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"Myself, John W. Fitzgerald, Douglas A. Wallace, and attorney Brian M. Barnard, as dedicated gadflies during that period of time (1970-1978), acting as a team brought attention to the falsehood of the 1969 policy letter, thereby resulting in the 9 June 1978 change." - Byron's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/byron-marchant/
"Myself, John W. Fitzgerald, Douglas A. Wallace, and attorney Brian M. Barnard, as dedicated gadflies during that period of time (1970-1978), acting as a team brought attention to the falsehood of the 1969 policy letter, thereby resulting in the 9 June 1978 change." - Byron's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/byron-marchant/
"My belief in Mormonism was on the decline in October 1977, influenced in part through discovering Smith’s signature on Able’s 1836 Ordination License in August 1977 and reading the 1977 “Spalding Enigma” book. By then I was acquainted with John Fitzgerald, Doug Wallace and Vernal Holley. In fact, I probably learned about the book, Who Really Wrote the Book of Mormon, from Vern Holley. In my studies through the 1980s, I wrote a paper for an anthropology class called “Mormon Exaggerations”. The 1986 Signature Books publication, Dale Morgan On Early Mormonism, edited by John Walker, was an eye opener for me (especially chapter 3). Some of my pissed-off relatives decided to steal my Social Security Survivor’s Benefits and use it to bribe and kidnap our (their deceased mother and me) two young (12 and 16 years old) daughters." - Byron's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/byron-marchant/
"My belief in Mormonism was on the decline in October 1977, influenced in part through discovering Smith’s signature on Able’s 1836 Ordination License in August 1977 and reading the 1977 “Spalding Enigma” book. By then I was acquainted with John Fitzgerald, Doug Wallace and Vernal Holley. In fact, I probably learned about the book, Who Really Wrote the Book of Mormon, from Vern Holley. In my studies through the 1980s, I wrote a paper for an anthropology class called “Mormon Exaggerations”. The 1986 Signature Books publication, Dale Morgan On Early Mormonism, edited by John Walker, was an eye opener for me (especially chapter 3). Some of my pissed-off relatives decided to steal my Social Security Survivor’s Benefits and use it to bribe and kidnap our (their deceased mother and me) two young (12 and 16 years old) daughters." - Byron's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/byron-marchant/
"In 1978 the church changed their policy of banning the priesthood from blacks. My wife passed away in September 1979, but we celebrated the 9 June 1978 LDS black priesthood change together. My 7 June 1978 lawsuit against Kimball happened at the right time to show that it was THE pivotal push over the edge. The LDS Church could not admit to having made a mistake so they covered the whole thing up until 2013 when they finally published the news which I had told them about in 1977 as a Gospel Topic Essay." - Byron's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/byron-marchant/
"In 1978 the church changed their policy of banning the priesthood from blacks. My wife passed away in September 1979, but we celebrated the 9 June 1978 LDS black priesthood change together. My 7 June 1978 lawsuit against Kimball happened at the right time to show that it was THE pivotal push over the edge. The LDS Church could not admit to having made a mistake so they covered the whole thing up until 2013 when they finally published the news which I had told them about in 1977 as a Gospel Topic Essay." - Byron's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/byron-marchant/
"N. E. Tanner was wrong in the 1969 First Presidency Letter. I publicly opposed him and explained why, but he never recanted his statment, even after it was shown to be false. His statement is false because Joseph Smith signed the 1836 Elijah Able Ordination License, which proves Joseph Smith didn't teach the priesthood ban. The church apostle, Nathan Eldon Tanner, was found to be lying, but I was the one excommunicated. Rather than the church appreciating the correction, I was kicked out for speaking truth and pointing out the incorrect statement of the church leaders. In the 1977 excommunication trial, I was not allowed to present my “Accused” defense, so the excommunication did not follow the prescribed procedure and should not be valid." - Byron's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/byron-marchant/
"N. E. Tanner was wrong in the 1969 First Presidency Letter. I publicly opposed him and explained why, but he never recanted his statment, even after it was shown to be false. His statement is false because Joseph Smith signed the 1836 Elijah Able Ordination License, which proves Joseph Smith didn't teach the priesthood ban. The church apostle, Nathan Eldon Tanner, was found to be lying, but I was the one excommunicated. Rather than the church appreciating the correction, I was kicked out for speaking truth and pointing out the incorrect statement of the church leaders. In the 1977 excommunication trial, I was not allowed to present my “Accused” defense, so the excommunication did not follow the prescribed procedure and should not be valid." - Byron's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/byron-marchant/
