Brothers and Sisters, today marks three months since I started this blog. It has been a wonderful journey. I made it clear when I started that as a stake president I do not speak for the church as a whole, but am happy to share my insights as prompted by the Lord.
My intention was to follow the counsel given by church apostle M. Russell Ballard who urged us to use the Internet, blogs, and other forms of new media to contribute to a national conversation about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He suggested that we “join the conversation by participating on the Internet, particularly the New Media, to share the gospel and to explain in simple and clear terms the message of the Restoration.” This I have attempted to do on my blog.
He explained further that conversations about the Church would take place whether or not Church members decided to participate in them. “We cannot stand on the sidelines while others, including our critics, attempt to define what the Church teaches,” he said.
He suggested that we “join the conversation by participating on the Internet, particularly the New Media, to share the gospel and to explain in simple and clear terms the message of the Restoration.” This I have attempted to do on my blog.
He explained further that conversations about the Church would take place whether or not Church members decided to participate in them. “We cannot stand on the sidelines while others, including our critics, attempt to define what the Church teaches,” he said.
It is in this spirit that I decided (after a telephone discussion with an area authority seventy and Elder Bednar) to go online and be completely open about my role in the church. I will let you know that I am building up quite a reputation amongst the general authorities of the church. Boyd K. Packer is especially excited about this project and you will soon see other stake presidents coming online as they follow the example I have set.
As many of you know I not only have this blog but can also be found on Facebook at the below link or you can add me (Bill Paternoster) as a friend.
My online endeavors have as predicted resulted in much persecution, but I have heard the voice of the Lord in my own heart whisper clearly to me “President Paternoster I the Lord have descended below all things, art thou greater than me?”
While many faithful members are fearful I have not shied away from preaching repentance unto the Ex-Mormon community. I can confirm to the brethren that they have indeed become a stiff necked and loathsome people. They have banned me from their forums, but I am happy to report that several individuals have been rescued and brought back from the very grasps of Satan to the depths of humility.
As an example I started this thread. Not only was the link to my faith promoting blog edited out, but the moderators disabled my account and (if you look at the bottom of the thread) the discussion was quickly closed.
They had another discussion on me at this link:
Another faithful Church member and I tried to warn the lost people at this site that they were no better than Satan’s fallen angels, but they just argued against our counsel (as of comment# 508) and the discussion was ended by a moderator who could no longer stand for her flock to hear the message of truth.
The lost souls over at ‘Post Mormon’ are having a current discussion on me. I tried to join their site that I might rebuke them, but do you think the moderators over there allowed me to join? No of course they didn’t and I will now tell you why. They and all Ex-Mormon sites do not want their converts to be ‘corrupted’ by a faithful member such as me. They know that if they allowed their people to be exposed to the faith promoting words of a stake president many would turn away from their evil paths and return to the truths of the gospel. They would then lose the donation dollars that they so desperately seek. It is this sort of information mind controlling cultish activity that I as a servant of the Lord intend to stamp out. Ex-Mormons I have one message for you and it is the same message that Moses had for the wicked Pharaoh; LET MY PEOPLE GO.
You can read their discussion below. It will become painfully obvious to all that since leaving the church they have completely lost the spirit of discernment:
The folks at “Life After Mormonism” (http://www.lifeaftermormonism.net/) are engaged in a similar discussion to the one at Post Mormon which I was permitted to start. That discussion requires a login which I am afraid may be taken from me at any time as I have been told to go away in words which cannot be repeated here.
All I asked was how leaders such as myself could make the church more relevant in their lives. For a group called 'life after Mormonism' I considered this to be a very fair question.
Discouraged but determined I decided to take reprieve amongst my own faithful church members, but found to my dismay that just like the savior ‘mine own received me not’. In fact in their misunderstanding they have been working hard at bringing this blog down (as of comment #39 below):
By uniting together, forgetting their priesthood and other church duties and spending all their spare time clicking on the “Report Abuse” link at the top of this blog (and on my Facebook posts) those offended at my blog did manage to temporarily succeed to the point where I had to prove my identity beyond doubt in order to continue the blog. Now that this is done they can click all they want, but it profiteth them nothing. This was noticed and spoken of at this rather interesting blog: http://cognitivedissenter.com/?p=3080
I don’t know what has become of these so-called faithful members. Do they not believe that I am working under the direction of the twelve?
I often feel as did the redeemer, rejected and downtrodden. But I will one day be lifted up, and will stand at the bar of judgment to testify against those who rail against me. All will know in that day that President Paternoster has trodden the winepress alone, hath fought the bitter fight, and in so doing has brought salvation to his soul.
