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This is a spotlight on a profile shared at wasmormon.org. These are just the highlights, so please find the full story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/brianolsen/. There are stories of Mormon faith journeys contributed by hundreds of users like you. Come check them out and consider sharing your own story at wasmormon.org!

The worst part is that people in my family have wasted their whole lives on the church. It is truly sad that my mother has never enjoyed life. - Brain's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/brianolsen/

I can see now that none if it is true. It was all made up. All the nonsense I was taught as a kid is literally just nonsense. The prophets don't walk around the temple talking to Jesus. I wasn't some special kid in heaven. God isn't coming back anytime soon. Joseph never translated anything! - Brain's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/brianolsen/

Recently, I started my look into the truth claims and history of the church. The first time I watched the temple ceremony on YouTube I was actually afraid something bad was going to happen. Once I got over that, I was able to start deconstructing for real! - Brain's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/brianolsen/

After many years of on again off again going to church I checked out. Due to the indoctrination I always thought that the church could be true. - Brain's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/brianolsen/

Hi, 👋 Brian here I'm a disabled Veteran. Father of three boys not raised in the church. Born In The Covenant. My mother and many others in my family still are TBM. I was a Mormon. - Brain's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/brianolsen/

He focused on the dents in the boat instead of on the capability of the boat to lead him to the blessings of the Atonement of Jesus Christ... The blogosphere cannot replace scripture study and reading the words of living prophets and apostles. Foster your faith by going to trustworthy sources to find answers to your questions. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii | wasmormon.org — He focused on the dents in the boat instead of on the capability of the boat to lead him to the blessings of the Atonement of Jesus Christ... The blogosphere cannot replace scripture study and reading the words of living prophets and apostles. Foster your faith by going to trustworthy sources to find answers to your questions. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii

What we consider dents and peeling paint on the well-used boat may turn out to be divinely sanctioned and divinely directed from an eternal perspective. The Lord has either had a hand in the dents and the peeling paint or He uses them for His own purposes. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii | wasmormon.org — What we consider dents and peeling paint on the well-used boat may turn out to be divinely sanctioned and divinely directed from an eternal perspective. The Lord has either had a hand in the dents and the peeling paint or He uses them for His own purposes. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii

Those who choose to stay on the well-used, dented boat with the chipped paint are those who recognize that the boat saved them from drowning and can get them safely to shore. In other words, they get on the covenant path and stay on 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 — Those who choose to stay on the well-used, dented boat with the chipped paint are those who recognize that the boat saved them from drowning and can get them safely to shore. In other words, they get on the covenant path and stay on the covenant path. - Dale G Renlund, LDS Apostle, and Sister Ruth L Renlund, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • January 13, 2019 • BYU–Hawaii

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

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 — 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

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.

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

Billboard stating "Don't Believe in God? You're not alone"

Poster: Everyone is equally welcome in this classroom

“We never felt that it was a sacrifice to pay our tithing. We felt it was an obligation, that even as small children we were doing our duty as the Lord had outlined that duty, and that we were assisting his church in the great work it had to accomplish... We hear some these days who say that because of economic pressures they cannot afford to pay their tithing... We can pay our tithing. It is not so much a matter of money as it is a matter of faith.” - Gordon B. Hinckley, LDS Apostle. First Presidency Message: The Sacred Law of Tithing, Ensign, December 1989 | wasmormon.org — “We never felt that it was a sacrifice to pay our tithing. We felt it was an obligation, that even as small children we were doing our duty as the Lord had outlined that duty, and that we were assisting his church in the great work it had to accomplish... We hear some these days who say that because of economic pressures they cannot afford to pay their tithing... We can pay our tithing. It is not so much a matter of money as it is a matter of faith.” - Gordon B. Hinckley, LDS Apostle. First Presidency Message: The Sacred Law of Tithing, Ensign, December 1989

“My beloved brothers and sisters, the eternal blessings of tithing are real. I have experienced them in my life and in the life of my family. The test of our faith is whether we will live the law of tithing by our obedience and sacrifice.” - Robert D. Hales, LDS Apostle, October 2002 General Conference. Tithing: A Test of Faith with Eternal Blessings | wasmormon.org — “My beloved brothers and sisters, the eternal blessings of tithing are real. I have experienced them in my life and in the life of my family. The test of our faith is whether we will live the law of tithing by our obedience and sacrifice.” - Robert D. Hales, LDS Apostle, October 2002 General Conference. Tithing: A Test of Faith with Eternal Blessings

“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 — “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

“Our obedience is voluntary, but our refusal to pay does not abrogate or repeal the law... The Lord has established the law of tithing, and because it is His law, it becomes our obligation to observe it if we love Him and have a desire to keep His commandments and receive His blessings. In this way it becomes a debt. The man who doesn’t pay his tithing because he is in debt should ask himself if he is not also in debt to the Lord.” - Howard W. Hunter, LDS Apostle, April 1964 General Conference | wasmormon.org — “Our obedience is voluntary, but our refusal to pay does not abrogate or repeal the law... The Lord has established the law of tithing, and because it is His law, it becomes our obligation to observe it if we love Him and have a desire to keep His commandments and receive His blessings. In this way it becomes a debt. The man who doesn’t pay his tithing because he is in debt should ask himself if he is not also in debt to the Lord.” - Howard W. Hunter, LDS Apostle, April 1964 General Conference

“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

This is a spotlight on a profile shared at wasmormon.org. These are just the highlights, so please find the full story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/marykathrynprice/. There are stories of Mormon faith journeys contributed by hundreds of users like you. Come check them out and consider sharing your own story at wasmormon.org!

Parenting without religion as the guide is 100% improved. We spend our time with each other and our children. They get more of us than they would have because church took so much time. No more therapy after church, no more arguing about seminary no more judging our kids outfits. We even started swearing which I enjoy. At the end of each day I check in with myself to see if i respect who I was that day. If the answer is yes, I rest peacefully in my best efforts and try again the next day. - Mary's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/marykathrynprice/

I like who I am as an ex-Mormon. I can love people better because I love myself better. I have more compassion for myself and others. I have changed how I orient to the “spirit”. I see my earnestness to do good and be good in the world as I used to see myself following promptings. I have discovered that all the miracles I was part of came from my own power and inner goodness or maybe even my inner god and amazing things continue to happen. Our families disapprove. We have been told that we are deceived by satan, that I am selfish for not staying and fighting, that we are ruining things for our kids and that we get our information from the wrong sources. - Mary's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/marykathrynprice/

But if I wanted to go, I had to wear a dress to show my support for dictator, I mean, President Lindsey. He told me that I also needed to apologize publicly in front of all the leadership in the stake for derailing trek. I was astonished but willing to do anything as I had poured my heart into this change and had kids who I wanted to experience trek. I barely got through it, because my heart was breaking and my tears were flowing. I was learning that my voice did not count and did not have power in this patriarchal system. Religion makes good people do bad things like treat dissenting opinions especially from women like heresy. He burned me at the stake in front of our stake as a witch for influencing this positive change. I was amazed at this experience. He did not like my passion or tone or volume or body language although I thought I was respectful. I don’t know if he’d ever met a woman who would challenge his authority in this way. I began to realize that I had internalized sexism homophobia and racism. I started listening to podcasts galore to undo these infectious diseases inside of myself. - Mary's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/marykathrynprice/

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