Hosting stories of faith deconstruction, crisis, and transition out of the Mormon church. Consider creating your own profile and adding your own story to the growing collection. We’re on a mission to destigmatize doubt and normalize those who leave the church by providing a platform for all of us to tell our own story – if we don’t share it, they will. What you have learned about Mormonism? What broke your shelf? Where are you now and how did you get there? wasmormon.org is the new mormon.org, patterned after the old one where we used to share.
Latest Profile Updates
Telling your story and learning about others’ experiences are both therapeutic and cathartic. Be part of improving the harmful stigma around doubt in LDS culture and your own healing. Check out these latest profiles – they speak for themselves:
Each of us has an important, interesting, and valid story. Participate and share your feelings, beliefs, and experiences with the community. It’s easy: just register, optionally upload an image and write a little about yourself and your journey. There are even prompts to follow. Come back to it later to add more or change it as needed. Share it with those you want to see it and stand proudly with others. Learn more about this site’s mission or browse contributed answers to specific questions.
Have Questions about the Mormon church?
Are you interested to learn first-hand answers to common Mormon questions from those who have lived it? See the list of questions and dive into user-contributed honest answers. Do you want to answer these questions yourself? Create a profile and answer as many questions as you’d like and see them included in the list.
Latest Spotlights
- Wyolds Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight
Wyolds’ story of questioning the Mormon church began with a deep love for her faith, growing up in Orem, Utah. Her connection to the church felt woven into her identity, guiding her beliefs and hopes. She …Continue reading “Wyolds Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight”
- Tom Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile SpotlightTom’s journey out of the LDS Church is shaped by a lifetime of devotion and careful reflection. Raised as a descendent of early Mormon pioneers, he grew up deeply rooted in the faith, participating in every …
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- Sandra Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile SpotlightSandra’s story is a powerful account of resilience amid a culture that, for her, enabled abuse. Growing up in the Mormon Church, Sandra’s experience was shaped by religious structures that were more protective of image than …
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- Landon Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile SpotlightLandon’s decision to leave the Mormon Church came after years of deeply ingrained expectations, personal struggles, and growing disillusionment. Raised in a devout Mormon family, he did everything the Church asked of him—from being baptized at …
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- Max Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile SpotlightMax’s journey out of the Mormon Church is marked by profound personal discovery and transformation. Growing up in Utah, he did all the typical Mormon things, from becoming an Eagle Scout to receiving a patriarchal blessing …
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- Byron Marchant Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile SpotlightByron Marchant was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) who made history by taking a stand against the church’s racial policies at a pivotal time. In 1977, Marchant openly …
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Latest Blog Posts
- Ensign Peak Advisors Withdrawls, Religious Tax-Exemption, And Lack of Charitable WorkThe Ensign Peak Advisors controversy centers on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or rather the Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, doing business as The Church …
- From ‘the Seer Stone a Fiction to Undermine the Validity of Church’ To ‘Such Aids Are Consistent With Accounts in Scripture’In the year 2000, Deseret Book, the church-owned publishing company, published a joint-written book from two BYU professors, Joseph Fielding McConkie, a BYU Professor of Ancient Scripture, and Craig J. Ostler, a BYU Professor of Church …
- Mormonites Footnote on Book of Mormon Translation Gospel Topic EssayThe Book of Mormon Translation Gospel Topic Essay references an article in Footnote 31 from an Evangelical Magazine titled Mormonites. The essay cherry-picks comments from Oliver Cowdery about the translation process: The principal scribe, Oliver Cowdery, …
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- Oaks Demonizing Criticism and Avoiding AccountabilityDallin H. Oaks teaches that even true criticisms of church leaders should be avoided, framing this restraint as a necessary way to maintain unity and love within the church. By comparing criticism to blackmail or breaches …