In terms of finding a home on the internet I often feel to lament that foxes have holes, birds have nests, but President Paternoster hath not where to lay his head.
I was pleased to be highly spoken of at this link, but then I noticed that some of the comments were not in harmony with the teachings of the Lord and my words became twisted and used against me as did the Saviors:
Dear sweet Lisa, who in a state of confusion left the church, wrote about me on her blog
I know with the Lords help I will be able to get through to her though. With the assistance of loving visiting teachers who keep reaching out to her with cookies I do not doubt that she will come back to the fold in the due time of the Lord.
Another group of confused Ex-Mormons who have left the church but can’t seem to leave the church alone spoke of me in this manner:
And more recently a homosexual man who was once a worthy priesthood holder spoke of my blog and is, I assume, considering a change of ways and a return to full activity in the church thanks to my efforts with him:
The sister at this site had left the church, but has agreed to meet with me to start the repentance process:
I am pleased that I can as the savior make a difference in the lives of all latter-day saints, no matter how lost they might be.
Members the world over have been thanking me for offending the famous online ‘Bishop Higgins’ to such a point that he has now taken back his position as bishop (though I’m not sure the First Presidency has approved of this action) and has started up his popular blog once more:
My original offending comment can be found towards the end of the comments on the post entitled “The Bishop has Been Released” which was supposed to be his very last post. I had other plans.
I invite all to drink a toast of pure unfermented grape juice from the vine (commonly referred to as wine in the New Testament) to my continued success as I faithfully defend the restored gospel of Jesus Christ both on the internet and within my own stake boundaries as per the counsel given by my friend, associate and fellow disciple in Christ, even Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Yours faithfully,
President William Lilburn Godfrey Paternoster
Pres. P.,
ReplyDeleteThe apostates who oppose you can easily be dismissed. The words of the godless are just bitterness over their own state of unhappiness.
If any of the faithful are causing problems for you, it is only because they are ashamed of the gospel. There is a tendency these days for Mormons to assimilate into the broader culture. This is a trap of the adversary! One of the things I've really admired about your blog is its emphasis on the pure and simple truth. You do not obscure the plain and precious parts of the gospel with misguided "nuance." You stand your ground and use straightforward language that anyone with ears can hear. As far as I can tell you have not even one time misrepresented the gospel or LDS official positions on your blog. Few of us can claim that kind of track record. I can't tell you how refreshing the clarity of your words are in these days of spin and equivocation.
I wish I had a stake president like you. (Mine is a bland corporate patent lawyer who tries to please everybody.)
Mike R.
Like Joseph Smith, your name has been had for both good and evil. Take courage; keep the faith; and God-speed, brother.
ReplyDeleteThose darn ANTI-Mormons are going to get what is coming to them! Leading the people away from the TRUTH! It is so nice to know that they will stand judgment before God for THEY KNOW WHAT THEY DO!
ReplyDeleteMy brother in law is a bishop and he said that reading and looking at ANTI mormon information is worse than Pornography! I am so glad President that you are harkening the plea of the brethern to be open and honest in sharing the good news of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ here on the internet! We will all be better for following your council as clearly you are ordained of God and are his loyal and humble servent! Also just wanted to let you know that we have framed and hung your picture around the house and I believe it is really bringing the spirit to our home! My son even pointed at your picture and said "Jesus" How darling that even he can see who you clearly stand for and follow! What a blessing to belong to the only true church on the face of the whole earth!
Dearest President P,
ReplyDeleteI much apologize for my fellow members at LAM. Forgive them, they know not what they do. As a former member of the church, I for one, welcome your rebukes and calls to repentance. No longer attending church meetings, I have forgotten the feelings of guilt and humility that the church's teachings placed upon me. However, your words bring them right back to the surface. Bless you and the brethren for reminding me of what I am missing.
President Paternoster, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your sincerity and beautiful sermons! I am uplifted and edified by your guidance. We need more priesthood leaders such as yourself who are in tune with god and can expound the gospel so well to the sheep. If you were my SP, I'd surely return to the fold and follow your counsel. It's men like you that make me proud to be born a male and to lead as the head of the home! Thank you for the inspiration you have instilled in me this day and for the spirit of truth I feel through your written words. I only hope that someday we will meet at the judgement bar. May the Lord bless you all the days of your life and use you as an instrument in His hands to touch the lives of the lost sheep.
ReplyDeletePresident P,
ReplyDeleteI just want to thank you for all your efforts to share the gospel. Truly you have done more for the salvation of the human family save Jesus Christ and Joseph Smith.
