Leaving the Mormon Church

Experience of a Former Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

By Just Loves Books, published Jun 26, 2006
Published Content: 104  Total Views: 341,033  Favorited By: 17 CPs
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I was once a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, also known as “Mormons” or LDS. This is my story of how I became a member and why I decided to leave the church. Unlike the majority of Latter Day Saints, I had no family or friends that were Mormon (LDS), but became interested in it because of a man I was dating at that time, and the strong character traits I saw in him, which he attributed to his Mormon religious upbringing. I also knew that Donny and Marie were LDS. Other than that, I knew nothing about this church..

I expressed an interest, and the man I was dating quickly gave my name to the Latter Day Saints missionaries. These young men or women, usually age 18-20, leave home to go on their mission right after high school. They receive no pay or support from the LDS church, but live on the money that their family and donations from friends are able to provide. Most are on very limited incomes. I was immediately impressed by their dedication to the LDS church. I later learned that going on a mission for two years is expected of most young LDS men, and they are taught to plan for it from a very young age. The man I was dating had also gone on a LDS mission, but he said the main reason was his family and church members expected it of him.

These young LDS missionaries made an appointment and came to my house to do a series of discussions over several weeks. Each LDS discussion is planned, and the missionaries are well schooled in the script to use for each discussion. The discussions are basically watered down versions of Mormon doctrine, and are carefully worded not to raise any red flags that might cause someone to reject the teachings of the LDS church. At the close of the discussions, one is pressured into agreeing to be baptized. I was asked to set a date now, so that plans could be made. I agreed. It was as much a result of my visits to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints  during that time (and how kind the people were to me) as it was the teachings of the Missionaries. I admit I didn’t ask many questions during the discussions, but at that point did not know what to ask.

 
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LDS baptism is done by total immersion.

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Takeaways
  • Mormons are officially known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
  • Mormons believe that God was once a man.
  • Mormons believe there are three levels of heaven, the highest being reserved for faithful Mormons.
Did You Know?
The Mormon church has a prophet, who provides doctrine as highly regarded as their bible.
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Comments
Showing Comments 1 - 15 of 34
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Great and brave article Kathy! I am proud of you for standing up for your core beliefs. Every Christian needs to look deep into their heart and pray for guidance about making the right choice. Always be true to yourself, but more importantly, be true to God and to Jesus. God bless you always!

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Posted on 01/06/2008 at 1:01:29 PM

 
I'm proud of you kathy. You're strong woman...God bless you.

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Posted on 09/18/2007 at 9:09:00 PM

 
be well informed. Study the Book of Mormon and pray about it. Only the Holy Ghost can confirm the truth of it to you. No one should join the church who does not have a testimony that the gospel in ancient times is restored on the earth today. Some things you claim others taught you are false. Know your source. I promise you that if you study, with faith and real intent to know the truth, the Holy Ghost will confirm the truth to you. Good luck.

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Posted on 09/02/2007 at 5:09:00 PM

 
Kathy, thank you for your kind insight. I am a member and you taught me somrthing new today. I never knew people felt the way you did. Now I will make it a point not to ignore people who I make friends with and then they choose another church or quit coming to our church. I think I would be really sad if they ignored me, even if they quit our church, if we had been friends beforehand. I don't care what religion people are. I have many friends who are of other faiths or no faith at all. If they act like a good friend, they are a good friend. They shouldn't be ostracized by theri friends becasue of religious preferences. By the way, I think you were taught rather poorly. You should have been better informed, but that is what makes the lds.org sight so invaluable to people interested but not yet members. They can learn everything and anything they want to in the web site. Best of luck in your life. I am sure that honorable people go to heaven and will see Christ again and

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Posted on 09/02/2007 at 5:09:00 PM

 
I am well informed and LDS. I am sorry that you left, but not surprised. We must choose for ourselves the course to Salvation. You were not deceived or misinformed in my opinion. There are some members of the LDS faith that do not perfectly present the doctrine being human and all. The Church has done far more for the world than you will know. This Church is not for everyone. And those of you who have chosen to leave or not join more power to you. For those of us who remain, we have a strong testimony in the work of God and His Son Jesus Christ. Whether or not some leave is of little consequence to me. The work goes on.

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Posted on 08/22/2007 at 12:08:00 PM

 
Great article.

