Our new weekly video series is dedicated to sharing the stories of those who have courageously followed their own path out of Mormonism. We hope that their struggles and accomplishments will help others to have compassion and respect for those who have made this journey.
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Robert’s story is interesting. The video came across as very professionally done. I look forward to many more stories.
This website is very predictable. Satan is the great “copycat,” and this website is further proof of that.
Based on your comment it appears as if you want to defend the church here on this website. I greatly respect you for doing this if your purpose was to stand up for truth. That is what I try to do as well. Your comment comes across as a bit ironic though, because of the church of Scientology making the “I am a Scientologist” videos before the Mormons started their advertising campaign. Using your logic, does that make the LDS church satanic for being the great “copycat”?
I would like to ask you to explain to me all you know about “Satan”.
Bob, how is this websit “predictable”? What exactly do you mean by “copycat”? What do you mean “further proof of that”? Your two-sentence email was vague, cryptic and snitty in tone, leaving the ready perplexed as to what you are trying to get at. Perhaps you have good points to make and I would like to hear them. Please offer your arguments in full dialect, and then we can discuss them. Thank you.
This is Satan… I resent that.
I really appreciate the work you have been doing here on this site. I have made a commitment to myself that I will disclose my disbelief in the Church to my family in time for the new year. Seeing these videos has helped assure me that there is life outside the Church and given me the confidence to tell my family.
Thank you
All of you are retarded! I am mormon and you don’t need to make websites to make people feel sorry that you did not like your life as a mormon! ……… Suck my balls
I agree with you Brother Richards, peace on you brother. Keep the faith!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnsLzHYRtts
Tell it like it is Brother Richards! Praise be to Jesus! This site is blasphemy. Brother Ethan, good on you for being true to yourself, good video.
View of the Hebrews by Ethan Smith (1825); translation of the Book of Abraham was proved to be a hoax in the mid 20th century; polygamy and polyandry; J. Smith having sex with a 14-year-old girl; overwhelming evidence for evolution; geneticists and scientist have proved that being gay is not a choice, which contradicts the “Plan of Happiness”; and many other things that prove Mormonism is a sham – just like all religions. Congratulations, you are now an ex-Mormon like me and many others.
That doesn’t sound like a christ like thing to say Brother Richards…
Bro, your probably some gay guy that left the church to fulfill your dreams! These people are retarded and we all do not wanna hear them complain! Peace on you Brother Meier
Guys, chill out. I’m a Mormon too, and I’m embarrassed by your comments. It reflects badly on the Church when you spew such immature things on the internet. Obviously we don’t agree with these videos–and that’s totally fine. We have a right to express what we believe, but so do the people on this website. Here’s a hint: rather than inviting the spirit of contention (which really does no one any good), you can click on the little “x” in the corner of your screen and it will all go away.
Have a lovely day.
Sister Lisa, I just want to let you know that I love you!
Made my day
@D. William Johnson: I love you too!
I have to say, following that hilariously childish, homophobic statement up with “Peace on you” as if it makes you sound sophisticated and mature and the better man just makes my day.
I really appreciate the work you have been doing here on this site. I have made a commitment to myself that I will disclose my disbelief in the Church to my family in time for the new year. Seeing these videos has helped assure me that there is life outside the Church and given me the confidence to tell my family.
Thank you
Tom,
How has your journey been? Did you tell your family?
Heather
Amazing concept and congrats on your site.
How about the ability for other videographers to download your credit footage and produce their own “I’m an ex mormon” videos (following your criteria and guidelines) for you to approve and release? I think you’d get a lot of content. Even as a way for ex-mormon’s to say ‘Hey Family – I’m done and here’s my video….’
I’m impressed with your videos thus far, their quality is amazing and very well done. I look forward to see more videos as the weeks go by. Again – great idea.
These videos are fantastic. I left when I was young and I didn’t deal with having to lose as much as others do. I didn’t lose my religion, as I never really believed after they told me I couldn’t hand out bread. All I wanted as a kid was to hand out the bread! But, I’m a girl. I was devastated and never really bought into such a segregated church after that. Though I was beat up and treated as an outcast after, it wasn’t the struggle that those who lose their foundation in belief, their families, their friends have faced.
I have studied the religion from the outside since. I have read books and stories of those who have left. I am amazed at their strength to stand up for themselves despite the pain. I have family members who don’t dare leave. I can hardly imagine losing something which is a part of every day life, every decision, an answer to everything be it someone becoming ill or dying, a lost job, financial troubles, children acting out, and now having to find new answers and think beyond, “just pray”. I have lost friends to suicide because they couldn’t confront the hatred towards them brought on by the church. I have watched my dearest cousin struggle with his identity after leaving the religion.
I hope many more find strength and peace in your stories and I think imac has an incredible idea!
Thank you, and good luck to everyone currently struggling with this.
I really appreciate what you are doing for members of the church–too often, we’ve seen the world divided into “insiders” and “outsiders”, and I think the authenticity and positive spirit of these stories fuses these labels and brings us back to the basics: we’re all just people, each of us with our own miraculous birth, remarkable story, and special impact on life. I look forward to a day when church members feel comfortable with the idea of an “exmormon” being just like them, but a little different.
This makes me very sad. I pray for you with sincerity. Everyone who has ever been a member of the church knows that we do not practice anything wrong. We do not make people go on missions or accept callings or get married or have children. Anyone who has been baptized in the church knows the things that we implement in our lives. Our example is Jesus Christ. We all strive to be like Him. We all try to emulate His life.
But you cannot and should not judge the church for the people who are in it. The church is perfect, the people aren’t. The church is for people who are trying to better themselves. Who know they are not perfect. But are trying to live a righteous life.Because someone hurts us, does not do well in a calling or is not living the way they should, we should not blame it on the church or on the things that they teach. Everyone has free agency, the ability to choose for ones self, and uses it accordingly.
I am a seventeen year old girl. I know the church is true. My mother died when I was 12 years old and I cannot, I really cannot, deny the feeling I felt in the temple when I was baptized for her. I cannot. Even if I tried my very best, and hardest, I cannot deny what I saw and felt in the temple.
When we truly live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and truly try to be like Him, the blessings flow through our lives. We cannot give up when trials and tribulations come our way. We must always keep our faith alive.
I hope that you all who are “exmormons” will really try to look for the truth. Satan at times tries to confuse us, and hurt us; trust me, I know! In my short life I have been through much
I was also an “exmormon” at a point in my life. I lost faith completely, saying to myself “If the church is true, then why is my mom dead? I have been good, why would he do this to me?” and other things like “I am doing what I should do, reading the scriptures, going to church, why is life so hard?” I started hating the church, and I didn’t go for over a year. I started doing things that I shouldn’t do I was out on the street, running away from home, doing hard drugs and selling myself for food and more drugs. I was gone from home so long that instead of reporting me as a runaway minor they reported me and filed me as a missing person. I was found a month later high laying in a ditch by the police, taken home, and the next day I was sent to Juvenile Detention for 2 weeks.
I realized that my life was nothing without the gospel. I had tried other churches before, but I cannot find the happiness and the warmth that I feel in the true church of Jesus Christ. I used His atonement in my life, and I have been forgiven for my unbelief and for my wrong choices. Happiness comes from living the gospel and not caring what anyone thinks; knowing and being sure that you are on the right path, and not letting temptation get it’s way with you. and when we do fall, we have to pick ourselves back up.
I know all of you “exmormons” know deep inside the church is true, or you wouldn’t have been baptized into it and you wouldn’t be fighting so hard to deny it. I love you as my brothers and sisters from Heaven, and I hope that this post might help some of you realize that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. The principles of His gospel are Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the end. The most important thing is enduring to the end. Not letting anyone or anything get in the way or our families, our love, and most all our faith and salvation.
I know The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is just that, the church of Jesus Christ. I know it with everything in my heart and I can’t deny it anymore. I love the gospel and I hope that one day you will again too. Please feel free to email me if there is anything, ANYTHING AT ALL, that I can do to help you. Isabella2693@yahoo.com I don’t have all of the answers, but there is One who does, and that is God. Seek Him, and He will tell you the truthfulness of all things.
God bless,
Maresa
Hi Maresa,
You sound like a great girl. I appreciate your heart and your spirit and you are very brave and courageous for being here and posting. I sympathize with the tramatic experiences you’ve boldly faced marvel and the lessons you’ve learned from them. I know you have a strong love and empathy for people, and that is great. If I may be so bold in congratulating you on that, not the church, I’d like to do so. The church does teach some wonderful values, but it is you and you alone who has chosen to lead a life of love for your fellowman.
In response to a few things, I had a friend who’s father died when we were young as well. She ended up going inactive as you did, having to question god and wonder how it was possible that her parent dying so young could be part of a loving father’s plan for her.
Death is full-on. There are many overwhelming emotions associated with it. In my opinion, the church manipulates these feelings, that anyone would feel upon a tragedy such as death, into something they are not. Feelings are not good indicators of reliable, verifiable truth. And the church is deceptive in associating these overwhelming feelings with testimony. I have seen this time and time again with mormonism, as well as other religions.
From what you write, and the fact that you mentioned your age, it is clear that you are learning and growing every day. And one thing I hope will be of help to you is for you to know that we all have our own paths in life, and religion is a very personal thing. Someone not subscribing to beliefs that you subscribe to does not make them or their faith lesser than yours. People might mistake your feigned humility for arrogance if you are not able to learn this lesson and accept people for who they are. Your relationships with strangers like me or people you associate with in real life might be greatly benefited from your understanding of this. People want to be accepted for who they are, not who you want to shame them to be.
Happiness does not come from the gospel. I’ve seen church after church sell you that you’re unhappy and that they have the cure. You can buy it in the Mormon church for 10% of your income… pretty good deal, right? While some find happiness in the church, which is great, some do not. And their happiness is just as real and valid as believers. Additionally, unbelief is not something that needs to be forgiven, in my humble opinion. It is just as valid a world view as any.
It is also a misnomer that apostates deep down know it is true. Can I ask you a question? What would this world be like if we were not able to adapt to new information? 8 years old is awfully young to be making decisions with such enormous consequences attached to them. It is also awfully young to be locked into those decisions when one encounters information which leads them to logically think that might not have been the best decision after all.
To me, being an apostate is this: having the strength to say “I was wrong”. Do you know how much pride it takes to swallow to recognize that you were fooled? Perhaps you’ve experienced this on some scale and can relate.
We, as apostates, are not floundering, we are decided. We are not sinners, we are moral human beings. We are not lost sheep. These stereotypes and perpetuated myths are the unfortunate result of believers needing to justify their reasons for staying in the church instead of truly trying to understand and empathize with what the apostate mindset truly is. Don’t forget, we’ve been where you have, as believers. We were faithful and loved to serve the lord, as we thought we were doing that. Many of us ‘woke up’ to realize we were serving a church, a corporation, not god. And our integrity would not allow us to continue.
Can I put another question to you and anyone else out there who might be a true believer? In what ways do you think the church would be different if it were actually a fraud instead God’s one true as Joseph claimed?
Much love to you as well and best of luck on your journey.
I am so sorry for everyone who has left the church, especially those who feel happy about it. They think anything else can really give you true hope, compassion, joy, anything that is good, really, other than being righteous, and living in the Gospel… It is impossible, they fool themselves with Satan’s own tricks… I’ve only known one person who has left the Church personally, and I feel so sorry for that person, he had only gotten able to begin to taste the wonderfulness of the true Gospel, and then he left, saying “It wasn’t for him.”
The church I am in, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints IS the true church, everything about it is true. We accept people calling us Mormons, and sometimes even embrace the term, but we are LDS. I doubt any of them had actually READ the Book of Mormon, and sincerely prayed about it. I for one have read it, and prayed about it, and it has pulled me closer towards it, so close towards the Gospel I know I would never be able to leave the Church and walk down those forbidden, twisting paths. Something that would definitely bring them closer if they never were able to go to it was Moroni`s Quest, the best camp I have ever been to…
I know of someone who had lost their parent, and I know that the person WOULD be happier of she knew what will happen to him in the Afterlife… I also know of at least three other people, but they were in the Church, and they have been able to take the pain and the suffering from losing a loved one, a wife or a husband, and have been able to overcome that challenge and become stronger people because of it.
I also believe that the “Ex-Mormons” DO know it is true, because in our history, the people who have always fought the hardest against the Church were those who had been members, and truly believed that it was true. They are just trying to fool their hearts into believing what other people say, and no, that path would not be a “miraculous” path like it says on the first page, no, you would feel horrible until you numbed yourself with denial. But always, deep down, you would always know the truth, and when Jesus comes back, you’ll know that you were wrong to try to deny the Church.
The experiences you feel in the Temple are indescribable, especially when you go and get baptised for the dead, I’ve been baptised for many people who are dead, and as each one happened, I felt the one I was just baptised for smile, and walk into a larger group, the group of those who believed and were baptised. You feel them as you are baptised for them, and also when you are personally baptised into the Church, you feel those already baptised, including those dead, embrace you and welcome you into the Church.
