[Spelling and grammar not corrected.]
August 2014
You are truly a “pioneer” for truth. I’m a native Floridian and saw your interview with John [Dehlin – Mormon Stories]. I left the church a year ago and have felt lots of persecution and lost many friends. But have gained truth and found a new church and new friends. And don’t think I could have been strong like you. I hope before you pass on you can see the fruits of your labor. The LDS church will fall one day. Truth reigns. Love you Sandra. You are a strong woman. Worthy of the title, hero.
September 2014
While I am currently Agnostic, I highly respect you and what you do. I stopped by your shop a few days ago but you were sadly not in. Thank you for doing what you do. . . . I have a true passion in educating those on the truth of the LDS church. I became suicidal after doing my own research years ago. It hurt so much knowing that the religion I loved was a fraud and was very un-ethical in its religious and business workings. Again thank you very much for what you have done and what you are doing.
September 2014
Thank you so much your time and God’s blessings to you and to your ministry.
Really quick, I have been a Christian since 2007 after living a life inside Mormonism. I even served a mission in SLC 91-93. During my mission I call[ed] utlm and told the person on the phone off (the person I know now as Sandra Tanner). Though I did call a year or so ago and apologize to Sandra and she graciously forgave me.
I have loved hearing about the story of Jerald and Sandra and the amazing work The Lord accomplished in and through them. Praise Jesus.
As for myself I have been attending Bible college . . . I’m still not sure what The Lord has for me. . . . There are Many who are in my extended family who refuse to speak to me about Jesus because they claim that I’ve forsaken the true gospel.
September 2014
So you insist that hatred for others is your true religion. How sad to build your foundation upon hate.
I bet Christ doesn’t agree with this philosophy. You never seem to form your opinions on anything productive. How depressing. Did you run out of Happy pills? If you waller in the depths of negativism you will never climb out.
September 2014
I imagine that you probably get a lot of nasty mail, so hopefully this is a welcome message.
To make a long story short, I have been a baptized LDS member for all of my 37 years, though inactive for the past 21 years, inactive. Even so, until this last year I would have said I had a strong testimony. As I study more and more about the vast falsehoods and cover-ups of the church—I cannot anymore say that Joseph Smith was a prophet—in fact quite the opposite. As I now understand things, I would even go as far to say that that he was a scoundrel, a liar, and even used his position and trust to take advantage of women, even using God’s name to ruin reputations, threaten and coerce people into fulfilling his desires. I am currently composing my exit letter, and I am not sure I can be even that short and sweet. And if it means anything to you, I have never had such a faith in Jesus Christ’s gospel and am already attending another nondenominational Christian church.
Sandra, I can’t thank you enough for the decades of level headed and very well researched material and dedication to help bring people out of this polytheistic fraud called mormonism.
Looking back I can’t believe I believed it so long—and I am already having troubles with my parents, who are both converts but still are very active, even doing very frequent work in the temple. It really, really bothers me because my mother especially is a very smart and perceptive person—and I am in my mind, I think, forming some kind of life mission to bring them out. But I know my mother thinks that I am saying she wasted her whole life in the church—so please pray for me to help her understand that the parts about loving the Lord, building a family etc were not in vain. I just am worried about their salvation especially and to show them that Christ is sufficient and to get them away from these blasphemous aspects within Mormonism, no matter how well organized the community or how nice the people and families are.
September 2014
I just want to say thank you! The amount of love and gratitude I have for you is tremendous! . . . I live in Ogden, UT. I am currently in the process of transitioning out of the LDS church. My story is not special. But because of people like you that work so hard to bring people like me the truth, I am in the process of learning how special I am to the Lord. And I am learning who the Lord is.
September 2014
Food for thought. Why do you think it’s okay to preach what you do and yet after reading some of your material I see the very thing that you preach is slander and mockery of some kind. What do you get in life by the unkind words you use towards God’s Church? Followers? Is that what your after? I don’t understand why these so called Christian folks try to belittle others beliefs. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ LDS and it does not sit well with me to hear people belittle the church and basically make fun of my beliefs. How would you like it if someone made fun of you. I could make fun of you all day long and tell you how wrong your beliefs are, but I choose not to because that would be ignorant. Anyway enjoy your following.
October 2014
I just wanted to let you know that it was a visit to your store, when I was starting to seriously question Mormonism, and a purchase of several of your books, that finally led me out of the LDS Church and into a more peaceful place in my life. Thank you.
