As a teenager on the cusp of her senior year in high school, she found herself drawn to the teachings of the Mormon faith, intrigued by its promises of spiritual fulfillment and belonging. Despite initial skepticism, Nancy’s interest was piqued by Joseph Smith’s first vision, a story that resonated with her own quest for understanding and meaning. Embracing the Mormon faith as a golden convert, her journey took a turn as she confronted the discrepancies and contradictions within the church’s teachings. Over the years, as doubts and questions continued to mount, Nancy grappled with the realizat ..read more

Raised in a devout Mormon family in Utah, Olivia spent the better part of her life immersed in the teachings and traditions of the church. However, even from a young age, she found herself at odds with certain aspects of her faith, grappling with feelings of doubt and discontent. Despite her initial rebellion during her teenage years, Olivia eventually succumbed to the pressure to conform, embracing her faith wholeheartedly and becoming a devout member of the church. Yet, as she embarked on her journey of self-discovery, Olivia’s faith began to unravel, culminating in a profound realization of ..read more

Growing up in Utah within a devout Mormon family, Rosana inherited her parents’ beliefs but soon found herself grappling with the suffocating pressures of conformity and cultural expectations. Despite her upbringing in a community steeped in faith, Rosana’s experience with church rituals and teachings left her feeling disconnected and disillusioned. The rigid standards imposed by the Mormon culture clashed with Rosana’s innate sense of self, leading to a profound internal struggle and a desperate quest for liberation. Against the backdrop of financial strain and familial discord, Rosana’s jour ..read more

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

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

Prior to 1978, LDS church leaders wrestled to understand the priesthood ban. They listened to explanations from Brigham Young and other church presidents who taught about the subject. They continued teaching the same things, and in some cases came up with new explanations. That changed in 1978, when the church flipped a 180 and granted priesthood based on worthiness and no longer based on race or skin color too. What to do with all the teachings that explained why the ban was in place and why the ban was needed? How can they be changed if they were taught as doctrine and in the same breath and ..read more

Elder Kevin W. Pearson gave an address as a “Rising Generation” fireside in Bountiful, Utah where he made a respectable of himself spouting nonsense. He shouted at the young men the advice “Do NOT pray about whether or not you should go on a mission!” calling this a “Dumb Question!” Is he worried about the young men not receiving the proper answer from God? Is he worried about wasting God’s time? What is the huge problem here having the youth take some initiative and choose their life path according to what makes sense to them and their relationship with God? He must be worried that they might ..read more

Mormonism Is a Religion of Unwritten Rules Mormonism as a religion and a culture relies heavily on unwritten and even unspoken rules. The religion judges members on these rules and judges everyone for adherence to the unwritten rules. There are theological assumptions that are entirely based on some of these rules and the religion has morphed over time into a single “Covenant Path” way to live where things like callings, the sacrament, garments, word of wisdom, temple, and free will are all controlled by unwritten and cultural rules that the main body of the church can easily deny, but for tho ..read more

Boyd K. Packer gave a BYU devotional on 15th of October 1996 called The Unwritten Order of Things in which he discusses the unwritten rules and cultural standards of Mormonism. He states “The things that I shall tell you are not explained in the scriptures.” “The things I am going to tell you are not explained in our handbooks or manuals either.” “I will be speaking about what I call the ‘unwritten order of things.'” Packer shares personal experiences and observations, drawing inspiration from a math professor’s teaching approach during World War II. He discusses the “unwritten order of things ..read more

Hugh Nibley (1910–2005) was an American scholar and prominent figure in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was known for his contributions to LDS scholarship, particularly in ancient history, languages, and religious studies. Nibley held a Ph.D. in ancient history and wrote about ancient civilizations, religious history, and Mormonism. Nibley’s influence extends beyond academia, as he contributed to the intellectual foundation of Mormon apologetics, defending and explaining aspects of LDS theology and history. Although his perspectives and interpretations were not universally ..read more