Listening to the stories of these former Mormons (from Utah) talk about leaving the LDS church, and the spiritual warfare that they experienced breaks my heart and brings back painful memories of going through the same things.
Grace Bible church is a good place for healing!
I grew up for the most part in Utah. When I was growing up, I had many stormy seasons with my parents over one social issue or another. It always seemed very important to “keep up with the Jones”. Whether we fit the profile or not, it was very important for my family and many of my friends families to pretend to be good Mormons, regardless that both of my parents smoked, drank, gambled and had very non-Mormon principles.
This often ended up being a source of violence and contention for us. I was entirely against the religious ideals of the culture that I grew up in from as far back as I remember, but certainly at the age of 8 years old and forward.
I remember being baptized in the Mormon church to be initiated into the club. It was so very important to my dad and my grandpa to have my long hair cut short for this event. I remember crying in a fit of rage while I was held down and my hair was cut. The whole time I was thinking “The pictures of Jesus in the Bible and in the Book of Mormon showed him having long hair!”.
The whole “fitting in” thing got very un-necessary and un-desirable for me. I realized that this was just a country club and that I didn’t want to be a member. So I never attempted to fit in. I lived how I felt, and I tattooed it on my body so that I didn’t have the option of being one way to one person, and a completely different way to someone else.
It was important for me to make that stand. I went through many changes, and as I changed I added more and more ink. I have quite a history on my body to tell my story of growing up Mormon in a non-Mormon mindset.
So this brings me to when I was a teenager and I started getting stoned with my neighbor Joey. We both worked for his dad on the irrigation ditches as grunt laborers, and during our lunch and our breaks we’d blaze up a joint.
I felt this was one of the best parts of my day, and I really couldn’t understand prohibition.
So I started buying and wearing shirts that said “Cannabis will save the world”, “free the weed”, etc.
This got me no where fast with my teachers, neighbors and especially my parents.
After one of my parents big disputes, they separated for the 3rd or 4th time and I got tired of fighting with them over dumb shit and I moved in with my grandma Jennie (who we would later name our second child after). Grandma Jennie let me be a kid, and I really enjoyed the freedom of not having to kiss anyone’s ass, or having the expectation of being someone that I was not.
But my parents thought that I was just too independent, and confused it with being crazy, or having ADD, or something. So they doped me up on a bunch of pills.
Later they would complain that I was violent, loud, mean. However I was just trying to mind my own business and live outside their home when they started force feeding me prescription speed (Ritalin) and Zoloft (a highly unpredictable anti-depressant) after forcing me to move back in with them.
So then I developed a few drug habits at the ripe age of 15. After awhile of my drug usage, they got pissed because I was sharing joints with my siblings. I thought “damn, would you rather feed them pills for their issues, or something safe to relax with like weed”?
That attitude got me kicked out of my parents house shortly after they forced me to move back in with them.
This was the game for many years, in and then out, in and then out. I would often have the police called to have me brought home, just to end up running away after a violent episode. Sometimes caused by me, and sometimes caused by others in my family. But the results were usually the same. I would be myself, I would rebel a little bit, maybe color my hair, get a tattoo or something of that sort, and then they would load me up with drugs, and in the end there would be a violent episode.
To this day I have about 4 people who would love to blame all of the miserable episodes of their life on me. But these are the same people who were using their own forms of drugs while at the same time forcing drugs down my throat.
Later on my little brother Justin would kill himself at age 16 years old, while doped up just like I was doped up.
If anyone wants to know how this effects other kids, you don’t have to take my word for it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URP6m0RaQzE
Now that my brother is dead, I often get the episode that killed him blamed on me, which at the time I was not on drugs, I was not violent, and I was taking my brother to church with me.
But because of his depression he was loaded up on several medications, even though depression is a very normal teenage emotion, and it was those drugs that killed him.
I have been using cannabis again since 2007 after quitting for many years, and there is absolutely no way that I get violent now, or back when I was a kid after using cannabis. I don’t get depressed, I don’t get anxious, I don’t get loud, and I don’t get suicidal. But because it was an “illegal drug” it gets blamed over and over and over by parents for their kids behavior.
If only parents could understand that these horrible, toxic prescription drugs are the cause. Or if the would have saw the signs of these drugs while they were getting them prescribed to us.
Utah leads the nation in two very tragic things.
