Tag Archives: I Was a Mormon

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My mom ruled us with the idea that she didn’t want us to disappoint her and her status in the relief Society. Growing up and hitting puberty, I felt my body really wasn’t mine. It was something to be ashamed of. It was a battle of urges. And if I ever gave in to them, I was an abomination. It was something to be ashamed of. And God help you if you get pregnant. I’m sure my mom was overjoyed that I didn’t get pregnant. - Kathy's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/kathyh1976/
My mom ruled us with the idea that she didn’t want us to disappoint her and her status in the relief Society. Growing up and hitting puberty, I felt my body really wasn’t mine. It was something to be ashamed of. It was a battle of urges. And if I ever gave in to them, I was an abomination. It was something to be ashamed of. And God help you if you get pregnant. I’m sure my mom was overjoyed that I didn’t get pregnant. - Kathy's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/kathyh1976/
I grew up Mormon. My family wasn’t a super celestial family. My parents were married in the temple. We went to church pretty regularly. I enjoy traveling, learning, And experiencing a life well lived! I was a Mormon. - Kathy's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/kathyh1976/
I grew up Mormon. My family wasn’t a super celestial family. My parents were married in the temple. We went to church pretty regularly. I enjoy traveling, learning, And experiencing a life well lived! I was a Mormon. - Kathy's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/kathyh1976/
"I was born and raised Mormon. My entire life was centered around my faith. I attended church diligently. I was active in young men’s and the boys scouts. I earned every achievement I could. I served a two year mission in Colorado, came home and got married in the temple. I did everything right and felt I was on the path to salvation. I am an avid tabletop RPG player, a historian, and enjoyer of reading. I was a Mormon." - Stephanie's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/steffie7/
"I was born and raised Mormon. My entire life was centered around my faith. I attended church diligently. I was active in young men’s and the boys scouts. I earned every achievement I could. I served a two year mission in Colorado, came home and got married in the temple. I did everything right and felt I was on the path to salvation. I am an avid tabletop RPG player, a historian, and enjoyer of reading. I was a Mormon." - Stephanie's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/steffie7/
"Since I was seven years old, I carried a secret with me. I wasn’t a boy. At least not internally. I didn’t know anything about transgender people, all I knew was I was not a boy. Growing up and hearing how people like me were unhappy sinners, I kept it to myself." - Stephanie's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/steffie7/
"Since I was seven years old, I carried a secret with me. I wasn’t a boy. At least not internally. I didn’t know anything about transgender people, all I knew was I was not a boy. Growing up and hearing how people like me were unhappy sinners, I kept it to myself." - Stephanie's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/steffie7/
"Until I met a trans woman who was truly happy. More happy than anyone I ever met. I made friends with other people who are LGBTQ+ and they helped me see that they were just being their authentic selves. I finally came out as trans." - Stephanie's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/steffie7/
"Until I met a trans woman who was truly happy. More happy than anyone I ever met. I made friends with other people who are LGBTQ+ and they helped me see that they were just being their authentic selves. I finally came out as trans." - Stephanie's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/steffie7/
"After trying to balance reality with what I learned in the church, reality won and I haven’t gone back. I could not bear the pain of the severe gender dysphoria I dealt with, but coming out and transitioning has done more for my happiness than the church ever did. I just wanted to follow the decree, Men are that they might have joy. I didn’t feel joy before. I do now." - Stephanie's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/steffie7/
"After trying to balance reality with what I learned in the church, reality won and I haven’t gone back. I could not bear the pain of the severe gender dysphoria I dealt with, but coming out and transitioning has done more for my happiness than the church ever did. I just wanted to follow the decree, Men are that they might have joy. I didn’t feel joy before. I do now." - Stephanie's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/steffie7/
"I’m at peace. The constant depression I felt trying to confirm and be perfect by Mormon standards is gone and I can actually function day to day. I’ve never thought I’d be at peace and happy in life and it’s not perfect, I still have bad days, but I don’t feel like a broken vessel anymore." - Stephanie's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/steffie7/
"I’m at peace. The constant depression I felt trying to confirm and be perfect by Mormon standards is gone and I can actually function day to day. I’ve never thought I’d be at peace and happy in life and it’s not perfect, I still have bad days, but I don’t feel like a broken vessel anymore." - Stephanie's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/steffie7/
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/steffie7/. There are stories of Mormon faith journeys contributed by hundreds of 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 the full story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/steffie7/. There are stories of Mormon faith journeys contributed by hundreds of users like you. Come check them out and consider sharing your own story at wasmormon.org!
