Stories of mormon faith transitions. Share your truth – own your story!
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"I grew up in a very narcissistic environment where Jean (mom) was the controlling party, and if you did not do what she said, there was going to be hell to pay, and she would find ways to punish you. She controlled everything in my life and also her other children’s lives. I was only allowed to do things that she could control or that made her look good. Jean had two different personalities. In public, she acted like a devoted wife and mother who wanted the best for her family, and then behind closed doors, she was a miserable person who did not want anybody (especially her kids) to be better than her." - Max's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/blackheart/
"I did all of the typical Mormon things growing up. Becoming an Eagle Scout and getting my patriarchal blessing. In my blessing, it stated that I would “take care of my parents in their declining years." I grew up in Utah in a Mormon family with a mother (Jean), and father (Martin), and one sister (Jennifer) who was ten years older than me. I also had step siblings that were 15-20 years older than me. My step siblings (Susan and Kathie) have kids, and their kids are around the same age as me. I was their uncle, and it just never seemed right, and even at a young age, I recognized it. In February of 2017, my whole world, as I know it was changed forever. I found out that the individuals that I called mom and dad for over forty years were not my real parents! I was a Mormon." - Max's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/blackheart/
“Labels are invented to foster feelings of segregation and competition. Serious seperations results when labels are utilized with the intent to demean... If we allow nicknames to be used or adopt or even sponsor those nicknames ourselves, [The Savior] is offended.” - Russell M. Nelson vs “To be offended is a choice we make... One of the greatest indicators of our own spiritual maturity is revealed in how we respond to the offensive actions of others. Choosing to be offended is a symptom of a much deeper and more serious spiritual malady.” - David A. Bednar
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/byron-marchant/. 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!
"A few years ago I summarized my story in a letter I sent to President Russell M. Nelson. I have not received any response from any church leaders regarding my letter. I can conclude that LDS Church leaders are in awe of what can be accomplished when members and former members, along with non LDS associates, work as a well oiled machine to defeat false nonsense." - Byron's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/byron-marchant/
"Mormonism is a hoax. Though I no longer believe my youthful Mormon mythology, I will be ever grateful for the contributions of the (to use an Anthropological term) "Mormon Tribal Community" wherein I learned the many lessons from this cultural milieu of my youth that have served me." - Byron's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/byron-marchant/
"Realizing there was no historical foundation to support any 1820 First Vision was crucial to my LDS Faith investigations, resulting in my belief that The Old Testament, The New Testament and The Book of Mormon are all fiction. Anyone who wishes to convince me otherwise will need to first go through the Old Testament which cannot be considered as reliable evidence (lacking the required archaeological support) for what allegedly had happened in ancient Israel. I became an atheist when I learned of three French and German scholars, Jean-Baptiste Mirabaud, Baron d’Holbach and Bruno Bauer. The first two wrote and published Système de la Nature (System of Nature) and Bauer wrote Christus und die Cäsaren (Christ and The Caesars), which was originally published in 1877." - Byron's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/byron-marchant/
"Myself, John W. Fitzgerald, Douglas A. Wallace, and attorney Brian M. Barnard, as dedicated gadflies during that period of time (1970-1978), acting as a team brought attention to the falsehood of the 1969 policy letter, thereby resulting in the 9 June 1978 change." - Byron's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/byron-marchant/
"My belief in Mormonism was on the decline in October 1977, influenced in part through discovering Smith’s signature on Able’s 1836 Ordination License in August 1977 and reading the 1977 “Spalding Enigma” book. By then I was acquainted with John Fitzgerald, Doug Wallace and Vernal Holley. In fact, I probably learned about the book, Who Really Wrote the Book of Mormon, from Vern Holley. In my studies through the 1980s, I wrote a paper for an anthropology class called “Mormon Exaggerations”. The 1986 Signature Books publication, Dale Morgan On Early Mormonism, edited by John Walker, was an eye opener for me (especially chapter 3). Some of my pissed-off relatives decided to steal my Social Security Survivor’s Benefits and use it to bribe and kidnap our (their deceased mother and me) two young (12 and 16 years old) daughters." - Byron's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/byron-marchant/
