Letters to this site


Thanks for all the kind letters that have come in. These letters are in reverse order with the most recent at the top. In many cases people have requested that their e-mail and name remain anonymous. In a few cases I did not contact the letter writer as it is very obvious that there is complete anonymity within the letter. These are but a sample of letters that have come in.
Updated 4/21/96

Eric,
Where to begin! I've been reading for a couple of weeks now. The first day I came across your page I was thrilled and now I keep coming back to read more and more. That first day, a lot of emotions were stirred up in me, shortly followed by peace in my heart a few days later. It is a good feeling to know that there are others out there. I now have even more strength and courage to stand up and NOT be counted among the Mormons. I've always felt different from the other members of my family - the reason is that I am a strong person and can think for myself (something that does not please my parents or grandparents). Everyone who writes to you is strong because it takes SO MUCH strength to do what we have to do - it's the same as getting a divorce. It takes a lot out of you.

Anyways, I just want to thank you and everyone who writes in because you have made a difference in my life and I know you are making a difference in other's lives as well. I too am working on a story about my life and times with the Mormon church. This is all so therapeutic to get everything out of my system that has been building for quite some time. Once again, thank you very much and please do not publish my e-mail address or name. If someone wants to write to me, would you be kind enough to have them contact me through you as you are doing for others? Thanks, I will be in touch...

She is both a former JW and former Mormon

Dear Eric,
Hello, I came across your site while "browsing," and had to write. Briefly, I have been involved with both the JWs and the Mormons. I was raised to be a JW and at the age of 15 left (for several reasons, but mostly cause I was 15!) I had a group of Mormon friends at the time and started studying with the missionaries. They were young men, I was 15- I was unfairly influenced!! Anyway these elders from Australia and Arkansas were were sincere and sweet I joined the church because I really liked the emphasis on families and righteous living. ( I may have been 15, but I did have a lot of "family values" inculcated by my upbringing) I liked that Mormon women were encouraged to have babies and be wives etc. I am still a very traditional kind of person and all that tradition was appealing. Well, that lasted until I went to Ricks. It was a strange time for me, being around a bunch of LDS who had two faces. I thought they were all like they were in church and youth stuff. I was very ill much of the time .

A comment on Mormonisms quest for the truth of the book of Mormon and their testimonies. I wish they would pray for a burning in the bosom that the Bible is true! I am distressed that so many testimonies put faith in Josph Smith's being a prophet right next to belief in Jesus Christ. If any of the [Mormon] prophets said anything significant that actually came about, I would like to hear of it! I would also like to know what it is that knowing about Jesus can do for any of these people if they are not putting their confidence in him to save them, rather than the works they can do (for him? the church? ???)

Thanks for letting me express myself. God Bless. (You do have my permission to print this if you care to-and do not delete my name or e-mail)

S_Crawford@Wow.com

A nice compliment 4/9/96

Dear Eric,
Wow!!! I haven't visited your site in a while, so the many changes have surprised me! You have added a lot more personal accounts, letters, explanations, etc. Keep up the good work.

Although people may disagree with your effort, your web page offers a special place for those that have experienced the "dark" side of Mormonism. Thank you for allowing the voices and cries to be heard.

An ex-Mormon and now a Christian 4/9/96

Your site is great... it helps. I am an ex-Mormon and now a Christian. I have a pretty large "Mormon family" and I know that when I choose to tell certain members about my leaving, I will probably be disowned and never spoken to or forgiven by quite a few of them-- one of them being the only grandparent I've ever had. She goes to the temple almost daily and does a lot of geneology, of course. Her life is based on it. Anyway, I've been studying the Bible and helps by other ex-Mormons so that I can at least try to witness the love of Jesus to her with facts to back me up that include scripture references from the Mormon doctrine also.

Also, the Mormon missionaries seem to never carry the History of the Church with them, which has a section on page 408-9 (I think) where J. Smith is comparing himself to Jesus, and pretty much claiming to have more followers than and be better than Jesus Christ. It makes me sad that all my life I was so deceived in believing I was a Christian. Who could say things like that about God and claim to be his follower... Oh, yeah-- it must be because he's talking about a DIFFERENT Jesus. Anyway, that quote alone is enough for me to know that he was a true prophet all right-- of Satan! A Christian should be living to glorify God, not take it away from Him.

