2025 - wasmormon.org

What do the boat and the fisherman teach us about the Church? Do dents and peeling paint on the Church change its ability to provide the authorized saving and exalting ordinances to help us become like our Father in Heaven? If the fisherman must hold on to the rudder with both hands to keep the boat on course, does that negate his and the boat’s ability to get us safely and reliably where we want to go? You do not have to be an ordained seer to know that slipping back into the water instead of staying in the boat is risky. Yet when we lose sight of the big picture, the small dents and peeling paint can loom large in our minds. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii | wasmormon.org — What do the boat and the fisherman teach us about the Church? Do dents and peeling paint on the Church change its ability to provide the authorized saving and exalting ordinances to help us become like our Father in Heaven? If the fisherman must hold on to the rudder with both hands to keep the boat on course, does that negate his and the boat’s ability to get us safely and reliably where we want to go? You do not have to be an ordained seer to know that slipping back into the water instead of staying in the boat is risky. Yet when we lose sight of the big picture, the small dents and peeling paint can loom large in our minds. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii

With sadness, the fisherman stops the boat and helps you back into the ocean. You are on your own again. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii | wasmormon.org — With sadness, the fisherman stops the boat and helps you back into the ocean. You are on your own again. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii

Finally, you demand that the fisherman stop the boat and let you back into the water. Even though you are still more than 20 kilometers, or 12 miles, away from shore, you can’t stand the idea of being in the boat. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii | wasmormon.org — Finally, you demand that the fisherman stop the boat and let you back into the water. Even though you are still more than 20 kilometers, or 12 miles, away from shore, you can’t stand the idea of being in the boat. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii

The more you focus on the boat and the fisherman, the more concerned you become. You question your decision to get on board in the first place. Your anxiety begins to grow. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii | wasmormon.org — The more you focus on the boat and the fisherman, the more concerned you become. You question your decision to get on board in the first place. Your anxiety begins to grow. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii

You are stunned! How could he not worry about the dents and the steering? And why could the nourishment have not been more to your liking? - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii | wasmormon.org — You are stunned! How could he not worry about the dents and the steering? And why could the nourishment have not been more to your liking? - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii

He says he hasn’t worried much about those things because he has steered the boat to and from the fishing grounds, over the same route, day in and day out, for decades. The boat has always gotten him safely and reliably where he wanted to go. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii | wasmormon.org — He says he hasn’t worried much about those things because he has steered the boat to and from the fishing grounds, over the same route, day in and day out, for decades. The boat has always gotten him safely and reliably where he wanted to go. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii

You ask the fisherman about the dents and the rudder. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii | wasmormon.org — You ask the fisherman about the dents and the rudder. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii

You begin to worry that this boat and this captain cannot provide the rescue you need. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii | wasmormon.org — You begin to worry that this boat and this captain cannot provide the rescue you need. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii

You note that the boat is well-used and that there are dents in the right side of the bow. Some of the paint is chipped and peeling. You see that when the fisherman relaxes his grip on the rudder, the boat pulls to the right. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii | wasmormon.org — You note that the boat is well-used and that there are dents in the right side of the bow. Some of the paint is chipped and peeling. You see that when the fisherman relaxes his grip on the rudder, the boat pulls to the right. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii

You also notice that the kindly fisherman wears worn boots and blue jeans. The sweatband on his hat is stained, and he seems to be hard of hearing. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii | wasmormon.org — You also notice that the kindly fisherman wears worn boots and blue jeans. The sweatband on his hat is stained, and he seems to be hard of hearing. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii

The crackers tasted good, but what you really wanted was some delicatessen meat followed by a chocolate croissant. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii | wasmormon.org — The crackers tasted good, but what you really wanted was some delicatessen meat followed by a chocolate croissant. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii

As you begin to revive and start feeling better, you start paying attention to some things you hadn’t really noticed before. The water from the canteen is a bit stale and not what you would have preferred, like Evian or Perrier. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii | wasmormon.org — As you begin to revive and start feeling better, you start paying attention to some things you hadn’t really noticed before. The water from the canteen is a bit stale and not what you would have preferred, like Evian or Perrier. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii

The fisherman gives you a canteen of water and some soda crackers. You consume them greedily. The water and soda crackers provide enough nourishment for you to recover. You are so relieved and so happy. You are on your way home. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii | wasmormon.org — The fisherman gives you a canteen of water and some soda crackers. You consume them greedily. The water and soda crackers provide enough nourishment for you to recover. You are so relieved and so happy. You are on your way home. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii

Gratefully you crawl to a seat in the boat, breathing a sigh of relief. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii | wasmormon.org — Gratefully you crawl to a seat in the boat, breathing a sigh of relief. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii

The boat stops and a kindly, weather-beaten fisherman helps you on board. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii | wasmormon.org — The boat stops and a kindly, weather-beaten fisherman helps you on board. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii

