I lost my testimony at age 50 after doing a deep dive into church history and the life of Joseph Smith. I then did another dive into the Book of Abraham. My deep dives almost ruined my marriage. My life before 50 pretty much revolved around the church. I remained active till age 59 and I finally left. I want you to know that there is life after the church What ever route you take you can be happy. I myself became an agnostic. I don't feel a need to judge others on the basis on what they believe or don't believe. As a person I don't need to feel paranoid about world events. I take life one at a time and just focus on living my best life. It does take time to recover from a life time of indoctrination.
If you go deeper, you'll be amazed and full of faith. Joseph was a good and honest man, Book of Abraham is amazing authentic revelation. The scroll dilemma is a nothing burger when you dive into the text.
I think the most loving thing anyone can do is speak the truth, speak it loudly, and still love people who aren't willing to embrace it. Lots of hugs to you and your family. It's hard but you will get through his.
Calling people "brainwashed" is hardly an expression of love. He's having a personal crisis and making bad decisions, basically throwing out the baby with the bathwater.
@akojiekeyi9854 I guess he was a member of a cultist religion that he truly believed in.Truth is what we deem it to be.A persons truth is true until it's not.
You’ve got this! It’s super scary. I left before all of the online throngs of support, but once the shock wore off, and I took my first breath, I never felt so free, nor have I ever looked back. The weight you’re carrying, gets lighter and lighter. Best, to you and your family.
Dear man, I feel your pain of disillusionment so much. I went through that too. I lost friends and acquaintances in the church, I got rung up; one visited me when it was evident that I was no longer there. I met them in the supermarket, and it was as if I was diseased; so uncomfortable was it for them to talk with me. I was in the church for 40 years. What was it all about? Why did I have to go through that particular test? Dear Man, I think it was about gaining understandings that we would never have got had we not joined that church. Going through the heartache of betrayal, and being hoodwinked; being stolen from, lied to, manipulated, and the anger and dismay that we felt, educates us deeply. Once you come through all of that, you are different; more grounded, more intelligent. Spirituality for you is way more real, and you own it...... you are not just part of a program, or a cog in a wheel assembly. Plus; now, you can really help others who have escaped, or want to escape. Believe me; I appreciated the kindness and patience of someone to listen to me when I left. To be of help to others in that way is a wonderful thing to do. Giving you and your family a big hug from Australia. Just keep walking, it does get better, and you will heal. As for friends...... when there is a vacuum, some one will come along to fill it. May they be just what was needed.
Thank you for sharing. I am in a learning phase. I think I am past my grieving of being deceived my whole life. I am still learning learning to listen to my inner self and gaining the energy to do more research myself. I have decided to believe in Christ because I am not ready to give up on him. I need someone to rely on. I will continue to focus on and live life as Jesus taught.
I'm so sorry you are going through this. Losing my belief system was one of the hardest things I ever went through. It took years to deconstruct, and in many ways I am still working on it. It got better for my family, and I believe that it will get better for yours. I love you brother, and hoping you can feel it from across the country.
Thank you for sharing your experience. It was very heartfelt and sincere. It has strengthened me. I left the church about 10 years ago. I finally felt peace and lightness in my soul that filled me with genuine happiness. I also felt freed from so much guilt and shame that I carried with me for so many years. I felt closer to Jesus than I ever did as a active member for fifty years. It will get better and better for you as you move forward. You'll see💗
So appreciate your message. My own experience was centered around the "Light of Christ" or a Moral Compass. I realized in my late 50's that I was turning off my compass in order to embrace the Nephi story (murder, deception, secret oaths with a threat of death) and many others. This is when it clicked in my brain. When we embrace the church we turn our back to Christ. When we embrace Christ, we turn our back to the church. My once friendly Mormon Friends became distant and some vitriolic. Most were very accepting but rejected my assertion that Jesus lead me out of the church. I still love them but they are still struggling with the Conditioning that embracing the church is embracing Christ.
I sympathize with you and I understand the heartbreak 💔 sending love and support to you and your family from California Your sincerity is heartfelt. Thank you for having tremendous courage and speaking the truth.
Sending prayers to you. I feel you have so much to share. I feel your struggle is real and it is taking such courage. Please keep sharing. I want to hear what you have to say. I am a Christian praying.
Nowhere in the Tanakh is it stated that atonement can be found only through blood sacrifice, never mind human blood sacrifice. In the book of Jonah, the people of Nineveh had sinned and bible god was going to punish them. When Jonah showed them the error of their ways, they fasted and prayed, and were forgiven. The same thing happened in the book of Esther. Living in Persia between the first and second Temples, they fasted, regretted their sins and were forgiven. These historical examples clearly show that when there is no Temple, sincere repentance is all that is needed according to Jewish scriptures. Did David need Jesus or did he just repent to receive forgiveness? Did Samson need Jesus or did he just repent to receive forgiveness? How about Daniel? Did he sacrifice lots of virgins when requesting forgiveness for all his people, or did he just do some serious repenting? Read your bible more. The Pauline Greco-Roman Christianity u believe was not the Judaism Jesus was raised to believe as a Torah following jew. (Matthew 5:17-20) Human sacrifice is an abomination according to the laws of Moses in which Jesus supported 100%. Jews never believed the messiah was supposed to be killed. Jesus's cult followers created the 'died for sins' belief to justify his death, because the alternative was admitting he wasn't the Messiah. By claiming bible god impregnated a BETROTHED female, u not only are claiming bible god is a hypocrite for violating his own mosaic laws, but u are also calling him an adulterer. Most Christians do not seriously read nor study properly the Hebrew scriptures which are what Jesus supported.
Jewish scriptures that contradict Christian beliefs..... Isaiah 43:10-11 I, Yahweh, am the lord, and besides me there is NO OTHER SAVIOR. Deuteronomy 4:35 Yahweh is god, and there is NO ONE ELSE beside him. Isaiah 45:22 Look unto only me to be SAVED, for I am Yahweh your god and there is NO ONE ELSE as your SAVIOR. Jeremiah 17:5 Cursed be the man that trust in man and make flesh his savior, and whose heart no longer looks to Yahweh. Psalm 146:3 Do not trust in man, for in whom there is NO SALVATION. Hosea 11:9 God is NOT A MAN. Numbers 23:19 God IS NOT a man OR son of man. 1 Samuel 15:29 God is not a man. Psalm 49:7-8 No man (including Jesus) can die in place of, or be ransom paid for the sins of another. Ezekiel 18:20 Every man is responsible for his own sin, and a father (including God-the father) cannot take responsibility for the sins of his children Exodus 20:4-5 Anyone worshiping a man in place of Yahweh is guilty of the sin of idolatry. Malachi 3:6 I am the lord and do not change.
Jesus was a false messiah. Any delusional cult leader can self fulfill minor Jewish prophecy by riding a donkey into Jerusalem. Only someone with real supernatural support could fulfill the following important Jewish messianic prophetic scriptures. Jesus didn't. He just died. Important Messianic scriptures which Jesus didn't fulfill and proves he wasn't the Jewish messiah.... Isaiah 11:9 Jewish scriptures say that when the messiah comes and the kingdom is established, "the earth shall be full of knowledge of Yahweh as the waters cover the sea". Meaning everyone around the world would know of Yahweh without the need to teach.(fail) Zachariah 9:10 The messiah will take the weapons of war away from everyone, proclaim peace unto all the nations, and his rule will be over all the earth. (We still have war, weapons of war, and Hindus--fail) Isaiah 2:4 The messiah will judge between the nations and give many people criticism for their behavior. He will take all weapons if war and there will be world peacs and no more teaching/trainjng how to fight war. (Fail) Zachariah 8:23 Everyone worldwide will try to seek out Jews in admiration to bring them to the messiah, because they heard he is with them. (Fail) Ezekiel 37:12 Mass Resurrection of the dead. (Didn't happen-- fail) Ezekiel 45:22-23 The messiah will perform animal sacrifices for the sins of the people. (Which completely cancels the Christian claim that jesus was the last sin sacrifice)--fail Zephaniah 3:9 When the messiah establishes the kingdom, Yahweh will give everyone one pure language to use. --fail, didn't happen. Jeremiah 31:34 No more teaching of religion, for all will immediately be given knowledge of Yahweh. No bibles,no qurans, no religious books needed. And nobody would lack knowledge or be an atheist. Are there atheists and religious books still?? Fail Isaiah 26:19 Zombiepocolypse. Dead shall rise worldwide. ---fail Ezekiel 44:9 Everyone must be circumcised by the heart AND the flesh. (Cutting all mens dicks😱🤭--fail) These are just some of the major messianic scriptures that must happen, but didn't happen. Jews know they didn't happen, and therefore they know their messiah hasn't come.
@@audieabel1261 I can tell he is really struggling. He is having a moral and spiritual dilemma. Whatever it is, I can see his pain. Yes, I would want to hear. He cares about his family and he wants to do the right thing.
Thank you for your honesty and sincerity. I am so sorry but at the same time that people are realizing they have been fooled by lies. It is the hardest thing to leave, but it needs to happen. Take care and search for love not fear.❤
I admire your strength in taking such a huge step away from the LDS church. Don’t concern yourself with those still in the church who may or may not wish you well. Concentrate your energies on your family, your relationship and your children.
I left the church. I started over with the basics of the Bible and Jesus Christ. I found Him. I am now a Christian. God bless you and your family. I know it is so difficult.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is God's and Jesus Christ one and only true church here on earth. We know and teach the Bible and gospel better than any other denomination. If you truly know what the Bible taught and who Jesus Christ is you would have stayed a member of His Kingdom.
@@dylanwilliams2202 The true and living God offers forgiveness of sins, salvation, eternal life, and exaltation for free if you are interested. That is how much God loves you! ❤️ Jesus Christ never required anyone to believe the Book of Mormon is true and to believe that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. You need to read your Bible. Eternity is a long time to be wrong.
@@Elizabeth-rk3do LOL Oh Elizabeth, why are you tagging me when I have refuted everything you have tried to throw at me and beaten you in every argument? _"And exaltation"_ WOAH, have you changed your mind about Exaltation? LOL considering that we have debated about this I find this hilarious. _"Jesus Christ never required anyone to believe the Book of Mormon is true and to believe that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God."_ You're right, but if you did you would have knowledge and closer to God than if you didn't. It would be far better for you in the afterlife as well. _"You need to read your Bible."_ I have, and with as much as I have used it to refute you, you should know that. _"Eternity is a long time to be wrong."_ Yea, it sucks for you that you have chosen to be wrong
@@Cocoisagordonsetter _"Your testimony is nothing but memorized script from your upbringing."_ That is an interesting take considering I didn't believe in the Church and was inactive until 19 and lived in Maryland and had little influence from the Church during my upbringing. Nor is my testimony influenced by anything that happened when I was a child. Do you Exmo's really think that the Church is just in Utah and Idaho? Come on now bud, it's time to get a better argument than "you're brainwashed from birth". _"Trust me, this guys knows your script."_ LOL No he doesn't. I don't know what "script" you think I have but everything I said has come from my own research and isn't in or from any Church manual. You are more than welcome to try me on anything, whether it be theological or historical, and see if your false narratives and bias's Exmo's come up with about members are accurate.
