Hi, I'm Cole

When I was first kicked out of BYU, I was terrified. I had mentally left the church over the course of the past year, but as an 18-year-old who was still very dependent on his Mormon parents, I was worried I might starve to death if they found out. The next fall, I transferred to a secular school. I started living on my own, paying my own bills, making my own rules, and living my own life.

Now, less than four years later, I’m graduating with honors. I have a job I enjoy, I am in a healthy, committed relationship with a non-religious woman who I love dearly, I play music (now uncensored) in a band with people I care about, and, most importantly, I can finally be honest with myself and those around me. I even have a good relationship with my parents again, who are still in the church.

If you are young and worried about leaving the comfort of the church community, know that it’s possible- even without God’s help.