Why I Left the Mormon Church (& Why I’m Talking About It)
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- Опубликовано: 23 май 2019
- “To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.”
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UPDATE: This video got a lot more attention than I ever expected it to. I did start making videos consistently and the quality gets better after the first few.
Email me: exmolex@gmail.com
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I’m 18 and last night I told my parents I don’t believe in the church anymore. It was truly heartbreaking and hard but I feel so good. Yes, my parents are gonna judge me and be confused for a long time, but I no longer have to hold onto this deep secret and pretend to have a connection to a church that I know isn’t true and has done horrible things. I watched your tiktoks yesterday, and you’re the reason I could come forward. Thank you so much for being honest and sharing your truth. It helped me so much.
Just tell them they worship a pedophile. It worked for me.
@@kennethgorman5524 bro they already know lmao I wish I could get them to leave
I left the Baptist , then the non denominational churches @21 because I knew the Joseph Smith testimony was true. I knew it and I wont ever recant my testimony. Im forever grateful that I believe. I died in April 1973 and when I was told by a being who looked similar to Angel Moroni, that it was not yet my time and that i had a mission yet to fulfill.
I was deathly ill in the hospital for 30 days and I refused surgery because id have an ostomy and was proud. Im grateful i listened to the big guy cause I'm 71 yrs. old now and have had really amazing blessings and seen miracles for 50 yrs. The most important miracle is the infinite atonement of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and his infinite love and mercy to all of his children. God be with you dear one. Candy
@@robertwiley3098 it is legit proven that the Book of Mormon is fake, that Joseph Smith created multiple “first vision” stories all contradicting each other, that he didn’t translate the book of Abraham, etc. Joseph Smith was a fraud. God be with you, Robert, but the Joseph Smith we’re talking about is definitely not a prophet.
I just joined but for the members and wife . They trained to be good . More educated. To pushy and religious jealous. To fast.. middle man jesus or god they do ... your journey ... my church is open to other aspects... basically book mormon is more testimony...
Just yo help you spiritually, avoid contention and trouble ...
We all blessed and teaches to accept opportunities and focus on relationships healthy ones ...
You learned enough . Temple pamphlet and information I loved ... learned a lot ...
Ever get married you go back to religion so be less stress trauma . They be committed not drinking at bars and cheating. Lol.
We Ex-Mormons understand believing and faithful Mormons because we have have been there once ourselves.
But they don’t understand us.
They have never been where we are now.
That is spot on. I do try to respect the orthodox and true-believing Mormons for their faith. I wish they would do the same for me.
Well said
@@angelenapulis9083 I am a believer. And you, no. You are free to live your life, and I am free to live mine. But when as a church, we are attacked through falsehoods and half-truths or truths taken out of context, we have a right and obligation to defend it. Sorry that you feel bothered by the faithful. When someone shares their faith with you, especially if they are family or friends, it is a sign that they care for you. I have catholic family that tries to convert me to catholicism all of the time. They care about me. I have evangelical friends who say I will go to hell if I continue believing in the restored church. They care for me. Don't take somebody sharing their faith with you personally. Just my thoughts
Do you not think that us faithful do not understand doubt? Do you think that Jesus doesn't understand doubt? "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" Us faithful have experienced doubt, and our personal Gethsemane's. We have experienced the "midsts of darkness" spoken about in 1 Nephi 8. Many have chosen to keep running our hands along the rod of iron, in faith. Faith is more than a feeling. It is more than a belief. Faith is also a choice. I've been a member since age 18, and for the last 15 or so years. Served a mission. Read all pro and all anti literature out there. It wasn't until a couple of years ago where I started to learn about what "faith" really is. And why faith? It led to many thrilling discoveries in both the Bible and BofM. It also led to about 5-7 great talks from Elder Anderson. Keep your head up. Whether you come back to church, or remain distant, your life is important, and has value. You are a VIP to our great Creator. You are not some accident of the cosmos.
@@Ether-pb5gb I appreciate you reaching out. I can tell you are devoted to the church, and I remember being on that side of that. You want to share your faith and you do it (I assume) out of the goodness of your heart. I used to do that, too. To the faithful, inactive, non-members, you name it.
Here’s the thing. Unless you have gone through a faith crisis that has shattered the way you viewed yourself and the world, you can’t quite understand what we mean when we say we don’t feel understood, respected, listened to, or supported for our choice to leave the church or for our change of beliefs. Not by everyone. There are some amazing people in the LDS church, and sometimes they shower us with love and acceptance. It’s not always the case, though. We get judged, we get shamed, we get labeled as sinful, faithless, ignorant, angry, offended, and so on. Mormons value the conversion process so much for investigators that join the church, but they tend to act the opposite for people who investigate elsewhere and have a faith transition OUT of the church.
I know what you mean about people of any faith trying to share their beliefs or convert you, etc. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that, but it can be done for the wrong reasons, or it can cross a line. For me, I have a necessary boundary for my Mormon friends and family: I don’t want to be preached to. It feels unsafe and uncomfortable. Leaving the church emotionally and mentally and even physically has been painful and scary. The things I learned about church history devastated me. I felt lied to and betrayed. I am allowed to feel this hurt-and I am allowed to tell people to stop trying to bring me back, because I don’t want to go back. It’s a toxic place for me. It’s not a good spiritual fit anymore. People should be kind enough to respect that, in the same way that you would respect the wishes of a soldier with PTSD or an abuse victim or an eating disorder survivor to NOT talk about the things that trigger them if they ask you not to. I mean, you wouldn’t tell them to go back into a harmful situation, would you?
I've never been Mormon, but have lived in Utah for 16 years. Your videos provide education for me to better understand my Mormon friends and neighbors. I hope you find much happiness and peace in your new journey.
Not a Mormon here either, christened catholic, did my communion and confirmation. I felt like my ancestors and God were watching my every move, through a looking glass from above. It kept me awake at night but I never found any answers
By the time I was 12/13 I couldn’t get rid of the thought that if I was born in the Middle East, I’d be Muslim. If I was born on a different street in Northern Ireland, I’d be Protestant. Doctrine is ridiculous. Who tf needs religion to be a good person?
Who cares about what comes after when there are so many different ideologies. Being a good person on earth is all that matters. Who cares what comes after if there is no definite answer? Love those around you
an organization's true character is revealed not by how they treat you when you join, but how they treat you when you leave.
actually they don't do anything...and that's a fact, I've seen a couple millennials leave and they basically feel awkward and distance themselves and some are angry and from then on talk badly, it's sad
Good point Nico... "You've chosen Satan's path instead. How dare you! Don't worry--We'll keep nagging you night and day until you see the error of your ways and come back. You're so lucky that you have us to look out for you."
You could say that the Church of Jesus Christ which ever one you believe it to be so is true and perfect. But the members will never be perfect because of human nature. Therefore if humans were perfect there would be no need for a church or organization to guide people to christ. Here is a good short story to show what I mean.
"A lady went to her Pastor/Bishop and said 'Pastor, I won't be going to your church anymore.'
The Pastor responded 'But why?'
The lady said 'Ah! I saw a woman gossipping about another member; a man that is a hypocrite; the worship team living wrong; people looking at their phone during service; among so many other things wrong in your church.'
The Pastor replied 'OK. But before you go, do me a favor: take a full glass of water and walk around the church three times without spilling a drop on the ground. Afterwards, leave the church if you desire.'
The lady thought: too easy! She walked three times around the church as the Pastor had asked. When she finished she told the Pastor she was ready to leave.
The Pastor said, 'Before you leave I want to ask you one more question. When you were walking around the church, did you see anyone gossipping ?'
The lady replied 'No.'
'Did you see any hypocrites?'
The lady said 'No.'
'Anyone looking at their phone?'
'No.'
'You know why?'
'No.'
'You were focused on the glass, to make sure you didn't stumble and spill any water. It's the same with our life. When we keep our eyes on Jesus, we don't have time to see the mistakes of others. We will reach out a helping hand to them and concentrate on our own walk with the Lord.'"
@@donnavaughn9409 wasn't my experience.
When I left, the woman who was my YW leader told others “she must have sinned pretty bad” a lot of people I was close with shut me out of their lives. It hurt but I did what I thought was best.
Thank you so much for creating this video. I was raised Mormon and, as my mother put it, lived and breathed the gospel. I am right smack in the middle of my faith transition now, and it is so healing to hear other people speak up about this. I hate it when members tell ex-members to keep silent. It’s hypocritical and rude.
I'm not Mormon but I have two friends that are. I don't understand why they won't tell me things when I ask. They just say "it's sacred." If they truly wanted to convert somebody it seems to me they would want to share everything with you. Keeping secrets just makes the whole thing seem shady. Also, telling people who leave that they have to keep silent just tells me they know they are steering people wrong. Just my opinion from an ex-Catholic. Lol.
