Hello

[Lisa]

I am so happy to see you have begun a board. I was also extreemly excited to see the article by one of my most dear friends; Ed.
I have been in this transition for almost 2 years now. And just 5 weeks ago, I made a final decison to leave for good.
I wrote to my family told them how I feel about the church, a lot of abuse in the church as far as I am concerned. I will talk more on that later. I recently moved from Logan to Salt Lake, my life is free and I have bloomed. The church family I have found is so good for me, the LDS church is so conditional of their love for me, and my children, well anyone for that matter. For the first time in my life I am experiencing unconditional love. Now thats a Happy but uncomfortable feeling. scarry too for that matter. I can't wait till I get to the happy and comfortable stage. I hope and pray I will get to start becoming more active in the ex mormon community. Now that my family knows and they are Judging me more than ever before. What have I got to loose!
Thanks a ton! Lisa

[Jeff]

Now that my family knows and they are Judging me more than ever before. What have I got to loose!
> Thanks a ton! Lisa
The TBM (true blue Mormon) side of my family did as yours did. After I've been out of the church for 10 years they found out through the Internet that I'm active in the former Mormon movement, and when they did two of my siblings said they wouldn't go to a family reunion if I was going to be there. One of them even told me that she didn't want me around her kids anymore. Never mind that I've been around her kids for ten years whenever the family got together and was never told I was a bad influence. It think its all based on fear. I think most Mormons have deap seated doubts about the church that are so deep they're not consciously aware of them, but the symptoms come out at times when their belief system is threatened. It's at those times when their behavior becomes rather bizarre and illogical as is the case with my TBM siblings. Although I think its based on fear and not hatred it still hurts to be shunned by my own family.
What's your experience?

[Lisa]

Jeff;
I think so much esp. with parents is a feeling that they have failed somewhere. I just spoke to my father the other night; I havent seen the man in three years he lives in Houston I live here in SLC. and he flew in last night; to straighten me out. Now all I could say to the man at that point, is "Thank you for caring enough about me to come that far." As far as what he says about the church; I really don't want to get into a mormon bashing with him; I just know as I truly do find Christ in my life he will see it for what it really is. So when he talks religion with me; I know what I will say to him today. Thank you for the feedback dad I'll take it into consideration. Nothing more. I just need to look at him as a wounded little boy; and right now he truly thinks he has failed as a parent somewhere even though I am 40.
I suppose I just have to let go and let God!

[bigeddy]

I have not visited this site in a long while and was not aware of the discussion board. What a surprise to see you here. Then I read the next thread listed and decided I needed to put in a plug for what was addresseed in that thread. I have watched your progress out of the mo machine for several years and see a perfect example of the time it takes and the difficulties one will encounter as we do this. I talked to another woman yesterday and see her entering the same path. She wants/needs support but wants to stay connected to her Mormon views in several ways. I echo the concern in the next thread that we continue to have an attitude of complete openness to all journeyers. She, like many, will need to walk her own path and it may lead out, it may lead her to work within the system to accomplish something of worth. She gets to do that.

Lisa, I am pleased with all the growth I have seen you make and I am pleased you have found continuing support for your journey. We all need that support and I see this sight as a great place for it. (The woman I talked to yesterday, I referred her here--Ya'll be kind!!)
Ed