Hi I’m Mike
I was a mormon for 25 years before leaving.
About me
The photo isn’t me but accurately describes what I do for a living. I was a convert who married a mormon woman and I enjoyed most of my time in the church but really didn’t ask many questions. I have to admit that I was skeptical of the book of Abraham from the moment I saw it, I took a class in Egyptology in college and the images used for translation seemed doctored and unreal. The references to horses, wagons, and steel in the BOM struck me as very odd considering that those things didn’t exist in the Americas prior to Columbus. But I put my doubts aside.
Why I left More answers about 'Why I left' the mormon church
After 25 years of church membership I became increasingly aware of rather significant differences between what I was taught as an “investigator” and what was being revealed by the church. I was very offended at having been lied to and intentionally deceived in order to close the baptism “sale”. If the church is true then lying about its history and beliefs made no sense to me. I was left to conclude that church leadership understood that the organization and history of the church was flawed and felt a need to maintain its image using false pretense. So I quit.
Questions about Mormons My Answers to Questions about Mormonism
Are you happy? See more answers about 'Are you happy?'
I’m a happy person by nature and religion doesn’t affect my level of happiness to any degree.
Are you lazy? Is that why you left? See more answers about 'Are you lazy? Is that why you left?'
I dedicated 25 years to church life, it was a significant amount of time and money. I held a number of callings.
Did you want to sin? Is that why you left? See more answers about 'Did you want to sin? Is that why you left?'
Silly question I think, I had been drinking coffee throughout my time in the church because it has a therapeutic effect on my digestive system. I did that before I joined the church, I did it for 25 years in the church, and I do it to this day.
Has the church been dishonest with its own history? See more answers about 'Has the church been dishonest with its own history?'
Yes I believe so. I feel as though I have been lied to for 25 years.
What did and do you feel about the Mormon Temple Ceremony? See more answers about 'What did and do you feel about the Mormon Temple Ceremony?'
That it was silly. Just like the Masonic stuff my father was involved in.
What advice would you give to someone interested in joining the Mormon Church? Or for that matter, someone interested in leaving the Mormon Church? See more answers about 'What advice would you give to someone interested in joining the Mormon Church? Or for that matter, someone interested in leaving the Mormon Church?'
Spend some time seriously studying church history. Read the church sanctioned essays on lds.org. Read the CES letter. Trust your instincts. Just like buying a (very expensive) car, do your due diligence.