Brendan's Ex-Mormon Story
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- Опубліковано 7 лип 2022
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Hearing everyone’s stories brakes me :( I didn’t grow up LDS but married into a LDS family and was baptized shortly after🤢) for 3 years having my Sundays taken away , my tea taken away makes me so mad ! I can’t imagine doing this for life !!! NO ONES LIFE should ever be church church church . I am SO freaking glad my husband and I left . Life has been so different
Well look at it this way you could have had 18 years of Sundays taken away haha. Glad ur doing better now though
What a traumatic experience at 9 years old being screamed at that Santa isn’t real because your father couldn’t control his anger over a video game. I would’ve been the saddest kid for the longest time. Well I’m glad you learned from it instead of passing the same trauma onto your kids. Loved hearing your story and thanks for bringing him on Lexi! 😌❤️
Big dish it but they can’t take it moment where he then calmly leaves a faith with the same level of plausibility and gets fucking disowned for it :/
My Mormon parents used to lock me in a room with nothing but bread and water for up to 72 hours. Not every Mormon parent does shit like that but a lot do.
My dad did the same thing with video games. He broke two of our playstation consoles, that we bought with our own money, by hurling them across the room. It didn't teach me not to play video games. It just made me afraid of him for the rest of my life.
I joined the church in my late teens and left in my early 30s. I wasn’t treated as bad anywhere as in the mormon church. The singles bullied me cruelly for years and I just felt that I did not fit and would never fit. I was so committed and dedicated and that was exactly why I was bullied. I had enough and a couple of years later, I found out all the disturbing info, perfect nail in the coffin.
My son was a gamer. It saved his sanity through 3 middle east tours. I am sorry you didn't get the support you deserved.
You totally deserve you break. Youve helped so many people. And your husband is brave for sharing his experience
I relate a lot to what you are saying. I am a drummer in a rock band, I have been a drummer since age 12. I never was into sports - I don't have the athletic physical build. My ward was very sports centered. I gave sports a go until it got really competitive, and I couldn't compete. So drums and rock n roll are really where I fit in. Which doesn't fit the mold of Mormonism. I had massive Mormon guilt as a youth, because of normal adolecent feelings etc. My formative years were ruined because of crushing guilt, and thoughts of suicide over normal stuff. Now, I'm basically out of the church. I'm a Christian, I pray on the regular, I believe in God. I'm a good person. That's all that can be expected.
About Grandma: That is called a Noble Lie. When a person tells themselves lying is okay if it achieves a 'noble' goal. But the backlash when they realize you've lied to them is never good.
Or....'Lying for the 'Lard.'
Your ‘testimony’ of Lexi is so cute and beautiful I hope I get that someday. Thanks for sharing
And when he said that Lexi is the bravest person he knows, I could not agree more. She has thrown her life out there for the whole world to see, and despite the backlash, she keeps coming right back stronger than ever. She's like The Terminator--She flat-out refuses to die.
Thanks man, that couldn't have been easy to tell the world. You and Lexi are such great folks.
(Now a joke: When do we get Brendan's 12 hour interview with John Dehlin?)
Would totally watch that^^
¡ Yes !
I didn’t serve a mission, and I received a lot of backlash because of it from friends, family, and teachers in school. I was told I wasn’t going to go to the celestial kingdom, because I chose the military over a mission. Had them say things like I was going to hell because I didn’t choose a mission, I was going to go to Iraq and die, and so many family members wanted me to try and find a way out of serving in the Marine Corps. I remember that mounting pressure to serve a mission, so I understand.
I can imagine how hard this must have been for you, Brendan. I am so sorry for the TRAUMA that was inflicted on you. I am glad that you are on your own path to healing. Sending you lots of love!
Thank you! 🙏🏻
Brendan. Thank you. I was so moved by your story. Nearly every detail except that I’m gay and I’m some decades older. There were so many things I heard and saw growing up that didn’t feel right or didn’t make sense and I believed. Hardcore, as you said. I left the church a few months after I came home from my mission in Hong Kong in 1980. It’s very comforting in some weird way watching your wife’s videos. 😛 Loved hearing you express your love for your her. Women are amazing. Thank you, thank you. ❤️
Is nobody talking about his amazing beard?!?
Thank you so much for sharing your story!! It’s really helping me on my own way out of the church.
Keep strong. You've got Lex. Be a Dad. You'll be fine. The LDS is a cult.
Agreed. He sure does. He already is. Yes he will. Indeed it is.
Thank you so much for your vulnerability and your resilience. You and your wife are wonderful. You didn't deserve your families love being conditional.