"I was raised in the Church by convert parents and aspired to nothing less than a life of participation and activity in the Church. I served a mission, married in an LDS temple, even went to BYU. Growing up I was praised by the adults in my congregations and held up as a leader and a model. All expectations were that I would be up to my eyeballs in church callings and activities and raising kids to be good Mormons. I love books, history, art, and I am always learning. I was a Mormon." - Frank's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/frank/
"I was raised in the Church by convert parents and aspired to nothing less than a life of participation and activity in the Church. I served a mission, married in an LDS temple, even went to BYU. Growing up I was praised by the adults in my congregations and held up as a leader and a model. All expectations were that I would be up to my eyeballs in church callings and activities and raising kids to be good Mormons. I love books, history, art, and I am always learning. I was a Mormon." - Frank's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/frank/
"I thought that I could learn new things about the Church and about the gospel on the Internet. I started browsing the net looking for sites about Mormonism. I was exposed to those who ranted against the Church, and to apologists trying to defend it. I remember reading about the Book of Abraham, and the controversy surrounding the resurfacing of the original papyri. Translations of the original papyri proved them to be nothing more than commonplace Egyptian funerary texts, and what’s more, they were dated much later than Abraham–almost as late as Jesus’ time. This disturbed me." - Frank's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/frank/
"I thought that I could learn new things about the Church and about the gospel on the Internet. I started browsing the net looking for sites about Mormonism. I was exposed to those who ranted against the Church, and to apologists trying to defend it. I remember reading about the Book of Abraham, and the controversy surrounding the resurfacing of the original papyri. Translations of the original papyri proved them to be nothing more than commonplace Egyptian funerary texts, and what’s more, they were dated much later than Abraham–almost as late as Jesus’ time. This disturbed me." - Frank's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/frank/
"I sought out the apologist websites, looking for a reasoned explanation of this phenomenon. I was looking to be reassured in my faith. I didn’t want to question it. But the responses I found were so weak as to be laughable. They did not give me an adequate reason to not accept the facts that I had discovered. This was the beginning of the avalanche. After this I began allowing myself the possibility that all I had been raised with, that I treasured, and had given my life to until that time, was false." - Frank's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/frank/
"I sought out the apologist websites, looking for a reasoned explanation of this phenomenon. I was looking to be reassured in my faith. I didn’t want to question it. But the responses I found were so weak as to be laughable. They did not give me an adequate reason to not accept the facts that I had discovered. This was the beginning of the avalanche. After this I began allowing myself the possibility that all I had been raised with, that I treasured, and had given my life to until that time, was false." - Frank's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/frank/
"Mormonism really does a number on people. I discarded and re-examined most of my most fundamental beliefs. It is a big world out there. Mormonism is so small and insignificant. It is fascinating, all the ways that humanity has expressed its desire for meaning and for community." - Frank's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/frank/
"Mormonism really does a number on people. I discarded and re-examined most of my most fundamental beliefs. It is a big world out there. Mormonism is so small and insignificant. It is fascinating, all the ways that humanity has expressed its desire for meaning and for community." - Frank's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/frank/
"Do Mormons Believe in a Loving God? No, because the Mormon god is the LDS Church. Many exmormons feel anger, or bitterness. This is justified. We were lied to, exploited, and abused by an organization that claimed to represent God and goodness. Feel those feelings if you need to. But keep in mind that they did not represent God. Don't let their lies and abuses cut you off from the real goodness that is out there." - Frank's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/frank/
"Do Mormons Believe in a Loving God? No, because the Mormon god is the LDS Church. Many exmormons feel anger, or bitterness. This is justified. We were lied to, exploited, and abused by an organization that claimed to represent God and goodness. Feel those feelings if you need to. But keep in mind that they did not represent God. Don't let their lies and abuses cut you off from the real goodness that is out there." - Frank's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/frank/
"The one thing I clung to after Mormonism was a belief in Something. I don't accept that existence is meaningless or a random chance. There has to be a reason that there is Something instead of Nothing. Otherwise, for me, life is just an absurdity hanging over an abyss. Truth, Beauty, and Goodness are real. So, I started a 10-year search. My search passed through Taoism, Buddhism, Judaism, Universalism, and a variety of Christian options." - Frank's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/frank/