"In 1978 the church changed their policy of banning the priesthood from blacks. My wife passed away in September 1979, but we celebrated the 9 June 1978 LDS black priesthood change together. My 7 June 1978 lawsuit against Kimball happened at the right time to show that it was THE pivotal push over the edge. The LDS Church could not admit to having made a mistake so they covered the whole thing up until 2013 when they finally published the news which I had told them about in 1977 as a Gospel Topic Essay." - Byron's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/byron-marchant/
"N. E. Tanner was wrong in the 1969 First Presidency Letter. I publicly opposed him and explained why, but he never recanted his statment, even after it was shown to be false. His statement is false because Joseph Smith signed the 1836 Elijah Able Ordination License, which proves Joseph Smith didn't teach the priesthood ban. The church apostle, Nathan Eldon Tanner, was found to be lying, but I was the one excommunicated. Rather than the church appreciating the correction, I was kicked out for speaking truth and pointing out the incorrect statement of the church leaders. In the 1977 excommunication trial, I was not allowed to present my “Accused” defense, so the excommunication did not follow the prescribed procedure and should not be valid." - Byron's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/byron-marchant/
"In October 1977, I voted not to sustain N. Eldon Tanner in the Tabernacle, it was because he lied when he put his signature on a 15 December 1969 First Presidency letter which states "From the beginning of this dispensation, Joseph Smith and all succeeding presidents of the Church have taught that Negroes, while spirit children of a common Father, and the progeny of our earthly parents Adam and Eve, were not yet to receive the priesthood." The 1969 statement was historically false, because Joseph Smith in 1836 had signed the Elijah Able Elder License." - Byron's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/byron-marchant/
I was raised in the LDS church. In 1977, I was excommunicated for publicly opposing a sustaining vote of a General Authority in General Conference due to the black priesthood ban. I was a Mormon. - Byron's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/byron-marchant/
“Often unkind nicknames are added to—or even substituted for—given names. Labels are invented to foster feelings of segregation and competition. For example, athletic teams acquire names to intimidate others, such as Giants, Tigers, Warriors, and so on. Harmless you say? Well, perhaps not overly important. But that is only the beginning. More serious separation results when labels are utilized with the intent to demean, such as Jew, Gentile, black, Hispanic, or Mormon.” Russell M. Nelson, LDS Apostle, 1995 | BYU Devotional, “A More Excellent Hope”
“I know you're out there. I can feel you now. I know that you're afraid. You're afraid of us. You're afraid of change. I don't know the future. I didn't come here to tell you how this is going to end. I came here to tell you how it's going to begin... I'm going to show these people what you don't want them to see. I'm going to show them a world without you. A world without rules or controls, borders or boundaries. A world where anything is possible. Where we go from there is a choice I leave to you.” - Neo, The Matrix, 1999
“The Matrix is everywhere. It is all around us. Even now, in this very room. You can see it when you look out your window or when you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work. When you go to church. When you pay your taxes. It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth... What is the Matrix? Control. The Matrix is a computer-generated dream world, built to keep us under control in order to change a human being into [a battery].” - Morpheus, The Matrix, 1999
“I imagine that right now you’re feeling a bit like Alice, tumbling down the rabbit hole... What is real? How do you define "real"? If you’re talking about what you can feel, what you can smell, what you can taste and see, then "real" is simply electrical signals interpreted by your brain. This is the world that you know... Have you ever had a dream, that you were so sure was real? What if you were unable to wake from that dream? How would you know the difference between the dream world and the real world? Welcome to the real world.” - Morpheus, The Matrix, 1999