@@roxannebowers4955 I hear you. I have been feeling that way, too, for the past several weeks. There are so many things that don’t get talked about in the LDS church, and that includes its problematic history and the covenants that you’ll be told you have to make in order to get into the highest part of heaven-and let’s not forget they will have you commit to keeping the covenants before you know what they are... There are so many kind Mormons that I know, and I had a lot of positive, meaningful experiences in the church... and I want to respect other people for their religion/faith... but I also need safe spaces like this to be able to express my anger and confusion about my experiences, too.
Thank you for making this video,a lot of people are leaving the Church.It is business,a billion dollar Corporations in one with many more off of it.It is not a Church,
@@roxannebowers4955 but you wouldn’t understand without study first
The Bible reveals Joseph Smith as the solution for the 666 beast He had to be a true prophet to have known this! .ruclips.net/video/CYcqAL4KTRQ/видео.html and also this video likewiseruclips.net/video/qQkeXB4qisg/видео.html
"When I was leaving the church, one of the biggest things for me that helped was listening to other people talk about it. So I hope that this can help someone else out there that's going through the same thing."
Believe me, it has.
The Bible reveals Joseph Smith as the solution for the 666 beast He had to be a true prophet to have known this! .ruclips.net/video/CYcqAL4KTRQ/видео.html and also this video likewiseruclips.net/video/qQkeXB4qisg/видео.html
Coming back after 3 years out to say that this very video is what finally snapped me out the drone mindset of Mormonism and I began to study and study and study.
So glad for you sharing your story when you did.
I'm so glad you and your husband discovered it at the same time. That is a blessing. In so many marriages only one person will find out and it destroys the relationship. :-(
My personal experience has been that "the Church" cares a heck of a lot less about what I have to say . . . than what I have to PAY.
I am a direct descendant of Parley P Pratt, my dad left and as I grew up I saw why. Leaving is so hard and talking about it openly is so much more difficult. Thank you, the truth sets us free ❤️
I too am a direct descendant of Parley P Pratt. I guess we're cousins. I come from his 4th wife, Mary Wood; Mathoni Pratt; Harold Sheets Pratt; and my father Harold Anderson Pratt. All of my immediate family, 7 siblings and mother are still active and believers. I've been inactive for over 30 years but am just now truly considering whether it's true or not. Nice to 'meet' you cousin 🤗 what a history we have...
I have been ex-mo for over 20 years now. Was born into it and always felt something was off about it. I totally get how you felt because even though I didn’t believe it fully, my whole life still revolves around it and it was a shock and heartbreaking to lose this piece of your identity. I just wish I could wake others up out of this Mormon fog. I didn’t have any support group going through it, I was on my own, I didn’t even consider that those were a thing.
I agree 100%. There was definitely something off about it. I remember even as a kid when when I first found out about Joseph Smith's vision in the woods, I was thinking "Oh no, we don't really believe that--Do we?" I wanted to believe in a fair God, and that out of all of the billions of people who have lived, he's only gonna give that special treatment to ONE person? And then you find out that he was only 14 when he had that vision, and I remember red flags going up non-stop in my head. If I was a 14-year-old having that experience, I'd be looking around and thinking "Me? Are you sure you want ME to restore this gospel? Surely, there's got to be many people older and more qualified than I." And yet did Joey Baloney ever ask this question? No, because putting any seeds of doubt into the validity of his claim would have completely gone against his plan to brainwash everyone, and I don't think he had any idea at the time just how successful his con would be almost 200 years later.
Your bravery and intelligence at such a young age is inspiring. I just stumbled on this video and I’m thankful for you sharing your story.
Kai gang 😎😎
The Bible reveals Joseph Smith as the solution for the 666 beast He had to be a true prophet to have known this! .ruclips.net/video/CYcqAL4KTRQ/видео.html and also this video likewiseruclips.net/video/qQkeXB4qisg/видео.html
She seemed honest by telling why she left the Church. I didn’t get what her beliefs are now. Has she joined another church or has she turned atheist?
@@jimbomanzano5743 Atheist or something along the Atheist to Agnostic spectrum. She has described herself as an Atheist. The world needs positive role models that believe in tolerance and acceptance as well as having no need for organized religion. It’s not an easy road because people are, on average, more willing to accept having beliefs in god and magic than having a willingness to believe that an Atheist can be a moral and loving person. We all have to believe in something because that is a way of simplifying the overwhelming need of consciousness to have a focus and an override to suppress all of the sensory input coming from our bodies and interactions with other people. She believed that simply being honest about her journey and tolerant of her friends and family still in the church that she could continue to have loving interactions with practicing church members. The church makes that impossible, in my opinion, and she has been severely tested in holding onto that belief. I call that a belief because it isn’t logical or practical to continue loving people still in the church because they are propagandized and pressured into rejecting anyone that doesn’t conform and it is heartbreaking to see it happen to her. It is however totally predictable from my perspective and experience.
A belief in god is a ascribing tangible qualities to something that isn’t present in reality. The unknown and indescribable nature of being is a constant journey and infinitely revelatory no matter what you believe or don’t believe. The main problem that I see with the church is that it uses petty and arbitrary rules to reveal a path to enlightenment that actually only comes after death. I want to seek enlightenment in the here and now. For me that necessitates rejection of the church and its members because it is just too painful for me but I can also imagine why someone would believe that it is possible. I once did and I can also vaguely remember the free thinkers and spiritual seekers, that I once knew as a church member, but since the seventies the church has become increasingly authoritarian and inflexible. I only care about the issues of religion because christians are a minority that are increasingly demanding political power and they are getting it. Every intelligent and ambitious person that I ever knew in SLC, who isn’t a member or a believer, has had to leave the state because of the intensity of social ostracism that one must endure in mormon Utah. I watch the ExmoLex channel because I like her positive post mormon attitude. Personally I don’t have any love for the church because it has broken my relationships with my brothers and even till the end of my working days I was haunted by it’s presence because I lost work opportunities, even in Hawaii, because the HR person in charge of staffing jobs was mormon and showed preference to other mormons when recruiting for the best jobs. I get why people stay in the church whether they believe or not. It keeps them in the club. For someone who believes that spirituality matters it is particularly painful to stay in a church that believes in conformity and authoritarianism above all else. Above family, above love, above community and above the intellectual traditions of thousands of years of human evolution. I believe that people can change but that is as crackpot a belief as anything. People don’t want to change anything and they aren’t built for it so humanity plunges headlong into one disaster after another because we can’t change to a paradigm where we love ourselves and others equally. Isn’t that what the Jesus of the Bible wanted? It was impossible for his lifetime and it remains impossible now. Still, I have to try and I take some comfort in knowing that I am not the only person who is willing to change everything and risk everything in order to strive for a better world. That is why I appreciate ExmoLex. She is trying with all of her heart.
Good for you Lexi. I started asking questions when I was 13 and the elders would get mad at me and try to intimidate rather than explain. That is why I left at 14. Everything I have learned since, has just solidified my early knowledge.
I left when I was 14 as well!
@@Jeanskirtsgirl you wernt old enough to understand the church you were just a dumb teenager
I saw you on Mormon Stories. I think you’re doing really good things! I left the church in 2005 when I was 32 and pregnant with my 5th child. I had 3 callings at the time. I had read “An Insider’s View of Mormon Origins” that was sold (at the time) at the Desert Book store. I was in an abusive (temple) marriage, and when I left the church I lost 90% of my friends, including my childhood friends, because I tried to share what I had learned with them. I am glad that you and others are speaking out. In 2005 I didn’t have any online support groups, and I didn’t know about Mormon Stories until quite a few years after I left. I am happily divorced and I am doing well now on my own. I have never regretted leaving the church, in fact it saved my life to do so because I was able to change my beliefs around divorce. It was really hard - I am not trying to sugar coat anything. However, I can truthfully say that it was all worth it. Keep sharing your videos and speaking out! ♥️♥️♥️
@Amber R. Thurman the closest short answer is Agnostic.
Did you get to keep your children when you left the church?
@@marjoriecheadle6052 It’s a long story. I left the abusive ex in 2007. He stalked & terrorized me until 2012. We technically have joint custody of our daughters & I have primary physical custody. He hasn’t been here to see our girls since June of 2016, which is a good thing for all of us. (He abused all of us.) He’s been remarried now for several years & lives in another state… thank goodness. He needs to stay away from us. He caused a lot of damage. (Our 2 youngest ones are now a Sophomore & a Senior in high school for age reference.)
Lexi: I have been listening to your interview with John Dehlin. I am so sorry for your pain and so grateful for how you have turned your pain into compassion and support for people going through this journey. Thank you!
PS - I left the church 23 years ago and am still processing the pain. I accept that this process may go on for me the rest of my life... the deception hurt that bad.
Deception confusion reblion. So sad i once
thought the church of jesus christ. Was hard work.. but i have never been a mormon..
