When I was first kicked out of BYU, I was terrified. I had mentally left the church over the course of the past year, but as an 18 year- old who was still very dependent on his Mormon parents, I was worried I might starve to death if they found out. The next fall, I transferred to a secular school. I started living on my own, paying my own bills, making my own rules, and living my own life.
Now, less than four years later, I’m graduating with honors. I have a job I enjoy, I am in a healthy, committed relationship with a non- religious woman who I love dearly, I play music (now uncensored) in a band with people I care about, and, most importantly, I can finally be honest with myself and those around me. I even have a good relationship with my parents again, who are still in the church.
If you are young and worried about leaving the comfort of the church community, know that it’s possible- even without God’s help.
Cole in OR
These are stories of health and happiness outside the Mormon church.
The Simple Life
At the age of 9 I was baptized into the Mormon Church with the rest of my family after having met with missionaries. I was an on again off again member for a while until 2001 when my family and I were sealed together in the Salt Lake Temple. From there I was a fully...
Those who wander are not always lost
In response to "where will you go?" I say, "those who wander are not always lost," and there is "joy in the journey." The first part is a popular quote from J.R.R. Tolkien, the second part is from the 1998 EFY theme and together they sum up what my spiritual journey...
I can finally enjoy life
I left the LDS church 7 years ago. In that time I have become my genuine self, made lasting and beautiful friendships with people who love me unconditionally, gotten married to the love of my life, and had a gorgeous and healthy child. I don't judge others as harshly...
Towards Love, Authenticity, and a Genuine Daily Life
10 years ago as a gay, newly divorced father of four and former Mormon, where I would go and what I would do was indeed the looming question. A lifetime of seminary, sunday school, priesthood, mission, BYU and church leadership had me imagining myself at best as a...
I will find happiness
The Mormon church has been apart of my family for generations and I would say it is still a part of my culture. I learned a lot of things from being an active member, a bishop’s daughter, and a youth leader. I learned to how to be confident speaking in front of a...
Losing my religion wasn’t the end
The Mormon faith has always been a strong influence in my life and upbringing. However at a young age, I chose to become inactive. I was a very confused young adult with a lot of questions. The answer I was given: to pray... which I did but I still felt very unsure...