"In October 1977, I voted not to sustain N. Eldon Tanner in the Tabernacle, it was because he lied when he put his signature on a 15 December 1969 First Presidency letter which states "From the beginning of this dispensation, Joseph Smith and all succeeding presidents of the Church have taught that Negroes, while spirit children of a common Father, and the progeny of our earthly parents Adam and Eve, were not yet to receive the priesthood." The 1969 statement was historically false, because Joseph Smith in 1836 had signed the Elijah Able Elder License." - Byron's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/byron-marchant/
"In October 1977, I voted not to sustain N. Eldon Tanner in the Tabernacle, it was because he lied when he put his signature on a 15 December 1969 First Presidency letter which states "From the beginning of this dispensation, Joseph Smith and all succeeding presidents of the Church have taught that Negroes, while spirit children of a common Father, and the progeny of our earthly parents Adam and Eve, were not yet to receive the priesthood." The 1969 statement was historically false, because Joseph Smith in 1836 had signed the Elijah Able Elder License." - Byron's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/byron-marchant/
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/ceyre/. 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/ceyre/. 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!
Leaving the Church is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I still think of myself as a Christian, as I still believe in God & Jesus. I’m also working out what exactly I believe. I have a lot of questions & there’s a lot I don’t know. However, one thing I do know is that I want nothing to do with the Mormon Church. As someone once said, what’s good about Mormonism is not unique. And what’s unique about Mormonism is not good. - Corey's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/ceyre/
Leaving the Church is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I still think of myself as a Christian, as I still believe in God & Jesus. I’m also working out what exactly I believe. I have a lot of questions & there’s a lot I don’t know. However, one thing I do know is that I want nothing to do with the Mormon Church. As someone once said, what’s good about Mormonism is not unique. And what’s unique about Mormonism is not good. - Corey's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/ceyre/
Learning this greatly disturbed & unsettled me spiritually & caused another faith crisis, though much less severe this time. Any small testimony I had left of the Church was destroyed. I no longer connected my Church membership to following Jesus. The two were completely separate in my mind. In my experience & in my opinion, being a Mormon had nothing to do with following Jesus & living a good Christian life. If you’re a good Christian, you’re a bad Mormon. Conversely, if you’re a bad Christian, you’re a good Mormon. I’d rather be a good Christian. - Corey's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/ceyre/
Learning this greatly disturbed & unsettled me spiritually & caused another faith crisis, though much less severe this time. Any small testimony I had left of the Church was destroyed. I no longer connected my Church membership to following Jesus. The two were completely separate in my mind. In my experience & in my opinion, being a Mormon had nothing to do with following Jesus & living a good Christian life. If you’re a good Christian, you’re a bad Mormon. Conversely, if you’re a bad Christian, you’re a good Mormon. I’d rather be a good Christian. - Corey's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/ceyre/
I was shocked & horrified to see that my spiritual experiences were not at all what I believed & had been taught in the Church. Almost all of my significant spiritual experiences were easily explained by elevation emotion, frisson, confirmation bias, & other things that had nothing to do with God, or the Spirit teaching me the truth. In short, my so-called spiritual experiences had betrayed me. My treasured spiritual experiences had confirmed the truthfulness of many things that were false or only partially true. I also learned that my so-called spiritual experiences were not unique: to me or Mormonism. Most people have the same so-called spiritual experiences about their religion that I had experienced with Mormonism. Most people believe that God has told them that their church is true & that God called them to join it. - Corey's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/ceyre/
