Yearly Archives: 2023

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"When I left, I still more or less “believed”, I just simply didn’t want what was taught. After I left, I gave myself permission to view materials not solely on the church website and have since come to the conclusion that I don’t believe the truth claims of the LDS church. My husband left at the same time as me about 3 years ago, and we’re now trying to survive our 2-year-olds reign of terror." - Brooklyn's I Was a Mormon Story | wasmormon.org
"When I left, I still more or less “believed”, I just simply didn’t want what was taught. After I left, I gave myself permission to view materials not solely on the church website and have since come to the conclusion that I don’t believe the truth claims of the LDS church. My husband left at the same time as me about 3 years ago, and we’re now trying to survive our 2-year-olds reign of terror." - Brooklyn's I Was a Mormon Story | wasmormon.org
"It all came to a crossroads when I volunteered to teach a CTR 4 class, and while reading the lesson beforehand I realized I didn’t agree with it. I decided if I can’t agree with a CTR 4 lesson, then this wasn’t what I wanted to raise my future family in." - Brooklyn's I Was a Mormon Story | wasmormon.org
"It all came to a crossroads when I volunteered to teach a CTR 4 class, and while reading the lesson beforehand I realized I didn’t agree with it. I decided if I can’t agree with a CTR 4 lesson, then this wasn’t what I wanted to raise my future family in." - Brooklyn's I Was a Mormon Story | wasmormon.org
"As I did my research, I stumbled upon the Gospel Topic Essays and this was when I first learned the extent of Joseph Smith’s polygamy. I brought this up to my mom, and she accused me of trying to get her to read anti-Mormon literature. She didn’t believe that the Gospel Topics Essay I showed her was on the church website were real and questioned how the authors of the essay could know Joseph Smith had more than one wife. I read all the apologist websites and studied scripture and the church website, but the explanations provided were not enough for me." - Brooklyn's I Was a Mormon Story | wasmormon.org
"As I did my research, I stumbled upon the Gospel Topic Essays and this was when I first learned the extent of Joseph Smith’s polygamy. I brought this up to my mom, and she accused me of trying to get her to read anti-Mormon literature. She didn’t believe that the Gospel Topics Essay I showed her was on the church website were real and questioned how the authors of the essay could know Joseph Smith had more than one wife. I read all the apologist websites and studied scripture and the church website, but the explanations provided were not enough for me." - Brooklyn's I Was a Mormon Story | wasmormon.org
"My [new] husband and I started considering starting a family, and I knew that I wanted to have a career. I started researching old conference talks, ensign articles, etc to see what the overall consensus was on women working outside the home, and it was obvious to me that while there was discussion of each woman can choose what's best for herself, the overwhelming expectation was to stay home and not work outside the home. I could only find a few quotes that even suggested it might be okay to work and be a mom. This was so hard for me because I knew that I wanted a career and aspirations outside the home, yet that didn’t seem to be the “right” way to be an LDS mom." - Brooklyn's I Was a Mormon Story | wasmormon.org
"My [new] husband and I started considering starting a family, and I knew that I wanted to have a career. I started researching old conference talks, ensign articles, etc to see what the overall consensus was on women working outside the home, and it was obvious to me that while there was discussion of each woman can choose what's best for herself, the overwhelming expectation was to stay home and not work outside the home. I could only find a few quotes that even suggested it might be okay to work and be a mom. This was so hard for me because I knew that I wanted a career and aspirations outside the home, yet that didn’t seem to be the “right” way to be an LDS mom." - Brooklyn's I Was a Mormon Story | wasmormon.org
"Bishops as I moved about seemed to barely remember my name. I started working as a police officer, which meant I worked whatever day of the week I was needed. I went to every activity I was off duty for, and often attended sacrament meetings on duty. Yet, I frequently repeated the same conversation that started with “I haven’t seen you in a while, thanks for coming to church today”. After which I would remind them I worked in public service, and they would reply with some sort of “oh that’s right, I forgot”. Maybe they would have treated a man the same way, but it always felt like, as a woman, having a job was bad, but having a "manly" job was almost unforgivable." - Brooklyn's I Was a Mormon Story | wasmormon.org
