# Ask the former Mormon missionary (and current atheist) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 5, 2009, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-former-mormon-missionary-and-current-atheist/484577 "2009-02-05T16:17:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-former-mormon-missionary-and-current-atheist/484577/101 "2009-02-06T16:54:44Z")
**Reloy** , I really wish you’d made good on your promise to stay out of this thread and allow the former mormons to answer the questions. There have been plenty of ‘Ask the Mormon’ threads on this board; I suggest you start a new one. I understand that you are trying to give accurate answers to these questions, but um… This is sort of like crashing a party and criticizing the host for the choice of decorations. I find it a bit rude. Also, in response to the 12-year-old who was excommunicated: I totally believe her. When I was 15, I was abused by my mormon step-brother, who was married and had three children at the time (he was 30). When this was found out, he was excommunicated, but I was placed on probation via a Bishop’s Court. What church punishes a teenager for allowing herself to be raped? I was told that I was bad and dirty and probably asked for it or deserved it–it was my own fault. Counseling was not recommended nor provided. Charges were not filed and the appropriate authorities (CPS) were not notified. Aside from being exed, my stepbro walked away scot-free (presumably, to abuse again. I do not know where he went or where he is now.). I, on the other hand, was still a member, but ostracized because I could not take the sacrament and had been released from my calling as MIA Maid president. After six months, I approached my bishop and asked when I would be reinstated. He blinked at me a couple of times – I think he’d forgotten I was under disciplinary action. Then he said that I needed to pray to god to forgive myself. It was my turn to blink blink back at him. For _what_? I asked him. I couldn’t figure out what I’d done wrong, aside from not fighting to the death (which is what former prophet Spencer W. Kimball was recommended to abuse victims at that time). Bishop Asshat could not answer that question. He told me to pray and I’d figure it out. From that day forward, I realized that no diety worth its salt would punish a child for her own abuse and that the mormon church is a scam. I went through the motions until I turned 18 and went off to college and I never went back to church. I still believe I did nothing wrong and the rape was not my fault. I had to see _Good Will Hunting_ before that realization crystallized for me. So you carry on questioning the veracity of former mormons’ claims. Your experience is obviously not my experience. That does not mean that either of our experiences are invalid and/or untrue. ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-former-mormon-missionary-and-current-atheist/484577/102 "2009-02-06T17:01:12Z")
Missed the edit window: ETA: I have to explain something. When church leaders catch wind of a member’s wrongdoing – and the only sins that require confession are murder and sex – a bishop’s court is convened. This is where I had to sit in a room, without my parents or any advocate at all, and explain to four middle-aged, perverted men, exactly what happened, down to the last detail. “Did he do _this_? Did you like it? Did he do _that_? Did you like it? Are you in _love_ with him? Etc.” It exacerbated the trauma, lemme tellya. Then the Bishopric (the bishop is the head lay guy for the ward, which is the local church house and the bishopric consists of the bishop, his two assistants called counselors, and a secretary who records the proceedings for posterity.) get on their knees and pray to god to decide what to do with the sinner in question. They supposedly receive direct revelation from god about how to handle such cases. Apparently, god decided that I was also responsible for my rape, so god recommended to the bishopric that the excomm my stepbro and put me on probationary status. This is why I no longer believe in god. (I think the logic there is obvious.) ---
**Author:** ![JustThinkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@JustThinkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustThinkin)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-former-mormon-missionary-and-current-atheist/484577/103 "2009-02-06T17:05:49Z")
Ok, I’m back and have a little time. I just want to add a few scattered thoughts and (sorry) I don’t want to take the time to go back and get quotes (I’m at work, gotta write fast). About being an atheist in Utah: I became an atheist long after I moved away, so I can’t really speak to that specifically. However, all of my immediate family and most of my extended family are still TBMs living in Idaho and Utah. Only one niece and one aunt (my lesbian aunt) know I’m an atheist. They ALL know I’m a lesbian. I expect to never tell my parents – that would be a lot harder for them to hear and accept that my lesbianism. How’s that for odd? If anyone’s interested, there’s a site that has gathered stories of ecclesiastical abuse in the Mormon church. It seems to have died as an active site, but there are a lot of interesting stories. [http://mormonalliance.org/](http://mormonalliance.org/) Thanks for the link **Dogzilla** , I sent the link home and I’ll explore later. I still feel connected to the church, I think because it’s a culture as well as a religion. Y’know: you can take the girl out of the church, but. . . ---