Lexi thank you for your badass strength. Take all the time you need to stay healthy. ♥️
Your wife's 10 things video was the third one I watched through the flood of tears the day I started my faith crisis and after that, there have been some sad days but no more tears. Thank you for sharing your story and also for being the support she needs to do all that she does for your family and her viewers.❤
The pain in your eyes is so deep, I appreciated this video, your story, and vulnerability, and I gained soooo much perspective watching this. Thank you!!! You and Lexi are such genuinely wonderful, good people, and it's easy to see that.
We had a rule growing up about not playing video games on Sunday. Then my dad started playing Animal Crossing and it became "You can only play games that don't have fighting in them on Sunday." I was like, "Ok, fam. Whatever you say."
Now that my brother and I are adults, since we're still at home, we came to a compromise with our still practicing Mormon dad. We agreed that we won't play M-rated games on Sunday and he doesn't get mad at us for playing video games.
Funny how they bend rules when they want to do what they want
Never Mormon, but I had a similar upbringing in the Missouri Synod Lutheran church. I was baptized as a baby - so no choice at all. Then it was expected that I would be confirmed at 13 way to young to understand and consent, especially since all of my friends I went to church with and the Lutheran grade school were also being confirmed. I don’t even think I ever knew or thought I would have a choice. Then I went to a Lutheran high school even though I was interested in going to the public school. However I felt obligated to go because my mom and uncle graduated from the same high school. I did so much of this to not disappoint anyone. My mother’s love for her children was based on our belief in the church. Once I figured that out-it was devastating. I felt like as an adult living on my own that I had go to church to please my parents. My mom even went so far as to sign me up as a Sunday School teacher without asking me. To not have a fight and not disappoint her I did it. I was 26 years old and afraid to stand up to my mother. I was terrified of losing her love. No child, young or adult should be afraid of losing their parents love over an imaginary being.
I'm also lifelong LCMS, questioning beliefs is not always tolerated well.
My personal beliefs have evolved, but some members & Pastors can't accept that. Sadly, it just has become easier & easier for me to stay away...
Religion does that, I find relationship so much easier...
I felt the exact same way in the singles ward. I did not fit into Mormon culture very well at all. It's validating to hear others experiencing similar things.
That’s what made me leave, I was cruelly bullied for years by the other singles. A couple of years later is when I found out about the history issues, etc.
I have been waiting to hear his story! it strikes so close to home sadly. Love the honestly and vulnerability! Thank you for putting yourselves out there! Honestly love you guys!
Glad you're taking a break, Lex! And thank you, Brendan, for taking the time to share your perspective. I had a similar upbringing with oddly lenient parents (jack mormoms) while super strict in other aspects-- when you said your upbringing was confusing I can TOTALLY relate. I was also barred from video games, even though my brother had full access. I appreciate you and Lex being so honest about your faith transitions-- as ExMos we are made to feel so alone, but you guys are awesome, and your stories are SO relatable.
This is to Brendon.
Hi Brendon, I really enjoyed listen to your story just now. It sounds like you went through a lot, and I’m sorry to hear about the traumas you experienced at the hands of that church.
I had looked in to the church for my own self over the last few weeks, and had I gone through with it, I would have been a baptized member as of last Sunday, but after checking in to other information about the church that I had heard about before, and looking in to it deeper, I knew that the Mormon Church wasn’t for me. There’s the fact that since I’m openly gay, and have been so for years, I knew I’d have to go back in the closet, and I didn’t want that. I guess I thought that I could focus on the parts of the church of being kind to others, but as I researched a lot more about the church particularly about how it’s treated LGBT members, as well as the hateful things those horrible old men giving their talks have said about the LGBT Community over the years, I knew that to join that church would mean that I was betraying my fellow LGBT brothers and sisters.
I couldn’t do that, and not to mention the fact that around my mid 20s was when I finally put together a Christian world view in which I could reconcile my being a believer in God, as well as being gay and accepting myself as such, not that I felt in the years before that that I couldn’t live as someone as gay without having to worry about what religion had to say about it.
All that being said though, I got up to the day before I would have been baptized which my baptism would have been done on July 31, had I gone through with it. I don’t know how to describe it, but even when I met with the missionaries all the times I had, and on the days I attended the Sunday church services, I would always get this slightly unnerved and almost warning type feeling like something wasn’t right. Then add in the contradictions of the church I researched further along with the Anti-LGBT views they have, then yeah damn right something was wrong.
So I let the people involved know that Saturday that I wouldn’t be going through with the baptism, nor would I be converting to the faith, and that I was comfortable with the path I was currently on as far as belief in God goes. I’m sure you can imagine what I’ve been dealing with off and on within the last week after that, LOL.
