much respect for you Johnny going on this 'journey' can't have been easy if you have a history of being so involved you went on mission.
Oh my Gosh. I’m 85, have been Mormon for 73 years before I gave up, by finding out what MORMONISM is and was all about. Johnny Sir, your factual story telling is absolutely the best. I just love it.
Damn, what was it like when u realised that something u lived with for pretty much ur entire life was actually a lie? (Atleast a lie in ur opinion)
@@shreihals9314 Having faith isn't about what is or is not true. It's the basis of all religions.
@@shreihals9314@luciphell faith crisis’ are difficult journeys to take and millions of people are disconnecting from their high demand religions. It forces one to completely reevaluate their core belief structure and what their basis for morals is. It’s very challenging and can take many years to work through. It can end with broken marriages, torn families, and scarred relationships but can also be a massive weight off one’s chest, freeing them from what they see as uninformed consent.
@@shreihals9314”a lie in your opinion”… religions being a lie is a fact not an opinion
This is not something that I hear very often at all. Religious people who reach their 70s tend to stay that way for the rest of their life. I wonder what was the final nail in the coffin that led you to lose your religious beliefs after so long.
Was a devout Mormon for 20 years, born in the church. 3 hour church service every Sunday, activities almost every week, church before high school. Was a missionary myself. Stopped going around the age of 22 or so. It was quite a shock when I started to realize everything was a lie. The people I knew through church are in general, genuinely nice people who do tremendous charity and good works. Leaving a faith that literally structured every day of my life for 2 decades was painful. I miss my time as a believer. I do. I had a purpose. I had a mission. I had an extended family. 10 years later and I still miss those aspects but I feel so much better knowing I'm not living a lie. Great video. It was trippy watching movie clips from movies I'd watch every Sunday when I was a kid haha
read the real bible and follow Jesus and His teachings, they are perfect, no church will ever be perfect but He will, so put your identity in Him alone, not a church or denomination or religion.
How is it a lie??!
@@andrewluther7150 This is an incredibly damaging comment. To assert your religion or god above another is the exact reason prophets like Joseph Smith and the Mormon religion even come into existence.
@@jamespeterson101 Thats a question that no one will be able to answer for you bud. The only person capable (or not) of giving you that answer is yourself.
@@RandyPeterson17 So let's say I believe that it's true. Now there's this whole video telling me it's a lie, and then you come in telling me that no one can tell me. Which is it?
Hey, I was an LDS missionary in Tijuana, too, and I've also since left the church. And... yeah, this was kinda heavy for me. Not because of any grand revelation of history I didn't know. Just hashing it all out again, seeing photos and videos of mission days... I left that life behind a long time ago, but man, there are so many emotions and good and bad times that feel as fresh as if they happened yesterday.
I know a LDS Missionary that is leaving to Tijuana tomorrow!
@@jamesbrooks3664 Oof, wish them luck. Even with my issues with religion aside, a mission is brutal. Your friend will have great food though and for so many people there, charity is instinctive. Hope it goes well for them!
did tslk about josephs boning everything married and unmarried?
As someone who was brought up Mormon, I still am. Johnny, you’re an amazing journalist and storyteller! This video was incredibly well done with thrilling music, graphics, and narrative! Keep up the great work and I’m looking forward to part 2!
LDS is full of lies.
I had a good friend who was a Mormon we used to play basketball and kept the religion on the side, one day he invited me to read the Book of Mormon and have a discussion about it, we met a week later and my first question was, “where is the archeological evidence” that was the end of our friendship, because he was unable to second guess the story in front of him.
LOL he needs better help for sure :D
there is no physical/Worldly evidence for God. So how do you explain your belief in a God
@@adamkhan4451 I have always questioned the existence of God
@@adamkhan4451 there’s plenty of evidence for God. Why something at all. How can something come from nothing. The order and laws of nature fine tuned for life. The moral argument. The argument from contingency. Archaeological evidence try explaining the shroud of Turin.
@@adamkhan4451 That's exactly the point everybody's making. You have no proof of any of the mystical stuff your religion claims. Whoever started your religion could have been standing next to some guy who also started a religion, and neither of them are real no matter how hard they both believed. Anybody can make up a fantasy on the spot. You can't prove that wasn't what happened with any religion. And a ton of religious doctrine that was supposedly the direct word of a deity has been proven false. Religions scramble to shore up their crumbling dogma in the face of better knowledge about reality coming forth every year. This is an important point, because your argument sidestepped this fact: religion depends on dogma, and dogma can be proven or disproven, and it's generally disproven. Religion was humanity's best method of understanding reality for a long time, until science was developed and became a better method. Instead of whatever a shaman wants to say God told him, we have a huge community of experts with generations of knowledge built up, incredible tools, and a system that rewards pointing out flaws in other peoples' work. Religion only keeps people in the dark. Finally, I direct you to the wikipedia page for philosophical razors, which eviscerate your position. The only thing a religious person has, today, is defiance in the face of all else. This is a common reason why parents demand to home-school their kids, because they don't want them learning things without viewing them all through the lens of their religion, and some ways of thinking are illuminating enough to cause rejection of religion if exposed to them.
As a European watching this, the American centric view of the religion is what really stands out. Thank you for the great video, it was super interesting!
all those "Americans" are also european in origin and non are Native to the Americas which is totally ironic.
@@krono5elneither are the native americans. They immigrated from Asia at the end of the Ice Age.
@@Aus200 neither are the Europeans or originally they all came from Africa
Yah it’s wild how religions tend to center the area in which the inventors take place lol
@@Aus200and this EVERYONE is African because we call came from there. Except we didn’t but that’s a bad take since we can genetically prove it’s incorrect
I am currently a member of the church and have to say that your storytelling is incredible. The amount of detail and work put in to this blows my mind. I love how you gave respect to the LDS church, while still sharing your views about how you truly feel about it. Looking forward to part 2 🙏
CES Letter. Read and study.
@@jeffs4483 Sorry that my response is so late! But I have in fact read the CES letter many times. Slightly off topic, but I have never been a fan of the “don’t read anything contrary to the church” mentality. In fact, the CES letter opens with a great quote: “If we have the truth, it cannot be harmed by investigation. If we have not the truth, it ought to be harmed.” With that being said, the CES letter has always been of interest to me because of the “lore” behind it. The story of how it came to be I think is actually pretty interesting. I would love to discuss more about the CES letter. There are claims that I think are relatively strong points (ex. KJV translation errors), mixed with claims that are false (names of cities being identical to Book of Mormon cities, no archeological evidence for the Book of Mormon, similarity to VOH). Although many are quick to use the CES letter as a “gotcha!” type of moment towards the LDS church, a deeper dive into the letter reveals how much of the writing is actually misleading. Like I said I would love to give my sources and explain why I believe the way that I do if you are interested 🙏✊
@@TylerGarey-pj6vjthere is also a reply from a member of the CES called a faithful reply to the CES letter, I’d check that out too if you haven’t! Goes over every point and provides a perspective from a faithful member.