But do have a testimony that jesus christ was the son of god.and will come again .. a second time. To issure in the millennium.peace...
Babylon will fall..
Thank you ♥️
I'm an ex mormon from Italy. I left at the age of 18 and now that I'm 21, I'm happier than ever.
My name is Heidi. This is actually my husbands account. I really wanted to comment on your story. Just saying I totally feel your pain. I’m 58 and was completely immersed in the LDS church. It is so painful leaving and finding out the truth. It was my whole life
Sorry to hear that Heidi. Can I give you a hug.
"My name is Heidi. This is actually my husbands account. I really wanted to comment on your story. Just saying I totally feel your pain. I’m 58 and was completely immersed in the LDS church. It is so painful leaving and finding out the truth. It was my whole life"
I may be speaking out of turn but just wanted to say - it wasn't your whole life - you have much life to live in your new found existence - enjoy it!
I left the church too and I completely understand. Thanks for sharing.
I just watched this AFTER seeing your more recent videos. I cannot believe how you have grown in confidence since making this video and I still think this video is amazing. You have blossomed since leaving that church. Just wow!
I understand you and support you! I discovered that Islam was wrong when I was 20! My family kicked me away, friends hated me, police arrested me... spent days eating rubbish and sleeping in parks, ... truth prevails!
So brave
You’re very brave. I hope you’re safe. I have heard terrible things about what happens to people when they leave Islam. May God protect you.
May God bless and keep you ❤️
I disagree. History is proof lies have frequently prevailed.
What Mormons go through to leave their religion is nothing compared to what you had to go through. I honor you for your courage and integrity to follow truth in spite of the great price you had to pay to do it.
I think it's really admirable that you read the CES letter because you wanted to help lift someone up and be a friend, despite the fact that they believed different than you and I'm sure it was uncomfortable to explore. Your videos are really great, thank you for having the courage to share your perspective to help people again.
Then you will know the truth and the truth will set up free. So wonderful of you to share your story. You should share it on Mormon stories as well:)
The Bible reveals Joseph Smith as the solution for the 666 beast He had to be a true prophet to have known this! .ruclips.net/video/CYcqAL4KTRQ/видео.html and also this video likewiseruclips.net/video/qQkeXB4qisg/видео.html
I'm 57 years old, and only found the courage to examine all of the things about the Church that have bothered me all my life. I haven't gone to church for a couple of years, but felt guilty about it. Thank you for sharing your experiences. I have chosen to "not be Mormon" anymore, and I'm OK with that now.
Very heartfelt and on the mark video. You express very well what so much of us have come to feel and know over the years.
I left the church more than a year ago and found so much joy in finding spirituality my way. I no longer have to hide who I am. You can tell me I'm misguided or miserable but I'm happy I left.
there is more to life than fornication and sexual fulfillment. I don't see anywhere in the scriptures where it says "thou shalt orgasm". If you want to follow the Burger King Bible, and "have it your way", that's your choice. But remember, "wickedness never was happiness" Alma 41:10
@@Ether-pb5gb ????? i know that????? I'm not constantly having sex i just don't have to hide the fact that I'm gay. I'm happier just doing my best to be a good person. BTW Burger King Bible is my band name now.
@@michoasalways6762 I am happy that you don't feel like you have to hide it. I deeply sympathize with you. I know what it is like to have skeletons in the closet, and then bring them to light. I am happy for you in that regards. Just because you have gay inclinations, doesn't mean you have to choose that path. You can still choose the path of faith. And if your band ends up being successful, I want 10% royalty on all sales/concerts ;) Burger King might want a piece of the pie too.
@@Ether-pb5gb And just because you think have the right to go around sitting in judgment thinking you know how people are supposed to live their lives, doesn't mean you have to choose that path either. I don't think the hereafter is going to go the way you think with that piss poor attitude... You may want to work on that log in your own eye instead of worrying about the lives of others, Physician heal thy self. I always find it funny how people like you who think they speak for God, seem to always have a God who hates the same things they do. Also, the so called skeleton is in the closet because of people like yourself. So in the end you're the cause of the problem, you may want to ponder that and pray about that. I must have been absent that day when they discussed Jesus stating go forth and make others lives as difficult as possible. What chapter is that from?
@@cheetahman859 I don't speak for Christ. But Christ is the way. Learning to trust in Him is the quest of a lifetime...and we all have various degrees of trust and faith in Him. One theme that seems to prevail over and over again as I read the New Testament is that He is constantly trying to encourage us to believe in Him. That alone tells me how much doubt/distrust we have to battle through. I don't try to be a part of the problem. I am sorry that you viewed my comments that way. Personally, I think it is better that we put our trust in God instead of in own understanding.
She thought that Joseph Smith had done one bad thing, and then found out every single little thing. That CES stuff is like undeniable
Where can I find that CES stuff?
@@uzielvazquez8001 type on Google "CES Letter"
Not a mormon but I have been reading the CES letter since I watched this video. It is an absolutely astounding document
The definition of irony: When a beautiful young woman is pouring out her heart on why she left the Mormon church only to have a commercial from the Mormon church explaining to people why the temples were closed during this pandemic and that they are opening soon.
Wow, proud of you.
I was baptized Catholic but later to the LDS church at 8. I cannot believe that they allow 8 year olds to make such a big decision! When I was 8 I could barely tie a shoe and write legibly. “Accepting the savior” at 8 such a big responsibility.
Don’t get me wrong, the church has helped my family throughout the pandemic but they have become extremely pushy. I’m still in high school and feel a great responsibility in everything despite explaining my situation various times.
I have a plan to leave when i’m 18 because I cannot be in a church with homophobia, racism, and guil tactics to keep their members to stay. Whenever I tell my parents I don’t want to go to church they said it’s because I can’t to do what the devil does but it’s because I don’t want to be around superficial people who do not care about my well being!
I am the only mormon in my school and cannot talk to my other friends because they aren’t Mormon nor active so they wouldn’t get it. I feel sad because when I leave I don’t want people to think it’s because I want to live a sinful life, leaving the church does not mean renouncing God or Jesus, to me it means leaving a toxic place. I hope one day I’m as strong as you!
Much love ❤️
You’re already doing pretty well. Hang on to the Jesus of the BIBLE. Get one and read it, prayerfully. The structure of the Mormon Church actually comes from Freemasonry. That’s why their rituals, handshakes, constant works and the like, you will not find anything like that in the Biblical Jesus. Rock on. Prayerfully. Wisdom will come
The REAL Jesus is not in the Mormon church. Get a bible that is easy to understand. Jesus is excited to meet you! He is love. He is kind.
You articulated so well what so many others have / are going thru. So great you and your spouse out together. Thank you!
I found out the truth even before the CES letter, had the same emotions, keep speaking the truth, you are doing great
I thought there was something wrong with me to feel this way. It's been 4yrs we have left the church but I struggle to let go, my garments hold me back, I got used to them and bonded with gospel principles. It's a purely programming that is so deep. I cry a lot and feel depressed sometimes, even when I know the truth, it's all been a lie. Finding your video makes me see it is normal to feel this way, I will need to seek for help to attend to this as any other trauma like loosing a loved one etc. Thank u so much for this message.
It takes a lot to have the strength to leave things you spent your whole life believing, but the truth is important.
"It takes a lot to have the strength to leave things you spent your whole life believing, but the truth is important."
A popular analogy is the sparrow is never afraid when the twig it is resting on breaks, because it puts its trust in its ability to fly, rather than the relative safety of the branch.
Just found your channel. And wow... you get it. You get EXACTLY how I feel. I want to speak up and I want to share my story because I feel like it’s the only way I can truly move on from all the trauma. But I’m so scared, because I know I could lose people. I know how everyone would react. I wish I could show them what I’m really trying to say without the veil (ba dum tsss) of judgement being placed over me. I’m hopeful one day I’ll be brave enough to share my story. Thank you ❤️
Get yourself a good support group that can help& encourage you & when you are ready then speak
It takes courage to examine one's beliefs and even more courage to set them aside for the truth.
Very interesting, thank you for sharing this. I also been an mormon for 10.years now.
It doesn't take much courage to leave a belief system that requires lots of work and dedication for a belief system that requires nothing of you. Usually it just takes an ounce of confirmation bias.
Well said
Tyler Barney what’s that suppose to mean??
