I wanted to share some additional thoughts about my experiences with loved ones that have left the LDS church. My first daughter left the church right after graduating from high school. My second daughter left after searching deeply for answers to simple gospel questions, and not finding supportive answers. My third daughter to leave the church did so for personal reasons. Last, but not least, my dear husband left the church after many years of trying and failing to develop a relationship with God and Christ.
People join religions and leave religions for a variety of reasons. The same is true for your loved one that is leaving or has left the LDS faith.
Some of their reasons for losing faith or leaving the church may include:
- Gospel questions without satisfactory answers.
- Historical information they recently discovered, leading to the feeling that the church may have been hiding or misrepresenting important details.
- Observing the behavior of others in the church and feeling the gospel is not true if these things are allowed.
- Not understanding the nature of God, or not feeling his love.
- Not agreeing with church leaders regarding women’s roles, homosexuality or concerns about lack of transparency.
Oddly enough, although still faithful and believing, you may even share some of these same concerns. This is completely normal, and we each need to find our own answers.
Your loved-one that has doubts or no longer believes in the church may have their own feelings of disappointment, anger, or sorrow, and fear. Perhaps they have a combination of all these emotions. Depending on their reasons and their feelings, their outward lifestyle may be affected very little as they leave the church, or it may be affected in many major ways.
My LDS Mixed-Faith Conversation Starters workbook is just one of the tools that I would love to share with you to help smooth your journey as your loved-one leaves the LDS church.
Although I can’t restore your loved-ones’ faith or bring them back to church activity, I can help YOU find peace around their choices. I can help you have confidence that your family really is OK, and things will work out.
Your life can still be full of joy and peace no matter what your family members choose to do.
I would be honored to be your guide. If you would like to simply talk about your situation, and perhaps hear your thoughts out loud for the first time, I invite you to click HERE and schedule a time for us to talk. Let me help you begin putting the pieces of your life back together again.
