Different members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or any religious community, really) approach it through different philosophical lenses. These lenses often help explain why some members stay committed, some begin to struggle, and others eventually leave. A helpful way to understand these varying perspectives is to group them into three general …
Tag Archives: leave the church
Erin Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight
Erin’s story is one many will recognize—rooted in faith, family, and a deep desire to do what’s right. Born in the heart of Mormon culture and raised in a devout, active household, she embraced the church with her whole heart. From the joy of girls camp and EFY to the dedication of serving a mission …
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Brian Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight
Brian’s story is one of courage, complexity, and personal truth. A vibrant personality, Brian embraced his life as a Mormon with sincerity, believing 100%, and even serving a mission in London at the age of 19. He faithfully followed the teachings, made sacrifices, and lived with conviction, while also navigating the unique challenges of being …
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Biddy Mason – From Enslaved Mormon Pioneer to Free Philanthropist
Biddy Mason’s life is a powerful testimony of perseverance, resilience, and quiet resistance. Born into slavery in Georgia in 1818, she was never given a choice about the course of her life—but she made powerful choices when finally given the chance. Her story intersects with the early Mormon Church in a way that many today …
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Mormon Women Belong in the Pew—Not at the Pulpit
Jared Halverson, Assistant Processor of Ancient Scripture at BYU, former CES Teacher, shares Come Follow Me, or LDS Sunday school curriculum, insights on his Unshaken Saints channel. He recently expressed concern over a surprising trend in religion: for the first time in recent history, more women are leaving the church than men. He speaks of …
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The Mormon Church’ Guide to Stalking, or Locating Members
One of the most common accusations levied against those who leave the Mormon Church is that we just “can’t leave it alone.” It’s a phrase that gets tossed around in talks, in social media, and in conversations with believing family and friends. The idea is that if someone really didn’t believe anymore, they would just …
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Lance Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight
A journey from orthodoxy to authenticity, Lance grew up in a large, orthodox Mormon family—the seventh of eleven children—and was fully committed to the faith he was raised in. From serving a full-time mission in Wisconsin, marrying in the temple, and raising a young family, to holding multiple leadership callings, Lance did everything the church …
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How to Let Religion Sabotage Your Life: A Deconstructing Mormon Perspective on Jim Palmer’s 16 Steps
Jim Palmer, a former pastor turned spiritual critic and trauma-informed coach, outlines 16 stark observations in his piece How to Let Religion Sabotage Your Life. For those deconstructing Mormonism, these steps feel less like satire and more like a checklist of lived experience: 1. Begin with the premise that there is something hopelessly and incurably …
Shane Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight
Meet Shane—a thoughtful seeker whose faith journey led him into the Mormon Church in his early 30s after years of sincere engagement with the missionaries. For a time, he embraced the LDS faith and fully identified as a Mormon. But like many others, Shane’s trust began to unravel when the SEC’s investigation into the church’s …
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Steven Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight
Steven’s story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and finally—freedom. Raised between worlds, with a non-religious mother who distrusted the church and grandparents deeply embedded in it, Steven was surrounded by conflicting messages about Mormonism from a young age. His early life was marked by both devotion to the church and personal trauma, making his eventual …
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Church Reveals What To Do With Disturbing Anti-Mormon Literature?
This Q&A from the 2007 New Era is a revealing example of how the LDS Church attempts to control the flow of information to its members—particularly the kind that might prompt questions or critical thought. The recommendation is clear: if you find literature critical of the Church “disturbing,” it’s a sign you shouldn’t read it. …
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Brian Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight
Brian’s journey out of Mormonism is one of awakening and courage. Born into the faith and raised under its doctrines, he spent years navigating an on-again, off-again relationship with the church, always holding onto the thought that it might be true. Like many, the deep-seated fear of questioning and doubting kept him tethered to the …
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Renlund’s Boat Parable – Showcase of Demonizing Doubters and Dismissing Concerns
In 2019, both Dale G. Renlund, LDS Apostle, and his wife, Ruth L. Renlund, gave a talk at a Worldwide devotional from BYU-Hawaii. They shared a colorful parable to marginalize and blame doubters for their struggles with the church’s false truth claims. They claimed to be prompted to share this message and that they’d been …
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Mary Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight
Mary Kathryn’s journey out of Mormonism is one of transformation, resilience, and self-discovery. A devoted believer, she followed the prescribed path—attending BYU, marrying young, and having eight children by age 35. She dedicated herself fully to the faith, shaping her identity around the church’s teachings on womanhood, family, and service. However, as life unfolded—with personal …
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The Stages of Grief When Your Shelf Breaks
Losing one’s testimony is a deeply painful experience, tragically affecting both the individual and the community. Faithful members mourn the loss of a fellow believer, viewing it as a defeat or a sign of weakness—someone who will now be cast aside like chaff from the wheat. But the greatest hardship falls on the individual. They …