@@ruysen100 hopefully you don't take counsel from the faithless. Have you read the books "Saints", volumes 1 and 2? Very faith promoting. Especially the account of Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner. Absolutely stunning. Keep the faith, and remember that the voices from the Great and Spacious Building (1 Nephi 8) are going to get bigger and louder. But let's heed them not (1 Nephi 8)
Hi Lexi, I know you get a lot of comments so I don’t expect you to read this but I just wanted to say thank you for uploading this video. I am in an interfaith marriage and have been struggling for years to make Mormonism work in my household. We had a baby last year and I started taking him to church (I have struggled with being active because of the problems it’s caused in our marriage) but my husband expressed his desire to have our son go to a non-denominational church. I kept brushing it off until last week he said we needed to make a decision about how we were going to raise our son (in the church or not). I was searching RUclips on how to hear God’s voice because I really needed to know what to do for my son as well as how to not make this contentious with my husband. Your video popped up in my RUclips queue and I thought about skipping it because leaving the church wasn’t on my mind. I let it play since I was in the car driving. I had never heard of the CES paper or any of the things you mentioned (even though I had grown up very active in the church). After reading the letter and reading other things, I was able to make the decision that my son will not be raised in the church and I will never be going back. It’s absolutely heartbreaking learning this information and I am trying to navigate figuring out who I am without the church to define my morals/values/lifestyle etc. Even though I am devastated, I feel like a weight has been lifted off my chest and I can stop feeling the shame caused by the church’s standards.Thank you so much for making this video!
I remember feeling exactly like what you described. I promise that feeling goes away with time. Wishing you the very best going forward!! Thank you so much for sharing your story ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
As an ex evangelical I would caution against going to even a non-denominational church. I was a very earnest, devoted Christian and years ago started to deconstruct my faith. I am not Christian or religious at all anymore. And (surprise!) I have more peace, hope and love than ever before. It really helps when you realize that you have these things inside you along and don't need it from an outside source. I have read a lot about recovering from religion and the trauma it causes and am so grateful that we are raising our children without all that. Contrary to what we were told they would be without god, they are conscientious, compassionate and have the ability to think critically. They also own their bodies and their lives and live without the constant fear of judgement.
My husband left after we had 3 kids. I left a few years after him. Best decision! I'm proud of you for this decision- not that you need anyone to be- but I remember someone saying "I've never heard anyone say they are proud of me for leaving the church" but it still feels nice to hear. Hope you're doing well!
@@idasapp8007 thank you for sharing this, it’s good to know that kids can be great people without the indoctrination of god.
I was born into a Mormon family and I'm 15 now and already want out. I've done countless hours of studying and researching and don't want to be trapped for the rest of my life. I've tried explaining my feelings to my parents but they refuse to let me leave. They told me if i wanted to have an A lifestyle and wanted to live under there roof I have to attend seminary, I have to participate in church related activities, I have to do all these things that I do not believe in. I understand they're doing it because they want the best for me but I don't want to be a member anymore. Do you have any advice for me? I really need help.
Hey I'm 18 and recently told my mom I don't believe any more. Here is some advice I got a while ago.
You are a beautiful flower accidentally planted in the wrong geographic area for your unique species of plant seedling. Up until this point, you have done OK. Basic soil, water and light let you initially sprout some roots and stretch out and green growth starting to reach up towards the world. But for reasons largely beyond your control - you now need different gardeners, water, soil, nutrients and better lighting. Basically - you need to TRANSPLANT YOURSELF INTO A BETTER ENVIRONMENT.
Now. If you rip any plant out by the roots, and just throw it someplace and hope it will grow, it probably isn’t going the survive. So...lets be patient. Do our research, preparation, and make this a successful transplant! I want you not to just live, but to THRIVE! Reality sucks sometimes. My first point sucks. Warning you now. Stay with me until the end.
1. As a minor in your parent’s home, or anyone still financially dependent upon parents, you are subject to their rules.
2. Quit hitting your head against the wall - you are just going to get a head ache and bruised forehead. Fake it. Go to school, chores, church, seminary, firesides and all the other crap. Smile. Just go with the flow and DON’T MAKE WAVES! Make mental notes of all the crap - you can use it against them all in the future!
3. Make school a priority. Get good grades. This will give you options later - hopefully great colleges on grants or scholarships far, far away from home!
4. Work. If not in school. Babysit, mow lawns, get a job and make as much money as you can. This gives you options later. No money = few options.
5. Speaking of money. Don’t make a big deal about your accumulated money, ever! If asked - saving for college! On your 18th Birthday, open your own account, in your name only and put your money in there where only you can touch it.
6. My high school years sucked. I hated them. My TBM friends deserted me and nevermos didn’t give me a chance. However - I loved college. While you wait, develop yourself. Read interesting books and articles. Develop hobbies. Dive into theater or music. Volunteer at charities. Interesting and knowledgeable people attract other cool and interesting people. You don’t want to be free of LDS and have nothing to talk about except the LDS church. Gag! You also may gain new friends as you dive into your interests.
7. Keep off everyone’s radar. Drinking, Smoking, Drugs, Sex, Porn and other vices may seem like they shouldn’t be a big deal. But they attract attention if caught. If caught you will be under a microscope. You may be calm as a cucumber- but if your are friends with someone who gets caught. Guess what, guilt by association and you are now on everyone’s radar. I won’t lie. Some are fun and some are terrible, and some terribly terrific. But none are worth being under the microscope of your parents, teachers or TSCC. I promise away at college or post college there will be plenty of time to explore any or all of these. Girlfriend’s/Boyfriend’s grandma dies and suddenly they think grandma can see the two of you having sex from heaven, feel guilty and confess all to the Bishop/Stake President. If you are going to test anything “radar worthy”, at least don’t do any of it with another Mormon!!!
8. Notice above, I didn’t say no masturbation. Just no sex/porn! Too easy to get caught. Instead, use your imagination. Figure out what you like and don’t like. Your whole body is a sex organ, not just your genitalia. You’ll be a better lover later if you know and can appreciate your own body, and communicate likes/dislikes to partners. Just start doing your own laundry. Don’t ever leave ‘evidence’ behind - and YES, everyone touches themselves. Everyone! Male/Female!
9. Not my most popular point - but not everything LDS taught you is wrong. Fasting teaches you self control of your body and mind. W.oW. teaches moderation in all things. Too much of anything can kill you - including water. So don’t toss out all your learnings. Once you do leave TSCC, be mindful of alcohol and drugs. I’ve seen too many EXMOs go hog wild and become alcoholics or addicts because they threw everything away.
10. Seek out or at least make a mental list of EXMO mentors. Is it that 2nd cousin who came home early from mission, that aunt who is a lesbian, friend’s older brother who got excommunicated? Have some trusted people you can call/go to when it gets rough.
11. Make sure you have/can gain physical control of birth certificates, SS#, passport. Also good to know your parents info for certain forms, like maiden names, birthdays, place of birth, ss#, etc.
12. Emergency Planning! Give some serious thought if it all came out tomorrow what would you do? If pre or post 18th Birthday? Where can you temporarily stay? How will you get there? Can you pay your car insurance, credit card payments, mobile phone(or get your own plan), youth or homeless shelter, soup kitchen. Rainy day cash? Plan ahead so if it goes south you don’t have to figure it out last minute.
13. Learn to cook, clean, laundry, balance checkbook, monthly budget, etc.
14. Become an Academy Award Winning Actor or CIA spy! Until you have everything in place to be completely independent- suck it up. Don’t rock the boat. Stay calm. Don’t lose your temper. Don’t give yourself away. Stay in control.
15. Realize anyone in your situation would be STRESSED OUT. Be kind to and loving to yourself. If Depression gets bad/worse seek help.
You just haven’t had the right conditions yet to grow and be supported. Soon you’ll be in a better situation. Great new people and environment and you can become your best self and THRIVE! In the meantime, all the EXMOs are here if you need to talk, bounce ideas or just vent.
Come on over to reddit.com/r/exmormon/ and feel free to post stuff there, we will help you get through this!
Play pretend until you're 18 and get out.
Make a deal with your parents. Tell them that if they can help you understand the answers to everything in the CES letter, then you'll attend seminary and do everything they want you to do. Hopefully, the CES letter will make them question their own beliefs and they'll understand how you feel.
The Bible reveals Joseph Smith as the solution for the 666 beast He had to be a true prophet to have known this! .ruclips.net/video/CYcqAL4KTRQ/видео.html and also this video likewiseruclips.net/video/qQkeXB4qisg/видео.html
As a parent, I think your folks look out at the evils of the world and they are concerned about where you might land. The Mormon church seems like the safest place for you, so I'm sure they are motivated by love. What you can do to assuage their fears is to draw near to the true God. Let them see that you want God's best for your life, and part of what's best is to not live a lie.
This was so perfect.Thank you so so so much for sharing.
