Answering the Web’s Most Searched Questions about Mormonism

~~~~~~~~~~

A few resources I mention in the video:

*Many links below are Wikipedia links. Please keep in mind Wikipedia is a website that summarizes information and links to primary sources. I suggest clicking through to as many primary sources as possible after reading a cursory summary of these topics.

*Mormon Garment FAQ:
*Mormon Missionary Handbook:
Smithsonian Letter:
*Mormon scripture on polygamy:
*Apologist explanation for history of the word of wisdom:
*Promises made in a Mormon temple during endowment ceremony:
*Satan more powerful on the water:
*Smithsonian letter concerning The Book of Mormon
*O My Father Lyrics:
*Article on Mormon religion growth rate:
*Countries with highest percentage of Mormons:
*Mormon doctrine to become like God:
*Preparing to become an eternal companion lesson for young women:
*Apologist explanation of Joseph Smith’s polygamy:
*First declaration about ending polygamy
*Mormon prophets who practiced polygamy:

~~~~~~

A few videos that may interest you:

- where to find me -

- support my channel -

[egelgel]

I attended Utah State University in Logan, Utah (~80-90% Mormon population) where I took an Anthropology of Religion class. My professor (also a Mormon, but the most open-minded I have ever met) had a very interesting theory about the true reason coffee and tea became "outlawed" in Mormonism. As you likely know, the church wasn't outright against their consumption until after the Mormon's had settled in Utah and Brigham Young declared that the "revelation" from Joseph Smith now had to be followed fully for any member to be allowed a temple recommend.

My teacher's theory is that Brigham Young's real motivation here was because coffee, tea, and tobacco could not be grown in the local climate, and too much of their money was being exported for these goods, which he wanted to remain in the local community. Therefore, by banning them, more money would stay local. Since the church controlled pretty much the entirety of the wealth in Salt Lake at the time, it would increase the church's income along with his own.

This explanation really stuck with me as the most plausible reason for its ban. When in doubt, follow the money.

[treasuredwisp]

To think like 4 months ago if I stumbled across this video, I would have claimed that Alyssa was doing the devil's work and clicked off in a rush. Now I can see clearly that she is speaking very calmly and logically. All it took was for me to experience a spiritual level of peace after accepting being gay and going on a date with a guy.

As a side note I remember going to the temple to receive my endowment for the first time and having the thought cross my mind, "am I in a cult?". (Keep in mind I had no doubts in my belief that the church was completely true at the time so that is saying a lot if I got bad vibes) I seriously felt so anxious. The man who was guiding me through it had me change into my garments in the locker room. I don't remember why, but I was worried about privacy and the man made a comment like "just be glad you don't have to do the initiatory partially naked like we used to do." I was so uncomfortable. Then add on the strange clothing, chants, signs, tokens, and brainwashing voice telling you to obey or suffer the consequences. I will say, the celestial room is great. It's quiet, peaceful, allows you to think, and often times the room is pretty. After getting there and feeling that peace I thought to myself, maybe it's not a cult, maybe the devil is trying to convince me that it is. (Which is strange because why would the devil be inside the temple?) I have since realized, you can feel that same peace in other quiet and beautiful, bright rooms outside of the temple.

I'm glad I figured this out while I'm still young (23) and not when I'm like old. I was seriously going to marry a girl have babies and live the Mormon lifestyle forever while keeping my feelings for men a secret. Now I can marry who I want and live my life in a way that is fulfilling to me. I thought that leaving the church would automatically make me a bad person, but you know what? I still have a tender heart, I love helping and supporting others, and I am probably a lot more understanding and empathetic than when I still believed in the church. I've changed, but not in a bad way.

[TheSoonyGirl]

My grandparents are struggling with the rules. They’re struggling with wearing the garments with their ill health and disabilities. My grandad struggles because his mind isn’t stable and I think he forgets he’s a Mormon and an elder, and says annti Mormon things., and sometimes their ill health means they can’t attend church. And instead of helping them they shun them and have nothing to do with them unless they’re “perfect”. my grandad he couldn’t find his temple card in his wallet and they made my elderly parents go back home, but it was in his wallet all a long, he needed help and patients not to be turned away. They deserve compassion, and the church is being cruel and petty to them and it’s sad My nana can’t see it. They make poor elderly people pay their tithes even though they struggle to pay bills. My grandad would go to peoples houses to give sacrament (before his mind problems), but when my nana needed it they wouldn’t go to her. The church has no compassion for disabled or mentally unwell people. They make a big show of helping people when they first join up, but when things get difficult later they make people feel excluded.

[haileylarson]

My dad's been an exmormon my whole life, but still participated in the church for my mom. He was teaching our primary class the word of wisdom, when he said coffee was against the WOW I got super scared and yelled "but dad! You drink coffee!"

