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April 2007
I was baptised 4 weeks ago into the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and I have found your web site very interesting and helpful. I have had doubts of it being the truth since I started studying 7 months ago but like all other Mormons I know learnt to trust the “burning bussom feeling” and often continued against my better judgement.
Your website has helped fill the unanswered questions I was always left with but could get no proof of and I would like to thank you for that. It was David McCament’s Testimony and scriptures from the bible that confirmed my doubts. I probably would have continued along if they had not told me last week I could become a goddess………. there is only one God and it’s not me, though I have struggled with exactly who that was recently while studying with them.
April 2007
I was raised Mormon, but became a Christian on 04/02/2007 along with my wife (she was not Mormon). The decision was not an easy one, however it became clear that the Mormon Church was not what it claimed to be.
My initial reason to doubt came when I saw a 20/20 segment on Mark Hofmann. I could not understand why the church would spend so much money to hide the documents he was “unearthing.” If the church is what it claims to be, there should be no reason to do that. I found it even more troubling to find they were hiding “forged” documents at the cost of its members.
April 2007
I’ve studied anti-mormon literature etc. for 15 years. My committment to the LDS Church is unwavering and it only strengthened my beliefs that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God, and Jesus Christ restored His Church on earth once again because He loves mankind.
May 2007
I began receiving your publication a number of years ago. I knew in my heart I had to one day meet this man, Jerald Tanner. It was in 1995 that I drove to Salt Lake City and had the opportunity of talking to him for fifteen minutes. I doubt if I will ever meet another with such zeal for the Gospel as this humble man.
May 2007
THAT OLD “LIER FROM THE THE BEGINNING” HAS YOU FIRMLY ON HIS FISHING HOOK. IN CASE YOU DON’T KNOW WHOM I’M TALKING ABOUT, IT’S SATAN” WHOM IS YOUR GOD, FOR YOU ARE ABOUT TO GO TO HELL AND SUFFER FOR ETERNITY, BECAUSE YOU “BOUGHT HIS SUBTLE LIES!
May 2007
I am sorry to hear about Mr. Tanner. . . . I have read and enjoyed your works for some time now. I am an active member of the LDS faith and I do appreciate what the two of you have done. Your work has caused me to study and find answers to some very intersting points.
May 2007
I’m sure the man [Jerald] is having one hell of a change of heart right now on the other side of the veil.
I met you guys in Brigham City, and Salt Lake City. Back in 1985 and you are still the same people.
Bitter til the very end!!!!!
Your time is coming too, soon Sandra!
May 2007
Just a short note of appreciation in memory of Jerald for his excellent scholarship in this cause. I was in the LDS church briefly in my twenties (I am fifty-one now) but left when I did more research than the LDS church liked. I have read your newsletter from time to time and am always impressed with your thoroughness and integrity. You have done wonderful work—as educators, historians, and scholars. Best wishes, Jerald will be missed.
May 2007
Now he [Jerald] knows. . . . It’s a sad time when anyone passes away for those left behind and I’m sorry for your loss. I do have to say however that for anyone to spend a lifetime dedicated to doing what you do amazes me. What a waste of a life. For heavens sake let it go.
May 2007
Thank you for your comprehensive and well documented work. Having been baptized into the Mormon church in England, I have always had doubts about the validity of some of the fundamental doctrines of the church. I have no doubt that there are good, caring people in this organization, but they are sadly misled, it is true that recovery from Mormonism is a difficult process as we find ourselves alienated from family and friends. I have the added dilemma of a devout mother in the church, as well my girlfriend who has serious doubts but blindly accepts the teachings through duress.
May 2007
I don’t berate your church, but yet you berate mine. And I am the one that is not a christian. Possibly your time would be better spent getting to know Christ, not teaching falsehoods about his church.
May 2007
I really enjoyed the article on Jerald Tanner in the last Messenger. Jerald and Sandra were so helpful in my leaving the Mormon church along with my family.
June 2007
You probably won’t remember me but when I was Mormon, . . . I had arranged a layover in Salt Lake just for the purpose of seeing who these Tanners were and why they hated Mormons so much. Inside, however, I did have questions. I met with you and your husband in your little bookstore and was humbled. You and your husband were very kind. . . . I purchased “The Changing World of Mormonism” and started reading it. I cannot tell you the absolute shock it caused. . . . It took a few months, but God moved us out of the influence of Mormonism . . . Your kindness and your ministry changed my life, which then changed my wife’s. We now have 4 boys who are all believers [in Christ]. . . . THANK YOU
June 2007
Thank you for your service. I’ve been deceived by this cult for a year and half and only Sunday realized what was really the truth. I appreciate your honesty and hard work in bringing forth the truth about the Mormons.
June 2007
Hi, I just wanted to thank the Lighthouse Ministry for the tireless effort everyone there has put into gathering priceless information, sources, and etc. It has made my wife and my transition away from Mormonism much more rational and complete.
June 2007.
I am no longer a Mormon, having had my name taken off the membership rolls of the church, but my husband is a practicing Mormon, of at least 40 years. My sealing to him is in suspension. . . . I am emotionally torn. I love him . . . and want to stay with him, but the fact that I don’t want to come back to the church is causing stress on our marriage.
June 2007
Your “[Mormonism-]Shadow or Reality” was so helpful to me while the Lord was dragging me out of Mormonism.