"The one thing I clung to after Mormonism was a belief in Something. I don't accept that existence is meaningless or a random chance. There has to be a reason that there is Something instead of Nothing. Otherwise, for me, life is just an absurdity hanging over an abyss. Truth, Beauty, and Goodness are real. So, I started a 10-year search. My search passed through Taoism, Buddhism, Judaism, Universalism, and a variety of Christian options." - Frank's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/frank/
"In my reading and exploring I felt that the fundamental question that a religion had to answer was the Problem of Suffering. Why is there evil and suffering in the world? I found only 2 satisfactory answers, in Buddhism (transcend suffering) or in Christianity (embrace suffering). Of those, I found the Christian answer to be more compelling." - Frank's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/frank/
"In my reading and exploring I felt that the fundamental question that a religion had to answer was the Problem of Suffering. Why is there evil and suffering in the world? I found only 2 satisfactory answers, in Buddhism (transcend suffering) or in Christianity (embrace suffering). Of those, I found the Christian answer to be more compelling." - Frank's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/frank/
"I also extensively studied Biblical scholarship. I learned to understand that the Bible is an anthology of writings, in various genres, and that it is not to be idolized. I also learned to think about it in new ways. And to see where and how it was supported by history. This led me to the crisis point: did I accept the resurrection of Jesus as a real event? This was a leap of faith, of course, but God's grace led me to belief, and eventually, to join the Body of Christ as configured in the Catholic Church." - Frank's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/frank/
"I also extensively studied Biblical scholarship. I learned to understand that the Bible is an anthology of writings, in various genres, and that it is not to be idolized. I also learned to think about it in new ways. And to see where and how it was supported by history. This led me to the crisis point: did I accept the resurrection of Jesus as a real event? This was a leap of faith, of course, but God's grace led me to belief, and eventually, to join the Body of Christ as configured in the Catholic Church." - Frank's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/frank/
"Find your own path. Take your time. There is a big world out there. I spent years exploring various faith traditions. I was not sure I would choose a new faith. For a long time, I figured on just doing my own thing, without an organization or a defined path. Eventually, I decided that spirituality requires community, and I found a tradition that made sense to me and that matched my needs. I don't think it is "the one true church" or that it gets to lay claim to me, my brain, my time, or my money. I have certain boundaries now, after Mormonism." - Frank's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/frank/
"Find your own path. Take your time. There is a big world out there. I spent years exploring various faith traditions. I was not sure I would choose a new faith. For a long time, I figured on just doing my own thing, without an organization or a defined path. Eventually, I decided that spirituality requires community, and I found a tradition that made sense to me and that matched my needs. I don't think it is "the one true church" or that it gets to lay claim to me, my brain, my time, or my money. I have certain boundaries now, after Mormonism." - Frank's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/frank/
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/frank/. There are stories of Mormon faith journeys contributed by hundreds of 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 the full story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/frank/. There are stories of Mormon faith journeys contributed by hundreds of 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 the full story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/midlifeexmomomma/. There are stories of Mormon faith journeys contributed by hundreds of 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 the full story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/midlifeexmomomma/. There are stories of Mormon faith journeys contributed by hundreds of users like you. Come check them out and consider sharing your own story at wasmormon.org!
I have a good idea of who I was, I'm beginning to better understand who I am, and I have a clear vision of who I want to be. I want to take the lessons I've learned from these crazy life experiences, and use them to help others. I want to support those who are going through transitions of any kind, especially leaving high-demand religions like Mormonism. And so, as I embark on this new chapter of life, I do so with gratitute to have landed with a community that is supportive and relatable and does a hell of a good job at "mourning with those who mourn and comforting those who stand in need of comfort." - Kate's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/midlifeexmomomma/
I have a good idea of who I was, I'm beginning to better understand who I am, and I have a clear vision of who I want to be. I want to take the lessons I've learned from these crazy life experiences, and use them to help others. I want to support those who are going through transitions of any kind, especially leaving high-demand religions like Mormonism. And so, as I embark on this new chapter of life, I do so with gratitute to have landed with a community that is supportive and relatable and does a hell of a good job at "mourning with those who mourn and comforting those who stand in need of comfort." - Kate's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/midlifeexmomomma/