**Author:** ![JustThinkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@JustThinkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustThinkin)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-former-mormon-missionary-and-current-atheist/484577/104 "2009-02-06T17:10:06Z")
> [@Dogzilla](#): > > Missed the edit window: > ETA: I have to explain something. When church leaders catch wind of a member’s wrongdoing – and the only sins that require confession are murder and sex – a bishop’s court is convened. This is where I had to sit in a room, without my parents or any advocate at all, and explain to four middle-aged, perverted men, exactly what happened, down to the last detail. “Did he do _this_? Did you like it? Did he do _that_? Did you like it? Are you in _love_ with him? Etc.” It exacerbated the trauma, lemme tellya. Then the Bishopric (the bishop is the head lay guy for the ward, which is the local church house and the bishopric consists of the bishop, his two assistants called counselors, and a secretary who records the proceedings for posterity.) get on their knees and pray to god to decide what to do with the sinner in question. They supposedly receive direct revelation from god about how to handle such cases. Apparently, god decided that I was also responsible for my rape, so god recommended to the bishopric that the excomm my stepbro and put me on probationary status. This is why I no longer believe in god. (I think the logic there is obvious.) Holy crap. Another case of a seriously fucked up bishop! I’m sorry you had to go through that. And greatly grateful that all my experiences in the church were much more sane. ---
**Author:** ![Reloy3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c68b51/32.png) [@Reloy3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reloy3)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-former-mormon-missionary-and-current-atheist/484577/105 "2009-02-06T17:17:09Z")
> [@Dogzilla](#): > > **Reloy** , I really wish you’d made good on your promise to stay out of this thread and allow the former mormons to answer the questions. There have been plenty of ‘Ask the Mormon’ threads on this board; I suggest you start a new one. I understand that you are trying to give accurate answers to these questions, but um… This is sort of like crashing a party and criticizing the host for the choice of decorations. I find it a bit rude. I only continued based on the request of **NAF1138**. Don’t worry, I’m gone. Enjoy the echo chamber. ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-former-mormon-missionary-and-current-atheist/484577/106 "2009-02-06T17:17:49Z")
Would it be bad form to link to this thread at [postmormon.org](http://postmormon.org) and invite those members to this thread? I will not post a thread over there if anyone here thinks that would get my hand slapped. And JustThinkin’, I gotta say. I’m now quite grateful to have had such a horrific experience. It opened my eyes to the truth. And every time a mormon tries to tell me I was led astray by Stan, I get to tell _that_ story. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![tarragon918](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d26b3c/32.png) [@tarragon918](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tarragon918)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-former-mormon-missionary-and-current-atheist/484577/107 "2009-02-06T17:18:02Z")
First, thank you **Erdosain** , for answering my questions, which were admittedly a bit more extensive than I’d originally planned to ask. And thank you, too, **Reloy3** for all the information you’ve contributed as well. I would like to make it clear that I do realize that “Big Love” is about an FLDS group but that the show has led me to pursue more information on LDS in general. The Sikhs who have been baptized (or received Amrit) also promise to wear special underwear, which is to remind them to stay pure (this is loosely remembered)–a reminder of their faith, along with the turban, a steel bracelet (the kara), the knife (kirpan) and a comb (they don’t cut any of their hair either). Religion can be a very dangerous ground to tread upon, but this discussion has indeed been quite enlightening so far. Hopefully it will continue to do so. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-former-mormon-missionary-and-current-atheist/484577/108 "2009-02-06T17:35:43Z")