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Posted on 07/23/2007 at 2:07:00 PM

 
I'm proud to say that I belong to the Mormon Church. Kathy, your article gave an understanding point of view of why you left the mormon church and I didn't find it offending at all. Everyone has their own beliefs and their own opinions and of course there is "Free Agency".. Good luck in the future! But at least you know the teachings in the mormon church. Much Love xxx

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Posted on 07/07/2007 at 5:07:00 AM

 
I served a mission for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We encouraged and insisted that our friends who were investigating our church attended Sunday Church meetings, where all of the doctrines are discussed in depth, for at least a few months, before getting baptized (I guess there are a few temple rituals that we don't discuss at Sunday meetings, but the doctrines behind them are all discussed...). Most church "investigators" attend church for at least six months to a year, or more, before making the decision to join. I appreciated the kind tone of your article. It was refreshingly honest and kind at the same time. I feel that all people should be free to join or leave any church as they see fit. Not every church is right for every person. I, personally am very happy with my choice to be LDS. I grew up attending many different churches and this one is by far my personal favorite. I hope that you have found your spiritual niche. Good luck!

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Posted on 06/15/2007 at 3:06:00 PM

 
I found your article surprisingly refreshing. I am a none religious man. I was born in a small rural community that was very mormon oriented. Or more to the point, they had the community under pressure. They keep the blind fold over the childrens eyes. They force the religion upon non believers through alienating them. Making them feel worthless or outcast. They children were sent up to bear thier testimony infront of hundreds of people. Made a mockery out of self thought. Their ideals are warped. And I am mad. Mad because my whole life I have been looked down on by mormons. I was a mormon. I held the aronic priesthood. Then I got an opinion,a thought process. And decided if there is a god, he will see into my thoughts and know my heart.Because, to tell you the truth. I have seen more hypocryts in the mormon religion than anywhere else. And I have lived all over the world. Religion is good for alot of people. It gives them hope. We need hope. But I am still mad, because after ten year

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Posted on 04/19/2007 at 10:04:00 PM

 
Kathy, I am LDS and you did not offend me at all. You were fair and kind in your assessment of procedure as I see it in The Church. You enumerated many good qualities of the people of The Faith. I would like to suggest that your new found "riends", did not stop caring about you, but did not know what to say or most possibly felt THEY would be intruding once your decision was made. As a long time, hard core Mormon, I know that genuine concern is easily translated into "harrassment". Best of luck in all things.

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Posted on 03/22/2007 at 6:03:00 PM

 
My goodness, this article was a complete description of my experience...almost exactly, except i ended up canceling my baptism 20 minutes before. I also started investigating the church because a guy I was dating (who has since left on a misison) was Mormon. They really don't tell you anything controversial during your discussions and then ask "well, do you have any questions?" I honestly didn't know what questions to ask. Then they surprise you with "well, what date should we set for your baptism?" I was so taken aback when they brought that up, and some how i got all the way to my baptismal date before I realized what I was doing.And it's so true that the church is very appealing because of how nice LDS members are. I love all my Mormon friends and family to death, but I don't feel its right for me. They are STILL trying to get me to be baptized into their church.

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Posted on 02/26/2007 at 1:02:00 AM

 
I believe the definition of a cult is in order, here. A group is not classified a cult because they all like to attend church at other times than mainstream churches, or even because they decide to use Pepsi in their communion service, or if they speak in tongues.... What makes a cult exactly that.... oh, let's just whip up an article because this needs to be organized :) Kathy, God is proud of you. I think you know that :) Nice to be allowed into Heaven by grace instead of by the success of your earthly husband receiving his planet as a god, then calling you out of the grave in order to populate that planet through celestial sex with his polygamous wives who will remain eternally pregnant, having spirit babies who then travel to your hubby god's planet to be babies to his "Adam and Eves"..... whew... I bet you're happy to know Christ will admit you into eternity instead.... With my luck, I would have ticked off my husband before I died, then he wouldn't have called me from the grave i

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Posted on 01/03/2007 at 8:01:00 PM

 
I thoroughly enjoyed this amazing article. I respect you highly for being able to show what the LDS church and the Mormon religion are all about, without ever attacking anyone. This was a well-written, personal piece that I think is one of the best I've read on AC thus far.

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Posted on 11/19/2006 at 6:11:00 PM

 
I moved to Utah a couple years ago, and have lived the same scenario as you (except I like to be very well informed before making such a huge decision). I could go on all day with facts that would disprove in a heartbeat every ounce of that religion, but this post has been far to well-written and respectful for that kind of talk. Kudos for an article that is 100% accurate - I know, because everyone I know - at school, work, family (except my parents), and friends are Mormons, and I am the odd one out.

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Posted on 11/04/2006 at 1:11:00 PM

 
This was an extremely well-written article. My husband and I moved to Nevada a few years ago and when some Mormons stopped by and asked if they could "share" with us, we respectfully declined. I only knew what I'd read on certain websites about Mormonism-mostly negative, so it's good to be able to get a first-hand account from someone who actually was a part of their church.

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Posted on 10/30/2006 at 12:10:00 PM

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