"Bishops as I moved about seemed to barely remember my name. I started working as a police officer, which meant I worked whatever day of the week I was needed. I went to every activity I was off duty for, and often attended sacrament meetings on duty. Yet, I frequently repeated the same conversation that started with “I haven’t seen you in a while, thanks for coming to church today”. After which I would remind them I worked in public service, and they would reply with some sort of “oh that’s right, I forgot”. Maybe they would have treated a man the same way, but it always felt like, as a woman, having a job was bad, but having a "manly" job was almost unforgivable." - Brooklyn's I Was a Mormon Story | wasmormon.org
"While I was deployed, I filed for an annulment of my first marriage, and it was granted shortly after returning home. My ex was also convicted of domestic violence assault during this time against me. I went to the bishop and asked to start the process of having the sealing canceled. He more or less treated me as though I was just too young to have married, and we just “didn’t get along”. I had to retell my story several times because, after each time, the bishop didn’t “remember” any of the incidents of physical violence. The sealing cancellation was eventually granted, but only after requesting my ex-husband's permission." - Brooklyn's I Was a Mormon Story | wasmormon.org
"While I was deployed, I filed for an annulment of my first marriage, and it was granted shortly after returning home. My ex was also convicted of domestic violence assault during this time against me. I went to the bishop and asked to start the process of having the sealing canceled. He more or less treated me as though I was just too young to have married, and we just “didn’t get along”. I had to retell my story several times because, after each time, the bishop didn’t “remember” any of the incidents of physical violence. The sealing cancellation was eventually granted, but only after requesting my ex-husband's permission." - Brooklyn's I Was a Mormon Story | wasmormon.org
"I deployed to Afghanistan where the guys I deployed with didn’t treat me well and didn’t comply with the LDS lifestyle standards I expected, yet they were my only source for the priesthood. I was very frustrated because I felt I was living the standards I’d promised, but if I wanted the sacrament or a blessing, I would have to ask one of the men who otherwise treated me horribly to do it for me. Sometimes they would, sometimes they wouldn’t, but I wasn’t allowed to do it for myself." - Brooklyn's I Was a Mormon Story | wasmormon.org
"I deployed to Afghanistan where the guys I deployed with didn’t treat me well and didn’t comply with the LDS lifestyle standards I expected, yet they were my only source for the priesthood. I was very frustrated because I felt I was living the standards I’d promised, but if I wanted the sacrament or a blessing, I would have to ask one of the men who otherwise treated me horribly to do it for me. Sometimes they would, sometimes they wouldn’t, but I wasn’t allowed to do it for myself." - Brooklyn's I Was a Mormon Story | wasmormon.org
"My now ex-husband was physically and emotionally abusive and used the words of the temple sealing, and the advice of our sealer, (that I strive to follow my husband’s council) to abuse me, justify his abuse, and manipulate me into staying with him." - Brooklyn's I Was a Mormon Story | wasmormon.org
"My now ex-husband was physically and emotionally abusive and used the words of the temple sealing, and the advice of our sealer, (that I strive to follow my husband’s council) to abuse me, justify his abuse, and manipulate me into staying with him." - Brooklyn's I Was a Mormon Story | wasmormon.org
"I grew up very active. I called the young women's president when I was 11 to ask if I could start working on my young womanhood medallion early. I did all the things and checked all the boxes, and honestly felt like my testimony was unbreakable. I even gave a Book of Mormon to my head drill sergeant at Army Basic training. I was a Mormon." - Brooklyn's I Was a Mormon Story | wasmormon.org
"I grew up very active. I called the young women's president when I was 11 to ask if I could start working on my young womanhood medallion early. I did all the things and checked all the boxes, and honestly felt like my testimony was unbreakable. I even gave a Book of Mormon to my head drill sergeant at Army Basic training. I was a Mormon." - Brooklyn's I Was a Mormon Story | wasmormon.org
"Question: Was Brigham Young a racist? Brigham Young made a number of statements which are now considered blatantly racist" - Fair LDS Apologist Website | Statue of Brigham Young vandalized with red paint and the term 'Racist' | wasmormon.org
"Question: Was Brigham Young a racist? Brigham Young made a number of statements which are now considered blatantly racist" - Fair LDS Apologist Website | Statue of Brigham Young vandalized with red paint and the term 'Racist'
"Shall I tell you the law of God in regard to the African race? If the white man who belongs to the chosen seed mixes his blood with the seed of Cain, the penalty, under the law of God, is death on the spot. This will always be so." - Brigham Young, LDS Prophet 1863 | wasmormon.org
"Shall I tell you the law of God in regard to the African race? If the white man who belongs to the chosen seed mixes his blood with the seed of Cain, the penalty, under the law of God, is death on the spot. This will always be so." - Brigham Young, LDS Prophet 1863