My heart goes out to parents who have been duped into giving their kids toxic prescription medications.
My advice. Deal with your kids one on one, don’t dope them up to solve easy problems that all teenagers go through!
There is a lot to be said about Biblical people in South Africa.
Emperor Haile Selassie I, the 225 Emperor in the Solomonic Dynasty, a decedent of Solomon and the Makeda aka The Queen of Shebah.
Then you have the Lemba which have a direct and genetic lineage to the Cohen Priesthood of the Jews, or the High Priests.
Which is interesting, because these folks are still High Priests, and yet they are black. Not only did Mormons say that all of the high priests were killed off. But they also said blacks were cursed and could not even hold the priesthood.
These Lemba have more of a right to hold the priesthood of God than most Mormons. In fact I know very few Mormons who qualify, since they do not meet the requirements in Numbers 3, about being sons of Aaron. These Lemba are Sons of Aaron, and have preserved their Jewish rites for 2000 years since leaving Israel in 70 A.D.
Shalom!
Police Harassment in Utah
I have been researching the beginning of cannabis prohibition in the USA. I have found several sources that show that the first prohibition of cannabis in the USA started with Mormons in Utah, without any science or logical reasoning.
Mormons which outlaw coffee, tea, alcohol, and tobacco for dogmatic religious reasons, banned cannabis when a group of Mormon missionaries returned from Mexico with cannabis.
This movie “High – A true tale of American Marijuana” is a great show with truthful history of cannabis prohibition in the USA.
I HIGHLY recommend it!
“HIGH The True Tale of American Marijuana”
Also see a post that I made about this on xCannabis.com.
Also reference drugwarrant.com which has a great article on the subject.
This is a conversation that I recently got into with some long time LDS blogger aquaintenances that I have chatted with for over 8 years. I felt compelled to bring this conversation to my blog and archive it, because with some of these same folks, I have had over 500 posts deleted in one day. So I wanted to set the record straight, and archive it.
I’ve done this before when they have accused me of lying, cheating, and abusing them. ROFL. I either make a video, and/or archive these conversations for later. I have a whole collection of these conversations spanning over 8 years, because of how many times I’ve been censored by some of these folks.
Anyway, this conversation is about LDS sponsored prohibition. I made comments earlier in the conversation about “Why don’t LDS spend more money feeding the poor and helping out widows, and less time and money trying to take people’s rights away”..
Burt LDS in brown, Whew in blue and me in red:
If you drink that coffee your going to hell
“Then you make a statement that the LDS financed over half of the Prop 8 campaign! First off the LDS Church did not contribute any money to the Prop 8 campaign! Second what ever the real contribution by LDS members to the Prop 8 campaign, it is within their right to contribute to what they want to pass! No real rights were taken away by prop 8 just the right to call a same sex union a marriage, which is not a right!” My Previous comment!
Burt, if the LDS leaders that urged the members to donate, doesn’t qualify. And if the members don’t make up the organization. Then you have a point.
Here is an apostle urging the members to support the initiative: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=1B2ECCDC5A032A82&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&v=ewXaVmfOj2w
And the members responded. The members make the church. Without the members, the organization doesn’t exist.
Again I want you to back up your claim that the LDS Church financed over 50% of the Prop 8 campaign or admit that you Lied!
What happens when you learned the truth? Do you apologize Burt?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,[44][45][46] whose members are commonly known as Mormons, also publicly supported the proposition. The First Presidency of the church announced its support for Proposition 8 in a letter intended to be read in every congregation in California. In this letter, church members were encouraged to “do all you can to support the proposed constitutional amendment by donating of your means and time.”[47][48] The response of the LDS membership to their leadership’s appeals to donate money and volunteer time was very supportive,[49] such that Latter-day Saints provided a significant source for financial donations in support of the proposition, both inside and outside the State of California.[50] About 45% of out-of-state contributions to ProtectMarriage.com came from Utah, over three times more than any other state.[51] ProtectMarriage, the official proponents of Proposition 8, estimate that about half the donations they received came from LDS sources, and that “eighty to ninety percent” of the early volunteers going door-to-door were LDS.[52] The LDS Church produced and broadcast to its congregations a program describing the opposition to the Proposition, and describing the timeline it proposes for what it describes as grassroots efforts to oppose the Proposition.[53][54] Local LDS leaders set organizational and monetary goals for their membership-sometimes quite specific-to fulfill this call.