I decided to do the same for my belief system. Decluttering my home while decluttering my faith was both inspiring and symbolic. I spread out all of my beliefs before me to determine which ones sparked joy. The beliefs, or values I kept were those that were not unique to the Mormon church. I held tight to beliefs that virtues like kindness, compassion, service, love, laughter, hard work, gratitude, and honesty would make for a better life. However, the beliefs that were unique to the Mormon church,like Joseph Smith's divine role as prophet, polygamy, The Book of Mormon, celestial marriage, the priesthood, temple work, etc. etc. etc. could all go into the "give away" pile. No, not the "give away" pile. The "burn to ashes" pile, because these beliefs are going to do anyone any good. - Kate's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/midlifeexmomomma/
I decided to do the same for my belief system. Decluttering my home while decluttering my faith was both inspiring and symbolic. I spread out all of my beliefs before me to determine which ones sparked joy. The beliefs, or values I kept were those that were not unique to the Mormon church. I held tight to beliefs that virtues like kindness, compassion, service, love, laughter, hard work, gratitude, and honesty would make for a better life. However, the beliefs that were unique to the Mormon church,like Joseph Smith's divine role as prophet, polygamy, The Book of Mormon, celestial marriage, the priesthood, temple work, etc. etc. etc. could all go into the "give away" pile. No, not the "give away" pile. The "burn to ashes" pile, because these beliefs are going to do anyone any good. - Kate's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/midlifeexmomomma/
When I left the church, everyone was just as surprised as I was. I'd had some experiences that weighed heavily on my proverbial shelf, until everything finally came crashing down. As I was redeemed from the Cult of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I was planning on breaking the news to EVERYONE! I started a TikTok page during this time under the handle Midlife Exmo Momma. One of my first videos was of me burning my marriage license from the temple and the copy of The Family: A Proclamation to the World that accompanied it. As I knew I'd be consolidating my life into a storage unit, I felt free to get rid of more than just papers. I burned my temple clothes, my missionary journals and handbooks. I tossed my scriptures and every journal from my youth with pages filled with self-loathing. I didn't hesitate to toss these reminders of the lies I wanted to leave behind me. - Kate's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/midlifeexmomomma/
When I left the church, everyone was just as surprised as I was. I'd had some experiences that weighed heavily on my proverbial shelf, until everything finally came crashing down. As I was redeemed from the Cult of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I was planning on breaking the news to EVERYONE! I started a TikTok page during this time under the handle Midlife Exmo Momma. One of my first videos was of me burning my marriage license from the temple and the copy of The Family: A Proclamation to the World that accompanied it. As I knew I'd be consolidating my life into a storage unit, I felt free to get rid of more than just papers. I burned my temple clothes, my missionary journals and handbooks. I tossed my scriptures and every journal from my youth with pages filled with self-loathing. I didn't hesitate to toss these reminders of the lies I wanted to leave behind me. - Kate's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/midlifeexmomomma/
I stumbled upon a podcast called Latter-Day Struggles. The objective of the hosts, it seemed, was to support Mormons in their faith struggles and help them to become more loving and nuanced members. That's what I wanted for myself, so I binged. I couldn't get enough. I felt seen and heard. I understood that I wasn't crazy or wicked for having questions and concerns about the church's policies and doctrines. My doubts were valid. I couldn't focus on anything other than my faith unraveling before my eyes. The podcast gave me both the curiosity and the courage to read the forbidden anti-Mormon documents I'd heard about from some of my exmormon friends. I then spent three days doing little else but reading the Church's Gospel Topics Essays, A Letter to My Wife, and The CES Letter. I felt "the scales had fallen from my eyes." I could see clearly. It all made sense. Everything I had been taught about the church was utter bullshit, and I was finally free to wash the stench from me. - Kate's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/midlifeexmomomma/
I stumbled upon a podcast called Latter-Day Struggles. The objective of the hosts, it seemed, was to support Mormons in their faith struggles and help them to become more loving and nuanced members. That's what I wanted for myself, so I binged. I couldn't get enough. I felt seen and heard. I understood that I wasn't crazy or wicked for having questions and concerns about the church's policies and doctrines. My doubts were valid. I couldn't focus on anything other than my faith unraveling before my eyes. The podcast gave me both the curiosity and the courage to read the forbidden anti-Mormon documents I'd heard about from some of my exmormon friends. I then spent three days doing little else but reading the Church's Gospel Topics Essays, A Letter to My Wife, and The CES Letter. I felt "the scales had fallen from my eyes." I could see clearly. It all made sense. Everything I had been taught about the church was utter bullshit, and I was finally free to wash the stench from me. - Kate's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/midlifeexmomomma/