I live in upstate NY, and I pass a small historical road sign all the time that tells how Joseph Smith once came through. I'll have to read it in full next time I pass it!
Hey 😎 AtlasPro fellow viewer here, keep up the growth work :D
Hopefully someday someone will tear it down
Love your channel!
Woah
@ajpyyz why?
Beautiful. Ex member , former missionary myself. I love your ending message. It’s amazing how even when we recognize the absurdity of our former beliefs we still feel guilt for not believing. I often find it hard to post on social media in fear I’m letting my former converts, mission companions, and leaders down because I’ve chosen to walk away. Leaving the church has brought me relief from the pressures of perfection. But leaving the church has also loss me a lot of the community that is so hard to find elsewhere. For the best but hard nonetheless.
I feel your emotions as I’m also a former religious person. Tho I’m actually finding it very easy to feel included in any community Im interested in. If not, just create the community you want to see. You are not alone and not different than Joseph or any Joe out there😂
I have the reverse story.. I was lost in the world, in pain and was not living my best life. I found Jesus in my Christian Faith and everything has changed. My life is blessed for that change. I never want to walk back.
If you get bored Jordan, you should study Mormon history. It's mind-blowing disturbing fact after mind-blowing disturbing fact over and over again. Both Brigham Young and Joseph Smith stole married women from their husbands, committed nonstop adultery, married extremely young children. Joseph Smith started out his religion trinitarian but then changed it once his theology that one could become a God came into his mind. There's so many weird facts about this religion.
Don't feel alone for leaving the LDS church, there are people like me who was a former catholic member. I have nothing against the christian church but it is the lies and corruption within the church that made me leave. I know I'm not perfect, I'll never be and I know for sure i'll be ok when my moment comes. At least I admit I made mistakes and sinned and will be mentally ready when my soul will be cleansed. My purpose is to learn and grow in order to develop my spirit.
Then you never really understood the beauty of the church and the atonement because it isn't about being perfect. No one is perfect. Only one person in this life was and that was Jesus. That is why he gave us repentance. He knew we would make mistakes. We all do every day. In fact, if you would come to church you wouldn't hear the words perfect being used across the pulpit. The commandments and principles of the gospel are just a road map to help us get closer to the heavenly father. Where I am on that map may be different from where you are or my fellow brother and sisters. Doesn't make us better than anyone else, but we as you know from the scriptures we learn line up line precept upon precept. And you are right, no other church has such a wonderful community. When my dad died, no one from his church contacted me to say that they were sorry he passed. They didn't bring me dinner or offer to help with the aftermath of his passing. He had attended that church his whole life. When he needed help prior to his death no one reached out to ask him if they could help him, but they were sure happy to take his money each Sunday. The minute my father passed, a sister from church sent over her daughter to babysit my children so I could go to the hospital. The next day someone brought me a meal. Others reached out in the following weeks and months. You don't need to feel guilty for leaving. If you weren't happy then so be it. You have your free agency. Heavenly Father isn't going to force you to choose him or maybe you are choosing him in a way that feels best to you.
Thank you a lot for this video, amazing like everything you do. Im from Mexico and i have an aunt in Utah that became a part of LDS. She cut ties with the family, we are all really close. And knowing about this crazy and incredible story just made me empathize with her so much, i just feel like i understand her more and i want to hug her so bad. Not even sure if she still believes in this or not, it just cut her from our lives completely. Thank you for this.
You still don't know about it. Johnny specifically misrepresents the facts and context because he blames the Church for his thoughts and behaviors.
Do y’all have part 2 in the works? I watched the whole video when it first came out and check back periodically for the second part. I know it’s tough work, keep it up guys - Thanks!
Joseph broke so many laws and was consistently in debt. He even opened his own bank, backed by "gold"... mostly empty boxes with a bar or two for appearances. He started his polygamist venture well before his actual wife knew. To sell it to her he had a vision of an angel with a burning sword that would strike Emma down if she didn't accept the principle. Real straight up guy 😮.
I think the bank was only backed by land speculation....and we all know how well that works since 2008 😅
A good tip when you dont trust preaching is that if it isnt the Gospel then you should simply not get into it well if it goes against the word, gospel and the law
Yeah and trump won the election these are both factual statements 👍
All lies. Do some more research and find out the real truth
@@zacdavis8234yea. Joseph was definitely a real liar and I’m glad this generation will probably be the one to dismantle the brainwashing of obvious lies in leaders and churches.
As an ex-Mormon, who is a descendant of King Follet, one of the bodyguards of Joseph Smith, I can relate so much to the amount of hurt and sadness that releasing yourself from the teachings leaves you with. I still get aches and longings to just go back on a Sunday and listen and be a part of the family of millions of people. You’re absolutely right though, once you stop riding on the elation and comfort the church brings, and look at Joseph Smith as a regular boy, you see he’s just a great storyteller that eventually turned into a pathological liar that couldn’t, or wouldn’t, stop. I’ll always cherish the good times I had with the church, but I know I can’t go back without becoming spiritually blind again.
You need to stop playing the victim; you were never hurt. You calling Joseph Smith a liar makes no sense. How can an uneducated farm boy write the Book of Mormon? He could barely write a single sentence. Make it make sense.
This is the story of so many religious people. I’ve read this same story from Muslims, from catholics, from Hindus, form all sorts and it’s a testament to the power of storytelling and the need that is seated deep within us for meaning and belonging. You’re so right that once you seen behind the curtain it’s not possible to ‘believe’ in the same way again.
@@mugikuyu9403 I looked “behind the curtain” of skeptics and false accusers and found out Joseph Smith did not lie at all, that the heathen are all wrong.
I think there's still a missing pieces of the book of Mormon had been stolen or something right so the story do not end here you have to do is pray. Still communication with heavenly father and Jesus are the greatest answers for your questions
This is a great description of a nonbeliever. I am a nonbeliever. It’s not a political agenda or me being out to get anyone or even really a choice. Who wouldn’t like to belong to a community and believe in an afterlife etc. I can’t believe what I don’t believe and things that there just aren’t any evidence for.
Was a Mormon here in the UK for the first 16 years of my life. Glad I left, a lot of double think and family values that didn't apply to my dysfunctional family.
Part 2 please I grew up in the church and still have a strong believe I just don’t attend to church anymore 😢 Working on going back this Sunday, I need to catch up on my Mormon history, loved the video. Please don’t leave us hanging with part 2 🥹
Why do you want to go back to this false free masonry religion. Escaspe for your life They don't believe in Christ who is God.
