This internal “Protocol for Abuse Help Line Calls” document reveals a deeply troubling reality about how the LDS Church handles sexual abuse cases—one that stands in stark contrast to its public claims that the Abuse Help Line exists solely to protect children and “has nothing to do with cover-up”. The Help Line The Abuse Hotline …
Continue reading “Kirton McConkie’s Abuse Helpline Protocol”
In 2022, an Associated Press (AP) investigation revealed that officials of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints failed to prevent or report the sexual abuse of children by a church member in Arizona over seven years. The report detailed how church leaders were informed of the abuse but did not notify law enforcement, …
The Provo River Massacre, also known as the Battle of Fort Utah, was a brutal campaign of extermination carried out in 1850 under the direct orders of Brigham Young against the Timpanogos people in what is now Provo, Utah. Tensions between Mormon settlers and the Timpanogos had escalated over land disputes and trade conflicts. Rather …
In February 2025, the LDS Church released a new video featuring an interview with David A. Bednar at the Silicon Slopes Summit on September 28, 2023. The interview was conducted by Ryan Smith, Mormon billionaire, co-founder of Qualtrics, and owner of multiple professional sports teams, including the Utah Jazz (NBA), Utah Hockey Club (NHL), and …
Continue reading “Bednar’s Evasive $300 Billion Answer Only Raises More Questions”
Mike’s journey is one of breaking free, finding hope, and discovering a faith that truly heals. A former soldier and lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he faced the deep wounds of war—PTSD, depression, and self-doubt—while struggling to find peace within the church that had shaped his life. Therapists offered …
Continue reading “Mike Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight”
The Mountain Meadows Massacre, one of the most disturbing events in Mormon history, occurred on September 11, 1857, in southern Utah. A group of approximately 120 emigrants traveling through Utah toward California was ambushed and slaughtered by members of the local Mormon militia, aided by Native American allies. The victims, predominantly families in the Baker-Fancher …
There are many reasons someone might decide to quit the Mormon Church, often stemming from a deep desire for authenticity, integrity, and personal freedom. For some, the decision arises after discovering inconsistencies in the church’s foundational narratives, such as the lack of evidence for the Book of Mormon or the troubling aspects of Joseph Smith’s …
Mark Naugle, an immigration attorney from Orem, UT, is the creator of QuitMormon.com, a free service that helps members resign from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His involvement in this effort was not initially planned but was influenced by his own personal experience. When Naugle was 15, his family, after conducting their …
Continue reading “QuitMormon Offers Free Legal Assistance For Mormons Who Want To Resign”
For decades, David’s life was deeply intertwined with the church, even to the point of serving as a bishop—a significant position of spiritual and administrative leadership. However, 12 years ago, his life took a courageous turn when he disclosed to his wife and children that he is gay. This revelation set David on a path …
Continue reading “David Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight”
Wyolds’ story of questioning the Mormon church began with a deep love for her faith, growing up in Orem, Utah. Her connection to the church felt woven into her identity, guiding her beliefs and hopes. She embraced its teachings wholeheartedly, wanting to remain “pure and delightsome” as taught in her community. But then came a …
Continue reading “Wyolds Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight”
Dallin H. Oaks teaches that even true criticisms of church leaders should be avoided, framing this restraint as a necessary way to maintain unity and love within the church. By comparing criticism to blackmail or breaches of confidentiality, Oaks implies that revealing truths that could harm leaders’ reputations is inherently harmful and spiritually unfaithful. He …
Continue reading “Oaks Demonizing Criticism and Avoiding Accountability”
Sandra’s story is a powerful account of resilience amid a culture that, for her, enabled abuse. Growing up in the Mormon Church, Sandra’s experience was shaped by religious structures that were more protective of image than of truth or individual well-being. From a young age, she endured severe physical and emotional abuse from her mother, …
Continue reading “Sandra Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight”
The cycle of poverty is a vicious trap where a parent’s poverty affects the lives of their children. Families in poverty often have limited resources, which makes it difficult to escape. Some examples of self-reinforcing disadvantages that can trap families in poverty include: Lack of financial capital, Lack of education, Lack of connections, Poor health, and Low working …
Lynn G. Robbins, LDS Seventy and Elder, spoke at General Conference in April 2005. He emphasizes that even the poorest members of the Mormon Church should pay tithing, regardless of their financial hardship. While Robbins likely intended to encourage strong faith and commitment, his approach creates a predatory framework that pressures the financially vulnerable into …
Continue reading “Tithing—a Commandment Even for the Destitute”
What is the Mormon Prosperity Gospel? The prosperity gospel of Mormonism reflects a mindset that righteous living leads to temporal prosperity or the idea that links material wealth and success directly with divine favor. Though not an official doctrine of the church, elements of this mindset are found in Mormon culture and teachings. It is …
When members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints leave the church, they are often met with oversimplified explanations from those who remain. The common refrain is that people leave for one of three reasons: they were offended, they wanted to sin, or they were simply lazy. This narrative is pervasive among both …
The church makes misleading statements about how much the Apostles and Prophets of the LDS church are paid. They state regularly that there is no paid ministry, no professional clergy, and that no one is paid for their church service. This omits the fact that all senior leaders in the church are paid what they …
Meet Kate, a woman who has faced incredible challenges as she navigated a profound faith transition. Kate was “born in the covenant” and spent her life in the Church. But at 45, her “proverbial Mormon shelf” came crashing down, triggered by a series of life changes that left her feeling lost, uprooted, and homeless—all tied …
Continue reading “Kate Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight”
City Creek Center is a large, upscale shopping center in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, that opened in 2012. It spans over 20 acres and features retail stores, restaurants, office spaces, and residential units. The development is notable for its retractable glass roof, pedestrian sky bridge, and an artificial creek running through the property, making …
Continue reading “Let’s Go Shopping – City Creek Center and Tithing”
If you saw a thirsty man drinking water from a well you knew to be poisoned, would you let him continue to drink or would you guide him to a safe well? This analogy embodies a profound moral duty to intervene when we see others in harm’s way. It extolls the virtues of compassion, responsibility, …
Continue reading “Leave The Church Alone? Would You Allow Others to Unknowingly Drink Poison?”
