Blog - Lyn Smith Gregory

Intro to Blog: Who I Am

On my knees in the damp earth, I prayed that God would show me a sign that the Mormon Church was true. Silence. Nothing. Emptiness inside me. I stood up and whispered out loud, “I’m not a Mormon anymore” to the pale blue sky above me.

Welcome to “Heretic Survivor: From Mormon to Me,” a space where we explore the complexities of navigating life beyond the confines of Mormonism. I’m Lyn Smith Gregory, and I’m excited and honored to share my journey with you.

The Mormon Faith Crisis: How History, Social Change, Wealth, and Youth Exodus Are Challenging the LDS Church

A personal critique of LDS history, gender & LGBTQ exclusion, secret wealth, and the youth exodus shaking Joseph Smith’s church today.

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Mormon Garments: Too Little, Too Late With the 2024 Sleeveless Redesign

The 2024 sleeveless redesign of Mormon garments has sparked quiet controversy. Here’s my unfiltered take on what it really means for tradition, modesty, and modern Mormon identity.

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Keeping Family Ties When You’ve Left the Faith

Today we’re exploring a deeply personal story about the tension between truth-telling and family loyalty. Journalist Lyn Smith Gregory opens up about the emotional cost of writing about her father’s dark past—and how it reshaped her family ties.

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When Faith Goes Too Far: The Ruby FrankeStory and Parenting in Religious Communities

Today we’re diving into a story that shocked many of us who follow parenting influencers online. Ruby Franke, the Mormon mommy blogger whose parenting methods took a devastating turn.

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My Mormon Exit Journey: What I Wish Someone Had Told Me

As many of you know, I’m a direct descendant of Joseph Smith and the first in my family to leave the church after four generations of dedicated Mormonism. This was really challenging, to say the least!

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The Beauty Burden: My Journey Through Mormon Beauty Culture

Hello, friends. I’ve been wanting to share something personal with you all – a story that might surprise you, but one that I think speaks to experiences many of us have had with beauty standards and religious expectations.

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