I have been recently invited to be baptized in the LDS CHURCH and after reading the steps of requirements you have to go through just to be acceptable for the baptism after only visiting 1 time I felt extremely anxious and something didn't feel quite right about it so I prayed to the Lord about it and I believe he lead me to see your video thank you for your bravery and truth I will be declining the baptism through the LDS CHURCH and looking for another church that will help build my relationship with lord the right way
This is a quote from another believer; "I've come to believe that any religion that strives to bring you closer to God has truth in it. There is no perfect religion. For a religious organization to preach that their belief system is the only path back to God and that a person cannot fully come into the Savior but through their religious dogmas, is the very belief that will slow or stop one's progression in the heavens."
@lizwilson7437 - Don’t let one video from someone in the faith who is struggling at this time stop you from joining the most loving and caring church in the world. This is one bishop in 25,000 that lost his testimony. There are so many others who find peace and happiness in the gospel. We truly love and care for each other. You will be part of the largest sisterhood on the planet. I thank God every day for this church and cannot imagine life without it. The Lord himself invited his people to be baptized the same day he met them. Please read the Book of Mormon and see how you feel then. I pray that you wont turn so quickly from something so beautiful. I sincerely pray you will find the peace that you seek. God bless you, sister!
As an exmo.. who converted to LDS at 19 .. please read the CES letters and compare the church to the B.I.T.E. Model. they don’t tell you half of it before you join. Please don’t give this Billion dollar corporate business, 10% of your gross income.. they’re filthy rich … they’ll say it’s Satan and you’ll be tested … it’s not they’ll Love bomb .. @lizwilson7437 please do your research first ..
2,000 years of forced indoctrination.. preaching Christ crucified and the false doctrine of the trinity and other false doctrine by means of murder, rape, starvation, imprisonment.. millions and millions were killed for heresy and blasphemy, all in the name of Christianity.. So anywhere you see this symbol ✝️... RUN AWAY.. here's what Jesus said about the matter.. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. The church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church restored to the earth.. built on the foundation of prophets and Apostles, Jesus Christ the chief corner stone. if not this church then there is no kingdom of God on the earth to prepare a people to meet their God when he returns. It is true! 110%
You are a rock star! My heart is so full of admiration for you, Bishop, and for the kindness and patience you have shown to those who have caused you pain (and the nasty comments above intended to add to it).
Well done. You are loved and you are not alone. I have been there and I have grown and healed. The answers are within and the peace also comes from within. Much love and healing to you and yours.
you are sooooo brave and my heart is full of love for you and your dear family.I can truly understand what you have struggled with because my family is no longer LDS and its hard at first but the Lord knows my heart and I could no longer be a part of the problem that was my ward and bishop.I pray god lightens your load and lightens your heart!!!!
You are loved, you are not alone. Every day will be better and life for you and your family will move forward. You did a very brave and very wise thing. If it’s possible, maybe you and your wife could attend a Thrive event or something to help you along and feel community again. Best wishes, You are a hero.
My wife and I just watched your video from the pulpit. I stepped down as 1st Counselor in the Bishopric after wrestling with (I assume) many of the same issues that you have. I arrived at the same place you did, and finally prioritized my own well being over fitting in with the culture and system. You won’t regret this decision, though it’ll be a little rough for a while. Feel free to reach out if you need someone to talk to our just want a glimpse of what may be further down the road for you. Take care, better days are ahead.
I don't think you have an idea of why he stepped down, he never said in fact he really never said anything in either video, except talk about himself and some "moral" thing which makes no sense. Which is why he is a very selfish man to involve others in what ever is going on.
@@Surfer5689-ez2ydWhat a terribly judgmental view you have. He referenced issues with Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, being abused as a child at a church camp, the programming of children, and if you actually watched his video from the pulpit, he said he could no longer do things that violated his own sense of morality, and that he stayed in his calling as long as he did because he cared so much for, and wanted to help, the youth. That’s not selfishness, that’s sacrifice.
@@crayonXcore393 He never said Joseph Smith or Brigham Young in either post. Where did you get that? See you are just injecting for your own purposes. And as far as abuse that is a huge claim to make if real. But in todays work pretty much everyone in abused.
Thank YOU man for standing for truth!!!! And for showing us the truth. Much respect to you and your family. I left the church about 6 years ago now and hasn’t been easy, but sure as heck worth it !!!
I have a great deal of respect for this ex-Bishop. I was born into the church and yet always questioned it. When I asked questions, they would never answer any of them but some of them tried and some of them just shot me down and told me not to question, just pray. I did follow their advice and my only answer was always to question and research the truth for myself. Praying for this Bishop and to anyone strong enough to throw fear out of their life as it is the strongest tool of the adversary.
I think this is one of the most heartfelt videos about Mormon deconstruction that I have ever seen. I’ve been out for five years, and I’m the only one in my family to leave. It takes time and love from both sides. But in my experience, if you continue to show up with kindness and respect, I hope your friends and family will do the same. Mine have, and it makes me grateful every day. Hang in there. You are not alone. Your wife and kids are not alone. And you were doing a very brave thing to build a better life for your family, by stepping away from such a toxic faith system.
You are a man of great courage. This journey out of the church that you and your family are on, is so worth it! I live in Birmingham AL, and you have my love and support 😊
My heart goes out to you and your family. This is a difficult time in your lives, but you will realize the choice was the right one to make. It was actually my children who began to question the mormon religion when they were teenagers. I am glad I listened, and then checked it out. I have been away from the church now for about 20 years, and it was the best thing I ever did for myself. Happiness permeates my life. I can think for myself, and own my own decisions. Hang in there! There will be joy and happiness for you and your family.
Tears.....as there many of us that truly understand.....pain.....because the hurt is real.... excited because your world will be more colourful....joy because you will shed a skin that you never realised was so thick. Peace and love to you and your family.
I can remember when I had to finally stop pretending and be true to myself. It was a rough few months. Deprogramming yourself from mormonism isn't fun. It's been a few years now and I'm happier and more successful in every way.
AMEN!! I’ve never heard anyone express so articulately, humbly, and with love. For the first time in my 60 years I finally think I understand the “ Illusive Burning Bosom”I tried to find in the church. You spoke to my heart. Thank you and prayers and peace to you and your family as you make this transition.
I left the church when i was 19, but have only really explored and come to grips with the religious trauma I experienced. And honestly, it is WAY less than most. Some of the people I respect most in this world are still members, and I jave found that I can live the life I need to, they can live theirs, and we can still live and respect each other deeply. Keep doing whats best with the tools and information you have for you and your family. You all are so brave!
What you're going through is more difficult than many will understand. People who still believe will want to not only trivialize, or worse, demonize, your reasons for leaving, but they will also most likely distance themselves from you and your family. It hurts when they do. It hurts to lose your friends and community. It hurts that they've been programmed to fear trying to understand you and be there for you. It's so damn hard to lose all of that while grappling with losing your faith and feeling lost. What I can promise you is it gets better. Deprogramming yourself from the cult is absolutely freeing and wonderful once you come out on the other side. You become free to think for yourself, to truly love others, to be kind and to serve only out of the want to help instead of trying to earn your place in heaven or to check a box with the leaders of the church every month. You will find new, genuine friends. It will get better. Hugs to you and your family. I've been through it, your life is going to change for the better!
Great comment. Even as a Never-Mo but with family and friends who are or were members, I agree with everything you said. You said it honestly and with such care- as it should be. I worry for the children bc I know how much I was rejected as well as the children of a friend who became divorced but hadn't left the church until they realized just how conditional their "love" towards her children was. It may take some time, but I hope him and his family can heal and know that they will be embraced by others who won't accept them.
Having gone through a similar experience I can say that this is good advice. It is more like getting purified by fire than getting Holy Ghost was. For me at least.
"People who still believe will want to not only trivialize, or worse, demonize, your reasons for leaving" The demonizing is done BY the exmo's, not TO the exmo's. The faithful are: [stupid, brainwashed, evil ... ]
Thank you for sharing such a personal and trying thing as this. As so many have already told you, I do understand what you feel. I lost my testimony at the age of 35, I am 58 now. I loved the church and church members. I never stopped loving the members. On the contrary, I feel a special kind of understanding (because I was there for the same reasons they are) for all of them, even though so many would feel the opposite about me today. I get it. I have zero love for the church however, and my contempt for it has grown over the years as I watch it from the outside. Shortly after I left, I felt exactly as you state. I didn’t want to hurt others. Losing my testimony was second only to losing a child when it comes to hard to cope with. But then I began to realize that it was others speaking out who had ultimately given me the courage to question, once I finally allowed myself to hear what they were saying…and I had a lot of repressed questions, as do all ex-mos. I do not go on the offensive, but I do not shy away from sharing my views of the church and my reasons for leaving. Yes they have had those words spoken at them before, but they obviously have not heard them yet. The world is a much smaller place these days, and you may not have ex-mos there in MS (I was a teenage Mormon in Ocean Springs back in 80), but I assure you there is a warm and welcoming online ex-mo community. I also know that none of this and nothing I can say fixes anything for you. It is such a tumultuous personal journey to go through. All I can say, as one who has travelled it before, is that the destination is much better than the starting point. Maybe that can give you a little peace of mind as you go down that path.
I was born and baptized Mormon as a child. I am soooo glad at the age of 11/12 i completely quit going. My life was in shambles and ofcourse the devil had a grip on me for 25 years. I now go to a Nazarene Church and I absolutely am so hungry for the Lord! I’m happy for you and your family! Jesus has your back my brother.
So many of us have been through what you’re going through, and please know that we will be praying for you. Each story is a little different, and sadly, many are like children who feel free to go the way of hatred and garishness. There are many good, humble Christians where you live who will rejoice with you and help you find your way through the hellishness you’re experiencing now. Many of your faithful Mormon friends will be inspired by your honesty and courage and may even begin to admit to themselves that they’ve been experiencing similar feelings deep inside. Find a small congregation with a leader who preaches only from the Bible and only the perfect truths that Jesus taught, instead of the “philosophies of men, mingled with scripture” (sound familiar?). Know that some of your LDS friends will turn on you and drop you like the proverbial hot potato. Don’t waste your time grieving over the loss of those my-way-or-the-highway, so-called friends; they’re not worth your time or your grief. Others will continue to be your friends, and you can continue to bless each other’s lives. Congratulations on your first giant step into real truth, and may God bless you!
"To thine own self be true." Congratulations, the way I understand it is as the apex of integrity. Now it gets really real. I feel grateful having been brought up in the church, the guidance there was a great start. When that lead becomes a limit, to continue forward you need to leave some things behind. Since I left the self proclaimed prophets, popes, and priests authority over my thoughts, the human experience has increased exponentially in it's richness, wonder, joy, and pain. May acceptance and assistance bring you and your family the power and peace to inspire others to trust and believe in their own hearts.
You're an example, I huge example to so many. I was in a similar position back in Dec 2022. I asked to be released from the bishopric, and on the day I was released, the Stake President really wanted me to share my testimony. He knew where I was at spiritually, but still wanted me to share to allow others to be open. I had so many come up to me after and say, thank you for being vulnerable in my testimony. I had refused to say "i know", but said "I hope" for many things, but focused it on hoping I can be a better husband and father and friend. So many people said they never bore their testimony about their beliefs because they couldn't say I know. Your words of honesty and vulnerability give so many others the desire to seek truth, no matter where it is, and focus less on any of the "vehicles" of that truth. You reignited my desire to find that truth, to not try to force members to look in the mirror, but to genuinely love them and become a more loving person.