October 2014
I just wanted to write to you to thank you for the interview that you did that is now on Youtube regarding Joseph Smith and the LDS Church
I was only baptised in 2010. I started looking into the history of the Church and the Bishop said I had not to do that. I took my Endowments and, as soon as I saw the Endowment film in the Temple, I knew that there was something wrong. None of the issues you discussed are ever mentioned in the LDS Church at all, not ever. Questions are still not encouraged on those subjects. I investigated the notions put forth in the Endowment film, then watched everything I could find on youtube.
I have now requested my membership be rescinded. Fortunately there is only myself to consider in this, so only myself to get out of this mess. Am now attending a true Christian evangelical church in England near to where I live, which is where I should have been in the first place.
October 2014
A few months ago I came across Sandra’s interviews on the Mormon Stories podcast as well as the now infamous CES Letter. After 23 years of being a converted member (I’m 35 now) I feel compelled to acknowledge that the LDS Church is not true.
What truly hurts is that this whole ordeal has put a strain on my marriage. We got married in the ______ Temple six months ago. As early as June my wife and I started having numerous arguments and discussions about the validity of the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith’s claims. The church means a lot to her because it’s the only place she can worship God and feel warm fuzzies.
A short while ago we both decided to try attending other Christian services. Two Sundays ago it was a Presbyterian church and yesterday it was a non-denominational service. I thought both had great things to offer. She didn’t seem to like either one.
Last night we got a visit from a faithful couple in our LDS ward wanting to discuss our concerns. Towards the end the husband gave us both blessings, the one to my wife telling her the Lord chooses imperfect men to do his work and the one to me telling me the Lord is not pleased with my search for information. Both blessings suggested we expel Satan from our home.
After having meetings with our bishop, our stake president, and these two ward members she’s now committed to devoting the rest of her life to Mormonism. She justifies the warm fuzzies as a sign of truth by turning to Luke 24:32, “They said to one another, ‘Were not out hearts burning within us while he was speaking to us on the road, while he was explaining the scriptures to us?’” . . . May the blessings of the Lord be with you.
Follow-up email in January 2015.
I have some good news. My wife and I both decided to stop going to the LDS Church a month ago. It was a real struggle for us. After reviewing the evidence we were left with no other choice. The UTLM book order I placed on October 15th really sealed the deal for me. . . . I got about halfway through “View of the Hebrews” and had enough of a witness that The Book of Mormon was not a translation of ancient records.
My wife, on the other hand, really had a hard time letting go of her spiritual testimony as noted in my e-mail from October 13th . . . Since June we had had heated arguments about LDS history and doctrine. I had defended the church for years, but once I came across the Letter to a CES Director I could no longer believe. At one point we even considered divorce. It would have been tragic had we gone that route especially considering we got married last April after eight years of friendship.
Ironically, the nail in the coffin for my wife was the church essay Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo. Finally we could turn to a source from the church that confirmed many of the horrible details regarding how polygamy was practiced. She immediately saw all the frustration on the part of members posting on John Dehlin’s Facebook fan page. In her mind she could no longer believe that this was a church established by God.
Since making the decision to stop going we have attended a non-denominational Christian church where an old friend from high school goes. It really has been liberating to finally be able to agree as a couple that the LDS church does not tell the truth about its history and its origin cannot be attributed to the work of God.
While we have stopped attending we aren’t in the clear. We are now getting visits, phone calls, and texts from members in our Spanish-speaking congregation. Many of them are close friends of ours. My wife has already made it clear to our Relief Society presidency that she will no longer teach any classes and thus should be released as Relief Society teacher. I will write to our stake president over the coming week asking to be released as Stake Young Men’s second counselor. Many thanks for all that you do. I will be looking for more of your videos on YouTube.
October 2014
I left the LDS church back in the 80’s but have only RECENTLY begun studying LDS history because it only just now occurred to me that real historical information might be available online. It has been very interesting and a bit shocking as well.
At any rate, I recently came across your interview on Mormon Stories and just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your thoughtful and honest research. I had sort of a Tanner marathon that day and thought how exhausting that must have been, but you were undaunted! You’re a great story teller too! Truth teller? I’ve just purchased [Mormonism—] Shadow/ Reality and look forward to reading it. Thanks so much for BEING THERE for all of us who are on this quest for the truth.
October 2014
I would sincerely appreciate being added to your mailing list for the Salt Lake City Messenger. I admit that I feel somewhat at odds with my request as I am currently a member of the LDS Church but I have been going through a real spiritual battle for the past year.
