Leaving The Mormon Church: TeriLyn's Story (Testimony)

[@sheisemboldened]

*Guidelines for this channel* Differences of opinion and respectful discussions are welcome. All comments that do not demonstrate kindness and respect for others will be deleted. Please keep this space a positive environment where fruitful discussions can be had. Thank you.

[@churtle1143]

I really appreciate how open you were about your journey. I am no longer a believing mormon, and it is hard when people view you as broken, lost, or misguided simply because you no longer believe. You articulated your experiences very well, and I appreciated hearing what your beliefs are now. Thank you for sharing.

[@WatchList-xf8ic]

"People" view you as broken, lost, or misguided, or "mormons" view you as broken, lost, or misguided...???

[@sarahanderson7594]

I absolutely love that she is so sincere and not speaking with cynicism. So much respect for her.

[@sheisemboldened]

Thanks for watching and for the kind words ❤️

[@trevanon7450]

Dutch atheist here. I like these stories of people having a faith journey. It's so... human. Wherever you end up, as long as you end up somewhere where it's good for you and others, it's fine!

[@sheisemboldened]

Thanks for watching!

[@marquitaarmstrong399]

Dutch atheist? Sounds so interesting. Um could you share a reading list? Thank you in advance.

[@trevanon7450]

@@marquitaarmstrong399 I don't have a reading list? Pretty common here in the Netherlands to be atheist - about 60% of the population is.

[@josuefutbol5806]

I wish more Mormons woke up like many of us have. Keep up the good work.

[@sheisemboldened]

Thanks for watching!

[@thedailydump7407]

Still active but I do see that as a culture we are judgmental, irrational, and love the church more than we love truth. Thanks for using your voice.

[@sheisemboldened]

Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts! ❤

[@keepinitreal938]

I am a member and I agree with you. There tends to be many judgemental people. It can be embarrassing reading comments from people claiming to be members.

[@laracroftismyhomegirl]

Thank you for sharing! I was a member most of my life. Two years ago I started my journey to accepting the bibical Jesus and I and my family have been born again in His word alone. So many are leaving the church this is why i started a ministry. Specifically trying to show lds or exlds people the differences.

[@sheisemboldened]

That is amazing!! Thank you so much for sharing ❤️❤️

[@sheisemboldened]

If you have an online ministry, please share it in the comments! Or give information for local friends if your ministry is local ❤

[@laracroftismyhomegirl]

@@sheisemboldened thank you for sharing her message. It takes years to deconstruct from Mormonism. God Bless TeriLyn for her willingness to share her message!

[@laracroftismyhomegirl]

@@sheisemboldened I love that she is going to a Bible believing church. Yes grace taught in Mormonism not grace by definition at all. Romans 11:6. TeriLyn if you have accepted Jesus Christ in your life you are saved by His grace. I will pray for you to get that personal assurance 🙏🏼

[@ShirleyRodgers-h9c]

I left the LDS church this last year at the age of 83 !!! I was a convert at 17 at 19 married in the Mesa AZ temple and held many callings and raising 6 Amazing Children who have been my main reasons that still give me joy along with their Children 💯♥️ I pray that one day they will research and find for themselves that the LDS Church and the leaders and Book of Mormon are all false!!! I enjoy reading the New Testament and finding the Savior Jesus Christ, I don’t belong to any church but I do attend a Non Faith religion who teach about the Savior Jesus Christ and His love for me and everyone 🙏💜 Thank you for sharing your story and I’m very grateful you are Faithful follower of Jesus Christ continued happiness for you and your family 💜

[@jacobsamuelson3181]

64 years active in the Church just to leave? What do you know that I don't? Geez, I don't care which religion you are in 64 years going to Church, taking the sacrament, reading the Book of Mormon just to open up the trash lid squeeze all that time, energy, relationships, worship, knowledge, in the bin and try to push it all down. I got to know what happened. This has got to be something no less than God coming down like Joseph's Vision and saying that you've been duped.

[@toismith2249]

❤

[@misses-xtwice]

@@jacobsamuelson3181what difference does it make how long it took to recognize truth??? Better late than never…ur answer or rather ur questions were indignant…look up the meaning of that..

