Did you want to sin? Is that why you left?

No. The "sins" I have done since leaving the church are minor and laughable (i.e. drinking coffee) all of which I could easily give up if I knew the church was true.

Anonymous

Of course not. This narrative is simply dismissive of so many former LDS people’s real lived experience. For those of us who have made this journey it is impossible to describe it to those who remain fixed to the “truth claims” of the Church. It is alright; we cannot understand that which we have not passed through; so I do not expect people to be able to come to terms with the challenges that our family faced with bvFTD. The abject truth seems to be this; “if you fit within the Church, it can be a lovely and supportive community. If you do not, it can be really damaging; for some people, it can be deadly (e.g. if I am LGBTQ, etc).

shanecor23

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.

flyinlate

The only sin I commit is not to attend church. I do not drink, smoke or do drugs, I do not commit adultery or any type of fornication. I keep the Sabbath day Holy by serving my fellow humans not by attending church.

evert

No. I wanted to have a healthy relationship with myself, my spouse, and my kids. The teachings of the church ate away at my self-image and any feelings of self-worth I might have had.

darthyagi

No.

micah-mcallister

I lost my faith without intending to. The question of my belief arose at a time when I was actively attending church and did not intend on breaking chastity rules due to my sexuality. My morals were originally taught by my parents, and even now that I've left I still have no interest in many of those behaviors.

I've tried a few things. I've liked some, disliked others. And I'm confident that I haven't harmed anyone in the process. And now I have my own experience instead of having to rely on others.

vallian

No. My fiancé & I have been together for 4+ years & believe it or not, we’ve never had sex (none of that soaking nonsense either)! And we aren’t going to until we get married, because even though I no longer believe in the church the way it is, I made a promise & I personally see value in that promise. Besides, the wedding isn’t that far away.

malia7

This accusation cracks me up. I give extensively of my time and money to charities and youth organizations. I became vegetarian 5 years ago. I probably obey the Word of Wisdom better than most active members and I adore my wife and would never consider stepping out on her. I’ve asked some members what sin they think I wanted to commit and all they could say was that doubt itself is a sin.

michael-taylor

Part of my experience with leaving the church is finding out what kind of person I really am and what kinds of things I really want to partake in. Alcohol, drugs, sex, tattoos, etc - all those things the church count as "sins". Some things I have tried, some I have not yet had a desire to. I am learning, for the first time in my life, at 40 years old, what kind of "sins" I like to partake in and which I don't care for. Its liberating and exciting and has made me a more understanding, patient, kind human being.

debrac28

I haven't really "sinned" much since I left. I tried coffee and think it's gross. Tea's alright. Tank tops are like the most immodest thing I wear. I don't smoke or drink. I'm as faithful as ever to my husband. I just came to feel that the Church was incongruent with the God of my understanding.

autumn-phelps

I think this is the most silly question of all. Why would any mature adult WANT to sin?

If you define "sin" as drinking coffee, then that may be a different matter. But I did not leave the church to drink coffee. Again, that is infantile. I left because I was betrayed by liars who told me the temple was of God and led me to believe what went on there was true and lovely and beautiful. And that I was helping others progress eternally. But I wasn't.

swennergren

I intentionally waited to officially resign before trying coffee, alcohol or otherwise identifying as not Mormon. I take my vows very seriously and even if some believe they’re arbitrary, I spent so much time making these promises that it only felt fair to remove myself formally from the contract out of respect for the time I spent believing it.

livsters

No