Some people who become “Ex-Mormons” leave because of tragedy, and they want to blame it on someone, so they blame it on God, so they leave it, and that choice affects their children, and their children’s children, and on and on.
But those who realise that those things are happening to make them stronger, they embrace the Gospel even more, and become true beacons of hope and righteousness.
As for how people thing that our happiness is “Bought” with the 10% of our income, no it is not. Our happiness comes from us helping others, and being righteous and following God’s commandments. the 10% of our income goes to people in need, or to whatever the Church needs to use it for, including building new temples and meeting houses to make it possible for members to attend more often.
The Book of Mormon is definitely the most true book on earth, surpassing even the King James version of the Bible, which is the most correct translation of the Bible. From the principles it teaches, you can learn everything you need to know for dealing with different things, and you can become a different, better person for that. It also has the answers to nearly every question possible to be asked. Nothing gives you a better feeling then reading the whole Book of Mormon, and then praying.
“…in our history, the people who have always fought the hardest against the Church were those who had been members, and truly believed that it was true.”
Same is true for Mother’s Against Drunk Driving, Ex Jehovah’s Witnesses, Ex Iraqi soldiers speaking out about the war, Exboyfriend or Exgirlfriend etc etc. The list goes on and on to show us that this is natural human behavior, not a sinister plot by Satan.
There are those in the church who don’t understand why I make the “I am an Ex Mormon” videos.
I think John Hyde says it best- he left the church around 1856:
“To be able, in how slight degree soever, to expose en’or and yet to remain silent is to connive at and share the responsibility of that error. While deploring that my best years for improvement have been squandered in delusion, it is a duty I owe to others similarly circumstanced, to ndeavor to convince them of their true position. Less than this is less than right. For as the subject is of paramount importance to the world if true, and to the Mormons themselves if false, so its correct exposure must therefore be equally important, and consequently, so far obligatory.”
I feel the videos are helpful to others. They help people who are on the verge of suicide. They have helped families come together. They help strengthen those who feel alone. They give a voice to those who are often judged for leaving the church because of sin- rather than facing the real issues that concerned us.
Do you really want to understand why I am an Ex Mormon? This is why:
http://bit.ly/whytylerleft
Whats the point of this website. I was put into the church and yeah sometimes I did not like, but I don’t go on these websites complaining about the church. This is so stupid and all the people that are on here complaining should just get a life. No one cares if you left the church. It is your choice and you guys are really missing out on having the spirit with you. And thats coming from a 17 year old that has gone through more than you probably have! All of you grow up!
Dillin, I doubt, it, I joined the church at 17, went on a mission at 19, so that makes me few yrs up on you, but now at age 55 and looking back at 36 yrs in the church, I was a non member, something you have not been, went on a mission , again something you have done,or served in many leaderships positions, now I am a non member again, and do have my life again.
Look up Ejiah Abel, was black and ordained in 1836 in Kirtland Ohio, did you know that Dillin? oh was ordained by Joseph Smith, yet I have church history book called story of the latter day saints, which I bought on my mission in 1977, on page 620 it states ” at no time has blacks in the early days of the church held the priesthood”
Now that is just one single major problem,Eijiah Abel is buried in SLC, Brigham Y didnt let him go in the temple, yet allowed him to serve 3 missions, so Mormons do you really know your history?
It’s impossible? Satan’s own tricks, eh?
I want you to think a minute.
What makes people happy?
If you answered “yourself”, then why do we need some story that has been told?
If you answered something like “pretty unicorns, fairies, and leprechauns,” then, yeah, I can see that; the amazing made up creatures or “God” just make everyone happy, don’t they?
You know who I feel sorry for?
People who were born into religion.
That is the worst thing you can do to your child.
That is flipping brainwashing.
I don’t care what they are born into, whether it be Judaism, Mormonism, Catholicism, Islam, Buddhism, Atheism, it’s all crap. Why do YOU have the right to control their life like that?
And another thing.
Gay marriage? Honestly.
I think that two guys getting married is actually gross, and I don’t understand it,
But WHY on EARTH is it ANY of MY flipping business? Seriously, does it harm you every time two dudes get married and “sin”? Are you just downright heartbroken?
You wanna preach anti-prejudice?; Why don’t you start exhibiting it.
Well Maresa, Im glad that you love the gospel, and I’m going to take your word for it that you know it is true. I’m sorry that you feel your life is absolutely nothing without the church, its really sad that you have so little confidence in who you are as a person and your own abilities. I find it interesting that you think that you really know what is in our hearts. sounds more like arrogance than assurance to me.
It’s not that our life would be nothing without the Church, but that it is SO much better because of it. It blesses us in ways no one really knows.
And yes, you do really know the Church is true, either that or you are immune to any emotion at all, or were asleep the whole time. And I do KNOW that all of you, all of you who KNOW the Church is true but continue to deny it, really DO believe it IS true.
…so what you’re saying is either we know it’s true or we are immune to emotion?
DO YOU LISTEN TO YOURSELF WHEN YOU TALK?
Dunk and Maresa,
You two have all the classic hallmarks of individuals who have been brainwashed. I feel so sorry for you. You seem go completely on feelings that the church manipulates you into feeling. Unfortunately, the typical brainwashing victim is incapable of recognizing reason and logic. However if it makes you happen then I’m happy for you. However, your arrogant attitude towards those who have left the church is also identical to the attitude that people in fundamentalist christian churches have towards me since I left that cult. You see, cults are cults and they all use variations of the same tactics. I could easily replace the mormon cult terminology on these pages with fundamentalist christian cult terminology or scientology cult terminology. All those people KNOW that they are in the ONE true belief system and unfortunately, they can’t all be right and my belief, after years of searching is that not one of them is right.
Beautifully done. So much harm comes when we dehumanize others, and your videos help us face the reality that each of us is a person worth respecting. I attend LDS services every week, and I want to share your site with everyone in the ward. Respecting each other, acknowledging our shared humanity, is so important. Thank you for taking the time to produce these videos.
I have loved the videos, they are so well done and on point. They are positive and hopeful and uplifting. Thanks for using your talents to help others in such a meaningful way.
Hello to everyone on this website. I have to say that this is a pretty good website, and as we know, everyone has free agency to choose what paths we go down. I loved Maresa’s comment, and I think she puts things very well. I am a convert to the church, and I was baptised three years and two months ago. I am 36 years old. Before I joined the church I thought I was happy in what I was doing, and to be honest I used to describe myself on Facebook as a “committed atheist”. Things changed for me when I met missionaries at a friends dinner, and the atheist turned into a Mormon. If you knew me beforehand it would have been something that I would never have even dreamed of doing. I am now happy and content, I feel fulfilled and everyone who knows me has noticed a massive change in me for the better. I agree that the church is perfect, but as we all know, people are not. I strive very hard to lead an honest life, personal as well as business, I give as much time to my fellow men as I possibly can, and I try and strive to be as much like Christ as I possibly can. I know that as long as I have done the best that I can, no one can denounce me for that.
It happens in all wards, maybe there is a Bishop that has made a decision that some people do not like. Maybe one member has said something to another member that offends them. I have experienced this in my short church life, but we should not judge the church as a whole based on these experiences, as there are some very good people in the church today who go out of their way to dedicate their lives to being Christ like. Is there anything wrong with that?
My heart goes out to all the people who have fallen away from the church. I never had the church in my life until recently, and now I know that I could not live without it. I know that everything I have now is down to my church membership, and I would not change that for anything. I am not writing this to preach, but to let you all know, what you all probably know, that the church will always be here, the door is always open, and as normal, everyone on earth today regardless of who you are, are always remembered in my prayers each morning and night. I know that the Church is true, and I hope one day that you guys will once again be able to say that. I love you all.
Hi Paul! I appreciate your kind remarks. I believe you wrote this out of your sincere desire to help others, and I respect you for that. I have made this website for the same purpose. In fact, you mention in your comment about people leaving the church because they were offended etc. One of the messages of this site is to help people such as yourself understand that this is not why we believe the church is not what it claims. I also don’t doubt you when you say your life seems better. I would remind you however, that the same thing happens in many contradictory belief systems every day and is not a valuable measure of truth claims. Finding purpose and feeling fulfilled are worthy goals to strive for. I am happy to say that the same has occurred in my own life, coming as a result of the opposite conclusion. This puts us in an interesting situation- I think the solution to this perplexing issue, is that truth is not based on happiness or fulfillment. I am glad however, that you spend your time trying to help others. I would urge you however, to carefully examine your belief system and see how it holds up, to make sure that your time and effort that gives you so much meaning in life, will be spent with the greatest benefit. If you are willing to put your faith to the test, just follow the link on the right hand side for the website “Mormon Think”. This website has a wealth of information and tries to give you both sides of the arguments.
I wish you much success, happiness and above all, truth.
-Dan Johnson
What you say it rue, even though I have grown up in the Church, I’ve been able to see the effects it has on converts. Nothing is better than seeing one of your friends be converted, it’s definitely the best thing that could ever happen, that and also staying with the Church and repenting.
I’ve seen many websites about my church, and quite a few do not have the correct information in the least. And of course people may think that Joseph Smith wrote it all, but how can one person make up all of the people’s views?
Please, if you want to learn about the truth of our church, go to Mormon.org, or look at the Mormon messages. Do not go on exmormon.org, it is not true, it is filled with words people use to try to derail others, those who are on the straight and narrow.
Sincerely,
Dunk
Paul and Maresa,
I respect your right and choice to believe as you do. Frankly, it is my belief that you have been domesticated into believing something that does not hold up to scrutiny and sound, solid evidence. But that is my view and I respect yours. You should respect others as well. People are not telling their stories on here to denigrate other Mormon people. I’m confident that it is safe to say that It is the beliefs, doctrines and actual documented history of Mormonism that has brought most of us to our conclusions and positions, not because someone in the church offended us, or because we sinned and lost our way. I consider it a matter of intellectual and spiritual integrity to stand up and be forthright regarding what I believe (or in this case, mostly don’t believe). It seems a common tactic among LDS faithful to challenge the sincerity of those who choose not to buy what you do. I find it annoying and also disingenuous when people of any faith or religion resort to this kind of branding behavior. I also see it as a sign of some inner insecurity and often a trained or domesticated reaction, found not just among LDS people but in other religions too where the belief is promoted that you or they have an exclusive hold on truth.
Mormons are so forward with bearing their “testimonies”. What’s wrong with folks who have lost theirs, testifying to their new path, their new and authentic beliefs or lack thereof? I’m no neophyte on this issue. I was born and raised in the LDS Church. I did the mission thing, married in the temple the first time and was a TBM until I was about 24. I’ve never regretted my choice to leave it all behind and go another path 30 years ago. My life has been richer, more meaningful and certainly more authentic personally since I made that choice. I truly own my beliefs and views on spirituality. I can say with conviction that they certainly weren’t handed to me or domesticated into me. I’m happier and feel more honest with myself about who I am than I ever did under the sway of Mormonism. That’s just me and it’s honest. I don’t expect you to choose the same path. I don’t care if you do or not, although I would encourage you to balance verifiable evidence with feelings of the heart or emotions. I can say that this path has given me a confidence and a dignity that I never experienced as a TBM. If you are willing and unafraid to look, you might just find that there are a myriad of problems with LDS history as taught today, with claims and doctrines you have learned. The Mormonthink.com website is a treasure trove of things worth considering and it represents both sides in a fair and even handed fashion. If your faith is real, it will not harm you.
In my view, any religion, ideology, political system/perspective or philosophy that encourages it’s adherents to avoid looking at or considering what it’s detractors say or claim is the first sure sign of mind control, manipulation and false claims. We should ask ourselves, “why is there such a fear by the organization of outside verifications of supposed truth claims?” I have learned that this kind of stance is the first and most obvious sign of cult behavior, mind control and unethical mental manipulation. Afterall, if it’s true, it will certainly bear thorough and sincere scrutiny. Think about it if you can.
Best wishes in your own unique journey. I honor it because it is yours. Please honor ours.
-Rodger Lee
Thank you so much for this comment Rodger!
BRAVO RODGER! Very well stated…I thoroughly enjoyed what you have written here!
Graduated Seminary. Graduated Ricks. Graduated BYU. Married a return missionary in the temple. Had many callings and 2 children. I did what I was supposed to do. I didn’t leave the church because I was offended. I didn’t leave the church because I wanted to experience a “sinful” life. I left the church because I researched questions I had about doctrine and found the answers. I am not angry or bitter about my decision. I’m at peace….finally.
You can testify of your belief of the “truthfulness” of the church. I am here to testify that I know the church is not true. My biggest question now is why do people in the membership of the church care so much about those of us who have chosen to leave? We’ve made our choice. If something changes, I know where to find you. I don’t send anyone anti-mormon emails, and yet people send me mormon emails all the time. It’s insensitive and slightly offensive. How about we stop judging, accept each other, and move on.
Thanks
Please keep your Opinions to yourself .
its offending everyone else thats MORMON .
BELIEVE WHAT YOU WANNA BELIEVE …
thank you
Viia Tatafu – The flipside to free agency is letting people practise it! We live in a free world, and we will express our opinions as we see fit.