I would like to have my name taken off the Mormon records. I don't know how to start the process or who I should call or where to write. Do you or any of your writers have this info? My cousin had tried this and to this day does not know if they ever followed through with ALL of her numerous requests for having it done. Various bishops kept calling her, informing her that they would wait another 30 days for her to rethink her decision, as if a 7-year decision would just change back in a month. This went on and on...

I'd really appreciate this info if you have if; also it's fine with me if you print my letter in your column.

God bless you and your site!

The Internet will affect Mormonism like the printing press did Catholicism

It's already painfully apparent to some church members that the modern prophets aren't receiving any further instruction from God, perhaps they are giving instructions to stay off the Net. Free speech is the single greatest threat to the Church. Historical fact, which the church has been able to sucessfully hide and manipulate throughout the years, is now suddenly bursting through the seams. Mormons are well known to be bright, educated people. Bright, educated people will need to rely upon the information technologies to be successful now and more so in the years to come. Perhaps what the printing press did to Catholicism is what the Internet can do to Mormonism and religion in general. No single person pursuaded me to leave the Church. Freely accessed information did. Some of which was on dusty LDS Church library shelves. The pen is mightier than the sword. The cathode ray tube is mightier than seer stones. Perhaps the Church could sponsor computer chip bonfires.

I believe one of the greatest benefits you can bring about through your home page is to provide information on people who have left and still remain productive citizens and good people. People who are not "anti", people who have not jumped fence to mainstream Christianity only to continue take stabs at the LDS Church and labor in bitterness. The Church teaches that those who leave will be tormented for the rest of their lives, and that they have left under the influence of Satan or false religions. You have an opportunity to show Mormons that is okay to think. That life does continue beyond Mormonism, and most importantly, that is okay to be duped and mislead. People who seek Mormonism are seeking good. They have nothing to be ashamed of. I have no doubt more and more will be accessing your page.

A very nice letter

You can publish this message but please do not post my e-mail address on the Internet-

Your Web site is a thing of beauty. It would be a tragedy if it (or something like it) were not continued. I commend you on the use of the Web to create a coalesence of ideas where none existed before. You appear to promote content of enlightenment, reason, and love more so than exaggeration, prejudice and hate which a site like this might easily fall into.

This site reeks of the fullness and glory inherent within the 1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Keep up the good work. LONG LIVE THE WEB!

Subject: chin up

From email: usadav19@pop3.nfi.com

Dear Eric,
[This first paragraph is from the letter responding to my request to post this person's letter.]
You may, of course, post my last e-mail (usadav19@pop3.nfi.com) on the condition that you don't leave out my e-mail address and that you provide a little disclaimer with my encouragement to others who have been positively influenced by your Web site, no matter how insignificantly, to send you a short note with some feedback. I'm sure it is discouraging when you aren't seeing the good you are doing first-hand. :)

I strongly suspect that you may be right about a sort of concerted effort on the part of many Mormons to try and turn off what is being said here. Having been a Mormon, I'm sure you understand how fragile their world is and what a threat you are to their peace of mind. I was a little bit shocked (not much) at how combative many of these people are. Perhaps it will be of comfort to you to realize that just by venturing onto a Web page called "Recovery From Mormonism" you can be safe in suspecting that quite a few of these people are looking for a fight. No doubt it is much easier to lash out at a name on a page then to face the true threat of some rather frightening doubts. Besides, I have found that Mormons are quick to unite around supposed "persecution" because it strengthens their sense of community.

I'm sure that you understand the Mormon point of view. They are taught to think with their hearts and not with their heads. Having a clear and rational mind is not a valued posession for a Mormon; having unquestioning faith is. This is why a Mormon just doesn't "get" your page. They don't recognize clear logic because they have been told to shut that part of themselves off. The result is an honestly bewildered sense of persecution. I have found in my own life that it is only when I have a balance of both heart and head that I come the closest to seeing pure truth. Many of these people will never know that joy. It is really quite sad.