Thank you for doing this video. As I listened to you, i was reliving what I went thru during my journey out of the church. I was a member for 35 yrs. I, like you was so grateful to know that my family was eternal ( I’ve lost a lot of loved ones through illness and accidents) That is why I loved the church, did Temple work. It was heartbreaking when I found out the truth. I went through a grieving period. I felt like someone kicked me in the gut and I lost my breath for sometime. It’s been close to 5 yrs now since my husband and I left. A lot of our extended family don’t know. Our grown children know, one daughter and her family are active and don’t have a lot to do with us. We’re apostates😉. Our other 3 children aren’t active either.. But like you mentioned, I’m a better person, not judging people or trying to make everyone a Mormon any longer. I was a good person as a member and I’m a good person now. I agree that we should talk about it when people ask. I wish I would’ve had someone to visit with during my faith crisis. Life is wonderful, lots of weight off our shoulders and my self esteem is back. It’s hard to live always striving to be perfect.....when that’s impossible in this life. God Bless you and thank you again.❤️
I have been told to watch this video for a while now by a friend of mine and I’m glad I finally did! Your story is sooo similar to what I’ve been through, although I wish there was more get together with exmo groups! (Damn COVID!) anyways, thanks for sharing!! I loved hearing your story and I feel supported without even speaking to you or knowing you !
Imagining how it must have felt, realizing that something you believed in for 25 years was a lie, made me cry. Nobody should go through anything like that. I truly hope you managed to move on from this trauma.
Hey, thanks for posting this. I just read the CES letter 2 days ago, and it’s been so hard. I don’t even know what to do now. It’s good to hear other people talk about it, and say it gets easier!
Kylee Maestas it is so hard in the beginning, but it definitely gets better with time! Explore your world without those limits and you’ll start to realize you can be more your authentic self than you’ve ever been. I’m enjoying my life happier than ever! I hope the same thing happens for you, too ♥️
Please look at my post in the main thread. The CES letter has so much wrong. I just covered a few things but others have made more full responses. One is here: ..ruclips.net/video/ynmMW4wnTFU/видео.html
Kylee- Be patient with yourself. You don’t have “to know” what to do now because in essence you’ve lost your bearings. The key is that this loss is only temporary. You’ll come out on top with greater understanding of yourself and the world around you. You’ll be going through the grieving process so brush up on the steps involved. That way you’ll understand the anger and processing required to come out a healthier person. There are plenty of people supporting your journey just make sure you’re supporting yourself along the way too with forgiveness and patience.
Hey Kylee, conflictofjustice.com is a really good source for looking into responses that the CES letter imposes. Since you are looking into church history, it's important to look really deep and not just the tip of the iceberg like anti's like to do if you wish to do so. Good luck in your quest and remember that you aren't alone!
Nothing on the ces letter is new or revelatory. Very old old arguments about the church. Do your hw, and stop thinking gods gift comes in a perfect box with a red bow., it doesnt make it any less of a gift cause its not what you expected. The jews didnt expect jesus as a babe born in a manger. What happens to these members testimonys? Stay close to the spirit and dont let someone ever convince you that the spirit is false or some chemical reaction akin to adrenaline. Its nothin like that its a connection to your creator that is unmistakable unexplainable and otherworldly. It burns so hot so intensely and only comes when we testify of christ or our thoughts are centered around him or he is encircling you about with love and reassurance. Come back! We need u god needs the work needs you. Many are falling by the way side and its heartbreaking to see. Develop your faith each and everyday put god first and build upon his son. We all sang it the wise man and the foolish man but did you enternalize it or plant it and see what tree it sprouts into. Foolish generation so easily misled and untrusting of the god who gave them life. Smh man. Sad emoji.
I wanted the church to be true, I tried to convince myself that it was true. I have a relationship with Jesus and our Heavenly Father,just apart from the church. I read the Bible only.
Amen. Most become atheists. So glad to hear you hung onto the real Word of God
I’m so very glad you have a relationship with Jesus.... keep your eyes on Him, He is the way💕
God bless you and protect you Rob.
Hebrews 10:25, KJV: "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
The thing is Jesus said he would restore his church just like the one Jesus establish when he was on the earth.
@@brianprince1649 jesus said he would restore his church? i would like to read that in the bible.
did jesus say that he is the foundation of the church, or did he say there is no solid foundation, and all mankind is left up to their own devices?
did jesus die for good for ever never to raise again?
did jesus say when i go the holy spirit will come?
I just love you! I stumbled upon your channel doing some research looking for resources to send to a dear friend that I’m trying to get out of the Church. I’ve watched a lot of your videos and am just now seeing this one. It’s just so heartfelt and sincere. So funny to hear you say “maybe I’ll do another video. IDK, it’s really not my thing.” 😂 This is SO your thing and I’m so glad you’re doing it. I can’t wait to send this link to my friend (trying to space it out) and I’m just hoping that she’s looking at some of it and that it resonates. Keep it up. You’re wonderful!
hey thank you so much for this video. I was also devastated when I came to these realizations...my world was turned upside down for a while. (I grew up mormon and I'm not anymore)
Not n ex mormon but I have recently left my chosen church after 40 yrs. Your pain and struggle was very real for me. I could feel the loss you felt and the life void it left for you. I'm still working through it. So much to work on as I journey towards God without the religious abuse and "we are the only true church". Thank you for being Raw and Real. It means the same for even those of us that are not ex Mormon.
“Last thing I remember, I was
Running for the door
I had to find the passage back to the place I was before
'Relax' said the night man,
'We are programmed to receive.
You can check out any time you like,
But you can never leave!'”
With a TBM wife and daughters!
THANKS for sharing your story!!👍
Greetings from Amsterdam.
My heart goes out to you
greetings from New Mexico !!!
Church is true
www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/ldsorg/media-library/ebook-pdf/Saints-v1-English-PD60001624.pdf?lang=eng
My dear friends we are living in the last days of this old sinful world, Just remember that we told that Jesus said I have sheep in the other fouled:But when they hear my voice they will follow Me,Jesus looked toward Heaven and prayed: FATHER THE TIME HAS COME TO GLORYFY YOUR SON, THAT YOUR SON MAY GLORYFY YOU. FOR YOU GRANTED HIM AUTHORITY OVER ALL PEOPLE THAT HE MIGHT GIVE ETERNAL LIFE TO ALL THOSE YOU HAVE GIVEN HIM. NOW THIS IS ETERNAL LIFE: THAT THEY MAY KNOW YOU, THE ONLY TRUE GOD, AND JESUS CHRIST, WHOM YOU HAVE SENT. I HAVE BROUGHT YOU GLORY ON EARTH BY COMPLETING THE WORK YOU GAVE ME TO DO. AND NOW, FATHER, GLORYFY ME IN YOUR PRESENCE WITH THE GLORY I HAD WITH YOU BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN. "Jesus Prays for His Disciples"I HAVE REVEALED YOU TO THOSE YOU GAVE ME OUT OF THE WORLD. THEY WERE YOURS; YOU GAVE THEM TO ME AND THEY HAVE OBEYED YOUR WORD. NOW THEY KNOW THAT EVERYTHING YOU HAVE GIVEN ME COMES FROM YOU FOR I GAVE THEM THE WORDS YOU GAVE ME AND THEY ACCEPTED THEM. THEY KNEW WITH CERTAINLY THAT I GAME FROM YOU, AND THEY BELIEVED THAT YOU SENT ME. I PRAY FOR THEM. I AM NOT PRAYING FOR THE WORLD, BUT FOR THOSE YOU HAVE GIVEN ME , FOR THEY ARE YOURS. ALL I HAVE IS YOURS AND ALL YOU HAVE IS MINE. AND GLORY HAS COME TO ME THROUGH THEM. I WILL REMAIN IN THE WORLD NO LONGER, BUT THEY ARE STILL IN THE WORLD AND I AM COMING TO YOU HOLY FATHER. WHILE I WAS WITH THEM I PROTECTED THEM AND KEPT THEM SAFE BY THAT NAME YOU GAVE ME. NONE HAS BEEN LOST EXEPT THE ONE DOOMED TO DESTRUCTION SO THAT SCRIPTURE WOULD BE FULFILLED.
I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. I HAVE GIVEN THEM YOUR WORD AND THE WORLD HAS HATED THEM, MY PRAYER IS NOT THAT YOU TAKE THEM OUT OF THE WORLD BUT THAT YOU PROTECT THEM FROM THE EVIL ONE. THEY ARE NOT OF THE WORLD EVEN AS I AM NOT OF IT.
I think we always need to study the Bible ourselves the real truth. John 17:17 SANTIFY THEM BY THE TRUTH; YOUR WORD IS TRUTH . The Truth will set you free.Because the Bible said; if they speak not according to the Bible, it is because there is no light in them. The Bible JESUS PRAYED AND ASK GOD TO PROTECT ALL THOSE WHO WILL BELIEVE IN THE TRUTH AND MAKE THEM HOLY. AND LET THEM ONE WITH GOD, AND BRING THEM TO HEAVEN TO SEE JESUS GLORY. IF YOU BELIEVE IN JESUS THIS PRAYER WAS FOR YOU TOO.John17:20
THIS IS JESUS PRAYER FOR ALL THE FAITHFUL BELEIVERS I SEND THIS MY DEEPLOVE MY ONLY PRAYER AND TESTIMONY IN JESUS NAME AT THIS END TIME OF HISTORY WITH THE TRUTH OF THE BIBLE LOL.AND GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR CHOICE...