The fact that we get free documentaries on KZhead by Johnny Harris is truly a gift 👏👏👏 May I also remind you the fact that Mormons treat and held the same prejudices toward Native Americans shared by other European Americans.. For instance, our Native American population in our motherland, the Continent of America before the European Colonizers arrived, was around 15 millions, while the European population in their motherland, the Continent of Europe was around 25 millions. Today, Native American population is 15 million, while the European population, in the Continents of America + Europe, is a staggering TWO BILLION! A shocking sad truth. 😔 In my humble opinion, it's about time to decolonize the Colonized lands, and return it to rightful owners Native American people. Notorious global cardinal crimes the Christian West has committed, and benefited a great deals, such as Slavery & Colonialism had long been over, why on earth is notorious Colonization still lingering on, may I ask? 😔🤷🤷
Slavery, Colonialism and Colonization are all evil things done and benefited by evildoers.
NOTHING IS FREE
@@LsServereverything is permitted (i think this was in assassin's creed lol)
@@FirestormX9That is indeed the source. Or at least where I hear it most commonly.
@@LsServer oh no Google has one more data point out of the billions that they already have on me. What a big cost.
The ending as a fellow ex Mormon brought a tear to my eye. I very much relate to being sad to not believe anymore. My belief was so strong…and to “know” exactly what is going to happen after this life and to have all the answers is so very comforting. It made life so simple…not easy, but very simple. Sometimes I do wish I could go back and choose the blue pill and not look deeper. However, having the truth, even the very inconvenient and hard truth that we do not have all the answers has given my life a deeper purpose perhaps.
@@Truth71415 Please do not tell someone how to feel after leaving their religion or offer an alternative one. It is not as empathetic as you think it is. I left Christianity and I feel the same as OP. I deeply miss the ritual and I miss 'knowing' what I thought was truth. But few leave on good terms. I certainly didn't. I realized the love I was told was for humanity was nothing more than rebranded hate and self-righteousness. So when someone expresses their pain over leaving their religion, offering that you have all the answers only pours salt in that wound because it shows you didn't hear them. You only heard the echo of what you wanted to hear.
@@aworldincolor1331calm down and stop projecting. Instead go deal with your hurt.
So true. I'm going through losing that faith now. So much of LDS theology truly is beautiful, as are so many of its members. Unfortunately the historical facts make it messy.
The blissful ignorance of feeling like you know all the answers truly does simiplify certain things, but it also comes with its own can of worms. I've experienced so much stress, perfectionism, criticism, shame, and straight up abuse in the church to last me a lifetime. My mission experience caused me to develop all sorts of strange mental health problems that have taken nearly a decade to resolve Honestly, leaving mormonism is very akin to Adam and Eve leaving the garden. In the garden they were safe and lived simple lives. However, they never really "knew" anything and never got to decide things for themselves. Leaving the garden is hard, but it also opens up a world of possibilities. And on top of that, in the story of Adam and Eve, it shows that God, the authority figure, was in fact a liar and simply wanted them to stay simpleminded and subservient
@@Truth71415 I am LDS and I just want to set things straight since I find your comment misleading. Nowhere in our teaching does it say that Joseph Smith is our one and only savior, and we wouldn’t have salvation without him, he did restore the church and gave us what we have today, but he is not the one who died on the cross for our sins. A lot of what our teachings are based on are around Christ being our savior and giving his life so we can be saved. The Bible is one of the four main scriptures that we study and know to be true. Joseph Smith was our first Latter Day Prophet, but he was not our one and only savior, our savior and messiah will always be Jesus Christ who died for our sins.
An excellent presentation of the subject matter, including great visual aids. Very balanced and responsible. Very,, very good work, Johnny.
I know there's more important things to report on, but I really hope you finish this series. As an ex small town mormon this really struck a chord with me.
My dad is a professor, a scholar of Biblical Literature. We were based in AZ for a while and he had a lot of Mormon students. Knowing that this was the lens a lot of his students were using in coming to his classes, he decided to read the Book of Mormon. He found 17 basic Biblical Studies errors on the first page. I think he only made it five pages before he gave up. They're the kind of errors that happen when someone is familiar with the King James Bible and doesn't actually know Hebrew or understand how Hebrew names work. For example, Biblical names all have meanings. What you call something or someone really matters because it says something about them. No self-respecting ancient Israelite would name their son Lehi. That means jawbone. It's the name of a city in the book of Judges where Samson destroys an army with a donkey's jawbone...but it's not a name you give your kid. (Also, Sam. Sam is not a Biblical name) It's clear that Joseph Smith just found a bunch of names from his KJV and threw them together haphazardly. Mosiah doesn't mean anything. It's clearly a portmanteau of Moses and Isaiah. Anyway. As a supposed ancient document, the Book of Mormon does not pass the smell test.
@@MissSunrise Yes, according to the BoM, Moroni was the last keeper of his people's historical records (the collection of which is named after Moroni's father who brought these smaller "books" together, the Book of Mormon)
There are ConLangs from mid-tier authors who create more believable and internally consistent yarns with make believe languages inspired by real languages and histories. That any human being with a well formed prefrontal cortex can look at that work, look at themselves, and say, "okay, this is the truth, and I believe that without snickering one bit," baffles me. If you had my family, finances, home, and self identity held hostage at-- oh, okay, that makes sense.
@@MissSunrise I've never understood the conjugation rules of Reformed Egyptian. Why is a follower of Moroni a Mormon, but a follower of Nehpi isn't... a Nephon? That's a Nephite? Wouldn't that be a Moronite? Or just a Moron?
@@BrandanLee These names definitely give the vibe of Bible fanfic.
Actual Bible scholars are rarely believers.
I cannot imagine how incredibly cathartic and healing this must be for you, Johnny. Genuinely happy for you and respect you for doing it.
the comment section is possibly all bound to Johnny on a new planet
This has given me a lot of objective resolve. Thank you Johnny. I can’t wait for pt.2
When is Part 2 coming out?
The fact that he's come forward to share his story is amazing. The fact he leave's his comments turned on is even more inspiring. I really respect this dude and what he's doing.
Smith was in jail on charges of arson of a newspaper press. The paper had published detail of Joe Smith's sexual conquests with the wives & young daughters of his male followers. Smith had a gun smuggled into the jailhouse. When the husbands/fathers of Smith's bed-mates read about this, they stormed the jail--Swift justice.
funny how Johnny Harris joined the leftist cult. makes sense
@lukedeardoff3351 yea, LDS channels edit the comments because they hate the truth. JW and SDA also edit the comments, its called control and deception. No truth in cults.
As a fellow ex-Mormon, I’m so appreciative of the way you told this story. Also SO BEAUTIFUL. Wow, this video was so visually stunning.
Agreed! I do wish that it included some more of the gritty details. It felt a little too close to the church's sanitized narrative. For example, I don't think it's accurate to say that the First Vision included a charge to restore Christ's church with all of the necessary keys and ordinances. That's very much a modern LDS understanding of what the First Vision was about.