My husband and I have been suffering with many unusual health problems which have been finally diagnosed as environmental which has meant I haven’t been able to attend church meetings regularly. During this time issues relating to the problem has caused me to look at the church with a great deal of questions and loss of faith or testimony. I am a convert (1996) and never have really had a testimony of Joseph Smith, but the faith in Jesus and family has kept me drawn to the church. . . . I feel like I am dying of thirst waiting for a word from the pulpit or teachers about my Savior. . . . I don’t believe in the book of Mormon. I’m tired of hearing about the prophets and leaders of the church when the Lord Jesus Christ seems secondary.
October 2014
I’m feeling sort of out of it right now. After 57 years in the church and having been in five bishoprics, a branch president, seminary teacher and most recently a temple ordinance worker just over a year ago, I’m leaving it all behind including virtually all my friends and family. It feels a little lonely. I have not been to any Christian churches yet but I plan on it soon. I’m still trying to figure it all out. I’m excited though. It’s the best I’ve ever felt in spite of the separation.
October 2014
I’m 52, born under the covenant, active LDS member; with all the LDS heritage, and recently discovered the deception. . . . As I do my own research and try to put my thoughts on paper, I find it healing and damaging as well; because of this internal confusion. With everything I have now learned, my mind still wont let the church go and it really plays with my emotions. I hope with my writings that some day my wife & family will understand why I would consider leaving the church.
November 2014
Paraphrased version of the last few years of my life. . . .Take vacation to meet with old army buddy haven’t seen in 10 plus years. Meet his best friends girl at bonfire party. She breaks up with guy. . . . We fall in love and I find out she is LDS. After a few years of her attending the Baptist church I go to she gets urges to return to LDS and proselytize me. This is where I will slow down.
Until about 6 months ago I thought/assumed Mormons were some weird Christian denomination. Then the missionaries started coming and things just didn’t seem right. Her returned missionary brother came for a visit and we went to see the Kirkland Temple (about an hour from where I live). . . . I was a terrible Christian. So when I am confronted with this LDS stuff and their historic site I can admit I was a little swayed. But my thanks to God for his never failing love that I so undeserved.
I have heard many testimonies of God speaking directly to people. Never once had I ever experienced it. Yes, I have been blessed by numerous answered prayers; mostly undeserved answers at that. But one day when I decided to pray the Mormon prayer “Heavenly Father please reveal to me the truth of the book of Mormon”, I received a direct answer from God. No not an audible voice. But I heard “Just read your Bible.” . . . I down loaded a Bible app on my phone and spent six months or so reading everything I could while at work. Also, I began researching what the LDS church believes and focusing my biblical research to refuting the lies and twistings of LDS doctrine. What I came to realize is that Joseph Smith’s teachings are actually the exact opposite of what the Bible says is true. . . .
One of the hardest moments in my life was to tell my LDS fiancé that we would have to postpone our wedding till we worked out our difference of religion. My every desire was to pursue our wedding plans and assume that religion would work itself out. I am so glad I didn’t follow my desires. God has blessed me with the privilege of leading my fiancé to the truth of salvation. She has left behind the lies of the LDS church.
She is so passionate now about learning the truth and passing it on to her family. She has been doing lots of investigation into what the Mormon doctrines really are. What finally broke through her Mormon barrier of anything not LDS approved? Not logic. Not my arguing. It was J. Smiths “King Follett Sermon”. It was J.S. explaining that we could all become gods and that God had a body of flesh and lived just like men on a different planet. . . . Terrible Christian I have been, I am pleased to say God has used the LDS to get my life back on track.
After reading about the LDS Gospel Topics essays, one man wrote:
November 2014
Finally—finally—the Mormon church acknowledges what you and Jerald have been saying for a long time! There are more issues, but it must be wonderful for you to live and know your work was not in vain!
November 2014
You have nothing to hope for. Because whatever you believe is as phony and fantasy as every bit of Mormonism.
Yes, I found out (long time ago) the truth about Mormonism thanks to your efforts, but apparently I had more courage than you because I went a step further and investigated the truth about Jesus. Jesus was as phony as Joseph ever was. As we trusted you to show us the true colors of Mormonism, why can’t you check the reality about Jesus yourself?
November 2014
I am quite impressed on your work on the changes to the book of Mormon and I plan to spread the word to my other fellow Mormons of your findings. I have read other documents on what the church does not want their members to know such as “why I left the Mormon church” and it is enough for me to get back to my bishop on confirming that I seriously want to be excommunicated from the church.