I’m sorry that in your world you are not free to express your own opinions if they are contrary to the established misrepresentations, and I’m sorry that you feel offended by comments here. One questeion brother, why are you here?
We will believe what we want to believe, and we respect you for what you want to believe.
Members within the LDS church do not aim to “dehumanize” themselves by “losing themselves” within the church. Members strive to rely fully on God, as we all should do. God is constant, therefore He is the only one we can fully and completely rely to be with us through the good and the bad. In no way does this make them weak or unidentified. Our goal is to become perfect, as God. Only though God can we become perfect and like Him.
People often leave the church because they feel suffocated by what is expected of them, when in reality, it depends on the individual themselves and how they decide to go about following what they know to be right. God gives us advice and commandments to free us from the consequences of sin, not to take away any “fun”. God hopes and wants us to experience true happiness, not temporary, fake happiness.
Kristin,
I didn’t leave because of the church expecting me to be a good moral person. I left because the doctrines are false. Why do you need the doctrines to be a good moral person?
I don’t drink or smoke and I don’t go around having sex and I didn’t need any God to believe in that, so why should I believe in the church?
I think you should really re-read what you said because you are claiming that everyone who leaves the church does it for that specific reason which is wrong.
However, who says that the church is the authority for how you are supposed to live? Who says what is right and what is wrong?
Kristin, RE: your last paragraph.
Is is a gross misconception by many believing members that people leave ‘the church’ do so “because they feel suffocated by what is expected of them”. You’ve essentially put out a blanket statement saying ‘They leave because they can’t hack it’. That is not really fair and shows how little believing members understand about what is actually involved. Do you really think we take our salvation and fate in the eternities so lightly?
While it is true that there are great expectations within church culture and doctrine that can, and often do, leave one feeling suffocated, it would be a logical fallacy to assert that there is a causation relationship between those feelings and leaving the church. Beyond that, there are many who are feeling suffocated who still choose to stay.
It is true, I felt quite resigned to my membership for years before I left. It did indeed feel suffocating. It would be easy to pinpoint these feelings as for the reason for my so-called ‘apostasy’. However, what the actual cause for my suffocation was would be quite different than what you’re asserting.
The direction the church was going wasn’t actually resonating with what my heart, mind, and body where telling me. My actual beliefs, ones that weren’t handed to me by virtue of being born into the church, but what was actually inside of me due to logic and reasoning and my definition of humanity and integrity. It was literally like everyone around me was telling me the sky was red, and I went along with it not having the courage to trust in myself that they sky was as blue. That was the suffocation. Aligning myself with an ideology that did not resonate on the big nor little questions in life. Because I ‘could hack it’ as far as the demanding rigors and did so quite well. I had 100% VT, attended every ward temple night, magnified my calling up until the hour I left.
While I won’t give you the point that there is a causation relationship, I am wiling to concede that from my vantage point there is possibly a correlation relationship between these feelings and leaving.
When people are experiencing these intense feelings of dissatisfaction, uncertainly, and seeing that their views and beliefs do not align with the church’s views (without cherry picking or rationalizing), one does at some point have to open themselves up to an honest search for how to reduce the dissonance that is inevitably created. For some, this means searching for truth in a way that no longer involves coming out at the other side with one’s testimony intact. Integrity takes on a new meaning, as one decides to conduct an experiment with an open-ended hypothesis instead of with the end result (maintaining faith and belief) in mind. It is terrifying. But it is also honest, and authentic.
Since more and more members will continue to leave, I think it is important that more believing members come to understand that much of what they view about the mental processes involved in leaving are complete fallacies. Since we are all interconnected, and we are all still “Mormons” and many of us are tight-knit family and friends, it will become increasingly important to gain understanding, insight, empathy, and perspective if maintaining a closeness and connectedness in our relationships is of any value.
And as far as ‘true happiness’ verses ‘fake happiness’, I wonder what kind of authority or gifts one would possess to assert knowledge of there being a difference and who is experiencing which. I am asking a sincere question and hoping you take some time to ponder about this.
Hi Natalie,
I like your story here. The church is unfortunately rather stuffy and stifling. Some of us are trying to change that (though it is rather difficult given what we have to work with).
In answer to your question in another post – why don’t I join the ex-mo’s? Not that I don’t have a passion for criticising the Mormon church (they are such an easy target), but I try to do it to help them see they could be so much “better” than they are. And, I really don’t have a problem having the label “Mormon” on me as much as some. I live far enough away from the Mormon leadership to avoid their nasty habit of excommunicating people they don’t like (I’m sure some of them would just love to excommunicate me for some of the things I’ve written and said). But, see – I consider it a bade of honor to verbally tick them off. Most of the time I try to do it in a light-hearted, but pointed way. However, to answer your question, I think I can do more “good” inside than outside. Not that I’m so concerned if they eventually catch me and excommunicate me. After all, my salvation ultimately isn’t up to them. It is between me and God and as long as I’m speaking the truth as best I see it, I don’t think I’m going to have much problem with God.
Anyway, if you happen to be in Las Vegas sometime, let me know – I’d be happy to take you out to dinner and share a bottle of wine (btw – to my fellow Mormons, Jesus Christ made FERMENTED “wine” at the wedding at Cana – GET OVER IT).
Tobin
Um.. one question, what habit of “excommunicating”?
We all are constantly trying to reach out to those who have fallen to forbidden paths, as far as I know, we have never excommunicated anyone.
Here (Page one and two) is an example of my good friend being excommunicated. You can watch his video and read his exit story here (don’t miss his written account of his excommunication council).
Lyndon Lamborn wrote a whole book on his excommunication which you can find here (along with other links). You can watch his “I am an Ex Mormon” video here.
You might also find this video interesting, involving church leaders threatening a member with excommunication as a way to silence him.
Here is another link to the wikipedia page describing the excommunication of the now infamous “September Six“.
Also, you may be interested to see if you can find a copy of the LDS Leadership Handbook of Instructions which outlines how to handle an excommunication (as well as getting disfellowshipped). The Jehovah’s Witnesses equivalent of the LDS Handbook of Instructions also outlines similar ways of “rejecting” their members when they are disobedient to their doctrines. Interestingly, the JW Elders Manual has this to say about criticizing leaders:
“Symptoms of spiritual fatigue include:
…becoming overly critical of Elders and the Organization.”
And to compare:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xcwghb_don-t-ever-criticize-us-even-if-th_news
Thank you for this website. I can only imagine how many people you have helped already.
I see many discussions about doctrine … JS did this and did that etc. Blaming him for this and that etc. Overall the LDS Church works for a lot of people. It can trigger the spirituality of people and that’s a great thing. It works. It does overall greater good like most religions. But religion is not a requirement to trigger one’s spirituality. We all have a spirit and can all be inspired by God. The spirit is the same as the Holy Ghost which is also referred by us humans as: heart, soul, spirit etc. It’s all the same. The LDS Church does not have monopoly over the spirit. A Catholic person can read the bible and feel the spirit (a good uplifting feeling). Is the bible true? Has anyone read the bible from a to z and prayed to know if it was true? I have read many books and felt just totally good – even cried – had goose bumps etc. Were those novels real and true? I have also read the book of Mormon and felt an uplifting feeling, a good feeling. I know some people who really enjoyed reading the stories (baseball, war etc.) of general authority Paul H Dunn. They were uplifted and felt the spirit. Some of his stories were apparently made up. What I’m saying is that whenever you read something and feel an overwhelming feeling come upon you – it doesn’t necessarily mean that what you are reading is a true story. That it really happened. The content may certainly have some great values and be uplifting but did the story really happened? The mind triggers emotions, emotions can result in crying etc. I do that myself all the time. We have to be careful. The mind is very powerful and can drive your ego to trigger emotions. When one truly feels the spirit which is also the holy ghost also the heart, also the soul, it’s also God, the universe etc. its a peaceful feeling from your inner self, a good feeling of happiness. Everyone on this planet has access to that. I don’t have to go to sacrament meeting to feel that. I can actually feel it stronger when simply going for a walk and praying in the American Fork Canyon here in Utah. I’ve had my greatest spiritual moments alone outside. You don’t need to be religious to be spiritual. That’s the beauty of God. Feeling the spirit at church, or in a cathedral, or synagog, or temple etc. doesn’t make that specific religion true but it does make spirituality a true thing!
.
Very true – warm fuzzy feeling do not equal truth, this is a myth. I’m English and I spend time in Cathedrals listening to choral music, I have spiritual experiences there all the time!
One word DISGUSTED.I will pray tonight for you and please let God help you for being HATERS!Plus this Tobin person.A message to you Eres Una Rascista Y No Critices mas Nuestra Iglesia No Como TU yo si ciero volver con mi Padre Celestial.If you dont understand go to Google Translate.Mal agradecida.
Perla,
I did – here is what Google says:
Tobin – you are a child of God that likes puppies and wine. Santa Claus is very pleased and you will get lots of presents this year.
Well, gosh – I don’t know what to say Perla. Thank you very much. BTW – what are you getting me for Christmas this year?
Sorry, that is not at all what it says, I don’t understand what it says exactly, but it talks about us going back to our Father in Heaven.
Goodness Perla, I wish I could transport you back to Utah Valley c1860 so as you could witness Brigham Young in full throttle with his ‘Celestial System’ – then you would have something to be really discusted about.
I was very interested to see an advertisement for these videos on facebook. It seems like many of the people featured are Utah residents and I feel like they are directed to the large Mormon population in that area.
My question is if it would be easier or harder to leave the church while living in an area where there is no constant reminder of the LDS church, and where church members are not the majority. I consider myself to be an open minded, understanding member of the LDS church, I have lived in and have grown up in 6 different states including Utah. I feel like in Utah it is so easy to forget how small the LDS faith really is, and what a small minority they are in other states. Mormons in other states really cling to each other, and often times deal with bigotry and prejudices which in the end seem to help them grow closer.
From what I have seen in Utah, I feel like it is the other way around. Many non Mormons or ex Mormons feel like they are the minority and seem to be the ones (in a way) getting persecuted. I feel like there is such a strong underground anti Mormon community in Utah which creates such strong and often hateful feelings against what others may view as a relatively small and harmless religion. I think the radical and hateful anti Mormon videos on youtube and the sensational literature and websites serve little purpose but to scare away investigators of the church, the majority of whom do not reside in Utah. I’m not against information being presented, it can just be upsetting sometimes when the church is portrayed to be “weird” or “evil” when in reality if most outsiders were to attend, they would find that it really isn’t a “cult” in comparison to other Cristian churches. Or that LDS church members aren’t any more “brainwashed” than faithful members of other religions. If you sit down and think about how strange the idea of a redeemer for all of mankind is, it really isn’t that much stranger to believe in a prophet or even that we as humans have a god-like potential.
I guess what I am trying to get at is that I actually do enjoy these videos. I appreciate that they don’t seem to be targeted towards people who are completely ignorant of the LDS faith, or even to faithful members of the church. I feel like they are targeted more towards people who are sincerely struggling with their faith in the LDS church and who may feel alone or upset.
I hope to see more post Mormon web sites like this one on the internet that aren’t as much about soiling the image of the LDS church as they are about helping people who have made the decision to leave the church and who are in need of support and friendship.
Thanks so much for your comments Parker!
To those who think people leave because they have been offended, please know that is not always the case. I can speak only for myself and my wife, but we left after a lifetime because we came to know from incontrovertible evidence that the church is not what it claims to be; the Book of Mormon is fiction, plagiarized, or all three; and Joseph Smith was not who he claimed to be.
As others here have pointed out, church members are encouraged to share their testimonies. But they are at the same time discouraged from even exploring the evidence others have found to the contrary of their testimonies. One has to wonder why. Why would the brethren not want people to read. I know, the given answer is “Because people may lose their testimonies.” It seems a testimony based on truth could stand any scrutiny, but a testimony built on a shallow pool of facts would be vulnerable to being shaken. Why don’t “The 15″ want members reading? Because they are afraid of what people might learn.
After much anguish, tears, shock and dismay at what we found, my wife and I feel such peace now that we have left. And we look back on those remaining and see them as we reflect on ourselves when we were true-believing: Oblivious to the real truth and afraid to learn anything that might shake their faith.
No reading of the objective, prime-source documented, and historically supportable books on the subject can lead any reasonable person to any other conclusions. As my dear wife said, “No wonder we were discouraged from reading this material.”
We were not “iffy” members. I was an elders quorum president, young men’s president, bishopric member, stake calling holder, Gospel Doctrine teacher, and bishop. My wife a YW president, a seminary teacher, and a Relief Society president.
I am thankful for this site. It gives me strength to see that others who are leaving are intelligent, sound-thinking, well-spoken people.
I just made a modest donation to the cause on this website. I encourage others to do so as well.