Please know that your words have resonated Christ. Exactly what a bishop should say. I can identify with the struggle. Some don’t realize there’s no church monopoly on being Christ-like. My heart goes out to you and your family.
I left during covid. I felt like I had been lied to with the narrative of "We are the one true church. We have the prophet of God to lead us. An Angel appeared to Joseph Smith." I was a convert and now I don't believe any of these things. If the church simply would have said, as apparently they have known this for about 100 years, that the Book of Mormon was just a book to help us using myths to try and live a better life- take what you want and use it...- then maybe I wouldn't have been so devastated and angry that I was duped. I thought I gave hundreds of thousands of dollars in tithing to clothe the naked, feed the hungry and succor the poor. Now I see I may have just been filling the coffers and buying stocks. I am a frugal and wise steward over our household money. I feel I have cheated my family with the money I gave to the church in tithing.
I can't imagine how difficult it is to leave a high maintenance religion. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. FYI, I am a nevermo (I am a life-long Lutheran), but my husband has many lovely family members who are still in the 'church.' I pray for them also. I know it is difficult right now when everything is still fresh and raw, but as they say, time heals. You will get past this and will triumph. 🙏🙏❤❤🙏🙏❤❤
I am an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day saints. We lost a good man in Mississippi. This church isn’t going anywhere though. We will be right here with open arms, should you desire to come back. “The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.” - Joseph Smith
Here we go! Into our future!! It's an adventure relearning, new thoughts, different feelings. It is a journey, you don't get over this tomorrow. I've been working and learning for 3 yrs. Watched multiple videos. Been to different churches. Life goes on. Still pray, hold on to Christ. 🙂
Members serve and sacrifice to help others. They don’t get any money or other rewards except for the joy that comes from service and being filled with the Spirit of God. It’s hard work sometimes to serve in callings in the church, but we do it because we love the Lord and our fellow beings. Not because we are brainwashed.
I have been involved and found, it not so easy to get real truth told...in church... People look amazed when i tell them them stuff in church that they've learned differently through indoctrination. However, English government and energy companies are stealing too much taxes, leaving people to rely on foodbanks. I can honestly say, LDS church in Bournemouth area, have TOTALLY supported me! I was left with no money for heating etc., because of council Tax...but the church stepped in to help and support me... so thankful !
Ive felt so much peace since ive found the truth out. I know we live after death and its good to know i will be with my family without having to do the hand shakes and pay my money. ❤
God bless you and your family. This is a tough journey. You will be Heart broken, anger, anxiety and then a few years you will find peace. It's like losing a loved one or it was for me. Hang in there! You have our love and support from Utah. You are not alone. We left the church a few years ago and lost all our friends and some family. After Pres. Nelson's conference 2023, really took a toll on our family contacts. We're going to hell according to them ...hang in there. We still believe in God, Jesus Christ, Bible reading folks.
I’m a Christian in Mississippi and I want you to know that there are thousands of us who would be happy to try to be there for you and your family. You are great people and we are proud of you for taking a stand for your family.
Wishing you a beautiful spiritual journey. Jesus is real and always ready to show His love in the most amazing of ways. I didn't even realize how suffocated I felt by so much confusing and contradictory doctrine that Mormonism teaches. Once I left, I felt like I could finally breathe again. I've never looked back and I'm so grateful I left. The only difficult part of it was giving up the social support, but I would do it all again in a second. I've gained so much more than I lost.
Love to your family from Cape Cod Massachusetts! It’s a wonderful world I have found. Still a member but I know now. I’m not sure what to do but love always works!!!!
Not necessarily. Those of us that leave a belief system who are part of an extremely religious family and religious community are often going to be alone for a while. Sometimes life is a struggle that you can't akways realistically expect peace for.
@audieabel1261 I officially left the church in 2023, and while I know you are right, I also know that leaving the church ultimately is very freeing. The impose so much stress and shame and self-hate in their practices.
@rachelb315 yes, Rachel. When we accept that we made a mistake and rid ourselves of the shackles of false belief, we then open up a whole new world of growth in order for us to become a better and more mature version of ourselves. It's difficult, because we are some of the first to do so. But, even though we struggle sometimes with families and a society that will take time to follow, I'd never for one second trade my progress, knowledge, understanding, and general growth for staying stagnant and being a robotic copy of those that came before. Freeing your mind and discovering why u and everyone else believe false things comes with difficulty but also great reward. 👍
@rachelb315 I recently had to cut off relations completely with my father and mother. Short family history... I come from an extremely religious family. My great grandfather, grandfather, grand uncle, uncle, father, and brother are just some of the preachers in my immediate family. I'm the only atheist in my family and only ex-Christian in general, as far as I know. Recently, I had happened onto the Facebook page of one of the crazy people who went to my brother's church. I read an extremely ridiculous post she had made. I didn't even comment, but I did react with a laughing emoji on the post. Her ego must have just freaked out. She, I guess, assumed I was the atheist brother of her preacher and then contacted my brother, evidently initiating lots of drama over a single emoji. Then, my brother evidently continued the ridiculous drama by contacting my preacher father, who then contacted me and insulted me by saying I was "worthless." You don't say that kind of disrespectful thing to your son or anyone u wish to have a respectful relationship with. It's unfortunate, but if I have to cut someone out of my life, it isn't because I hate them or can't forgive them, but because I respect myself too much to allow someone to carelessly abuse me. None of my family has anything to do with me anymore since I came out as an atheist. Not one member of my 'lovingly Christian family' has ever attempted to openly and respectfully engage with me or ask me, "Why?. They just assume things disrespectfully and say things behind my back. You'd think if people truly believed in an eternal torturous Hell, that they'd try asap to engage and discuss the situation in order to try to help their loved one with as much respect and kindness as possible. But, you usually get the opposite, which seems to be the response of a selfish and fragile ego. And once people from my small community, who is overwhelmingly Christian, find out that I'm atheist, they also treat my wife, children, and myself differently. Once parents find out I'm atheist, they don't let their kids play with my son anymore. I live presently in Coweta, Oklahoma, USA. We're planning to move soon. 👍🖖
@rachelb315 so what led you out of the church, Rachel? Did you simply learn too much and couldn't believe anymore? My preacher brother homeschols his 6 children while teaching them dinosaurs lived with humans in the garden of Eden and were on Noah's ark. I do my best to try to learn ways to get through the cognitive walls that believers put up, so please let me know what triggered your escape if u get time or desire.
I hear that deleted diesel in the back ground…..this guy is my people. Stay strong man! RM here that slowly figured it all out through personal investigation and research. It’s tough man. Especially when family and friends are still being mislead by it all.
You are a good man, watched your last testimony u made, I know and bare testimony that you are on the right track. I went through alot in my days, and now today I'm totally happy, I deconstructed after 50 years of membership. I'm finally just getting over it. Bless you brother.🙏👍
Bless your heart and your family's. I left the church just over a year ago. It wasn't easy at all. When you find truth, it's hard not to unsee it. The journey can be long or short. I feel for my friends as they like me have been lied to. Unfortunately, they're still in a comfort bubble and don't want it to burst. I, for one, dont want to burst it. One day, most members will see the truth.The church is first a corporation where money is the most important thing. With love and strength to you and your family from the UK ❤
You'll be fine! Transparency is key to the truth. Unfortunately the church sugar coated a lot of things through time. I was one of those members that always asked questions. A lot of members thought I was too worldly and not invested. Hard to invest in something that's turned out to be a fraud!
The world needs more leaders like you. Family comes first for you ! To many LDS families go without leadership because of relentless hours at church,meetings,worthless intrusive interviews. Carry on brother great Job !
I am still strong in my belief. I cannot deny the communications I have had directly with God. I love you. We may disagree. But the love should not ever go away between practicing members and you. I'm sure there will be members who refuse to act appropriately or follow the councils of Christ. I hope whatever you do you can get closer to God and constantly reflect upon your relationship with him and your family. Most members love you regardless of your position on or in the church.
I'm a convert to the church, the reality of what is actually true is hard. I understand how you feel, keep your relationship with Jesus, its all that I focus on
You are a very brave, honest and spiritual man!! I am proud of you for speaking up for your value system of truth based honesty that the church expected from us!!! It’s one of the hardest things you are going through right now with trying to decide just how you will worship the way we’ve been taught without the twist of the church. I’ve been going through similar experiences since my eyes were opened…. God bless you and your family. My love prayers are with you❣️🙏🏻❣️🙏🏻❣️🙏🏻 And trust in a living Heavenly Father to help you with this transition ❣️🙏🏻❣️🙏🏻❣️
I think more of this will happen as the church seems to have moved to calling younger Bishops as part of being the YM President also. It is a very demanding position and I’m speaking from experience. I hope everything works out for this man and his family. The culture of the church is certainly a big issue for a lot of people.
You will be so much more at peace in life now that you have left… I cried because I remember what it was like for me leaving it’s painful and no one understands… but I feel free now and at peace… Bless you and your family… you are strong
but he never says why he resigned.. he obviously believed in the church to become a bishop, he said as much or they never would have put him in that position. So what changed specificly?@@kentthalman4459
You are a brave man and i wish you and your family well. I was only in for 4 years and it took me 20 years to recover and rediscover my faith in Jesus Christ.
Because what active believing members cannot or will not accept is that the ones who usually leave are the ones who went full force. Loved the gospel and the church so much they wanted more. So they went looking for more and found what shattered that belief. Then they play this tug of war of trying to find something to hold onto or something to justify what they find. To outsiders it looks like they left overnight or wanted to sin. I have never met a believing member that knew the whole history of the church. If it was his church and the church is perfect, there is nothing to make right so there’s nothing to hide.
@@nexusnovasolutions so not true! I have studied the gospel and the history of the church for years. Some historians have warped the history, if you care to dig deep enough. Some members have dug deep, left the church, dug deeper, and returned to the church. People who leave the church are not better educated, but have made a choice to leave over some point of doctrine they don’t wish to practice or because of some inaccurate historical portrayal.
I’m so grateful that some can leave the lds Church and keep their faith in God. When I left the Mormon bubble in 2014 I was overwhelmed with the chaos and doctrinal controversies of broader Christianity. “Test everything” and “hold onto the faith that was once delivered to the saints” Bless you brother.
The Book of Mormon is true, and another witness of the same gospel of Jesus Christ as the Bible. Joseph Smith was a true prophet who worshipped Jesus Christ. The church was infiltrated by wicked men. When Joseph Smith was murdered, Brigham Young usurped control of the church and led some of the saints to SLC, Utah (many refused to follow him). Brigham Young introduced many false doctrines into that denomination including polygamy, men becoming Gods, Adam God, blood atonement of men, penal oath temple rituals, a Heavenly Mother, Lucifer being Jesus' brother, incorrect definition of Christ’s church, etc. None of that is in the Book of Mormon or teachings of Joseph Smith, but Brigham Young and the wicked leaders under and after him have pretended that it came from Joseph Smith in order to gain acceptance for their own evil and lustful desires. The LDS church of today is Brigham Young's denomination and is apostate from the teachings of the church under Joseph Smith.