[@teijaflink2226]

Congratulations, hope your children will find out what a lier and creep Joseph Smith was too.

[@sctooley]

If you don’t hear it enough I’ll say it here…. You truly are enough! Finding a spiritual home anywhere might be a challenge until you fully embrace this fact. God bless in your journey!

[@sheisemboldened]

Thanks for watching and for the encouragement!

[@jacobsamuelson3181]

Came up in my feed. I was born and raised in the Church. The issue of man not being enough is quite a old one. The religion of Islam was brought about by our acknowledgement of our inadequacy and our creation designed for submission and obedience. Christianity seemed to have an answer to it with the atonement, but many have greatly abused the word. On one end, people have deemed it as a get out of jail free card and on the other it was a checkbox salvation. Yet, in the end, it all comes down to love. That is the secret ingredient and sadly so many Christian denominations and LDS members have lost that. Love is relationship. We do something for someone else because we genuinely care about them not what we can get in return. God loves us but that love is impossible to receive if we don't or won't love Him back. I have found that any relationship (child, parent, spouse) is built on a necessity of love. This means we sacrifice our time, talents, and everything we are to see these people we love thrive and flourish. I don't go to the temple for myself. Maybe my first trip. Now I go for my ancestors. I don't go to Church for myself. Now I go for my ward family. I don't get out of bed for myself. Now I get out for my children who need me. The sacrifice is what Christ stood for and asked of us. We are carnal and have no promise, but if we look to Christ as a member of His Church, we are given so much blessings. Again, not for ourselves but for others. That is what love means.

[@wellsaidgoodheadfred9843]

Mormonism is not "Christ's" church. Mormonism is the false mutation the Bible warns about having immense powers in the last days. Both Brigham Young and Joseph Smith were marrying little kids and sleeping with other people's wives. Brigham young impregnated another man's wife and had a baby with her after sending the real husband (and father of two children on a mission).

[@wellsaidgoodheadfred9843]

Also anyone who looks at Jeff Holland or Rusty Nelson would never be able to honestly access those people as having 'love' in their hearts.

[@wellsaidgoodheadfred9843]

It's true that there is a huge lack of love in the Mormon church though.

[@sheisemboldened]

Hey Jacob! I really appreciated hearing your story. Thank you for sharing it. To my best understanding, where Christians and the LDS church part ways is our understanding of how we are made right with God. Based on the Bible, we are solely saved by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Love for God and others + good works are the effect of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. What we do (ie. our good works) cannot change our status with God, based on what the Bible states when we look at all of scripture that states we are saved by grace through faith. We have a difference in what we consider to be the source of truth. For Christians, the Bible is the sole source of truth which forms our view of salvation and atonement. The Book of Mormon and other texts of the LDS church support the view that you stated about the need for faith in Jesus + good works to be made right with God. I truly enjoy the opportunity to have these conversations, even when we have a difference in what we believe is true. Thanks for engaging with us!

[@jacobsamuelson3181]