"We recognize that same-sex marriages are now legal in the United States and some other countries and that people have the right, if they choose, to enter into those, and we understand that. But that is not a right that exists in the Church." - Apostle D Todd Christofferson, LDS Church, Giving Context for the November Policy of 2015 | wasmormon.org
"We recognize that same-sex marriages are now legal in the United States and some other countries and that people have the right, if they choose, to enter into those, and we understand that. But that is not a right that exists in the Church." - Apostle D Todd Christofferson, LDS Church, Giving Context for the November Policy of 2015
"This prophetic process was followed ... with the recent additions to the Church’s handbook, consequent to the legalization of same-sex marriage in some countries. Filled with compassion for all, and especially for the children, we wrestled at length to understand the Lord’s will in this matter. Ever mindful of God’s plan of salvation and of His hope for eternal life for each of His children, we considered countless permutations and combinations of possible scenarios that could arise. We met repeatedly in the temple in fasting and prayer and sought further direction and inspiration. And then, when the Lord inspired His prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, to declare the mind of the Lord and the will of the Lord, each of us during that sacred moment felt a spiritual confirmation. It was our privilege as Apostles to sustain what had been revealed to President Monson. Revelation from the Lord to His servants is a sacred process." - Elder Russell M Nelson in 2016 regarding the November Policy of 2015 being a Revelation from the Lord | wasmormon.org
"This prophetic process was followed ... with the recent additions to the Church’s handbook, consequent to the legalization of same-sex marriage in some countries. Filled with compassion for all, and especially for the children, we wrestled at length to understand the Lord’s will in this matter. Ever mindful of God’s plan of salvation and of His hope for eternal life for each of His children, we considered countless permutations and combinations of possible scenarios that could arise. We met repeatedly in the temple in fasting and prayer and sought further direction and inspiration. And then, when the Lord inspired His prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, to declare the mind of the Lord and the will of the Lord, each of us during that sacred moment felt a spiritual confirmation. It was our privilege as Apostles to sustain what had been revealed to President Monson. Revelation from the Lord to His servants is a sacred process." - Elder Russell M Nelson in 2016 regarding the November Policy of 2015 being a Revelation from the Lord
"Lyman E. Johnson, the first to be called to the Apostleship when the first Council of Twelve was organized, left the Church, but he never had a really happy day after that. According to President Brigham Young he, (Lyman) on one occasion, said, at a meeting" - Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses | wasmormon.org
"Lyman E. Johnson, the first to be called to the Apostleship when the first Council of Twelve was organized, left the Church, but he never had a really happy day after that. According to President Brigham Young he, (Lyman) on one occasion, said, at a meeting" - Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses
“"Have you enjoyed yourself since resigning 'Mormonism?' Now speak the truth. Come, tell us just as it is. Have you experienced joy and happiness since leaving the kingdom of God? Come, now, don't lie!" Brother answers, "I have not enjoyed one day's peace since I left the Church." This is the declaration of the apostates today, when they tell the truth about it. Look at their countenances—is there happiness depicted there? No, it is sorrow; they choose error instead of truth, they love darkness rather than light, and the end thereof, to use Scripture language, is death.” - Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Speaking for Disaffected Members | wasmormon.org
“"Have you enjoyed yourself since resigning 'Mormonism?' Now speak the truth. Come, tell us just as it is. Have you experienced joy and happiness since leaving the kingdom of God? Come, now, don't lie!" Brother answers, "I have not enjoyed one day's peace since I left the Church." This is the declaration of the apostates today, when they tell the truth about it. Look at their countenances—is there happiness depicted there? No, it is sorrow; they choose error instead of truth, they love darkness rather than light, and the end thereof, to use Scripture language, is death.” - Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Speaking for Disaffected Members
“"I have not enjoyed one day's peace since I left the Church." This is the declaration of the apostates today, when they tell the truth about it.” - Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, speaking in for all disaffected church members. | wasmormon.org
“"I have not enjoyed one day's peace since I left the Church." This is the declaration of the apostates today, when they tell the truth about it.” - Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, speaking in for all disaffected church members.
