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Aug. 2002
Thank you for a wonderful website, so informative and well done. I used to be a member of the LDS church until 2001 when I asked to be released – something that I have no regrets over; however I am still dealing with the guilt and brainwashing of 20 something years. That is not something easily dismissed. . . .
Thank you.
Aug. 2002
So what exactly makes you better then any Mormon? What is your obsession with that religion? Are you profiting from the exploits of this church? . . . Would the savior spend his time tearing down other people’s religions? . . . What talents has he given you? Have you wasted your talents? Is it possible you are the one in the wrong?
What would it take to change your mind? Do you feel good about what you do? . . . Did you learn who God is? Has Christ become your savior and friend? . . . Will he embrace you and tell you that you have been his good and faithful servant? Will he??? Does the spirit whisper peace in your ears now? Or do you feel uneasy and upset? Why so? I hope you don’t feel that reading this has in any way wasted your time. – with love your brother
Aug. 2002
I want to write to express my appreciation for the work your organization is doing. I joined the church approximately 12 years ago, but experienced my first doubts during my initial Temple visit. For years I remained a loyal, (silent), member standing next to my devoted wife.
Three years ago I began to really study. This I had to do in secrecy, as you well know the implications of voicing doubt. . . . I have had countless hours of meetings with bishops, stake presidents and local church historians. They keep passing me along from “scholar” to “scholar”, in the hopes that someone can answer the questions. Most of the time I feel I would like to stay a member of this church for my wife and children, and in the hopes that perhaps I can exact more change from within.
However, I have been told to not talk to other members of the church about truths I have discovered, with the threat of excommunication awaiting me if I do not comply. I am sure you can certainly relate to what my life is currently like. I vacillate from feeling like I am about to go crazy, to wanting to run away like mad, to desperately wanting to help my wife and children.
Well, anyway . . . having other people who understand, (like you), surely helps people out here like me, (and there are plenty of us), get through the rough times. Thank you so much and God bless your work.
Aug. 2002
. . . I see no reason, I see no facts, to bad so sad. What a waste of time What a wasted life. . . . Get a life . . . Make every day count Make a difference Do something good. Be a positive influence to the human race. Love one another, HATE and FEAR should not drive your life. . . .
Aug. 2002
This is in regards to my recent study into Mormonism. I have been a member of the church for months now. There is much deception in getting someone to join the church, by only telling people only what the church wants them to know. Later on, after baptism we learn this incredible story that is so off the wall. If members don’t believe this story, they are looked down upon in the church.
By looking at the material that you and others have made available, I have been able to look up contradictions in the book of mormon. Thank you for posting this information. Please keep this up. Other people thinking about joining the church have a right to know what is going on behind closed doors. . . .
I thank you for helping me find Christ, but most of all I thank Jesus for dying for my sins.
Aug. 2002
I thank you very much for helping me find Christ. I was once a Mormon and visited your web site four months ago and started reading at first I rejected this web site. It took months for me to accept Christ and leave the Mormon Church.
Sept. 2002
I write out of the loss of a lovely woman that was taken in by Mormonism. She is married now . . . She is heart broken because I did not join the church. And I am heart broken too. I don’t think there will ever be anyone else for me in my life. I ask that your group will pray for R____ that Jesus will show her the truth, and she will have the courage to contact you for guidance. Thank you. I am continually praying for your ministry and for both of you. God bless.
Sept. 2002
Thank you so much for writing me back, I am sure you have tons of people writing you. . . . I have only been seeking the truth for a little over a month now, but am hard pressed to continue believing in the LDS church.
I have read Mormon America, and have checked your as well as other websites, but the thing that really turned me was the Bible. Now I am contending with separating myself from my entire family and the community I have been in my whole life. I am scared to death at the prospect of having this division with my family and feel a need to seek “family” outside of them who I can go to for support and strength. I am married and do have an incredibly supportive husband, but he was not raised in the Church or was ever a part of it, so he doesn’t quite understand what I am going through. . . .
Sept. 2002
. . . Your papers seem to be written toward the non-critically thinking person and generally not very scholarly in their approach. My question is, what type of market are you aiming for? If you ever need help writing something addressed to a deeper thinking group of people, I would love to read and critique your work. But then again, I suppose there is much better money to be made in selling to simpler minds and groups who need ‘something to hate’.
