​I want to delve into something that's been generating buzz in Mormon circles but hasn't received much mainstream attention: the recent redesign of Mormon temple garment. I thought I'd give you the unfiltered perspective on what this change really means.The Basics: What Are Mormon Garments?Mormon temple garments are special white underwear that members are expected to wear 24/7 after they've

​I want to delve into something that's been generating buzz in Mormon circles but hasn't received much mainstream attention: the recent redesign of Mormon temple garment. I thought I'd give you the unfiltered perspective on what this change really means.The Basics: What Are Mormon Garments?Mormon temple garments are special white underwear that members are expected to wear 24/7 after they've

Keeping Family Ties When You've Left theFaith Keeping Family Ties When You've Left theFaith Today we're diving into a story that shocked many of us who follow parenting influencers online. If you've been anywhere near social media in the past year, you've probably heard about Ruby Franke, the Mormon mommy blogger whose parenting methods took a devastating turn. As someone

Today we're diving into a story that shocked many of us who follow parenting influencers online. If you've been anywhere near social media in the past year, you've probably heard about Ruby Franke, the Mormon mommy blogger whose parenting methods took a devastating turn.As someone who's always interested in the intersection of faith, family, and modern culture, I found this

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!Since starting this journey, so many of you have reached out asking what to expect when taking this massive leap. So today, I'm sharing the

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.From Joseph Smith's Family to Beauty Pageant PressureIf you’re new to this site, you might not know this, but I'm actually the great,

Breaking the cycle of religiously-justified abuse and finding healing through conscious parentingWhen Ruby Franke's 12-year-old son escaped through a window and sought help from a neighbor in August 2023, the Mormon mommy-vlogging world was shaken to its core. The emaciated child, found with duct tape on his ankles and wrists, exposed a dark reality behind the perfect façade of the

From Mormon Royalty to Freedom: How Joseph Smith's Descendant Overcame Religious Trauma and Perfectionism | A Healing GuideMy Unexpected Journey: A Legacy of Expectation and EscapeAs the great-great-grandniece of Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon faith, I was raised to be exceptional, special, and essentially perfect in everything I did. I was told to be an example to others by

Finding Holiday Harmony: Your Guide to a Peaceful Thanksgiving Despite Political or Religious DifferencesAs an ex-Mormon navigating holidays with a predominantly conservative Mormon family, I have learned from experience and therapy how to enjoy my family without getting trapped in heated religious or political discussions. Especially after this recent election, for many Americans, Thanksgiving dinner comes with a side of

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives on HuluHulu's latest docuseries, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, has sparked conversations,  debates, and a whirlwind of reactions from viewers across the country—especially within the  Mormon community. The series dives deep into the lives of eight prominent Mormon mom  influencers, revealing not only their glamorous social media presence but also the struggles they

In the heart of one of the world's most powerful and wealthy religious organizations, a question demands an answer:  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?Wealth from Tithing Fuels the OrganizationWith 17.2 million members worldwide, the Mormon Church commands an empire that many

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.She really doesn’t have a choice.Neeleman is a beautiful 34-year-old with eight children who lives on a large ranch with her husband, Daniel, milking cows, gathering eggs,

Have you ever been told to be grateful for what you have when you're struggling? To keep your chin up and adopt a more positive outlook? That everything happens for a reason or that God knows best?These are examples of toxic positivity. It's when people insist on being happy and optimistic all the time, which can actually make things worse

When I left the Mormon faith at the age of 19, I traded having all the answers about life for an unsettling void of no answers. Not only about the world but especially about myself. I wasn’t sure who I was without my religious beliefs, what my values were, what I thought was true, or even what made me happy

Understanding Cults: Recognizing the CharacteristicsThe term "cult" is commonly used to describe social groups with extreme religious, philosophical, or spiritual beliefs centered around a specific personality, object, or goal. These groups often employ manipulative psychological tactics to attract and control members, such as high-pressure recruitment methods. Cults are usually marked by unconventional or socially deviant practices and beliefs. It's important

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.Telling my parents and family I no longer believed in my Mormon faith was one of the hardest

The Unspoken Struggle of Depression Among Mormon WomenHow 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

What Mormons Get Wrong About Why We Leavethe Mormon ChurchWhy Can’t We Have an Open Conversation About Leaving the Church with Active LDS Members?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

Heretic Survivor: From Mormon to MeNavigating Life Beyond MormonismOn 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