It never ceases to amaze me bishop, how former members such as yourself, can’t honestly look and study ancient church history, especially from a secular perspective. And not see that Joseph Smith Jr. restored the true “Church of Christ”. I too grew up in the Church. And after learning of these “false doctrines” myself. I had to make the same decision you and your wife did. Either it was true, or most everyone I loved and respected in my life had deceived me. So with much prayer and very serious opened minded study, I searched for the “Truth”. This is what I’ve come to understand. There comes a time in our lives as members of the Church when we need to “put away childish beliefs”. There is so much more to the Gospel of Christ than what we are taught on Sunday. The Church is the foundation, the “milk”. And I believe if that’s all a member desires to understand in this life, it will serve them well in the next. This is why the Brethren stick to Gospel principals and doctrine. So, say what you want about Joseph Smith. I just wonder what the “ex members” of the the Church were saying about Abraham when he claimed the LORD told him to sacrifice Isaac.
I stumbled across this site on youtube. I am not a Mormon. I must say, while this site focuses on Mormons, it seems to be more about becoming an Atheist. It seems to assume there are only two options Mormonism or Atheism. The theme seems to be: because there are issues with the beliefs of the Mormon Church and some bad things happen in the Mormon Church, there is no God and Atheism is the answer. That is some fuzzy logic.
Happy Easter.
Strange thing for a ‘non-mormon’ to conclude if you ask me…
Hello everyone,
For the sake of privacy I will Cal myself jimbo. I have been struggling with the church for some time now. I have a very interesting life story however I won’t bore you. However I don’t know what to do about the way that I feel. I will only touch on a couple of points. 1. I have was excommunicated when I was in my 20′s. It have since been rebaptized and my temple blessing restored. 2. I was married in the temple but got divided because my ex wife was sending sexually related text messages to some of her 7th grade students. After occurred I moved away to start over. I meet someone wonderful and we wanted to get married in the temple. The first presidency denied my request to get married in the temple. However they granted my ex wife’s request for a sealing clearance and allowed her to get remarried i n the temple.
3. I still don’t understand how this can been. I have done what christ our Savior requires of us. I lifted my sins up to him and I believe through his shed blood I am clean. 4. Through this process my local church leaders had demand to know why I was excommunicated eventhough I was told I never have to speak of it again. My local church leaders have told me that be being excommunicated I am now nothing but a second rate member of the church. These same leader have also told my that I will still need to face consequences for my action through out my mortal life. This is stark contrast from what I know to been the truth. Are there any suggestions on what I should do. I believe in the atonement of Jesus christ but I have lost in his so called true church. I have considered writing a letter to first presidency to ask them if this is all I am. I also know that my faith dictates my salvation not men.
Hi jimbo,
I’d just get married, and enjoy your life. Don’t worry about the ex-communication thing or temple marriage thing. They aren’t important. Instead, be kind to others around you and live a Christ like life. I wouldn’t pay much attention to what your local church leaders say either. Your salvation is between you and God – not between you and any man. Rely on God and you’ll be fine. The Lord will sort all this out in due course.
Tobin
Hi Jimbo, it’s possible that you were denied a Temple Marriage a second time because you were a priesthood holder before you were ex’ed. You will never attain to a high office in the church if you were once ex’ed – so much for complete forgiveness!
Hi Jimbo,
I’m also an active member of the church. I’m sorry to hear about your situation. At times leaders can be insensitive and may deal with these situations in the wrong way. Though I cannot relate to you and your situation as much as I wish I could, I am trying to understand how you feel. All I can say is if you truly have the desire to get married to this woman in the temple, don’t give up. Try to cooperate with your church leaders and try to understand why they may want to know this information. I would also write the first presidency if I was in your situation, or I would look for help from other church leaders. Try to have patience and don’t lose your faith in the atonement.
I know the majority of the people on this site may say that temple marriage doesn’t matter, but please understand that for a true believing Mormon it is something that brings a lot of peace and happiness, and is very desirable. If you, Jimbo, have made the decision to stay in the church, I hope it turns out to be a positive one, and I hope that it brings you happiness.
My name is Tom and I’m a current Mormon.
I have been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for more than three decades. I am a husband of a wonderful woman and the father of four amazing children.
My experience with the LDS Church has been nothing short of wonderful. It has done an amazing job helping me learn about and draw closer to Jesus Christ. Attending the LDS Church has made me a much better person. It has helped me realize my potential. It has helped lift me up when I have been down. It has helped me learn the importance of selflessness.
I’ve found my most rewarding experiences have come when I’ve tried to lift others rather than tear them down.
I respect each of the opinions and experiences shared on this site. And, I’m grateful to you for allotting some space for me to share mine.
Thanks for sharing Tom. I would be dishonest to believe that you and others like you in the Mormon faith do not exist. Of course there are people in the church who express similar sentiments as yourself!
What I have learned though, is that the Jehovah’s Witnesses will tell me the same thing (and they have). And yet, I would be dishonest to say that their happiness would be reason to believe their religion is true. This is also true of Scientology. In fact, my main problem with the Mormon church and others like it, is the system itself. For example, Steven Hassan talks about his experience in the Moonies cult. He describes the complete dedication he had to his leader Sun Myung Moon, and later his disaffection and education of mind control techniques used in this system. He writes about this in his book “Combating Cult Mind Control”. Let me make it very clear that I do not think Mormonism is on the same level of psychological manipulation as the “Moonies” (aka Unification Church), however there are a few important similarities. One of which includes how these systems of mind control are expert in bringing a mental state of “happiness” or what the believer interprets to be “joy”. This is part of the system itself. So on one hand I am glad that you are happy- but on the other hand I am not convinced that you have found the optimal path to human well-being, especially when it relies on unethical methods of psychological manipulation to retain membership. I’m sure you can agree that the Jehovah’s Witness practice of refusing blood transfusion (and going so far as to keep a copy of a pre-formatted power of attorney document provided by the Watch Tower Society to avoid this) is wrong- but it is easy for us as outsiders to understand this doctrine as dangerous. Unfortunately it is not so easy to see the problems with this from a practicing Jehovah’s Witness perspective- and the reason for this is precisely because of the system of psychological control that is used within their organization – a system that the Mormon church mirrors quite effectively. So you may sound happy, and I don’t doubt that you are. But I also feel it is important for us to voice our concern about the organization you belong to in order to warn people about the possible loss of personal identity that occurs within these organizations. My goal is to help others find their personal identity, ground them in reality and truth through the scientific method of discovery, and allow them to find within themselves purpose in life- rather than an authority imposing their purpose on them from the outside. I believe that this gives someone the potential for optimal happiness and human well-being, as well as avoiding the many inherent problems associated with systems of psychological control that hold the world back: things like treating homosexuals differently or giving certain status to males only, or creating an “us vs them” mentality. Thank you again for your comment, and I appreciate your kind words declaring your respect for our opinions.
-Dan Johnson (creator of the “I am an Ex Mormon” video series)
PS. If you are interested in learning more about the psychological system that is often used in mind control situations, I would direct you to Steven Hassan’s BITE model, which describes how an organization controls your Behavior, Information, Thoughts and Emotions. Steven Hassan is a mind control expert, and has been in this field of psychology for the past 30 years. Here is the link:
http://freedomofmind.com/bite/
Tom Peters is ballin! I too am a Mormon! It has been great!
Side note: THIS WEBSITE IS HOMOSEXUAL!!!!
Dan,
Your consistent response is one of respect for what people say. I agree with your points about thought control. Steven Hassan has described what many people and organizations do which intend to perpetuate their influence, especially over their adherents. Your video series demonstrates how a wide variety of people find continued membership in Mormonism to be at odds with their pursuit of happiness. Sometimes these people pay a high price. I hope and expect that their benefit exceeds their cost.
Nathan
Thanks Nathan!
Tom,
I am happy you are finding happiness in the church and truly hope you continue to.
My family and I did for many years, but once we learned about substantial doctrinal issues that can be characterized at best as “problematic,” we couldn’t continue to be part of it. The facts were inescapable once we found them. We could have looked past imperfections in leadership. But a church that claims to be the only true gospel needs to be true. When its founder was found to be a charlatan, when it’s moment of creation is shown to be told by its founder in ten different forms, when its seminal (and “perfect”) document is shown to have been changed 3,900 times, and when its prophet’s prophecies are shown to not hold up, we couldn’t be part of it.
Best of luck to you.
Thank you for this website and the series of videos, they are exceptionally well done and I have a lot of respect for those who have been brave enough to leave the LDS church and go public with their experiences. I know how hard that can be when some members will express shame towards those who leave into coming back, as is evident from the comments on this forum alone.
Like others who have posted here, I was born into the church, graduated seminary, served a successful mission, married in the temple and served in many callings. It wasn’t until I began questioning the origins of temple ordinances and Joseph Smith’s VERY OWN conflicting historical accounts of his visions, his sexual deviancy with underage women (14 years-old), his documented convicted fraud case, angels telling him to sleep with other men’s wives, and him shooting a gun at the guards during his death, that really helped begin my journey out. And, of course, these are only the things in official church-approved books and documents.
I found that joy and happiness are created from within – whether we choose to be happy because we believe in ghosts and demons, or we don’t, is a matter of personal preference and I can respect those who want to believe in the supernatural, it’s just not for me. It took a college degree and learning some social psychology to help explain why we are prey to those ideas and how group pressure also shapes our cognitive bias. I’ve been out of the LDS church for nearly a decade, ultimately removing my name last year when the LDS church attempted to legislate its bigotry into California state law – and then was fined for it. Now, out of the church, I couldn’t be happier with my extra free day of the week, the 10% raise, and the intellectual freedom to do things from discarding antiquated bigoted ideas to setting for myself my own purpose in life. Most importantly I am no longer scared of disappointing invisible people, just myself.
Thanks again for the website, keep up the good work.
hello all.
i stumbled onto this site from a facebook post of a friend. i’m active lds, though i’ve been less so in the past.
one of the things that i’ve noticed in a few of the posts is people wishing each other well and the of wishes in finding truth. i think that’s great. clearly, we’ve all very different experiences, knowledge, and everything else. whatever a person’s beliefs on spirituality, truth is the ultimate destination, no?
some have mentioned that this is a poor representation of what is in fact true, as people with wildly different views claim (with varying degrees of certainty) that their respective beliefs, are in fact, the truth. so, yes; using this to gauge absolute truth is fairly hopeless. however, to each individual, the pursuit of truth is extremely valid.
i say there is a god. my friend who’s an atheist says there is not. we’re both quite settled in our beliefs, though not afraid of learning of others. we can’t both be right, but we can both be happy in honestly searching for the truth–whatever it may be.
so. at the end of the day, i’m mormon. culturally, i often fit it quite poorly. but in the doctrine, the actual church, i am firmly fixed. it is, as able as i am to discover it, true.
likewise, i hope everyone here (and elsewhere) can look for truth, and honestly find it where they may.
peace and love,
todd.
Todd, thank you so much for your comment!
I am extremely grateful that you have expressed yourself with kindness and respect. Your comment comes across as what I would expect from someone who is dedicated to living a Christlike life. Keep it up!
I am glad you have had a chance to see some of the videos and I hope they help you to have a greater understanding and love for those who leave! Take care,
Dan Johnson
Todd,
I can relate to you quite a bit. I am an active member of the lds church myself, and I enjoy my experience with the church. I also feel that I fit in poorly culturally, as my view points may be a little more liberal and my beliefs a little different than an ideal church member.
I like what you said about truth, and I believe that is may also be different for everyone. Many church members confront the issues presented on this website and in these videos, and remain very active and happy with the church. Others find it better to leave, and feel great about it. I think it would be impossible to say that either way would be the right thing to do for all members of the church, or for all people that are struggling with their faith.
I think its important for everyone to find their own identity and to figure things out for themselves, limiting the influence of not only a church organization, but of other social pressures and opinions as well.
Thank you for these videos. I am a nevermo who has been involved in the ex/postmormon community for just over 2 years now. My one and only child (daughter) converted in 1996 while in college. She was married in the temple (which I could not attend), has 4 children and “I am not the grandmother she wants for her children”. In addition to the various ex/postmormon communities these videos have helped me gain a clearer understanding and resolution of why she joined and why she has behaved the way she has towards me. Not that I hold mormonism solely responsible for the dissolution of our relationship but it certainly has not helped. IMO you are all very courageous and brave individuals.
It seems so cult-like in all the ways of cults, yes it is troubling, this LDS religion.
The teachings of goodness, sharing, being kind, helping others, being compassionate, etc., fill my heart with joy
But the other side of the proverbial coin… the religion’s serious pressure for “tithing” and its scare tactics and the overt proselytizing and the weird stories in this faith that have actually been proven to be made up and yet more scare tactics are truly frightening.
It makes me sad.
I was just perusing sites on the internet and I truly hope that more Mormons will look inside themselves and rise above the things brainwashed into them!
So sad to me!
NO MATTER WHAT YOU BELIEVE SPIRITUALLY,
LIFE IS WORTH LIVING !!!
You are asked to pay tithing, you technically aren’t forced to, but the people I know who do pay tithing are those who end up happier, and often they have more money than they truly need.
At first I had a hesitancy in going to this website. I was not sure if this was another Christian anti-Mormon site. Since my deconversion started with the Bible, I have a tendency to assume that any Christian argument against the church would be weak because Christianity relies so heavily on the Bible, and Christian arguments against the church tend to reason with less empirical argument in my past experience. I also admit that as an atheist, I often find myself biased against deconverting to atheism because of anything other than science. However, I was impressed to notice that the motivation for this website seems to be only for ex-Mormons to tell their exit story, without pushing any particular belief system for ex-Mormons to turn to.
