After 40 years in the church, I got out! The members of the church preach things they don't live up to. I know more gay men who are secretly gay and stay married to their wives because of the ramifications of what would happen if they came out because of the discrimination they would face both within the church and within their own families who are Mormon. Members preach love and compassion, yet scorn and ostracize those who are not like them.

There are many great people out there who aren't Mormon, but most Mormons won't take the time to get to know them unless they are trying to baptize them. I was raised to stay away from people who weren't Mormon because they were "bad" and might corrupt me. It took me a long time to realize non-members weren't "bad" and didn't corrupt me.

One tipping point for me was when my bishop called me in and tried to coerce me into paying tithing by dangling a higher position in the church if I would pay tithing. Really?!?! The church doesn't have enough money? And do they really think I care about a higher position? I work full time and have a great job with a middle management position. I have all the work I can handle or want. I realize there are many Mormons who want the "power" of a higher position in the church. I wasn't one of them. It just translates to more work after I've worked an 8-10 hour day.

My final tipping point was when my ex-husband's bishop called me because my ex was wanting to go through the temple with his new wife. My bishop asked if there was anything that was outstanding or unresolved due to our divorce. I told him about the $40,000 my ex owed me and basically stole from me during the divorce. I told the bishop I had the paperwork to prove it. He, being the "divine one," called my kids and interviewed them to see if that was true (which they knew nothing about because I didn't get my kids involved in the divorce) rather than proceed forward with the information I provided. Because my kids didn't know anything, he allowed my ex to go through the temple. When I emailed him back about his decision, he told me there was nothing he was going to do because my kids didn't know anything about the money owed to me. Wow! That's divine intervention at its best! Talk about a man called by God! Obviously, God must have been busy when the bishop was praying for guidance on the matter!

To top off my wonderful Mormon experience, my father was a hard core porn addict, specializng in incest porn all while he was a Mormon bishop. He was suspected of sexually abusing some of the girls in my family but it couldn't be proven as the girls were too young. He was accused in his profession of inappropriate conduct with minors and settled out of court claiming it was a bogus accusation. Divine revelation when he was called? I think not! I reported him to his Stake President and the Stake President didn't do anything other than ask him about it and then let him off the hook. He served a full 4 years as bishop and then was called to Primary. I would like to know who was doing the praying about who to call to which church positions!

Finally making the decision to leave the church was like removing a 1000 lb cement block from off my shoulders. I couldn't believe how free I felt. The hardest part has been my Mormon family members who are still stuck and brain washed. They are convinced I'm going to hell and are "disappointed in me." My response has been, "Well, I'll see you there. I hear it's warm and welcomes hypocrites!"

If you are thinking about joining the church, save yourself from guilt, hypocrisy, manipulation, false teachings, subjection to brain washing and did I mention guilt? Stay free! And those of you who are thinking about getting out, just do it!