@@sheisemboldened I enjoy them too! Thanks for responding. There have been many attempts to clear the misunderstanding of what LDS believe in conjuction with Biblical Christians. I'm sure you have heard them many times, yet I would love to expound on why this misunderstanding did not originate from a Christ-like humility, but quite the opposite. As you and I know that the enemy is always attempting to pierce unity to make it divided. The Samaritans and the Jews were a great example. Christ sacrificed his life to help correct misunderstanding between the two peoples so hopefully they could be united. The issue was interpretation of scripture. The leaders of Jerusalem were keepers of the laws and scripture. They would agree with you and Biblical Christians that the sole source of truth was found in the Scriptures. The scriptures gave them power to judge the Samaritans, to judge the wicked, and yes even to put people to death by stoning. When Jesus came in the picture, he had a lot of work to do. Not only did he need to correct the incorrect teaching and practices of the Jews and Samaritans. He needed to preserve the righteous things the scriptures taught. It is written that he did not come to kill the law nor the prophets, but to fulfill them. In that message, he exclaimed that God wasn't dead, and nor does he change. He gives to us the world that which we could handle and understand. Isaiah writes, line upon line. Christians truly have been blessed with more scriptures given to them in the New Testament. Billions of people accept this addition as the foundation of their faith. Yet, while Christ was perfect and unchanging. He sadly was the only one who was. Even Peter right before and after Christ's death completely missed the mark. The Cheif Apostle who spent a couple years with the Creator of the World, was clueless. Jesus was so kind to return as a resurrected being and remind Peter his mission. To feed the Sheep. The scriptures are filled and written by people like Peter. Prophets who didn't know exactly what to do, until the Lord intervened. The Bible is a journal of imperfect men and women who forget, get lost, need correction, need to correct, and need the Savior to hold their hands. I hope you can see where I'm going with this and why we believe what we believe. The Savior is the source of the Bible, but the Savior is not the Bible. There is so much more to the Savior than the 66 books carefully picked out by councils of men. John 3:16. For God so loved the WORLD. The Savior was sent to the world. So much bigger than the Jews and Samaritan. Jerusalem and Rome. He was made for the Native Americans, the Russians, the Europeans. The Africans. He is the source that my Church is founded on. Christianity has spent too long driving only using rearview mirrors that the Bible provides. Christ truly lives and his isnt trapped in the yesterday, but He is today and He is Tommorrow. Just as in olden times before a written Book was formed about Him which wrongly gave Jews power over others. The Lord has sent us prophets. To correct. To restore. To testify. To translate his word for our day. This authority is only given to One at a time. Not everyone who reads or believes in the Bible. Once you can see what misunderstanding you have placed by a misuse of scripture, you will see that LDS wholly rely on Jesus for Salvation. We always have and always will. Not by our works lest we boast. This Jesus + label that Biblical Christians have given us is a lie. The same kind of lie that the Jews placed on Samaritans because of how they married non-Jews. As sure as Christ lives, your Churches need to stop the incorrect labeling. You need to realize the responsibilities as a Christian to speak Grace on those that believe differently than you and you need to look to the Savior as if He existed outside the limited and incomplete Books. Only then can your understanding be broadened and you Spirit be of Christ. I hope to speak with you more if willing.

[@colette6984]

@TeriLyn : } At least three times that I recall, scripture has told us that having the Holy Spirit is our seal of salvation. Look up Ephesians 1:11-14. This is the first time in scripture I read about the Holy Spirit residing in us being our guarantee/seal of salvation. I hope this finds you well. I'm so happy that you have a genuine desire to follow Jesus. The LORD is gracious and compassionate : )

[@a_mots]

So great to have this insight into the Mormon church for those of us who don't have as much familiarity with it. Very well told. Thanks for this transparency and courage to not abandon faith altogether. Thanks for bringing us another great testimony, SIE!

[@James-ky6ho]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I can relate. I left the LDS church a few yrs ago. It was the hardest thing i have ever done. But never looked back and never been happier. It is hard though especially living in Utah still and feeling very alone at times having different beliefs than all my friends and family. It is a hard religion to leave. People around you that are active sometimes suffer from your decision due to how the church makes such distinction of separateness of the inactive versus the active members.

[@hlnbee]

A friend of my mother’s was working in a very humid city. It was summer, before air-conditioning, and she took off her garments and mailed them home! I don’t think she ever wore them again.

[@marquitaarmstrong399]

I ❤️ mailed them home.😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@loghog4392]

"I was never enough", her opening statement says volumes. That's exactly what the old testament law was placed here for, to show us that no matter what we could not "live" up to it... we need a savior, and that savior is Jesus. Simple as that. With Jesus in our hearts, God the Father views us as "enough". She's enough, I'm enough and you're enough.

[@sheisemboldened]

Our pastor said a “religious spirit” that says I can be good enough to make myself right with God minimizes the holiness of God and minimizes our own sin. You’re exactly right, we could never be good enough. Jesus is the only one who perfectly obeyed and fulfilled God’s vision for humanity ❤️

[@patriciahindman9721]

I love the title and I really appreciate your honesty!!

[@sheisemboldened]

Thanks for watching and for the kind words!

[@sophiagodine6432]

Thanks for sharing TeriLyn!