Aside from that, I love the fact that you’re largely in to Metal! So am I, and you’re right, Metal does get a bad wrap from people. I started listening to Metal around 23 years old, though off and on before that I would listen to QueensReich. However, it was around 23 like I said that I started really getting in to Metal. I started with that thanks to the Japanese Metal group Dir En Grey, then found Norwegian Black Metal, then Folk Metal. Then it’s just branched out from there. So good to see that you worship within the Church of Metalism now, LOL.
Again, I enjoyed hearing your story, and you keep things Metal as well!
Thank you for sharing and it makes me very happy you didn’t join after all. 🤘🏻
@@thanesmashmontages412 thanks, I’m glad as well.🤘
Thanks for sharing! It's crazy just how impactful early life experiences are on shaping your view of reality. I wish I had put my own under more scrutiny early on, it would have saved a lot of heartache.
Brendan, thank you for sharing your story. You and Lexie are too amazing human beings. I am ex-morman. I'm a lot older than you. I went on a mission and graduated from the Y. I appreciate you telling your story because a lot of people are hearing it who are suffering from depression and worse because of the church. Thank you.
Funny how hard some Mormon parents work to get their kids to hate everything about Sunday.
It's so lovely to see you two thriving. Religion can be a hard topic in relationships and one spouse questioning the Mormon church can end a marriage. Thank you for sharing your story.
Absolutely adore when either of you talks about the other because it's clear that you're great together.
Brendan, I'm so sorry for how much you have suffered. You are a survivor. Thank goodness nothing could keep you from being a wonderful, loving, true family man.
That last line made me giggle. 💥
Thanks for sharing your story. You remind me so much of my oldest son. He too loved gaming and drawing...would draw pictures of the different screens of his own video game designs., (I'm so glad my husband (a nevermo) supported him in that, and took him to the Consumer Electronics Shows in Vegas and Chicago.) He was not treated nicely in our ward, and refused to go after age 13. He died when he was 18. Like you, he was a sensitive, sweet soul! I'm so sorry your family has treated you this way! (The Nintendo/Santa story is heartbreaking!)
Wow! Thank you for sharing the good and the bad.
Your talk helps me to better understand what my Dad went through growing up LDS, refusing to go on a mission, going to BYU, and leaving Utah, and having to carefully navigate through a non LDS life, while maintaining his relationships with his LDS family. While he was never shunned, we were treated oddly at times by his family.
Dad told a lot of stories about growing up LDS, he used a lot of humor when talking about the challenges of growing up doubting religion in Utah. Reading every book he could, was his salvation.
Hearing your story, makes me think the humor was used to mask the pain if the memories.
Dad was a great guy. Whip smart, loyal, kind, wise, and encouraging to his kids.
So, your talk helps me to appreciate my Dad all the more. Thank You.
Love the beard! Metal Life is good.😊
Gimli, Son of Gloin, is quite jealous of this man’s beard.
Edit: a good concert can be an amazingly spiritual experience… yes mom… even screamo music can bring the tingles.
ESPECIALLY heavy music. Brings the tingles more than church ever did
I need help. I’m 16 and in the past months I’ve learned a lot about the church and it makes me sick. I don’t believe in it anymore and I’m 100% not going on a mission but I still rely on my parents heavily. I don’t know what to do or how to say to them I don’t believe. All of my family including extended family are members. I’m really scared and don’t know what to do
I'd start by just expressing disinterest in Church activities. Never bear your testimony. If you can't bear to tell your parents, just say, " I'm pleading the fifth! " Feign napping during sacrament meeting and priesthood meeting. Eventually your parents will get the hint, and may even ask you, to not even bother attending church.
This was like hearing myself. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
I am so sad that your family is so indoctrinated, that they would choose the organization over you, your wife, and your kids. My oldest child came out as transgender 7 years ago. The very first thing I said to them was, "No matter what, you will always be my number one priority, not the church." I have been on my way out for over a year. It is so hard for me to make the final step, knowing how my parents will react.
I talked to my husband about my feeling recently, and he was feeling discouraged that all three of our children have left the church. He said he was a failure. I told him HE did NOT fail, the church failed.
Thanks again for sharing your story. Best wishes to you and you, Lexi and your kids.
I had a different experience growing up LDS, but I'm glad you're at a place that's healthier for you.
