Tag Archives: I Was a Mormon

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"Prior to sending off the letter to the CES Director, I shared my draft in a closed Facebook group as well as on Reddit. I wanted feedback to ensure that it was as accurate as it could be so that I didn't waste the director's time or mine. Unbeknownst to me at the time, a lot of people liked it and started sharing it with family and friends. This is how it started going viral on the internet. Next thing I know, the document is promoted on the home page of MormonThink.com and everything went next level. FairMormon began attacking me and the letter a few months later and I found myself pulled into this current that I never sought or wanted." - Jeremy Runnells' I was a Mormon Story | https://wasmormon.org/profile/jeremyrunnells/
"Prior to sending off the letter to the CES Director, I shared my draft in a closed Facebook group as well as on Reddit. I wanted feedback to ensure that it was as accurate as it could be so that I didn't waste the director's time or mine. Unbeknownst to me at the time, a lot of people liked it and started sharing it with family and friends. This is how it started going viral on the internet. Next thing I know, the document is promoted on the home page of MormonThink.com and everything went next level. FairMormon began attacking me and the letter a few months later and I found myself pulled into this current that I never sought or wanted." - Jeremy Runnells' I was a Mormon Story | https://wasmormon.org/profile/jeremyrunnells/
"For me, having been a Mormon is like the other stages of my life. It’s something that I was, and it’s something that I did. It had its positives and negatives. But my current self is not defined by my former relationship to that church. I lived in New York City – I’m not an ex-New Yorker. I attended and graduated from BYU but I’m not ex-BYU. I was a Mormon." - Jeremy Runnells' I was a Mormon Story | https://wasmormon.org/profile/jeremyrunnells/
"For me, having been a Mormon is like the other stages of my life. It’s something that I was, and it’s something that I did. It had its positives and negatives. But my current self is not defined by my former relationship to that church. I lived in New York City – I’m not an ex-New Yorker. I attended and graduated from BYU but I’m not ex-BYU. I was a Mormon." - Jeremy Runnells' I was a Mormon Story | https://wasmormon.org/profile/jeremyrunnells/
"I was born and raised in Southern California, as a seventh generation Mormon of Pioneer heritage and I reached every Mormon youth milestone. An Eagle Scout, Returned Missionary, BYU alumnus, I was married in the San Diego Temple with expectations and plans of living Mormonism for the rest of my life. I was a Mormon." - Jeremy Runnells' I was a Mormon Story | https://wasmormon.org/profile/jeremyrunnells/
"I was born and raised in Southern California, as a seventh generation Mormon of Pioneer heritage and I reached every Mormon youth milestone. An Eagle Scout, Returned Missionary, BYU alumnus, I was married in the San Diego Temple with expectations and plans of living Mormonism for the rest of my life. I was a Mormon." - Jeremy Runnells' I was a Mormon Story | https://wasmormon.org/profile/jeremyrunnells/
Jeremy Runnells' I was a Mormon Story | This is a spotlight on a profile shared at wasmormon.org. These are just the highlights, so please find the full story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/jeremyrunnells/. There are over a hundred more stories of Mormon faith journeys contributed by users like you. Come check them out and consider sharing your own story at wasmormon.org!
Jeremy Runnells' I was a Mormon Story | This is a spotlight on a profile shared at wasmormon.org. These are just the highlights, so please find the full story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/jeremyrunnells/. There are over a hundred more stories of Mormon faith journeys contributed by users like you. Come check them out and consider sharing your own story at wasmormon.org!