I realized that I'd been abused my entire life by my mother. Her explosive rage and inability to ever apologize caught me off guard one day when I called her to say hello. As she yelled at me for having the audacity to call her when she was in a bad mood, I realized that I was never the problem as I'd been led to believe. I'd spent my entire life feeling as though I was responsible for her anger, and it dawned on me for the first time that it had never been my fault. I tried setting boundaries with her, letting her know that if she treated me that way, I'd have no choice but to leave. She yelled at me for calling her out on her behavior. I searched everything I could find about what the prophets had taught about anger and abuse: "If you're an abuser, you're in the wrong and you need to repent." Then I looked at what they say to victims of abuse: "If you've been abused, you need to forgive your abuser. Forgive 70 x 7. Forgive your abusers or God's not going to forgive you." Some leaders went so far as to tell the victims to take responsibility for the abuse they received. It was appalling. - Kate's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/midlifeexmomomma/
I realized that I'd been abused my entire life by my mother. Her explosive rage and inability to ever apologize caught me off guard one day when I called her to say hello. As she yelled at me for having the audacity to call her when she was in a bad mood, I realized that I was never the problem as I'd been led to believe. I'd spent my entire life feeling as though I was responsible for her anger, and it dawned on me for the first time that it had never been my fault. I tried setting boundaries with her, letting her know that if she treated me that way, I'd have no choice but to leave. She yelled at me for calling her out on her behavior. I searched everything I could find about what the prophets had taught about anger and abuse: "If you're an abuser, you're in the wrong and you need to repent." Then I looked at what they say to victims of abuse: "If you've been abused, you need to forgive your abuser. Forgive 70 x 7. Forgive your abusers or God's not going to forgive you." Some leaders went so far as to tell the victims to take responsibility for the abuse they received. It was appalling. - Kate's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/midlifeexmomomma/
I heard a talk from a very nuanced member of the gospel speak about the covenant to "mourn with those who mourn and comfort those who stand in need of comfort." However, when people leave the church, members aren't so compassionate. Instead of treating these who have lost their faith, with love and compassion, we often ostracize them and don't seek to understand their pain. This message really resonated with me. I had a bunch of family and friends who had left the church, and I realized I had never made an effort to understand why they had left. So I started asking them, out of genuine curiosity and concern, what caused them to leave. Every time I asked, I heard stories of pain and sorrow, and oftentimes they were surprised that I had asked at all. Mormons typically didn't do that sort of thing. The way the church teaches its members to judge former members as "lazy learners" and "sinners" added additional weight to my shelf. - Kate's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/midlifeexmomomma/
I heard a talk from a very nuanced member of the gospel speak about the covenant to "mourn with those who mourn and comfort those who stand in need of comfort." However, when people leave the church, members aren't so compassionate. Instead of treating these who have lost their faith, with love and compassion, we often ostracize them and don't seek to understand their pain. This message really resonated with me. I had a bunch of family and friends who had left the church, and I realized I had never made an effort to understand why they had left. So I started asking them, out of genuine curiosity and concern, what caused them to leave. Every time I asked, I heard stories of pain and sorrow, and oftentimes they were surprised that I had asked at all. Mormons typically didn't do that sort of thing. The way the church teaches its members to judge former members as "lazy learners" and "sinners" added additional weight to my shelf. - Kate's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/midlifeexmomomma/
My then 13-year-old Morgan came out to me as non-binary and pansexual. I was shocked and had no idea how to respond to this. I'd considered myself an LGBTQ+ ally before that, but I told Morgan I wasn't ready to use her preferred pronouns. I did all I could to learn about LGBTQ+ youth through a gospel lens. I listened to podcasts, I joined a support group, and spoke with LDS parents with children who identified as LGBTQ+. I still wasn't ready. Finally, Morgan was in a play where the cast and crew used their preferred pronouns. I saw the difference it made in Morgan to be referred to by these pronouns of choice. Morgan was more confident and radiated happiness. I decided then and there that if I had to choose between supporting the church's doctrine and loving my child, I'd choose to love my child. The church's treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals weighed heavily on my shelf, but even then, it wasn't quite ready to break. - Kate's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/midlifeexmomomma/
My then 13-year-old Morgan came out to me as non-binary and pansexual. I was shocked and had no idea how to respond to this. I'd considered myself an LGBTQ+ ally before that, but I told Morgan I wasn't ready to use her preferred pronouns. I did all I could to learn about LGBTQ+ youth through a gospel lens. I listened to podcasts, I joined a support group, and spoke with LDS parents with children who identified as LGBTQ+. I still wasn't ready. Finally, Morgan was in a play where the cast and crew used their preferred pronouns. I saw the difference it made in Morgan to be referred to by these pronouns of choice. Morgan was more confident and radiated happiness. I decided then and there that if I had to choose between supporting the church's doctrine and loving my child, I'd choose to love my child. The church's treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals weighed heavily on my shelf, but even then, it wasn't quite ready to break. - Kate's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/midlifeexmomomma/