@@joesimpson9230 “God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great secret.... It is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the Character of God, and to know... that he was once a man like us.... Here, then, is eternal life - to know the only wise and true God; and you have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves... the same as all Gods have done before you.” - Joseph Smith (King Follett Discourse) That Joseph was the author of Mormon polygamy, is attested to even by early leadership of the RLDS church. Both polygamy and Blood Atonement were attested to have been taught and practiced by multiple witnesses who never followed Brigham Young to Utah. You’re right about Adam God, Joseph never taught it. He just laid the foundation for it by leaving a hodgepodge of doctrinal soup for Brigham Young to try putting the puzzle pieces together.
Super sorry you feel this way. I guess I'm different, I didn't grow up in the church, but super happy that I found it and that I've stayed faithful. I mean, I've literally had it both ways (life in and out of the church) so perhaps I don't see what you seem to see... I mean to say, I can see how some would see what you describe...but thats never been my experience nor do I see it... Just remember, after everything is said and done.... Well after your name is removed (I assume you removed it) you'll be welcomed back when your ready.
Your words (and the words you did not speak) brought tears to my eyes because you are where MANY of us have walked. It is so fucking hard to detangle from the brainwash we were dealth. Keep on going! Keep on going!
I feel so sorry for you and your family Ex- Bishop. I haven't experienced the things you have, and you haven't walked in my shoes either. I know the members from the 1800s were full of mistakes and are today, so are all churches full of sinners. Bishop, I have served as a Judge in Israel also and I walked paths you haven't. I have seen and heard and know things I'm sure you don't know. Due to their sacredness, I cannot speak of them openly. Bishop, The Church is true. I feel so very sorry for your family. Please pray about this.
The pulpit video was too general to understand why he was resigning. He's being very kind now. There's times of anger too when some lies and unnecessary difficulties from the church are realized over time.
I pray that him and his family find the real Jesus and doctrine. I was a former mormon that gave it up because the church made me feel I would never be worthy and I would just go to hell and suffer so I accepted that fate. Then God led me to the truth and I am so thankful everyday. I pray that more people in this false religion start to see through what it is and the hurt it causes many people
❤ Wow! Thank you for being you! You have inspired my heart. Prayers and blessing to you and your family. I am on a faith journey right now and am struggling with how to balance all of it - my well being , family , church and calling . You have given me hope and courage to do more of what is right and best for me. Thank you!
The dark night of the soul is a grieving time, a search for your truth. But the morning after, brings peace unimaginable. Be gentle with yourself. The dark night will end. Joy comes in the morning.
Hang in there. There is no “them”. Only “us”. And none of us have all the answers. Admitting that, humbly, is a great start to seeing how interconnected we really are. Every last one of us. We create the division that we then suffer from.
You and our Lord know what is in your heart. Don’t dispare even though you are feeling so downtrodden. Our awesome Abba has you. I for one will pray for you and your loved ones. I love that you still love the Lord and need to move away from such a catastrophic high demand church. Years ago I learned so much and I worried for these beautiful souls so much and one day He audibly told me, “I Am taking care of them.” It all lays in His hands and time. Sending you love and prayers.
My hats off to you and your family. I left mormonism last year after 44 years of being a member, my wife and kids were right there with me the whole way. Their friends that were good true friends have stood by them even still as though nothing was different. Like you said there are always assholes out there but knowing in your heart that you made the right choice makes it a little easier to deal with those people in most situations. God speed and good luck on your post mormonism journey, I'm still learing a lot myself and have a lot left to learn.
Well, man. It's the message that's shared that makes them what they are. I think you have more support than you think regardless of what path you opt to walk next. You have friends and friends are friends. As you've said, the Joseph Smith and Brigham Young horses have been beaten to death, repeating it isn't going to move anything along. There are those of us who have been confronted with difficult choices and we take steps back and re-evaluate and then move forward. Some of us decide it's just not for us anymore and move along to find something else, it happens a lot. Others of us who haven't gotten that confirmation yet and we've seen others that have. We know we're going to see apostacy still, never said it wouldn't happen in smaller degrees, so we see people be deceived and apostacize how? The Book of Mormon teaches that pride creeps in and success and wealth. So, those of us who struggle that await that confirmation from deity, step back and take a look at the overall picture and start studying, if we want to know so we study it out and make sense of it. I've studied what Catholocism has, they're not it. I've looked into Protestantism, it's not there either. Judaism is divided and lost, they can't come to a conclusion as to where they really stand, and look at Islam today, supposed to be a religion of peace, it's not. For a con-man, Joseph Smith was a master manipulator no one else could see. I don't know how a man can come up with something so deep and before he had any idea of what lie ahead in the years ahead, it really is the ONLY denomination that makes sense in every aspect. I haven't been able to find otherwise. All the anti is out there but it doesn't make sense. Even if those today have been caught up in the pride of the world, doesn't change what was founded, on the contrary just doesn't add up. But, we take a fresh look and start over, start with the beginning. I started with the Old Testament and put everything on the table, other faiths beliefs and the rest of Christianity is lost. Islam borrowed from Christianity and Judaism and plagarized the book. I guess you could look into Judaism but, I can't make that line up either, John the Revelators writings are happening now and so they don't line up. Do what you feel you need to do bro, but we can't pretend it doesn't exist, we can't ignore it and move on like it's not happening either, it's a really empty feeling. It's why Protestants create atheists, it's dark along that path and feels like it's only a 1/3 of the way there. You still have a faith in Jesus Christ, your words "I pray" indicate you haven't lost faith in him. But, never forget Judas betrayed Jesus. Peter denied him three times and Peter was the rock. I hope you find what it is you're looking for, take the path you feel you need to, but keep the door open, dont shut it just yet. Your friends will remain your friends. Mississippi has a smart group of Saints, they're tight knit and you've served them with everything you had, you've been there for them in their difficult times, you've counseled them to the best of your ability, and helped direct them to a better light and a happier way of living and they won't forget that. So they say, brother, keep on keeping on, but don't close that door, do as you feel you need to do, but keep that door open. I'm sorry things have been difficult for you, it seems it's taken a toll on you, but we all are having difficult times right now, some worse than others. I've lost everything. I lost my home, my job twice, my car engine blew up and I lost my car, nobody will put me to work, and I lost my family, I lost my chance at having a family, you still have all of that at your side. We all have to walk difficult paths, some of us more than others, but even as much as I've lost, there are still others that have it worse than I do. You'll be alright, brother
I remember sitting in a lesson at church once when the teacher said with a sad face (I don't know what evil looks like anymore.) This sentence sounded like he was hurt bad by something but then just finished the lesson . My wife told me thru the mormon gossip group at church his daughter was abuse by a fellow member in the church library, And both families were told to forgive and forget besides the abuser he got probation but thats it. That poor girl rebelled got pregnant at 16 and tattoos. This was the same girl who would walk up to the pulpit every fast sunday bearing testimony about wanting to serve a mission, getting married in the temple and having a family with an rm nothing less than perfection. Crazy how an old creep who was married, abused her than changed the future of her life for selfish personal gain. Good on you buddy do what you want and protect that family of yours.❤
It's interesting the different experiences everyone has. I'm a convert, I didn't join for any other reason, but God. I was show in a dream/vision many things (church member don't seem to respond well to hearing that). and even though I turned the missionaries away at the door, a female voice spoke to me (along with being surrounded by the spirit) and encouraged me to join independent of anyone else. Do things need to change in the church? Yes. They must. I still get visions and dream and out of body experiences, etc... and find it hard to be in this world. Do I agree with everything? No (probably why I'm on the outer). But there is something interesting in it that I can't shake off (and it's not the brainwashing) as it never got me because I had to many experiences and was too curious for that to happen. I hope your journey goes well whatever comes.
I have not officially left the Mormon church but I plan on it. I am in love with a woman in the Church and she has Stockholm syndrome just like I did and I might as well leave her alone now. This is making me deeply depressed.
Bishop. The Lord Loves you. The members of the Church aren't perfect. You might encountered members attacking you. But the Church is still Remain the Church of Jesus Christ. We are not perfect and we need to go to Church to be healed and to learn the ways of the Lord. We need to love one another as Jesus loves us. Bishop, I am grateful the Lord calls Bishop to take care of us. I am thankful of you even I don't know you, but the calling that you bare isn't easy. You have been helping members and I am one of those who got helped by a Bishop to stay Strong. I cannot tell you what to do or what not to do. The Lord gave us the agency. But I will leave my testimony to you. Wherever we are or whatever decision we make. The Lord loves us and He is always want us to be in His fold and the Church is always and will forever be True. Even we go or stay. The Lord is always opening the doors for you. The Lord wants you to come back. Anytime you're ready. We love you bishop and I pray you find peace and happiness. Always remember we are brothers and sisters always and forever. For eternity.
Hey! We just want to reach out, my husband and I understand exactly what you are going through. Your not alone. Even though your alone. We are alone on our state and homeschooling our kids too. I love what you said about look up. It’s so true! No need to fear. God is good!
I lost my testimony at age 50 after doing a deep dive into church history and the life of Joseph Smith. I then did another dive into the Book of Abraham. My deep dives almost ruined my marriage. My life before 50 pretty much revolved around the church. I remained active till age 59 and I finally left. I want you to know that there is life after the church
What ever route you take you can be happy. I myself became an agnostic. I don't feel a need to judge others on the basis on what they believe or don't believe. As a person I don't need to feel paranoid about world events. I take life one at a time and just focus on living my best life. It does take time to recover from a life time of indoctrination.
OMG, your username could be your real name you would still stay completely anonymous. 🤣
Bravo, well said and felt by many.
Liar.
@paponly other fakes like yourself.abearfox8791
If you go deeper, you'll be amazed and full of faith. Joseph was a good and honest man, Book of Abraham is amazing authentic revelation. The scroll dilemma is a nothing burger when you dive into the text.
I think the most loving thing anyone can do is speak the truth, speak it loudly, and still love people who aren't willing to embrace it. Lots of hugs to you and your family. It's hard but you will get through his.
Calling people "brainwashed" is hardly an expression of love. He's having a personal crisis and making bad decisions, basically throwing out the baby with the bathwater.
Amen Sally!
Always speak the truth,never force it.
But, what IS The Truth? What happened to him? WHAT IS HE TALKING ABOUT?
@akojiekeyi9854 I guess he was a member of a cultist religion that he truly believed in.Truth is what we deem it to be.A persons truth is true until it's not.
I’m an exmo in Mississippi. Our whole family is - all 4 of us. You have a wonderful day too.
You’ve got this! It’s super scary. I left before all of the online throngs of support, but once the shock wore off, and I took my first breath, I never felt so free, nor have I ever looked back.
The weight you’re carrying, gets lighter and lighter.
Best, to you and your family.
Does the thought of going back frighten you?
Dear man, I feel your pain of disillusionment so much. I went through that too. I lost friends and acquaintances in the church, I got rung up; one visited me when it was evident that I was no longer there. I met them in the supermarket, and it was as if I was diseased; so uncomfortable was it for them to talk with me. I was in the church for 40 years. What was it all about? Why did I have to go through that particular test? Dear Man, I think it was about gaining understandings that we would never have got had we not joined that church. Going through the heartache of betrayal, and being hoodwinked; being stolen from, lied to, manipulated, and the anger and dismay that we felt, educates us deeply. Once you come through all of that, you are different; more grounded, more intelligent. Spirituality for you is way more real, and you own it...... you are not just part of a program, or a cog in a wheel assembly. Plus; now, you can really help others who have escaped, or want to escape. Believe me; I appreciated the kindness and patience of someone to listen to me when I left. To be of help to others in that way is a wonderful thing to do. Giving you and your family a big hug from Australia. Just keep walking, it does get better, and you will heal. As for friends...... when there is a vacuum, some one will come along to fill it. May they be just what was needed.
