What's the deal with...

[HaggisShuu]

...people pretending to be Church members? 
 

There are at least 2 examples I can think of in my local area (possibly more) where there are people claiming to be a member of the Church, but who don't attend, don't have records and aren't known by anyone who regularly attends - not to mention, definitely not living by the standards of the Church. 
(I'm not living in an area where there are offshoots of the church either so these people are living a pure fantasy)

What could the motivations possibly be here? Has anybody seen something similar in their wards? 

[LDSGator]

Could they be lapsed members? Nominal? Jack Mormons?

[mikbone]

Nope, not a problem in Northern CA.

Where do you live?

Edited September 8, 2024 by mikbone

[NeuroTypical]

I can think of two things.   First, being a member isn't the automatic-suspicion-oh-crap-this-guy-is-in-a-cult that it used to be.  We're fairly respected now as honest, hard working, good people.  Some folks want to be a part of the community and avail themselves of the blessings of having automatic friends wherever you go, that they just pretend in order to be a part.  Sometimes this is nefarious, sometimes it's driven from longing or loneliness.  

Second, some folks are trying to run an outright scam.  The "Con" in conman stands for 'confidence', where the scammer buddies up with their target and builds trust/relationship/affiliation, in order to make it more likely that the scam will be successful.  I've got two bits of personal experience.  One was a family of scammers who got themselves deeply into church fast offerings pockets, before they were found out and the money stopped flowing.  Another was a homeless guy during covid who tried to live on church grounds out of his car.  He busted into every shed we had, and almost gained entry to the ward building by following me in, but I didn't allow it.  After the cops got involved, he played his "I'm a member of [so-and-so stake], just passing through" card, and the church didn't press charges for the property destruction.

The second group of people often have no problem getting baptized, because it helps with the con.   So I'm guessing maybe your folks are most likely falling into the first category?

[JohnsonJones]

I read a news story recently about a TV series that was recently made (Secret Lives of Mormon Wives or something).  As I read the article I was horrified at what these woman who claimed they were LDS were doing.  My thoughts were how they had not been excommunicated for their flagrant and blatant acts which were against the church teachings.  It was just so blatant.  So out in the open about the things they were doing that were obviously NOT what our church teaches us to do. 

And yet, the news story had them listed as "Mormon" and the TV series apparently highlighted these atrocious acts they were participating in and seemed to be proud of. 

I would say people can do some pretty crazy things that not only are against the teachings of the church, but would be against the teachings of almost any Christian religion, and still claim to be LDS or Mormon. 

[mikbone]

6 hours ago, JohnsonJones said:

My thoughts were how they had not been excommunicated for their flagrant and blatant acts which were against the church teachings.

We don’t excommunicate anymore.

Policy has changed.  See chapter 32 of the handbook.

Instead of being "disfellowshipped," members are given "formal membership restrictions." Excommunication, or being removed from the organization, is labeled a "withdrawal of membership."

We perform ordinances for the dead without verifying if the dead are worthy, or even if they want the blessings.

Eventually every knee will bow and every tongue confess.

Is kinda hard to listen to them bad mouth the church while dancing half nakid drinking booze and labeling themselves as Mormon’s.

But then again look at Alma the Younger.

As the Church continues to grow this will become more and more of an issue.

Buckle up.

Edited September 9, 2024 by mikbone

[Traveler]

Lucifer has often presented himself as the Messiah or Christ.  It is not uncommon for those that were once enlightened to think they have increased in enlightenment after they have left the fold. In short, the worse apostates are those that think themselves the more enlightened.

 

The Traveler

[EH12NG]

Nemo the Mormon has just received his letter to attend a meeting regarding his status. Naturally, he's playing the victim.