December 2014
Where is this infinite knowledge you possess to give you the right to tell others they are wrong?
. . . The sheer fact you espouse to know more than others, is telling of your M.O. This is not done in a loving, caring, manner. I challenge you to debate your perspectives outside of common “I’m not going to discuss” & “I’m not listening”. “Oh, here is a specific scripture my interpretation says otherwise.”
How could you expect the Holy Spirit to do its job of witnessing and confirming Truth, if you are dead set on an agenda of retaliation? . . . Thank you for helping confirm my faith, I want nothing to do with an org/church that benefits from love gifts and the error of evangelicalism.
December 2014
Instead of slamming the Prophet Joseph, just don’t. You’re speaking of things you don’t even understand. Try doing something better with your life than to ATTEMPT to destroy others faith. The LDS church is and will always be true.
January 2015
I have been through a lot of changes this last week. I have discovered that Joseph Smith is a con man, and I have stopped attending meetings and paying Tithing. One of the things that affected me was a video you were in that stated that Emma Smith found Joseph Smith & Fanny Alger together in a barn. . . . Even assuming the best of intentions on the part of Joseph Smith, I still came away feeling disappointed in him. . . .
When he brought Fanny Alger into his home as a servant, he should have considered her as one of his own children and taken a vow of strict hands-off policy. . . . The girls probably idolized him for being the Prophet of the Restoration. It just doesn’t feel right. It was unfair to Oliver Cowdery for Joseph to put him in a situation where he had to say this was a filthy, dirty, nasty little affair. So I looked closer at other things. . . .
I agree wholehearted about what you said in the video about the marriages Joseph had with women who were already married. Some of [the husbands] were non-members, and they didn’t care about it. But Joseph was taking away the love of their life for the member husbands?
Worse, Joseph was taking away their exaltation, unless they decided to be sealed to another woman by the new and everlasting covenant. It was like Joseph was forcing these men to have plural wives in order for them to become Gods.
For me, the point of no return was the seer stone that Joseph found digging a well. The description of the translation process meant that Joseph was not really involved in the process at all. All he did was read an English phrase out loud, and somebody wrote it down. Anyone could do that! Oh, that’s right, Joseph had a gift. Not everyone can see using a seer stone . . . I am really disappointed in myself for not having seen this and so many other things more clearly.
January 2015
I writing to you today in search of the truth, im recently converted member of the LDS church at the time i felt everything was true. but things in my mind change when some of the elders and bishops said dont go onto things like youtube and search on google about anything to do with lds, as you will find many things which are false. For me, something that suppose to come from our lord, they shouldnt need to say that, and me being me im always looking for the truth no matter what it is, as im doing my research on Jospeh smith and the book of Mormon. i finding alot of things out and its not looking good to what i signed up for. . . . I thought by joining the lds church i would be closer to Jesus now im even more confused any help would be greatly appreciated, I live in the UK and prior to being a member of Lds i was a christian.
A few days later he wrote again.
i was only told about the great things of the church and what it could do for me like a sales man would do and not the small print so to speak. to be honest im finding more information about the church in the last few days then i have done in the last 6 months, There are great people and i cant fault them in any way. its just the church in how it is run and the faults of its origins. Literally in the last few days i have made my self inactive from the truth as i cant attend to the things im finding out and i have only scratch the surface.
Thank you for the information and contact you have given me this will help a great deal in my studies. I always struggled to understand the words of wisdom and also tithing to be honest as i didnt feel it was right. Thank once again, God bless
January 2015
Thank you so much for your time and kindness. It helped to talk to someone I felt I could trust. The good news is that I haven’t cried for 3 days! I think the shock and grief is ebbing enough that I can function a bit better. And not attending church or temple every week has greatly reduced my normal lifelong anxiety.
I’ve watched a few episodes with Earl [Erskine], and even discovered someone I knew from a previous ward on one of his episodes! I’m halfway through the book you gave me and love what I’m learning. If I didn’t have a 12 hr a day job, I could spend more time reading and studying. . . . Thanks again for holding me together last week.