I notice that the videos put out by the church follow a very careful formula with specific tone, lighting, reverent narration, and carefully chosen music in an attempt to register a peaceful feeling from within. It’s funny how those videos virtually always provide just anecdotal evidence. I’d love to see an ex-Mormon perfectly imitate one of these videos by using the same music and everything, but then provide an anti-Mormon message. It would be interesting to see the confusion it could stir up in members. Your work does come close, as I have sometimes felt “the spirit” while watching some of your videos.
On another note, Dan, I am excited for the day that your story is told. I notice that you mentioned that Chris’ video very much reflected your story, but I would still like to hear your story. Can I expect to see it anytime soon?
I am grateful for the work you have put into this project. It is very comforting to see these stories told and to know for certain I am not alone in my journey, as well as finding such like-mindedness expressed that I can so exactly relate to.
I am an exmormon site? Really? Sounds like a lot of hard and angry feelings Dan. I think the idea is cute, but you guys are still having a hard time with it even after all this time. Goodluck!
This is the most hilarious site ever. I’m not even mormon. I think this is brilliant comedy. Seriously, you make it seem like everyone who leaves the church suddenly turns into the Joker from Batman. They laugh maniacally at the most mundane of things. If this is meant to be humorous then bravo, and if not, well thanks anyways. You gave me a whole new set of people to laugh at.
My name is Gregory Goodwin, and i’m a mormon.
Oh, and i also agree with Will.
And that mind control thing? *sigh* I have a mind of my own, just because you say otherwise, it does not make it true – thats a bit offensive don’t you think?
So what i’ve learn from this is that once you leave the church, you become… offensive? Interesting.
“…it ultimately is impossible for another person to offend you or to offend me. Indeed, believing that another person offended us is fundamentally false. To be offended is a choice we make; it is not a condition inflicted or imposed upon us by someone or something else.”
-Elder David A. Bednar
http://lds.org/general-conference/2006/10/and-nothing-shall-offend-them?lang=eng&noLang=true&path=/general-conference/2006/10/and-nothing-shall-offend-them
Atta boy.
Um… one question, so you still believe in the words of our apostles and prophets, but don’t believe in anything about the Church… and… Also, you try to bend our own words back to bite us.
Oh, and Jbugz, don’t say atta boy to him.
I believe in some of the words of your apostles and prophets, that is correct.
I do not believe they are inspired of God, but since Mormons believe that their words are inspired (usually) of God I quote them frequently to make a point to believers. Here’s a personal favorite I like to quote:
“I hope that you will develop the questing spirit. Be unafraid of new ideas for they are the stepping stones of progress. You will of course respect the opinions of others but be unafraid to dissent if you are informed. Now I have mentioned freedom to express your thoughts, but I caution you that your thoughts and expressions must meet competition in the marketplace of thought, and in that competition truth will emerge triumphant. Only error needs to fear freedom of expression. Seek the truth in all fields, and in that search you will need at least three virtues: courage, zest and modesty. The ancients put that thought in the form of a prayer. They said, “From the cowardice that shrinks from new truth, from the laziness that is content with half truth, from the arrogance that thinks it has all truth – O God of truth, deliver us.”
-Hugh B Brown LDS Apostle, Member of the First Presidency (BYU Devotional, 1958)
D. William Johnson is correct.
Great wesite. Keep up the good work.
Great website. So many different stories but all people found the same path was right for them. What’s I find interesting is why when these people (in the videos) are clearly happy do active LDS member find that so threatening and wrong? If one of them could explain that it would be great. Also why they feel the need to post on an ex-mormon site at all is fascinating to me, I mean if you are so confident in your beliefs, a couple of videos on the internet could never ever cause you even the littlest distress right when you have absolutely no doubt about your religion or faith?
Jospeh S.
It doesn’t cause me any distress. Most ex-mormons left a belief system I don’t endorse to begin with, so going from falsehood to falsehood isn’t much of a threat (or accomplishment) in my opinion. Mormonism, if you boil it down, is essentially this: seek God and do what God tells you to do. Most ex-mormons NEVER actually do that. They have a “feeling” (having gas is hardly a good way of determining truth though) that Mormonism is true and get wrapped up in the lifestyle or beaten down by the lifestyle (or something to do with the lifestyle in there somewhere). Then they discover that the claims of Mormonism are preposterous. Well – DUH?!? How can you really believe in magic gold books, angels, people seeing God, and all that jazz if you never have done any of that? JS sets the bar. He claimed he went out in a field and prayed and saw God and this is the important part: YOU CAN DO THAT TOO!!! Otherwise, I just wouldn’t believe him and go do something else.
Tobin
One question, have you ever Remembered seeing Jesus? It’s strange, I know, but I had remembered seeing him. I can’t tell you all the details, but I remember seeing him, walking beside me. And one question, have you ever even went on the actual LDS websites, just a question, not meant to be taken cruel.
I was raise in the church like everyone else, as a kid you listen to your family, you get involve and get baptize at 8 years old, like you know what you were doing. I think it is completely wrong to baptize someone against their will. Growing up as a Mormon as was force to go on a mission because I wanted to make my family proud. I did made my dad happy by serving a mission. In my mission I started to believe in the doctrine, unfortunately I could never receive an answer why black Man could not received the priesthood. I finish my mission and move to Utah I went to school at BYU where I felt the differences in the church. I am a black man and I am proud to be a black man. I graduate with a civil Engineering degree I am working full time; my monthly tithing is more than what I am paying for my car. Do I want to pay tithing or not? Some time you are Trappe in something you don’t know what to do. 6 years ago I married my wife in the temple. I did that because I love her not because I believe in the temple. Now I realize I made the biggest mistake in my life for married in the temple. Every day I a m wondering If I am ever going to tell her that I don’t believe in the church. I know the day I tell her, she will divorce me and I will lose my son that I love the mo, her family will hate me forever. Now I am trap going to church because I love my wife. Some time I feel like telling her, I also feel like I am not ready to face what’s coming. I don’t see myself losing my family, I feel like I need to stop lying to myself, to her, and the kids that I am currently teaching in church, I have been trying to avoid calling in the church for a long time , until recently my wife force me too. It is hard to live a life that is not me. In the house, I am someone different then what I am outside. I have not leave the church yet but I am searching for advice on how, I should handle the situation.
Please I want some advice on what I should do
jo,
The reason blacks were denied the priesthood was because of racial discrimination pure and simple. It was a man-made doctrine introduced by white racists and that is all it was.
As far as tithing, I refuse to pay it and go to church. I am perfectly willing to give all I have (money too) to worthy causes that I believe are from God, but God can let me know what those are. I give to charity instead for example. However, I do not give to the church because they have perverted tithing and are do not handle the funds honestly and in an open way with accounting to the members for what they do with the funds (much as a charity would).
As far as believing in the church, I don’t believe in it. It is a man-made organization. I believe in God and am willing to do what God wants me to do. I think that is far more important than doing what the church or more specifically, what the men in the church think I should be doing. If I were you, I’d highly recommend speaking with God directly and getting a knowledge of God (see, speak, and hear the Lord directly). Anything less is a sham and getting your information second-hand in my opinion.
Tobin
PS You’ll be a far better Mormon/Christian/etc and human being if you seek God and do what he says. Mormonism isn’t a great religion to believe in if you don’t know and speak with God himself.
You call us White racists? Excuse me…
Even though there is not as many black Mormons as white, we are NOT racist.
This website I thought was not supposed to be for flaming/hating the Mormons, sorry Tobin.
Tithing is for charity, the money is used for disaster relief funds, missionaries, temple construction, etc. but, I guess you are not aware because you probably never paid. I know the church is a man-made organization but, so is every other religious group out there. THINK before you type sir because apparently you do not. I would also like to say even thought you have MANY disagreements with the church you should keep it to yourself because there are millions of others who do enjoy this gospel and people like you are just HATERS!
Jasmine,
Funny. You come to a website titled “I am an ex-Mormon” and are surprised to see some criticisms of the church and ask us to be quiet? Also, I would appreciate in the future that you actually deal with what I wrote instead of something else. One of my points was that tithing is not handled in a transparent and honest way (much as you would find in a charity). I did not deal with what tithing was “suppose” to be used for. BTW – would it surprise you to find that tithing is used to build monuments to the church; or the huge mall in SLC; or such common uses such as paying the leaders of the church to fly around in first class; or for high-paid image consultants and lobbyists of the church to push political agendas and do PR? I find such uses disgraceful for funds that should be used for charity.
Tobin
Tell them Jasmine! Haters they are! And I fully agree Dunk!
First, I have some sincere questions for you, because I truly don’t understand why you have started this campaign. To what end do you seek to encourage others to leave the LDS church? If you’re an atheist, what does it matter that someone believes in God? If you believe in God, but believe that religion in general is false, what is to be gained (either by you individually, or by society in general) by telling others that they ought to consider leaving their church. Do you believe that there is a true church on the earth?
One last note (although much longer than a note): The LDS church doesn’t force anything on anyone. The invitation is always to come see for yourself, but a recurring theme I see from so-called “ex-Mormons” is that they feel like they were forced to be someone they are not. The way I see it, however, any religion that does not encourage or teach people to become something they are not, is useless. Still, the church does not force anyone to do anything. The church doesn’t garnish your wages if you haven’t paid your tithing. It doesn’t install cameras in your home to make sure you’re reading your scriptures. I think you get my point.
The Church teaches the following (D&C 121) as it relates to influencing others (contrary to assertions, explicit or implied, that the LDS chrurch forces people to do things, which it absolutely does not):
41 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;
42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—
43 Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;
Our leaders have taught us that verse 43 should happen almost never, and indeed, I can attest that that is true. But if you have experienced anything other than what these verses teaches, it is only because people are imperfect, and not because the LDS Church tries to force people into things as a matter of doctrine. Everyone stands in need of the Atonment of Jesus Christ, and everyone stands in need of forgiveness.
The Church teaches us to find out for ourselves. It teaches us to gain a testimony, and to sincerely love everyone. Everyone. No member of the church can live that 100% all the time, but we should all be trying. It teaches us to be self-sufficient, both spiritually and temporally. It teaches that we should not judge others, but that we should stand for truth and encourage others. It teaches that we should seek a testimony by experimenting on the teachings of Jesus Christ, which is something I have done, and I can tell you that Jesus Christ lives and overcame sin and death so that I might do the same, even if I am currently imperfect.
Thanks for reading.
I can’t speak for the people who make these videos, but I have met several of the people who were featured in them. What you may not realize is that there are many people in the Church who honestly don’t believe it is true. I went to church for two years after I realized it wasn’t true. I won’t share my reasons with you. If you are Mormon, you probably don’t want to be exposed to them. Anyway, I was miserable. I knew it wasn’t true, but I couldn’t imagine leaving. My entire life I viewed exmormons as sinful, lost, hateful, mean, lazy, foolish, etc. I knew absolutely no one who was open about leaving the Church. Talking about your coming out story with a bunch of true believing Mormons isn’t a common occurrence. So, instead, I pretended to believe, taught Sunday School, and felt miserable. Finally, about six months ago I found an online community, Postmormon, that allowed people to share their experiences. I read dozens of exit stories and realized that I wasn’t alone. My experiences weren’t unique. I could imagine a future for myself again. Then, I found these videos. Watching them was so much more personal than reading exit stories. These videos inspired me to take that final step and tell my family the truth.
On their youtube page, iamanexmormon explains that the purpose of the videos is to inspire viewers to have respect and compassion for those who leave. Inside the Church, there are so many misconceptions about why people leave. I was not a sinner. I was not offended. I was not lazy. And yet, I left… I think that most people who leave are like me. They have no belief in the Church, but they don’t know how to take those final steps. These videos help people to do that. They inspire people to have the courage to tell the truth. These videos were not made to drag you from the Church. You are not even in the targeted viewership. These videos are for people who are in the middle of leaving the Church. People inside the Church often have a tendency to cast themselves as victims. They think that “the world is always picking on us. Why can’t people just leave us alone?” My answer is that these videos aren’t even directed to you. You are not the victim here. These videos are not trying to attack you personally. They are trying to provide a little hope for people like me.
I think that if you are happy in your religion, that’s fine. I think religion can be good so long as it doesn’t willfully hurt/stereotype/lie to/seek to destroy other groups of people. Most religions don’t always meet those standards. I believe that we should live and let live. Most of my family is Mormon, and I don’t actively proselytize them about my atheism. I don’t want to destroy the beliefs that give them comfort. My family often refuses to extend me the same courtesy. I try to be patient and loving with them.