I hope that you might find a bit of comfort in my words. Oh, by the way, I wrote to Mark W (you know: POST MY LETTER, I DARE YOU!). I must say that I was tempted to flame him by sending him a critique of his grammar, but I am glad that I chose not to. Instead, I very graciously pointed out who your Web page was set up for and not to underestimate the pain involved in questioning one's faith. You know, he wrote me back and he was actually a pretty decent guy. He even claimed to understand how difficult it must be. (Wow!) Apparently he was still upset with a friend of his who left the Church after having an affair. You've become a scapegoat for many angry people, but I promise you that you are getting through to some of them who might be questioning. Think of all the thousands of people who have browsed through the mountains of information and personal stories you've collected. Perhaps just knowing that they won't be alone can provide courage enough for some to really look at Mormonism without blinders on.

Take care. You're doing the right thing.

This person originally contacted me when the site first went up

Eric - Just your friendship and support is a huge help. I haven't been online much for a while. I'm still planning to send you my story. I just have to do it and stop stressing about it's literary quality. I checked out the web-site, it's even better. I'm so glad and grateful that you are maintaining your web-site. It's such a wonderful support. I hope you can keep it going forever. I imagine you get all sorts of horrible letters from Mormons and people trying to give you advice about saving your soul. How do you deal with it?

I just read "No Man Knows my History" I loved it!!!!! I can't believe I never heard of it before! Why isn't that book on everyone's bookshelf? Everyone who can read should have it.

My leaving Mormonism has been going well. I actually began leaving several years ago, but only in the last few months have I began really dealing with how I felt about it all. The amount of rage and fear that I've kept locked up around Mormonism amazes me.

I've been doing therapy with a woman who is and ex-Mormon. She's helping me enormously. She's got a Ph.D in clinical hypnotherapy and she's a certified master practitioner in Neuro Linguistic Programming. It also helps that she's been through it all herself. She's helping me "deprogram" or "unbrainwash" myself. She works with other ex-Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses, she seems to be quite good at it. Her name is Linda Schow and she's located in Sacramento California. She said I had permission to post her name on the internet. I don't know if it's OK to post her phone number but you could call her and ask. Anyway I thought this was the type of thing you would want to know about.

If there's anyone else who might be interrested in working with Linda I strongly recommend her.

It's good to know there are others. 3/15/96

A letter of encouragement

I have been a regular visitor to your Web site for some time now. I felt "inspired" to write you a little note to remind you of what a good and important service you have undertaken and to let you know what a wonderful impact your page has had on my life. I understand that the pressures from the Mormon community to persuade you to "throw in the hat" on this site must be tremendous. I can even imagine that the whole subject might be getting rather old to you. I just hope that you hang in there despite all of the negative feedback you have recieved and remember that you are helping to give a voice to a group of people that really need to hear each other. I thank you for your good work. So far you have managed to be the voice of rationality and dignity in the face of some stinging criticism. That example is, I'm sure, not lost on even our Mormon friends. I only hope you don't allow yourself to be too negatively influenced by those opposed to your Web page. :)

The critical research you have done and the connections to resources you have provided have been immensely helpful to my own search for the truth. Thank you.

This is from the author of story #23. A former missionary to Sweden

Dear Eric,
Thanks again for providing the recovery website. I have so far received but one e-mail response and it was favorable. [His story has only been up a few days]. The sender said that he'd joined the church shortly after Kimball had become president and left shortly after he'd died. A book that Kimball's son had written proved to be a major influence in his decision to leave the church. Another was a book Kimball himself had written called "The Miracle of Forgiveness," to which (I thought this rather good) he said, "It should have been entitled, 'It's a Miracle if you are Forgiven.'"

My mother read my contribution and said, "I don't see anything in here that should offend anyone. I never did think it was a good idea to ask a young man, in the prime of his sexuality, to stay away from girls for all that time."

There were a lot of thoughts we kept to ourselves back in those days...

I've downloaded the Ecuadorian Mission story to share with friends. Needless to say, I was very impressed by it. Since he leaves no address, you might, if the opportunity arises, let him know his efforts are appreciated.

A letter from an former Mormon

I too have left after a long, very difficult time. I was a convert 1980, married an ex-missionary and found myself caught up in all the propaganda of the day. It was an ugly marriage and an even uglier divorce. When I left, I told the bishop and church authorities, but no action was taken against the ex-husband - in fact he has gone on to better and higher things !!

I do not regret the time as a Mormon, it has made me stronger in many ways and I am still a strong Christian - just not a browbeaten, walk two steps behind, my word is law Mormon wife.