In the distance you hear a small engine. The sound seems to be coming toward you; your hope of rescue soars. As you look, you see a small fishing boat approaching. “Oh, thank heavens,” you think, “the captain sees me!” - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii | wasmormon.org — In the distance you hear a small engine. The sound seems to be coming toward you; your hope of rescue soars. As you look, you see a small fishing boat approaching. “Oh, thank heavens,” you think, “the captain sees me!” - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii

You’ve become extremely dehydrated, so that every time you start swimming, you become light-headed and fatigued. By your best estimates the shore is 30 kilometers, or 18 miles, away. You fear for your life because you can’t swim that far. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii | wasmormon.org — You’ve become extremely dehydrated, so that every time you start swimming, you become light-headed and fatigued. By your best estimates the shore is 30 kilometers, or 18 miles, away. You fear for your life because you can’t swim that far. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii

Imagine having capsized in a boat while sailing in the ocean. You’re wearing a life preserver and have been swimming for hours toward what you believe is the nearest shore, but you can’t be sure. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii | wasmormon.org — Imagine having capsized in a boat while sailing in the ocean. You’re wearing a life preserver and have been swimming for hours toward what you believe is the nearest shore, but you can’t be sure. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii

The sole purpose of The Church is to help Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in Their work to bring to pass the eternal life of God’s children. It provides the covenant path, the way to return to our Heavenly Father. Those who serve in the Church, though not perfect, are essential to help and encourage us along the covenant path. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii | wasmormon.org — The sole purpose of The Church is to help Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in Their work to bring to pass the eternal life of God’s children. It provides the covenant path, the way to return to our Heavenly Father. Those who serve in the Church, though not perfect, are essential to help and encourage us along the covenant path. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii

We feel prompted to discuss a topic that has been on our minds for many months: faith and doubt... Consider this story as a parable in which the boat represents the Church and the fisherman represents those who serve in the Church. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii | wasmormon.org — We feel prompted to discuss a topic that has been on our minds for many months: faith and doubt... Consider this story as a parable in which the boat represents the Church and the fisherman represents those who serve in the Church. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii

Salt Lake Chapter of the Freedom From Religion Foundation Gives Shoutout to wasmormon

There are a lot of places you can go on the internet to find out that you are not alone. wasmormon.org is my favorite because the people who post their stories on this website, are just ordinary people These are ordinary everyday people and so you go there and read their stories, and it's really soothing. I highly recommend it. You can do it anonymously if you want to. If you want to post your story here, it's really cathartic. - Douglas Hendricks, Salt Lake Chapter of the Freedom From Religion Foundation - Presentation at The Oasis Salt Lake Meeting, March 2, 2025 | wasmormon.org

Doug Hendricks (Doug) shared a presentation about the Salt Lake Chapter of the Freedom From Religion Foundation at an Oasis Salt Lake meeting. Doug Hendricks’ talk focused on the newly established Salt Lake City chapter of the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) and its goals in Utah. He outlined the two-pronged mission of FFRF: (1) …

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Tithing is About Money, Not Faith, Obedience, Loyalty, or Sacrifice

“When I was a young intern, my income was $15 a month. One night, my wife Dantzel asked if I was paying tithing on that meager stipend. I was not. I quickly repented and began paying the additional $1.50 in monthly tithing. Was the Church any different because we increased our tithing? Of course not. However, becoming a full-tithe payer changed me. That is when I learned that paying tithing is all about faith, not money.” - Russell M. Nelson, LDS Church President, General Conference, October 2023 | wasmormon.org

Tithing is a fundamental doctrine in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), requiring members to contribute 10% of their income to the Church. It is framed as a commandment from God, essential for spiritual growth, obedience, and blessings. Paying a full tithe is also a requirement for temple access, making it …

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Every Member ‘Who Has Means’ Shall Pay Tithing

“I plead with you in the name of the Lord, and I pray that every man, woman and child ... shall pay one tenth of their income as a tithing.” - 2013 Sunday School Manual, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow, Chapter 12: Tithing, a Law for Our Protection and Advancement

For those then who are struggling in these difficult times, please consider Lorenzo Snow’s comments in 1899. The church uses this and the teachings of President Lorenzo Snow to preach tithing to members. Every Man, Woman and Child Who Has Means Shall Pay Tithing I plead with you in the name of the Lord, and …

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The church steals our intuition only to sell it back to us as God's will. But they keep the authority to override it since they define God's will. | wasmormon.org — The church steals our intuition only to sell it back to us as God's will. But they keep the authority to override it since they define God's will.

Mary Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight

Mary Kathryn’s journey out of Mormonism is one of transformation, resilience, and self-discovery. A devoted believer, she followed the prescribed path—attending BYU, marrying young, and having eight children by age 35. She dedicated herself fully to the faith, shaping her identity around the church’s teachings on womanhood, family, and service. However, as life unfolded—with personal …

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Doug, The Rocket Man - FFRF SLC presentation at Oasis Salt Lake

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