Most excellent words spoken...bravo!
What an amazing, thoughtful, heart-felt and compassionate comment. Much love to you. 💞💫
Thank you for sharing. I am in a learning phase. I think I am past my grieving of being deceived my whole life. I am still learning learning to listen to my inner self and gaining the energy to do more research myself. I have decided to believe in Christ because I am not ready to give up on him. I need someone to rely on. I will continue to focus on and live life as Jesus taught.
Have you read Passport to Heaven?
I'm so sorry you are going through this. Losing my belief system was one of the hardest things I ever went through. It took years to deconstruct, and in many ways I am still working on it. It got better for my family, and I believe that it will get better for yours. I love you brother, and hoping you can feel it from across the country.
My prayers are with you Brother. I am on a similar path after 42 years of membership.
Thank you for sharing your experience. It was very heartfelt and sincere. It has strengthened me. I left the church about 10 years ago. I finally felt peace and lightness in my soul that filled me with genuine happiness. I also felt freed from so much guilt and shame that I carried with me for so many years. I felt closer to Jesus than I ever did as a active member for fifty years. It will get better and better for you as you move forward. You'll see💗
Glad to hear you kept your faith in Jesus Christ
This is so very powerful. You are helping others by sharing your struggles and successes.
I left the church and I've found Jesus like never before. I know you will too. Sending love & prayers & happiness.
So appreciate your message. My own experience was centered around the "Light of Christ" or a Moral Compass. I realized in my late 50's that I was turning off my compass in order to embrace the Nephi story (murder, deception, secret oaths with a threat of death) and many others. This is when it clicked in my brain. When we embrace the church we turn our back to Christ. When we embrace Christ, we turn our back to the church. My once friendly Mormon Friends became distant and some vitriolic. Most were very accepting but rejected my assertion that Jesus lead me out of the church. I still love them but they are still struggling with the Conditioning that embracing the church is embracing Christ.
I sympathize with you and I understand the heartbreak 💔
sending love and support to you and your family from California
Your sincerity is heartfelt. Thank you for having tremendous courage and speaking the truth.
Sending prayers to you. I feel you have so much to share. I feel your struggle is real and it is taking such courage. Please keep sharing. I want to hear what you have to say. I am a Christian praying.
But what if he says Christianity is not true. Would you still want to hear what he has to say?
Nowhere in the Tanakh is it stated that atonement can be found only through blood sacrifice, never mind human blood sacrifice.
In the book of Jonah, the people of Nineveh had sinned and bible god was going to punish them. When Jonah showed them the error of their ways, they fasted and prayed, and were forgiven. The same thing happened in the book of Esther. Living in Persia between the first and second Temples, they fasted, regretted their sins and were forgiven. These historical examples clearly show that when there is no Temple, sincere repentance is all that is needed according to Jewish scriptures.
Did David need Jesus or did he just repent to receive forgiveness?
Did Samson need Jesus or did he just repent to receive forgiveness?
How about Daniel? Did he sacrifice lots of virgins when requesting forgiveness for all his people, or did he just do some serious repenting?
Read your bible more. The Pauline Greco-Roman Christianity u believe was not the Judaism Jesus was raised to believe as a Torah following jew.
(Matthew 5:17-20)
Human sacrifice is an abomination according to the laws of Moses in which Jesus supported 100%.
Jews never believed the messiah was supposed to be killed. Jesus's cult followers created the 'died for sins' belief to justify his death, because the alternative was admitting he wasn't the Messiah.
By claiming bible god impregnated a BETROTHED female, u not only are claiming bible god is a hypocrite for violating his own mosaic laws, but u are also calling him an adulterer.
Most Christians do not seriously read nor study properly the Hebrew scriptures which are what Jesus supported.
Jewish scriptures that contradict Christian beliefs.....
Isaiah 43:10-11
I, Yahweh, am the lord, and besides me there is NO OTHER SAVIOR.
Deuteronomy 4:35
Yahweh is god, and there is NO ONE ELSE beside him.
Isaiah 45:22
Look unto only me to be SAVED, for I am Yahweh your god and there is NO ONE ELSE as your SAVIOR.
Jeremiah 17:5
Cursed be the man that trust in man and make flesh his savior, and whose heart no longer looks to Yahweh.
Psalm 146:3
Do not trust in man, for in whom there is NO SALVATION.
Hosea 11:9
God is NOT A MAN.
Numbers 23:19
God IS NOT a man OR son of man.
1 Samuel 15:29
God is not a man.
Psalm 49:7-8
No man (including Jesus) can die in place of, or be ransom paid for the sins of another.
Ezekiel 18:20
Every man is responsible for his own sin, and a father (including God-the father) cannot take responsibility for the sins of his children
Exodus 20:4-5
Anyone worshiping a man in place of Yahweh is guilty of the sin of idolatry.
Malachi 3:6
I am the lord and do not change.
Jesus was a false messiah.
Any delusional cult leader can self fulfill minor Jewish prophecy by riding a donkey into Jerusalem. Only someone with real supernatural support could fulfill the following important Jewish messianic prophetic scriptures. Jesus didn't. He just died.
Important Messianic scriptures which Jesus didn't fulfill and proves he wasn't the Jewish messiah....
Isaiah 11:9
Jewish scriptures say that when the messiah comes and the kingdom is established, "the earth shall be full of knowledge of Yahweh as the waters cover the sea". Meaning everyone around the world would know of Yahweh without the need to teach.(fail)
Zachariah 9:10
The messiah will take the weapons of war away from everyone, proclaim peace unto all the nations, and his rule will be over all the earth.
(We still have war, weapons of war, and Hindus--fail)
Isaiah 2:4
The messiah will judge between the nations and give many people criticism for their behavior. He will take all weapons if war and there will be world peacs and no more teaching/trainjng how to fight war.
(Fail)
Zachariah 8:23
Everyone worldwide will try to seek out Jews in admiration to bring them to the messiah, because they heard he is with them. (Fail)
Ezekiel 37:12
Mass Resurrection of the dead. (Didn't happen-- fail)
Ezekiel 45:22-23
The messiah will perform animal sacrifices for the sins of the people. (Which completely cancels the Christian claim that jesus was the last sin sacrifice)--fail
Zephaniah 3:9
When the messiah establishes the kingdom, Yahweh will give everyone one pure language to use. --fail, didn't happen.
Jeremiah 31:34
No more teaching of religion, for all will immediately be given knowledge of Yahweh. No bibles,no qurans, no religious books needed. And nobody would lack knowledge or be an atheist.
Are there atheists and religious books still?? Fail
Isaiah 26:19
Zombiepocolypse. Dead shall rise worldwide. ---fail
Ezekiel 44:9
Everyone must be circumcised by the heart AND the flesh. (Cutting all mens dicks😱🤭--fail)
These are just some of the major messianic scriptures that must happen, but didn't happen. Jews know they didn't happen, and therefore they know their messiah hasn't come.
@@audieabel1261 I can tell he is really struggling. He is having a moral and spiritual dilemma. Whatever it is, I can see his pain. Yes, I would want to hear. He cares about his family and he wants to do the right thing.
Thank you for your honesty and sincerity. I am so sorry but at the same time that people are realizing they have been fooled by lies. It is the hardest thing to leave, but it needs to happen. Take care and search for love not fear.❤
I admire your strength in taking such a huge step away from the LDS church. Don’t concern yourself with those still in the church who may or may not wish you well. Concentrate your energies on your family, your relationship and your children.
I left the church. I started over with the basics of the Bible and Jesus Christ. I found Him. I am now a Christian. God bless you and your family. I know it is so difficult.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is God's and Jesus Christ one and only true church here on earth. We know and teach the Bible and gospel better than any other denomination. If you truly know what the Bible taught and who Jesus Christ is you would have stayed a member of His Kingdom.
@@dylanwilliams2202 The true and living God offers forgiveness of sins, salvation, eternal life, and exaltation for free if you are interested. That is how much God loves you! ❤️
Jesus Christ never required anyone to believe the Book of Mormon is true and to believe that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God.
You need to read your Bible. Eternity is a long time to be wrong.
@@Elizabeth-rk3do LOL Oh Elizabeth, why are you tagging me when I have refuted everything you have tried to throw at me and beaten you in every argument?
_"And exaltation"_ WOAH, have you changed your mind about Exaltation? LOL considering that we have debated about this I find this hilarious.
_"Jesus Christ never required anyone to believe the Book of Mormon is true and to believe that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God."_ You're right, but if you did you would have knowledge and closer to God than if you didn't. It would be far better for you in the afterlife as well.
_"You need to read your Bible."_ I have, and with as much as I have used it to refute you, you should know that.
_"Eternity is a long time to be wrong."_ Yea, it sucks for you that you have chosen to be wrong
The Bible forbids witchcraft and sorcery. Joseph Smith, a convicted con-man, "found" the "golden plates" using a seer stone, a form of sorcery.
@@Cocoisagordonsetter _"Your testimony is nothing but memorized script from your upbringing."_ That is an interesting take considering I didn't believe in the Church and was inactive until 19 and lived in Maryland and had little influence from the Church during my upbringing. Nor is my testimony influenced by anything that happened when I was a child.
Do you Exmo's really think that the Church is just in Utah and Idaho? Come on now bud, it's time to get a better argument than "you're brainwashed from birth".
_"Trust me, this guys knows your script."_ LOL No he doesn't. I don't know what "script" you think I have but everything I said has come from my own research and isn't in or from any Church manual. You are more than welcome to try me on anything, whether it be theological or historical, and see if your false narratives and bias's Exmo's come up with about members are accurate.
I have been recently invited to be baptized in the LDS CHURCH and after reading the steps of requirements you have to go through just to be acceptable for the baptism after only visiting 1 time I felt extremely anxious and something didn't feel quite right about it so I prayed to the Lord about it and I believe he lead me to see your video thank you for your bravery and truth I will be declining the baptism through the LDS CHURCH and looking for another church that will help build my relationship with lord the right way
Spoiler alert all Christianity is a scam.
This is a quote from another believer; "I've come to believe that any religion that strives to bring you closer to God has truth in it. There is no perfect religion. For a religious organization to preach that their belief system is the only path back to God and that a person cannot fully come into the Savior but through their religious dogmas, is the very belief that will slow or stop one's progression in the heavens."
@lizwilson7437 - Don’t let one video from someone in the faith who is struggling at this time stop you from joining the most loving and caring church in the world. This is one bishop in 25,000 that lost his testimony. There are so many others who find peace and happiness in the gospel. We truly love and care for each other. You will be part of the largest sisterhood on the planet. I thank God every day for this church and cannot imagine life without it. The Lord himself invited his people to be baptized the same day he met them. Please read the Book of Mormon and see how you feel then. I pray that you wont turn so quickly from something so beautiful. I sincerely pray you will find the peace that you seek. God bless you, sister!