[barubary]

For Alyssa: You're one of the YouTubers that could easily branch out to other topics/niches due to just generally being a good presenter and making quality videos. I know there's an unlimited amount of ExMo stuff to go on for a long time, but it's probably worth keeping in mind if you have other areas you'd enjoy creating in. 😊

[mewoisbest]

I plan on leaving the church when I’m 18. Your videos have really helped me understand Mormonism on a deeper level. I knew I wasn’t a believer of the church in my early years of teen hood but admittedly I couldn’t stop believing. Mormonism really is a mental prison. It’s only recently- within this last year I’ve confidently been able to say I’m not Mormon at all. I can’t wait for my 18th birthday so I can leave and pick up a copy of your book :)

[rs]

The interesting thing about the garments not being damaged is that the majority of time you are in some type of accident your core body parts aren't damaged. It's usually your arms, legs, hands, and feet because they are your mobile parts of the body. This is why the majority of your scars are on your hands, because you use your hands more than any other body part. The majority of injuries are on hands, arms, legs, and feet.

[jamesblossom-yu]

My Morman experience & why subscribed to your podcast: In high school I dated the Morman bishops' daughter. We got engaged about the time I was sent to Vietnam. She dear johned me six months into my tour. I later married a Thai woman on my second tour. We had a little boy and when we drove to Washington state to show him to my mother. We had a blowout in a blizzard, and had to stop in Montecello Utah where I rented a motel room. My altenator had also failed so I spent time out in three feet of snow trying to fix it. My wife came to see if she could get me a lobby coffee. She looked like native American, so they told me I had to leave right away. I managed to go to a parts store and bought a spare battery and jumper cables and we left after getting a charge on the battery. As I had been told that no motel in town would rent us a room I was upset. So I took my WIFE AND SIX WEEK OLD BABY OUT INTO A BLIZZAD ON *CHRISTMAS EVE* and left Morman land as fast as could! Never had a good thought about Utah or Mormons again.

[kelliebporter]

I'm 61. 5th generation Mormon. I have recently left. Everything you've said has been taught at some point. My father is 94, raised in Utah, he has some great stories from the early days. (I'm lucky that my parents left Utah before I was born but I am now living in Utah...) In my opinion
Many of the things taught are fear based. They're scaring you into their heaven

[darthszarych]

If I serve a hot drink in a bowl with a spoon, then it's a soup and it's ok.

[idontknow]

The Coffee Paradox alone would force me to reevaluate the entire faith - the drink itself i could take or leave but its the principle of the thing: this is very obviously a purposefully confusing and convoluted list of rules used by the top rich men to control and subjugate the rank and file members FOR LIFE

[AlexaSmith]

honestly alyssa i think ur "calling" to be a teacher is coming true right now and i feel like ur teaching style is just perfect for youtube and the viewer base you have. you'd honestly make a great professor i think. clearly passionate about subjects and want to share information and you're great at presenting it.

[jayajohal]

babe wake up, alyssa grenfell posted !!

[SimplyMeVictoria]

7:07 "coffee can keep you from being with your family forever"
*takes large sip*

[NewtBannner]

Your videos have been therapy for me in a weird way. Never Mormon but when I was in high school I dated a Mormon girl and we were sweet hearts Junior and Senior year. Her dad hated me, never wanted to interact with me and my family, never knew why. She broke up with me a week before graduation and she ended up going to BYU Idaho and got married after the end of her freshman year with a guy she met mid way thru her fall semester. After watching your videos about generational Mormons being a bit racist (I’m half Hispanic) and not liking churches like Catholicism, which I was, it definitely makes me feel more at peace in someways, instead of wondering “what did I do”

[danielsturge]

I'm a practicing member of the LDS Church, I got baptised in April, yet I get a lot of recommendations for your content. I don't always watch it for obvious reasons but when I do you are very informative and I do learn a lot (like the wine at sacrament thing, I had no idea about that!) and I have to give credit that this really is some quality content

[raganmasterson]

Haha! Literally had to pause this video to answer the door… two young Mormon men on their mission! I had a nice chat with them and told them I was watching your video and thanks to you I understood much more of what they’re going through. I wished them well and made sure to mention your channel again as they left.

[onceuponamelody]

As an autistic person, all the inconsistent rules would drive me nuts! 😂

[lizardh.]

You claim to not be a good teacher and yet have such an apt way of speaking. It's quite pleasurable listening to your "double-lessons". You are in fact a great teacher, but maybe more so outside of the conventional classroom and within your comfort zone. Down to earth and critical thinker. Keep it up!

[anthonydelfino]

29:50 "never take part in watersports"

I had to do a little giggle since now leaving the church and coming out as gay... "water sports" took on an entirely different meaning