Ep 003 | Unraveling Our Mormon Faith | Faith Deconstruction Series

[@Soniceduardo1820]

I'm a black male currently experiencing my faith crisis, mainly cause of the church history which I didn't pay attention to until now. I've been on the Bishopric since 2012 (cz of being a small ward and lack of "worthy" males). In my head, I have decided to leave the church but making the next step i.e. cutting all ties with the church is proving difficult. I am still attending church and fulfilling my calling. My wife loves everything about the church and does not understand my current predicament. I am so glad I stumbled on this channel and now through a combination of these great episodes, of your own experiences and also therapy, I am trying to muster up the courage to be done with it all! Wish me luck!

[@weaksohyeah]

Very much best of luck ❤ Were all here

[@user-zu8vu1gl6f]

Thank you for coming on KZbin! I have to hide my identity because of a stalking “ righteous priesthood holder” ex husband. Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, he’s been able to find me. So thank you for this!

[@Faith.unraveled]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@Britbec]

Ooof! So sorry you’re going through that! Hang in there friend.

[@sarahpinho1114]

Same here, that happened to me too. It's been a few years since then but I remember the awful feeling of being stalked online.

[@robynryan7473]

I am not mormon or an exmo, however what brought me to this channel was I in a profound way had went through a major deconstruction, not of my faith, rather the churches I attended. I was a devout evangelical, fundamentalist and the churches I attended were very similar to the Mormon church. I made a conscious decision to separate myself from this entire church system to preserve my faith. I underwent a lot during those years and I was sick mentally, physically and spiritually continuously going to those churches. I am grateful to have found a beautiful and loving church now devoid of these fairly strict evangelical/fundamental constraints. I was even told by a leader of that church that they would wash their hands of me and excommunicate me. I am so grateful to God that I found peace and a loving church now as I never want to go back to those years, I feel I lost so much being so blind to their religious confines. Thanks for sharing and helping me know, despite different circumstances, seeing a common thread. Excellent video!

[@toducate]

Beautiful episode. Thank you!!

[@libbysoutham]

Love this series so far. It felt like a breath of fresh air for me.

[@patricianoel7782]

I began a faith crisis 3 years ago when I retired from teaching. I finally had time! I read that there were multiple versions of the first vision. I began studying that flaw and then the shelf began to break. I too was devastated. I had been raised in a cult! I raised my family in a cult. I lost my marriage to a cult! I began reading/studying every aspect of the LDS Church by reading “RoughStone Rolling “ by Richard Bushman, a member but nuanced. Next it was “No Man Knows My History “ by Fawn Brodie. I couldn’t get enough reading or podcasts. 😮 PS I appreciate your comments. I feel very close to you except I am 67!!🎉 Press on. ❤

[@NancyBrown-xw8hg]

No man knows my history, that book is a disaster, why would you believe anything in it. She has the story of Emma throwing Eliza Snow down the stairs, with a bunch of details. IT NEVER HAPPENED! It's a fourth hand story beginning with a rumor, no good historian would have gone near it.

[@maree268]

@@NancyBrown-xw8hgyou cannot know what happened. You were not there.

[@NancyBrown-xw8hg]

​​@@maree268 Brien Hales has done a lot of research on this story about Emma and Eliza, he even went to the home where it is said that it happened. Apparently the stairs can't be seen from the parlor and there is a turn in them, so she could not have fallen to the bottom. The story claims to have come from LeRoi Snow quoting family tradition that Ben E. Rich quoted his father Charles Rich that he saw Emma bush Eliza down the stairs, which he couldn't see😵‍💫 There is a letter written by Eliza answering the question if she had been Joseph's wife. She answered "not carnally", this means she was sealed for eternity only, like many of the other women. Hales does say that something did happen between Emma and Eliza. In her brief sketch of her life she says, never was I treated so badly, but she doesn't say by who. She left the Mansion House, (which really was a hotel) in the middle of the night and appeared to have no contact with Emma again. Recently an autobiography of Alice Merrill Horne the granddaughter of Bathsheba W. Smith was found. Bathsheba Smith was a close friend of Eliza. Alice says as a young girl she was at Bathsheba's home when Eliza died and where a group of the older ladies of the church had gathered to remember her. They talked about how Eliza had been gang-raped by 8 men as they were driven out of Missouri. This probably is why she never had any children and appears not to have let even Brigham Young touch her. Doesn't that add a whole new dimension to this beautiful lady, I don't think I can ever sing Oh My Father again without a tear. I'm adding here, Brodie speculated on the number of children born to Joseph by these other marriages, I think she had it up to nine. Well they've done the DNA and there is not a single one😮. The polygamy deniers are pleased. Yes, there are people out there who believe the evidence is so thin they deny Joseph was a polygamist and blame it all on Brigham Young. Of course this means everyone around Joseph lied and were part of a giant conspiracy 😂.