I came to your page thru Jimmy Snow, who has helped me to make it out of, not a Mormon life, but a literalist, fundamentalist, young earth creationist, Baptist upbringing. Dad was a pastor, still a true believer . You see the truth,speak your truth...thank you.
I’m curious, what about your dad’s faith is leaving you wanting?
@@garywright9715 all of it, to quote Carl Sagan "extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence " there was NONE, bit of a lack thereof.
Well done. I have been away from the LDS church for 25 years. I is liberating. I also try to teach my children to still be kind and not speak with anger or hatred toward the church. There are many good people in the LDS church. And I enjoy them. I just don't believe as they do. I also have opened up to exploring all kinds of philosophies regarding life. I have decided that I don't want to spend my days trying to prepare for the next life. I prefer to enjoy this life. I actually am beginning to better understand the Muslim religion. I don't agree with it but I am better educated. My current philosophy is one spoken by Thomas Paine where he said, "My country is the world, all mankind are my brethren, and kindness is my religion." It gives me peace not to dismiss others. I still enjoy many of the teachings of the Bible. Life is worthwhile. I enjoyed your comments and am happy for you. Don't let people discourage you or censor you. Be happy.
Proud Of you! I was born and raised and left the church, you have a community that supportive of you and your journey.... THANKYOU !
against anti-Mormons I checked out your channel-very nice. Exactly the kind of Christlike person that will ensure that those who feel ostracized from the church will never return.
@against anti-Mormons I love it! Please keep posting! I can feel the Spirit!
@against anti-Mormons you bet! So much healthier and happier emotionally than the sewage that you exude! Dark and loathsome comes to mind
@against anti-Mormons Oh, you mean the beverages that Joseph Smith used to drink?
against anti-Mormons dude, what's your problem? Do you really think belittling others is a good Christian's way of life and you will get to heaven for being a snobby brat? If it were so, heaven would be full of snobby brats, terrible place really.
❤️ I’m so happy you did your research and followed your heart! Haha the same thing happened to me, I started focusing on self love and got fit. So many people are leaving the church right now because he Mormon God isn’t a god of love.
I just found you & I love your videos. Your story is so interesting and brave. Thank you for sharing ❤️
Lex, I really congratulate you. One of your latest videos (July 2020) fell on my Facebook timeline. You talked about your hate mail. And at the end, RUclips sent me to this one, that it's a lot older. I can tell you, the change is amazing! In the first, newest video I heard, you look so much merrier and fresher and more comfortable in your own skin than in this one. I'm so happy to notice so obviously how your life changing decision has worked for the best. You have great intelligence and great courage. The best for you and your family! Greetings from Mexico!
Thanks for sharing your story. I left the Church roughly 12 years ago, but just resigned officially this year. Your story sounds a lot like mine. I served a mission and all. I'm glad you've found a supportive community. They didn't really exist when I left, or at least if they did, they were not easy to find. But even back then, I was watching a lot of RUclips videos, which helped. I'm happy you have found the truth and that it has set you free!!
doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith. Can the blind lead the blind?, Jesus asked...It wasn't just Joseph Smith. www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/new-era/2020/01/the-last-witness-of-the-three-witnesses?lang=eng
@@roberttrefcer86 I didn't decide to leave the church based on RUclips videos. I left the church because I discovered it was all based on lies and that the evidence that the church and Christianity, in general, are not true is overwhelming. The atheist RUclips community was there for me when my church friends and family abandoned me, but had nothing to do with my deconversion.
@@Ether-pb5gb My doubts came because of lack of evidence for the truth claims and loads of evidence that the truth claims were false or lies. If you have doubts, you should explore them. J. Reuben Clark said that if the Church is true, an investigation cannot harm it. If it's not true, it ought to be harmed. The truth can and has set me free.
@@JoshuaLaDeau bt that rationale you might as well leave Earth which is a hotbed of lies and corruption
@@roberttrefcer86 That's the stupidest shit I've ever heard in my life. There is a lot of truth and beauty in this world, and if you're too blind to see it, that's your loss, and I feel sorry for you.
the “maybe i could just pretend-but i can’t” feeling is so prevalent when your whole heart and mind has been fully immersed into the church! it really is heartbreaking! i’m still on the road to figure out how to build a new outlook and a new life after leaving!
no !!!! don't let go of the iron rod due to the midst of darkness !!!! did you know an angel of God helped Mary Lightner, who was a married woman, decide to enter into eternal marriage with Joseph Smith? We as members are criticized for plural marriage but WHY DON'T ANTI-MORMONS CHECK OUT THE FACTS AND AFFIDAVITS FOR THEMSELVES???? Check out pages 444-445. the church is true www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/ldsorg/media-library/ebook-pdf/Saints-v1-English-PD60001624.pdf?lang=eng
@@Ether-pb5gb uh. What.
@@tasm829 Facts are facts. It wasn't just JS claiming visions. It wasn't just Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Joseph Fielding Smith, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, Martin Harris, Samual/Hyrum Smith, Sydney Rigdon............and the list goes on. Continue in sin/unbelief and reap the consequences. Press forward in faith and reap the blessings.
@@Ether-pb5gb LOL you can list the whole damn church roster. It still doesn't make it true. People are capable of lying. Do you know how many others had visions for their religion? Why is it that your religion is true and theirs is not?
Religion does not dictate morality or "sin" in any way. People of all colors do things good and bad.
@@tasm829 Mohammed is ONE person with a vision. Buhda is ONE. Elaine White is ONE. Rutherford, to my knowledge, did not have one.
I know that believers of all faiths have had gifts and miracles in their lives, and they are for their personal benefit. I don't believe God only loves those or speaks to those of our particular faith. God works through those of different faiths as well, and inspires them to do good.
But when it happens to more and more and more and more people......it becomes more than just ONE person's convictions, and it becomes more than just a coincidence.
Christopher Columbus was inspired, the founding fathers of the USA were inspired, the Reformers were inspired, the OT prophet Isaiah was inspired.
God is the author of morality, the author of what is right and wrong.
Are you saying that you are not interesting in learning more about the people I mentioned? Are you afraid of discovering the truth?
Thank you so much for sharing your testimony. I use to be a ex Jehovah witness and I enjoy hearing stories like these from ex jehovah witness and ex Mormons. These types of videos do help people out there. I know RUclips videos have helped me a lot and it’s nice to hear about people’s experiences that make me feel like I am not alone. Thank you so much. Keep doing what you are doing. ❤️
This is the first video I encountered after recently discovering the CES Letter. Thank you for sharing your experiences. Your channel has helped me navigate this excruciating experience of leaving behind the only "truths" I've ever known.
It is fortunate that your husband took the journey with you.
Oh YES!
There's nothing more devastating then finding out you've been made a fool of by something or someone you trusted and the LDS Church has done this to so many people since the 1830s it's not even funny. From Joseph Smith to the current Prophet it's all BULL.
@@cocopeah6169 Well... um... no one can say you lack passion. That's for sure.
@@donuwilson7192 1h
Very judgemental people and give the “holier than thou” attitude when really there is a lot going on behind the scenes. Not all people are bad but It seems to me they are quite brainwashed!
By the way. Your story just helped me. Thank you and goodnight.
Ruth Smart I’m so glad!! Thank you for watching ♥️
doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith. Can the blind lead the blind? Don't you know that the 3 witnesses saw an angel of God? Haven't you read about all of the miracles surrounding this latter-day work? Don't you know that the mountain of the Lord's house has been established in the "tops of the hills" (Isaiah 2 prophecy) !!!!!!!!!!!
@@Ether-pb5gb If you think Lexi is blind then it is you who are afraid to see and seek the truth. I am praying for you, Ether 12:27
@@janetspiritofthelivinggod6328 thank you for praying for me. I need all of the prayers that I can get. Please include my wife, my children, and my physical health. Thank you and God bless you. I am not afraid of the truth. The truth shall make us free.
@@Ether-pb5gb I will indeed! I've been in a prayer and healing ministry and do a bit of armchair research for what ails me, so if you want to share any details I'm here, but God knows, most of all. Glad that you are interested in having eyes open to the Truth, most importantly He who is the Way, the Truth and the Life, the great "I AM" which is the same as Jesus saying He is God - that's why the Jews wanted to kill Him! Jesus was God incarnate while on earth, not a man willing to show us how to become a god, as I believe the LDS church believes.
What a wonderful message! You are so genuine and sincere! You really touched my heart and I had tears in my eyes watching you open your heart. I am an old man who has left the church decades ago and I was amazed with the maturity of your thoughts, feelings and moral stance. You are wise well beyond your age. Lucky is your husband and truly blessed are your children. I bookmarked your video because I will be passing it to many others.