The ending I think is important. Im ex-religious as well but I cant escape the necessity of religion. Seeing the rise of secular cults (climatism, wokeism, anti-Americanism, anti-racism, ect.) demonstrates something more poisonous will fill the void. We need a common code of ethics that manifests itself through stories and rituals, fulfils a spiritual purpose, and provides a neutral meeting ground for community building. I struggle to find how these needs can be met with something other than religion.
@@jhonklan3794 how can you be ex religious and still feel such a need for religion?
@@jhonklan3794in what way is believing in climate change a secular cult my guy. Kind of feels like you've replaced one cult like narrative with another one
@@jhonklan3794 sounds like you still have a few unhelpful beliefs that you need to reevaluate. "Woke-ism" is a pejorative term for those who prioritize equality and human rights above outdated religious dogma and social structures. Anti-racism is so obviously morally good. Instigating change to lessen our environmental impact is necessary. How are these ideas "poisonous" at all, let alone more harmful than a patriarchal sex-cult founded on invented mythologies that dishonestly hoards billions while many of its own tithe-payers are struggling to get by? You think that without religion we would be morally lost, but religion gave you that idea. It's not true.
The 'Church' of Joseph's Myth of Latter Day Swindle.
Facinating. My mother and i got into a debate: is a religion/church a socially accepted cult? My mom said "no" absolutely not. Listening to this makes me think im correct I once got close to a guy who was mormon. He invited me to church. He was the sweetest... kindest.. and easy to talk to guy. He had such a relaxed attitude but caring at the same time. I went to his church and it was facinating. Children 5-7ish wearing old style adult formal clothing in a small room with empty walls and chairs lined around the room. They were all so well behaved. The "lesson" was the teacher quizzing them on the prophet etc.... The kids all seemed to have the right answers. Something beautiful, amazing, kinda sad, and little creepy about the experience. Such clean, well fed, well dressed children, no physical signs of abuse. Something felt "wrong" about the "lesson"... something felt wrong about the empty room with no toys. Something felt wrong about each amswer coming out of these children's mouth were the same.... and correct. The "lesson" didnt seem to have any moral value which highlighted love, forgiveness, fellowship or anything of the matters of the heart.... the questions were all historical in nature.... history of the founders of the church etc. Why did this all bother me? I cant define it...
As a Mormon who has deep deep doubts and wondering if it’s worth the family alienation and loss of hope to leave the church as u described the “comfort” this was a really helpful video that didn’t really teach anything I didn’t know but I’m glad that you made it so genuine. I still don’t know if I should leave or not
You know. It's just difficult.
From what I’ve heard and read, they make it very difficult to leave. Mormons are family oriented, as Johnny mentions in this video. In another video he posted about him leaving the church, he mentions how you can’t go to heaven with your family if you’re not a part of the church. Naturally, if you’re a Mormon and one of your family members wants to leave, you will try and keep them from leaving in fear of them not being with you in heaven.
Chances are a lot of others in your circles are having the same doubts. You being true to yourself and leaving might be the inspiration others need to be true to themselves too. My wife went through this when she was younger, and yes she did lose contact with a lot of her family when she did. But slowly and surely, her little cousins started leaving when they got older, and then her uncles and aunts started leaving, and now with many of them she has a stronger, more honest bond with them than she ever did before. In the mean-time she found her own friends and built her own family, and now she has more than she ever expected she would when she left.
You really can't take positive or negative biases into your head. Because you and I both know that's not going to get you where you need to go. Also this may be anecdotal, But I've never seen someone's live that after 10 years of leaving the church I would want to trade places with. And I've known many. Good luck and God bless.
As a former Mormon, you should go. If your family cares about you, they will not shun you. If your friends in the church are your real friends, they will not shun you.
Yes, Johnny! Tell it! I was also born and raised as a Mormon. I believed in it with all my heart. When I found out I was lied to by the church I was absolutely DEVASTATED, heartbroken and betrayed. If the members are asked to give their lives to the church, they deserve the truth. The FULL truth.
Hey, if I may, what were you lied to about?
How did you finished watching a 40 Min video in 15 Mins that's my question ??
@@werewolfleader4755video is re-uploaded
All religion is a lie meant to control the minds of people so they don't question the world around them.
@@werewolfleader4755She Didn’t Watch it that’s why
I'm an ex Seventh-Day Adventist which has it's own set of stories around a prophet from around the same time. SDA's even have a chunk of overlapping beliefs about lifestyle. It's so interesting to hear this story about a church I always heard lots about but never understood. Thank you for sharing. I'm very looking forward to part 2.
Id like to see a @johnny Harris video explaining Seventh Day Adventism
How does it feels to be an ex SDA? I’m in a somewhat of a spiritual crossroads. The last 3 decades SDA is all ever knew, but I don’t feel love for it anymore, and don’t want to stay because of fear. I don’t think fear is a tool that God would use to keep his children.
@@NotTheFBI_OFFICIAL sounds like you already know what decision you have to make. It was definitely a scary step at first but Im so glad I did. I am much more free in my faith in a way that is more whole and full of love. I’m grateful for my SDA upbringing. But this has been the best for me.
@@ardencassie5150thank you for your prompt response. And yes, I also believe what decision to make, just procrastinating on the unavoidable. It’s being difficult opening up to my wife and parents about my this. Again thank you for opening up about your personal matters.
@@NotTheFBI_OFFICIALformer sda as well here. Thank goodness for the new testament
I gotta say...I really admire and appreciate how u addressed this topic and the how very sober u told the story. I can't imagine how difficult this was for u, being an ex believer...so I want u to know that from someone who really had no idea about Mormon beliefs but was curious, really appreciates ur work. All ur videos, are really enjoyable and it's clear to see how much work and passion u put into it so good job. I hope to continue seeing new videos from u and ur team so that I may also show and view them with my son who was born just 8 months ago. Thank u once again...and may u continue to receive blessings.
I feel like this was a hard story for Johnny to tell and I appreciate the insight from someone who’s been through it.
Joseph Smith was the bigger 🧢of all time
I agree. He had to balance objectivity with a whole lotta personal connection.
@@kingace6186 he wasn't that objective. a lot of what he taught as doctrine or beliefs was actually just his perspective or opinion or just missing important pieces such that it was, well, wrong or misleading.
Not hard at all when he makes a ton of money for videos like this.
@kelleynrothaermel2311 why Joseph Smith didn't make a lot of money. How about the church leaders and their clandestine hedge fund
At 16 I was the first in my family to leave the church in 2002. Born in Provo, to pioneer heritage this was a huge deal. I lost everything, my home, family, friends. I had years of “leaving” the church, Deprogramming from the shame and guilt that were ingrained in me my whole life. I cannot put into words what the church did to me & the amount of pain I was left to deal with. Seeing so many leaving the church makes me so happy - so many children who will be spared the fear, shame, and conditioning for obedience to men. The freedom to experience the world on my own terms has been the greatest gift, one that I will never take for granted. This is not a black and white issue, there was a lot of good things growing up in the church but the damage was greater than any of the good. I wish everyone in the church all the best, truly. I wish everyone who has left peace as they navigate this new world. ❤
@@newutuber2 😮💨
Just come back to being Mormon. You shouldn’t have left. It’s a privilege to be a Mormon.
