Being in a cult does control all your thoughts, I was that person, I was taught that the way I dressed made me responsible for men's thoughts, if I wasn't modest than I was sinning as i might arouse a man and that isn't his fault. I was taught that if I gave the church 10% of my money than I wouldn't be burnt in the last days, I was taught tea, coffee, alcohol, tobacco was of the devil and not to be consumed.
I was taught to avoid loud laugher, in fact i promised to avoid that, along with honouring and obeying my husband so that i could learn secret handshakes that would allow me into heaven. I had to wear underwear which covered my body, basically long johns and a tshirt under my clothes and bra because that's was my protection and showing my commitment to god.
Even as a child, we had to have interviews where I discussed my worthiness, including sexual morality, if I did anything to compromise that, including unclean thoughts, masturbation etc we had to confess and discuss those thoughts or actions in detail. I was told if I didn't live worthy I wouldn't he with my family for eternity. When I was young we were taught horrendous things ... racist, homophobic, purity culture, and I did what they told me for over 30 years because I believed it. We were taught that if is better to have died that to be raped and unpure.
Some of these views have changed over time and they are moving away from them, but that doesn't change what we're were taught. I was sexuality assaulted in school and we never talked about it, I was told I should have shouted louder, I was 13 I think. I was taught my place was as a mother and wife, when my children had disabilities I was told I was being challenged by god, or that I was lucky to have these sweet spirts or that I had sinned and this was my punishment.
We were told if we were impure we were like a chewed piece of gum that no one would want. I was told if i didn't do all the things they said, like, serving others, giving money generously to the church (which has 120 billion in reserves), reading church approved resources etc than I wouldn't have the spirit. if we became depressed etc then it was because we weren't being good enough or praying hard enough. Same for healing or safety, if someone didn't get cured of cancer it was because they didn't have enough faith.
We were taught a whitewashed version of our history and anything that said differently was anti Mormon literature. People who speak up as excommunicated. to I just wished people had challenged those beliefs in me a long time ago. Perhaps that's why I feel so strongly