The ability you have to talk about your past experiences in such a genuine way really touched my heart man. Thank you for being honest and open and allowing us to empathize and relate to your story. I am so happy for you that you have such an amazing and accepting wife who loves you for YOU. She is such a gift as part of your healing from the trauma
From a fellow exmo Metal Head, I wanna just say that was very engaging and I related completely to the feelings around members who say one thing but then do otherwise. That always bothered me as well. Anyway, thanks for sharing your experiences. Hopefully I'll run into you at some concert. The Pretty Reckless is coming to Boise in September, so if you go I will share the horns with you!
Thanks for sharing Brandon!! It's very easy to believe all the sweet things about your wife, she's awesome! Her light shines!!
I'm so late to finally watching this episode, but this was so great. I'm so glad Brendan did this; I can relate to so much of what you described--traumas and strict upbringing and conflicting messages from immature and abusive Mormon parents. Thanks again for this.
Hey you guys! Something I love about you guys is how much you love each other. This is awesome how you are supporting Lex. Nice! ❤️
Thanks for sharing. I'm so excited for our kids to grow up WITHOUT indoctrination!
Thanks for sharing your story. Your story sounded a lot like mine except I didn’t go on the mission. I definitely had the same experience with music, growing up I would’ve never been allowed to listen to groups like Hatebreed, which are one of the most positive bands that I know of.
I love Hatebreed, good shit. 🤘🏻
Great video Brendan! I am a long time viewer and appreciate the chance to get to know you better.
Thanks for sharing, from one metal-head to another! 🤘
One of your wife’s first videos that she shared with us Help me understend that I wasn’t alone.
The video in her car was all the help I had when nobody wanted to help me or maybe they didn’t know how.
Thank you for that🤙🤘🤙
This video is full of so much raw emotion. I needed this today, thank you
Most relatable- being told you have “free agency “ and choices when you actually, in practice, do not.
So greatful for both of you willing to share! It encourages me to do what feels right. The things you share with other people help others to become who they want to be!
Oh dude, my bro and I were playing NES before church and making the fam late. My dad ran to the basement and cut the cord on our garage sale gaming TV. Love the guy, but I can’t be that harsh with my kids. Really good to hear your story.
Thank you for sharing your story with us. I admire your courage in telling your truth. I can relate with much of what you said. I am glad that you and Lex have this platform to share your experiences because I can see you healing, and you are helping others to heal too. Thanx.
Holy wow, thank you so much for sharing your story. I am so happy that you and Lexie have a happier life outside of the church.
Thank you so much for being so open and vulnerable. I identify so much with the total lack of support for your interests.
Thank you so much Brendan...Your honesty about so much is incredible helpful for those of us still deconstructing...You and Lex have affected this old gal's heart in a wonderful way.
Growing up as a child in an environment of so much fear and control through forced obedience to a cult is bound cause massive mental illness and anxiety issues. There's a reason why anti-depressant drug use is popular among Mormons.
Wow! That was powerful. So many lessons here. To prevent a child from following their dreams, because of a cult's rules, is so sad. I've always wondered just how many young men were prevented from persuing a promising sports or musical career because of missions. 2 years away makes a huge difference. So glad you met Lexi. She's such an amazing woman. You both have a bright future ahead. Thankyou Brendan.
I definitely get the judgmental attitude towards rock and metal. I was kicked out of seminary once for playing Deep Purple’s Smoke On The Water on the piano, because the Seminary teacher thought it sounded ‘evil’. 🤘😈
Brendan, Even as a NeverMo I have watched over 99% of the videos your wife has made and have always appreciated her perspectives on the realities of growing up in the church. I am grateful for your personal honesty and viewpoints on what you've experienced -- so sad for what you've had to go through all these years. I really enjoyed Lexi's summary recently of all the reasons people leave their LDS roots behind. That's some very worthwhile data. Hope lots of TBMs will watch her and your videos.
Been waiting for this. Thanks for sharing your story Brendan!
I’m the youngest of four and my parents have been Mormon for 53 years. When I was 16 my brother got married when he was 33 and moved in to our parents home to save money. His wife doesn’t like my family and constantly talks shit on us especially to my brother and makes him think we are all horrible. I was a kid minding my own business in my room. I love metal music and being alternative and I was listening to NIN censored version and my brother told on me to my dad. Totally uncalled for. My dad was so livid he ripped my radio out of the wall, took my door off. I was so angry that I let him scream and spit in my face and jab me in the chest with his finger standing my ground and letting him know I’m not scared of him. He grabbed both my wrists in one hand, swung me in a circle and raised his hand to hit me when I yelled “don’t hit me” my mom and brother came in my room to my defense and he threw me and said “I wasn’t going to hit you”. My dad used to beat all his children until I was born…
Thank You for telling your story so candidly and courageously. I'm sorry for all the pain you've had to endure. Keep telling your story, it will heal you.