"The CES Director approached me first. He asked me to share my questions and concerns with him. Seeing a glimmer of hope that he might have official answers that were better than the unofficial Mormon apologetic crap I was frustrated with, I took his offer seriously. I wrote a letter to him. I emailed it to him. He read it and stated that it was "very well-written" and that he would give me a response. Days turned to weeks, and weeks turned to months, and months turned to years. I never heard back from him again." - Jeremy Runnells' I was a Mormon Story | https://wasmormon.org/profile/jeremyrunnells/
"The CES Director approached me first. He asked me to share my questions and concerns with him. Seeing a glimmer of hope that he might have official answers that were better than the unofficial Mormon apologetic crap I was frustrated with, I took his offer seriously. I wrote a letter to him. I emailed it to him. He read it and stated that it was "very well-written" and that he would give me a response. Days turned to weeks, and weeks turned to months, and months turned to years. I never heard back from him again." - Jeremy Runnells' I was a Mormon Story | https://wasmormon.org/profile/jeremyrunnells/
"I’ve graduated and transcended from Mormonism. It’s a part of my past but it no longer is a part of my present and future. To me, it’s something like my missionary journals… I’m reminded of my past from time to time seeing the journals on my bookshelf but it no longer has much power or much influence over my present life and my future." - Jeremy Runnells' I was a Mormon Story | https://wasmormon.org/profile/jeremyrunnells/
"I’ve graduated and transcended from Mormonism. It’s a part of my past but it no longer is a part of my present and future. To me, it’s something like my missionary journals… I’m reminded of my past from time to time seeing the journals on my bookshelf but it no longer has much power or much influence over my present life and my future." - Jeremy Runnells' I was a Mormon Story | https://wasmormon.org/profile/jeremyrunnells/
"In the fall of 2014, I was approached by my Stake President. This began a circus that ultimately ended on April 17, 2016 when I - out of disgust for the LDS Church's truth crisis, censorship, silence, and attempt to slander my name and reputation - excommunicated the LDS Church from my life (resignation). All of this is recorded and documented and no one has to take my word on anything. See cesletter.org/resign." - Jeremy Runnells' I was a Mormon Story | https://wasmormon.org/profile/jeremyrunnells/
"In the fall of 2014, I was approached by my Stake President. This began a circus that ultimately ended on April 17, 2016 when I - out of disgust for the LDS Church's truth crisis, censorship, silence, and attempt to slander my name and reputation - excommunicated the LDS Church from my life (resignation). All of this is recorded and documented and no one has to take my word on anything. See cesletter.org/resign." - Jeremy Runnells' I was a Mormon Story | https://wasmormon.org/profile/jeremyrunnells/
"I believe in love. Kindness. Empathy. Compassion. Respect. I believe in today and this very moment. I believe in life before death. There is awe, wonder and mystery in the Universe. I embrace open-mindedness over dogmatism." - Jeremy Runnells' I was a Mormon Story | https://wasmormon.org/profile/jeremyrunnells/
"I believe in love. Kindness. Empathy. Compassion. Respect. I believe in today and this very moment. I believe in life before death. There is awe, wonder and mystery in the Universe. I embrace open-mindedness over dogmatism." - Jeremy Runnells' I was a Mormon Story | https://wasmormon.org/profile/jeremyrunnells/
"In February 2012, I experienced an awakening to the LDS Church's truth crisis, which subsequently led to a faith transition that summer. In the spring of 2013, I was approached and asked by a CES Director to share my questions and concerns about the LDS Church's origins, history, and current practices. In response, I wrote what later became publicly known as the CES Letter." - Jeremy Runnells' I was a Mormon Story | https://wasmormon.org/profile/jeremyrunnells/
"In February 2012, I experienced an awakening to the LDS Church's truth crisis, which subsequently led to a faith transition that summer. In the spring of 2013, I was approached and asked by a CES Director to share my questions and concerns about the LDS Church's origins, history, and current practices. In response, I wrote what later became publicly known as the CES Letter." - Jeremy Runnells' I was a Mormon Story | https://wasmormon.org/profile/jeremyrunnells/
"I realized that there was a whole world outside of Mormonism. I saw the beauty & goodness in the very things I was taught were bad or wrong. My advice? Research outside of church-approved sources. Do not doubt your doubts." Meredith's 'I was a Mormon' story from https://wasmormon.org/profile/mbreaux/
"I realized that there was a whole world outside of Mormonism. I saw the beauty & goodness in the very things I was taught were bad or wrong. My advice? Research outside of church-approved sources. Do not doubt your doubts." Meredith's 'I was a Mormon' story from https://wasmormon.org/profile/mbreaux/

Meredith Was a Mormon, a Post-Mormon Profile Spotlight

Meredith’s story is one of resilience and self-discovery. Born into a seemingly ideal fourth-generation Mormon family in Louisiana, she faced the unraveling of her parent’s marriage and the shattered illusion of eternal togetherness. Despite being raised in a strict environment, Meredith found her voice at 16 and challenged her imposed beliefs. She broke free from …