As an exmo.. who converted to LDS at 19 .. please read the CES letters and compare the church to the B.I.T.E. Model. they don’t tell you half of it before you join. Please don’t give this Billion dollar corporate business, 10% of your gross income.. they’re filthy rich … they’ll say it’s Satan and you’ll be tested … it’s not they’ll Love bomb .. @lizwilson7437 please do your research first ..
2,000 years of forced indoctrination.. preaching Christ crucified and the false doctrine of the trinity and other false doctrine by means of murder, rape, starvation, imprisonment.. millions and millions were killed for heresy and blasphemy, all in the name of Christianity.. So anywhere you see this symbol ✝️... RUN AWAY.. here's what Jesus said about the matter..
They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
The church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church restored to the earth.. built on the foundation of prophets and Apostles, Jesus Christ the chief corner stone. if not this church then there is no kingdom of God on the earth to prepare a people to meet their God when he returns.
It is true! 110%
❤🙌🏻 my x husband was a bishop at 28. I did not appreciate back then how hard that was on him. Bless your heart.
You are a rock star! My heart is so full of admiration for you, Bishop, and for the kindness and patience you have shown to those who have caused you pain (and the nasty comments above intended to add to it).
Well done. You are loved and you are not alone. I have been there and I have grown and healed. The answers are within and the peace also comes from within. Much love and healing to you and yours.
you are sooooo brave and my heart is full of love for you and your dear family.I can truly understand what you have struggled with because my family is no longer LDS and its hard at first but the Lord knows my heart and I could no longer be a part of the problem that was my ward and bishop.I pray god lightens your load and lightens your heart!!!!
You are loved, you are not alone. Every day will be better and life for you and your family will move forward. You did a very brave and very wise thing. If it’s possible, maybe you and your wife could attend a Thrive event or something to help you along and feel community again. Best wishes, You are a hero.
What did he do that was brave? There are no details. Just a bunch of sobbing and talking in riddles.
My wife and I just watched your video from the pulpit. I stepped down as 1st Counselor in the Bishopric after wrestling with (I assume) many of the same issues that you have. I arrived at the same place you did, and finally prioritized my own well being over fitting in with the culture and system. You won’t regret this decision, though it’ll be a little rough for a while. Feel free to reach out if you need someone to talk to our just want a glimpse of what may be further down the road for you. Take care, better days are ahead.
I don't think you have an idea of why he stepped down, he never said in fact he really never said anything in either video, except talk about himself and some "moral" thing which makes no sense. Which is why he is a very selfish man to involve others in what ever is going on.
Those of us that have been there kinda iderstan each other
@@PennyDavis-cm9tlno that still sounds like a stretch. You can’t read someone’s mind. That’s projecting
@@Surfer5689-ez2ydWhat a terribly judgmental view you have. He referenced issues with Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, being abused as a child at a church camp, the programming of children, and if you actually watched his video from the pulpit, he said he could no longer do things that violated his own sense of morality, and that he stayed in his calling as long as he did because he cared so much for, and wanted to help, the youth.
That’s not selfishness, that’s sacrifice.
@@crayonXcore393 He never said Joseph Smith or Brigham Young in either post. Where did you get that? See you are just injecting for your own purposes. And as far as abuse that is a huge claim to make if real. But in todays work pretty much everyone in abused.
Thank YOU man for standing for truth!!!! And for showing us the truth.
Much respect to you and your family.
I left the church about 6 years ago now and hasn’t been easy, but sure as heck worth it !!!
I have a great deal of respect for this ex-Bishop. I was born into the church and yet always questioned it. When I asked questions, they would never answer any of them but some of them tried and some of them just shot me down and told me not to question, just pray. I did follow their advice and my only answer was always to question and research the truth for myself. Praying for this Bishop and to anyone strong enough to throw fear out of their life as it is the strongest tool of the adversary.
Liar. So obvious.
@WatchingwaitingG2D Resentful of others' ability to move on and find happiness. So obvious.
@JustJ-Me You really are one of the dumb ones, aren't you? Don't give up your night job. You don't have many good years left.
I think this is one of the most heartfelt videos about Mormon deconstruction that I have ever seen.
I’ve been out for five years, and I’m the only one in my family to leave.
It takes time and love from both sides. But in my experience, if you continue to show up with kindness and respect, I hope your friends and family will do the same. Mine have, and it makes me grateful every day.
Hang in there. You are not alone. Your wife and kids are not alone. And you were doing a very brave thing to build a better life for your family, by stepping away from such a toxic faith system.
You are a man of great courage. This journey out of the church that you and your family are on, is so worth it!
I live in Birmingham AL, and you have my love and support 😊
My heart goes out to you and your family. This is a difficult time in your lives, but you will realize the choice was the right one to make. It was actually my children who began to question the mormon religion when they were teenagers. I am glad I listened, and then checked it out. I have been away from the church now for about 20 years, and it was the best thing I ever did for myself. Happiness permeates my life. I can think for myself, and own my own decisions. Hang in there! There will be joy and happiness for you and your family.
Tears.....as there many of us that truly understand.....pain.....because the hurt is real.... excited because your world will be more colourful....joy because you will shed a skin that you never realised was so thick.
Peace and love to you and your family.
Beautiful, well said !!
What a beautiful soul!
I hope only the best for him and his family🙏❤️
I can remember when I had to finally stop pretending and be true to myself. It was a rough few months. Deprogramming yourself from mormonism isn't fun. It's been a few years now and I'm happier and more successful in every way.
Do you still pray? or believe in God and Jesus Christ?
Thank you! Left the church 10 years ago. It's quite a journey. Reach out if you need to talk
You don't need fake superpowers to be a great guy. I think it's cool your family is with you on this.
AMEN!! I’ve never heard anyone express so articulately, humbly, and with love. For the first time in my 60 years I finally think I understand the “ Illusive Burning Bosom”I tried to find in the church. You spoke to my heart. Thank you and prayers and peace to you and your family as you make this transition.
I left the church when i was 19, but have only really explored and come to grips with the religious trauma I experienced. And honestly, it is WAY less than most. Some of the people I respect most in this world are still members, and I jave found that I can live the life I need to, they can live theirs, and we can still live and respect each other deeply. Keep doing whats best with the tools and information you have for you and your family. You all are so brave!
Um what religious trauma did you experience. Can you be specific about and cite examples?
What you're going through is more difficult than many will understand. People who still believe will want to not only trivialize, or worse, demonize, your reasons for leaving, but they will also most likely distance themselves from you and your family. It hurts when they do. It hurts to lose your friends and community. It hurts that they've been programmed to fear trying to understand you and be there for you. It's so damn hard to lose all of that while grappling with losing your faith and feeling lost. What I can promise you is it gets better. Deprogramming yourself from the cult is absolutely freeing and wonderful once you come out on the other side. You become free to think for yourself, to truly love others, to be kind and to serve only out of the want to help instead of trying to earn your place in heaven or to check a box with the leaders of the church every month. You will find new, genuine friends. It will get better. Hugs to you and your family. I've been through it, your life is going to change for the better!
Good advice💜
Great comment. Even as a Never-Mo but with family and friends who are or were members, I agree with everything you said. You said it honestly and with such care- as it should be. I worry for the children bc I know how much I was rejected as well as the children of a friend who became divorced but hadn't left the church until they realized just how conditional their "love" towards her children was. It may take some time, but I hope him and his family can heal and know that they will be embraced by others who won't accept them.
Having gone through a similar experience I can say that this is good advice. It is more like getting purified by fire than getting Holy Ghost was. For me at least.
"People who still believe will want to not only trivialize, or worse, demonize, your reasons for leaving"
The demonizing is done BY the exmo's, not TO the exmo's. The faithful are: [stupid, brainwashed, evil ... ]
You won't be demonized or distanced. These are lies thr exmormon community puts out there.
Thank you for sharing such a personal and trying thing as this. As so many have already told you, I do understand what you feel. I lost my testimony at the age of 35, I am 58 now. I loved the church and church members. I never stopped loving the members. On the contrary, I feel a special kind of understanding (because I was there for the same reasons they are) for all of them, even though so many would feel the opposite about me today. I get it. I have zero love for the church however, and my contempt for it has grown over the years as I watch it from the outside. Shortly after I left, I felt exactly as you state. I didn’t want to hurt others. Losing my testimony was second only to losing a child when it comes to hard to cope with. But then I began to realize that it was others speaking out who had ultimately given me the courage to question, once I finally allowed myself to hear what they were saying…and I had a lot of repressed questions, as do all ex-mos. I do not go on the offensive, but I do not shy away from sharing my views of the church and my reasons for leaving. Yes they have had those words spoken at them before, but they obviously have not heard them yet. The world is a much smaller place these days, and you may not have ex-mos there in MS (I was a teenage Mormon in Ocean Springs back in 80), but I assure you there is a warm and welcoming online ex-mo community. I also know that none of this and nothing I can say fixes anything for you. It is such a tumultuous personal journey to go through. All I can say, as one who has travelled it before, is that the destination is much better than the starting point. Maybe that can give you a little peace of mind as you go down that path.
I was born and baptized Mormon as a child. I am soooo glad at the age of 11/12 i completely quit going. My life was in shambles and ofcourse the devil had a grip on me for 25 years. I now go to a Nazarene Church and I absolutely am so hungry for the Lord! I’m happy for you and your family! Jesus has your back my brother.
So many of us have been through what you’re going through, and please know that we will be praying for you. Each story is a little different, and sadly, many are like children who feel free to go the way of hatred and garishness. There are many good, humble Christians where you live who will rejoice with you and help you find your way through the hellishness you’re experiencing now. Many of your faithful Mormon friends will be inspired by your honesty and courage and may even begin to admit to themselves that they’ve been experiencing similar feelings deep inside. Find a small congregation with a leader who preaches only from the Bible and only the perfect truths that Jesus taught, instead of the “philosophies of men, mingled with scripture” (sound familiar?). Know that some of your LDS friends will turn on you and drop you like the proverbial hot potato. Don’t waste your time grieving over the loss of those my-way-or-the-highway, so-called friends; they’re not worth your time or your grief. Others will continue to be your friends, and you can continue to bless each other’s lives. Congratulations on your first giant step into real truth, and may God bless you!
"To thine own self be true." Congratulations, the way I understand it is as the apex of integrity. Now it gets really real. I feel grateful having been brought up in the church, the guidance there was a great start. When that lead becomes a limit, to continue forward you need to leave some things behind. Since I left the self proclaimed prophets, popes, and priests authority over my thoughts, the human experience has increased exponentially in it's richness, wonder, joy, and pain. May acceptance and assistance bring you and your family the power and peace to inspire others to trust and believe in their own hearts.
You're an example, I huge example to so many. I was in a similar position back in Dec 2022. I asked to be released from the bishopric, and on the day I was released, the Stake President really wanted me to share my testimony. He knew where I was at spiritually, but still wanted me to share to allow others to be open. I had so many come up to me after and say, thank you for being vulnerable in my testimony. I had refused to say "i know", but said "I hope" for many things, but focused it on hoping I can be a better husband and father and friend. So many people said they never bore their testimony about their beliefs because they couldn't say I know. Your words of honesty and vulnerability give so many others the desire to seek truth, no matter where it is, and focus less on any of the "vehicles" of that truth. You reignited my desire to find that truth, to not try to force members to look in the mirror, but to genuinely love them and become a more loving person.