January 2015
I was raised in Salt Lake LDS. I wasn’t super active growing up and was always troubled with a few of the beliefs. I didn’t agree with “one true church” having 3, and 4 yr Olds stand and bear their testimony while mom told them what to say in ear, along with a few other things. Due to these things I never became “temple worthy” but due to my heritage, never considered leaving the church either. I moved to Az and married a non-member who was born and raised Catholic. We have been attending a non-denominational Christian church for about 6 yrs. I am confused. There are so many things I love about the people and the religion, but at the same time, I also feel organized religion may not be for me. It’s nice to just follow the teachings of the bible. . . . I’m really struggling. It’s something non-members would not understand. Or active members so I feel I have no one to talk to. Thanks for your time.
January 2015
I was born and raised in the church. We were the perfect “mormon family” until my parents divorced when I was 14. I left the church around that time. I am now 50. My father remarried another mormon and they are very active in the church. My mother fell away from the church when my parents divorced. She recently returned . . . to my shock. I thought her and I were on the same page.
Several months ago the missionaries came knocking on my door. I let them in and my hubby and I started taking the lessons. I returned to church for 2 weeks and was loving it. My husband dug in much deeper and read the BOM as well as the D&C. He began telling me all these terrible things. I was very upset. I said to myself, I am going to prove him wrong. As I did my research, I realized I could not prove him wrong as he was right!
I called the missionaries and told them I was done with the church and I told them what happened. It didnt go over so well. They were really mad. The only thing they could say or do was to bare their testimony to me and tell me that they knew Joseph Smith was a prophet. They just kept baring their testimony over and over. Now I have been trying to open my parents eyes and I am getting a lot of resistance. I show them something that I think is really big and I think this will convince them but it doesn’t.
January 2015
Thanks for your courage and work. I like your intellect and “sounding of the whistle”. Many like you have helped me in the darkest of times. I am a 40 year old Mormon. Well maybe not a Mormon but that’s what I have known and on Sunday’s that’s where I go. I have a wife and three children who believe.
Surprisingly . . . I have read and studied much as of late and like many have realized Joseph was maybe not inspired from God. . . . anachronism, polyandry, polygamy, 1830 vs 1837 BM, Kinderhook Plates, Greek Salter, Hoffman, 3 First Visions, hazy priesthood restoration, antitrust bank, Joseph killing 2, Danites, Rigdon, mt. meadow, Sidney’s writings in Missouri, BY quotes, John Taylor quotes, blacks in relation to Cane, Adam God, Blood Atonement, Book of Abraham papyri, lying for the Lord and the suppression on Church History have racked my mind. . . . And of course I can go on and on. The disloyalty to Emma, Law, Hyde and to all three first witness . . . Frustrates me.
Cognitive dissonance . . . For sure! Men on moon . . . The people of the sun . . . The prophecies of Joseph not coming to past mainly the 2nd coming? Dead Sea scrolls . . . Great Isaiah scroll. The Sun receiving energy from another sun? Holland and Hinkley lying on national tv? Temple endowments changed?
I do also fear polygamy will return with liberal marriage control! My side of the family and my wife’s side are all believers. I really have no one to share with. I told my wife about what I see . . . of the inconsistency and errors of the LDS church about 6 Months ago. We almost lost our marriage over it.
I am so scared that it might one day lead to our separation. I live in _____ Florida. I have served an honorable mission, was AP, was EQP, was a YM president and my last call Stake Young Pres.
How did I get here? Lol
When I started to realize more about secular history it lead to a complete division with my wife and family members (once again . . . about 6 months ago). Since then I have asked to be released from calling and stopped wearing garments . . . And yes drink a little . . . and yes almost lost my marriage and have lost much “face” amongst close friends, leaders and family.
My wife has come a long way since then and is reading Bushman (better than nothing) she tells me she loves me regardless however seems to not want to even really look at the problems. She says her feelings tell her it’s true. also . . . Her father is a “seventy” and she looks at him like a true hero. . . . I don’t want to lose my family however I don’t want to offend God. I believe—as you—in the Bible.
I still feel the Saviors love. I have listen and read from Palmer, Brodie, Vogul and you and your husband . . . Many more too. I find your views very similar to mine.
January 2015
I just finished your interview (most of my weekend free time) on Mormon Stories. Wanted to write you and thank you.
Part 4 was moving. Through a flurry of devil’s advocate questions (read: challenges) I saw you bear your faith in God and Jesus. Minus husband plus army escort of angels. I love you, Sandra. I’m sure I’m not alone in this.
January 2015
You will probably not remember me, but I met with you at your bookstore just about one year ago. At the time I felt so lonely in my search for the truth about mormonism.