I know I should not murmer but my Bishop is one of those individuals who "traffics in niceness" rather than following the God who "traffics in life and death". If I give you his name could you make contact with our Stake President? I have brought this up with him before and our Bishop continues this harmful approach of being too compassionate. He needs some training and correction.
I wish you were my Stake President. Keep up the Lord's work! We love you President.
Thank you for sharing the tremendous wealth of resources included in this post--a goldmine of information only a few clicks away--a treasure trove at our fingertips.
ReplyDeleteYour generosity knows no bounds.
--Jeanette (aka Mormon Thinker)
I'm so glad this blog is here!
ReplyDeleteHi I am a new member of the LDS church. I was just baptized in January. I was never taught many of the things I have read here on your blog. I am not sure if I believe that this is the True church I thought it was. I had no idea about polygamy in heaven. I will not do that. I feel so terrible right now. I had many of my family and close friends disown me for joining the Mormon church. My Mom has not talked to me in 8 months after hearing that I had been taking the dicussions. I really am upset by the information I have read here on your blog. I wonder if I should just have my baptism cancelled and go back and be a part of my family. I wonder why the missionaries never told me these things. I read about polygamy in section 132 of the D&C and also in the Mormon doctrine. Both state that there will be polygamy in heaven. Also what did Joseph mean by God destroying Emma? I thought she had free agency? I am very in love with my husband and could never share him. He is on his 4 discussion right now with the missionaries. He is planning to be baptised in June or July. How do I tell him the information that I have learned here that we were never told? If the missionaries did not tell me ALL this stuff what else did they not tell me? Is this the true church? And if so why are there secrets in the TRUE Church! I have tears streaming down my face right now as I think of the mistake I have made joining the Mormon Church! I really dont understand why I did not know all of this! How do I tell my husband? He just bought a CTR ring and is wearing it with such pride! I am so sad that I was so stupid to believe in this church! Now what??? How do I go on?
ReplyDeletePres, its me! I just want to say I love your blog! Catharsis relief! I appreciate your subtle humor & the daring messages you bring forth... Your boldness for truth & the time you take with some of us here as we wrestle out right from wrong. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI must apologise for cancelling our interview at the last minute, I really needed to use my shower nozzle.. I mean wash my hair!!!
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ReplyDeleteDear Stake President,
ReplyDeleteI left the church nearly 30 years ago, but never in that time have I been offered cookies. Perhaps it is too late for me, but what will be the fate of those who failed to lure me back into the fold with high-fructose corn syrup?
Confused Sister
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ReplyDeleteHey eNoster,
ReplyDeleteYeah, we don't get enough of you at Stake Conference and staring at us from our own walls. Now we gotta read blog posts all about you too?
Someone's a little full of themselves...
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ReplyDeleteA note to mention that President Paternoster has been fully endowed to participate in the PostMormon.org discussions to help the bretheren and sistern return to the lord.
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ReplyDeleteWe had a couple of families drop out in our Ward. One foreign and one domestic. While we respect their right to exercise free agency, we have started a cookie delivery system that will allow us to stay in contact well into the next year.
ReplyDeleteBrothers and sisters, don't let the newly resigned cool off or the chance of re activation diminishes greatly.
"Let's bury those front steps in cookies!"
We left the church also, but we are receiving vegetables, not cookies. I know veggies are healthier than cookies, but aren't the lord's cookies blessed to be healthy no matter how many calories they may have? How do i ensure we are getting our fair share of cookies/ brownies instead of veggies?
ReplyDeleteWow you are a condescending dude. Sites like exmormon.org are for ex-Mormons, not for holier-than-thou assholes to come and preach at them. I would have kicked you out too! I am a stiffnecked and loathsome ex-Mormon and I find your blog to be incredibly offensive!
ReplyDeletePraise be to President Paternoster, a true spiritual giant among midgets.
ReplyDeleteMy Stake President apparently came to believe that he was above the Lord's commandments when he consorted with the adversary by trading drugs for sex with one our Heavenly Father's beloved daughters and was not just drilling teeth. Perhaps he had been reading too much of the early Church history and was trying to emulate the practices of our beloved prophet of the restoration. Or he had been tempted to view pornography. However he was mistaken. Joseph Smith was not a dentist but in fact was a failed banker. Satan had deceived him, even one of the elect of God.
Thankfully my testimony survived the fall of this once great man and to this day I do not fear my visits to the dentist. Oh how I have prayed to have a Stake President of the stature of President Paternoster but that prayer has yet to answered.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.