“Let me tell you why you're here. You're here because you know something. What you know, you can't explain, but you feel it. You've felt it your entire life, that there's something wrong with this world. You don't know what, but it's there, like a splinter in your mind, driving you mad... Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself.” - Morpheus, The Matrix, 1999
“The Matrix is a system... But when you’re inside, you look around, what do you see? Businessmen, teachers, lawyers, carpenters. The very minds of the people we are trying to save. But until we do, these people are still a part of that system... You have to understand, most of these people are not ready to be unplugged. And many of them are so inert, so hopelessly dependent on the system, that they will fight to protect it.” - Morpheus, The Matrix, 1999
“Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself. This is your last chance. After this, there is no turning back. You take the blue pill, the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes. Remember: all I'm offering is the truth. Nothing more.” - Morpheus, The Matrix, 1999
"Second incident occurred Nov 11 1976 involving Piper PA 31 N74985. Pilot experienced rough engine on scheduled flight between Salt Lake City and St. George. 3 passengers on board. Engine was feathered and precautionary landing made at Delta, Utah per instructions in company manual. Investigation revealed cylinder base studs sheered. As result of occurrence Sky West changed maintenance procedures by checking torque studs at each 100 hour inspection. No damage to aircraft. No injuries to crew or passengers." - Civil Aeronautics Board Reports, Volume 73, Economic Cases of the Civil Aeronautics Board, March to June 1977, Page 1089-1090 and an image of the exact Piper PA 31 N74985
"Second incident occurred Nov 11 1976 involving Piper PA 31 N74985. Pilot experienced rough engine on scheduled flight between Salt Lake City and St. George. 3 passengers on board. Engine was feathered and precautionary landing made at Delta, Utah per instructions in company manual. Investigation revealed cylinder base studs sheered. As result of occurrence Sky West changed maintenance procedures by checking torque studs at each 100 hour inspection. No damage to aircraft. No injuries to crew or passengers." - Civil Aeronautics Board Reports, Volume 73, Economic Cases of the Civil Aeronautics Board, March to June 1977, Page 1089-1090
"I was in a small airplane, and all of the sudden the engine on the wing caught fire. It exploded and burning oil was poured all over the right side of the airplane and we started to dive toward the earth. We were spinning down our death. Oh, this woman across the aisle, I just was so sorry for her. She was just absolutely uncontrollably hysterical. And I was calm. I was totally calm, even though I knew I was going downto my death. I was ready to meet my Maker. We didn't crash. We didn't die. The spiral dive extinguished the flame. The pilot got control and started the other engine up. We made an emergency landing out in a field." - Men's Hearts Shall Fail Them, Video from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Narrated by Russell M. Nelson
I remember vividly an experience I had as a passenger in a small two-propeller airplane. One of its engines suddenly burst open and caught on fire. The propeller of the flaming engine was starkly stilled. As we plummeted in a steep spiral dive toward the earth, I expected to die. Some of the passengers screamed in hysterical panic. Miraculously, the precipitous dive extinguished the flames. Then, by starting up the other engine, the pilot was able to stabilize the plane and bring us down safely.Throughout that ordeal, though I “knew” death was coming, my paramount feeling was that I was not afraid to die. - Elder Russell M. Nelson, Doors of Death, General Conference, April 1992
November 12—Flew to St. George. When one of the small airplane’s engines exploded, I expected to be killed. But after a precipitous dive in the disabled plane, the pilot made a safe emergency landing in Delta. I was going to St. George to give the opening prayer at the inaugural services at which Rolfe Kerr became president of Dixie College. - Russell M. Nelson, From Heart to Heart: An Autobiography, Quality Press, Inc. 1979. Highlights of 1977, Page 376
“When Wendy and I were on an assignment, in a distant land, armed robbers put a gun to my head, and pulled the trigger, but the gun didn't fire.Throughout that experience, both of our lives were threatened. Yet Wendy and I felt an undeniable peace. It was the peace which passeth all understanding.” - Russell M. Nelson, LDS Church President, General Conference, October 2024
As of 2024, 66% of the current LDS Apostles are from Utah. Since 1850, when Utah became a U.S. Territory, over 82% of all Apostles have either been young immigrants to or natives of Utah. Expanding the geographic scope to include the broader "Mormon Corridor" (Utah, Southern Idaho, and Northern Arizona), this figure rises to over 92%.
