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“The present effort of trying to find some other explanation for the organization of the Church, for the origin of the Book of Mormon, and for the priesthood with its keys and powers will be similar to other anti-Mormon fads which have come and blossomed and faded. Truth will prevail. A knowledge of that truth comes by effort and study, yes. But it comes primarily as a gift from God to those who seek in faith.” - President Gordon B. Hinckley, "Lord, Increase Our Faith," Ensign November 1987 | wasmormon.org — “The present effort of trying to find some other explanation for the organization of the Church, for the origin of the Book of Mormon, and for the priesthood with its keys and powers will be similar to other anti-Mormon fads which have come and blossomed and faded. Truth will prevail. A knowledge of that truth comes by effort and study, yes. But it comes primarily as a gift from God to those who seek in faith.” - President Gordon B. Hinckley, "Lord, Increase Our Faith," Ensign November 1987

“One of my friends, who is active in the Church, has some anti-Mormon literature and thinks we should read it so we know how to respond to it. But I find that literature disturbing. What should I tell my friend?” - New Era, 2007, July: Q&A: Dealing With Anti-Mormon Literature | wasmormon.org — “One of my friends, who is active in the Church, has some anti-Mormon literature and thinks we should read it so we know how to respond to it. But I find that literature disturbing. What should I tell my friend?” - New Era, 2007, July: Q&A: Dealing With Anti-Mormon Literature

“Say you would rather read something you trust, like the scriptures. Spending a lot of time and energy reading anti-Mormon literature would be a waste. If you run across it, discuss it with someone who is knowledgeable about the gospel. Never take anti-Mormon literature at face value. Honest inquiry is good, but everything needs a proper perspective and context. If the misrepresentations in anti-Mormon literature really disturb you, then tell your friend how you feel so that he’ll leave you alone about it.” - New Era, 2007, July: Q&A: Dealing With Anti-Mormon Literature | wasmormon.org — “Say you would rather read something you trust, like the scriptures. Spending a lot of time and energy reading anti-Mormon literature would be a waste. If you run across it, discuss it with someone who is knowledgeable about the gospel. Never take anti-Mormon literature at face value. Honest inquiry is good, but everything needs a proper perspective and context. If the misrepresentations in anti-Mormon literature really disturb you, then tell your friend how you feel so that he’ll leave you alone about it.” - New Era, 2007, July: Q&A: Dealing With Anti-Mormon Literature

Comic with two people in a boat watching a third person climb overboard, they say: "Stay in the boat!" and "You'll drown out there!" The person disregards their warnings and climbs out saying, "You guys realize we're on land, right?" Those in the boat can't comprehend and simply state to each other, "I feel so sorry for him." Meanwhile the person who is free says, "I'm gonna go do land stuff. Good luck with all... this." https://www.crustaceansingles.com/2016/03/stay-afloat.html

Any unfairness that’s created by the asymmetry can and will be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Church leaders haven’t done as good a job as I think we can to address existing imbalances within the bounds that God has set. So, we’re going to do better. - Dale G. Renlund, LDS Apostle, Women's Devotional Pasadena California Stake, March 7, 2025 | wasmormon.org — Any unfairness that’s created by the asymmetry can and will be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Church leaders haven’t done as good a job as I think we can to address existing imbalances within the bounds that God has set. So, we’re going to do better. - Dale G. Renlund, LDS Apostle, Women's Devotional Pasadena California Stake, March 7, 2025

The reason for the asymmetry between men and women regarding priesthood office ordination has not been revealed. Any proposed reason for that asymmetry with regard to priesthood office ordination is speculative. The absence of a reason doesn’t give us license to change the asymmetry just because we want to. - Dale G. Renlund, LDS Apostle, Women's Devotional Pasadena California Stake, March 7, 2025 | wasmormon.org — The reason for the asymmetry between men and women regarding priesthood office ordination has not been revealed. Any proposed reason for that asymmetry with regard to priesthood office ordination is speculative. The absence of a reason doesn’t give us license to change the asymmetry just because we want to. - Dale G. Renlund, LDS Apostle, Women's Devotional Pasadena California Stake, March 7, 2025

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of the most racially unifying organizations in the history of the world.” - Ahmad S. Corbitt, LDS General Authority Seventy, Personal Essay on Race and the Priesthood, 2014 | wasmormon.org — “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of the most racially unifying organizations in the history of the world.” - Ahmad S. Corbitt, LDS General Authority Seventy, Personal Essay on Race and the Priesthood, 2014

“The Book of Mormon is the most racially and ethnically unifying book on the earth.” - Ahmad S. Corbitt, LDS General Authority Seventy, Personal Essay on Race and the Priesthood, 2014 | wasmormon.org — “The Book of Mormon is the most racially and ethnically unifying book on the earth.” - Ahmad S. Corbitt, LDS General Authority Seventy, Personal Essay on Race and the Priesthood, 2014

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

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