Heretic Survivor: From Mormon to Me

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

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

When the Ruby Franke story broke, it hit close to home for many of us raised in high-demand religious environments. The language of ‘righteous’ discipline, the weight of eternal consequences, the pressure of perfect families – these weren’t just news headlines, they were our reality.

From Mormon Royalty to Freedom: How Joseph Smith’s Descendant Overcame Religious Trauma and Perfectionism | A Healing Guide

Your Guide to a Peaceful Thanksgiving Despite Political or Religious Differences. Discover simple ways to navigate the holiday season with ease, focusing on what feels right for you and your loved ones.

Discover Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, a look into #MomTok influencers facing the pressures of faith, family, and fame, and how Mormonism’s strict values shape their struggles.

Is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), commonly known as the Mormon Church, a spiritual sanctuary or a colossal business enterprise?

In all the media discussion about the viral article on Ballerina Farm, I’ve yet to see someone understand a key fact about Hannah Neeleman, the “Trad Wife Queen” known as Ballerina Farm to her nine million Instagram followers.

Discover how the enforcement of relentless optimism in high control religious settings suppresses genuine emotions, particularly for women. This blog delves into the harmful effects of toxic positivity and offers actionable steps for those struggling to express their true feelings. Explore strategies to validate emotions, seek professional help, and create supportive environments that honor all aspects of emotional experience.

When I left the Mormon faith at 19, I traded certainty for an unsettling void. I had to strip away indoctrination and discover who I was at my core, what I believed in, and how I wanted to exist in the world. This journey involved understanding my core beliefs, recognizing my inner critic, and exploring new activities to find my true self.

Uncover the signs that indicate whether a high control organization or religion is a cult. This comprehensive guide outlines the critical warning signs, including absolute authority, isolation, exploitation, and intimidation. Equip yourself with the knowledge to recognize and navigate these environments, ensuring the safety and well-being of yourself and your loved ones.

Learn about how to overcome family estrangement after leaving the Mormon Church, or any religion or group. This true story features insights into faith crises, healing relationships, and coping strategies from Lyn Smith Gregory, a descendant of Joseph Smith, founder of the religion.

How was I going to go grocery shopping today? I looked at my little yellow post-it list. Did we really need eggs? I felt defeated before I stepped out of the house, overwhelmed by a sense of sadness and hopelessness, and it wasn’t yet 10 am.

Anyone recognizing this scenario knows how debilitating depression can be. Draining, exhausting, paralyzing, always on the verge of tears.

I decided to leave the Mormon Church at the tender age of nineteen, an inevitable result of discovering the truth about Joseph Smith, The Book of Mormon’s origins, and the early history of the LDS faith after much research. Ironically, I was researching the Church to defend it against an atheist professor who had challenged me in class.