Sept. 2002
Many historical references by other non-religious writers of the day and many archaelogical finds have proven the Bible to be the Word of God. From what I have read on any of the mormon sites, there is not a shred of evidence that the book of mormon has any proof, historical or material.
Sept. 2002.
Subject: that is bull!!
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I tell you that you internet site is full of false teachings and the Church dose not teach these things, Just because you were excomunicated for who nows what dose not mean the church is at falt
Please stop publishing these lies.
Sept. 2002
Thank you for a most wonderful site, opened my eyes. I left the lds many years ago after found many faults on my own, did not know there was all this info available. I am trying to get a mormon colleague to read this site as well:
http://www.exmormon.org
thank you for your studies.
Sept. 2002
I’ve got to be honest. I think this site is full of lies. I haven’t ever seen anything like this with the mormon church. You should be careful about what you say to others concerning beliefs you know nothing about, or in the case of the Tanners, things you felt strong enough about to joing the mormon church, and now are trying to destroy it. I don’t see the validity of the material here, and I think you should rethink calling yourselves followers of Christ. You are not. Regrettfully . . .
Sept. 2002
Thank you for caring for so many who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ. I have a son who in a state of mental confusion joined that Mormon Church. . . . He feels to leave he will be lost in Mormon darkness and terrible things will happen. Just talking to him about Jesus doesn’t seem to change his fear.
Oct. 2002
Greetings. . . . I am still fairly new in the LDS Church and already have serious doubts and questions about it being the True Church.
Whenever I have raised questions in Gospel Principles class or to my Bishop, it is like I am have committed a crime by even having doubts or concerns about Church Doctrine or Practice. A Christian friend of mine turned me on to the video; “The Mormon Puzzle”, and that is how I found out about your ministry. I am desperately seeking the truth. Thanks. Sincerely a confused LDS.
Oct. 2002
Why do you two hate me so much? You are trying so hard to destroy a good thing here. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is wonderful, and true. But Besides that, you two would be doing a greater good by trying to help others. Imagine what you could accomplish if you put forth as much effort to stop child abuse as you are to destroying a church that loves our savior. I know nothing I say can change your mind . . . but I want you to know that even though you are set on hurting myself and others. . . . Including children . . . I still love you because Jesus does.
Oct. 2002
. . . This note is written for all the verbal abuse you guys suffer daily at the hands of those who hate you for taking your stand for the truth, (5 people against the millions). I’m proud of your stand in Christ and for having faith in the words of God and not in the words of man. I admire and love you two and your efforts to reach those who are seeking the truth of God and in helping to bring those who are seeking Him out of spiritual darkness and into the love and light of Christ.
Oct. 2002
I left the church in 1995 when I was 16 because of a feeling I had. I have been researching the churches history lately and of course I happened upon Utah Lighthouse Ministry. What a great site! I wish I knew about ULM when I was younger!
Oct. 2002
I have written you before . . . Since my last correspondence, our entire family of 10 has left the Mormon Church officially and all have been saved through our Lord, Christ Jesus. Now that we have been saved and found a church family, we have been approached by numerous people requesting that we instruct a class on facts about Mormonism—and the culture of the church. We are going to pray about this and feel strongly that there is a need for this to be done locally here in Missouri.
Oct. 2002
I just wanted to share with all of you that today I accepted Jesus Christ as my savior and accepted his grace in a verbal prayer with my husband. I had been waiting until I felt sure; and also until I felt prompted by God that it was the right time. It first became clear to me on Sunday that it was time and so after some deep reflection and prayer I gave myself up to Christ today. My heart is full and overflowing and I feel on the verge of tears for how grateful I am, mostly for Christ coming in to my life, but also to all of you for being there and for supporting me. Thank you so much for welcoming me into your circle. Today I am going to start the process of having my name removed from the LDS records and then I am going to get baptized. Once again, thank you. God Bless. . . .
Nov. 2002
I am still in shock of what I have seen. I can not believe that so many have fallen into satans trap. Doesnt anyone know that the tanners are one satans greatest tools. Please people read the doctrine ask in faith and then tell us it is not true dont lie to yourselfs. Please as GOD he will forgive you for falling into this trap. Dont let your salvation be ruined. My friends please dont be blinded by these writtings. The church will always exist please dont be mislead. (Your friend)
Nov. 2002
It cracks me up to hear the hate mail you receive from all the faithful Mormons out there. I have been reading your Salt Lake messenger mailer for years and not once has a devout Mormon has ever had enough ammo to contradict your writings. All they say in their narrow minds Is leave the state or quit bashing our beliefs and you are going to rot in Hell . . .
