One true church

Pros of Mormonism from the perspective of the
Believer	Ex-believer
The believing Mormon believes or knows that Mormonism is the one true and living church on the Earth. While many other religions and philosophies have elements of truth, and many people in other faiths are sincere, only within Mormonism is there fullness of doctrine, power of the priesthood, and accurate understanding of Jesus and Heavenly Father. Most believing Mormons count themselves truly blessed to be living with the true and restored gospel in their lives.	-- N/A --

 

Cons of Mormonism from the perspective of the
Believer	Ex-believer
It is no secret that “This doctrine often generates resistance and repels the casual investigator” and that, when we talk about this doctrine, “Sometimes we do this in a way that gives great offense to people who belong to other churches or who subscribe to other philosophies.” However, the believer likely just sees this as an unfortunate, inevitable side effect of having the truth. If Mormonism is true, then there is not much you can do to apologize for that. If anything, you should be proud to have the truth.	It seems that most people, believers and ex-believers, agree that this doctrine can be offensive. It is no secret that “This doctrine often generates resistance and repels the casual investigator” and that, when we talk about this doctrine, “Sometimes we do this in a way that gives great offense to people who belong to other churches or who subscribe to other philosophies.”   Many former Mormons, however, count this belief as much more than just offensive; some view it as one of the most harmful aspects of Mormonism. Many are ashamed of the arrogance and egocentrism that they used to have as a believer, of believing that they were really part of the 0.1% of the world’s population that had all of God’s truth. Yes, Mormonism acknowledges that other faiths and philosophies have goodness, but for many Mormons this is impossible to tease out and becomes lip service. Wrong is still wrong. You are wrong and we are right. It is hard to put rosy glasses on this doctrine when Joseph Smith said that all other sects are an  abomination; the Book of Mormon says there are only two churches, the church of God and the church of the devil; Dallin Oaks says that atheists are the great and abominable church, Preach my Gospel tells missionaries that “the honest seeker of truth will soon come to feel that the Book of Mormon is the word of God” (people who don’t feel this way are not honest seekers of truth!).   It seems especially harmful to children that they are taught they are part of God’s one and only true church. This can instill arrogance and egocentrism that might handicap them for life in truly appreciating the good in other cultures, religions, and philosophies. It is very difficult for children and even adults to truly show respect to their non-Mormon friends who are “living in sin” and “don’t have the truth”.   Because culture is irreparably intertwined with Mormonism, converts in foreign countries end up sacrificing a lot of their culture in order to join God’s one true church. Converts directly or indirectly learn that many parts of their culture are inferior to everything in Mormonism – a western tradition that stems from 19th century white protestant America