Meet Fiona, an inquisitive and rational thinker who couldn’t help but question the narratives presented to her. Her journey out of Mormonism was driven by a thirst for truth and a refusal to accept the gaslighting that sought to control her. As she delved into the historical and doctrinal aspects of Mormonism, Fiona found herself confronted with discrepancies and doubts that shook her to the core. Despite her initial involvement in the faith through marriage, she couldn’t ignore the inconsistencies and unsettling experiences, particularly during temple ordinances. Over the years, Fiona grap ..read more

The Mormon church is famously (or infamously) known for not allowing or supporting same-sex relationships or marriages. The LDS Church previously taught that same-sex attraction is a curable condition, but now states that “individuals do not choose to have such attractions” and that therapy focusing on “a change in sexual orientation” is “unethical.” Those who do not act on their sexual identity, “enjoy full fellowship in the church, which includes holding the priesthood, carrying out callings, and attending the temple.” The Church considers Mormons who act on feelings of same-sex attraction ..read more

One of the foundational pillars of the church is the First Vision, in which Joseph Smith claims to have seen the Lord (or both God the Father and God the Son, Jesus Christ – depending on which of his accounts you read) while praying in the woods. There is an assumption in the church that all senior church leaders may have similar experiences, but that they are too special or sacred to discuss openly. Defendants of the church speak of casting pearls before swine, as if anyone who wouldn’t believe the claims of these leaders at face value with no questioning, are no better than swine. But senior ..read more

Heber C. Kimball Heber C. Kimball was a prominent figure in early Mormon history, known for his leadership roles within the Latter-day Saint movement. Born in 1801 in Vermont, Kimball became an early convert to Mormonism and played a significant role in its expansion and establishment. He was a close associate of Joseph Smith, and later served as a counselor in the First Presidency under Brigham Young for over 2 decades. He is among the original Twelve Apostles called in the LDS church. Heber C. Kimball practiced polygamy, a controversial aspect of early Mormonism. He had at least 43 wives thr ..read more

The Church is built on specific claims. The church claims that Joseph Smith met God and Jesus, received ancient plates from an angel, translated them, and had priesthood authority restored by heavenly messengers. Church leaders even state that if the events didn’t occur, the church would fall apart. This is the danger in the church having so closely identified its own truthfulness to historical events. If any or all of these claims didn’t happen as proclaimed by the church, then the whole church, as we know it, would crumble to rubble. The truth claims are foundational to the structure of the ..read more

Meet Dodie, a nature enthusiast and math mentor who, in 1975, embraced the Mormon faith, captivated by the promise of belonging to God’s true church and guided by the teachings of a living prophet. Devoting over four decades to the Mormon community, she held numerous callings and sought to magnify her role within the church. However, doubts began to infiltrate her faith, spurred by inconsistencies between church policies and core doctrines. The turning point came when Dodie’s evangelical sister introduced her to the CES letter, a document she had been warned against reading. Curiosity led he ..read more

There has been a significant cultural change within the Mormon Church, shifting from church leaders predominantly being referred to as “President,” to being esteemed as “Prophet.” This change evolved gradually over several decades. Initially, references to the church leader as “Prophet” were reserved exclusively for Joseph Smith, the church’s founder, and prophets from biblical and Book of Mormon narratives. However, during David O. McKay’s presidency from 1951 to 1970, occasional mentions of him as “Prophet” began to surface in church publications. This subtle shift in terminology reflected ..read more

The Mormons had a revival in Ohio on June 4, 1831. Joseph Smith led the meetings and there were quite a few spectacles in the meetings. The conference received a lot of hype in the area because many were converting to the church. There were rumors that there would be miracles performed at the conference. Joseph did not disappoint, at first at least, he claimed to cast a devil out of a man who was speaking in tongues. He ordained many men to the priesthood. Then he got adventurous and attempted to heal a man’s cripple hand but failed. He then tried to help a cripple man walk but failed this too ..read more

Grace’s journey out of the Mormon church was marked by profound personal struggle and self-discovery. From a young age, she grappled with her identity as a gay individual in a religious environment that condemned her very existence. Raised in the Mormon faith, she internalized the belief that her sexuality was sinful and spent years attempting to pray the gay away, rejecting an innate part of herself. However, a turning point came after a near-suicide attempt prompted her to seek answers beyond the approved confines of the church. Through online exploration, she discovered the harmful practic ..read more

The church leadership announced a $2 million donation to the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City. Church President Russell M. Nelson stated that “the gift from the church will strengthen Native American and other families by creating within the museum a FamilySearch center.” The church praises itself on this contribution and The museum, which honors many Native American Indian Tribes, will use the gift to build a FamilySearch center and fill other needs. The center will include digital interactive exhibits for Native American families. Many will be able to learn more at FamilySearch.org ..read more