I was shocked & horrified to see that my spiritual experiences were not at all what I believed & had been taught in the Church. Almost all of my significant spiritual experiences were easily explained by elevation emotion, frisson, confirmation bias, & other things that had nothing to do with God, or the Spirit teaching me the truth. In short, my so-called spiritual experiences had betrayed me. My treasured spiritual experiences had confirmed the truthfulness of many things that were false or only partially true. I also learned that my so-called spiritual experiences were not unique: to me or Mormonism. Most people have the same so-called spiritual experiences about their religion that I had experienced with Mormonism. Most people believe that God has told them that their church is true & that God called them to join it. - Corey's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/ceyre/
Alarmingly, on top of learning that the Church is not true, I realized that I’d been lied to, manipulated, gaslighted, exploited, betrayed & wronged by the Church my entire life. I discovered the concepts of elevation emotion & frisson. With this new knowledge of elevation emotion & frisson, and the knowledge I gained from studying Church history the previous 4 years, I used my critical thinking skills & evaluated my most influential spiritual experiences. - Corey's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/ceyre/
Alarmingly, on top of learning that the Church is not true, I realized that I’d been lied to, manipulated, gaslighted, exploited, betrayed & wronged by the Church my entire life. I discovered the concepts of elevation emotion & frisson. With this new knowledge of elevation emotion & frisson, and the knowledge I gained from studying Church history the previous 4 years, I used my critical thinking skills & evaluated my most influential spiritual experiences. - Corey's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/ceyre/
I was devastated to learn that the Church is demonstrably false. Yes, Mormonism is made up; indeed, Mormonism is a scam. Having studied Mormonism all my life (including both sides: for & against) the only logical, valid conclusion is this: Mormonism does NOT hold up against scrutiny, especially Mormonism’s truth claims. A simple internet search can make the Church fall apart. The evidence strongly suggests that the Mormon church is not true—it's made up & based on lies, etc. - Corey's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/ceyre/
I was devastated to learn that the Church is demonstrably false. Yes, Mormonism is made up; indeed, Mormonism is a scam. Having studied Mormonism all my life (including both sides: for & against) the only logical, valid conclusion is this: Mormonism does NOT hold up against scrutiny, especially Mormonism’s truth claims. A simple internet search can make the Church fall apart. The evidence strongly suggests that the Mormon church is not true—it's made up & based on lies, etc. - Corey's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/ceyre/
I was especially bothered that these so-called men of God lied & said that they didn't use tithing money on the lavish mall in Salt Lake, which cost billions. They also lied about tithing not being used to pay the high General Authority salaries & overly generous benefits. I was pissed that they exempt themselves from tithing & treat themselves like kings, while the members (whom they're supposed to serve) get the bare minimum & are neglected & exploited. - Corey's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/ceyre/
I was especially bothered that these so-called men of God lied & said that they didn't use tithing money on the lavish mall in Salt Lake, which cost billions. They also lied about tithing not being used to pay the high General Authority salaries & overly generous benefits. I was pissed that they exempt themselves from tithing & treat themselves like kings, while the members (whom they're supposed to serve) get the bare minimum & are neglected & exploited. - Corey's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/ceyre/
In short, it was obvious that the Church is NOT what it claims, not even close. I saw the Church 's endless unchristlike, unrighteous, & sinful behavior. And this horrible behavior is consistent & often intentional. I also realized that I was so ignorant as a TBM (true-believing member). My concerns about Mormonism & the Church are many, sincere & very valid. - Corey's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/ceyre/
In short, it was obvious that the Church is NOT what it claims, not even close. I saw the Church 's endless unchristlike, unrighteous, & sinful behavior. And this horrible behavior is consistent & often intentional. I also realized that I was so ignorant as a TBM (true-believing member). My concerns about Mormonism & the Church are many, sincere & very valid. - Corey's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/ceyre/
My wife and I had a severe falling-out with our Mormon bishop. I went online to see if this was common & to see how other Mormons handled it. By doing so, I went down the rabbit hole. I learned the real, true history of the Church. As a result, for the first time, I learned the truth because I had the facts & more objective sources, as opposed to the whitewashed, sanitized, correlated garbage from the Church I had always used previously. - Corey's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/ceyre/