@@newutuber2 Give it a rest, believing in wild claims of spiritual beings without any demonstration or evidence for their existence, is how people get sucked into cults like LDS Church in the first place.
😅😂🤣@@ridinwithjake
May God bless you, I hope you have not given up on Christianity entirely.
Challenging your own beliefs is a true sign of growth and your honest take on it, was pretty cool. We all need something to believe in
Very well done. I was born and raised in the church. I dropped out at about 16 yrs old. It took years and a lot of studying to realize it was all a sham and a lie. It is a hard one to break away from and it was designed that way on purpose.
God Almighty and Jesus are not a lie, Mormonism is certainly a false religion though.
Hey Johnny, RM and exmo here. Just wanted to thank you for making this man. It’s so awesome that you put your “testimony” at the end of the video. It’s important to not only think about what we believe but why and how. I cried at the missionary vids too because those times are irreplaceable even if misguided. Love the work you’re doing and keep it up my man ❤
thank you for sharing
As one of the few korean american members in my ward and raised in the church my entire life, this video and his previous “Why I Left the Mormon Church” really resonates with me. I think something that was not mentioned by Johnny, and isn’t touched on in a lot of faithful and exmormon circles, is the experience of being part of a majority white community as a person of color. As my parents were converts, I felt pressure to have to be even better and more spiritually in tune with the teachings. I ignored much of the racism and discrimination I felt from other members because I felt that I had to be as Christlike as I could. I realized now after having left the church that there were many instances of racial micro aggressions towards me and trying to be good member, I would try to ignore them and try to be understanding. I also served a full time mission and on my return is when the pressure to marry really started me on the path to question everything I had been taught. I was in no way, shape, or form in a position to get married and have children, but the pressure was immense. It’s been such a difficult and painful process. I am almost constantly at war with my own mind, trying to deprogram a lot of the shame and guilt I felt through the church’s teachings. I’ve lost almost all my friends and relationships that were made through the church. Thank you for putting words to how I have felt and many others have probably felt leaving the church.
I hope you find the peace you deserve. Racism and religious trauma are a potent and painful combination. Therapy helps!
Thank you for sharing your story! I'm from Taiwan and served a mission in the US. I definitely had some racist companions but didn't catch onto what they said until later. Like you said, I think I probably just ignored it entirely. I'm still trying to heal from the damage that the mormon belief caused! Again, thanks for sharing ❤
Hey Lynn. I remember you in my early morning seminary class. For the record I loved having you as a student and am deeply saddened to hear you feel this way and would love to re-connect with you. I hope you are well wherever you are :)
thank you for sharing your valuable perspetive.
Hi Lynn, I'm sorry about your experience, especially with racism and discrimination. I'm a believing member who can't stand that kind of stuff and calls it out when I see it. Trying to make it more inclusive one step at a time.
I just wanna appreciate how beautiful this video is. The way you created the visuals is very impressive
We just moved from Los Angeles to UT this is crazy learning about what the missionaries who came preached so much about ❤️
Thanks Johnny. Echoing a lot of the comments here. I spent 34 good years in the church that I don't regret.. but I'm so much happier. Your comments really resonated with me. Be well !
Mormon?
Thank you for the generous support!!
Reminds me of the quote, "It’s Easier To Fool People Than To Convince Them That They’ve Been Fooled"
Hi. Found you on the internet yesterday. Have been binge watching your videos. Insightful. This was very interesting piece. I am looking forward to the 2nd part.
But when will we get part 2? I just recently discovered your vids, and I love the content. This was such a great vid, and I enjoyed hearing a detailed description of the Mormon church. Thank you.
Love this!! Mee too.
Still waiting smh…
I understand your sadness of losing your belief. I left a year into my mission in Guatemala, and it was the hardest decision of my life at that time to leave it all behind. Looking back, I can confidently say that I've never been happier since I left religion behind in my life.
im in the same boat haha. left early from a mission in Guatemala after becoming disillusioned
I never went on a mission because I was a sinner who watched porn, but I did lose my faith at a time when I was surrounding myself heavily with mormon ideology. It's funny because conference talk after conference talk says that if we leave we will come back, miserable, and beg to be let back in. But yet, I have literally never been so happy and so at peace as I have been abandoning religion.
@@anarchoyeasty3908unfortunately like many others that is ironically where you went wrong. fulfillment doesn't come from the religion, but from a deeply personal relationship with God himself.
@@jimmyn8574 That's what so good about Protestantism, you don't have to follow your corrupt priests. God never intended for single minded individual to decide his will and thoughts.
I grew up very devout Mormon-- my father was a seminary principle and dean of church history at BYU. I understand the anguish that occurs when you begin to entertain the idea that all you had believed in your entire life may not be true. It is sad when you realize that church principles such as "eternal family" and "immortal life" may also be a fiction. There is a certain comfort in blocking out reality. Johnny did a good job explaining the emotional toll that happens to all of us. However, I am happy that I live in reality, not fantasy anymore.
This comment sums it up for me too. Sometimes I miss the fantasy land and wish I could go back.
The thing is, Mormonism is a cultish "off-shoot" of Christianity (although practically most Christians deny that Mormonism is even Christianity for several good reasons). I'm not sure where exactly you're at in terms of spirituality and what not, but i'll say this... Mormonism is so close, yet so far from the truth. It took the truth and arguably perverted it. It took the gospel of Christ and twisted it to say something Christ never said or really even teaches. It's a very clever deception (although I doubt Joseph Smith really knew the reality of his teachings).
Remember that what you build with reason, logic and science can be equally powerful and comforting. It just take time to switch from the previous mind setting to the next. I've been an atheist all my life and during my childhood I've been tempted by how comforting was religious, specially regarding life after death. By my reason and logic put me back on the most reliable path to truth and I still live in owe and admiration for how incredibly beautiful life is, giving my very own meaning to all of this, without the need to borrow it from a dogma.
So what do you believe in now and what do you hope for now?
I believe that there is an overarching and truly existing spiritual and unseen dimension. I also believe that it is possible to have spiritual experiences (without drugs) that will allow people to see this truth. I hope you find happiness, whatever you do in life.
Beautiful video! I was born and raised in Utah but never religious tho it was always around me. I have since moved away and now have moved back into a small community that is predominantly Mormon. So I began researching the full story of religion from the Torah thru to Mormonism and I find it very interesting. This was a very helpful video to better understand the storyline of Mormonism. Thanks Jonny.
I studied this in the early 2000’s for a world religions class in Mesa AZ. Lots of books about to read here. I was so shocked to discover the history of this church that so most of the people around me devoted their lives to. And since then.. all of the truth I’ve discovered. So glad Johnny had the inner courage and healing to get free and speak about it.