I used to say I hope, I used to thank the members, but I too couldn’t say ‘I know’ as I didn’t want to lie.
What a legend this guy is.all the best in your journey
You're not alone!🧡
Powerful and beautiful! Thank you and peace to you and your family. 🕊️
Amen Brother!! Beautifully said!
Please know that your words have resonated Christ. Exactly what a bishop should say. I can identify with the struggle. Some don’t realize there’s no church monopoly on being Christ-like. My heart goes out to you and your family.
"Some don’t realize there’s no church monopoly on being Christ-like"
Some do, some don't [insert verb here].
I left during covid. I felt like I had been lied to with the narrative of "We are the one true church. We have the prophet of God to lead us. An Angel appeared to Joseph Smith." I was a convert and now I don't believe any of these things. If the church simply would have said, as apparently they have known this for about 100 years, that the Book of Mormon was just a book to help us using myths to try and live a better life- take what you want and use it...- then maybe I wouldn't have been so devastated and angry that I was duped. I thought I gave hundreds of thousands of dollars in tithing to clothe the naked, feed the hungry and succor the poor. Now I see I may have just been filling the coffers and buying stocks. I am a frugal and wise steward over our household money. I feel I have cheated my family with the money I gave to the church in tithing.
They need to be hold accountable for deceiving church members and their hard earned money!!
@@justtep7092they sure do !!!!
I can't imagine how difficult it is to leave a high maintenance religion. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. FYI, I am a nevermo (I am a life-long Lutheran), but my husband has many lovely family members who are still in the 'church.' I pray for them also. I know it is difficult right now when everything is still fresh and raw, but as they say, time heals. You will get past this and will triumph. 🙏🙏❤❤🙏🙏❤❤
I am an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day saints. We lost a good man in Mississippi. This church isn’t going anywhere though. We will be right here with open arms, should you desire to come back. “The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.” - Joseph Smith
Thank you for your example of LOVE and courage! You and your family are immensely loved, and deserving of all it!
Here we go! Into our future!! It's an adventure relearning, new thoughts, different feelings. It is a journey, you don't get over this tomorrow. I've been working and learning for 3 yrs. Watched multiple videos. Been to different churches. Life goes on. Still pray, hold on to Christ. 🙂
Members serve and sacrifice to help others. They don’t get any money or other rewards except for the joy that comes from service and being filled with the Spirit of God. It’s hard work sometimes to serve in callings in the church, but we do it because we love the Lord and our fellow beings. Not because we are brainwashed.
I have been involved and found, it not so easy to get real truth told...in church... People look amazed when i tell them them stuff in church that they've learned differently through indoctrination.
However, English government and energy companies are stealing too much taxes, leaving people to rely on foodbanks.
I can honestly say, LDS church in Bournemouth area, have TOTALLY supported me! I was left with no money for heating etc., because of council Tax...but the church stepped in to help and support me... so thankful !
Ive felt so much peace since ive found the truth out. I know we live after death and its good to know i will be with my family without having to do the hand shakes and pay my money. ❤
Sending thoughts and prayers to you from Colorado. May god bless you and your family!
God bless you and your family. This is a tough journey. You will be Heart broken, anger, anxiety and then a few years you will find peace. It's like losing a loved one or it was for me. Hang in there! You have our love and support from Utah. You are not alone. We left the church a few years ago and lost all our friends and some family. After Pres. Nelson's conference 2023, really took a toll on our family contacts. We're going to hell according to them ...hang in there. We still believe in God, Jesus Christ, Bible reading folks.
Top 15 are realising how many are thankfully getting out … Nelson & Co are scare mongering the faithful..
Absolutely. Do not donate to the elite destruction of our country. LDS donations are supporting as well.
I’m a Christian in Mississippi and I want you to know that there are thousands of us who would be happy to try to be there for you and your family. You are great people and we are proud of you for taking a stand for your family.
Wishing you a beautiful spiritual journey. Jesus is real and always ready to show His love in the most amazing of ways. I didn't even realize how suffocated I felt by so much confusing and contradictory doctrine that Mormonism teaches. Once I left, I felt like I could finally breathe again. I've never looked back and I'm so grateful I left. The only difficult part of it was giving up the social support, but I would do it all again in a second. I've gained so much more than I lost.
The stages of grief are real but the view on the other side is so much more peaceful. God speed Brother!
Love to your family from Cape Cod Massachusetts! It’s a wonderful world I have found. Still a member but I know now. I’m not sure what to do but love always works!!!!
Same ❤
Peace is coming for you and your family ❤
Not necessarily. Those of us that leave a belief system who are part of an extremely religious family and religious community are often going to be alone for a while.
Sometimes life is a struggle that you can't akways realistically expect peace for.
@audieabel1261 I officially left the church in 2023, and while I know you are right, I also know that leaving the church ultimately is very freeing. The impose so much stress and shame and self-hate in their practices.
@rachelb315 yes, Rachel. When we accept that we made a mistake and rid ourselves of the shackles of false belief, we then open up a whole new world of growth in order for us to become a better and more mature version of ourselves. It's difficult, because we are some of the first to do so. But, even though we struggle sometimes with families and a society that will take time to follow, I'd never for one second trade my progress, knowledge, understanding, and general growth for staying stagnant and being a robotic copy of those that came before.
Freeing your mind and discovering why u and everyone else believe false things comes with difficulty but also great reward. 👍
@rachelb315 I recently had to cut off relations completely with my father and mother.
Short family history...
I come from an extremely religious family. My great grandfather, grandfather, grand uncle, uncle, father, and brother are just some of the preachers in my immediate family.
I'm the only atheist in my family and only ex-Christian in general, as far as I know.
Recently, I had happened onto the Facebook page of one of the crazy people who went to my brother's church. I read an extremely ridiculous post she had made. I didn't even comment, but I did react with a laughing emoji on the post. Her ego must have just freaked out. She, I guess, assumed I was the atheist brother of her preacher and then contacted my brother, evidently initiating lots of drama over a single emoji.
Then, my brother evidently continued the ridiculous drama by contacting my preacher father, who then contacted me and insulted me by saying I was "worthless." You don't say that kind of disrespectful thing to your son or anyone u wish to have a respectful relationship with.
It's unfortunate, but if I have to cut someone out of my life, it isn't because I hate them or can't forgive them, but because I respect myself too much to allow someone to carelessly abuse me.
None of my family has anything to do with me anymore since I came out as an atheist. Not one member of my 'lovingly Christian family' has ever attempted to openly and respectfully engage with me or ask me, "Why?. They just assume things disrespectfully and say things behind my back. You'd think if people truly believed in an eternal torturous Hell, that they'd try asap to engage and discuss the situation in order to try to help their loved one with as much respect and kindness as possible. But, you usually get the opposite, which seems to be the response of a selfish and fragile ego.
And once people from my small community, who is overwhelmingly Christian, find out that I'm atheist, they also treat my wife, children, and myself differently.
Once parents find out I'm atheist, they don't let their kids play with my son anymore. I live presently in Coweta, Oklahoma, USA.
We're planning to move soon. 👍🖖
@rachelb315 so what led you out of the church, Rachel? Did you simply learn too much and couldn't believe anymore?
My preacher brother homeschols his 6 children while teaching them dinosaurs lived with humans in the garden of Eden and were on Noah's ark.
I do my best to try to learn ways to get through the cognitive walls that believers put up, so please let me know what triggered your escape if u get time or desire.
I hear that deleted diesel in the back ground…..this guy is my people. Stay strong man! RM here that slowly figured it all out through personal investigation and research. It’s tough man. Especially when family and friends are still being mislead by it all.
You are a good man, watched your last testimony u made, I know and bare testimony that you are on the right track. I went through alot in my days, and now today I'm totally happy, I deconstructed after 50 years of membership. I'm finally just getting over it. Bless you brother.🙏👍
You are loved. God bless your family and everyone who are struggling. God will grant you peace, friend.
Bless your heart and your family's. I left the church just over a year ago. It wasn't easy at all. When you find truth, it's hard not to unsee it. The journey can be long or short. I feel for my friends as they like me have been lied to. Unfortunately, they're still in a comfort bubble and don't want it to burst. I, for one, dont want to burst it. One day, most members will see the truth.The church is first a corporation where money is the most important thing. With love and strength to you and your family from the UK ❤
You'll be fine! Transparency is key to the truth. Unfortunately the church sugar coated a lot of things through time. I was one of those members that always asked questions. A lot of members thought I was too worldly and not invested. Hard to invest in something that's turned out to be a fraud!
The world needs more leaders like you. Family comes first for you ! To many LDS families go without leadership because of relentless hours at church,meetings,worthless intrusive interviews. Carry on brother great Job !
Thanks for sharing! We can all learn from this man of how to approach those from the other side. To do so without hate or anger.
"To do so without hate or anger."
That would be a refreshing change for many.
I am still strong in my belief. I cannot deny the communications I have had directly with God.
I love you. We may disagree. But the love should not ever go away between practicing members and you. I'm sure there will be members who refuse to act appropriately or follow the councils of Christ.
I hope whatever you do you can get closer to God and constantly reflect upon your relationship with him and your family.
Most members love you regardless of your position on or in the church.
I'm a convert to the church, the reality of what is actually true is hard. I understand how you feel, keep your relationship with Jesus, its all that I focus on
You are a very brave, honest and spiritual man!! I am proud of you for speaking up for your value system of truth based honesty that the church expected from us!!! It’s one of the hardest things you are going through right now with trying to decide just how you will worship the way we’ve been taught without the twist of the church.
I’ve been going through similar experiences since my eyes were opened…. God bless you and your family. My love prayers are with you❣️🙏🏻❣️🙏🏻❣️🙏🏻
And trust in a living Heavenly Father to help you with this transition ❣️🙏🏻❣️🙏🏻❣️
I think more of this will happen as the church seems to have moved to calling younger Bishops as part of being the YM President also. It is a very demanding position and I’m speaking from experience. I hope everything works out for this man and his family. The culture of the church is certainly a big issue for a lot of people.
You will be so much more at peace in life now that you have left…
I cried because I remember what it was like for me leaving it’s painful and no one understands… but I feel free now and at peace…
Bless you and your family… you are strong
Stunning. Total empathy for this bishop and his family.
What is stunning? He didn't say anything.. what exactly is he trying to say.. please explain.
@@Pilotty Dude, a few weeks ago this guy was a Mormon bishop and now he calls TBMs brainwashed.
but he never says why he resigned.. he obviously believed in the church to become a bishop, he said as much or they never would have put him in that position. So what changed specificly?@@kentthalman4459
Stunning lol. I hope he quits crying like a baby who did not get his toy, his piety is nauseating.
@@benzun9600 Don't worry, he will. Now that he's being shunned he'll transition to the next phase of apostasy.
I'm here for you. You go, dude. You'll be so much better off. Enjoy your weekends now.
You are a brave man and i wish you and your family well. I was only in for 4 years and it took me 20 years to recover and rediscover my faith in Jesus Christ.
How can you go from being a Bishop to losing your testimony of the church overnight?
Because what active believing members cannot or will not accept is that the ones who usually leave are the ones who went full force. Loved the gospel and the church so much they wanted more. So they went looking for more and found what shattered that belief. Then they play this tug of war of trying to find something to hold onto or something to justify what they find. To outsiders it looks like they left overnight or wanted to sin.