[@sheisemboldened]

Thanks for watching, friend ❤️

[@marquitaarmstrong399]

I just encountered you and your feed. Love your honesty and thanks so much.

[@sheisemboldened]

Thanks for watching!

[@marquitaarmstrong399]

No one is perfect but you're close enough. Thanks for sharing.❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@sheisemboldened]

I’m so thankful for TeriLyn sharing her story ❤ If anything resonated with you in this video, let us know!

[@marquitaarmstrong399]

Just so thankful for her loving honesty. Yay

[@carol8273]

Terilyn you are a brave independent woman. You know the difference between right and wrong without any religion. The Jesus i know would not be judgmental. Just be yourself. I have a child who is tattooed and has long hair. He is a kind loving person to everyone he meets. His appearance has showed me that you can’t judge a book by its cover. I would want a person like that in my life then one who would wears garments and then judges someone who doesn’t wear them. I am a spiritual person now. I don’t need a religion to tell me what best in my life. I know what is best. Best wishes on your journey 😊

[@anitramitchell1542]

Thank you for sharing your heart. ❤

[@jonipitcher7185]

She had a very different growing up then i did. I had TONS of friends pregnant my senior year because we couldn't get on birth control because it would have been a planned sin. I saw people show up at church and pass the sacrament and i knew they were at a party the night before and drank and had s3x. I saw a lot of putting on the perfect mormon face when out in public and then in private different behavior. I for one have drank coffee since high school. When asked in a temple interview if i followed the wofw i didn't feel guilty because NO ONE reads the word of wisdom or even knows whats in it. Dose anything follow how it says to eat meat? It all seemed like a play i didn't audition to be in. But i played along for 38 years. Was a primary president when my shelf came crashing down when how women are really treated couldn't be ignored any longer.

[@sheisemboldened]

Thanks for watching and for sharing your story ❤️❤️

[@darlenemartim9972]

Again I don’t get why people put stick into what others do or what they think of you. Only care about yourself and your faith with god. At the end of the day it doesn’t matter what others do in regards to your life

[@michaelnicholas5587]

Do you really think that none of the members of the Church know what the Word of Wisdom is? Do you think that "rules" are there just for the sake of restricting your choice of what to do? Did you ever research why the Word of Wisdom was incorporated into the Church?

[@kevinedward4195]

Great heart dump, very edifying. Very honest. Seek the face of Jesus, the person. Flee religion.

[@sheisemboldened]

Thanks for watching!

[@jacobsamuelson3181]

What is religion to you? Why should we flee it?

[@sagesaith6354]

​@@jacobsamuelson3181 Faith in God is a *PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH* God based on what God has revealed of Himself to us. Religion is what people think and say *ABOUT* God -- not necessarily in a true relationship with God. The choice should be an obvious one.

[@kevinedward4195]

@@jacobsamuelson3181 Jesus simply said to come to Him directly and ask for help, and that He ALONE has the love and power to help. Moronism is an endless treadmill that leads nowhere except to hell.

[@SteveSmith-os5bs]

I was raised LDS in California and Arizona. After my mission, I went to Utah to go to school. I also joined the Utah Army National Guard. I found Utah to be the strangest state that I have ever lived in. I found the people to be very clickish and somewhat stuck up and very judgemental. Even as a believing Mormon, I didn't fit in. I live in Arizona now as a post Mormon. I just found Utah to be culturally weird.

[@sheisemboldened]

Thanks for watching and sharing your experience!

[@sagesaith6354]

The beauty of Grace is that we are *never* -- and never can be -- "enough". It is Jesus Who is Enough -- not us. And we can have faith in -- rely on, trust -- that it is Jesus Who makes up for all that we never can be or do. The Mormon LDS lives under a double-edged sword of futility and false pride: futility in knowing that they can never "do all they can do" -- they could always have done more. And pride in ever thinking that they may have, in fact, actually done all they can do -- which can never be true. Because it is only through Christ and the Power of The Holy Spirit that we can do anything at all. But your struggle is normal and common to all of us -- we want to -- need to -- "feel" that we are in control of doing something worthwhile to "earn" our favor with God -- forgetting all the while that He already Loves us completely, and has already demonstrated that through Jesus. He only wants us to love Him in return, and do what we do to obey, love, and honor Him -- not to earn His Love -- we already have it. While feelings are not unimportant, in the train of life, feelings are the caboose -- Faith is the Engiine. Let your faith lead -- and your feelings will follow (and not get the way ...). I pray that you continue to be blessed, and to be a blessing to those who need to know what you now know by True Faith and The Word of God.