There are even more crazy historical texts .. I have a couple I’ve found at yard sales, old ones. It’s really eye opening, some of the hard to find historical telling.
Get free?
I am an ex Mormon. Who’s been out about four years and a friend of mine posted on Facebook your why I left the Mormon church video and for reasons I can’t explain. I had the guts to click on it and it was so peaceful and calm I’ve been taught my whole life that anything outside the church was anti mormon literature, and mean and vicious and scary But yours was super calm and peaceful and it gave me the guts and encouraged to delve deeper and you are one of the main steppingstones in my deconstruction from the church. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your videos.☺️🤍
no a cult controls information
Woof. I have a similar story to Johnny. I grew up Mormon and was fully into it. I served as a missionary and attended church run university. I left the church at the end of 2019 and just before the pandemic hit I decided to fully leave it behind. The thought patterns I learned actually did end up me hurting me a bit. Those and a mix of high stress and genetic factors landed me in the hospital for SI. I’ve changed so much since then, but Johnny is so right when he talks about how comforting those beliefs are when you still hold them. It’s scary to leave and it’s hard to breakdown all of the brainwashing. It is absolutely worth it though. I
I am the same as you are. It’s so scary, leaving it all behind. Fundamentally, it feels wrong to leave behind this faith that tells you that if you participate in it, you will literally become a god. In a lot of ways, I wish that I could still be a member, but I know that I can never go back to what I know is morally wrong and historically fake
Tbh that’s what’s upsetting, I understand and respect that people genuinely cope with religion but sometimes it just doesn’t help when that’s all they have to give. (Instead of just some words of advice or love)
truth and many dont understand its hard to see the truth and its hard to de-program the mind b/c the enemy has built a STRONGHOLD U cant see the truth b/c a fortress of deception has been built in your mind over YEARS And the stronghold has been built by your WILLFUL participation in SIN SIN - reciting ancient Egyptian ritual practices - all which stem from the book of the dead - AKA WITCHCRAFT Sin - disobeying the 10 commandments. Satan cannot enter your mind - unless u give him access. and that access is given thru SIN STRONGHOLDS can only be pulled down by the holy spirit! casting down EVERYTHING that exalts itself above the knowledge of GOD Do ppl understand what that means???? - if u believe the knowledge you "know" or been "taught" is ABOVE the knowledge of GOD?????? So many are being deceived and will continue to be deceived and will take the mark. due to simply their ignorance and arrogance
@sambankman-Zelensky it can be great for some people! It’s when scrupulous thinking come in, it can be devastating
There are many individual claims in this video that are incorrect and misleading. One of them is about how huge portions of the Book of Mormon are copy/paste jobs from the Bible. Here is a video that has the facts about that. kzhead.info/sun/faqAfduhfJWfh4k/bejne.html .
as someone who isn’t religious but lives in probably what’s considered a top 10 mormon town outside of utah, thank you for finally teaching me what so many of the people in my community have their lives surrounded by, i’ve always been skeptical and parts of me wants to say i told you so, but thank you i can understand the religion that was shockingly written and distributed so much later than others
Mesa Arizona?
Im excited for part two! Not sure when its comming but i really hope you return to this project. Your coverage of the story of Mormonism is fascinating
Thank you so much for this Johnny. It was exceptional and deeply personal. Having grown up in a very religious Jewish household, I relate deeply to the idea of the comfort of the stories, rituals, and community. I also relate to the sadness felt in losing that comfort. You have moved mountains with your journalism and personal reporting. For that I thank you!
Grew up Orthodox too, saddest thing is that I’ve lost the comfort and kept the fear…worst of both worlds I guess
wow thank you!!
You shouldn’t abandon God because of negative experiences. I’m not Mormon and don’t care about manmade denominations. I just love Jesus from The Holy Bible.
As someone with an islamic upbringing, Im very surprised how there is so much resemblance in Joseph's story to prophet Muhammad's story. How they start as someone who is considered illiterate, and then somehow start to create a holy book that is nuanced and is way above their level. How they are a charismatic leader who was not afraid to break norms and established cultures. How both Joseph and Mohammad got kicked out of their town and has to move somewhere else (in islam this event is called the Hijrah). How both of them got visited by angels who told them they are the chosen one. How both Joseph and Muhammad started doing POLYGAMY and somehow that it is exclusive to them.... whelp even more reason to be an atheist now...
Yes. It is fascinating. Even at the time people noted the similarities between Mormonism and Islam.
Jesus Christ is a side quest in Mormonism. Christianity is the way. I pray you’ll turn to Jesus
Turn to Jesus and his holy Bible. It’s the real thing.
I have been a Christian for 45 years. My husband who is a new Christian has allowed Mormons to come in his home and teach. This has been so helpful!! I have Mormon background in my family. My uncle was a high priest or whatever they call in that day. However I knew from the get-go wrong wrong wrong. Oh dear God 🙏🏻
Got an LDS ad on this video😂
Some of my family are LDS & growing up I was told to stay away from that religion. When I got older, I did some research on it & decided it wasn't for me. I enjoy Johnny's storytelling, he tells a story in a way that you feel like you're actually there seeing this unfold. Thanks Johnny for putting together great videos!
That's not Lucky Mack Smith...
You left out the phase when Joseph Smith's scribe Martin Harris took home 116 pages of the translated Book of Mormon that were never seen again, perhaps burned by Mrs. Harris, and how this incident nearly killed the LDS Church in the cradle.
Prayer offered by Joseph Smith at the Kirkland Temple Dedication on March 27, 1836: “We ask thee, Holy Father, to confound, and astonish, and to bring to shame and confusion, all those who have spread lying reports abroad, over the world, against thy servant or servants, if they will not repent, when the everlasting gospel shall be proclaimed in their ears; And that all their works may be brought to naught, and be swept away by the hail, and by the judgments which thou wilt send upon them in thine anger, that there may be an end to lyings and slanders against thy people.” 🙏🏾Amen and Amen 🙏🏾
As a former member thank you for sharing in a fair and clear manner. I may not believe anymore, but it still has a special place in my heart.
This is why my dad laughs out loud involuntarily whenever he learns someone converted to mormonism as an adult, it's just so absurd that you HAVE to be indoctrinated from birth, or really really dim, to believe it.
The Articles of Faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1.We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. 2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not tor Adams transgression. 3.We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. 4.We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. 5.We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof. 6.We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth. 7.We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth. 8.We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. 9.We believe all that God has revealed, all that hie does now reveal, and we belteve that lie will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. 10.We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory. 11.We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may. 12.We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honor-ing, and sustaining the law. 13.We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul--We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
The strangest thing that is seeing a black person convert to Mormonism.
@@user-qm2li8zx2dYes it is. Funny how they work so closely with NAACP now. Trying to make up for old sins. It's a profit thing man
Converting to any religion as an adult is hilarious.
Not a Mormon and no connection to anybody who is. I really respect that fact that you didn’t attempt to slander, mock and disparage this church, you just presented facts.