[@TheSaintelias]

Great point about not knowing if bishop is acting “as a friend or a bishop”. They start one way and speak as if a friend and then switch on a dime. Always act as if they are a bishop.

[@jeffsaxton716]

I've never confided in anything with a bishop. That's a fellow who can cause you trouble.

[@sarahpinho1114]

Bishops are like HR: they act like your friend but they're only there to protect the company.

[@emilysnow6757]

I'm excited for this series. I watched all the shorts and they were very well worded. I do have to admit that i approach this with some deep jealousy. My husband will never follow me. He will leave me before he leaves the church. So, to see spouses who are happy and able to talk about this together is amazing. And also something I wish I had.

[@Faith.unraveled]

I feel this so deeply and validate those feelings. I hope that some of this content will still be useful for you. Have you checked out marriage on a tight rope? It’s a community for mixed faith couples!

[@justtep7092]

Did you try to talk to him? Do you think he's reasonable enough to listen to what you have to say and love you enough to do research on his own and come to a conclusion?

[@markbradley-mv9kg]

Loving this new series! Thank you Elisha and Jamie!

[@Faith.unraveled]

Thanks Mark!

[@fatemeetsluck]

I'm so glad I found this series

[@thosethingsiwrote]

I am now a confirmed Catholic. Unraveling the history of Christianity brought me back to the Church that Christ founded, the first Christian church. Of course, we had learned a lot of anti-Catholic propaganda. One must study patristics to get at the truth.

[@mikeboyd3225]

The first Christian Church. What a joke. A Roman emperor created the Catholic Church 200 or 300 years after Christ was crucified. Christ had absolutely NOTHING to do with the Catholic Church.

[@Abbasgirl312]

What scripture are you using to state that Jesus started the Catholic Church? Have you read the book of Jeremiah? God hates idolatry.

[@hannahhatt]

I love that manifestations and stones resonate with you now, and same!! haha I feel like we are on a similar wavelength. Also your and your husbands story leaving the church is very relatable and quite similar to mine and my husbands story leaving the Mormon faith. We are so happy now after leaving, I say nearly every day how grateful I am that we no longer members. Those years trying to be perfect, balancing all the callings with work and raising young children were so so hard. Now I feel free, and excited about life. No more fear about the last days and trying to control my children to live “perfectly” so that I don’t “fail” as a parent… Love your channel! I’m a new subscriber 😊

[@TheSaintelias]

So many people have issues with the temple I bet we would be surprised how few people actually go

[@maree268]

I know so many who hate it but go because they feel they should.

[@Huey2ie]

Ita been just iver a year now of me leaving the church. There was inly ever ine thing that could make me leave...and that was truth claims. Yeah i didnt like poligamy, yeah the black preisthood thing seemed off but the kicker for me was truth claims. I was raised in the church with stringly convicted parents that got us up early for scripture study, always had FHE and never missed church. So for me this was very bitter at first but now i understand that God is very broad in his works and among all faiths, yes the LDS faith too! No i belieive that no church is infallable.

[@rwsd1025]

Carlsbad! You don't live far from where I live!!!

[@gaylasparks]

My awareness was “I was told to see the world through the straw.” Understanding that the straw was held up to me and told me “this is what you see…and how to see it” I’m seeing truth now, it’s been 4 years of unlearning and re learning….I am free, and I know for myself what direction I’m going. First of all, I’m living in the present time. I’m not passing the present; to only living in the some future…..5th generation and placed the 6 th, 7 th generation in the cult… oil and water is emotional feelings talking with factual events.

[@ginafrancis4950]

Thank you! So happy to have found your podcast. I appreciate your thoughtful and articulate commentary. I’ve been out many years and identify as agnostic as well. I was not feeling well one Sunday years ago and decided to stay home from church, (Devine providence?) I never turn the tv on during the day but laying on the couch I decided to see what was on offer on PBS. It happened to be an interview of Joseph Campbell (had never heard of him) by Bill Moyers. It was the beginning of my awakening and deconstructing process out of the church. Joseph Campbell said- Life has no meaning. Each of us have meaning and we bring it to life. It is a waste to be asking the question when you are the answer. I took that as, I need to decide for myself the meaning of my life. No system of belief no cultural identity no person (prophet) can tell me what that is. Looking forward to watching more of your podcasts!

[@Faith.unraveled]

Beautiful! So honored to have you here. Thank you for sharing this. I relate so much ~Elisha🫶🏻

[@tylerboyce6502]

Nice to see you on youtube.

[@michellemilne3315]

So grateful to find you! I needed this so much today and love the box analogy.