Continue reading “Meredith Was a Mormon, a Post-Mormon Profile Spotlight”

"There was a lot of deconstructing of my faith that had to happen. I had to come to understand the biology behind being a queer individual & how they are born the way they are. We are still struggling to rebuild our lives. Yet, even in the midst of recovering from Mormonism, we experience a feeling of great joy & freedom. I am still a good person with good values who loves helping others & advocating for the marginalized. The more emotionally healthy I become, the more I realize how unhealthy Mormonism is/was (for ME). I acknowledge we all have different paths in life & that is totally valid & okay (at least, to me)." Read Lindee's full story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/lostinbetween22/
"There was a lot of deconstructing of my faith that had to happen. I had to come to understand the biology behind being a queer individual & how they are born the way they are. We are still struggling to rebuild our lives. Yet, even in the midst of recovering from Mormonism, we experience a feeling of great joy & freedom. I am still a good person with good values who loves helping others & advocating for the marginalized. The more emotionally healthy I become, the more I realize how unhealthy Mormonism is/was (for ME). I acknowledge we all have different paths in life & that is totally valid & okay (at least, to me)." Read Lindee's full story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/lostinbetween22/
"A bishop suggested when I was 23 that I didn't need professional therapy, even though I was raised in a moderately dysfunctional family. I believed he was inspired because that's what I was told to believe. He wasn't inspired." Read Lindee's full story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/lostinbetween22/
"A bishop suggested when I was 23 that I didn't need professional therapy, even though I was raised in a moderately dysfunctional family. I believed he was inspired because that's what I was told to believe. He wasn't inspired." Read Lindee's full story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/lostinbetween22/
This is a spotlight on a profile shared at wasmormon.org. These are just the highlights, so please find Lindee's full story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/lostinbetween22/. There are over a hundred more stories of Mormon faith journeys contributed by users like you. Come check them out and consider sharing your own story at wasmormon.org!
This is a spotlight on a profile shared at wasmormon.org. These are just the highlights, so please find Lindee's full story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/lostinbetween22/. There are over a hundred more stories of Mormon faith journeys contributed by users like you. Come check them out and consider sharing your own story at wasmormon.org!
"I spent a lot of time being single in the church. I passed up an opportunity to date someone I really cared about solely because he wasn't Mormon. I married a Mormon man at age 38. He was also a convert. I didn't really marry for the right reasons. I knew I was going to descend into depression if I didn't marry & have children. We had 2 beautiful children we both adore. I sought to be the mom/wife the church told me I must be, constantly struggling to make it to sacrament meeting on time, study scriptures as a family & do all the "stuff." I definitely wasn't happy." Read Lindee's full story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/lostinbetween22/
"I spent a lot of time being single in the church. I passed up an opportunity to date someone I really cared about solely because he wasn't Mormon. I married a Mormon man at age 38. He was also a convert. I didn't really marry for the right reasons. I knew I was going to descend into depression if I didn't marry & have children. We had 2 beautiful children we both adore. I sought to be the mom/wife the church told me I must be, constantly struggling to make it to sacrament meeting on time, study scriptures as a family & do all the "stuff." I definitely wasn't happy." Read Lindee's full story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/lostinbetween22/
"I came to terms with the fact that my biological father was narcissistic. I realized I had gone straight from a controlling father to a high control organization. I decided I wasn't going to make it to the celestial kingdom & that was going to be okay. I just wanted us all to be happy in this life. I wanted my children to be happy & healthy. The top tier Mormon heaven wouldn't be the same without my child. And I felt arrogant in thinking I could make it there & someone else couldn't, knowing that I also couldn't live up to the impossible expectations." Read Lindee's full story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/lostinbetween22/
"I came to terms with the fact that my biological father was narcissistic. I realized I had gone straight from a controlling father to a high control organization. I decided I wasn't going to make it to the celestial kingdom & that was going to be okay. I just wanted us all to be happy in this life. I wanted my children to be happy & healthy. The top tier Mormon heaven wouldn't be the same without my child. And I felt arrogant in thinking I could make it there & someone else couldn't, knowing that I also couldn't live up to the impossible expectations." Read Lindee's full story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/lostinbetween22/