A few years back, the church excommunicated some dissidents. Is the church large enough to put up with having a loyal opposition? Hinckley: "We believe in education, in thinking, in doing things. But when somebody goes out and publicly fights the church, opposes the church, then we move in." - LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley in 1997 Interview with SFGate | wasmormon.org
A few years back, the church excommunicated some dissidents. Is the church large enough to put up with having a loyal opposition? Hinckley: "We believe in education, in thinking, in doing things. But when somebody goes out and publicly fights the church, opposes the church, then we move in." - LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley in 1997 Interview
People are curious about the Mormon Church temple rites, and why they are kept so secret. Hinckley: "Sacred." Sacred, but closed off to outsiders. I can't think of any other religion that has such secrecy about its temple rites. “When we build a temple, we invite people to come... After it's dedicated, then it becomes endowed with a particular sanctity, as we view it, and it becomes available then only to those who are qualified to enter the temple.” - LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley in 1997 Interview with SFGate | wasmormon.org
People are curious about the Mormon Church temple rites, and why they are kept so secret. Hinckley: "Sacred." Sacred, but closed off to outsiders. I can't think of any other religion that has such secrecy about its temple rites. “When we build a temple, we invite people to come... After it's dedicated, then it becomes endowed with a particular sanctity, as we view it, and it becomes available then only to those who are qualified to enter the temple.” - LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley in 1997 Interview
Mormons believe that God was once a man? Hinckley: "I wouldn't say that. There was a little couplet coined, "As man is, God once was. As God is, man may become." Now that's more of a couplet than anything else. That gets into some pretty deep theology that we don't know very much about." - LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley in 1997 Interview with SFGate | wasmormon.org
Mormons believe that God was once a man? "I wouldn't say that. There was a little couplet coined, "As man is, God once was. As God is, man may become." Now that's more of a couplet than anything else. That gets into some pretty deep theology that we don't know very much about." - LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley in 1997 Interview with SFGate
What about gay people who feel God made them that way? You're saying they must lead a celibate life? Hinckley: "Well, yes, I suppose, essentially. A lot of people live a celibate life. Lots of them. A third of the people in the United States are now single. Many of them live a celibate life." - LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley in 1997 Interview with SFGate | wasmormon.org
What about gay people who feel God made them that way? You're saying they must lead a celibate life? Hinckley: "Well, yes, I suppose, essentially. A lot of people live a celibate life. Lots of them. A third of the people in the United States are now single. Many of them live a celibate life." - LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley in 1997 Interview
How do you receive divine revelation? What does it feel like? Hinckley: "Let me say first that we have a great body of revelation, the vast majority of which came from the prophet Joseph Smith. We don't need much revelation. We need to pay more attention to the revelation we've already received." - LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley in 1997 Interview with SFGate | wasmormon.org
How do you receive divine revelation? What does it feel like? "Let me say first that we have a great body of revelation, the vast majority of which came from the prophet Joseph Smith. We don't need much revelation. We need to pay more attention to the revelation we've already received." - LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley in 1997 Interview
The church has issued a statement concerning the campaign for legal recognition of same-sex marriages in Hawaii and other states. And the church has asked its members to write to their legislatures opposing this. Hinckley: "Yes. We've been involved in some action against same-sex marriages." - LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley in 1997 Interview with SFGate | wasmormon.org
The church has issued a statement concerning the campaign for legal recognition of same-sex marriages in Hawaii and other states. And the church has asked its members to write to their legislatures opposing this. "Yes. We've been involved in some action against same-sex marriages." - LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley in 1997 Interview
"It seems to us that it ought to be possible to work this situation out without causing any feelings on the part of anybody. If the white sisters feel that they may not sit with them or near them, we feel very sure that if the colored sisters were discreetly approached, they would be happy to sit at one side in the rear or somewhere where they would not wound the sensibilities of the complaining sisters. We will rely upon your tact and discretion to work this out so as not to hurt the feelings on the part of anyone." - Letter to President Ezra T. Benson, Washington D.C. Stake President, From the First Presidency Heber J. Grant, J. Reuben Clark, Jr., and David O. McKay, Dated 23 June 1942 | wasmormon.org
"It seems to us that it ought to be possible to work this situation out without causing any feelings on the part of anybody. If the white sisters feel that they may not sit with them or near them, we feel very sure that if the colored sisters were discreetly approached, they would be happy to sit at one side in the rear or somewhere where they would not wound the sensibilities of the complaining sisters. We will rely upon your tact and discretion to work this out so as not to hurt the feelings on the part of anyone." - Letter to President Ezra T. Benson, Washington D.C. Stake President, From the First Presidency Heber J. Grant, J. Reuben Clark, Jr., and David O. McKay, Dated 23 June 1942
“Prophets in all dispensations have been "men of their times," who were raised with certain beliefs and interacted all their lives with others who shared those beliefs.” - FAIR: Faithful Answers, Informed Response for Latter Day Saints: Was Brigham Young a Racist? | wasmormon.org
“Prophets in all dispensations have been "men of their times," who were raised with certain beliefs and interacted all their lives with others who shared those beliefs.” - FAIR: Faithful Answers, Informed Response for Latter Day Saints: Was Brigham Young a Racist?