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Oct. 2009
Please keep us on your mailing list for the Salt Lake City Messenger newsletter. Not only does your newsletter contain such great information for my wife and myself, I have been able to share this information with so many others with just a quick visit to a copy machine.
We have lost all respect for the Mormon church, and cutesy little sayings like “You can leave the church, but you can’t leave the church alone” only drive us further. We will leave the church alone when they leave us alone, . . .
Oct. 2009
Having been converted to “Mormonism” over four years ago, and having spent countless hours studying the doctrine and history of the Lords only true Church, I am not surprised to hear of your apostasy . . . You have chosen to consecrate your life, time, and talent as an enemy of the Church, the Church which has done more good in this world than all pathetic, heretical ministries, such as your lighthouse ministry . . . could ever do for the cause of Christ. . . .
Although I am very disturbed by the ignorance of people who produce and subscribe to anti-mormon literature, it is my prayer and hope that you may repent and return unto Christ. But I fear that the spirit has ceased to strive with you and you have committed the unpardonable sin, as did your late husband, and you are consumed by that evil spirit who seeks to destroy Gods work. . . . You have brought great shame on the name of Brigham Young, and I know the heavens weep over the loss of one of its daughters, in whom was so much potential. . . .
P.S. Don’t look forward to exaltation.
Nov. 2009
I wrote to you many months ago from Colorado, and wanted to let you all know how I am doing. I am now starting to overcome some of my anger over all the lies that were told to, by those “fine, upstanding” elders. And I am also so grateful to you for steering me in the direction away from the Mormons.
. . . Also, active LDS say we may have left, but we can’t leave it alone, well probably cause we’re really mad that we were lied to for so long, so we feel it is within our right to lash out at em !!
Nov. 2009
I retyped my letter [resigning from the LDS Church], notarized it and got it in the mail today. Sent one to my bishop and one to member records in SLC for good measure. My wife and daughter are using the resignation process, they don’t have the same ‘here’s what you can do with your church’ gene that I do. Thank you SO much for your trailblazing and years of hard work and research you and your husband put into UTLM. I owe you a great debt.
Nov. 2009
Thank you—Thank you and thank you for your ministry—your courage and dedication to educating us about the truth concerning Mormonism
. . . When I was 23 I served a mission to Australia . . . When I was 28 I married a man who had been divorced and had children . . . It was when I was about 40 that I felt like I was not getting spiritually fed by attending Sacrament meetings and so I began my search for something more . . .
Nov. 2009
Do not continue sending your apostate mail to my home. I will be returning it at your expense. It is offensive, untrue, and has cost me more than you can imagine. . . . I’m sure someday you will be sorry for what you have done. By then you will have destroyed many as well as yourself.
Nov. 2009
I am a mormon and as a mormon i feel that mormonism must be investigated and understood from both non mormons and mormons and even the ex mormons. Yes a lot of controversy has been written about the TANNERS BOOKS AND WRITINGS. THE TANNERS BOOKS ARE A HISTORY OF MORMONISM OF WHATS HAPPENED IN THE PAST. . . . All religions including mormonism have two sides to history. The good and bad side . . . JERALD AND SANDRA TANNERS MAY BE ANTI MORMONS TO MOST MORMONS BUT FOR ME AS A MORMON THE TANNERS ARE WHAT WE CALL MORMON HISTORIANS.
Nov. 2009
In my youth I served a mission in New Zealand and became the special assistant to the mission president. As an adult, however, I long ago stopped believing that angels had ever flown around with metal books in their hands. I’m basically an agnostic who would like to believe, but down deep I worry that when the old pu[m]p stops it’s all over. Despite having serious religious differences with you, I hope you’ll keep me on your list. Incidentally, your publication about the Book of Abraham [Salt Lake City Messenger # 113] is all that anyone with two brain cells to rub together should need to figure out that Joseph Smith was a con man, an apparently charismatic one, but a con man nevertheless.