"I was a convert brought into the church by a wonderful LDS couple. The church filled some unmet needs at the time. I served a foreign LDS mission as a new convert. I am a poet & writer. I was a Mormon." Read Lindee's full story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/lostinbetween22/
"I was a convert brought into the church by a wonderful LDS couple. The church filled some unmet needs at the time. I served a foreign LDS mission as a new convert. I am a poet & writer. I was a Mormon." Read Lindee's full story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/lostinbetween22/
"I had to realize also that my spiritual experiences were not necessarily tied to the LDS church (even though I had been led to believe they were). I now believe that any religion should be taken with a grain of salt (or not "taken" at all). I am much happier now than when I was in the church. I am struggling to find community though. That is the part that is hard (leaving the community). But I have a lot more joy than I ever had trying to check all those Mormon "boxes" that I could never get quite right, it seemed. We spend more quality time as a family. And I am learning to reclaim my own self. I see myself becoming happier & happier." Read Lindee's full story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/lostinbetween22/
"I had to realize also that my spiritual experiences were not necessarily tied to the LDS church (even though I had been led to believe they were). I now believe that any religion should be taken with a grain of salt (or not "taken" at all). I am much happier now than when I was in the church. I am struggling to find community though. That is the part that is hard (leaving the community). But I have a lot more joy than I ever had trying to check all those Mormon "boxes" that I could never get quite right, it seemed. We spend more quality time as a family. And I am learning to reclaim my own self. I see myself becoming happier & happier." Read Lindee's full story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/lostinbetween22/
"My precious teenager came out as queer. This child had never believed in the church either. I knew she wasn't going to stay in the church & I knew she was going to live an authentic life as a queer person. So where would this leave us as a family? I couldn't take it anymore." Read Lindee's full story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/lostinbetween22/
"My precious teenager came out as queer. This child had never believed in the church either. I knew she wasn't going to stay in the church & I knew she was going to live an authentic life as a queer person. So where would this leave us as a family? I couldn't take it anymore." Read Lindee's full story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/lostinbetween22/
"I have studied & prayed intensely. I came to realize that there are too many troubling aspects to church history, doctrine etc. I just don't believe a loving God would obligate me to believe in something that actively harms people (such as how polygamy harmed women & children... and how the church harms LGBTQ+ individuals/youth). When there are so many problems with the history (& so many things about the doctrine/teachings/policies are so incredibly unhealthy), there is no way any God would ask me to believe in such a thing. That would be abusive, in my view." Read Lindee's full story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/lostinbetween22/
"I have studied & prayed intensely. I came to realize that there are too many troubling aspects to church history, doctrine etc. I just don't believe a loving God would obligate me to believe in something that actively harms people (such as how polygamy harmed women & children... and how the church harms LGBTQ+ individuals/youth). When there are so many problems with the history (& so many things about the doctrine/teachings/policies are so incredibly unhealthy), there is no way any God would ask me to believe in such a thing. That would be abusive, in my view." Read Lindee's full story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/lostinbetween22/
"Then in 2013, I moved from the heavily Mormon area in the Phoenix area I'd lived most of my life to Texas, and found myself working with openly gay coworkers for the first time. Getting to know actual people in the LGBTQ+ community, combined with a church scene where I no longer had the comfortable friendships I'd made with other more progressive and nuanced Mormons even as the things being said over the pulpit and in Sunday School and Priesthood got more narrow-minded, only intensified my concerns, and I started struggling to find the motivation to stay involved." - Anja's "I was a Mormon" Story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/anjaisagirl/
"Then in 2013, I moved from the heavily Mormon area in the Phoenix area I'd lived most of my life to Texas, and found myself working with openly gay coworkers for the first time. Getting to know actual people in the LGBTQ+ community, combined with a church scene where I no longer had the comfortable friendships I'd made with other more progressive and nuanced Mormons even as the things being said over the pulpit and in Sunday School and Priesthood got more narrow-minded, only intensified my concerns, and I started struggling to find the motivation to stay involved." - Anja's "I was a Mormon" Story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/anjaisagirl/