[@davidjanbaz7728]

TeriLyn : rest in the fact that Jesus Paid it ALl by HIS Atonement on the Cross ✝️. You can't do anything to Save yourself! Give your appreciation back to God for your Salvation by living the Christian faith. Faith = Trust and trust that God can cause you're perseverance of HIS Saints that you R . Saints was Christian long before the Mormons high jacked the term.

[@Lovecatholicfaith]

I’m still LDS but no longer professing the faith. The doctrine that really bothers me was that they don’t accept the cross. Like for me the cross was just a way to them take Jesus life away. But now I found the religion that loves the cross and for me now the cross is the most important symbol of Christianity. I’m in love be catholic ❤

[@sheisemboldened]

Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts!

[@michaelnicholas5587]

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I think we understand pretty well what the cross represents. We are grateful that Jesus allowed Himself to be hung on the cross to fulfill the payment for our sins. However, we choose to celebrate His resurrection above that, because without the resurrection, the cross would be meaningless. I hope this gives you some insight.

[@harleyenjoytheride1324]

Stand fast lovely lady. I am not a Mormon but a Protestant all my life. We are not perfect but strive to follow the teachings of Christ. There has only been one perfect individual to live on this earth and that was God’s only begotten Son. Just know that God loves you and nothing can change that. I love my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to the nth degree and after considering that fact God’s love for me is 10,000 times greater than my love towards my family. Just accepting that fact is very humbling and I want to fall to the floor and thank Him for saving me. Just remember God is love and without God you can’t show love.

[@sheisemboldened]

Thank you for that encouragement! ❤️

[@drossilmacavintaakadmac-ev23]

As an active member of The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints, Ms. TeriLyn’s story and journey of her discovery of the Lord Jesus Christ is a beautiful tapestry. Ms. TeriLyn’s spiritual journey is allowing her to understand that grace is enough; however, after all you can do (this doctrine can be challenging to understand and internalize by members active and less active because it requires us to be BORN AGAIN, awaken our spiritual being in Christ); we all as spirit sons and daughters of God in this mortal journey, will always fall short of the glory of God (Roman 3:23); in order to better understand being Saved by Grace after all we can do (2 Nephi 25:23); we truly need to rely on the merits of Jesus Christ!!! Once we can understand this doctrine and feel in our hearts then we can know that all things work for our own good (Romans 8:28); as we do so, we can worship God, Our Eternal Father, and His ONLY Begotten Son in spirit and truth! Thank you sister TeriLyn for your love of your upbringing and thank you for having the courage to become vulnerable and yet loving in your mannerisms to still enjoy the Faith of your ancestors! I leave my testimony and love as one who is a true disciple of Jesus Christ, that the Book of Mormon is ABSOLUTELY TRUE!!, and when read, pondered and prayed about with real intent without hypocrisy, being humbly teachable, with sincere Faith and Love for the Ultimate and Eternal Sacrifice of the Son of God who is the Savior and Redeemer, the Holy ONE of Israel, even Jesus Christ, a man or woman can receive a witness of its truthfulness, I so testify in the sacred and loving name even him who is the author of my faith, who is the Lord Jesus. Amen ❤️🙏🏽 PS - God bless you TeriLyn and your journey of faith in love in Our Savior, he loves you and all who are in or outside of His ONLY True and Living Church which he is well pleased collectively but not individually. I am sorry for the unkind treatment of those who would anonymously shame you because you wore some lovely outfit without your garments. They did not understand nor did you understand fully what you were doing. Thus, the offense you felt led you away. Nevertheless, if you have found Jesus, and before Born Again, then hopefully one day you will be able to connect Saved by Grace after all we can do in the humility and example of Our Beloved Savior who is Jesus the Christ. Amen 🙏🏽

[@robertzahn6754]

I was told in my neighborhood in salt lake my kids could not play with theirs bc we wernt lds...they were 4 and 5 the time

[@jeng5757]

Being wary of non mormons is a primary lesson every single year.