Nov. 2009
I recently left the LDS Church. I was quite excited to meet you, . . . During our conversation you asked me what percentage of the LDS church I think is active. I didn’t give you a straight answer at the time, but I think there are probably only 3 million to 4 million active believing members [of the approx. 6 million members in the USA]. I also think 5% to 10% of the people on the rolls are actually dead. So, that’s my opinion . . . I wish we knew a straight-forward answer to that question . . . but, of course, some truths are not helpful to the Church.
Nov. 2009
A friend recently lent me a copy of the Nov. 2009 Salt Lake City Messenger. WOW!!!!!. . .
After several years of living and traveling throughout this great nation of ours a job transfer brought me back to Utah. Since my return I cannot help but feel the constant, daily bombardment of Mormonism. It’s like Chinese water torture.
Nov. 2009
Making progress. Sent a copy of my exit letter to friends and family; immediately separated the ‘wheat from the tares’ in my life. Funny, I don’t feel the least inclined to respond in kind, just love my neighbor as myself. I never really knew just how black is white and white is black your thinking can be until I decided to walk away from it.
Nov. 2009
I would like to take the time to thank you for all of the further light and knowledge I have recieved from your website. I am now resigned from the Cult. My Wife and I and my four children are out.
Nov. 2009
Your reputation precedes you. If you were to read D&C 121 you would see that all this was predicted. I am not yet a great or even good Mormon scholar but I do know this, if you were to use the methods and judgements against the Saviour that you use against Joseph Smith you would have people doubting His (The Saviours) soverenty. . . . You are obviously very genuine in your desires to help people understand the truth and I respect that, just make sure for your sake it’s the whole truth.
Nov. 2009
Your work is an excellent expose on how the LDS Church seeks to procure, alter, and control the interpretation of their history. . . . At age 52 I still experience the challenge of overcoming the resonance caused by their ideologies, . . . The final decisive moment was when I realized that the prophets routinely contradict themselves through their doctrines and that it is impossible to discern what is doctrine versus opinion. No amount of praying and good works could resolve the extensive contradictions. We all know why. I found myself required to accept fact, truth, and the light of Christ.
Dec. 2009
Please stop criticizing or finding some loop holes in our religion, . . . please, we have our choices in life. you have yours, and we have ours. it has really hurt a lot of people and specially me. so please, if you have something that we don’t know regarding about the church, keep it to yourself. . . . I’m not saying that you’re wrong and I’m right or vice versa, its just we are not forcing people to believe as [we do]. and we believe in what we teach, I’m just 17, and though my knowledge about life is just not that much but, i know whats wrong and right.
Dec. 2009
Please continue your wonderful work. I, too, grew up Mormon and have in the last year parted ways with the church. What a freeing experience but what a disappointment at the same time. Everything I was taught about religion is wrong from what really happened biblically . . . The more I can learn and understand what keeps my family in this trance of Mormonism the better!
Dec. 2009
You was asked to stop . . . posting from your lying trashy web site. You are now included in the investigation of hate crimes and religious hate. Enjoy what you have coming to you. I will not rest until all of you pay for your crimes.
Dec. 2009
I would like to start off by saying how much I appreciate all of the hard work and research that has been done by you folks over the years. I was born and raised a mormon, went on a mission, married in the temple you get the idea. I would never have been able to get to the point that I, or my family are now at without your efforts. We have all left Mormonism and are actively pursuing a relationship with the one true god.
Dec. 2009
I was born and raise member of the LDS church in Mexico, I even was a missionary, randomly or accide[n]tally i’ve seen through the internet many of the teachings of Sandra Tanner and others against church doctrines and feel you are right in everything you say, because it does make sense.
Jan. 2010
God used your book, Major Problems of Mormonism, back in 1994, to get me out of that cult. This was a necessary step before I came to faith in Christ shortly thereafter.
Jan. 2010
Thank you for your faithful ministry through the years. I was a convert to Mormonism that left the church in 1985. Your ministry was one of the first that I came in contact with in those early years that were filled with so much confusion and questions. I now serve the LORD in pastoral ministry . . .