Continue reading “Oaks Demonizing Criticism and Avoiding Accountability”
- Mormons Expected to Stand Forever – Despite QuestionsChurch leader Lawrence E. Corbridge, an LDS Seventy, gave a BYU Devotional that addresses how to properly deal with questions. Corbridge explains that he’s read all the anti-Mormon literature out there, but was successfully able to …
Continue reading “Mormons Expected to Stand Forever – Despite Questions”
- Avoiding Too Frequent Repetition of the Name of DietyTwo Mormon ideas reflect contrasting approaches to using sacred names. The Church President states that out of respect for the Lord, we should call his church by his name. Also, in the D&C, out of respect …
Continue reading “Avoiding Too Frequent Repetition of the Name of Diety”
- Joseph Smith’s Rock in Hat Translation of the Book of MormonTraditionally, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon or LDS Church) depicts Joseph Smith translating the Book of Mormon in a manner that implies a reverent, direct reading of ancient golden plates. Today, church …
Continue reading “Joseph Smith’s Rock in Hat Translation of the Book of Mormon”
- The Church Wants Your Unfaithful Children’s InheritanceThe LDS Philanthropies video addresses how some faithful Latter-day Saint parents can approach passing on family wealth in alignment with their values. The video highlights one couple’s reflections on instilling values in their children, emphasizing that …
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!["David Whitmer maintained [that] the Prophet used an oval-shaped, chocolate-colored seer stone slightly larger than an egg. Thus, everything we have in the Book of Mormon, according to Mr. Whitmer, was translated by placing the chocolate-colored stone in a hat into which Joseph would bury his head so as to close out the light... Such an explanation is, in our judgment, simply fiction created for the purpose of demeaning Joseph Smith and to undermine the validity of the revelations he received" - Joseph Fielding McConkie (BYU Professor of Ancient Scripture) & Craig J. Ostler (BYU Professor, Church History and Doctrine), Revelations of the Restoration. Page 95-96, Deseret Book, 2000 | wasmormon.org](https://i0.wp.com/wasmormon.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Joseph-Fielding-McConkie-Craig-J-Ostler-used-an-oval-shaped-chocolate-colored-seer-stone-slightly-larger-than-an-egg-to-translate-book-of-mormon-by-placing-it-in-a-hat.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![[Joseph Smith] was again arraigned before a bar of Justice, during last Summer, to answer to a charge of misdemeanor. This trial led to an investigation of his character and conduct, which clearly evinced to the unprejudiced, whence the spirit came which dictated his inspirations. During the trial it was shown that the Book of Mormon was brought to light by the same magic power by which he pretended to tell fortunes, discover hidden treasures, etc. Oliver Cowdry, one of the three witnesses to the book, testified under oath, that said Smith found with the plates, from which he translated his book, two transparent stones, resembling glass, set in silver bows. That by looking through these, he was able to read in English, the reformed Egyptian characters, which were engraved on the plates. - Mormonites, Evangelical Magazine and Gospel Advocate, April 9 1831 - Footnote 31 in Gospel Topic Essay on Book of Mormon Translation | wasmormon.org](https://i0.wp.com/wasmormon.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Mormonites-Olivery-Cowdery-statement-under-oath-about-seer-stone-trial-showed-book-of-mormon-brought-by-same-magic-power-Joseph-discovered-hidden-treasures.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1)
The Personal Mormon Faith Crisis Report
- Personal Mormon Faith Crisis Report – Introduction and Overview
The Personal Faith Crisis Report was presented to Elder Uchtdorf in 2013 by Elder Jensen so leaders could better understand what is happening and take appropriate measures to address members leaving the church as a result of a faith crisis. The gospel topic essays were part of the response to this study by the church. - Personal Mormon Faith Crisis Report – Research SummaryThis report studies a faith crisis in detail along with an actual research survey of members who have left the church due to faith crisis and these respondents’ demographics such as age, gender, education level, household income, and church callings held as well as the primary reasons why the member left.
- Personal Mormon Faith Crisis Report – Faith Crisis StagesThe report defines the stages of such a faith crisis from a true believing member, through a catalyst and traumatization, and then either through a traumatized disbeliever and ex-mormon or a nuanced believer and then secular participant.