[@ChrisFBartlett]

Thank you for this. I’ve spent the last year deconstructing after being a convert for 34 years. Trying to figure out if I leave quietly or out loud with integrity. Keep up the good work. 🫶

[@toddchristensen5800]

Love you guys!!!❤️

[@Faith.unraveled]

🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

[@lilatueller]

Almost 200k views!! Your are killing it 🎉

[@freedomfriday2.040]

“God stands revealed or he remains forever a mystery”

[@marlenemeyer9841]

Wonderful podcast! Very insightful and helpful. You are both so real and authentic. You are a great voice for my own experience and many in my family. I relate so much to you both! Keep up the great work. There is a serious need for this kind of content.

[@TheSaintelias]

If I get a “visit” from any of the bishopric or stake, because of what I say on KZbin, I will have choice words to share. I really love the members of my bishopric as well.

[@jeffsaxton716]

I didn't have a big issue unraveling my Mormonism because I was never properly raveled in the first place. My parents were very nuanced, i e. "Jack Mormons". I'm pretty good at helping others because I know lots about Mormonism, yet am free of it.

[@patricianoel7782]

Reading “Faith After Doubt” by Brian McLaren was very helpful to me s as I began to pull myself back up. Enjoy❤

[@VictoriaPerkins27]

43:42 What are your sources of finding the history? I’m on a little bit of a journey myself and I just want to look into it more. It’s sometimes a little overwhelming because just going off google I’m not sure what a credible source is. Please if you have any references or direction you could share it’d be greatly appreciated.

[@moviehipster]

Between Two Ferns

[@maree268]

Are you going to upload to Spotify? Much easier to listen to

[@NC8663]

What keeps ex-Mormons from delving into the Bible? Is it the lies about the Bible that you learned as a Mormon? is it that you do not want to be fooled again? Or is it your perceptions about Christians and their behavior?

[@StephRivera]

I did attend a Christian church for almost a year after leaving. It's a book written by men but not God's word.

[@peternaid]

You guys were married?

[@NancyBrown-xw8hg]

Odd you would use Lehi's dream of a building/box floating in the air without foundation.

[@AlbertJLouie]

When you seek answers from the Book of Mormon instead of the Bible, God can't help you because you have turned your back on Him. Therefore this leaves the door open for Satan (II Corinthians 11:14-15) to step into your life with a false christ or prophet showing you signs and wonders to lead you away from the real Jesus of the Bible who is God the Son 2nd person of the Trinity. God Himself warns us about this in: MATTHEW 24:23-24 "Then if anyone says to you, Look, here is the Christ! or There! do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect..." Mormons teach and believe that their jesus is the brother of Satan, which contradicts what God says in His Bible that Jesus is God the Son 2nd person of the Trinity. So Mormons, which Jesus do you believe in? A. Your jesus of the Book of Mormon, who is the brother of Satan. OR B. The Jesus of the Bible who is God the Son 2nd person of the Trinity.

[@LongJourneys]

Orrrrr...maybe it's all BS to begin with?

[@Abbasgirl312]

Amen!

[@doctorquestian]

Run away from this cult. Read the Bible, you cannot have faith without first of all asking the Holy Spirit to come into your heart and give you that gift. As a mortal human being, being born into sin at birth, you need to have the power of the Holy Spirit in order to open yourself up and have faith in the one true way to salvation. And the only way to salvation is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Not the one that the Mormons Claim about, but the one who is inside the Bible. Pick up your Bible and read about it. Throw the book of Mormon in the fire.

[@doctorquestian]

And then go and join a good Protestant Church.

[@Abbasgirl312]

I hope these wonderful people find Jesus. He is the only way.

[@t.thompson9977]

Great podcast! Are u married to your partner? If so, why won’t u just say husband? Honest question

[@Faith.unraveled]

Yes we’re married. It’s a change that we made last year, after 25 years of marriage. The term emphasizes equality and partnership within our relationship, shifting away from harmful gender roles that were present in our relationship before. Thanks for asking 🫶🏻

[@harshitgarg419]

equality? under no measure from physical to mental are women and men equal? equal under God yes but not in the conduct of society where roles is how we all move forward together. how are gender roles harmful?@@Faith.unraveled

[@redexon]

Here’s the definition- The English word husband, even though it is a basic kinship term, is not a native English word. It comes ultimately from the Old Norse word hūsbōndi, meaning "master of a house," which was borrowed into Old English as hūsbōnda. The root meaning of husband is “master of the house”. For us, marriage is a partnership and we felt that we wanted to use a word that signifies our dynamics better than husband and wife. We wanted to choose something that was more inclusive to our relationship that still shows our commitment to each other and the family. Thanks for asking.

[@michaelolson3266]

I feel sorry for you two! Someday at some point you will see that you are mistaken. Sorry you feel this way.

[@grantbeck9228]

@@Faith.unraveledI like “partner” better anyway. It’s a partnership in every way. I don’t believe I am superior to her I any way anymore. I don’t have the final say just because I’m the man and the priesthood holder. Forget gender roles and just do what works well for your family and your relationship