Jan. 2010
I know you have no idea who I am, but you had a major impact on my life and my Dads life as well. I was born and raised in the L.D.S Church. Although my parents were very devout Mormons I was more interested in getting into trouble. Finally my life took a turn where I turned to the Lord for help and started attending a Christian Church. A few months later I drove down to visit my parents to tell them the good news. I thought they would be pleased after all of the hardship I put them through in my teenage years. They were not pleased at all!
My Dad got mad at me and told me I might as well not go to church at all because I was going to the wrong one. I went home confused and saddened. Not long after this I was introduced to your book “Mormonism Shadow or Reality?” I was skeptical, but I looked up as many references in your book as I could find and found your book to be completely accurate! I am glad to say that I used the material in your book and 10 years later my Dad accepted Jesus as his Lord and had his name removed from the L.D.S records. I am extremely grateful for the effort that you and your husband put into this work of reaching Mormons for Christ.
Jan. 2010
I joined the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints without a knowledge much about Joseph Smith at first, has not read the book of Mormon and not seen any lds movies, I joined because I prayed about it and got an answer. . . . Oliver Cowdery did feel away and joined other church but he came back and you did not include that part in your website. I know I’m wasting my time here and I know you are not going to publish this email. My confident is, I know there is more life after this life, I cannot wait to see you up there.
Feb. 2010
I want to thank you for helping to bring out Mormon history in it’s true light. I had never heard of any Church history other than that which they lead people to believe. I had fallen hook line and sinker. When I invited Christ into my life, the change was truley miraculous.
Feb. 2010
Many years ago I asked my good Salt lake friend Jon to pick up some information from Utah Lighthouse. . . . Jon brought the monthly newsletter along with the occassional research by Sandra Tanner to my office so that I wouldn’t have to have it delivered to my home. I’ll never forget the shock and then the relief as the lies became unraveled before my eyes. My favorite pamphlet was the hieroglyphic translation of ancient funeral texts magically turned into the Book of Abraham. Thanks Gerald and Sandra.
Feb. 2010
You complain about being told you are a liar, but you call others liars, perverts, etc. You are a hypocrite. Please repent.
Feb. 2010
i joined [the LDS] church in 2003 in france where i’m from, i was baptized in caen, i realize that i don’t stand for the doctrines and practices of the church, and i found out recently after many researches and sincere prayers that the book of mormon is fake and the church is an heresy; I believe in the jesus of the holy bible . . . .
Feb. 2010
I guess i just dont understand why ya’ll have a quote that Joseph Smith said on the main page of your website. Is that the motive of your church, to prove the LDS church wrong? Granted your are based in Salt Lake where there are a ton of Mormons but doesnt it seem like a weakness to focus on Mormons and try to discredit them, instead of focusing on how right your church is?
Feb. 2010
This is a thank you email that is being sent anonymously . . . I would like to thank the Utah Lighthouse Ministries for doing high-quality scholarship. . . . I am one that works in the physical sciences; good scholarship, reproducibility of results, and the ability to peer review data are high priorities. The vast majority of the works from Utah Lighthouse Ministries have scholarship that is in my opinion par excelance. The book titled “Mormonism: Shadow or Reality?” and the online edition of “The Changing World of Mormonism” are to my liking of other scholarly works such as “Jesus Among Others Gods” by Ravi Zacharias . . .
Feb. 2010
I FINALLY got my walking paper, not that I felt I needed it, but it is good to hold in my hands. Looking back, leaving Mormonism looms large in ones mind, even though I had been inactive for 30 years, but now it seems like any sacrifice of family and friends was such a small price to pay. There is a dark as night and noon-day difference in the place Jesus Christ had and now occupies in my life. Read, more like soak up the Bible every single day!!
Thanks again, I owe you one Gal!!
Mar. 2010
Long story short . . . many years ago while on my mission I read [Mormonism-] Shadow or Reality? and left the LDS church after completing my mission. I followed yours and Jerald’s example of asking to be removed from the church rolls. . . . I’m one of that 60% or whomever that don’t find another church or follow Christ upon leaving Mormonism. I’ve not sought a dramatic born-again experience but Shawn’s [McCraney, www. bornagainmormon.com] challenge to pray, “Lord, I don’t know if you’re there or if I even like you, but I want you to enter my heart and guide me to Your Truth” resonates with me so I have done that. Please think of me in your prayers.