There was a query upthread about former mormons who have published about the church. Below is a list of well-respected authors who have written about the church. Some are currently active mormons. Some have been excommunicated. Others were never mormon but their research is corroborative. Keep in mind that a True Believing Mormon would consider much of this material, if not all of it, ‘anti-mormon’ and would either never deign to read it or would attempt to discredit or debunk the claims made within. Google at will: Simon Southerton: _Losing a Lost Tribe: Native Americans, DNA, and the Mormon Church_ (Southerton was excommunicated after this came out.) Jon Krakauer: _Under the Banner of Heaven_ (Krakauer is not a mormon) Fawn Brodie: _No Man Knows My History_ (married a jew, excommunicated for this book) Grant Palmer: _Insider’s View of Mormonism_ (disfellowshipped) D. Michael Quinn: _The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power_ (exed as one of the September Six, referenced on page 1 of this thread) Todd Compton: \*In Sacred Loneliness: The Plural Wives of Joseph Smith \*(active member) ---
**Author:** ![JustThinkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@JustThinkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustThinkin)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-former-mormon-missionary-and-current-atheist/484577/109 "2009-02-06T17:40:35Z")
> [@Dogzilla](#): > > Would it be bad form to link to this thread at [postmormon.org](http://postmormon.org) and invite those members to this thread? I will not post a thread over there if anyone here thinks that would get my hand slapped. > > And JustThinkin’, I gotta say. I’m now quite grateful to have had such a horrific experience. It opened my eyes to the truth. And every time a mormon tries to tell me I was led astray by Stan, I get to tell _that_ story. 😃 I wouldn’t mind the link. I admit, having such a story to tell would definitely make folks think twice about harassing other former Mormons. 😃 I’m sort of given a pass on the “led astray” thing. “Why did you leave the church?” “Because I’m a lesbian.” “Oh. Um. Bye.” ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-former-mormon-missionary-and-current-atheist/484577/110 "2009-02-06T17:44:58Z")
> [@Dogzilla](#): > > Keep in mind that a True Believing Mormon would consider much of this material, if not all of it, ‘anti-mormon’ and would either never deign to read it or would attempt to discredit or debunk the claims made within. > > Todd Compton: \*In Sacred Loneliness: The Plural Wives of Joseph Smith \*(active member) You can get that at any LDS bookstore. Probably also the Fawn Brodie book, as an interest/research item. ---
**Author:** ![JustThinkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@JustThinkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustThinkin)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-former-mormon-missionary-and-current-atheist/484577/111 "2009-02-06T17:49:31Z")
> [@The\_Mighty\_Richard](#): > > Another former believer checking in. I was raised in the church, went on a mission to South Africa, got married, had a kid, then had my moment of realization. I still attend part of the service every week, as my wife still fervently believes. I try to maintain an attitude of detached bemusement about the church now. I also try to defend the things that are patently untrue or misrepresented. So far I haven’t seen anything in this thread that needs refutation or correction. In other words, it’s all true. Do you mind if I ask about the “moment of realization”? Do you consider yourself an atheist or you just don’t believe church doctrine. Are you still a member? ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-former-mormon-missionary-and-current-atheist/484577/112 "2009-02-06T17:51:45Z")
> [@dangermom](#): > > You can get that at any LDS bookstore. Probably also the Fawn Brodie book, as an interest/research item. I am aware of this, but I realize most nonmormons might not be. I mention these books out of experience on the post-mormon board; so many posters have cited very negative reactions from mormon friends and family when they were caught with the books above. Not all mormons react in such a way. ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-former-mormon-missionary-and-current-atheist/484577/113 "2009-02-06T18:02:04Z")