July 2007
Hello, I never thought I would be writing to your ministry, but I had an experience recently, and I thought I should share it. I was baptized into the Mormon church . . . But the deeper I got into the church and its beliefs, I started having trouble. I did some serious research after I joined. Finally, I had to write to our local bishop to express my concern about some of their beliefs. I later sent him a letter, resigning from the church.
July 2007
Do you truly believe what you are selling? Selling is the appropriate word. . . . You use scare tactics to entice people. Pulling out of context from multiple sources to substantiate a single thought. . . . You claim honesty but your whole site is a farce just to line your own pocketbook.
July 2007
Hello wonderful folks at Utlm! You all played a pivotal role in my departure from Mormonism—I can never thank you enough!
July 2007
Sandra I will always be so grateful for your help in getting us out of Mormonism and all you do for so many. You affect so many people even more than you realize as for each family that gets out or stays out the ripple effect keeps going forever.
July 2007
Of course it would be difficult for you to even try to “disparage” the LDS faith, All 12 million of us are a bad bet for the devil to try and conquer.
July 2007
Mrs. Tanner you are full of hate! Hate for and towards The Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints . . . I know of no one else who attacks the church with such a hatred, . . . Mrs. Tanner make no mistake of this. You will bow your head in dreaded misery one day, with tears of sorrow even greater then the ones you shed the day your husband died. Mark My Words Well, Sear them into your memory! THAT DAY IS COMING . . .
July 24, 2007
[Pioneer Day in Utah]
ah grow up
Aug. 2007
There is a stage and we are assigned characters in the unfolding drama but it is only a role we play. . . . I have read the script pretty well for 40 years. Twice in the Bishop’s role and many times with titles like president, counsellor etc. [in England] . . . Then one day I was sent a DVD about the BoM. I watched it hoping, as a graduate geologist and teacher of chemistry to find quick rebuttals for any criticisms. A strange thing happened. Istepped off the stage to take a closer look. I am still off that stage (2 months) and trying to come to terms with another script; this one looks like it’s written by Jesus and I am growing fond of my new character. As a result of your industry and perseverance my entire family and my wife’s parents (he a one-time temple sealer and both returned missionaries) are out of the LDS church. So this is a letter of thanks.
Aug. 2007
Do you not have anything else in your life to worry about other then setting up webpages and printed material that talk negatively about other people or religions? Do you call yourself a Christian?? . . . What you are doing does not help you or others living in this world it only makes you look as if you have a hatchet to bury. . . . You might think you are on a crusade but when your life is over I think you will find your crusade was for the wrong side.
Aug. 2007
I came to your bookstore only one time, more than twenty years ago.
However, I was deeply influenced by things you said to me that day, and by the things that I was able to read and learn both before and after my visit with you. Because of the courage that you and Jerald had to ask questions LDS doctrine and history many years ago, you have helped me and countless other former LDS members—many whom you may never know you helped—escape from the fallacy of the teachings of Joseph Smith.
Aug. 2007
Your time will come. We can also intentionally deceive others by a gesture or a look, by silence, or by telling only part of the truth. . . . The Lord is not pleased with such dishonesty, and we will have to account for our lies.
Aug. 2007
Thank you for your ministry. . . . ULM was one of the major catalysts in my leaving the Mormon church. I am a recent Christian after 40 + years as a Mormon. I served a mission in England and graduated from BYU.
Aug. 2007
Sister Tanner, now your husband knows the truth! I have read your works, and it only strengthened my testimony. . . . The Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth. I know it, in spite of many contradictions, and wrong doings on the part of the early leaders of the church.
Aug. 2007
It made me very sad to see that it is your position to bad mouth and belittle other religions on your website. Why would you do that? do you think that all Mormons are unaware of the anti-Mormon position and that you are doing a great service to the Lord by publishing those horrible books and anti-Mormon literature? I am lds and a return missionary.
Aug. 2007
I just bought your excellent book, “Mormonism-Shadow or Reality.” I was baptized at age 18, in 1964, and excommunicated in 1981 for moral charges, which were true. I had no bitterness, and I still believed in the church til the past several months. I’m a retired Police Officer, and I started looking at facts and evidence instead of “feelings and faith”. . . . Keep up the good work, . . .
Aug. 2007
Appears your Apostacy is bothering you. Sandra should listen to the warnings of the Prophets. “Never, ever,ever, never, ever, let anyone or anything take you away from the Gospel.” A word to the wise. When we believe we know so much more than everyone else. we begin to find just how little we really do know.
Sept. 2007
You may not remember me but in the summer of 2004 . . . I came to visit you at your book store. I had been raised a Mormon my whole life and my boyfriend started giving me information that I had never seen before . . . anyways I just wanted to let you know that I am no longer practicing Mormonism and am now a Saved Christian and have also been baptized. . . . I just wanted to thank you so much for letting me meet you and for answering some questions and pointing me in the right direction.
Sept. 2007
WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO ATTACK THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS? you have no right, I see Jared Tanner has passed away i guess he is getting his just deserts.
Sept. 2007
Thank you for all the time and work you have put into bringing forth the truth. I was a convert to the LDS church in 1996 and now I’m free! I’m still not sure how I was so stupid and didn’t see beyond the lies. When I went to the temple 4 years ago I knew that something wasn’t right. Luckily my husband started his research and found the truth.
Originally appeared in:
“Excerpts From Emails and Letters,” Salt Lake City Messenger, no. 109, October 2007, 17-19.