I think the Church certainly does force things on its members. Most religions do. Family pressure and peer pressure are very real “things.” It took me three years to tell my parents about my non-belief because I feared they would disown me. I feared hurting my mother. You may be surprised at the number of Mormons who are simply just pretending because they don’t want to rock the boat or lose their family. Offering baptism to 8-year-old children who have very little life experience or understanding of doctrine is not right. How many 8-year-olds are willing to go against their family’s wishes by refusing baptism? Almost none. It took me 25 years to realize that I had the agency to say “no.” Kids may not be forced to pay tithing, but if they don’t, they face disappointment from their parents, teachers, peers, and leaders. And adult aren’t forced to pay tithing, but if they don’t, they can’t go to the temple. If they can’t go to the temple, they can’t attend the weddings of close family and friends. They will miss out on important life events and be judged as unworthy by onlookers. Talk about pressure! So many people in the Church have huge guilt complexes because of the pressure that members feel. Try sitting in on a relief society meeting on Mother’s Day and you’ll understand what I mean. Nearly every woman in the room feels that they have failed in some way. They feel inadequate and unworthy even though they are great women! People inside the Church explain away all this depression by blaming Satan. “Satan’s out to get us,” they say. I don’t buy it. I’ve witnessed enough of this depression to know that the explanation is much more complicated than that.
You asked, “Do you believe that there is a true church on the earth?” Speaking from the exmormon atheist camp, my answer is obviously no. There have been hundreds of other churches that claimed to be the only source of truth. Plenty of people have killed and been killed in the name of that so-called truth throughout the ages. Feeling that your beliefs are superior to others is a universal human trait. The LDS Church is no different. Exmormon Catholics or evangelicals may have a different answer for you.
Hello Everyone!
I was very excited to see this website; I think the work being done here is wonderful.
I did not grow up in the Mormon church; however, my father is Mormon. He left for twenty-two years (the time he was married to my mother) and returned to the church after their divorce. He was raised Mormon, and his new wife and extended family are Mormon.
My father and I no longer have a close relationship. It is so strange to hear the people on this site describe their experiences of alienation and frustration within the church and to think, “Yes, I know exactly what you mean!” when I have never been a Mormon.
Before my father went back to the church, he never had anything remotely sexist, racist, class-est, homophobic, or judgmental to say. However, since rejoining the church, my father has said bigoted things I’ve never dreamed of him saying. In addition, my own private life has come under scrutiny, as well as my living situation and personal religious beliefs.
Before Mormonism, I was the daughter that hung the moon and the stars; my father could not have been more proud of me. Now, instead of complimenting the new curtains in my apartment living room, he makes inappropriate comments about “locking my door at night” to keep out my two lesbian roommates. And instead of chatting excitedly with me about law school, he is pressuring me to find a white successful boyfriend, marry, and have children. He makes digs at my little brother’s black girlfriend, and expresses distaste for my neo-pagan lifestyle.
He and my stepmother are good people. They love their community, they love their children, and they love their God. But their religion teaches them I am not enough: I need to change, to conform. And I am very hurt. I have loved him for twenty-two years, through the good times and the terrible, hurtful times. Now this institution, which would have rejected him in the years that I stood by him, suddenly changes how he feels about me in his heart? I don’t understand.
To everyone that has left the church, I empathize with how difficult it must be to face your families. I commend you for your courage and your integrity. In whatever belief system or intellectual community you join afterward, or in the quiet of your solitary path, I wish you the deep sense of belonging and wholeness that comes from being true to yourself. I hope you find and build new families that envelope you in love and acceptance, and that your relationships with your Mormon families can be salvaged.
Go in peace and go in love,
Nessa
Thanks so much for your comment Nessa.
Moronism. Religion is primitive and obsolete.
Jeff Spicoli. Person is retarded.
A trusted friend of mine has just told me about this site. I’ve not had time to explore it fully. I’ll be returning when I have more time. It’s a beautiful mission that the creators of this site have taken on.
I’ve been LDS for most of my life, but baptism into and LDS membership was not what I wanted. Even at eight I questioned. There are so many beautiful religions out there–how can any man know which is true and witch is not. Even at eight I questioned and knew that everybody believes their faith is the only true faith. I’ve always wondered why God would lead everybody to different belief structures. (And don’t tell me it’s Satan misleading God’s sheep. I don’t believe Satan has that much power over God’s work–or else he’d fail to be God.) I said “no” at eight for baptism, I was filled with fear, guilt by a very loving mother, who has taught me many truths and many principles to happiness across my life; but that day, I had no choice. As an eight-year-old, I was not intellectually able to argue or stand against a well-meaning and educated adult. I was baptized. The same happened at twelve with the priesthood; again I said “no,” and against my will I took a devine responsibility and calling that I wasn’t sure came from God at all. I became a Teacher, Priest, and an Elder without resistance. I was beaten and pressured by people I respected and loved. I was quietly and reverently belittled. To this day I still respect and love these meaningful people, although I was not equally respected in return. No one meant me harm, quite the contrary; but by the time I turned nineteen I knew I wouldn’t go on a mission. I was ashamed at that choice, but I couldn’t preach a faith I didn’t belief. Many girls wouldn’t date me, men shunned me, and in some cases neither wouldn’t even talk to me–as if I was swine ready to trample on pearls.
Eventually I followed a bishops guidance and married a woman I deeply loved in the temple. She wouldn’t marry me any other way. I was open and honest with her, I was open and honest with the bishop. I trusted the bishop’s advice, and still respect him to this day, but I was curious if I should follow his odd advice: not to tell the stake president about my disbelief. I married, hoping that the temple and marriage would bring me my long-sought-after faith and knowledge in the church. The temple violated my faith in God. Not saying it was wrong or evil, or that I wasn’t ready, but it was not what I believed.
Five years later I divorced a woman who was so caught up in her religious fear that she couldn’t have sex without feeling dirty or guilty for the entire time we were married. We didn’t divorce over religion, it was strictly because of the lack of sex–I was a wonderful member. I had callings and loved them. Particularly the five-year-old primary class. Once divorced, I left the church, my family abandoned me. I was alone without anyone. I went back to church, because I needed the support of family, but my heart never returned.
I fought my own disbelief for thirty years. I wanted it to be true. I took the Book of Mormon Challenge and didn’t get the promise given. I studied deep and looked hard. I avoided anti-Mormon beliefs, as I know that was full of hate. I’m deeply educated in the church, and love it. But it is not what I believe.
Here I am, seven years after that divorce, I have once again left the church, but only recently started correcting people when they call me a non-active. May family still doesn’t know. I won’t hide it from them, but I don’t believe that battle is justified or what God would want. I am not Mormon, but I don’t regret my upbringing.
I belong to no faith, although I’d love a place to worship. I am not a non-Mormon, an apostate, an agnostic, or a non-denominational–I am strictly a man of God. I don’t mind being called an ex-mormon. There is no faith to describe my interactions with Him. I wish there was. I’ve known God my entire life, but now I am honest with my own self. When He found me ready and developed, He came to me once again, but this time eager and prepared. He is the greatest power in my life, but I care not to convince anyone of this. What is, just is. I need no validation for what I know.
Now that I’ve shared; I hope my story will help another person. If not, at least I’ve been heard. Join what ever faith, or belief structure; be atheist, Mormon, Christian, Muslim or whatever. Worship flies or snakes or the eastern wind, I don’t think it matters whether we believe in God or not; it profoundly matters whether He believe is us. I like to discipline myself in this belief; if I love the world around me, it will love me back. Likewise, if I hate or argue with the world around me it will hate and argue back.
The social and religious scientific data indicates that many former Latter-day Saints migrate to a variety of religious and irreligious places after departing. Some opt for atheism or agnosticism, while others find more “New Age,” mystical, or Roman Catholic contexts of interest.
For those former Mormons still interested in considering traditional Christianity, a new resource called Transitions has been designed for those who have self-extracted from Mormonism yet who retain an interest in more traditional forms of Christianity. You can view the first three of six video chapters, as well as the Introduction to the written workbook, at the resource’s website: http://www.ldstransitions.com.
Good for you! I will pray for your very important calling from the Lord.
Human doctrines are false doctrines. Religion does not save, but Christ saves us through His shed blood for our sins.
The Mormon doctrine is heresy to me.
I became an atheist after I left the Mormon church. I’ve really enjoyed this video series. When is there going to be a new video? Are you guys going to be at the Exmormon Conference this weekend? Hope to see you there.
Well, thanks for the videos. They’ve really helped me transition out of the church. They inspired me to go to ex-Mormon meetings. In May, I was watching your videos, wishing that I could finally tell the world about my non-belief. A little over a month ago, I told my family. It’s such a relief to be honest with everyone. The day after I told my parents, my brother called me and said that he and his wife haven’t believed for five years! But they’re too afraid to tell anyone the truth. I’ve bonded a lot with my brother since I “came out.” Staying quiet only made me depressed and lonely. It’s surprising how many new (and old) friends that you find when you finally gather the courage to leave. Anyway, thanks for inspiring me to take that first step!
I have no problem with this website or its purpose. I admit, I hear it from most people in any religion that those who leave it are wicked. I know, this is not true as human princeple, just as much as I know there are good people in every walk of life.
I haven’t heard from one person or seen one profile, that people posted here, on I’m an Ex-Mormon, that wasn’t about fixing a life problem. A problem in life they claim got better when leaving a religion, life problems that are not exclusive to Mormonism. Leaving their religion didn’t fix their problems, what they believed about their ability to choose corrected their life problems. I find it unfortunate that what they practiced or believed was Mormonism (or any religion) kept them from finding the answers they were seeking while being a part of it. I know you can find happiness, peace, and enlightenment where ever you base your foundation of truth, from within. For some Mormons understanding who they are never extends beyond Mormonism, and as shown here, prohibits them from moving forward with more to their identity.
“Evidence” people get from learning, studying, lack of affirmations, or a newness that is contrary to what is taught as doctrine isn’t the reason people leave the church. New found information challenging the restoration, the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith, or even modern church practices isn’t why people leave the church (members call it Anti) or loose faith. People don’t need to have sinned to leave the church, it isn’t about the denials, the inability to “live up to” something, the loss of testimony, people simply leave the church. I find it so sad that so many feel they can’t tell their family the truth about what or how they do or don’t believe, but I also find it sad that these same people can’t see or understand that for others, what they beleive feel or know themselves to be true.
People can be and are active, faithful, believing members their whole lives who are truely happy, joyful, complete, and otherwise comfortable with who they are the choices they made to get there. Their lives are full without being constrained, deceived, controlled, forced, held back, close minded, dishonest (with themselves/family), lied to, blinded, or anything else others say about these members.
No matter what walk of life you are in, we all share the same life problems that bring us saddness, heartache, and consequences that make us question who we are. Religion does not define us, nor should it be the cause to which we are unable to define ourselves. We also are share the same causes for happiness, joy, self actualization, with or without religion. No one experiences either of these for better or worse in the same way, so neither one of us can tell the other what to do to correct, change, or overcome the challenges we face. Spiritual or not we are the captain of our own souls, and who or what we allow to direct us will influence our happiness.
What I hope to see, from individuals, is that despite religious differences, we can stand together as a community and accept one another.
20 And I also beheld a astrait and narrow path, which came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood; and it also led by the head of the fountain, unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a bworld.
21 And I saw numberless concourses of people, many of whom were apressing forward, that they might obtain the bpath which led unto the tree by which I stood.
22 And it came to pass that they did come forth, and commence in the path which led to the tree.
23 And it came to pass that there arose a amist of darkness; yea, even an exceedingly great mist of darkness, insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were blost.
24 And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, aclinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the bfruit of the tree.
25 And after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they did cast their eyes about as if they were aashamed.
Concerned, I agree. This is one of the most powerful scriptures for these “Exmormons”. It is 100% true, and I do know that many people would feel ashamed for seeing all those other people, those who went to the Large and Spacious building, laughing and jeering at them, with their fine clothes… I hadn’t really known what scripture was out there that was perfect for ths kind of thing, but there always is, and this is it. This is the scripture that everyone needs to read if they find that their friends are seeming to be slipping away. This will let them know what is happening to them, so they will be able to help their friend.
Dunk,
I’ll deal with you here instead of responding to each of your posts:
1) I’ve seen God so that is why I’m Mormon and a theist.
2) I’ve been an atheist (before seeing God) and an ex-mormon, so I understand where they are coming from.
3) I’ve been to many websites and posted comments, including LDS websites.
4) I’m not calling you a racist. I’m saying that the doctrine “that blacks cannot hold the priesthood” was introduced by white racists.
5) There have been plenty of “documented” and public ex-communications lately in the Mormon church over differing views of doctrine. I am pretty certain that I would be a candidate for such a treatment if I were publicly known for who I really am.
6) My purpose in posting here is just for fun. I really don’t care if any ex-mormons or mormons or who-ever reads this believes a word I say. IMO, if they want to find out of there is a God or what the truth is, they need to figure that out on their own and that is between them and God.
Tobin
You saw God? Last time I checked only the brother of Jared (Only seeing the finger of god though) and Joseph Smith saw him. You on drugs when writing this comment. Also you can not be a atheist and a mormon at the same time since we believe in god the eternal father, jesus christ and the holy ghost. Maybe check yourself before you wreck yourself. Brother Richards off the church. Peace!
Something I read today, it comes from the Bible.
1 Timothy
Chapter 4
1. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.
