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May 2006
This might seem like an odd eMail, considering that I’m Mormon and . . . well, you’re not. However, I have nothing but respect for the way that UTLM has dealt with early historical documents relating to the LDS Church. My guess is that if you hear from Mormons at all, it’s usually negative. However, my view is that despite our religious differences, I admire the absolute commitment to historical accuracy that you appear to have.
May 2006
I have always considered myself to be a “historian” by hobby. I have studied many religions and spent the better part of my time studying to Defend the LDS faith by using the same tactics of “anti” doctrine users. I found almost all sites to be very negative and slanted in their bias and easily dismissed. However your messenger articles have been very informative and “eye opening”. Your careful decision making and integrity while being UNBIASED and sticking totally to the facts have made me take myself out of my comfort zone and to do something I have never done . . . Consider the facts and do what I asked so many potential investigators of the lds faith to do and that is to have an open mind. The more I research the more damning the evidence is.
June 2006
What a sad life the Tanner’s lead. I’m sorry you/them feel it’s necassary to warn the world of the Mormon’s “corrupt” past and teach hate (not to mention plenty of falacies) instead of preaching love, respect and charity………………… hmmmm….. like what the Savior would do! Educate yourself before educating others. It makes you look silly when you don’t. Don’t forget, we’ll all be judged according to our own judgments. If the Lord’s as just as you beleive he is, you’d better be right!
June 2006
. . . In August [2005] I was baptised into the Mormon church. It felt rushed and pressurised. But they were such lovely people . . . so caring . . . how could they be wrong? . . . Anyway, despite my concerns and my brain telling me this didn’t gel, I went ahead with it. . . . Since that time I have been doing my own research. The more I learn, the more murky it all seems. . . . God Bless you both for what you are doing. You have helped to save one person from over ‘the pond’.
June 2006
I just had to tell someone! Over the last 3-4 years I have used your material to find the “truth” about the Mormon church.I am a convert and have struggled, not from the beginning, but after my first year or two in the church. I kept remembering my personal relationship with Jesus in my childhood and the Word of God that taught me that he does nothing in secret and that confusion is of the devil. I just decided tonight that I AM DONE. I AM REALLY DONE! Done searching for answers and the truth. I had the truth all along and God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He doesn’t change His mind. He doesn’t change doctrine. The path to the Father is straight and narrow and only through Jesus Christ! Not through a husband for cryin’ out loud!
June 2006
I am a recovering Mormon, born to Mormon parents, and most of my relatives are active. I am the only one in my family who is not active, and for the most part I have kept my belief that Mormonism is a lie to myself. Your website has played no small part in my decision to leave the church, and I wanted to express my appreciation for what you do, please never stop.
June 2006
I spent my whole life in the church . . . Thank you for your research. You seem to be the best source for accurate LDS history. I have heard that since you are geared toward converting “Mormons” to Christianity that you are not an objective source. As a scientist working in research I like to think I have high standards when people make claims. I have found the information that you provide to be well documented and accurate. The least accurate source for LDS history appears to be the LDS church. I still struggle with some of the ideas that have been ingrained in my mind when I was too young to know better.
June 2006
You have taken your stand religiously and now stubbornly deny anything else that differs from it (very similar to what wonderful men like Nathan Bedford Forrest, Adolph Hitler, Osama Bin Laden, and Herod have tried to do) You ignore all truths from your opposition and will inadvertently abandon your own truths in attempt to destroy. . . .
You try to attack a religion who accepts scientific laws and faith but you only use science and faith separately so you can choose when it suits your argument the best. How do you expect readers to believe you when they look at the whole picture? Blind faith perhaps? In a form, yes. You prey upon those whose faith, knowledge or understanding isn’t strong or upon those whose hatred and animosity will believe anything to prove their foe wrong.
June 2006. Well, I am a Mormon, and I think some of things you both have posted are rather ‘interesting’ and I know my faith, and i know many things from studying [other religions, languages, math, science] and I know what I believe is true. But i would like to note, if you both put the words ‘mormons are wrong’ or ‘joseph didn’t know egyptian’, understand that what you put, can be slightly offensive and some things i’ve read upon your site, came across as a little offensive. you both should consider seeing perspectives and writing them onto the site rather than your own. sorry but thats the fact.
July 2006
Got my diploma [LDS termination of membership letter] dated the 27th of June, they’ve apparently mislaid my wife’s. Thinking of framing it, but can’t decide on oak or something darker. Thanks again for all you do. It was a small paperback book left by a couple of wandering Baptists back in about ’87 that I first heard about them “Tanners”. That book was the beginning of a new line of thought for me. I hadn’t felt like the church & I belonged together particularly well for a number of years, but always bought the “failure is yours” routine they promulgate. That book gave me a feeling of relief along with the thought that maybe, just maybe, it was the church that was off, not me. Took a while, but I’m glad we got our names off the roles & resignated ourselves officially. Still saving up for another trip to your store.
July 2006
Dear Sandra, . . . I left the LDS Church in 1985 after a temple marriage & 2 sons. My sons have both gone on missions. In February my youngest son left his dad’s home and the LDS religion, he is now living with [us]. He has really been struggling and feels if he was lied to his whole life about Mormonism, he doesn’t want to become a Christian to find out it is all a lie too. We are doing our best to help him—with the Lords help!
July 2006
My husband and I owe you an incredible debt of gratitude. I was a Mormon for 25 years (& loved it) when after 16 years of marriage my husband joined the church. Shortly after his baptism, he began to investigate his new faith, broaden his understanding, when he came across your website. It opend his eyes but it also brought much turmoil into our family. As he put it, “How do I share this news with my wife when she finally thinks her prayers have been answered with im joining the church?” It was 2 years of a living hell on earth in our home. But I needed to realize that the Lord is in control & to turn it over to him. Finally, the spirit, your newsletters and other info. helped me to realize what a lie I had been fed for so long. I am so scared for my friends and pray for the know-how and time of when to share with all my Mormon friends the good news of the real Jesus Christ. That you for your role in bringing full joy, freedom and Jesus Christ into our family. Love . . .
July 2006
In July of 2003, . . . [we] moved . . . to be closer to our daughter and her growing LDS family. . . . We especially want to thank you for your June 30th letter [to donors] and the accompanying article from CHARISMA. It was especially heart-warming because [we] were privileged to get acquainted in person with Jerald and Sandra and help them briefly in their ministry when our car broke down in SLC in August 1990. Sandra, you and Jerald are especially dear to our hearts because we were able to experience in person what kind, loving, dedicated people you are. It was a time of blessing and spiritual growth for us, we will never forget it.
August 2006
Look deep into your souls . . . Profiting off disinformation and lies . . . capitalism at its’ best! You should be ashamed.
Originally appeared in:
“Excerpts From Emails and Letters,” Salt Lake City Messenger, no. 107, October 2006, 17-18.