You took the time to talk with me for a few hours, and you were so kind and gentle in answering my questions. I just wanted to thank you for your kindness, and the time you took to talk with me that day. My husband and I finally resigned from the LDS church in December, and we are happier than ever. We live in Boston now. . . . but if we lived in Salt Lake still I would come give you a big hug! You will never know the impact you had on our lives. Thank you!
January 2015
I’m still on this extreme emotional roller coaster which is very frustrating and, at times, nearly debilitating. Sometimes I’m surprised by the calmness that settles in my heart and I feel “all is well”—at least for the moment. Other times, I’m so completely undone by feelings of betrayal, anger and grief that I pray for “my life to be taken.” Every thought, action, goal, decision, and feeling I’ve ever had has been under the all encompassing umbrella of Mormonism. Nearly every happy moment, good friendship, service and college opportunity, as well as every depressive episode, suicidal act, abusive situation, and family relationship is couched in Mormonism. Sometimes the grief is so overwhelming I can’t breathe and have no desire to do so. At this point in time, I experience the latter far more frequently that the former.
I know these feelings are probably normal for the situation, but I’m feeling crushed by them. If something that has consumed my life for 54 years be a farce, how can I ever trust myself to recognize truth? And is there really any “truth” to be found outside of the fact that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world? And even though I know THAT to be true, I don’t really understand the true NATURE of God! I’m still drinking from the fire hydrant of information, though I’ve been forced to slow the flow a tiny bit in order to survive. I still feel like I’m drowning most every day. Everything hurts: heart, head, stomach.
One thing that I think has lessened the blow a bit is that I’ve been separating my relationship with God from my relationship the church for many years. When bishops would throw condemnation and their “authority” in my face, or members would say and do things in the name of the church, I knew that those were not in keeping with God’s nature and His relationship with ME. I’m still trying to navigate my way through the crashing rapids of knowledge. It feels as if I’ve gone over a raging waterfall and am being pounded against the cliff and boulders as I frantically try to claw my way to the water’s surface for much needed air before it’s too late.
I don’t expect that there are any easy answers to calm the raging emotions (and menopause isn’t helping.) I don’t expect you to do or say anything to make things better. But it helps to know that you, Lynn [Wilder], Earl & Karla [Erskine] are aware of my struggles and are willing to listen as I try to sort it all out and rebuild a new life . . . yet again! Thank you for your time and prayers on my behalf.
January 2015
I just came across part 4 of the interview video titled Mormon Stories Anti Mormonism. I am going to listen to this again and look up parts 1-3. and all I find on internet regarding you, you and your husbands courageous work! I left the Mormon church when I was 15 . . . huge family on both sides who have never been happy with me . . . showing so in multiple ways! An ever non-ending moral superior attitude. The thing is, I believe I understand quite well, not to take offense, and if so only just a litttle to let go off with Gods help. It is the teachings so deeply ingrained with the programming. I went through it myself as a child. What they say to me, show me I know is because they believe what they were taught and want me to do what they have been taught is right.
I have done alot of my own homework and always even in primary felt the bible speak to my heart and spirit. . . . The Bible has been my source, personal relationship with the Lord in my adult life.
I was so moved hearing you in the video and I love you! I wanted to reach into the video and hug you so tight. I am so thankful to have you close to me in my home although it be video . . . and as sisters in Christ connected through the holy spirit.
Thank you so much for your sharing of faith, your hard work, deep commitment, and for pure Christlike motive so clear to hear and see. I am not anti-mormon either, but concerned about the teachings and the organization. I know you love the people. It is a gift from God to be able to be a critical thinker, test everything, God bless you for having the courage to speak up on matters so important.
January 2015
Hello, . . . I am a Native American, Seneca tribe, wolf clan and I live on the Cattaraugus reservation. We have what I believe to be the only lds church located on a reservation in the U.S. Maybe you could let me know if I am right. . . . I would like to thank Sandra and Jerold Tanner for opening my eyes to the suspect doctrine and beliefs of the lds church. Although I am still a mormon on paper I have found my way back out and am beginning a new life with Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. I must have been taken in by the connection that mormonism is said to have with Native Americans. Even being told that during my missionary talks before I joined the church. I do plan on submitting my resignation from the church membership rolls.
March 2015
I just wanted to send you a message and say I listened to your podcasts with John Dehlin. I found them extremely interesting and thought-provoking. I’m a member of the LDS church with very serious doubts about its truth claims. You can only imagine, and I’m sure are fully aware, the stress these doubts have placed on my family and community life.
