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Thank you for the answer, I appreciate it. It helps me in coming to terms with my own faith.

I have a confession, as an inactive (14yrs), bordering on apostate, married (civil and temple) to a devout, highly active mormon, I am working on understanding, knowledge and faith. That’s probably why I never claimed to be mormon, haven’t believed in it for quite some time. Yet sympathetic to their side at the same time. (hypocritical? one can think so if they choose.)

I am also trying to learn more about why I believe mormonism is wrong so that I can discuss this with my wife. She is understandably trying to bring me back, but I’ve not yet learned enough to tell her why I can’t/won’t without hurting her. Colorcountry must know quite well what it’s like being in a mormon household and not being of that faith.

I was never one for religion, yet lately, I have had an epiphany of sorts. A lot of what you all post has truth to it, it’s just sorting through a lot of the excited dialogue between mormon and non-mormon folks that makes it hard to follow.

I lurk on a lot of the threads and what I find helpful is when you post direct quotes out of both the mormon KJ Bible and the straight up KJV of the Bible to show the comparisons. That is enlightening as it shows how the words/passages can be made to mean different things.

Didn’t mean to start rambling, sorry.

Regards,

Wow, I can totally feel for your wife. Leaving the LDS faith was one of the hardest things I have ever done. My family thinks it is because I love sin, that I’m a drinker or something perhaps sexual- it’s just too hard for them to think I don’t believe Mormonism.

My family still loves me, and two of my sisters have also left Mormonism as well as several nieces and nephews. No cousins or aunts and uncles have left that I know of. I am still included in family events at Church or family reunions, but I am an outsider. My family has been pretty great when compared to others.

Then their is the issue of community. In Utah, especially Southern Utah and parts of Idaho, Arizona, Wyoming, Nevada, the LDS Church IS the community. It helps if you can become involved in School events or sports. My husband and I became really involved in baseball. He was the President of Babe Ruth Baseball and I was secretary and served on the board for many years. We have also been highly involved in competitive archery. Still, I had a longing for my family of worshippers. I truly didn’t find that home until I became Christian, and even then it took several years to find a congregation where I was comfortable and belonged. Coming from Mormonism, the rock music and casual dress of contemporary worship had to grow on me, but it finally did.

The biggest change - and the most important change, is the heart change that happens when you admit that you sin and that you are incapable of NOT sinning. You’ve made a mess of your life, and you can’t really blame anyone else. You cry out to Jesus in longing to be free of sin. Many Mormons cannot readily admit that they sin, but we ALL do!

Once you realize that you can’t be perfect, then you can truly cry out for forgiveness. I didn’t have a perfect understanding of Jesus Christ when I cried out for forgiveness, but I knew that He had died on that cross, and that his death meant something really important. Millions of people have givin their lives to Christ because of that cross. He took their sins upon himself and because of His sacrifice your sins were removed...forever....if you have faith.

The very instance I recognized that I was free of the penalties of sin and I owed it to Jesus Christ, I turned my life over to Him. My main goal in life was to live a life in honor to Him - Not for what it would gain for me, but becasue I loved Him so much I couldn’t even fathom hurting Him by turning my back upon His sacrifice for me.

Of course sometimes I fail. He knew I would, yet He made a way to show us His perfect love and also to satisfy the justice that our sins demand. My life has changed. My life in Christ is worth more to me than family, friends, FR or conservatism or even my country - even though I love all those things - my love for the Savior who died to set me free has chained me to Him in devotion.

I no longer think of what I will gain if I am good, but I think of how HE will be glorified by my acts. I feel complete joy in knowing He loves me, and that I am in His Kingdom right now, for all eternity! Now THAT is my faith!

That’s probably why I never claimed to be mormon, haven’t believed in it for quite some time. Yet sympathetic to their side at the same time. (hypocritical? one can think so if they choose.)

The culture of mormonism is very difficult to separate from-there is a degree of security and belonging that they instill. CC and other ex mormons here are definitely good sources to discuss these kinds of feelings.

was never one for religion, yet lately, I have had an epiphany of sorts

I'll just leave you with this thought to consider so you won't be overwhelmed by the responses. Christianity isn't a religion as mormonism is, it is a relationship with Jesus that is far deeper than what you would encounter in mormonism. Promise Keepers brought this out - thousands of men of all denominations - but all members of the same Church - we call the body of Christ. You will be in my prayers tonight for grace to you and your family.