My wife and I had a severe falling-out with our Mormon bishop. I went online to see if this was common & to see how other Mormons handled it. By doing so, I went down the rabbit hole. I learned the real, true history of the Church. As a result, for the first time, I learned the truth because I had the facts & more objective sources, as opposed to the whitewashed, sanitized, correlated garbage from the Church I had always used previously. - Corey's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/ceyre/
I'm a truth seeker who loves video games, sightseeing, hot tubs & pools. I was born into the Mormon church. I grew up in southern Idaho in a large family. Growing up, I was known for being kind, sincere and honest. The Church was my identity, my culture, my world view, my community, my connection to something bigger than myself, my morals and religion, my eternal plan for my life, in short, everything. I was a Mormon. - Corey's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/ceyre/
I'm a truth seeker who loves video games, sightseeing, hot tubs & pools. I was born into the Mormon church. I grew up in southern Idaho in a large family. Growing up, I was known for being kind, sincere and honest. The Church was my identity, my culture, my world view, my community, my connection to something bigger than myself, my morals and religion, my eternal plan for my life, in short, everything. I was a Mormon. - Corey's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/ceyre/
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/kathyh1976/. 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/kathyh1976/. 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 am happy now. Yes, I reflect on things that I have issues with. I see a therapist and it has helped immensely. I refuse to let the people and the church bring me down because I know that is not what God wants. My purpose in life is to ascend to a higher state of consciousness, and to live the best life that I possibly can, and to love those who are struggling. That’s truly Christlike to me. - Kathy's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/kathyh1976/
I am happy now. Yes, I reflect on things that I have issues with. I see a therapist and it has helped immensely. I refuse to let the people and the church bring me down because I know that is not what God wants. My purpose in life is to ascend to a higher state of consciousness, and to live the best life that I possibly can, and to love those who are struggling. That’s truly Christlike to me. - Kathy's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/kathyh1976/
I wholeheartedly believe that not only does the church protect child predators, but I know that they have a large legal team that tries to cover up all kinds of accusations from church members who were honestly abused. At one time the church was asking people to call a hotline and they would be taken care of, people experiencing crises from sexual trauma from church authorities. They would take these people's stories and say they were recording them and if they did take any notes, they were confiscated and destroyed. The church members who called the hotline thinking that something was going to be done were sorely mistaken. Not only does the church cover it up, but they have influenced the state of Utah to almost make it a haven for sexual predators. In Utah, the church is the legislature too. In this state, there’s no separation of church and state. - Kathy's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/kathyh1976/
I wholeheartedly believe that not only does the church protect child predators, but I know that they have a large legal team that tries to cover up all kinds of accusations from church members who were honestly abused. At one time the church was asking people to call a hotline and they would be taken care of, people experiencing crises from sexual trauma from church authorities. They would take these people's stories and say they were recording them and if they did take any notes, they were confiscated and destroyed. The church members who called the hotline thinking that something was going to be done were sorely mistaken. Not only does the church cover it up, but they have influenced the state of Utah to almost make it a haven for sexual predators. In Utah, the church is the legislature too. In this state, there’s no separation of church and state. - Kathy's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/kathyh1976/
God is not exclusive. That’s another thing that Mormons are confused with, and it makes it really culty. A lot of other religions welcome people, they aren’t exclusive. The Mormon church is one of the most exclusive, churches or cults I have ever experienced. The way that Mormons expect perfection is extremely unhealthy. Most other religions accept the fact that we are all sinners and that we need God in our lives to help us. This is where the Mormon church is so toxic. - Kathy's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/kathyh1976/