[@chrishumphries7489]

?No it’s not. It is literally the exact opposite. Reach out in love to those around you.

[@Parklcityrecords]

Think Celestial "Do not Seek Counsel From Non Believers" Mormon President Nelson - General Conference 2023.

[@bartonbagnes4605]

In primary they teach kids to follow Jesus Christ. If their friends are doing things Jesus Christ wouldn't approve and would never do, then they shouldn't be following them. That's what all Christian churches should be doing, but most don't. And most of the rest try, but can't. And then you have those that go too far the other way, who tell their kids not even to talk to those who don't go to their churches.

[@marquitaarmstrong399]

​@@ParklcityrecordsThere it is.

[@chrishumphries7489]

@@Parklcityrecords What does he mean by that? The context of what he is speaking about is testimony. Yes, I would not seek council about my testimony or doctrine from non-believers. Read the context of his remarks. For you to proclaim that he is saying never interact or take advice from anyone outside the church is completely false, childish, and a disingenuous take on what he is saying.

[@jeng5757]

I don't know where she was but growing up in Utah as a non mormon in then70s and 80s a LOT of mormons drank and had sex. All of the teen pregnancies in my high school were goodie mormons.

[@Parklcityrecords]

That was not my experience - I heard stuff like this through the gossip mill but never saw this myself

[@bartonbagnes4605]

Obviously they weren't "goodie Mormons" unless they were forced and chose keep the child, even though The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints does permit termination under such circumstances.

[@jacobsamuelson3181]

@@bartonbagnes4605 Where does it say that the Church permits termination under such circumstances?

[@j.d.westphal6949]

I was once in your shoes, but I decided to keep going. Never stopped searching for the truth, I didn’t get upset when I found out about the history of the church, and I so glad I kept going. The truth is there, you just have to keep searching.

[@McGheeBentle]

It looks like she has found the truth and recovered her testimony though! So I’m not sure what your comment is referring to.

[@deanbunnell4822]

Terilyn, I look at you and listen to You. And I can't imagine you having any confidence issues. But but we all have our individual struggles. I really appreciated your testimony and the struggles that you have. I don't judge you, I'm so thankful for my membership in the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints, so many people do judge and apply pressure. There are stupid people in the church. They're stupid people out of the church. They're stupid people everywhere. This, the true church of Jesus Christ of latter. Day saints is for each of us. Not a one of us is even close to perfect. I realize more everyday how imperfect I am and I will never be perfect in this world. But I have a hope in Christ. And I know that he is the way the truth of the life. And that this is his church and i have made covenants . The Atonement is for everyone I pray that you will sincerely pray about it and that you will come back to the true fold, thank you.

[@sagesaith6354]

@deanbunnell4822 The TRUE Church of Jesus Christ is first of all spiritual -- a *Spritual* "church" - *not any organization* -- and consists of every person who has willfully placed their faith in The Salvation procured by Jesus through His Life, Death, and Resurrection. This, of course, *includes every LDS* who has placed their faith in The Salvation procured by Jesus through His Life, Death, and Resurrection. This, of course, also *includes every NON-LDS* who has placed their faith in The Salvation procured by Jesus through His Life, Death, and Resurrection. The claim that the LDS "church" is the only true church is a *false* claim. Dean -- if you have placed your faith in Jesus as your Savior, and Terilyn has placed her faith in Jesus as her Savior, then you and Terilyn are brother and sister in Christ. You will both be spending Eternity with Jesus. The only difference is that Terilyn does not need a false prophet, a false church, doctrines, garments, handshakes, green aprons and baker's caps to get there. And you do. At least that is what you seem to believe.

[@skwirl828]

Leaves Mormon church, dresses like Mormon pioneer.

[@michaelnicholas5587]

So, this lady decided to join a church that would allow her to do whatever she wants, and considers that pure Christianity? That's very confusing when it seems the entire point is to strive to become as Jesus Christ, at least according to the Bible.