The stories have only confirmed my decision and strenthened me.

Another letter of encouragement

I **love** your page...it has been completely cathartic for me to find community, when I'm going through an experience that robs me of that same feeling of community.

Anyway...I wanted to comment on the "tone" of your page. I think it's perfect. It is not hateful or bombastic....I truly feel that you will be able to reach more Mormons if you present rational post-mormons who are able to simply tell honest tales about extricating themselves from the haze of Mormonism.

The other pages do a poor job of "helping" Mormons. Their hate, anger, and sheer noise often have the reverse effect of "hardening" the Mormon's martyr complex. Your the "man"....you're really helping people. Thank you for presenting a web site with an appropriate "tone" and message.

BTW...I'm in the midst of writing my own "experience" story.

He dated a Mormon

My commendations go out to you on your web site. While cruising the web tonight, I came across it and have been reading various things for quite some time now.

The reason this interests me is that I went out with a Mormon convert for about 9 months while I was an undergraduate. More likely than not, I would never have gotten involved with her had I known what the Mormon "Church" was all about.

Needless to say, I broke up with her because she had said that if I wasn't going to become a Mormon, there was no point in us going on. Since I did not want to be ignorant and wanted to learn more about her beliefs, I went to church with her every Sunday for over half a year. I listened to all 6 discussions. I even read some church literature.

Since I consider myself an intellectual, I closely examined everything I read and everything I was told. I came across many of the discrepancies that you mention in your site. I decided, finally, that I could not go on like this. I was tired of missionaries, bishops, etc. leaning on me constantly: "When are you going to get baptized?" When my answer became, "When hell freezes over!", I knew that was the end.

I perceive the LDS as both a racist and sexist institution, as well as a cult. I listened to everything they said, and it was the same stuff over and over and over and over. At church, they would talk about how we should all come to church. Well, we're here, so tell us something a little more constructive. I think we're past the stage you are now mentioning.

The Elders always had brilliant things to say when I questioned something. Most of them held water worse than a sieve.

I am happy that I have moved on. My search to become closer to God has swayed from the direction that this girl wanted me to head, thankfully. As you mention, I know that not all Mormons are the perfect people that they claim to be.

I am an avid long distance runner and am very accomplished. My running means more to me than just about anything. This girl would hold it over my head whenever I went running on a Sunday or bought the Sunday paper. I was going to hell for not keeping the sabbath day holy. I asked her if she could tell me any other day when I could by the Sunday paper, and if she could do so, I would be more than happy to be obliged. All the while, she would lie to me about everything. Whenever I said something to her about bearing false witness, or referring her to Matthew 5:37, she would be dumbstruck. She also cheated on me. She told me that she loved me, but she just loved what she wanted me to become. Everyone on campus thought she was this good Mormon girl. Girl, yes. Mormon, unfortunately. Good, anything but.

A spouse who became very devoted to Mormonism

I have been a Mormon since I was 17 years old. I went through several periods of inactivity but for many years was a member in good standing. My wife and I were married in the temple and had five children. Life was great until about five years ago.

My wife decided that her priority in life was her church. She accepted calling she did not have time to complete. She neglected the needs of the home even though she did not have to work. The house became a wreck. She would invite the missionaries over every week for dinner and give them the food that was left over, leaving me nothing to eat when I arrived home from work. That didn't really matter because she would not fix meals for me or wash my clothes anyway. If it matters, she wouldn't allow sexual contact either.

I endured in the relationship for about three years. During this time I became so depressed that I didn't attend church anymore. I never received a call from anyone in the church offering to help nor was I visited. I eventually left my wife to maintain what was left of my sanity. Immediately the bishop became involved. He didn't want to know how he could help. He wanted my wife to tell him the minute she suspected me of having a relationship with another woman. My wife told me she would not divorce me unless I committed adultry. So I told her I had. She applied for divorce the next day and the harassing calls from the church leadership started. I got them every day. They demanded I come talk to them under threats if I didn't. I tried to be nice on the phone but I was constantly being given the second degree. I know what it's like to be on the witness stand now. Eventually I started hanging up when they called. (I always thought it was amazing that I never got a call until they thought they had something good on me.) Well you can guess what happened from here. I was excommunicated and as a treat, I was notified by a return receipt letter. The mother of my children is still a member dedicated to fulfilling her church duties.