I'm glad I found you on RUclips, I've been watching all your videos, it's really nice to know there is a community out there. One question I have for anyone reading this, being agnostic, how do you deal with not getting anxiety about us not knowing what actually happens when we die? I'd still love to believe there is peace and we can be with our loved ones, what do you all think? This is something I've been struggling with and it would be comforting to know how you guys handle this, thanks so much for any replies!
You just have to accept the cold harsh truth that when we die, we just rest in peace 6 feet under. Is an after-life really all that exciting of a prospect anyway? I don't know what it would even look like. No one does. Would we have bodies? Would we get hungry? Would we get tired? Would it be a better existence than what we have now? I sure don't want to live forever if it's anything like life on earth. I would definitely get tired of living with my loved ones eventually. Forever is one helluva long time!
I just wanted to say how much this video means to me!!!! I was born and raised in the church as well. My father converted my mom before they got married. When he died, we stopped going to church so my mom could raise my four brothers and I AND support us. So we went without the church for awhile. Fast forward I ended up attending BYUI and the experiences I had there are leading up to me wanting to remove myself from the church as well.
Thank you thank you thank you
Peace and love to you and your family!!!
sorry about your difficult experience. dealing with the death of a parent is not easy, and neither is dealing with college-aged years. I believe that the church is true. Too many witnesses. Too many angels. Too many divine manifestations. We all have trials of faith. Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith. www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/ldsorg/media-library/ebook-pdf/Saints-v1-English-PD60001624.pdf?lang=eng
Thank you for your amazing courage and vulnerability! I myself have had to do a lot of deconstructing from the religion of my grandparents. It's hard, and when you talked about being heartbroken by it, I felt that so strongly. God bless you and your family! You're awesome!
You're very sweet and I truly admire the very difficult road you've chosen and the decency with which you tread it. My heart goes out to you and, as someone who struggles with many of the same issues, I wish you well.
Exmo, I loved everything about your video. I really got your sincerity. I really got your sadness in leaving the Church.
After a life-time of Catholicism, I dropped our of the Catholic Church due to the breakup of an 18 year marriage.
After two years, my daughter was baptized into the Mormon Church and I decided to join the Mormon Church.
I was happy in the Church and stayed with it for 15 years.
The glory of the Mormon Church is its people: truly good, truly loving, truly interested in having a close relationship with other people in a helpful, holy way. (I miss them every day!)
Unfortunately, I was a Protestant Mormon: a Mormon who based their life on the Old and New Testament, not the Book of Mormon.
While I read the Book of Mormon, I was not convinced of the complete validity of it. Even Joseph Smith was tolerated, not venerated for me.
Somehow, due to my ability to give interesting talks in Church, I was able to get away with a non-Book of Mormon approach to my religious belief. (Weird???)
I dropped out when my daughter needed financial help due to a marriage breakup and asked the bishop to accept less tithing. His answer: "You give to God first and everything will work out."
Well, it didn't and I suddenly realized that the tithing requirements of the Mormon Church is their one failing in charity.
You cannot get "blood out of a turnip" and instead of understanding that I needed to give to my daughter my tithing money, they became deeply selfish.
It has been many years since I left the church and have never looked back.
I'm 14, and I am finally beginning to uncover the truth. I always went to church mindlessly, never asking questions since they were dissuaded by leaders and teachers. I realised how judgemental and rude Mormons could be once my mom got divorced. People treated me and my family with less respect, and would often give us the cold shoulder. The members would give my mom a hard time because she drank coffee and beer and wore "revealing" clothes, even my mom's sisters and relatives would get mad at her for it. Even I was upset at her for a time since I felt so ashamed by everyone.
Now, I am uncovering thing I had never learned, and the truths about my church. I'm so scared and upset about how I am going to live, especially since I might get even more hate for leaving. This opened my eyes to my church, and I hope this can help others. Thank you 💕
You are an incredible person to have already seen through the lies so young! Good luck to you on your journey ♥️
Good! For you!! May the good lord keep on open your understanding....
We are happy because you opened your eyes! 👏
don't be fooled by the faithless. can the blind lead the blind?, Jesus once asked. www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/new-era/2020/01/the-last-witness-of-the-three-witnesses?lang=eng
When we discover truth we are set free . 🙏🙏🙏❤️
I feel like this video was one giant hug that I needed. Thank you. ❤️
One of my neighbors is a part of the LDS. I subbed to you hoping that I could find ways to help them, and what to look for and when to start worrying. Their whole family is wonderful, and I care about them a surprising amount, and I hope just knowing more and more could help me possibly help them. I know better than to shake the boat right now, we're still new out here, but I know eventually I might have the chance to help.
You are an amazing women, you speak SO WELL! So clear/kind/wise AND NO JUDGEMENT! Great job!
You're so very brave to share and to make such a big life change. Best wishes to you and your family.
Thanks for sharing your story. I’m going through it right now and can relate to so much of what you felt. It’s just really lonely because my husband doesn’t even want to hear why I left. It helps to hear from others who have left.
I’m praying for you and the truth will set you free
It’s tough leaving the church. I went through it too. Blessings to you and your family. I’ve been out 10 years and don’t regret it at all.
quit playing the victum its not tough leaving th e church you just walk out the oh poor you boo hoo
I love that you talk about how speaking up about this experience is something you can do for others who are going through what you have gone through. I can understand the compulsion you feel to right the wrongs of something you wholeheartedly believed and gave to. I know this was posted a few years back I can see you are continuing to learn and grow from more recent videos you have posted. It is awesome. It is helping me to understand my own experience. Thank you!
Your a strong very brave person doing a video like this i really admire you for speaking how you feel. You have a bunch of supporters stay strong
As a personal trainer and fitness enthusiast I know how hard it is to lose that much weight and keep it off, especially while taking care of children. You're amazing, I'm glad you've been able to improve your life both in physical and spiritual aspects.
losing weight is a very small part of self-improvement.
@@active6302 ..is it though? It's mental fortitude that you can see changing your body
30 mins of spiritual stuff and you focus on her body.
I just started following you on Tik Tok and found your channel here. I'm going through my own stuff right now and am going to watch all of your videos. Thank you for being brave and putting yourself out there. I'm also curious if you could share what you did to loose all that weight.
I left the church 8 years ago and I wish I could’ve watched videos like yours back then to help confirm my decisions and experiences. I remember those same feelings of finally being honest with myself and finding myself. Thank you for sharing your experience and for all the other content you’ve shared.
I left religion 30 years ago, and never looked back
Im sorry u had to go through that. I went through same thing. But my experience is being native. I give it a double axe to it (rateing). Its very painful i know. I can really feel your anguish. And betrayed feelings. Nothing in this world is like it. I can tell my story but would be a long time to cover. Anyways i feel you. The lord will hear u and to start the healing. But i know for a surety u doing the right thing to broadcast and tell people that need u. keep up the good work. I feel your spirir, awsome 👍
I love this !!! Thank you for sharing your story. I look forward to many more of your videos
Thank you for sharing with us. It's very helpful and I truly appreciate it.
I joined the Church two years ago in California and they have been nothing less than amazing. Every member I have met had been extra kind and caring. My life is better in a thousand ways. I was an enemy to religion before i met the Sister Missionaries, and considered it the opiate of the masses. I don’t feel brainwashed. I feel great. Totally at peace. Funny how people see things from their own perspective so differently.
You said it, brother. It's definitely interesting! To each their own, right?
If this is the peaceful place for you to be, then, be at peace.
If you are seeking the the things you mentioned above than thats fine. You need that really bad and you need it over truth.
Church is true. I know it. God always wants us to act in Faith.
Good for you! But, please, do some research. The Mormon Church is the greatest HOAX of the 19th Century. Google The Salamander Letter. If you have a strong testimony, read, "No man knows my history" by great mormon born and raised Fawn M. Brodie( niece of David O. Mackay) You will REALLY KNOW who Joseph Smith was.
You are a beautiful soul -- full of light!
I have just discovered these truths myself and I’m shocked. Thank you for putting out this video. You found out a year before me. As I’ve been researching our world during The pandemic our reality isn’t going to be what we think. God bless you and thank you!!
I so relate to SO much of your story. I served a full-time mission, married in the temple, served in every position - even as a bishop in the LDS Mormon Church. Then I too read the CES Letter and etc. It's been 5 years since my faith crisis. My question now (and I don't expect you or anyone to have the silver bullet answers), but my question now is "Where do I go now?" I know it is different for each person. I'm speaking generally. So many people I know and love are still in the LDS Mormon Church. I've shared much of the same things you share on this video, and many of my "traditional believing Mormons" (TBMs) loved ones still feel that the LDS Church is of God. Ugh... This is a very difficult time for me. Anyway, thanks for your video.