A couple things: I don’t own the thread, but I did second **NAF1138** ’s invitation for **Reloy3** to stick around and verify/clarify anything that had been said. **Reloy3** was certainly not being rude, in my opinion. I still welcome believing Mormons’ participation, but I understand if there’s more interest in the thread having a more critical tone. I think it’s usually easier for outsiders to see where the truth lies when they can get feedback from both sides; it also helps keep both sides honest. If the missionary questions are over, I have no problem with the thread focusing more on “messed up things in the Mormon church.” God knows there are enough. As **Dogzilla** noted, the “Ask a Mormon” threads in the past have tended to be overwhelmingly pro-Mormon (and, IMO, somewhat inaccurate). Finally, I wanted to express my anger about what happened to **Dogzilla**. There have been many lawsuits with very similar circumstances (Mormon ecclesiastical leaders covering up sexual abuse by members) and it makes me sick. There’s no excuse for it, and yeah, it happens in other religions too, but it doesn’t make it any less reprehensible. One of the reasons I am glad I won’t be raising my children Mormon is that I cannot imagine letting a middle-aged man question them (alone!) about whether they masturbate or what they do with their boy/girlfriends. It’s astounding that so many people are cool with that. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Mighty\_Richard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6f9a4e/32.png) [@The\_Mighty\_Richard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Mighty_Richard)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-former-mormon-missionary-and-current-atheist/484577/114 "2009-02-06T18:26:57Z")
> [@JustThinkin](#): > > Do you mind if I ask about the “moment of realization”? Do you consider yourself an atheist or you just don’t believe church doctrine. Are you still a member? Well, I took the notion of absolute truth in the church very seriously. When I was told there was nothing to fear in our history, and that we had nothing to hide, I took it seriously. As some point a couple of years ago, I started doing some deep research of my own. And I discovered how slippery the truth really was. It led me to conclude that, no matter what the church actually is - and it is a lot of good things - but no matter what it is, it isn’t what it claims to be. I was completely disoriented by the realization that the Mormon church was basically just another church. People are doing the best they can with what they have, but there is no red phone to heaven. Atheist? No, not at all. I still believe in a fairly traditional notion of God, and I do still choose to express that belief through a form of Christianity, just not the dogmatic kind. I believe more in personal spiritual truth than absolute spiritual truth, and the broad stroke of Christianity works for me. Still technically a member and will be probably forever. I don’t see the point in resigning - what would that accomplish? As I said, I am married to a true believer, and I do try to be sensitive to that. There is a ton of good in the LDS church - as others have said, Mormons are generally very good people. Like I said, members are just trying to do the best they can with what they have. The sticking point for me is the notion that they are God’s chosen people, somehow more special than everybody else, and that they alone have access to spiritual truth. ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-former-mormon-missionary-and-current-atheist/484577/115 "2009-02-06T19:01:41Z")
> [@Reloy3](#): > > Enjoy the echo chamber. Right. Next time you go to Fast & Testimony meeting… back atcha. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-former-mormon-missionary-and-current-atheist/484577/116 "2009-02-06T19:08:44Z")
> [@Reloy3](#): > > I also want to say that, having read her posts for many years, I find Pepperlandgirl to be a very intelligent and honest voice on her experience with the LDS church. She is a wonderful person to give another viewpoint, and would encourage interested people to search her earlier posts on this topic. > > Also, closer to my perspective, Dangermom is another intelligent active member of the Church who often posts on the Dope. Search out her posts for another good, trusted voice. Thanks **Reloy3**. Actually, through posting about the LDS Church on the Dope, I’ve come to understand that a lot of stuff I considered SOP for the Church was really just the special strain of crazy from _Utah_ Mormons. And **Reloy** , thank you for the work you do on behalf of gay and lesbian couples. I think the Church’s stance on homosexuality is absolutely deplorable and disappointing on every level. I wish people who were not bigots would leave the church and take a stand against the leadership. > [@](#): > > As an atheist that grew up in Utah, I can answer this one; it sucks. My experience was quite different than pepperlandgirl’s though. I was asked about my religion all the time. Oh, not every day or anything like that, but definitely enough that I noticed it was a common question. I moved from there 9 years ago, and haven’t been asked about my religion once since. You probably grew up outside of Salt Lake City, I’m guessing? It’s easier in SLC because there is a good, healthy non-Mormon population (I’m surrounded by non-LDS Churches), and the city is basically living in the 20th century. But once you venture out of SLC, it can be like traveling back in time 100 years. It’s insane. I grew up in a pretty small town, and I wouldn’t have _dreamed_ of trying to leave the Church. There was literally one non-member family in the whole town, and they were treated like absolute freaks. The church was completely interwoven into our lives in every single way. There was no separation at all. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2009, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-former-mormon-missionary-and-current-atheist/484577/117 "2009-02-07T00:41:20Z")