”[General Authorities] are given a living allowance which enables them to focus all of their time on serving in the Church. This practice allows for far more church members on a worldwide basis to be considered for a calling to serve as a General Authority, rather than limiting considerations to only those who may be financially independent.” - Do General Authorities get paid? LDS website FAQ
“To believe that someone or something can make us feel offended, angry, hurt, or bitter diminishes our moral agency and transforms us into objects to be acted upon. As agents, however, you and I have the power to act and to choose how we will respond to an offensive or hurtful situation. In many instances, choosing to be offended is a symptom of a much deeper and more serious spiritual malady.” - David A. Bednar, LDS Apostle, And Nothing Shall Offend Them, October 2006 General Conference
“You and I cannot control the intentions or behavior of other people. However, we do determine how we will act. Please remember that you and I are agents endowed with moral agency, and we can choose not to be offended. One of the greatest indicators of our own spiritual maturity is revealed in how we respond to the weaknesses, the inexperience, and the potentially offensive actions of others. A thing, an event, or an expression may be offensive, but you and I can choose not to be offended.” - David A. Bednar, LDS Apostle, And Nothing Shall Offend Them, October 2006 General Conference
“It ultimately is impossible for another person to offend you or to offend me. Indeed, believing that another person offended us is fundamentally false. To be offended is a choice we make;
it is not a condition inflicted or imposed upon us by someone or something else.” - David A. Bednar, LDS Apostle, And Nothing Shall Offend Them, October 2006 General Conference
“We live in a world where everybody is offended about almost everything. We don't take offense, we just ask people to respect what, to us, is very sacred. The name of the church was revealed. We didn't have a task force and test it with focus groups, it was revealed by the head of the church, who is Jesus Christ. And we simply are asking people to respect that, and call us what we are.” - David A. Bednar, LDS Apostle, Addresses the National Press Club, 2022
“I think that President Russell M. Nelson will be known forever as a man of remarkable courage, to say, we will no longer use a nickname pejoratively attached to our church, by our enemies, anymore. We're inviting other people to call us what we are called,
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” - David A. Bednar, LDS Apostle, Addresses the National Press Club, 2022
"Tastes like a crappy cup of coffee"
"No, it's the world's best cup of coffee" - Elf
The official name of the Church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The full name was given by revelation from God to Joseph Smith in 1838... When a shortened reference is needed, the terms “the Church” or the “Church of Jesus Christ” are encouraged. The “restored Church of Jesus Christ” is also accurate and encouraged. - Style Guide — The Name of the Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Same as demanding to be called "World's Best Church"
The publishing of a new scripture, hidden for years in the Church vaults, sends shockwaves through Mormondom. President Nelson, intrigued by a plate of gold, used Joseph Smith's seer stone in a hat to translate it, unlocking a sermon delivered to the ancient Nephite prophet Macaroni directly from Jesus Christ. The message troubled Nelson, as it criticized the modern Church leadership. Torn between his duty and his legacy, Nelson decides to publish the new scripture quietly, to avoid attention. Apologists already downplay this and the text's significance, but it raises profound questions about the current Church's direction. Macaroni's words echo Christ's condemnation of its recent corporate practices. This introduces a complex, ironic reflection on LDS prophetic leadership. - https://wasmormon.org/macaroni
”Quite miraculous, really, through the gift and power of God. We know that they had a table like this. We know they had the golden plates, covered usually. And Joseph used these: the Urim and Thummim, seer stones, in the hat. And it was easier for him to see the light when he'd take that position.” - President Russell M. Nelson, 2020.What if Nelson knew more about the translation process? What if he used the same technique and translated from the sealed portion of the Gold Plates? What would God say to him? Would he find his new scripture flattering?
Introducing the Book of Macaroni: https://wasmormon.org/macaroni
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/ceyre/. 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!
Leaving the Church is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I still think of myself as a Christian, as I still believe in God & Jesus. I’m also working out what exactly I believe. I have a lot of questions & there’s a lot I don’t know. However, one thing I do know is that I want nothing to do with the Mormon Church. As someone once said, what’s good about Mormonism is not unique. And what’s unique about Mormonism is not good. - Corey's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/ceyre/
Learning this greatly disturbed & unsettled me spiritually & caused another faith crisis, though much less severe this time. Any small testimony I had left of the Church was destroyed. I no longer connected my Church membership to following Jesus. The two were completely separate in my mind. In my experience & in my opinion, being a Mormon had nothing to do with following Jesus & living a good Christian life. If you’re a good Christian, you’re a bad Mormon. Conversely, if you’re a bad Christian, you’re a good Mormon. I’d rather be a good Christian. - Corey's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/ceyre/