Radio Vikings I am actually planning on a video in the near future where I discuss this-I was planning on going over where I’m personally at and talking about my journey, but you’ve inspired me to also shift some focus on to your question: “Where do I go now?” And talk about that. I don’t have all the answers, that’s for sure. But I would be happy to add my perspective. Thank you for your comment, congratulations on learning the truth, and best of luck in the future! 😊
I think it is safe to say most Mormons believe(as I did) that ex-mormons must be unhappy. It is not true. You move on, explore other beliefs, you open yourself up to a world of opportunity outside of the .002 percent. You don't lose the "spirit". This is just elevated emotion that everybody in all cultures feel. I used to be a Bishop as well and I am confident that you will figure it out. I wish you the best on your journey.
@Radio Vikings. That is a very good question. And the answer is unique to everyone. I can only offer from my own personal experience of leaving the LDS church. Hold onto good honest memories of the church. Don't spiral down the "what if" staircase. It does no good. I am still having trouble with that one. ruclips.net/video/vqiSKqylQJ8/видео.html I have watched this youtuber a lot. That is a new video I have not watched yet. It might help you. Focus on you. Your self worth. Be kind to others. Live life how you want. Do what you want within reason of it being safe and making you happy. I have been officially out of the church this past May. Stopped going March of 2018. I still have issues with the low self esteem and programming I received. I know there are tons of you tubers who talk about their experiences and those might help.
@UCjwC_zuvHtb6WTefZ6hqx3g "Set Joseph Smith aside"
“Not everything in life is so black and white, but the authenticity of the Book of Mormon and its keystone role in our religion seem to be exactly that. Either Joseph Smith was the prophet he said he was, a prophet who, after seeing the Father and the Son, later beheld the angel Moroni, repeatedly heard counsel from Moroni's lips, and eventually received at his hands a set of ancient gold plates that he then translated by the gift and power of God, or else he did not. And if he did not, he would not be entitled to the reputation of New England folk hero or well-meaning young man or writer of remarkable fiction. No, nor would he be entitled to be considered a great teacher, a quintessential American religious leader, or the creator of great devotional literature. If he had lied about the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, he would certainly be none of these...If Joseph Smith did not translate the Book of Mormon as a work of ancient origin, then I would move heaven and earth to meet the "real" nineteenth-century author. After one hundred and fifty years, no one can come up with a credible alternative candidate, but if the book were false, surely there must be someone willing to step forward-if no one else, at least the descendants of the "real" author-claiming credit for such a remarkable document and all that has transpired in its wake. After all, a writer that can move millions can make millions. Shouldn't someone have come forth then or now to cashier the whole phenomenon?
Jeffrey R. Holland | True Or False
According to that one can not set Joseph Smith aside. So much of what Joseph Smith said he did is factual proven false.
"The doctrine of Christ"
Yes The Doctrine of Christ. Not the Doctrine of a man and what he said happened or did called Joseph Smith. Not the Doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints that has been proven to have not told the full truth about its history. That teaches things against what Christ teaches.
".. it is the gospel of Jesus Christ!!"
Same answer as above
"...and remember there is only one faith..."
noun: faith
2.
strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof.
ap·pre·hen·sion
/ˌaprəˈhenSHən/
Learn to pronounce
noun
1.
anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen.
The church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints uses apprehension or fear.
Here are some examples:
www.exmormon.org/d6/drupal/Fear-in-leaving-Mormonism
"which for historical reasons is desperately frightened of public opinion and societal pressure, even more than most churches - can be pressured into changing its positions. And its rigid hierarchy means that an institutional decision to change can have wide-reaching effects, for good and ill."
www.politicalresearch.org/2012/12/01/combating-the-mormons/
With the Me Too movement all of a sudden the church changed it's policy on how interviews were done with minors. Earlier this year the Prophet changed what he said about the LTGBQ. If a church changes that much based on public opinion how then can one expect it to be the true church?
www.rationalrevelation.com/library/bite.html
Thank you so much for talking about this... I was raised in a different cult, and the process of coming out of it and recovering is so similar to what your journey has been. Thank you for sharing.
This video is amazing. This topic is tough for me, as I have many friends who have been hurt by the church (and thankfully have since left), but I cannot be an effective advocate against the organization. I find that as an outsider (again, thankfully), I'm not taken seriously at all by those in the church currently, so this kind of content is the best I can give them. You're doing amazing work!
I saw you on Mormon Stories & now I’ve saved a lot of your videos to watch later. I also just ordered the purple version of your WORTHY t-shirt. 💙💙💙
Very caring to share part of your testimony. I was born/raised in another "restorationist" religion-the Jehovah's Witnesses. It's foundation is all based on untruths & deception. It hurts many-even kills/killed many. Of all the beliefs I have researched, Mormonism is the most interesting for several reasons. Ex-Scientology activist RUclips channels woke me out of the JW's & Ex-Mormons taught me how to understand & grow beyond. Thanx for sharing! 👍🏽❤️👍🏽❤️ I help others to with my activism videos-we can/are helping each other-no doubt!
for me, finding out the mormon church is a cult was a great relief. there were so many things that looked like lies, but i always told myself, "it doesn't make sense because i'm not spritual enough".
then when i found out the book of abraham is a big fat lie, i had this big ah ha moment. so that's what's happening. mormonism is just a big patchwork quilt of lies. well that explains a lot.
i guess you felt the same thing. i like to join in comment sections like you have. i feel like i can answer some questions. but i don't have my own channel, because i feel like talking to mormons is like a trip to insanity a lot of times. i don't like that feeling. but i do understand your desire to talk to them, some people will say why don't you leave the mormons alone? that's like telling someone, from this day forth you have no childhood, no mother no father, no siblings, you never went to high school. you didn't spend every waking minute devoted to something you thought was right.
where i live now, we have a lot of amish. you gotta know it's hard for them to leave that lifestyle. jews are the same way. when you leave just pack your bags, leave your heart behind when you close the door behind you. start a new life if you can, or no, that's up to you.
This is true. The Amish can join in with the Mennonites as they have close roots. There are a lot of secular Jewa. But it's still hard to leave your family.
Your courage to come out of this and speak about it is really amazing! I hope and pray you can find a true relationship with God and assurance of your salvation through His word!
Thank you for sharing your story. I am sure it will help others.
Oh my goodness. Brutal. I've had a taste of what you're going through, joining the church at 22 but leaving a few years later what you've just described. Even a few years there was really tough to leave behind and the pain afterward was intense and lingering. I've heard, "you can leave the church but you can't leave it alone," by the members and it sucked
Sunlight is the best disinfectant. Thank you for shining a light on this belief system and sharing your common but underrepresented story.
hey lex! i watched the series ‘under the banner of heaven’ and have since come across your page and i love what you post, and keep up! i’m learning a lot about mormonism and being an exmo
I understand what you're saying I too left the Mormon church. I'm now a born again christian . Praise God I know the truth.!
You don't know the truth the church is true it's the only true church
Mr. Lemonade, if you knew what she knew, you would never say that
From one cage to another...
@@ogarzabello that’s the point we aren’t caged we are free we know who the real mighty Lord is the one who gave his life for us
@@ericlemonde5830 Jesus Divides Families
Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law - a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ (Mat 10:34-36)
The God of truth (Isa. 65:16) is the God of the Bible. Since truth divides, then Jesus would naturally divide his followers away from those who reject and hate God’s truth, even one’s natural family members. Remember, Jesus divides families:
Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” (Luke 12:51-53)
To be worthy of Jesus and eternal life, one must side with God’s truth even though it divides his own family.
Thank you for sharing!! 💗
Thank you for sharing! Such a relatable story!! My story is really similar! For me it started with the gospel essays, lead to fair Mormon and eventually “Letter to My Wife” when fair Mormon couldn’t answer my questions. So hard to find out the things you were taught you whole life were all a lie!
I started questioning the church 17 years ago and finally left about 15 years ago.. and dealing with the hurt and disappointment I put on my parents was the worst part... I have dealt with a lot of mental health problems over the years and have recently come to the realization that my upbringing in the Mormon church has definitely been a foundation of my struggles within my mental health. To be completely honest I’ve (in the back of my head) struggled with my decision to leave the church I never wanted to go back to it but it has truly affected and warped my thought processes of my entire life. I’ve ignored dealing with the anger and acceptance of my “Mormon experience” until just recently. 15 years later! I am struggling but I can tell you finding your videos have been so incredibly comforting - I am not alone! Thank you for posting and opening up you have helped me more than I can explain!
I am 4 years out of the flds plegimist group. 3.5 into lds church. I just wanted to say,
"THANKS"!!! I have and I am still struggling with trust and belief. I am so glad You took the time to tell me, or us, Your story. THANKS!!!!
Thank you for opening my mind and soul, God Bless