I have never met a believing member that knew the whole history of the church. If it was his church and the church is perfect, there is nothing to make right so there’s nothing to hide.
@@nexusnovasolutions so
not true! I have studied the gospel and the history of the church for years. Some historians have warped the history, if you care to dig deep enough. Some members have dug deep, left the church, dug deeper, and returned to the church. People who leave the church are not better educated, but have made a choice to leave over some point of doctrine they don’t wish to practice or because of some inaccurate historical portrayal.
I’m so grateful that some can leave the lds Church and keep their faith in God. When I left the Mormon bubble in 2014 I was overwhelmed with the chaos and doctrinal controversies of broader Christianity. “Test everything” and “hold onto the faith that was once delivered to the saints”
Bless you brother.
The Book of Mormon is true, and another witness of the same gospel of Jesus Christ as the Bible. Joseph Smith was a true prophet who worshipped Jesus Christ. The church was infiltrated by wicked men. When Joseph Smith was murdered, Brigham Young usurped control of the church and led some of the saints to SLC, Utah (many refused to follow him). Brigham Young introduced many false doctrines into that denomination including polygamy, men becoming Gods, Adam God, blood atonement of men, penal oath temple rituals, a Heavenly Mother, Lucifer being Jesus' brother, incorrect definition of Christ’s church, etc. None of that is in the Book of Mormon or teachings of Joseph Smith, but Brigham Young and the wicked leaders under and after him have pretended that it came from Joseph Smith in order to gain acceptance for their own evil and lustful desires. The LDS church of today is Brigham Young's denomination and is apostate from the teachings of the church under Joseph Smith.
@@joesimpson9230
“God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great secret.... It is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the Character of God, and to know... that he was once a man like us.... Here, then, is eternal life - to know the only wise and true God; and you have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves... the same as all Gods have done before you.”
- Joseph Smith
(King Follett Discourse)
That Joseph was the author of Mormon polygamy, is attested to even by early leadership of the RLDS church.
Both polygamy and Blood Atonement were attested to have been taught and practiced by multiple witnesses who never followed Brigham Young to Utah.
You’re right about Adam God, Joseph never taught it. He just laid the foundation for it by leaving a hodgepodge of doctrinal soup for Brigham Young to try putting the puzzle pieces together.
Super sorry you feel this way. I guess I'm different, I didn't grow up in the church, but super happy that I found it and that I've stayed faithful. I mean, I've literally had it both ways (life in and out of the church) so perhaps I don't see what you seem to see... I mean to say, I can see how some would see what you describe...but thats never been my experience nor do I see it...
Just remember, after everything is said and done.... Well after your name is removed (I assume you removed it) you'll be welcomed back when your ready.
Your words (and the words you did not speak) brought tears to my eyes because you are where MANY of us have walked. It is so fucking hard to detangle from the brainwash we were dealth.
Keep on going! Keep on going!
I feel so sorry for you and your family Ex- Bishop. I haven't experienced the things you have, and you haven't walked in my shoes either. I know the members from the 1800s were full of mistakes and are today, so are all churches full of sinners. Bishop, I have served as a Judge in Israel also and I walked paths you haven't. I have seen and heard and know things I'm sure you don't know. Due to their sacredness, I cannot speak of them openly. Bishop, The Church is true. I feel so very sorry for your family. Please pray about this.
The pulpit video was too general to understand why he was resigning. He's being very kind now. There's times of anger too when some lies and unnecessary difficulties from the church are realized over time.
He knows why he’s resigning…all that matters
I pray that him and his family find the real Jesus and doctrine. I was a former mormon that gave it up because the church made me feel I would never be worthy and I would just go to hell and suffer so I accepted that fate. Then God led me to the truth and I am so thankful everyday. I pray that more people in this false religion start to see through what it is and the hurt it causes many people
❤ Wow! Thank you for being you! You have inspired my heart. Prayers and blessing to you and your family. I am on a faith journey right now and am struggling with how to balance all of it - my well being , family , church and calling . You have given me hope and courage to do more of what is right and best for me. Thank you!
The dark night of the soul is a grieving time, a search for your truth. But the morning after, brings peace unimaginable. Be gentle with yourself. The dark night will end. Joy comes in the morning.
Hang in there. There is no “them”. Only “us”. And none of us have all the answers. Admitting that, humbly, is a great start to seeing how interconnected we really are. Every last one of us. We create the division that we then suffer from.
Respect this man. I would love to help this family. Can you please share any information you can give us to financially assist?
You and our Lord know what is in your heart. Don’t dispare even though you are feeling so downtrodden. Our awesome Abba has you. I for one will pray for you and your loved ones. I love that you still love the Lord and need to move away from such a catastrophic high demand church. Years ago I learned so much and I worried for these beautiful souls so much and one day He audibly told me, “I Am taking care of them.” It all lays in His hands and time. Sending you love and prayers.
My hats off to you and your family. I left mormonism last year after 44 years of being a member, my wife and kids were right there with me the whole way. Their friends that were good true friends have stood by them even still as though nothing was different. Like you said there are always assholes out there but knowing in your heart that you made the right choice makes it a little easier to deal with those people in most situations. God speed and good luck on your post mormonism journey, I'm still learing a lot myself and have a lot left to learn.
I am amazed at how deep from the heart his update was. Beautifully done. He reminded me to be kind. And he is within❤. Made me cry.
Well, man. It's the message that's shared that makes them what they are. I think you have more support than you think regardless of what path you opt to walk next. You have friends and friends are friends. As you've said, the Joseph Smith and Brigham Young horses have been beaten to death, repeating it isn't going to move anything along. There are those of us who have been confronted with difficult choices and we take steps back and re-evaluate and then move forward. Some of us decide it's just not for us anymore and move along to find something else, it happens a lot. Others of us who haven't gotten that confirmation yet and we've seen others that have. We know we're going to see apostacy still, never said it wouldn't happen in smaller degrees, so we see people be deceived and apostacize how? The Book of Mormon teaches that pride creeps in and success and wealth. So, those of us who struggle that await that confirmation from deity, step back and take a look at the overall picture and start studying, if we want to know so we study it out and make sense of it.
I've studied what Catholocism has, they're not it. I've looked into Protestantism, it's not there either. Judaism is divided and lost, they can't come to a conclusion as to where they really stand, and look at Islam today, supposed to be a religion of peace, it's not. For a con-man, Joseph Smith was a master manipulator no one else could see. I don't know how a man can come up with something so deep and before he had any idea of what lie ahead in the years ahead, it really is the ONLY denomination that makes sense in every aspect. I haven't been able to find otherwise. All the anti is out there but it doesn't make sense. Even if those today have been caught up in the pride of the world, doesn't change what was founded, on the contrary just doesn't add up. But, we take a fresh look and start over, start with the beginning. I started with the Old Testament and put everything on the table, other faiths beliefs and the rest of Christianity is lost. Islam borrowed from Christianity and Judaism and plagarized the book. I guess you could look into Judaism but, I can't make that line up either, John the Revelators writings are happening now and so they don't line up.
Do what you feel you need to do bro, but we can't pretend it doesn't exist, we can't ignore it and move on like it's not happening either, it's a really empty feeling. It's why Protestants create atheists, it's dark along that path and feels like it's only a 1/3 of the way there.
You still have a faith in Jesus Christ, your words "I pray" indicate you haven't lost faith in him. But, never forget Judas betrayed Jesus. Peter denied him three times and Peter was the rock.
I hope you find what it is you're looking for, take the path you feel you need to, but keep the door open, dont shut it just yet. Your friends will remain your friends. Mississippi has a smart group of Saints, they're tight knit and you've served them with everything you had, you've been there for them in their difficult times, you've counseled them to the best of your ability, and helped direct them to a better light and a happier way of living and they won't forget that. So they say, brother, keep on keeping on, but don't close that door, do as you feel you need to do, but keep that door open. I'm sorry things have been difficult for you, it seems it's taken a toll on you, but we all are having difficult times right now, some worse than others. I've lost everything. I lost my home, my job twice, my car engine blew up and I lost my car, nobody will put me to work, and I lost my family, I lost my chance at having a family, you still have all of that at your side. We all have to walk difficult paths, some of us more than others, but even as much as I've lost, there are still others that have it worse than I do. You'll be alright, brother
Freedom is scary, especially in the beginning.
I remember sitting in a lesson at church once when the teacher said with a sad face (I don't know what evil looks like anymore.) This sentence sounded like he was hurt bad by something but then just finished the lesson . My wife told me thru the mormon gossip group at church his daughter was abuse by a fellow member in the church library, And both families were told to forgive and forget besides the abuser he got probation but thats it. That poor girl rebelled got pregnant at 16 and tattoos. This was the same girl who would walk up to the pulpit every fast sunday bearing testimony about wanting to serve a mission, getting married in the temple and having a family with an rm nothing less than perfection.
Crazy how an old creep who was married, abused her than changed the future of her life for selfish personal gain.
Good on you buddy do what you want and protect that family of yours.❤
Sometimes we have to let go of everything for Christ to fill us up. Your courage is admirable.
It's interesting the different experiences everyone has. I'm a convert, I didn't join for any other reason, but God. I was show in a dream/vision many things (church member don't seem to respond well to hearing that). and even though I turned the missionaries away at the door, a female voice spoke to me (along with being surrounded by the spirit) and encouraged me to join independent of anyone else. Do things need to change in the church? Yes. They must. I still get visions and dream and out of body experiences, etc... and find it hard to be in this world. Do I agree with everything? No (probably why I'm on the outer). But there is something interesting in it that I can't shake off (and it's not the brainwashing) as it never got me because I had to many experiences and was too curious for that to happen. I hope your journey goes well whatever comes.
I have not officially left the Mormon church but I plan on it. I am in love with a woman in the Church and she has Stockholm syndrome just like I did and I might as well leave her alone now. This is making me deeply depressed.
Ok wow that sounds horrible
Bishop. The Lord Loves you. The members of the Church aren't perfect. You might encountered members attacking you. But the Church is still Remain the Church of Jesus Christ. We are not perfect and we need to go to Church to be healed and to learn the ways of the Lord. We need to love one another as Jesus loves us. Bishop, I am grateful the Lord calls Bishop to take care of us. I am thankful of you even I don't know you, but the calling that you bare isn't easy. You have been helping members and I am one of those who got helped by a Bishop to stay Strong. I cannot tell you what to do or what not to do. The Lord gave us the agency. But I will leave my testimony to you. Wherever we are or whatever decision we make. The Lord loves us and He is always want us to be in His fold and the Church is always and will forever be True. Even we go or stay. The Lord is always opening the doors for you. The Lord wants you to come back. Anytime you're ready. We love you bishop and I pray you find peace and happiness. Always remember we are brothers and sisters always and forever. For eternity.
I am a christian not mormon and my advice is always just put your eyes upon Jesus. Bless you!
But why? Cant you see that all religions are fake? Christianity was invented by the Romans. Its not real either.
Hey! We just want to reach out, my husband and I understand exactly what you are going through. Your not alone. Even though your alone.
We are alone on our state and homeschooling our kids too. I love what you said about look up. It’s so true! No need to fear. God is good!
He lies, and you can't see it. Typical false Christians.