- Personal Mormon Faith Crisis Report – Perpetual Cycle of DisaffectionThe report also analyses a perpetual cycle of disaffiliated members, where a member finds troubling information and through the age of information and the internet confirms the troubling issue as true and feels betrayed by the church for not being honest, and ends up venting to a family member and causing the cycle to restart for them.
- Personal Mormon Faith Crisis Report – Faith Crisis ProfilesThis faith crisis report next lists many anonymous faith crisis profiles each detailing the exit story of the member (along with precious statistics and demographics the church cares deeply about such as household income). Not to be confused with the actual faith crisis profiles shared on wasmormon.org.
- Personal Mormon Faith Crisis Report – Summary & Potential Next StepsThe report concludes with suggestions the mormon church can take to mitigate the further loss of members due to a faith crisis. This report shows that the church leaders are well aware of the fact that members are leaving and why they are leaving and shows us insight into how the church thinks it can plug this membership leak.
Featured Posts
- Mormons Expected to Stand Forever – Despite QuestionsChurch leader Lawrence E. Corbridge, an LDS Seventy, gave a BYU Devotional that addresses how to properly deal with questions. Corbridge explains that he’s read all the anti-Mormon literature out there, but was successfully able to …
Continue reading “Mormons Expected to Stand Forever – Despite Questions”
- Joseph Smith’s Rock in Hat Translation of the Book of MormonTraditionally, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon or LDS Church) depicts Joseph Smith translating the Book of Mormon in a manner that implies a reverent, direct reading of ancient golden plates. Today, church …
Continue reading “Joseph Smith’s Rock in Hat Translation of the Book of Mormon”
- What is Cognitive Dissonance?Cognitive dissonance occurs when a person experiences discomfort due to holding conflicting beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors. To reduce this discomfort, individuals often try to reconcile these inconsistencies, either by changing their beliefs, justifying their actions, or …
- The BITE Model to Cults from Dr Steven HassanSteven Hassan Dr. Steven Hassan is a prominent mental health professional, author, and advocate known for his expertise in cults and undue influence. Having experienced firsthand the effects of mind control and manipulation as a former …
Continue reading “The BITE Model to Cults from Dr Steven Hassan”
- Elevation and Other Elevated EmotionsMany people who have left the church report still feeling the “spirit” just as they did when they were active members. This feeling is linked to a phenomenon called “Elevation Emotion,” which is well-researched and associated …
- Confirmation BiasConfirmation bias refers to the cognitive tendency of individuals to interpret or seek out information in a way that confirms their preexisting beliefs or hypotheses. When someone experiences confirmation bias, they are more likely to notice, …
- Moroni’s Promise – A Lesson in Confirmation Bias and Elevated EmotionsIn the Book of Mormon, Moroni offers a promise often cited by members of the LDS Church to confirm its truthfulness. This promise is foundational for many Mormons, providing a personal spiritual confirmation of the church’s …
Continue reading “Moroni’s Promise – A Lesson in Confirmation Bias and Elevated Emotions”
- The Wives of Lorenzo SnowLorenzo Snow Lorenzo Snow was born April 3, 1814, in Ohio. He joined the church in June of 1836 at 22 years of age. In 1837, he was called on a mission, and while serving he …
- Mormon Bishop Resigns at Pulpit in Mississippi Sacrament MeetingA Mormon Bishop in a Mississippi Ward resigned from his calling during a message he delivered in sacrament meeting in front of his ward. He asked to be released from his calling and wanted his ward …
Continue reading “Mormon Bishop Resigns at Pulpit in Mississippi Sacrament Meeting”
- Will the Church Ever Have Sufficient To Stop Requiring Tithing?Is tithing a forever part of the Mormon church? Or will there be a day when it will have enough funds in the bank and in the “rainy day fund” that it will direct members that …
Continue reading “Will the Church Ever Have Sufficient To Stop Requiring Tithing?”