[@reecek7358]

What has truly aided me is embracing the candid acknowledgment that the historical narrative of the church is far from immaculate. In recent years, the church has made commendable strides towards greater transparency, a development I wholeheartedly endorse. Nevertheless, for an extensive period, church authorities propagated a sanitized version of its history, a narrative that fell short of completeness. Prophets, it's been iterated, were fallible individuals; numerous instances exist where church leaders have exhibited questionable behavior, and adherents have erred under the banner of the church. However, the church remains engaged in an ongoing process of receiving divine guidance to rectify past missteps and advance its mission. Finding solace in the notion that despite human imperfections, Christ himself is faultless, and he chooses imperfect vessels to further his kingdom. This acknowledges the reality that errors occur, individuals suffer, and reputations are tarnished. Yet, this does not invalidate the truth of Christ's gospel or the worthiness of the church established in his name. Rather, it underscores the continual need for introspection, learning from past missteps, and progressing forward. During my upbringing, my father would take my siblings and me to significant Church history sites. Concepts such as plural marriage, the Kirtland bank failure, and the struggles of early Saints against pro-slavery forces in Missouri were familiar to me from a young age. The complexities of our history were ingrained in my consciousness. Even as a teenager, when I experienced a profound spiritual awakening and recognized the truthfulness of the Church, I was aware of these historical realities. Despite this foundation, I encountered challenges during my missionary service when faced with anti-Mormon rhetoric. Some inquiries were posed in a manner designed more to provoke than to genuinely seek understanding. At times, those with opposing views were unwilling to entertain a response or attempted to dictate the expected answer. In such instances, admitting, "I have faith," felt like the most sincere response. I've come to realize that there's no easy resolution to every question or criticism. Adversaries often exploit this ambiguity to their advantage. My upbringing, which exposed me to the complexities of our history, likely made it easier for me to navigate these challenges. For someone who embraced the faith before encountering anti-Mormon material, the journey might be more arduous. Despite my sincere efforts to understand Jesus Christ, I find myself facing questions from others who interpret the Bible differently. As for how it all ends, I believe it remains a mystery until God chooses to reveal it. Until then, the quest for understanding continues. Scriptural teachings underscore that spiritual truths are discerned through spiritual means. Removing this spiritual lens, as antagonists often do, makes it harder to justify or explain the controversial aspects of our history. For instance, understanding Joseph Smith's practice of plural marriage requires contextualizing it within biblical precedent. Similarly, the Kirtland bank failure becomes comprehensible when viewed against the backdrop of a global economic downturn. Joseph Smith's translation of the Book of Mormon and the Book of Abraham necessitates recognizing his unique spiritual insights and abilities. Skeptics may not grasp this without a spiritual perspective. The authenticity of the Book of Mormon, for instance, is affirmed through personal prayer and revelation-a response that may not satisfy critics seeking empirical evidence. Ultimately, if my faith leads to divine condemnation or aligns me with a mistaken belief, so be it.

[@sagesaith6354]

The primary issue is that Mormonism is based on a mixture of truth and falsehood. It contains a significant amount of Biblical Truth, but then distorts it by adding falsely to it and/or interpreting it falsely. Thus Mormonism is a counterfeit of Christianity. The "empirical" plumbline for discerning spiritual Truth about God (God of The Bible) is The Bible. As you know, it's quite possible for people to believe that anything is "true". So we are all at The Mercy of God to lead us unto His Truth. But it is because of God's Love for us that He leaves it in our hands with a free will to respond to His Leading. The Book of Mormon is absolutely "ture" -- it is one of the truest, finest counterfeits of Christianity that has ever been produced. Seriously -- you do not have to remain locked in a prison of " ... if my faith leads to divine condemnation or aligns me with a mistaken belief, so be it." You still have the choice to know the Truth. Read The Bible, and then prayefully ask God to show you whether the BofM is from HIM -- not whether it is "true".

[@stephaniegoings7932]

This is not a snarky comment, but at the beginning of this video, you mention how wonderful and nice mormon people are. Honestly, it doesn't seem true. They seem shallow and superficial.

