September 27, 2016

Okay here it goes

So I’ve seen all the anti-Mormon posts polluting the tags, offending and hurting our community here on Tumblr. And, in all honesty, I really can’t take it seriously. See, I spent years as an anti-Mormon myself, so whenever I see the “educating and enlightening” posts on the truths of Mormonism, I’m like, “Pffft. Been there, done that.”

I did all the same stuff they’re doing. I tried to “save” my family and friends from the Mormon myth, and I used all the same tactics. I pointed to Polygamy as proof that the faith started as a sex cult, I showed my family documentaries about the illegitimacy of the Book of Mormon, the incorrectly translated papyrus from the Book of Abraham, the underhanded dealings revolving around Joseph Smith, Brigham Young’s obvious racism, Mountain Meadows massacre, you name it. If I thought it would weaken people’s testimony and weaken the influence Mormonism had on my life and community, I told the whole world about it.

And did it do any good? Nope. Mormons – like my mom and dad – shrugged their shoulders and went on believing. And for the record, my parents weren’t even active most of my life. They still aren’t. But they do believe. 

And that’s when I (finally) realized that my opinions about Mormonism and the Church basically meant zilch. What I had was a personal vendetta born out my feelings of disappointment and rejection because of disagreement with Church teachings. I, in my immaturity, had thought that my disagreeing meant the Church and the Restored Gospel couldn’t be true, blah, blah, blah. I had failed to see that my personal testimony had nothing to do with the Church and so I allowed myself to be carried off into a whirlwind of anti-Mormon nonsense to help deal with it. I thought that if I could convince others that the Church was fraudulent and leaving Mormonism was best, then my choice to leave would be legitimate. And I made myself believe that I was somehow superior, because I wasn’t going to believe in a faith as ridiculous as Mormonism or stay in a Church that I believed was homophobic and sexist. I actually thought I was smarter than believing Mormons. 

But I realized I was wrong and I stopped. I allowed myself to have a testimony, despite my disagreements with official Church policy and reclaimed my faith. Now I believe too. 

So, nowadays when I see anti-Mormon posts, all I see is a group of people who have been hurt or disappointed in some way by the actions of an imperfect people of an imperfect church and can’t let it go. Or people who have a preoccupation with making sure that everyone they think is wrong knows it and why. Either way, it’s a dismal and unfulfilled life. I should know, I lived it. And I pray every day that these people are comforted soon, that they might be able to lay down their grievances and let it be, or else come back into the fold and be healed. If anything, they desperately need to understand that their fight will not destroy the faith of millions of people – it will only make themselves more bitter and intolerant. 

And I bear my testimony that I believe with all my heart that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. I believe in the Book of Mormon, that it is the word of God, and is another testimony of Jesus Christ. I believe that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet of God, called to restore the Gospel in these latter days. I believe that Thomas S. Monson is a living Prophet today, that he does speak to and receive revelation from our Heavenly Father for the betterment of all mankind. And I say these things in the name of our beloved Savior, even Jesus Christ, Amen.

(Also, in case you were wondering, yes. Alma the Younger is my favorite BoM prophet. We have (almost) the same story after all.) 

tell it sister

what did this bird do

I wish i had context on this 

here u go

I don’t think the contexts helps in this case.

I’ve been collecting these for a while so here are all the ones you missed

I’ve had the ‘I’d sell you to Satan for one corn chip’ picture saved on my computer for years, and I have NEVER SEEN THE REST OF THESE.

I’m so pleased.

@tiaanjerjerrod @genmaximilianveers @kinkysoviets

#freshly peeled sheeps

reblogging solely for that deeply unnerving caption

@theosartisticthematics

FRESHLY PEELED SHEEPS

Fuck this. Does everyone just not see the blood scrapes on some of their backs and faces???!!! Anyone, seriously, correct me if I’m wrong because this is making me upset af

Domesticated sheep need to be sheared because they don’t shed their coats on their own and it can be bad for their health if it gets too big.