I'm very exited about future episodes! Amazing content as always.
The feeling of sadness of not believing anymore really is one of the most tragic parts of leaving the church. I best compare it to a broken relationship, you always wonder what life would be like if it hadn't turned sour. When you leave the church you leave community, disappoint family, lose friends, and now have to find a new purpose in life. You wish that you believed enough to have your parents be proud of you as you go on a mission, so you spend the rest of your life attempting to gain that level of pride from your loved ones. You feel stupid for falling for something for so long, and don't know how to set boundaries with rituals that the rest of your family still partakes in. I don't regret my decision to leave, but I do wish that it didn't come with additional baggage.
Like Johnny said, it is like taking a pill in the scene from the Matrix. The truth was so important to the protagonist. And to find the truth when there's still _time_ to set things right was important to the protagonist. He felt a lil bit like, "there has to be more to this. life is too simple. am i really just this drone, this ant in the ant colony?" That the truth is tied at the hip to discomfort--that just life. Life has always been suffering--Life _is_ suffering. Whether you are Mormon or not. But we all like nice things. We all suffer FOMO. But we have the free agency to pick what to be FOMO about. You choose not to be FOMO about the possible negatives of leaving church--you took the pill--you should be proud of your conviction to seek the truth--that's the sort of character reference by which the young and impressionable around you want and need. You did your adult'n well. Bravo.
You described my feelings, I guess is the same for everyone who truly believe and dedicated the life towards the the religion.
Have you seen the 2 response videos to this above video? The 2 response videos clearly proves the above video is not representing the church the right way.
Bless ur heart, we are here for you. ❤️
mathew 19:29
I was a member all of my life and served a mission in Mexico as well. It’s hard not only changing your beliefs, but figuring out how to do that in a way that does not ruin relationships with people you love and cherish. It almost feels like a responsibility to not only believe what you have been taught, but that you will let your loved ones down if you follow any new evidence to the contrary. You are encouraged to remain blissfully ignorant to holes in the stories we were taught. Watching this video now and about to watch the video of you explaining why you left as well. I appreciate you sharing.
Being a member of the Church and having an eternal abiding testimony from the Holy Spirit are two different separate things. It is possible to change your beliefs, but, it is impossible to change a witness from God that has been seared into your soul. The only expectation that we have as Saints is to seek truth wherever we find it and the greatest truth is when God whispers to your soul ~ or miracles or gifts of the Spirit or healings or etc. What I am saying is that far too many people think that because they "believed" and they "behaved" "faithfullly" that they were TB,T&T, True Blue, Thru & Thru, while instead they were only N.O.M.s ... Name Only Members. Nevertheless ... yes ... when I became a Latter-day Saint, my family's reaction ranged from disowning me to harping about how crazy I was for joining a cult. What I learned in the Church was to ~ just love them ... peace.
@@harryabelpotter9630When faith becomes testimony you know you are deeply misguided. No, I have read Ensigb and Liahina many times and they present no evidence. All the stories are either coincidences or placebo. No proof. Have you seen an amputated limb grow back after a prayer? That would be a miracle.
When you say this... I understand how you can end up in this place. Tough. Really tough.
@harryabelpotter9630 Bless you. 😊 There's a huge difference between believing in Santa Claus and having a testimony. I was an atheist for 30 years before being converted by the holy ghost, and I studied a LOT of "ex-Mormon" stories when I was investigating. So many stories of "my Bishop did me wrong" but not one word about Jesus Christ.
There's very striking evidence both ways, the chiasmus, for example. I hope I never have to experience what Johnny and you have, and I'm happy you made it through with happiness in the end. I find it's important to entertain thoughts that offer the contrary of what one believes, and because of that, I love diving into the people who leave the church, Tyler Glenn has a very interesting story, however, I find that in these seemingly high walls of questionable things, you must cling to your faith. I never see myself leaving, despite these certain "holes," the reason; because there's way too many, if not more "holes" in the idea of otherwise.
This was very well researched and very informative, thank you! As a former muslim turned agnostic, that last prologue rang so true with me. I think most of us curious ''skeptic'' nerds who have a sense of wonder, and who were born into any religious doctrine, tend to miss the comfort, the sense of awe and the sense of community it tends to offer, and it's hard to shake that feeling off, no matter how off-putting the doctrine itself is. I would understand if making this might have been somewhat difficult for you given your past. I do hope the research has given you some sense of catharsis. off to look for part 2!
Nooooo part 2 is never coming out is it 😢 I love this video so much it’s the only of its kind on this website, so many other videos attempt to do what this one does so succinctly! It’s so easy to understand but detailed and interesting ugh I’d pay for part 2 I really would (Nebula member here lol)
Thank you for making this! There is a lot of family/social pressure and guilt to keep members in the church and it’s so true that any content that reveals the truth about the church and it’s history gets classified as “anti Mormon literature” to stay away from. I honestly feel so bad for everyone stuck in the cult and it makes me happy to see this on your channel. I really hope this will help open some eyes and give some believing members another perspective. Such a quality video 🙌🏼
😮Wat makes Mormon occultists ???
As an atheist from a Hindu pandit (priests and authority on religion) background I find the stories not even a quarter of the mysterious and magical nature that Hindu mythology is. So, just imagine how difficult it was to unwrap my mind out of those and see the bigger picture. I appreciate your videos and explaining Mormon ideas in plain terms to people who have no idea of what Mormonism is all about. I am very interested in learning about other religions and your videos helps a lot when it comes to understanding Mormon beliefs. Thank you 👍
I feel like it’d be easier to see how dumb a religion is the crazier and more magical it seems. Like i get why some people may believe there’s a superior being that created the world. But like believing in legends and mystical stories (almost like fairytales) is a whole other thing. No disrespect, but like how come Indians still praise cows. I’d understand if they chose not to eat or kill them for cultural reasons but they like actually have a spiritual meaning for a lot of you.
What are your thoughts on Jainism?
@@agme8045it’s tied to the belief system, and any number of reasons could explain the sanctity of cows. it’s not that we worship or praise them; rather they’re sacred animals to be treated with respect. of course, hindus believe in treating all animals with respect-but the cow specifically gives us things like milk. milk is used heavily in indian foods and even in the scripture, the Lord Krishna loves butter and is sometimes depicted sitting on a cows back. they’re so deeply engraved in the culture that they just get treated with respect and care.
Hey ex Hindu atheist here. You know not everyday you see an ex Hindu
@@rohanpatel3204 oh that makes sense. Sorry for my ignorance. I was convinced I had read something about an Indian god that was like a personification of a cow. But I guess I just made that up
Well done. This is a very balanced telling of this history. Very respectful yet firm on where you stand today. Awesome job! Many of my best friends growing up are Mormon and I was a Catholic (it took me 26 years to break free from Catholicism and learn the truth of the actual Scriptures) and they were amazing people. My best man at my wedding was Mormon so this really resonated with me as I’ve been trying to share the truth of the Gospel with them but it’s so hard to break the programming that is so ingrained and has such a foothold to most members. I went so far as to open up the Book of Mormon and show them the contradictions with the KJV Bible with regard to Christ’s identity and still nothing. I want all of them to come to a saving faith in Christ, that’s my hope that many eyes are opened with this body of work you’ve put together.