Minnesota, Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado and Utah all have 3.2 beer laws!
I’ve lived in Colorado, a state where in fact you CAN buy wine in the grocery store, which IS stronger than 3.2%. Don’t misinterpret what I said.
If I want to cook with wine, I can go to the grocery store in the states that you have listed, and buy wine for my meal. In Utah, no go.In Utah the only beer you can buy in a grocery, convenience, or drug store is 3.2 % by weight the only place you can buy higher content beer is in Liquer stores and some bars with Liquer license, with high content beer aproval! In Colorado the only beer you can buy in a Grocery store or convenience store is 3.2% by weight Some drug stores can sell 5% by volume beer! Some bars can get a licence to sell 5% by volume beer but they are not allowed to advertise the higher content, therefore you never know what you may get when you walk in to a bar! In Minnesota, some places can get a license to sell 5% by volume beer but it is not easy! In oklahoma 3.2% by weight is the normal but some places can sell 5% by volume beer but it has to be at room temperature!
See my last response.
How did Utah get 3.2% by weight beer in the first place? Federal regulation during prohibition! Many states were slow to change to higher contents after the law was changed! Most states were more concerned with harder Alcholol. But the 5 listed above still have not increase the alchohol level in Beer! How much difference is there between 3.2% by weight and 5% by volume? 3.2% by weight is the same as 4% by volume so it is 1% difference by volume! the difference between beer and 80 proof vodka (40% by volume) is 35% by volume 1% does not seem as much does it?
Did you fail to comment on the fact that Utah was the only state in the Union with “Private Clubs” as opposed to traditional pubs and bars?
http://www.sltrib.com/tourism/ci_12721457don’t you feel foolish constantly posting false information and statements that have no basis in facts?
Out of all of the times I have to repeat the facts, and provide sources, over and over again. Sometimes it’s just too much for me. I posted the truth (again) and I just backed it up (again). Do you ever feel compelled to offer an apology? After 8 years, probably not… ;(Burt
Whew says:
Good post Steve! Isn’t it interesting how Ryan claims Aspirin has killed more people than “Weed”. I sometimes watch the TV program called “Cops”, and it is very interesting at how many times the Police stop guy’s and gal’s under the influence of “Pot”, “weed” take your pick. And it is very interesting how the Police will not let them continue to drive their car, I wonder why?
I have never advocated for anyone to drive while intoxicated on anything. Not pain killers, not alcohol, not prozac. I don’t believe in driving while intoxicated, and Im glad that there are laws against it.
However, if you want to know more about it, have you ever tried to find a study that demonstrates how a person reacts while stoned?
I have, here is one of few studies on the subject. (BTW- If you look up statistics, there isn’t much to find there either. Why?)~Ryan
Links
Alcohol related automobile fatalities in the USA
Information about marijuana related auto fatalities
Video showing a drunk man buying alcohol at 10:45 in the morning
Video of a man driving while stoned (televised study of the effects before and after)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3zou4F00Ic[/youtube]
You decide which is more harmful. Cannabis, or alcohol… I dont advocate for driving while intoxicated. However, there is a reason why there are 40 million marijuana smokers in the USA, and so few marijuana related accidents. And it has nothing to do with prohibition.
More information about Prop 8 financing: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/01/top-officials-w.html
(this post was removed from the original blog, or at least made private so that general visitors of the site can’t see it.
“Then you make a statement that the LDS financed over half of the Prop 8 campaign! First off the LDS Church did not contribute any money to the Prop 8 campaign! Second what ever the real contribution by LDS members to the Prop 8 campaign, it is within their right to contribute to what they want to pass! No real rights were taken away by prop 8 just the right to call a same sex union a marriage, which is not a right!” My Previous comment!
Burt, if the LDS leaders that urged the members to donate, doesn’t qualify. And if the members don’t make up the organization. Then you have a point.
Here is an apostle urging the members to support the initiative: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=1B2ECCDC5A032A82&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&v=ewXaVmfOj2w
And the members responded. The members make the church. Without the members, the organization doesn’t exist.
Again I want you to back up your claim that the LDS Church financed over 50% of the Prop 8 campaign or admit that you Lied!