Victim blaming occurs when the victim of a crime or harmful action is held partially or fully responsible for what happened to them. This mindset shifts the blame away from the perpetrator and can further harm the victim by suggesting they could have prevented the incident. Church leaders and materials are known to place blame …
Continue reading “The Church and Victim Blaming Victims of Abuse”
Doc Bob’s journey is one of deep involvement in the Mormon Church, from a small-town Mormon upbringing to significant leadership roles, including serving as a Branch President and on the High Council. His faith was shaped by personal interviews with high-ranking apostles and a mission to Mississippi. However, as Doc Bob delved into church history, …
Continue reading “Doc Bob Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight”
Meet Brian, an engineer and pianist with a realist’s perspective on life. Despite his early involvement in the church, Brian always felt like he didn’t belong. Brian’s faith wavered when he discovered inconsistencies and historical issues within Mormonism. His belief in Occam’s Razor led him to question the origins of the Book of Mormon, ultimately …
Continue reading “Brian Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight”
Meet Adam, born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, with a rich heritage rooted in polygamist pioneers and a father who converted to Mormonism. Adam’s upbringing was steeped in church activities, culminating in a mission to Ecuador. Despite his deep involvement in the church, Adam struggled with historical inconsistencies and the lack of evidence supporting …
Continue reading “Alan Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight”
Though Chelsea wasn’t a perfect example of a Mormon, she did hold herself to impossibly high standards, which eventually led her to therapy. Her journey away from the church began with unsettling experiences and growing doubts about church leadership and teachings. Despite her efforts to conform and push aside her feelings, Chelsea faced numerous instances …
Continue reading “Chelsea Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight”
Camille Johnson, Relief Society General President, made waves with a talk at the BYU Women’s Conference where she also talked about career, motherhood and following the living prophet. Her address is featured on the official Church instagram. She was born in 1962, earned her bachelor’s degree in 1985, married in 1987, and her law degree …
Continue reading “Relief Society President on Working Mothers and Living Prophets”
Investigation reveals more than $1 billion raised by the Mormon church in Canada has been funneled to the U.S. rather than going to charitable works in this country. We hear from former members in Canada and elsewhere who say concerns about how money is spent have led them to leave the church. – The Fifth …
Continue reading “The Mormon-Canadian-BYU Billion Dollar Tithing Funnel”
Brad Wilcox, the Second Counselor in the Young Men General Presidency gave a Fireside address in Alpine, Utah on February 6, 2022. He made quite a fool of himself and his rhetoric about members asking the wrong questions. He ridiculed a normal and valid question and then posed a racist question instead. He also accuses …
Continue reading “Brad Wilcox On Asking the Wrong Questions”
During the Worldwide Relief Society Devotional and Testimony Meeting on March 17, 2024, President Russell M. Nelson and the Relief Society General Presidency spoke to the members of the Relief Society and Young Women. The event was a 40-minute video production. The remarkable part is the claim J. Anette Dennis, First Counselor in the Relief Society …
Continue reading “Church Leaders on Power and Authority Broadly Given To Women”
![“[To] the people who want to tell us how to spend the money, I would just emphasize one undergirding principle. The assets of the church are primarily income consuming; they are not income producing.” - David A. Bednar, LDS Apostle & Ryan Smith, Qualtrics/Utah Jazz Owner Silicon Slopes Summit, September 28, 2023 'What Does the Church Do With Tithing Money?' Church Video | wasmormon.org](https://i0.wp.com/wasmormon.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/David-A-Bednar-church-assets-are-income-consuming-not-income-producing.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1)
![The church is taking away the government's ability to fund health care, and education, and provide other essential services. They've done it at the expense of taxpayer dollars. There's definitely been a change in [my] perspective. The church teaches that the temple should always be a focal point in your life. The temple has become a physical reminder of greed for me. - Nigel Kennet, a Canadian accountant, was working on the books of a church of a different faith, when he saw how much their members gave to charity. So, he looked into the Mormon's books, and was stunned by where their donations were going. - The Fifth Estate, October 27, 2022 | wasmormon.org](https://i0.wp.com/wasmormon.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/canada-5th-estate-Nigel-Kennet-church-taking-away-government-ability-to-fund-essential-services-temple-has-become-a-reminder-of-greed.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1)
