Preface

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT

“Been there, done that; got the T-shirt” is a common expression people make when they’ve experienced similar things as you have, but they don’t really want you to continue talking about those things. Well, that’s not exactly the sentiment I’m trying to express. However, in the most literal way, it is. I’ve been there and done that, and used to have the garments to prove it. As a result, I do know where you are and where you’ve been. Plus, I’ve experienced many of the same frustrations, fears, and confusion you’re experiencing now.

I’ve seen the confused look on a Christian’s face when I’ve asked,“What about the priesthood?” I’ve received the garbled answer when I asked my pastor why I had to“walk the aisle” to show what Jesus had done for me. Actually, you don’t—it was a tradition in that particular church. I’ve sat in a worship service and thought how irreverent people were by clapping, raising their hands, and more. I’ve wondered how anyone could ever feel the Spirit with that upbeat praise music. I’ve watched and listened to Christians pray; then I hoped and prayed that no one would ever want me to do that. You see, I’ve done all that and much, much more. I’ve also felt the absolute and utter aloneness that comes from being the only ex-Mormon in a Christian gathering, having no“roots” to rely on, and no sense of“Christian” traditions that mirror the rest of the worshippers. I’ve felt the pain as Christians called the religion my family holds dear“a cult,”“crazy,”“weird,” and more. I’ve had people tell me that they don’t see how“any intelligent person” would ever join“that” church.

Because I’ve been there, I hope I can help you in a very real and very practical way. I hope that I can help you wade through all the“junk” that’s out there outside of Mormonism. I hope I can help you see what the Bible teaches about all the important issues. At the same time, I want to provide a clear perspective into biblical Christianity to help you figure out some of what it’s all about.

So, where do I start?

My family on my mom’s side has been LDS since nearly the beginning of Mormonism. They knew Joseph Smith personally. I have at least one great-great-grandmother, or she might have been my great-great-great, who saw Brigham Young when he“took on him the mantle of Joseph.” Many generations back, Brigham Young asked a great-grandfather of mine to wait at Winter Quarters and farm for a few years so that others could resupply when they arrived. Being obedient, he did just that, until Brigham Young gave him permission to migrate to the Utah Valley several years later. He and his family settled in Springville Utah, just south of Provo.

Another of my greats came across with the Martin Handcart Company and nearly lost her feet in the cold. Another great-grandmother was a sister wife in polygamy and suffered a lot of hardship after her husband effectively abandoned her after the Manifesto. She found