What happens when you learned the truth? Do you apologize Burt?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,[44][45][46] whose members are commonly known as Mormons, also publicly supported the proposition. The First Presidency of the church announced its support for Proposition 8 in a letter intended to be read in every congregation in California. In this letter, church members were encouraged to “do all you can to support the proposed constitutional amendment by donating of your means and time.” Local LDS leaders set organizational and monetary goals for their membership-sometimes quite specific-to fulfill this call.[47][48] The response of the LDS membership to their leadership’s appeals to donate money and volunteer time was very supportive,[49] such that Latter-day Saints provided a significant source for financial donations in support of the proposition, both inside and outside the State of California.[50] About 45% of out-of-state contributions to ProtectMarriage.com came from Utah, over three times more than any other state.[51] ProtectMarriage, the official proponents of Proposition 8, estimate that about half the donations they received came from LDS sources, and that “eighty to ninety percent” of the early volunteers going door-to-door were LDS.[52] The LDS Church produced and broadcast to its congregations a program describing the opposition to the Proposition, and describing the timeline it proposes for what it describes as grassroots efforts to oppose the Proposition.[53][54]
Minnesota, Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado and Utah all have 3.2 beer laws!
I’ve lived in Colorado, a state where in fact you CAN buy wine in the grocery store, which IS stronger than 3.2%. Don’t misinterpret what I said.
If I want to cook with wine, I can go to the grocery store in the states that you have listed, and buy wine for my meal. In Utah, no go.
In Utah the only beer you can buy in a grocery, convenience, or drug store is 3.2 % by weight the only place you can buy higher content beer is in Liquer stores and some bars with Liquer license, with high content beer aproval! In Colorado the only beer you can buy in a Grocery store or convenience store is 3.2% by weight Some drug stores can sell 5% by volume beer! Some bars can get a licence to sell 5% by volume beer but they are not allowed to advertise the higher content, therefore you never know what you may get when you walk in to a bar! In Minnesota, some places can get a license to sell 5% by volume beer but it is not easy! In oklahoma 3.2% by weight is the normal but some places can sell 5% by volume beer but it has to be at room temperature!
See my last response.
How did Utah get 3.2% by weight beer in the first place? Federal regulation during prohibition! Many states were slow to change to higher contents after the law was changed! Most states were more concerned with harder Alcholol. But the 5 listed above still have not increase the alchohol level in Beer! How much difference is there between 3.2% by weight and 5% by volume? 3.2% by weight is the same as 4% by volume so it is 1% difference by volume! the difference between beer and 80 proof vodka (40% by volume) is 35% by volume 1% does not seem as much does it?
Did you fail to comment on the fact that Utah was the only state in the Union with “Private Clubs” as opposed to traditional pubs and bars?
http://www.sltrib.com/tourism/ci_12721457
don’t you feel foolish constantly posting false information and statements that have no basis in facts?
Out of all of the times I have to repeat the facts, and provide sources, over and over again. Sometimes it’s just too much for me. I posted the truth (again) and I just backed it up (again). Do you ever feel compelled to offer an apology? After 8 years, probably not… ;(
Burt
Whew says:
Good post Steve! Isn’t it interesting how Ryan claims Aspirin has killed more people than “Weed”. I sometimes watch the TV program called “Cops”, and it is very interesting at how many times the Police stop guy’s and gal’s under the influence of “Pot”, “weed” take your pick. And it is very interesting how the Police will not let them continue to drive their car, I wonder why?
I have never advocated for anyone to drive while intoxicated on anything. Not pain killers, not alcohol, not prozac. I don’t believe in driving while intoxicated, and Im glad that there are laws against it.
However, if you want to know more about it, have you ever tried to find a study that demonstrates how a person reacts while stoned?
I have, here is one of few studies on the subject. (BTW- If you look up statistics, there isn’t much to find there either. Why?)
~Ryan
Links
Alcohol related automobile fatalities in the USA
Information about marijuana related auto fatalities
Video showing a drunk man buying alcohol at 10:45 in the morning
Video Showing a stoned man using cannabis while driving (before getting stoned and after)
You decide which is more harmful. Cannabis, or alcohol… I dont advocate for driving while intoxicated. However, there is a reason why there are 40 million marijuana smokers in the USA, and so few marijuana related accidents. And it has nothing to do with prohibition.
More information about Prop 8 financing: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/01/top-officials-w.html