Mar. 2010
I’m sure you don’t remember us, a young LDS couple with four young children in tow. We came to your bookstore looking for answers—and found them! We talked with you a long while, visited your Christian Missionary Alliance Church, . . . It was a hard thing to break with the Mormon church!
Eventually we did, though, and joined the conservative Mennonites. It has been a real blessing. Our eight children are all grown up now—and each one a born-again Christian.
Mar. 2010
I have read the changes on the Book of Mormon from the first edition of the 1830 and let me tell you that this changes did not change the doctrine of the everlasting gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . Please, read the Book of Mormon and pray about it . . . I know that the Book of Mormon is true, . . . I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that he translated the Book of Mormon by the Gift and Power of the Holy Ghost. I know this and bear record of this in front of Heaven Angels and in Front of God and Jesus Christ that is seeing this email and this is being written upon Heaven.
Mar. 2010
Thank you for the DVD you gave me . . . My husband and I resigned our membership from the Mormon church 3/16/10. We are now reading the bible and wanting to know God. We are also watching Heart of The Matter [http://www.hotm.tv] and reading your book and articles.
April 2010
Although you don’t know me, your efforts have been instrumental in my de-conversion from the LDS church and have culminated in my letter of resignation received by the church office building on April 6, 2010. Although I consider myself a non-member, the LDS church will do some internal gymnastics until they send out the final letter.
I sincerely appreciate the efforts that both you and Jerald have undertaken over so many years to expose this situation for what it is. Your persistence has contributed, in part, to my awakening and eventual freedom from a situation that was stifling and unhealthy. I have not yet decided my future path and, in fairness, I have not reconciled certain christian doctrine at this time. I hope this ongoing search allows me arrive at a better place.
April 2010
I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for your magnificent video documentaries which can be found on YouTube. My favorite is “The early years of Mormonism” [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmH2CIXRB54] .
Although I had my name removed from the records of the Mormon church in 1995, I use your video’s, pamphlets and books . . . I cannot express to you in words how grateful I am to you (and your deceased husband) for the countless hours that you have spent per leading the very misled Mormon population back to Christ.
April 2010
Hello. I am a District Court Judge . . . I write today to thank you for putting The Changing World of Mormonism on the web as a research tool for folks like me, non-Mormons, who, as thoughtful Christians (in my case, Episcopalian), want to understand the Mormon faith for a variety of reasons.
April 2010
I have come to your website through my searches regarding Baptism for the Dead.
I am a member of the United Church of Canada, and my extended family is liberal Protestant with the exception of my Mormon sister, her husband, two daughters . . .
I regard Baptism for the Dead, its related Celestial Kingdom and external polygamous families in heaven as one of the most bizarre beliefs of the Mormon faith. It is so idiotic that I am inclined to ignore it.
However, after my father—a United Church minister—died three years ago, I found out that my sister and her family have baptized my grandparents and other ancestors secretly without notifying the family that this had been done, or requesting their permission as per LDS suggested guidelines. Several of my ancestors were United Church and Methodists ministers and Quaker religious leaders. Their proxy baptism by the Mormon members of our family is highly disrespectful of our ancestors religious traditions and sends the wrong message that the Mormons regard my ancestors religion as being inferior. . . .
I have asked my sister that there be full, plain and true disclosure of the names of the family for whom this temple work had been performed and that the other 100 plus members of my father’s family be informed that this practice exists so that they can express their opinion one way or the other about this practice being done to their immediate relatives (my deceased aunts, uncles and cousins) and themselves. So far, my sister has avoided action on this request, constantly referring me to the Mormon prophets which only they recognize as having legitimacy.
I do not accept temple work as having any validity in spiritual terms. I am under no illusion that disclosure will have any material effect on church practice . . . However, I feel that I cannot remain silent about these practices with regard to myself and other family members.
Originally appeared in:
“Excerpts from Letters and Emails,” Salt Lake City Messenger, no. 114, May 2010, 19-22.