I never took the time to research the mormon church but I did listen to what was said. I understood that we were all suppose to be children of God in the same sense that we have children on Earth. If my son had been accused of doing something wrong, I certainly would not punish him before I heard his side of the story. If he admitted being guilty, I wouldn't throw him out of the family, instead I would try to help. My point is you don't always have to look for inconsistencies in the history. Look for them in the actions and teachings also.

I was sad to leave my family but I am extremely glad to be away from the mormons. A more foolish mistake I have never made than the day I agreed to become a member of that church.

You may print this horror story if you think it will help someone else.

This clearly shows the difficultly in coming out of a high control group

The past few weeks have been an emotional roller coaster. I am struggling to reclaim myself, and it's difficult finding things about myself that I don't like. The biggest thing is that I've spent the better part of my life giving away my SELF to organizations and ideologies in an attempt to somehow be 'whole'. Now that I am becoming free of Mormonism (internally), I feel 'incomplete'. Yet, along with this sense of incompleteness comes a feeling of camaraderie with the rest of the suffering world, at least with those who struggle to live a genuine life and to understand who and what they are.

My emotional grab bag is a jumble of mixed feelings: Anger at being deceived, Anger at myself for creating a religion out of my needs, Fear of living a genuine life free of the external constraints imposed by religious ideologies, Fatigue (when will I ever be WHOLE?), and a sense of unreality - is this really happening?

I guess this sense of imbalance is normal for somebody recovering from the effects of a high-control group, but even though I'd read about it, I never expected to be going through it myself. I don't feel a need to 'have my name removed from the records of the Church'. I don't recognize the Church as having any authority over my soul, my heart, or my mind any more. I feel as if to write a letter to the church would be tantamount to recognizing some kind of legitimacy, which I don't want to grant it.

This process is much harder than I thought it would be.

George Orwell would find Mormonism familiar

I am not, nor have I ever been a Mormon myself. However, I grew up in Idaho Falls and went to college at the University of Utah, so I do have some idea of what it is like to live in such an environment. Like you, I have had many Mormon friends and once dated a Mormon woman. They are all fine people, living in a kind of repressed society George Orwell would find all too familiar. I simply wanted to wish you good luck and God bless.

An ex-Mormon who left Mormonism and then spent 8 years in another cult.

Now, I try to hold to these 2 axioms:

A short note from an ex-Mormon

I read your ex-Mormon piece with avid interest. I too was a convert (at age 17), served a mission, graduated from BYU, and left the church after years of activity.

I just wanted to add one thing. Most active LDS choose to ignore their doubts because the thought of leaving the church is too much for them to handle emotionally. Think about it, for people who have based their entire lives on the truthfulness of the church, it's too much to realize that everything you've based your life on and the lives of all your family members is a hoax. Most people just don't have the strength to do what we have done.

Just a nice letter

I am not a Mormon and know little about the religion (although I have seen the commercials :-)). My only experience with LDS was when I went to the Hill Cummorah Pageant in Palmyra, NY 15 years ago when I was about 12. I fell asleep.

Anyway, I really feel for those who have discovered that their spiritual life has been shattered. Like many people, my spiritual life is a very personal and strong part of me, and I would be devastated if I found everything I believed in was a lie. I pray that something will fill the void left in people by this false faith.

What generated my interest in your page (I used Webcrawler to find it) is a recent trip I took to San Diego to visit my girlfriend. We drove between La Jolla and San Diego a bunch of times and during that trip we passed a Mormon temple. I mentioned that it looked like it was made of plastic (ironic, as it seems the religion itself is a farce, too) and wasn't very attractive. I wondered what it looked like on the inside. My girlfriend said something like "Well, keep wondering because you'll never get to see the inside." and told me how only certain people were allowed in. This piqued my curiosity. Having taken a class on cults in college, my amateur cult sensor went "DING!"...

Anyway, I think your page is laid out very well, and will probably serve many people very well. I pray that God leads you on a path of faith that is true and you are comfortable with.

It is funny that a religion has to ADVERTISE on TV for converts. It just doesn't seem right to me.

A letter from Utah

I am 35 years old and have lived my life in the land of the Mormons - Logan, Utah. I was brought up in church until I was about 12. I then began to doubt the church but given my age was not sure why. I cannot and will not call myself a Mormon, despite the fact my name is on the church rolls. I married a man who was raised as I was, but had his doubts also.