Also, it looks considering how close they cut that it went fairly well. I see like 2 nicks maybe, but with the photo it’s hard to tell. I mean, unfortunately, you’re going to nick a few animals because they don’t understand the order of “stand still” very well. 

Sheep can die from heat exhaustion if they aren’t sheared. 

Also, their skin secretes lanolin, which quickly soothes and heals any nicks they get during shearing. 

in conclusion, it is good to peel the sheeps

Please peel your sheeps

Go take your anti peeling agenda elsewhere

Goat onions

BREAKING: Pres. Obama releases statement on Pres. Trump’s decision to rescind DACA: “Ultimately, this is about basic decency …  It’s about who we are as a people – and who we want to be.”

VP Biden on Pres. Trump’s DACA decision: “Let’s be clear: throwing [Dreamers] out is cruel. It is inhumane.”

The Dream Team is at it again 👌

OH MY GOD 🙊. YOU SHOULDN’T SKIP THIS WITHOUT WATCHING. YOU WİLL NOT REGRET IT. THIS IS A MASTERPIECE 😻💕

|• Cr: @voordeel from Youtube •|

Well fuck, who’s gonna tell them that Super Man is an illegal immigrant?

THAT.

The DC trinity is a Jewish anti-gun activist, a illegal immigrant whose arch-nemesis is a billionaire industrialist, and a bisexual feminist pacifist. 

tonight i laughed at a video of irish people trying to get a bat out of their kitchen for like 20 minutes until i had a stitch 

you’re doing great you’re doing great

Peggy Carter is Tony Stark’s godmother AU

When she wasn’t telling her godson bedtime stories about Captain America, she was pulling him out of his depression when his parents were killed. Either way, Tony Stark is the son she never had and Peggy is the loving guardian that Tony always deserved.

(this is my headcanon and I’m sticking to it. Also, yes, that is baby RDJ)

Spidey #10 (2016)

I feel this on such a personal level

Seriously girls

Lena Dunham and Taylor Swift are not role models. If you want to look up to feminist icons, I suggest Zendaya, Emma Watson & Rowan Blanchard.

Looks like you guys can’t use the “well they can’t say no to a role” excuse when it comes to Hollywood’s tendency to whitewash characters.

Here’s his personal statement btw:

50 Harry Potter Themed Asks

1. Hogwarts House?

2: Patronus?

3: Butterbeer, fire whisky, or pumpkin juice

4: Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade?

5: Favorite shop?

6: Your quidditch team?

7: Top five ships?

8: Otp?

9: Notp?

10: Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, or Durmstrang?

11: Your wand?

12: Owl, cat, or toad?

13: Character you most identify with?

14: Character you hate for no good reason?

15: Character you would bring back to life?

16: Character you just want to be happy?

17: What does amortentia smell like to you?

18: Favorite Hogwarts class?

19: Least favorite Hogwarts class?

20: Favorite professor?

21: Centaurs, mermaids, or ghosts?

22: Chocolate frogs or Bertie Bott’s?

23: Zonko’s or Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes?

25: The Leaky Cauldron or The Three Broomsticks?

26: Lowkey ships?

27: Favorite Marauder?

28: The Knight Bus or broomstick travel?

29: Unicorns or Thestrals

30: Your go to spell?

31: Quidditch position or spectator?

32: Favorite friendship?

33: Animagus?

34: Wizarding World job?

35: Your broomstick type?

36: Dream Yule Ball date?

37: Gobstones or Wizard Chess?

38: Crookshanks or Pigwidgeon?

39: Potions expert or charms expert?

40: Favorite common room?

41: The Quibbler or The Daily Prophet?

42: Favorite of the Golden Trio?

43: Fantastic Beasts or The Cursed Child?

44: Invisibility cloak, elder wand, or resurrection stone?

45: Favorite minor character?

46: Harris or Gambon?

47: Would you apparate?

48: Favorite book?

49: Favorite movie?

50: Who would your BFF be?

Someone please, I could talk on Harry Potter for HOURS. This would make my night