The Pattern of the Double-Bind in Mormonism In the fall of 1997, my son, Matt, and I discovered Eric Kettunen's internet site, Recovery from Mormonism. Matt replied to Eric and posted his letter (#70); soon after, Matt started his own Higher Mormon site.Until that time, we thought that we were alone in our discoveries about Mormonism and in leaving the church. As I read each Post, I was impressed with the similarities of personal experiences ... and how they coincided with my own. I could see aspects of The Pattern in each Post and some explicitly contained all aspects. They filled in, and clarified more fully the stages of this Pattern in Mormonism for me.Stage 1 Problem - Anxiety - Question - FearStage 2-3 Agreement - Ambiguity Stage 4 Double-Bind - Reversal - Guilt/FearStage 5 Denial - Humiliation - Dehumanized Stage 6 Accusation - Demonized - Guilt/ShameStage 7 Punishment - Compulsion/Subjection - "Black is White"Stage 8 Bound - Love/Hate - "Voluntary" UnionStage 9 Psychological Cannibalism - Suicide  Stage 4 Double-Bind - Reversal - Guilt/FearTHE MAZE OF MORMONISMPrologue to Stage 4. This stage is built upon stages 2 and 3. A promise was made and then not fulfilled. A "but" was then inserted as the reason for not receiving what was promised. The "but"-excuse then becomes a replacement for the promise; something was not done "right" by the would-be recipient who is now blamed for not being able to receive. Obedience to the "but" is now required to become worthy to receive.Stage 4: The Double-Bind - "Guilty, Guilty" - Reversals - Rape of Mind"You are damned if you do a thing," and "You are damned if you don't do it."Reversal: "Guilty, Guilty" - Rape of the MindOne classic Double-Bind in Mormonism is in regards to receiving the "burning in the bosom," the manifestation of the Holy Ghost, as a requirement for a testimony and sanctification. The promise is that if you pray sincerely you will receive a "burning in the bosom," which is the manifestation that the Book of Mormon is true. If you don't rec