As the years went by we were pressured of course to join the flock. We resisted and over the years have lost many friends when they realized that we would never be like them. Neighbors would not let their children associate with ours because they were not Mormon. I guess my child had the power to lead them astray. Boy some church Huh! I cannot believe the way they want me to. I'm also a cynic about everything, if I can't question it I won't accept it. I agree with you the church is an organized cult very rich and way to powerful. If the church was to start today they would be laughed at with all of their [crazy] beliefs. My children are religion free I have not found one religion that is not flawed. There is to much racism, intolerance, and bigotry in this world without adding to it.

Perhaps you can relate to how hard it is to live in a city that is full of people that when they find out you are not like them. You are no longer worthwhile and important. My children have especially felt this my their peers. That somehow they are bad and everyone else is good. Just because they don't believe like everyone else! What hooey ! What I see coming from the church scares me and it should everyone else. No religion should posses that much influence over so many people. The Mormons are all brainwashed robots and one day they will wake and realize it but it will be too late.

Yes you can print my letter, it is not the best , but it does convey some my feelings toward the church without being too long. Thanks for letting me get it off my chest.

Letter from a friend who found the web site Jan. 2, 1996

Dear Eric,
I have just read a few stories and need a break, this is so hard and stirs up the wounds. Yet I know it's part of the healing process. I will start writing my experience and if it helps one person, it will be worth the emotion putting it together. I cannot thank you enough for the support you have given my family. The work you are doing is of such great worth, please don't stop. I am ready to write the letter to not be a member, now just to take the time and do it, I'm not as good as you putting thoughts on paper. Right before Christ died on the cross, he said, it is finished. That is how I feel, yet the anger stays. Sometimes I feel like I'm in a different dimension, if I know the Church is not true, why can't all those smart people figure it out? Do we ever feel normal? So I'll go back later and read more. Happy and Blessed New Year to all of you. Love always...

Jan 4. 1996 Subject: former member (now anonymous)

Hi, just a short note of appreciation for your page. I read with much interest and empathy about the former member who tried to get out. My experience with the Mormon church has also been disturbing. And just to illustrate my suspicions, Let me ask you: Are YOU a Mormon? Disguising himself as a dissident page ? In order to further a Mormon church campaign against bad press?

Paranoid huh? well , just askin' . You see I'm well aware of the Mormon church's alarming growth in wealth and power, particularly in things like communications, computers , real estate and lots more. It's true, there's plenty of nice Mormon folk out there, but there's plenty of nice folk everywhere. That doesn't mean that they aren't sincerely wrong. It's the old Big Lie method. The people in charge really know better for the most part, but the Lie has gotten so big, so powerful, and so lucrative, that hey, why rock the boat, let's get with to the program, it doesn't hurt, and besides look at the millions like you.

Jan. 4, 1996 An ex-Mormon sends his greetings from Scandinavia From:jan.sigve.sersten@login.eunet.no

My name is Erik. I'm 34 years old and live in Bergen, Norway. At present I work as school teacher. For 12-13 years I was member of [two] Mormon religions, first the Utah-church, and later a small Mormon cult. Right now I am a visit with a friend of mine who is teaching me about the Internet. Then I came across this file. I've got some of the stories on this web printed out to read afterward. I'm glad you have taken the task to collect these stories and other information. This is just a short letter to say hello. Jesus taught me his way, and I'm now out of the false human made Mormon religion. I'm don`t have to bear the burden of false religious dogma and rulings anymore. Instead He is bearing my burdens and makes me rest in his graceful and loving presence.

27 Dec 1995 wished to remain anonymous

I too was almost lead into the Mormon church. My neighbors are Mormon and asked if we wanted to be a part of the family home evening with them.

When we arrived at their home we were welcomed by two missionaries and were then asked to take part in a series of lessons that would take part over several weeks. My Christian faith was very weak at the time and I really didn't know Jesus Christ, so I was prime pickings for them. But my wife however was brought up in the Lutheran Church and was willing to let me make my own decision on what the missionaries had to say.

After about the 3rd time they came to our house I began to question them about what I've read (I was reading anything and everything) and heard about their church. This wasn't allowed and made the missionaries quite angry with me.