March 2015
I owe you, and your late husband, a sincere apology for my misguided judgment. I’m sorry. I love you two. I was born and reared Mormon in Ogden, Ut; descended directly from Parley P. Pratt’s 7th wife. My immediate and extended family has held, and still holds, substantial positions within the hierarchy of the Mormon Church. Shortly after I received my mission call, in October of 1983, I receive a pamphlet in the mail from the Utah Lighthouse Ministry. I don’t know who sent it; don’t care. I read it; had my doubts, and discussed it with my bishop. He dismissed it as anti-mormon lies with no basis in fact. I believed him—as any wide-eyed young man would do. I went on to serve my mission (in Brazil).
Here I am, now, 32 years later, living on the East Coast. I faithfully served in every call I was given. In 2000 (at age 35) I was called to serve, and served, as Bishop of a newly created ward. When I was released, in 2005, I was called to a position of authority in the Washington DC Temple (in Kensington). I served there until early 2008, when I asked to be released.
Very long story short: I have always been an avid student of Christianity. The more I studied, the more I wanted to know. Of course, as I studied, one thing led to another thing and eventually I lost my “testimony” in the church. That loss came at great expense; my family (now divorced); my friends (I had 345 friends [members of my former ward], I now have 342 enemies); my reputation; and, sadly, my faith. I was hurt, angry, sad, betrayed, humiliated, betrayed, embarrassed, etc. I spend my life in a long hallway with two walls on either side and a path forward. When I lost my faith in the church, those walls fell . . . and for the first time ever, I looked left, right, all around. I found a world around me, not walls. That was 2010.
Since then I’ve spent tireless hours tracking down wonderful people I “disciplined” as sinners when I was bishop. My sweetest moment ever came in 2013 in downtown Baltimore when I met with a young man I had excommunicated because he had had same sex relations while being a member. I met him in a small corner cafe, after dozens of messages begging him to meet with me. We met; we talked for an hour. I begged his forgiveness for my un-Christ-like behavior—I begged for his forgiveness. He forgave me. When we left the café, we hugged and he broke down crying—his tears soaked through my shirt on my shoulder. I was forgiven, I was forgiven. I am sorry for judging you and your husband. I ask your forgiveness. . . . Thank you and Jerald for all you have done.
March 2015
My name is C____, I’m from [European country] we’ve been sealed as a family in the Switzerland Temple, I graduated in both Seminary and Institute and served a full time mission. I’ve . . . served in most of the available callings where I live. My wife and I left the LDS Church about 9 moths ago after discovering the painfull truth. I have two sisters living in Salt Lake City area and one of them left the LDS Church about four moths before I did. The curious thing about this is that we haven’t talked each other about this but a couple months after I left the Church. The path now is being really hard, I was about to became atheist after reading a lot of stuff in the Internet and a lot of contradictory information.
Fortunately I came to the conclusion that there is a God that created us and created this wonderful world where we live in. This is all I have for now. I’ve read a lot of LDS Church controversial material such as Journal of Discourses, Church History by Joseph Smith, [Address] To all believers in Christ by M. Harris [actually by David Whitmer] and my sister sent my a copy of the 1830 traslation of the Book of Mormon. I’ve watched a lot of your interviews in Youtube, specially those with both Shawn Mc Craney and John Delhin. Those interviews helped me a lot to see everything more clearly and I’m really thankfull for those. I’ll keep on following you because I still have a long way to go and a lot lo learn. Thanks again for all what are you doing, you are doing such a great work. God bless you.
March 2015
I love being LDS! Thank you lord for showing me that the [LDS] GOSPle is true.
March 2015
First off, I want to say thank you so much for your time. Your truly a wonderful lady with so much knowledge and truth to share with others in doubt of Mormonism.
My husband and I mailed out our letters to the bishop the other day and he received a text today from the bishop saying that he received our letters regretfully and that we would need to mail him our current temple recommends if we didn’t want to see him in person. At first I was extremely upset that he even took the step to text us since in our letter we said the only contacted we wanted from the church was proof of our names being taken off the membership. However, we decided we are just going to mail our recommends (once we even find them, we have no clue where they even are), and have a short talk with him over the phone explaining why we are leaving.