[@sagesaith6354]

@stephaniegoings7932 It is difficult to accurately make a true general statement like this about any group of people.

[@lemjwp1756]

This isn't the Restored gospel that I know and believe. I left Evangelicalism for the LDS faith. Terilyn seems to have been caught up in the cultural aspects of living in Utah. Her story strikes me as being about vanity and wanting an easy religion that has no expectations.

[@sheisemboldened]

That's an interesting take. What made you leave evangelicalism?

[@lemjwp1756]

To be honest, I found the highly paid celebrity preacher culture, with its rock concert worship and endless sex scandals to be off putting, and the theology to be shallow and divisive, with endless church splitting. Many have left Evangelical churches to become LDS (and I know the reverse happens a lot too). Lets see, I know of four former Baptist pastors, several Catholics, three graduates of Theological Seminaries ...all who have converted to LDS, often with great personal cost. One converts only after a spiritual confirmation by the Holy Ghost. Sadly, often people raised in the LDS faith, like Terilyn, do not experience a personal conversion and then feel the commandments are a burden, and find fault with the culture, which definitely exists, and end up offended by someone or something.

[@sheisemboldened]

Thanks for sharing!

[@alananat6628]

Do you really expect people to have the same positive experiences that you have had? And then make slandering comments about those who don't? Your religion is showing.

[@marquitaarmstrong399]

Okay....

[@bartonbagnes4605]

Yes Jesus Christ is enough. Unfortunately most people don't have Jesus Christ. They don't love him enough to keep all his commandments. To take up their crosses and follow him. To be baptized in his name, symbolically being buried and resurrected, for the remission of sins, by those given authority to do so by Jesus Christ. Or partake of the Lord's Supper till he comes again. They don't have faith, only what they call faith, but it is dead because it has no works, or the works are not done in love of God and their neighbors. For works done out of duty or obligation or fear, alone cannot bring grace. For it is not what works you do, but why you do them. But if you don't even trust Jesus Christ enough to do the works he commands in the first place, being in open rebellion against God, then of course you can't reasonably expect to receive grace. For you don't have Jesus Christ, or anything to do with Jesus Christ, it is just lip service, but your hearts are far from Jesus Christ.

[@bambangtheo5640]

The strange thing in Christianity is when there were members of particular church who left their church because of some dissatisfaction on several things then they move to another new church and claiming they find true God and start criticizing their former churches. 😂😂😂 So, their perspective are all windy and empty. They don't look for the truth of God. They actually look for the churches whatever they want and forgetting that Godly values are in them already.

[@darlenemartim9972]

I have compassion for her experience but don’t relate or understand why people people stick into what others think of us. I care about what I think of myself and rekionship with god. I honestly hope some this poor girl will realize faith, live and value have nothing to do with culture or what other think or want for our lives. I know this is the lords church. I may not do things like the culture does but I don’t care. I care about my spiritual health. I wish for that for others. I love my testimony and the support I get from god and my faith. God bless

[@darlenemartim9972]

Still don’t understand why people don’t just move on? I drink cofffee and….. I want to quit but it’s on me not the church

[@SM-uf4ef]

Read Luke 8, 4-15. This scripture applies to her and you. Simple, it's called rebellion.

[@davidjanbaz7728]

U love to distort the Bible as Joseph Smith tried in his JST.

[@Whatiftheresmore1314]

I’m sorry you left, you will be missed. There is a wonderful KZbin channel called ComeBackPodcast. It’s where people like you left the church, became anti, and then after many years, for different reasons found their way back to full membership in the church. It’s so uplifting and inspiring. Hope you are able to find what you are looking for. ☀️ Remember, The good Lord loves all of His creations.

[@sheisemboldened]

Yes, the Lord does love each and every one of us! His goodness and grace are beyond measure. Thanks for watching!

[@StephenSmith-qc3xx]

I dont know how people can dine at the Lords table..but leave it to eat at McDonald's..??

[@sheisemboldened]

I’m sorry you feel that way. Thanks for watching!

[@CuriousThinker1776]

Speaking that way to others is definitely not a way to get them to want to visit the church.

[@helamanbrooking8552]

Free to choose, but you are wrong