2. Speaking lies in hypocrasy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.
Oops, I misspelled Hypocrisy.
Dunk,
Magic sayings don’t mean very much to me. If you have a well-reasoned point, please make it.
Tobin
i raised as a LDS in Brazil and serve mission, and all my familiy are mormons. Last year I moved far from home and I knew new people and I started to study the church history. For me, is very clear today about this organization. Im struggling hard, because I told my family that I dont believe the church is true, I felt rejected for my familiy and my friends for just tell what I studied and felt. I will keep follow my heart and my decision. I hope someday someone here will understand me.
I read all the same things you did (guaranteed. I’ve studied deep LDS history for 10 years), and do not come to the same conclusion. I am still an active and full believing LDS member. Do you ever stop to consider that fact? I am asking honestly. Because I wonder if folks like you do. I often feel like a guy like yourself imagines you have seen something no other LDS member has seen and are now in on some dirty secret. Just so you know, you are not.
Ber,
This site is intended as a support network for those who’s morals, ideals, and beliefs are not in line with LDS doctrines and teachings.
Like you, I was born into the church (in Utah) and raised as a Mormon. I was very active, served to magnify my callings, and striving for a testimony. I did not serve a mission because I got married (in the temple) before I was old enough.
I am also the only non-believer in my family. It is a very, very difficult road. The LDS members who comment here are typical of prevailing attitudes of believers.
To the best I can, I understand you.
Wishing you the best, lots of love and hugs.
I noticed in the tags of some videos “atheist” was put…is this a pro-atheism website or just a website about leaving mormonism? i’m a catholic and respect all whether they have a belief in God or no belief in God…i just wanted clarification on if this website went hand in hand with atheism. while i don’t promote atheism, whether this website is affiliated with atheism or not i really respect what this website does by empowering ex-mormons. good work!
Hi, I’m a mormon. I’ve read the book of Mormon and I’ve felt the spirit. I’ve broken down in tears because it was so strong. I know the church is true, and I know that God is watching us. He loves each and every one of us even of you don’t love him back.
What I find sad is many of you don’t move on. You have to keep attacking the religion over and over, like someone obsessed. Many of these stories are emotionally manipulative. Claiming how “free” they are, yet the fact time was wasted creating an entire video to dance around about how much smarter you all are and how you now know you were “fooled”. There is so much ugliness buried behind the phony sugar.
In the end, this was nothing more than a pathetic reaction to the “I am a Mormon” videos. It’s almost like a kid who had to get one up and throw some mud. Couldn’t leave it alone, so you needed to run up and dance around, trying to clamor for your own attention. “I am a Mormon” ad campaigns were designed to try to help take away from some of the hateful, violent, and nasty attitude some people take to the religion. What Evangelicals are doing to Romney is unfair and hurtful. But this site had to run into the video, drop its pants and take a big ol’ dump in the yard and stick your middle finger at the camera.
The attitude is mostly best described in one manipulative comment in one of these posts about how being an “apostate” is being able to admit you were “fooled”. Do you understand by any stretch how loaded that comment is? No one was fooled. Any more than I believe that science has fooled me over the years. I may disagree with some scientific ideas, but are they really trying to fool people?
Many Ex-Mormons blow up bridges. And I think videos like this do just that. You create these videos making these types of loaded comments about how you are finally free, and how you are now able to laugh and enjoy life. Experience love, etc. etc. They are loaded because they create implications. They are again, sugar coated accusations.
In the end, most people in my circles find this stuff to be insulting, and simply designed to attack our faith. You left it. Why not grow up and leave it alone? No psychologist I know of would think that this stuff is emotionally positive. It demonstrates an unhealthy obsession. If your life is so great, why not focus on that? Why create an entire video to bash on your former life?
These videos do your cause more damage. And I know a LOT of outsiders who shake their heads and find this all silly. I have ex-Catholics, ex-Methodists, even a friend who is an Ex-Jehovah witness.. All of them have MOVED ON. They don’t create anti- videos, or tell long tales on the internet about their “exit” story.
One friend said it best. “When I became an Atheist, I just moved on. I didn’t spend my time advertising it. And I sure as heck didn’t spend my time begging for attention about it either”.
If you can’t handle moving on, going to the Internet and listening to a bunch of BS stories (yes, I guarantee a large sum of the Ex-Mormon stories posted on the internet are not real – there are usually signs they never were Mormon or the stories are recycled parts of others), is NOT the answer. Go to a therapist. Get some real help. The Internet is NOT THE SOLUTION!
I completely agree with your post. I just stumble upon this website by accident. I am no longer believer in the LDS faith but I found this site to be kind of insulting and weird. These people leave the church but they are still consumed by the church, it is ironic. There is many better things they could do with their life.
I didn’t even want to be part of this conversation but I think you really hit the nail on the head. I hope others can see the validity of your observations.
ahhahahahahahahahahaha THIS IS AMAZING! You guys love the church so much, that’s the only reason why you could even make this site! Thank you! You bring so much MORE attention and question to the church, it is definitely appreciated! wow! It is this very idea of pointing at the church and saying the negative things about it that brings many more members to us. You are magnifying us even more!
I am a Mormon, and I appreciate what you’ve done, why? Because this just brings us many more curious people. For example, a girl from my ward just got baptized all because a couple months ago she watched YOUR videos and had some questions. So she went straight to the church and missionaries for answers.
Keep it up, because guaranteed…this will bring great joy to us.
God Bless you
See, that’s the attitude everyone should have!
I just have a question.
Why do you want everyone joining your religion?
I so love that I’m not alone. I have this whole online community now to support me through my transition out. I started watching one video, and now at almost 4 in the morning, when I have to wake up three hours later, I’ve finished all of them and I’m inspired.
It’s definitely time to stop putting it off because of fear and its time to finally tell my family and friends that it’s just not for me. I learned something from every one of the videos that I think will help me during what I’m sure will be this extremely difficult next step in me becoming an ‘ex.’ Thank you to all of the people who shared their stories. Thank you for (for the most part) stay positive and respectful.
I feel I just happen to be told about this issue at job A couple of days ago with a friend, but at that time this didn’t caugh my attention.
Hello all,
This is a wonderful site for recovering former mormons. I find some of the comments from active LDS (some well intended, some mocking, some hateful) oddly amusing, as they probably represent how I most likely responded to threatening discourse up until a year ago.
I was born into the LDS Church, and was baptized when I was 8. I attended Boy Scout meetings, graduated seminary, served a faithful full time mission in Virginia (even served as a Zone Leader and an “A.P”), married in the temple, served in a few branch presidencies, taught Elders Quorum, did my Home Teaching, attended General Priesthood Meetings, etc etc etc. I’ve read the Book of Mormon and the rest of the Standard Works more than a dozen times. I’ve read Talmage’s Jesus the Christ, McConkie’s Mormon Doctrine, Kimball’s The Miracle of Forgiveness, and the list can go on with hundreds of other books that are faith promoting. I was fully indoctrinated by “goodly parents” who were well versed in church doctrine, especially my father, who is a walking encyclopedia of the church from a true believer’s view. I was 8 when I remember that blacks could get the priesthood (or, to say it in a faith promoting way, that all worthy males could get the priesthood). I believe it is fair to say I had a very strong testimony throughout most of my life. I would also add that a lot of good things happened in my life as a result of my membership that I will always be grateful for, most importantly meeting my wonderful wife.
Unlike what several commenters (such as “Dunk”), I didn’t “slip away” or somehow get tricked by Satan. For me, it started with reading LDS history from LDS authors, such as Todd Compton’s “In Sacred Loneliness”, and learning that a third of Joseph Smith’s wives were still married to other men. That opened the flood gates to other historically documented facts that I never knew about in my 40 years in the church:
1. Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon by looking at a stone in a hat.
2. The Book of Abraham is a complete mockery of the Egyptian language. The facsimiles found in my own copy of the Pearl of Great Price are 100% inaccurate egyptian translations.
3. Joseph Smith lied about his polygamy in public. He drank wine while in Carthage Jail (not for the sacrament, but for enjoyment, this according to John Taylor). He even liked beer. He was arrested in 1826 for peeping in a stone for treasure. He bilked hundreds of thousands of Saints life savings in a bank Ponzi scheme in Kirtland, Ohio (which required him to flee to Missouri in the middle of the night and never to return in order to escape imprisonment and further tar and feathering)…
4. The three degrees of glory and celestial marriage are a summarized plagiarism of Emanuel Swedenborg’s “Heaven and Hell” cir 1758.
The list can go on… Bottom line? I learned that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was a church made by a man, and not by God. It is a nice church, but it is bunk. I had my epiphany when it dawned on me to ask myself, “if I lived my life exactly like Joseph Smith, would I go to Heaven?” To which I could honestly answer, no, I would be excommunicated for adultery, business fraud, using and practicing magic and so on…
Cheers!
David
I’m going to keep it short and sweet.
The Mormon church is a cult. Their teachings are NOT consistent with the teachings of Jesus Christ, the Son of God who died on the cross at Calvary for our sins. The book of Mormon is evil and is only good for kindling. Read Christ’s words in the Bible. Any other text that contradicts His teachings is total trash.
- A Christian
P.S. Keep an eye out for “Jehovah’s Witnesses”. Blood transfusion paranoia is a clear tip off to those guys being a cult too.
P.P.S. The Bible is thicker and makes better kindling in my opinion. How about we all just watch out for the religious nut jobs period? Just because you are a Christian zealot doesn’t make you any better than a Mormon zealot or JW zealot. You are in the same boat as those you trash. You believe in magic books, magic sayings and have no evidence what-so-ever that your God exists. You’ve never seen him. You’ve never spoke with him. And you point at a magic book as your sole proof that your magic pixie God exists. I’d recommend everyone just go atheist unless God shows up and tells you what to believe instead.
Tobin
EXCUSE ME! WHICH WAY TO ELDERON?
There is really only one big problem that you will never be able to overcome by making these videos. When people watch them they don’t feel the love of Christ and they never will. However when people watch the “I am a Mormon videos” they feel joy, and peace,optimistic and the love of Christ. You will never win against the spirit.
I feel peace, joy and optimism when I watch these videos.
A Very Interesting dialogue on-going here!
Simple research can deliver the Mormon-minded – after all “the glory of ‘God’ is (in) intelligence”(emphasis mine).
Killing and use of “blood sacrifices” – or ANY such Oaths:
Start with 1 Nephi 4(reasons for killing Laban “spirit constrained me”) (Book of Mormon)
. . .then read
John 11(any reasonable translation of the “Bible”) reasons for killing Jesus . . .
Then read Ether 8:18-20 (Book of Mormon) “Never at ANY time”(emphasis) ‘should man shed blood’ (paraphrased)
. . . then attempt to intelligently (1)justify death on the cross, (2)blood oaths, (3)capital punishment or torture, (4) any type of religion in general or specific.
“Christians”, “Mormons”, ‘Muslims’, “Jews” – and in my research, ANY mind that thinks in a personified “god”, . . . .
. . . .ALL THESE HAVE the same mind – . . . .
. . . a psychological disease known as delusion. Anything understood as “real” will have an attached set of cause-effect available criteria.
B-t-w, I have yet to “see” or read/experience any “godly” acts that demand I get “god”.
KM
What has happened to these videos? I loved them and completely felt the joy, peace, optimism and the love of Christ when I watched them. When can I get my video fix back?
Hey Dan. I’m sure I am not the only person who is wondering when the video production will re-commence. As one who thoroughly enjoyed watching each and every video and the story of the individuals therein, I really hope to see more of these posted to your site again. I can only imagine the time, effort and emotional strain involved with putting all of this together in such a well-designed format. Especially since I am sure you have your “real life” to deal with too. Anyway, I think your site is needed more than ever, in light of the fact that the Mormon church’s PR machine and “I am Mormon and I am Normal” ad campaign is in high gear everywhere. I can only surmise this is due to the fact that the higher-ups in the church realize they are losing the battle for the hearts and minds of many church members who are discovering the truth and electing to leave as their sense of personal integrity demands it.
When my journey out of the church started, it took me three weeks to uncover enough information to conclusively prove that the church was not true, nor had it ever been. I felt somewhat foolish for NOT seeing the truth that was right there in front of my face all along, just barely out of reach. However, I finally came to the realization that as close as the truth was, the church new how to keep that truth concealed from me and all other members by manipulating the control of information that would actually open Pandora’s Box.
Three years later, I finally convinced my die-hard , mission-serving Mormon, younger brother to take a look at the information that had swayed my stance. It took him even less time to realize I had been right all along and he too has left the church now, along with his wife and children. I feel no remorse for sharing this information and feel it is my obligation, yes even my duty to counter the false propaganda of the LDS Church. Whether the church continuous to operate under ignorance or malice, I am unsure. Perhaps some of both. Regardless, the result is the same: untold harm is perpetuated upon generations of people under the guise of religious self-righteousness. The truth does matter and should be brought to light by any and all means possible.
Anybody that has anything to do with this website is a fool.