Boy, Thats the real Christian way. . . . All I believe in is the golden rule . . . nothing more. God said to belive in me and thats all . . . Oh by the way I am a white very wealthy man and have a loving wife and children . . . And you guys out there thought you had to be Mormon to have that . . . Pity on you MO’s
Nov. 2002
Your web site is full of inaccuracies and lies. If you think you have to dispute the Book of Mormon at least get your facts right.
Nov. 2002
Unsubscribe me from your mailing list immediately. Your time spent hatefully criticizing other religious faiths is both morally wrong and proof that your organization is in no way Christian oriented. Why not use your time more constructively for the common good? Your work is only creating hatred.
Nov. 2002
Joseph Smith was a true prophet why don’t you just pray and ask God if this is so before coming to your erroneos conclusions and misrepresentations of facts. You will meet him someday after this life and then shall you know that he is a servant of God.
Nov. 2002
. . . Don’t seek further to persecute something you know absolutely nothing about. You have no more light to base your findings on, for your light has become darkness and your hope is vain. So shall your lives be as the Nephites of another time. Your pride has become your downfall. May you find repentance in time or some sort of Glory when your lives are over. . . .
Nov. 2002
Sounds like you guys are really scared . . . .
Dec. 2002
Do not despair God is on the side of the righteous. You guys must have the Mormons very scared! I notice the Mormons never counter with facts, just nasty remarks. God love you guys. The wealthy powerful Mormons against your little ministry – I wonder what God thinks about that? He always helped the downtrodden trying to tell the truth.
Dec. 2002
. . . Everyone thinks they have it all, even I do sometimes. I have read through much of your materials and applaud your thorough research containing old copies of old anti-mormon books and research.
However, I must say that such information is for the weak minded and written by the weak minded (thats my opinion as well, and will always be). I say that because the church will continue to be one of the fastest growing church in the world, and will continue to build the Kingdom of God no matter how hard you try to convert people to your little religion.
. . . Nothing can convince you otherwise because your faith is based on the behaviors of other churches or based on facts published by media, or some crime committed by a certain person. Faith based on facts is no faith at all. . . . See you in the next life
Dec. 2002
Hello i would LOVE to thank you both for you’re wonderful book “changing world of mormonism” I left the church 6 months back and knew A LOT as it was . . . after reading up to and part way of chapter 6 in your book i am blown away.
my mind can not understand how members such as Mr. H Nibly can defend the church knowing what he has or the other Church Apologist. . . . my personal opinion is that when ones comes to this knowledge how can one remain in mormonism. . . . i now feel it my mission to inform others of my finding and tell them of your books. . . . i am so THANKFUL that i have come across your books . . . my mother had a few when she left the church . . . Thank you for all you’re hard work and studies to help inform those who are like me . . . who knew much BUT know there is deeper facts to uncover!
Dec. 2002
It is sad to hear most of you have lost your testimony, a matter that you must explain when coming before God when we are judged. Will you refer Him to your website or will you be able to explain; what, where, when, how, and why you denied the truth that came to you through the Holy Spirit? I hope so for I would not care to see you weap with untold guilt standing before God. Surely the work of your life has aided Lucifer in supporting many souls to let go the Iron Rod for the words of man. . . . What kind of legacy will all this criticism being? Someone is right and someone is wrong, either its a few dozen or millions? . . .
Dec. 2002
I have looked over your website and found it to be quite lame. Your columns were laced with blatant falisies that only imbusels would ever believe. One, out of many, I would like to point out is the plagerism column. Where in the column they are trying to prove that the Book of Mormon was plagerised they circle common words like spirit and phrases that are written in an entirely different manner than that of the other. Of course you are going to find similarities in the writtings they are both writting about the same subject. My intent on visiting your website was to investigate the Mormon religion not come out feeling as dumb as you blatantly are.
Dec. 2002
I am an ex-Mormon who has been saved by the Grace of God. I have spent many years studying sites like yours. Your site is one of the best I’ve seen. What a great blessing you are. The points made about many of the LDS doctrines and beliefs are wonderful. Very easy to understand and easy to discuss with LDS friends. Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your site!! God Bless.
Originally appeared in:
“Extracts From Letters and Emails,” Salt Lake City Messenger, no. 100, March 2003, 17-20.