I was shocked & horrified to see that my spiritual experiences were not at all what I believed & had been taught in the Church. Almost all of my significant spiritual experiences were easily explained by elevation emotion, frisson, confirmation bias, & other things that had nothing to do with God, or the Spirit teaching me the truth. In short, my so-called spiritual experiences had betrayed me. My treasured spiritual experiences had confirmed the truthfulness of many things that were false or only partially true. I also learned that my so-called spiritual experiences were not unique: to me or Mormonism. Most people have the same so-called spiritual experiences about their religion that I had experienced with Mormonism. Most people believe that God has told them that their church is true & that God called them to join it. - Corey's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/ceyre/
Alarmingly, on top of learning that the Church is not true, I realized that I’d been lied to, manipulated, gaslighted, exploited, betrayed & wronged by the Church my entire life. I discovered the concepts of elevation emotion & frisson. With this new knowledge of elevation emotion & frisson, and the knowledge I gained from studying Church history the previous 4 years, I used my critical thinking skills & evaluated my most influential spiritual experiences. - Corey's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/ceyre/
I was devastated to learn that the Church is demonstrably false. Yes, Mormonism is made up; indeed, Mormonism is a scam. Having studied Mormonism all my life (including both sides: for & against) the only logical, valid conclusion is this: Mormonism does NOT hold up against scrutiny, especially Mormonism’s truth claims. A simple internet search can make the Church fall apart. The evidence strongly suggests that the Mormon church is not true—it's made up & based on lies, etc. - Corey's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/ceyre/
I was especially bothered that these so-called men of God lied & said that they didn't use tithing money on the lavish mall in Salt Lake, which cost billions. They also lied about tithing not being used to pay the high General Authority salaries & overly generous benefits. I was pissed that they exempt themselves from tithing & treat themselves like kings, while the members (whom they're supposed to serve) get the bare minimum & are neglected & exploited. - Corey's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/ceyre/
In short, it was obvious that the Church is NOT what it claims, not even close. I saw the Church 's endless unchristlike, unrighteous, & sinful behavior. And this horrible behavior is consistent & often intentional. I also realized that I was so ignorant as a TBM (true-believing member). My concerns about Mormonism & the Church are many, sincere & very valid. - Corey's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/ceyre/
My wife and I had a severe falling-out with our Mormon bishop. I went online to see if this was common & to see how other Mormons handled it. By doing so, I went down the rabbit hole. I learned the real, true history of the Church. As a result, for the first time, I learned the truth because I had the facts & more objective sources, as opposed to the whitewashed, sanitized, correlated garbage from the Church I had always used previously. - Corey's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/ceyre/
I'm a truth seeker who loves video games, sightseeing, hot tubs & pools. I was born into the Mormon church. I grew up in southern Idaho in a large family. Growing up, I was known for being kind, sincere and honest. The Church was my identity, my culture, my world view, my community, my connection to something bigger than myself, my morals and religion, my eternal plan for my life, in short, everything. I was a Mormon. - Corey's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/ceyre/
![“Labels are invented to foster feelings of segregation and competition. Serious seperations results when labels are utilized with the intent to demean... If we allow nicknames to be used or adopt or even sponsor those nicknames ourselves, [The Savior] is offended.” - Russell M. Nelson vs “To be offended is a choice we make... One of the greatest indicators of our own spiritual maturity is revealed in how we respond to the offensive actions of others. Choosing to be offended is a symptom of a much deeper and more serious spiritual malady.” - David A. Bednar | wasmormon.org](https://i0.wp.com/wasmormon.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Nelson-vs-Bednar-offended.jpg?fit=640%2C640&ssl=1)
![“The Matrix is everywhere. It is all around us. Even now, in this very room. You can see it when you look out your window or when you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work. When you go to church. When you pay your taxes. It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth... What is the Matrix? Control. The Matrix is a computer-generated dream world, built to keep us under control in order to change a human being into [a battery].” - Morpheus, The Matrix, 1999 | wasmormon.org](https://i0.wp.com/wasmormon.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Matrix-Morpheus-the-matrix-is-everywhere-its-all-around-us-when-you-go-to-church-the-world-pulled-over-your-eyes-to-blind-you-from-the-truth-the-matrix-is-control.jpg?fit=640%2C640&ssl=1)
![”[General Authorities] are given a living allowance which enables them to focus all of their time on serving in the Church. This practice allows for far more church members on a worldwide basis to be considered for a calling to serve as a General Authority, rather than limiting considerations to only those who may be financially independent.” - Do General Authorities get paid? LDS website FAQ, 2024 | wasmormon.org](https://i0.wp.com/wasmormon.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Do-general-authorities-get-paid-they-are-given-a-living-allowance-which-allows-worldwide-consideration-for-GA-callings.jpg?fit=640%2C640&ssl=1)