“…whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” 3 Nephi 12:22
if that’s not enough of a response to you, dave, then how about this one, with which you may be familiar:
“We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.” 11th Article of Faith
claiming one thing, then advocating something else, that’s the type of hypocrisy that drives people away from what you claim to be true. you can’t really call people fools with any credibility, when by so doing you violate the very premises of what you profess to be true.
think about it.
I stumbled across some videos made by this website on the internet and found the personal stories on them fascinating and the videos very well made. Personally I am a committed church member, just released as a bishop, and now happily serving as a primary teacher. I am however also a scientist and like many people in the videos here have analysed the church’s doctrines and its history. I agree that there are many discrepancies in doctrine / history that are hard to reconcile rationally and feel as a church we do ourselves an injustice by not discussing them. We often paint an overly simplistic view of life, and after lots of pondering I guess I can understand why this is done, i.e. the need to keep things simple, even if I feel it lets some people down.
I have to say that of all of the problems I have investigated many of them can indeed be explained rationally and a justification found, however there are some notable exceptions. As I have carefully considered these exceptions I have had to simply suspend judgement, as there is certainly a rational disconnect. However, before I am leapt upon for being deluded, let me defend myself by saying as a scientist when one considers string theory, the multi-verse, the conflict between relativity and quantum theory, it is necessary again and again to suspend disbelief because in each of these areas there are also significant rational disconnects. It is very rare in nature to have a simple answer.
I wonder therefore, if I could pose a thought to consider. Perhaps it is possible that the Church is true despite the issues, although perhaps not in the simplistic way it is portrayed. Just because there are flaws in something does not necessarily make that something wrong or bad. I have obviously followed a process similar to many people on this website and for myself have decided that I will remain within the Church as I believe despite everything it is true. And should I be wrong, well I don’t believe it matters much as after all the Church does have many good points irrespective of everything else.
However, I completely respect those of you who have decided differently than myself and have listened to your stories with great interest. I wish each and everyone of you my very best wishes and sincerely hope for happiness and joy in each of your lives.
Very best regards,
Gary
Gary, thank you for sharing your belief without condescension or judgement. Most people can’t objectively share their thoughts on these issues without discrediting others – whether they believe in the church or not.
The only way these forums can be helpful is by holding off on judgement and considering different viewpoints. I personally need that open conversation to help me evaluate my values and come to a decision on whether I still believe or not.
I’ll immediately grab your rss as I can not find your e-mail subscription hyperlink or newsletter service. Do you have any? Kindly permit me know so that I could subscribe. Thanks.
Thank you so much for these videos. I’m seventeen in a fairly close knit community and all my family are Mormon. I’ve lied about my faith as long as I can remember. These videos have shown me that there are others capable of rational thought and they gave me the courage to tell my family about my disbelief. For those of us facing ostracism without a support group, these videos have been an indispensable aid and a source of hope. It’s great to see people living happy, fulfilling and moral lives without the church. Thank you, everyone who’s made a video and expect to see mine sometime soon.
The outline of the essay is as follows. This clause presents our latest findings.
I stumbled across this website by looking at something else. I am LDS and I am happy to be there. I did enjoy listening to these video. Religion should never be forced on anyone. You should always have a choice in what you believe. I have many reasons for my beliefs which are based on personal experiences. I did not grow up in the church but joined at a later day. I will continue to a Mormon because it is my choice which should be the right of everyone. Isn’t it all about the love of Christ and we should love everyone no matter who they are or what they believe in? I am glad these people have made choices in there life which gives them peace.
It is so refreshing to see these next to the other videos that claim Mormonism is a great truth revealed from heaven. In my day, all I had was the Bible and Sandra Tanner ministry, Lighthouse, out of Salt Lake back in 1986. It was very intimidating to have my father laugh at me for my belief in the Bible.
Keep up the good work!
Adam Wood Porter, from Rexburg Idaho
I greatly appreciate these videos. I think these people have done a great service.
I have a mormon friend who is very intelligent and caring. He has tried to convince me to convert to mormonism. He is sincere and loving.
I started watching the “I’m a Mormon” videos. The mormons look so happy, so inviting. I have seriously considered joining the Mormon church. Just today, while watching youtube videos, I had several “I’m a Mormon” ads pop up. Divine intervention? God speaking to me?
If it is, God also showed me the “I’m an ex-Mormon” videos. I am very thankful for this.
My God bless all involved in this project. I do not believe in a literal (personal) God, but find these words to be meaningful and comforting because they communicate how I feel and how grateful I am. Thanks.
Sincerely, thanks Ex-mormon’s, I really don’t know all of you did with, but TODAY, after knew about you guys, I realize how I am happy to be Mormon! Thanks for helping with my testimony, I didn’t know how happy I was.. Now I know (: At the same time I don’t blame anyone here, everyone has their choices.. but never forget what we always learned: “Some choices that we’ve made, just bring us momentary happiness”. I hope you realize your real happiness before it’s too late.
(Sorry for my English, isn’t that great)
From a Brazilian girl,
Giovanna
Well, I’m late to the conversation once again…seems to be my lot in life
I’ve enjoyed watching these videos, as I have the “I’m a Mormon” videos. The one thing they have in common (aside from showing some very cool people) is the people in them emphasizing the choices they have made that make them happy. I think the one thing almost everyone can agree on — whether Mormon or not — is that life (both here and hereafter, if that’s your perspective) should be about personal and family happiness. I don’t begrudge that to anyone, and don’t presume to judge others for the choices they make to get them there.
As a believing Mormon (though less orthodox than I once was) I’ve never felt the angst, fear, guilt or shame (well, at least not too much), and constriction that I hear people describe in the videos as the byproduct of living in the LDS faith. I suspect I just fit well. But I know others who feel differently, and I find it difficult to believe that God would harshly judge a sincere person (His son or daughter) who felt as though strictly embracing LDS theology would require them to endure a lifetime of misery while other flourish around them in ways that might only compound their suffering. Even in the LDS Church we purport to lack the capacity to see into another’s heart and therefore leave the judgment to God.
While some of the stories I’ve listened to here paint a picture of a religion that I can, unfortunately, occasionally recognize, they ignore much of what I see that’s beautiful in the LDS faith. I know the purpose of this site isn’t to extol the virtues of Mormonism
But I just hope that the good isn’t forgotten because of the bad.
Surely all of us seekers for truth can have some humility about our ability to direct another’s life? And as much as it may feel like it to people on both sides of the LDS divide the mere fact that someone has chosen a different direction doesn’t diminish your own choice. It’s only when we, or another we know, regards ourselves superior for the choice we’ve made that the defensiveness sets in, walls go up, and battle lines are formed. It tears me apart inside when I see animosity and bitterness between brothers and sisters (take that how you want) who still share something very fundamental, even if they now regard it in different ways.
Best to you all.
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Bravo “I’m an exmormon.” Keep this work going. You are a fresh drink of water in a parched, desolate wilderness of deception and fear. Bravo to all you brave souls willing to share your stories of freedom. YOU are MY eternal family!!! I’m very proud of you!!
Finally, a comment that’s not a Mormon attempting to change the hearts of all us wicked people! This site it fantastic and I am fascinated that so many TBM are showing up to defend their faith and slander others (very Christ-like). This site is a breath of fresh air and has created a great environment for those of us who no longer adhere to Joe-the-Charlatan because we did some real studying and research rather than depend on what we’ve been told our whole lives or by missionaries.
I want to see videos like this about every religion, and for every atheist and agnostic that changed their point of view and either left or joined a religion. This a project I would like to see happen. Is this a project you would be interested in taking on? Or if I decide to have my cinematography friends that I know start this project do you have any information that you have gained from this project that you could share? Anything would be useful. I want have videos that would target everyone and not just pick out certain religions as a target. Thank you.
The LDS’s biggest cover-up dates back to the 1857 massacre of 150 emigrants from Arkansas at Mountain Meadows in Utah Territory. I wrote a book informed by this event titled A Mormon Massacre. I’d like to present it to ex-Mormons. It’s available on Amazon, and I’ll gladly send anyone who wants to read or review it a free copy. Thanks, Joe.
Its very interesting how I feel about this website… I’m a mormon, and very strong in the belief. I’ve served a mission, read my scriptures through and through, made prayer a big part of my life. I seem to be what you might call perfect mormon, (of course not meaning in any way that I am anywhere near perfect) I have also struggled with inactivity however, as well as addiction. I’ve had some siblings who have left the church, others who have been ex-communicated. I’ve not believed in the church, or in God at one point or another in my life. I’ve found fault with the church, or what I though was the church, before. I completely understand it when certain people leave the church because of their beliefs. I believe we all need to put effort into finding out what exactly we individually believe. I personally think someone who has left the church because of self-examination and soul searching is on MUCH better grounds than people who are in the church solely because of tradition. In whatever we do or believe, we need to have our heart in it. If our heart isn’t in being a member of the LDS church, then there is no reason to be a member. Our goal is to find eternal happiness. As long as people are truly searching for what is right, then we have no place to judge them. Do I believe that in the end, the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints will be the true and only church on the earth, and Christ will come again, and that the laws we will live by will be eternal laws of happiness? YES. Do I believe that because you leave the church because of personal beliefs in this life that you are in the wrong? NO. Everything will add up in the end. I don’t know how, but I’m glad that there are people out there who are truly searching for what is right and what wrong. I’m glad people question and search through things, and not just accept them blindly. I’ve researched and questioned, and I’ve found the church to be true. Others disagree and find truth in other things. Way to be all you diligent, pure searchers of truth!
Thank you for your comment, I believe members like yourself are examples to everyone- the lack of judgement and kindness you have for us heathens makes me smile
What do you guys have against Mormonism? Oh and when people say that we shun homosexuals,that is quite wrong. We accept them within the church and we are are all right with it. And we are also not polygamist. All the time I have been in the church and all the the different states there has not been one polygamist person nor family. And we have never called any one heathens. We believe God loves everyone even if they don’t believe. Plus we don’t command your whole life. we don’t say you can’t eat anything that taste good because it’s unhealthy. We keeps these standards as guidelines to try to follow so we don’t fall into sins of greed laziness and damage our mind with pornography and rated R movies which cast evil thoughts into our minds. There is no racism in the church nor sexism. I would like you to go to a LDS church right now and open your eyes and not let surface of the word as drown you.
ok who said that other races can’t hold priesthood powers? We ha’ve Polynesian and Hispanics doing the sacred ordinances along side the each other all the time.
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I love that so many active members are visiting this site and expressing themselves on these message boards. Clearly they themselves have unanswered questions and though many of them show up filled with animosity, childish remarks, or a testimony to share they’re posting on a site called I Am An EX Mormon. They’ve been watching these videos and feel the need to visit, but being so devout, why are they seeking out videos about ex mormons?
Hmmm it certainly has been interesting reading some of the stuff at this site. I am an ex Mormon, been away from the church getting on for 20 years now and no regrets either. I grew up in the church after my parents joined it in London back in the mid 60′s. I served a mission in Coventry back in 1982-3. In 1984 things changed dramatically for me at the death of my Father from cancer 363 days after I finished my mission, thereafter I went spiritually inactive. It took me another 8 years to admit to myself I no longer wanted to attend physically.
My brother, best mate and mother are still very active members of the church and have accepted that I am not, They don’t force anything on me and I feel no pressure do defend my way of thinking either, they still love me unconditionally for who I am, and in case you’re wondering I’m not gay either.
I don’t have an axe to grind about the church either, I’m grateful for the upbringing it gave me and for the person I am today because of it. I feel a better person because of that, but the biggest difference I feel in my life is now I am answerable to myself and not motivated to live a good life by fear or guilt or some heavenly reward. A Bishop in the Canterbury Ward in Kent UK once told me; “Aaron, you’re a better less active Mormon than most of those who come to church.” So I figure I must be doing something right in the grand scheme of things.
Be strong whatever side of the fence you find yourself on, it’s OK to question and by that same token it’s OK to believe those teachings with unquestioning faith as well. You are ALLOWED – it’s called free agency.
I’m Aaron, and I’m an Ex-Mormon.
“A disturbing Must See” movie trailer about ex-mormons who are still susceptible to mormonism
This documentary is a true story re-enacted by paid actors, about a recently re-baptized mother of three from Salt Lake City who found herself in the crosshairs of a man who claimed to be the translator of the Sealed Portion of the Book of Mormon. With the help of his girlfriend, the man with the ability to write scripture was able to convince this mother with a testimony of the Book of Mormon that he was a true prophet, ordained and called of God to present the world with the sequel to the Book of Mormon. The man and his girlfriend were atheists, bent on seeing how far they could bend the womans’ faith until it broke. They applied test after test, and to our dismay, she passed them all. Please watch the trailer, and the movie, and please log in and comment. The man in the movie is called Adam, but that is not his real name. He is still very much roaming free upon the streets of Orem, Utah, with a much more refined story, taking people for all they are worth while posing as the world’s only true messenger. He has a following of devoted contributors,(almost exclusively ex-mormon, who like the mother in the story, were acutely susceptible to the scheme). His secret? He played on cards that were already on the table.
http://investigation.discovery.com/tv-shows/dangerous-persuasions/dangerous-persuasions-video/give-up-your-children.htm
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