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Fast Food Orders vs Quitting Church – McDonald’s, Messed-Up Orders, and the Commoditization of Religion
A popular meme has been making the rounds. These memes read: “McDonald’s can mess up your order 101 times and you still keep going back… One thing goes wrong at church and you quit.” This suggests that people are more forgiving of mistakes at fast-food restaurants like McDonald’s than they are of issues with a church. It …
Kendall Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight
Kendall grew up in a loving LDS family in Texas, embracing his faith because he had no reason to question it. Like many devout members, he served a mission, married in the church, and dedicated himself to his callings. But beneath the surface, troubling questions about church history, doctrine, and racist teachings gnawed at him. …
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The Church Steals Our Intuition And Sells It To Us As God’s Will
Intuition is one of the most powerful tools we have as human beings. It guides us, protects us, and helps us navigate the complexities of life. It is that inner voice warning us of danger, confirming truth, and pushing us toward growth. The church first convinces us that our own intuition is unreliable, then tells …
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Jacob Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight
Jacob’s journey out of Mormonism is one of self-discovery, questioning, and, ultimately, liberation. Born into a deeply entrenched Mormon lineage tracing back to Wilford Woodruff, Jacob was raised to be a devoted member of the church, participating in seminary and Boy Scouts and striving to live by the commandments. However, from a young age, he …
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Bennet Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight
Bennet grew up in a strict Mormon household, deeply immersed in the faith from an early age. With church activities filling nearly every day of the week, Bennet was constantly surrounded by the teachings and expectations of Mormonism. Yet, despite his efforts to be a faithful believer, he struggled with overwhelming anxiety and an ever-present …
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Curtis Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight
Once a devout member of the church, Curtis cherished the faith of his youth—until he discovered that the church he had loved was not what it claimed to be. Confronted with shifting doctrines, hidden history, and unethical behavior from church leadership, his testimony crumbled. Like many who experience a crisis of faith, Curtis cycled through …
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Mike Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight
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 …
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ExmoDad Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight
Exmodad shares a powerful story of transformation from a devoted Mormon to someone who found freedom in truth. His journey began in Italy, where he joined the Church as a young boy, along with his family. For years, he was a firm believer, deeply committed to the teachings and standards of the Mormon faith. However, …
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Witnesses Saw Gold Plates With Spiritual Eyes
![Martin was in the office when I [John H. Gilbert, typesetter for most of the Book of Mormon] finished setting up the testimony of the three witnesses, I said to him, “Martin, did you see those plates with your naked eyes?” Martin looked down for an instant, raised his eyes up, and said, “No, I saw them with a spiritual eye.” - Martin Harris, Witness of the Gold Plates | wasmormon.org](https://i0.wp.com/wasmormon.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Martin-Harris-Witness-not-naked-eye-spiritual-eye.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1)
The Three Book of Mormon witnesses offer a fascinating and contradictory window into the authenticity of Joseph Smith’s claims about the gold plates. The accounts of the witnesses—both official and unofficial—regarding whether they saw the plates with their natural eyes or spiritual eyes are highly contentious and have been subject to much debate. The church …
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Paul Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight
Paul’s story is one of commitment, reflection, and transformation. He was deeply rooted in his Mormon heritage and devoted himself wholeheartedly to the faith. He served a mission, earned advanced degrees during 16 years at BYU, and held significant church callings such as Young Men’s President and Elder’s Quorum President. Paul married a fellow returned …
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How To Leave the Mormon Church
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 …
QuitMormon Offers Free Legal Assistance For Mormons Who Want To Resign
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 …
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Doug Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight
Doug’s story is one of questioning, integrity, and the courage to seek truth despite the cost. Born into a devout Mormon family, Doug grappled with doubts from a young age, his sharp mind clashing with doctrines and practices that defied logic or evidence. His search for answers, including a memorable exchange with the Smithsonian Institution …
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Andy Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight
Andy’s life mirrored the ideal Mormon path: raised in the church, served a mission, attended BYU, married in the temple, and served faithfully in the church for decades. He remained a committed member, navigating questions and doubts while striving to stay true to his faith. But his journey took a profound turn after the unexpected …
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Cameron Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight
Cameron’s life was steeped in the culture and expectations of Mormonism, growing up in a loving yet disciplined home in Orem, Utah, with milestones like baptism, priesthood ordination, and temple marriage shaping his path. These events were celebrated as pillars of faith and family life, and he embraced them wholeheartedly. However, as he began to …
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