Well to make a long story short I received Christ as my personal savior Feb 6 1994 and I am now in a e-mail discussion with my neighbor and I am trying to plant the seed...

It's great to see your page. Take care and god bless

Dec. 20, 1995 - Almost married a Mormon - From:obiwan@netzone.com

Back in '87, I met a "girl next door" type who was a cute, petite blond. She had four children, three of whom were by her husband, with the last one by a boyfriend. Nonetheless, we got to know each other, and ultimately fell in love. Or so I thought. Almost from the first, I was bombarded with suggestions that I read the Book of Mormon, and the other "Scriptures". Frankly, I found them a bit difficult to swallow, especially since some of the BofM was obviously plagiarized from the King James Bible. I resisted the onslaught of pressure put upon me to convert, even to the extent that the girl would withhold sexual favors until I took a step in the right direction. She would always tell me how she needed, or rather was required to marry in the Temple, and expected me to do the same. Her mother kept telling me how the religion was the only true religion. I was confused, since the priest at my Catholic church said the same thing. I had to wonder at the arrogance of it all. At any rate, the girl's grandfather came to town with a truck and literally moved her and her family to St. George, Utah to keep her from marrying me. It was a real bear at the time, considering that I had bought a house for us to live in. After being depressed about it for quite a while, I finally realized that all things have a reason for happening. Since our breakup, I went through some major life changes, and have been able to look back and feel as though I have dodged a major bullet. By the way, these "good Mormons", had among a grandmother, a mother, and three daughters, six divorces, three instances of child sexual abuse and one lesbian couple. So much for family values.

Sat, 09 DEC 95 -stubbles@brookings.net. - Also lived in Utah

Hi, just a greeting. On the net I have been reading the letters from former Mormons about their experiences. Quite fascinating. I grew up in Utah as a non-Mormon and I feel sorry for the many former members who are having troubles, etc., when they decide to bag it all and leave the cult. The people who have left the Mormon set of beliefs usually have done so after seeing things clearly or in a new way. Non-Mormons in Utah have seen through it all for literally decades. It is amazing what it takes to knock off the blinders. I had many Mormon friends, of course, and still do today back in Utah. But... what they will swallow is better than any fiction. I am sorry for the pain that many of you have gone through. Mormonism is an action cult; that is, you must act in a certain way (similar to Judaism). Christianity does not care about your actions, but only your faith. Thus God saves through grace, not through any of your (or my) actions. It frees you to be. Just to be. Kind of nice. Again, I am sorry about the pain that people go through to get out of the cult. Peace to one and all, Russ

Received - 11/26/95 - Difficulty in living in a Mormon neighborhood

Just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS on your new page.....I regularly visit Clints research page and learned of your endeavors through his posting today. Though I have never been exposed much to Mormonism or Jehovah's witnesses, I have been greatly affected by actions of the members of these two groups...especially Mormons. My husband and I have endured a hate crime by a neighborhood we unwittingly bought a house in that was predominately Mormon and they were VERY demonstrative about wanting us to leave.....Well it has been two years now....still a bit rough going here and there but we dug our heels in and stayed, I refuse to be a victim of pure hate. Recently, I was referenced in a Phoenix newspaper concerning this hate crime....we live in a suburb of Phoenix, Arizona. While I respect and will stand up for a person's right to worship as they wish, I draw the line when that wish becomes their vehicle to attack me. There is a tendency to sweep anything negative under the rug about Mormons here in Arizona. The newspapers do a poor job representing the truth, so I'm thankful for the Internet! Anyways, your efforts are greatly appreciated and believe me you will be helping people. THANK YOU.

Eric's comments: I left her e-mail name off though she gave it to me.
This is coincidental to the letter above. My wife and I went to a coffee shop here in out little town of Cleveland TN 2 weeks ago and we were the only people in it at that time on a Saturday night so the young owners (early 30s) came over to talk to us. They are married to each other and had both been flight attendants for Delta Airlines and they had been based in Salt Lake City. Obviously they are not Mormons (they own a coffee shop) so we had an interesting discussion of what was it like to be the only non-Mormons on their street. I would not characterize their experiences as hate crimes, but they endured snubbing and complete rejection by all their neighbors when it became clear they would never convert to Mormonism. The neighbors would not even return a simple greeting.

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