An article appeared a couple of months ago in a college newspaper by a woman named Ellie Schaack called Confessions of a cultural Mormon. She is not a member of the church, but she grew up living the life of a member in Colorado.
Her article says, "Nearly all of my friends were LDS, and the only way to have sleepovers on Saturday was to accompany them to church on Sunday. The only way not to miss out on fun weeknight activities with the group was to go with them to Young Women. The only way not to be friendless for a lonely week during the summer was to go to Girl’s Camp, which is Mormon sleep-away camp up in the mountains. I’ve acted out scenes from the Book of Mormon between the Nephites and the Lamanites; I’ve sung 'I know a Mormon boy; he is my pride and joy.' I know what it means to CTR (choose the right) and Return with Honor."
Ms. Schaack then goes on to talk about how religious beliefs are preposterous generally and Mormonism specifically. The interesting part is how the article ends...
"Our generation goes to church less and less. This column is definitely not a plea to go to church more—I recognize that Mormonism made me happier, yet that isn’t reason enough for me to overlook the implausibility of the doctrine..."
Is it the doctrine or the difficulty that is implausible? I've noticed when doing missionary work that many people find that the fruit of the gospel makes them happier, but as they realize the sacrifice of worldly pleasures required for that happiness; suddenly the doctrine becomes implausible.
Ms. Schaack's article is a perfect example of how a person must first have a desire for truth; a willingness to accept difficult principles and refuse some of the pleasures offered by the world before they can accept the gospel.
Mosiah 3:19
For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord...