Johnny, I love your channel and how you compellingly tell a story in an unbiased way. This is the first video of yours I've watched and I've been eagerly waiting for part 2 (while I watch all your other videos in the meantime). I also left the Mormon church and all religions. My parents, siblings, and I were raised Catholic. When my sister went on vacation in Florida at age 18, she stayed with distant relatives who are Mormons. After she returned, we started getting visits from Mormon missionaries and soon we all converted. I was 11 at the time. My dad, an atheist unbeknownst to me, began refusing to attend. We left the Mormon church about 3 years later. I was left wondering - if I'm no longer Catholic or Mormon, what am I? When I went to college, I started studying world religions and quickly realized many faiths have beautiful creation stories and values, but also things I don't agree with. I couldn't find a religion where I believed all its tenets to be true and therefore, how could I be a part of it? I find many religious people don't have a problem with that, they can easily pick and choose the things they'd like to believe and ignore or rationalize those that don't resonate with them. That's when I started to accept there is no God. It's a journey from doubt, to realization, to acceptance before you can finally tell others. Later one, my sister joined a fundamentalist Christian group and my brother married someone with similar fundamentalist beliefs although he also stopped believing. He recently pointed out to me that one of the reasons we are not as close as a family is because of everyone's different beliefs. Instead of getting together to have discussions and hear other sides, it separates us. Unfortunately it comes from religion itself, if one is truly a believer, one shouldn't have doubts or have conversations that could create doubt. I'm always interested in hearing stories of people who have left their religion. Having lived in the Mormon community, I found this video particularly insightful and accurate. Thank you for creating it. I'd love to see part 2 when it's ready.
Ex-Mormon and return missionary here, watching this I found my old mental conditioning pushing me to doubt the experiences that led me to leave the church. Joseph Smith's teachings were truly incredible and it can be surprisingly easy to forget all of the times my mental health struggles were chalked up to my own spiritual shortcomings, lack of faith, and sinful actions. I used to be terrified of ex-communication (punitive removal from the church), ironically as being out of the church by my own choice has been so incredibly freeing.
Hey. Are you still religious?
Good for you! Don't ever feel bad, you made the right choice. Believing in this kind of stuff is just ignorant. Anyone with the ability to think logically and critically can tell from the get go that the Mormon "story" is just obvious lies. Mormonism is far from the only religion that's true about though.
@@thekolobsociety what do you think
Can you tell me why Coca-Cola is allowed but not coffee?
Mormon is weird they think dark skin ain't right XD
Leaving Mormonism was the best choice I've ever made
This is extraordinary. So well done and amazingly explained. Better than most documentaries I've ever seen. I have never been Mormon but have always been curious. This is a fascinating history.
If it’s false , you have nothing to lose, no worries, but if it is all true you waist the most precious of all , you’re exaltation and your followers
I'm from India, and a family from our traditional protestant church moved to Utah, and it's interesting how the Mormon church almost forcefully pushed them to join their fellowships, even though this family knew that some things weren't right with our beliefs the first time I heard about Mormonism was in a movie I watched about the Mormons travelling to Salt lake city. it was pretty unnerving. the second time I heard of it was in a sherlock holmes book. when this family went there I was really wary of all this because it seemed so fantastical and not what you would expect in the middle of America. This video really gave a good understanding though
How did you finished watching a 40 Min video in 15 Mins that's my question ??
@@werewolfleader4755 the guy was commenting on his family friends...
@@werewolfleader4755people often comment before they finish the video
@@werewolfleader4755 chill dude.
Indian Bros Best wishes from Poland 🇵🇱
Thank you for sharing this. This is random, but I met you while I was a missionary, and you and your family were very kind and welcoming. I've also left the church since then and I've never felt more free. Wishing you luck and happiness on your journey
Part 1 was great... very informative, insightful, and engaging. I've heard the story of the Mormons a number of times in the past, but this was perhaps the best narrative, synopsis, and summation of all of them. I expect I'll watch it over again, as that aspect of the time period taking place during the "revivalist movement", long with the various ways people at that time believed in searching for "lost" or buried treasure outdoors in their New England surroundings had been overlooked in prior versions I'd come across, which helped certain aspects, like Joseph Smith using a 'seer stone' in a hat to "translate" the golden tablets he believed he was led to and found, make sense and put it in context. The article "The Second Great Awakening And Reform In The 19Th Century" that you referenced was also a great help in understanding the time, since we've always been told America was founded upon the principle of "religious freedom", which gives the impression that the majority of people were of one Christian denomination or another back during the 1800's, which isn't exactly what occurred once the Pilgrims and the initial settlers had come over and news of "the new world" and all of it's vast opportunities for a "new life" spread, creating a desire for a better life and adventure even in the non-religious who flocked to this new country by the millions. Any idea when Part 2 might be coming out?
The Book of Mormon testifies of Christ ... Further, for those who have taken the time to read the Book of Mormon, one realizes that it testifies of Christ almost on every page. For example, the Book of Mormon consists of 6,607 verses. Over half of those verses, 3,925, refer specifically to Jesus Christ. This amounts to a reference to Jesus Christ for every 1.7 verses in the Book of Mormon. So, the Book of Mormon starts with a testimony of Jesus Christ, it is filled with more testimonies of Jesus Christ, His Lordship, His role as Savior, Judge, Creator, etc. in every other verse, on average. The Book of Mormon testifies of Christ almost on every page. How does the book end? On the last page of the Book of Mormon, one will find the following passage: “Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God. And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.” No wonder the Book of Mormon is followed by the subtitle, “Another Testament of Jesus Christ.” Jesus is the central figure in the Book of Mormon. Those who lived before Christ came to the Earth in the flesh prophesied of His coming. Christ actually came and taught the people in the Book of Mormon after His resurrection. Then, those who lived after that time taught the teachings of Christ, until the people fell into apostasy through which apostasy many plain and precious truths were lost. Those lost teachings can be found in the Book of Mormon. It is another testament of Jesus Christ. . I am an adult convert to the Church. I read the Book of Mormon in less than two days while working a full-time job as an assembly-line heavy in a General Motors factory in Detroit, Michigan. In my opinion, I enjoyed taking the six half hour lessons from the Elders and reading the Book of Mormon before I was baptized ... so, yes ... I encourage everyone that's interested to do the same, especially because of my love for the Bible and the Book of Mormon. So that's my suggestion, although I understand that everyone walks their own path ~ Nevertheless, in any case, I wish you the very best in walking yours ... In the name of Jesus Christ, peace.
When is part 2?