> [@Erdosain](#): > > I grew up in SLC. As you noted, there are only female missionaries working at Temple Square. The rumor in Mormon circles is that they select young women who speak many languages or that are better looking than average to serve there, in order to put our best foot forward with visitors. I don’t know why you don’t remember them saying “God.” Mormon missionaries are always talking about Jesus and God. No, they always said Holy Father. I particularly noticed it, since I’d have expected them to mention God a lot. > [@](#): > > I think you’re going to have to explain “virgin-only floors”, as I don’t know what you mean!!! Seriously! The hotel had two elevator doors off the lobby. I was waiting for one when the other opened. Assuming it was just a normal elevator, I walked to it, since a few young ladies were getting on. A guy with them said this is for the girls. I thought this was kind of a joke and kept walking, and he said it again, clearly upset. I backed away. I observed that only missionary age girls ever got on, and that the normal elevator didn’t stop at floors 2 and 3, I think. The virgin part was a joke, but I assume they are. I guess they are being protected from the other guests - lots of whom are clearly visiting the Temple. ---
**Author:** ![JustThinkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@JustThinkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustThinkin)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2009, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-former-mormon-missionary-and-current-atheist/484577/118 "2009-02-07T02:10:03Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > No, they always said Holy Father. I particularly noticed it, since I’d have expected them to mention God a lot. Are you sure it wasn’t Heavenly Father? That’s how Mormons usually refer to God the Father. ---
**Author:** ![WormTheRed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/bbe5ce/32.png) [@WormTheRed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WormTheRed)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2009, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-former-mormon-missionary-and-current-atheist/484577/119 "2009-02-07T02:34:06Z")
> [@Erdosain](#): > > I grew up in SLC. As you noted, there are only female missionaries working at Temple Square. The rumor in Mormon circles is that they select young women who speak many languages or that are better looking than average to serve there, in order to put our best foot forward with visitors.. Damn right! I visited SLC as a horney 18 Y/o and visited Temple Square on my own (while dad was visiting the hospitals) and by the end of the tour I was pretty sure I was going to be able to f\*\*\* my personal guide… …and then she showed me the iffing “Book of Mormons” (or whatsitcalled) ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2009, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-former-mormon-missionary-and-current-atheist/484577/120 "2009-02-07T03:09:07Z")
> [@Reloy3](#): > > There seems to be a lot of questions about my garments. Yes, I wear garments under my clothes the vast majority of the time, just as most people wear underwear. A member of the LDS Church doesn’t wear garments unless and until they have gone through a ceremony in the temple known as “the endowment”. They then promise to wear the garment. > > The garment serves 3 purposes in my mind: > > 1. They are a constant reminder of the promises I made in the Temple. > 2. Wearing them shows God that I am willing to abide by those promises. > 3. They are definite guidelines to make sure the clothes I’m wearing are reasonably modest. > > In many respects they serve similar purposes of garments of other faiths, like yamulkas or a Sikh’s turban. They differ, because they are meant to be concealed under your clothes, and are not to be used to “wear your faith for the world to see”. That’s a good analogy. Adherents to many if not most religions do things that may seem to have little practical purpose, but serve to remind the person of their faith. Perhaps a non-sartorial analogy might be keeping Kosher. I mean, what the heck difference does it make, really, if you keep the meat next to the milk. But it does keep the believer mindful. A lot of people are sensitive about being told what to wear or not to wear, so for better or worse the traditional LDS undergarments do draw a lot of idle curiosity at best, and mocking at worst. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-former-mormon-missionary-and-current-atheist/484577.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-former-mormon-missionary-and-current-atheist/484577.md?page=7)