Hi, I'm Curtis
I enjoy camping, traveling, and playing my banjo. I was a mormon.
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About me
I'm a husband, father, and amateur banjo player. I'm part of a mixed faith family. Although I no longer believe in the church, I still support my family's right to choose their own spiritual path. I love my family. Serving my wife and children has become my source of spiritual rejuvenation.
On my shelf
On the Mormon Spectrum
# Why I left More stories of 'Why I left' the Mormon church
I loved the church that was presented to me as a youth. I can remember the exact moment I obtained a testimony of the faith I was taught as a youth. The messaging was simple, and it made sense to me. As I entered adulthood, though, I came to realize that the church presented to me as a youth didn't match the picture of mormonism today. Between shifting doctrines, unethical behavior by the General Leadership, and hidden history of the church I can to realize that nothing about the church is divine. The religion I'd loved as a youth simply didn't exist.
Questions about Mormons My Answers to Questions about Mormonism
#Link to this answer of 'Any suggestions about how to deal with my still-Mormon family?' by curtishartley Any suggestions about how to deal with my still-Mormon family? See more answers about 'Any suggestions about how to deal with my still-Mormon family?'
I don't fault my believing family members for they way they treat me and the things they say because I behaved the same way as a believing member. Those who have left the faith or lost their testimony experience a feeling of "I'm sorry for what I said/did when I was mormon." I am no different.
This is simply the result of the general leadership propagating the idea that those who leave are "under Satan's power" (temple endowment ceremony) or "not to be trusted" (Russell Nelson GC 2023). My wife and I have experienced ups and downs throughout my faith transition. We have chosen to keep love, trust, and choice at the center of our marriage. In other words, we consider our love for one another to be greater than our spiritual differences; we trust in one another's character and the desire to bring about goodness into each other's lives; and we allow each other the ability to choose our own paths for spiritual rejuvenation. Many active family members will continue to try and "rescue" you. In moments like that I just remind them that non-belief does not equal no-belief, and invite them to ask about my beliefs whenever they are ready to talk.
#Link to this answer of 'Are Mormons Christian?' by curtishartley Are Mormons Christian? See more answers about 'Are Mormons Christian?'
Mormons actively teach and try to emulate their interpretation of Christ's teachings. Mormons teach from the bible, as well as their other standard works such as the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price. In recent years the general leadership of the church has placed a greater emphasis on Christ and a lesser influence on the unique aspects or core doctrines of Mormonism. However, like many other churches, Mormonism teaches their "flavor" of Christianity, and claims to have the most accurate interpretation of Christ's teachings. If interested in Jesus, I would recommend studying the teachings of Jesus and drawing your own conclusions rather than trust someone else (either locally or in Salt Lake City) to tell you what they mean.