Former Mormon

Raised in “the church”,former mormon

[tiredmisophonicwerewolf]

Thinking about my old therapist from middle school who asked "why would god give you a brain if he didn't want you to question things?"

Now i realize she was probably trying to save me

[martian-invasion]

The funny part about some types of experiences quitting a harmful religion is you cant be exposed to pro-that-religion propaganda because it will trigger nostalgic i-wanna-go-home feelings in you and you also cant be exposed to anti-that-religion propaganda because it will trigger your defence response instilled in you since you were a child.

[entity56]

the exmo horror of being baptized at 8 years old because all the adults and kids around you were really excited and kept saying it would make God happy but then growing up and realizing how awful everything is about your religion but now you *can't* leave because once you're baptized you're forever spiritually Mormon and apostates are cast into an eternal void 'out of range of God's love' and the existential dread hurts more than just obeying

[feralboo-the-weirdo]

The thing about mormons and exmormons is that mormons don't want to listen to exmos because they think they're wrong, they don't want to listen to them because they're terrified they might be right.

[growingupmormon]

Me: Why’d you turn off Bridgerton?

Mom: Someone knocked and I thought it might be the missionaries at the door

Me:

[feralboo-the-weirdo]

i think one of the most important pieces of advice for new exmos or people considering leaving the church is that you can't change your family's opinion of you or the church. They're gonna think what they're gonna think and it hurts like hell but in most cases it's the truth and you can't change that. Most of the time TBMs just will not talk to you about why you left and accept your reasons as the real ones until they're also having doubts. This doesn't make telling your family any easier, but I think it does make it sting a little less. You can't change their opinion, and it is not your responsibility to do so. It is also not your responsibility to deal with their breakdown about you leaving if one does happen.

[this-is-anti-apostasy]

it’s interesting that when you look up what the interior of a Mormon church looks like you only get like, one picture of an average church. The rest are of temples (only from the open houses) and historical buildings. The pictures you can find are fancy compared to churches I’ve been to (and they’re all of chapels, not of the rest of the building). I think it’s indicative of the church only really shows off the best looking parts of the religion. You don’t see the places an average Mormon person will spend a lot of their time because they’re not that pretty. You don’t learn about Joseph Smith’s wives because it’s too hard to explain. They don’t tell you about the temple or Mormon heaven because it’d make them look bad. They give you what looks enticing to pull you in.

[pimo-and-sad-about-it]

Fun fact! Mormons believe that the garden of Eden was in Missouri. And also that that's where Jesus will show up during the second coming.

[junpeijackflash]

Now that Holland’s dead, let’s all take a moment to remember the time he gave a talk at BYU about how upset he was that a gay kid came out during graduation a year earlier and then lowkey threatened queer people with violence. And then every Mormon I knew tried to insist this wasn’t malicious in any way. And then BYU started using that talk in their curriculum.

So uh, no. I’m not sad that he’s dead.

[rowanashings]

If you thought losing the game or getting Rick rolled was bad, imagine being exmormon and your brain jumpscaring you with the sacrament prayers.

I DIDNT EVEN TRY TO MEMORIZE THEM

[thegaysonrisesagain]

[sleepdeprivedsapphic]

not only do I have to deal with my father’s dysfunctional family tomorrow, but I have to attend a baptism at their church before we have our thanksgiving dinner

[growingupmormon]

My mom was telling a “friend” about my sister’s wedding (where she married my amazing sister-in-law)

Lady: I didn’t think you’d be okay with that?

Mom: you don’t think I would support my kid?

Lady: well, weren’t you raised mormon? I’m Catholic so…

Mom: well, every persons got a church that brainwashed them

Lady: -

Mom: I don’t believe in organized religion

Me: 👁️ 👁️ you just said that, you did not just say that!? Wait to go Mom!

[moonett]

Leaving Mormonism left me extremely protective of my free time and I think I’ve become much better at rejecting activities that I’m not interested in. Being forced guilted into going to church, weekday church activities, receiving callings, visit teaching, and lessons/eating with the missionaries can really make you appreciate the little time you do have. It’s almost like they didn’t want you to have any time to think (:

[starryeyedsapphic13]

Any other ex mormons (or people who left other religions) feel sad sometimes on Sundays? Like most of the time I just feel grateful that I don't have to go to church and give up half my weekend anymore, but sometimes I just miss that community. I miss the singing and some of the activities and events and I really miss being around other people who understand a part of my life that most of the other people in my life don't and never truly will.

[growingupmormon]

Yes but I go to library groups for crafting regularly! Thursday is my “sabbath” now and it involves swapping patterns and crochet 🧶

[midnight-in-eden]

I saw someone post that the new sleeveless garments and slips/skirts are “a step in the right direction” and I want to make clear that this is not the LDS church ceding any control over its members at all.

Quite the opposite.

They saw the way the wind was blowing. They realized people were starting to choose to forgo wearing garments at all and finding ways to justify it. Because they were going to the gym later, because it was too hot, because the bottoms gave them UTIs, etc.

So the LDS church came up with garments that could be worn in those circumstances. In other words, “No excuses.”

They’re putting a little more slack in the leash so their members don’t fight the restraint as much. It’s still very much a leash.

[2pen2wildfire]

I think my problem is I fundamentally don't trust my own judgement because I grew up categorizing my thoughts and feelings as "from God" or "from Satan", or rather trying to categorize them and freaking out when I could never be sure which were which :')