I really learned something from you in not to be anti mormon. I posted a note on facebook about why we are leaving the church but still love the people in the church but why I personally couldn’t agree with their doctrine. I have gotten an extremely positive letter from someone in the church telling me that they hoped I would remain friends with them despite leaving the church and not believing in their doctrine anymore. They also stated that they loved me and would miss seeing out famiIy but that they respected our decisions. I think if I would have approached it in a extremely negative way and treated people mean that a lot of nice people would have been hurt by me and how sad that would have made Christ. I know that I have a job to be an example to people in Mormonism and to reflect the light of Christ and how could I possibley do that if I’m being hateful?
March 2015
I had a bit of a freeing experience yesterday. We had to go to Salt Lake City yesterday (my husband had business he needed to take care of and so me and my daughter went along and made a family day of it.) As we were driving I saw the Salt Lake City Temple in the distance. All of a sudden I started silently crying tears of joy and relief; I would no longer have to worry about doing my ancestors work or having to worry about getting the temple endowment. All my fears and burdens lifted off my shoulders. The tears that I cried were extremely healing to me. And I’m even crying writing this letter.
I can finally say I’m free from Mormonism; now that I have seen the light and learned the truth I can never go back. It makes me sick to my stomach that I held Joseph smith in such a high place over Christ. I truly hurt for the ones who are still in the church; it’s truly bondage. Not freedom. . . . We will be attending a baptist church down the street tomorrow; [my husband] has agreed to come with me. Please be praying that we make good Christian friends and have a good support system.
March 2015
I just wanted to Thank you for all the work you have done. Your research has helped my husband and I immensely as we have studied and learned the truth about mormonism. We both grew up in the LDS church and come from active families. After meeting at _______ college we were married in the Temple.
About ten years ago my husband was studying up at USU and realized he had sat down by some church history books. He started reading them and was totally blown away. After that he completely stopped believing in the mormon church and also lost his faith in God and wasn’t really sure if God even existed. I didn’t want to listen to anything that he would try and tell me.
Last summer I finally decided to look into things. It only took me about a week and I just knew the LDS church wasn’t what it claimed to be. Luckily we were really good friends with a pastor at Alpine Church. He spent a lot of time answering questions for us and encouraged us to do our own studying. We accepted Jesus and since we have had him in our hearts our eyes have been opened to the truth of the Bible. We now have a personal relationship with Jesus that we never knew could exist. We also have an overwhelming peace and the happiness that comes from that. We were set free in Christ. It has been a hard journey and will continue to be so. All of our family is still LDS and our neighbors have turned their backs on us. We pray that in time all will be able to learn and find the truth as we have.
April 2015
You will never know just how much the work you and Gerald have done showing the truth of Mormonism and how it helped me in my deepest fear, saddest and loneliest time of my life. I knew no other teaching except LDS teachings. The programming was deep and I feared leaving the church, my temple marriage, because of their teaching that all other churches are wrong. After I left, I saw God in all He created around me yet felt there was no church to go to. Thank you for all the books you published. I bought many off of Ebay out of desperation to sort through things. I remember going to the Concerned Christians conference when you were there and bought more of your books. I pray that God will bless you to continue to help others when they feel lost and wondering what now. You were my lighthouse and for many others of us as we were sinking in the depths of fear and made it to solid ground. I’m sure there are many others out in the world that are silently thanking you and your husband to find the real Jesus. God bless you Sandra! With much love in Christ . . .
April 2015
Thank you for your brave and fair information in [Mormonism] Shadow or Reality. I took that bold leap of faith about 8 years ago. My eyes have been opened and I have been set free. I once said that the greatest threat to my family and marriage were my duties in the church. I can now see how foolish I was, and I have spiritually lost three of my six children to drugs. I read your book *(with the bathroom door tightly locked ha ha!) and then read the book of Abraham book. The truth truly set me free. My spirituality still has a creator, I revere the idea of mother nature, although I think she is a force. I love physics and metaphysics. My mind has been opened to all that is good and true. I am listening to your you tube discussions with John [Dehlin].
April 2015
I met you today in the bookstore. Thanks again for taking the time to talk to me about leaving Mormonism, and encouraging me to talk to my grandpa [who left the LDS Church years ago]. He was so sweet and it was so very comforting to talk to him. This process is definitely overwhelming, but it’s people like you that make it easier to go through it. Your Mormon Stories interview was immensely helpful, and I’m looking forward to reading my new books. I am hopeful that the end of this road is more peaceful and happy than the start of it. Although I believe a life based on truth is worth all the work anyways. Thanks for your advice and all you do to help others.
Originally appeared in:
“Excerpts from Emails and Letters,” Salt Lake City Messenger, no. 124, May 2015, 16-22.