Hello, I'm Ashley Stevens Chenn

My doubts about Mormonism (or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as they prefer to be called) began when I was a very young child.

I was born into a Mormon family: my father joined the Mormon church as a vulnerable teenager, and my mother’s parents joined when they were searching for a church. Something about Mormonism always felt strange, off, and unsettling to me. Still, I’ve always been a person of faith and hope, and Mormonism was the tool my parents gave me to exercise those things. I believe they genuinely thought they were doing what was best for their kids.

But the strangeness of Mormonism never wore off. On the outside, I looked like the perfect Mormon, but deep down, I never wanted to become like most of the Mormon women around me. So many seemed to struggle with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, low self-esteem, and health issues, but I was naive as to why. 

I started to feel angry and exhausted being part of a system that was constantly trying to control every detail of my life. But instead of recognizing the Mormon church as the source of that anger, I believed what they taught me: that angry people were bad people, and therefore I was bad. 

The Mormon church also taught me that my value came from supporting my husband, having children, and giving them my “time and talents” (including 10% of my gross income). That was the plan laid out for me since I was 12. I think I always knew I was in a cult, but I couldn’t admit it because Mormonism was the only framework of faith and hope I had.

Eventually, I refused to follow blindly anymore. Why would a loving God want me to remain in a church that was actively causing me harm—even if its claims that they are the "only true church on earth" were in fact true?

I officially resigned in November 2024. Afterward, I did a brief deep dive into Mormon history and read the primary records of early Mormons and their leaders. I discovered that almost everything I had been taught as “verifiable truth" from the Book of Mormon to the origins of Mormonism, wasn't. I have grace for those who taught me these things, youth leaders, teachers, leaders, my parents, because they themselves don't know. The Mormon church makes a concerted effort to hide the truth of its past.

Now, I live a life free of fear, needless shame, and unnecessary guilt. No one should feel guilty about pursuing a career or getting an education. A life of joy, happiness, and abundance (10 percent raise + interest). I’m finally pursuing the career I want and using my skills to help others, not a corrupt institution.

Nothing has brought me greater peace, happiness, and health than my decision to leave the Mormon church in the dust.