I’m in an interesting situation right now when I consider removing my name from the LDS church.
Firstly let’s just say that in general, to all Mormons, including my ward members and family, you have trust with them when you’re in their circle.
If I am considered to be in their circle, and begin to point out what the Bible says, they might consider what I’m saying. But if I was publicly exmormon, they would dismiss anything I said without the least bit consideration.
When I share a sermon on Facebook, it’s seen as friendly and acceptable — as long as they think I’m LDS. Then, they might listen and appreciate it, and seeds might begin to grow over time. But if I share a sermon as someone who is devoted to a new religion with animosity or even dissent from Mormonism, they will never click the link.
Currently (I believe) I’m seen as a neighbor who is unable to attend the ward. Most everyone is friendly to me and open to conversation. If I left their circle and disappointed or confused them, they would avoid me and not get the interaction with a Christian.
For example, on Sunday I attended Sunday school in the ward. The lesson was on the priesthood and I was happy to raise my hand and give some comments on what the Bible says about priesthood, taking a subtle jab or helping the listeners to consider with a new, Biblical perspective.
Here’s another example where this distinction (of how they view me impacting the relationship and possible seeds being planted) is most pronounced:
Right after my faith crisis last year, when I wasn’t yet seen as an inactive member of the ward (summer 2024), I was asked to minister to an older woman who is homebound with chronic pain. Although I was quietly disaffecting from the LDS church, I leaped at the opportunity to care for someone in need.
We’ve mostly just texted; she’s been embarrassed to have someone over to her house and show her vulnerability to someone new.
I have prayed with her on the phone over the phone and won her admiration. I have texted her Bible verses multiple times about getting through hardship. I gave her a greeting card at Easter time all about Jesus from a Biblical perspective.
It’s actually fun and refreshing to share Christianity without her even knowing it—
Simply because she trusts me.
If I was off the records of the LDS church, this opportunity wouldn’t have come to me.
I’ve asked 2 different Christian churches multiple times how I can visit and serve the sick, elderly or lonely. But through their systems, I never have once.
I’m not sure if their systems are set up for this sort of thing, to be honest. I’ve heard many times how Christians admire the structured ministering and outreach in the LDS church.
Through the LDS system, I can live this charity component of Christianity.
Back to my story…
Yesterday, this woman finally had me over in person. I was able to sit with her and hear so much of her life story. I gave her all the space she needed to be heard, keeping the conversation focused on God or principles of Christianity.
She shared some deep, deep pain with me.
Because she felt safe with me.
Do you think she’d have done that if she knew and felt threatened by my leaving the church?
She even shared a concern about LDS theology with me (even though she’s a faithful member) Why?
Because she felt safe with me.
It’s actually pretty cool that I was LDS enough (in her eyes) for her to trust me and have me over in the first place, but she could tell I was nuanced enough to feel safe sharing a concern.
(Her late husband was abusive and she dreads this idea of eternal marriage, or she’s confused how it’s going to work out and fit into her understanding of the plan of salvation)
This was a shockingly REAL conversation in the LDS world. I have NEVER seen this much vulnerability in the LDS world.
So, something magical was happening. It was set up so perfectly — to have a “chaplain” type personality like myself who is also able to be real with “gospel” concerns, in her home praying with her and gently leading her to a knowledge of the real Jesus.
That wouldn’t have happened if my name was off the records.
So honestly, now I’m wondering what else I could do to bring the real Jesus and minister to Mormons as a perceived insider, though obviously nuanced.
I’ll ask God.
But if He doesn’t lead me in that direction (or even if he does), I will warm up to telling my new friend that I don’t actually believe anything in this church and invite her to read the Bible and accept Jesus’s grace!
But for now I’m just musing on this crazy window of opportunity … like what if I attended the ward and could teach Old Testament to youth next year? I would totally teach it the Christian way and leave out LDS stuff, and honestly I don’t think they would notice! (But it would be a miracle for the bishop to trust me with that position.)
What if I was an “Activity Days Leader” for the 7-11 year olds who did mostly crafts and service projects but also worked in Bible verses ?? I wouldn’t even have to attend on Sundays for that. I could do that as someone the bishop knows “has doubts” and attends another church.
And no, I don’t mean this in a conniving way. I wouldn’t try to sneak in a sinner’s prayer without parents knowing!! More just like living in an interfaith space, and helping to bring the focus more toward the Bible and Jesus.
Or, maybe God gave me this experience to lead me into Christian counseling or being a Chaplain, which I was already considering.
We’ll see where He takes me.
But for now, the ward list shows I am LDS, and if they ask me to serve in a Christian way, I will say yes ☺️
Because my behavior and words show I am actually a Christian.
All I Possess 