This category offers reflections and insights into the challenges, discoveries, and growth that come with transitioning away from the Mormon church.
Tim Ballard. For years, that name echoed through the Mormon community as a symbol of courage and righteousness. He was the man on a mission to save children from the horrors of sex trafficking, a self-proclaimed savior for the voiceless. Yet, beneath the surface, a troubling story has emerged—one of manipulation, deceit, and exploitation. Let’s…
A dismissive phrase members often say about Ex-Mormons is “you can leave the Church, but you can’t leave it alone.” But after spending your entire life immersed in a belief system, moving on isn’t something you accomplish in a weekend. The reality is that healing takes time, support, and a whole lot of empathy. That’s…
The first time I stepped into a Mormon temple, I was brimming with anticipation. My upbringing had painted the temple as the most sacred space on Earth, a place where God Himself walked the halls. For years, I had gazed at photos of temples hanging in every room of my home, sang songs about my…
Let’s dive into Mormon purity culture—a topic so dense and awkward it feels like trying to explain internet memes to your grandma. Imagine a guy on a college campus wearing a bright red “P*rn Kills Love” shirt. If your immediate thought is “Wow, that guy needs a hug and some therapy,” congratulations—you’ve captured the essence…
I just finished watching Heretic, and wow, this movie feels personal. As someone who once served as a Mormon missionary, I can say with confidence that this film hits differently when you’ve lived the life it depicts (at least the life it depicts in the intro…). So, grab a blueberry candle (trust me, it’s a…
Alright, let’s just rip the Band-Aid off—I don’t believe in God. At all. And yes, I know that probably makes some of you clutch your pearls, but stick with me. Here’s the thing: I wasn’t always an atheist. I grew up very Mormon. Like, prayed-morning-and-night, got-married-in-the-temple, knocked-on-strangers’-doors-to-convert-them Mormon. God wasn’t just part of my life—He…
Growing up Mormon, I was taught that the Book of Mormon was the most correct book on the planet—a miracle of scripture that brought me closer to Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, claimed it was a translation from ancient golden plates buried in the Americas. But years later, as I researched and…
I always believed that Joseph Smith and Emma were the ultimate love story. They were the perfect couple, a power duo who faced every challenge together. It’s hard to miss the images of him handing her flowers, gazing lovingly into her eyes. But here’s the thing you’ll never see in those paintings: Joseph surrounded by…
I spent the first 25 years of my life as a Mormon, and I served a Mormon mission in Denver, Colorado for 18 months. Like many members, I often emphasized that “Mormon” was just a nickname, and that our church’s real name–“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints”–was proof enough that we were Christians…