This section draws from over two decades of personal experience as a Mormon, offering insights into the principles, community, and lived experiences.
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…
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…
Growing up as a Mormon, Christmas was always a magical time filled with sugary treats, family, and traditions. Mormons do celebrate Christmas, but, as with many things in Mormonism, the unique lifestyle and beliefs mean that Christmas might be celebrated slightly differently. Christmas in My Mormon Home From the outside, a Mormon Christmas looks like…
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…
You’ve probably seen Mormon missionaries at least once–usually two young men going door to door in white shirts and ties asking to share a message about Jesus. But where do they come from and how do they end up as missionaries? As an ExMormon who served my own mission for 18 months in Denver, Colorado,…