God is not exclusive. That’s another thing that Mormons are confused with, and it makes it really culty. A lot of other religions welcome people, they aren’t exclusive. The Mormon church is one of the most exclusive, churches or cults I have ever experienced. The way that Mormons expect perfection is extremely unhealthy. Most other religions accept the fact that we are all sinners and that we need God in our lives to help us. This is where the Mormon church is so toxic. - Kathy's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/kathyh1976/
I’m not one who lost faith altogether. I love God and I have a personal relationship with him. I think a lot of Mormons get confused and think that religion and your relationship with God have to be one and the same, they must intertwine. I can’t think of anything further than the truth. God is everywhere. He’s not just in the temple and he isn’t just available if you’re perfect, everyone has access to him. God is not exclusive. - Kathy's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/kathyh1976/
I’m not one who lost faith altogether. I love God and I have a personal relationship with him. I think a lot of Mormons get confused and think that religion and your relationship with God have to be one and the same, they must intertwine. I can’t think of anything further than the truth. God is everywhere. He’s not just in the temple and he isn’t just available if you’re perfect, everyone has access to him. God is not exclusive. - Kathy's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/kathyh1976/
I consider myself Christian. I honestly don’t think that Mormons should consider themselves Christians. They should consider themselves Joseph Smithians. There’s far more Worship of Joseph Smith than there ever is of Jesus. And there’s far more reference to the Book of Mormon than there is to the Bible. - Kathy's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/kathyh1976/
I consider myself Christian. I honestly don’t think that Mormons should consider themselves Christians. They should consider themselves Joseph Smithians. There’s far more Worship of Joseph Smith than there ever is of Jesus. And there’s far more reference to the Book of Mormon than there is to the Bible. - Kathy's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/kathyh1976/
Numerous times people were rude and mean. Like, one time some woman got up in relief society and started to preach that if you are on any head meds it’s your fault, and it’s because you are not faithful enough. And if you become faithful and follow the church and pay your tithing, then you won’t have to take these meds. So these actions by church members came with the explanation that it’s not the church. It’s sometimes the people. Well, are the people not the church? Especially if these people are making up doctrine? It’s ridiculous and caused a lot of damage. - Kathy's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/kathyh1976/
Numerous times people were rude and mean. Like, one time some woman got up in relief society and started to preach that if you are on any head meds it’s your fault, and it’s because you are not faithful enough. And if you become faithful and follow the church and pay your tithing, then you won’t have to take these meds. So these actions by church members came with the explanation that it’s not the church. It’s sometimes the people. Well, are the people not the church? Especially if these people are making up doctrine? It’s ridiculous and caused a lot of damage. - Kathy's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/kathyh1976/
Being Mormon affected my daily life and it still does because not only do you have the church but you have the culture. It is almost all toxic. There’s so much shame and misogyny and struggles that you feel you’ll never be good enough. When I was eight, and I was going to be baptized, the only thing that I thought about was, I was so happy to have a second chance, because then I wasn’t gonna make any mistakes. Who in the hell thinks that when they’re eight years old? I feel like I had my childhood stolen from me. It was not one of love, but one of never feeling good enough. - Kathy's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/kathyh1976/
Being Mormon affected my daily life and it still does because not only do you have the church but you have the culture. It is almost all toxic. There’s so much shame and misogyny and struggles that you feel you’ll never be good enough. When I was eight, and I was going to be baptized, the only thing that I thought about was, I was so happy to have a second chance, because then I wasn’t gonna make any mistakes. Who in the hell thinks that when they’re eight years old? I feel like I had my childhood stolen from me. It was not one of love, but one of never feeling good enough. - Kathy's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/kathyh1976/