Love you guys. I really appreciate what you're doing - being honest and putting all these things on the line, despite all the sh&t you've been through. I am so glad you two have found each other, and have the strength of each other to draw from - please keep doing what you're doing. I left the church in 1997 in the UK, born into the church too. Just starting to do the recovery work now, because I only now have access to the right resources to do that. So much love, light and healing energy to you beautiful people ✨️ 💛 xx
Thank you for sharing your story Brendon. It’s very scary to open yourself up like this so thanks.
I feel you, I was bullied pretty badly by the kids in the church growing up (my parents still don't believe that they bullied me and told me I just needed to smile more and stop provoking them), and I really connected with the metal/emo group in my school. We had to travel together for safety as we lived in a very conservative area and the teachers would encourage kids to 'straighten us out'. My parents made me dress super girly and 'nice' but I had secret black clothes I changed into at schoolXD also no way- I also studied animation in college!
I'm so glad that you are able to live a happier and more authentic life now!!!:D I'm so sorry about your family being dicks, it really sucks to mourn people who are still alive. Sending you good vibes
Thank you so much for sharing, I’m really sorry it was too strict for you, we had a hard time deciding where to draw the line also while raising kids, I have come to realize recently, that the pressure from other parents in the church and around us, was wildly crazy, one angle that seriously didn’t help us when we needed it, it’s not an excuse, but something that has helped me see that my kids were not the only bad kids in the ward, they ALL were!!! We should’ve stopped worrying about it!!♥️♥️
So your kids are bad therefore you don't love them?
Thanks, Brendan for sharing and being so open about your personal experience with the church! Lots of love to you and yours and I can't wait for more videos. =)
Thank you so much for having the strength and sharing your story. I sobbed through almost all of it. The similarities between you and my exmo brother are so alike it's frightening and hearing your stories of growing up and reflexing on how we were raised as well it's not surprising. Also I love how much you love Lexi. ❤️❤️❤️
Thanks for sharing. The stuff about not being supported in your desire to pursue a career in an artistic field and being blackballed for loving heavy metal really hit home with me.
Best ending ever! “Keep it metal”…….immediately followed by the softest sounding shit ever. I almost spit soda out my nose man.
Hahaha well it is HER channel. My music selection would probably be quite different. 😈
Throwback to being yelled at being awake during certain hours, being given a CD player and having my parents review every single CD I bought's lyrics and burning a clean one for me, having to explain why I wasn't allowed to play basketball on the weekends, family meetings anytime someone enjoyed something enough for it to be considered "addiction" leading to it being withheld (books, TV, even board games), and watching other people do perfectly normal things and wondering how any of it could be considered evil. The church took so much of our lives, but I'm grateful that there's a community that can understand.
I am beginning to feel angry at how much fear is generated with this church- it has also revealed very cold and cruel behaviors from people who are generally “good”
Loved this story. To me, it was an example of the highest use of social media. It was a heart to heart communication-- a story every parent should listen to with a wide-open mind.
Thank you for sharing your story and thoughts about where you are. Keep on!
Thanks for sharing your story and being vulnerable with it.
Although I was never Mormon, and am still Christian myself; I really feel for you guys… It was a very interesting experience being a Utah native and growing up in a rural Utah town but being a “never-Mo”. Plus, both my mom and wife are ex Mormons themselves. Meaning I’m a “generation behind you guys” in a sense; and that I’ve always had extended family and friends in the church. I’m realizing that some of the teachings and attitudes in the church have seeped their way into my own upbringing, and thus require some healing. My hope and prayer is for your guys’ healing and well being, just know someone else out there cares.
P.S. I too love heavy metal, Ace Ventura, and Super Smash Bros!
Keep it metal ☺ i hope you get to continue to follow your dreams life isn't over!
Brendan I feel your pain!!! Looking back, I honestly believe that it was the feeling of both judgement and rejection that I experienced when attending the singles ward alongside the few questions I was already having about the church as a whole that ultimately led to me making the decision to leave the church. Both you and Lexi are an inspiration and I love the bravery that you both showcase. Keep up the amazing work guys! ❤
Thanks for sharing Brendan. Your parents were a lot stricter than mine were. I always like hearing what you have to say and wish you made more videos.
This was very powerful. Thank you for sharing.
I related so much to this. I love video games and heard from the church and parents that they were a waste of time and evil. Also, I like hardcore and punk music and would get judged for that. Thank you so much for sharing. Wishing you and your family the best
The beard looks great, very well groomed! Thank you for sharing your story
Thanks for sharing your story man. I appreciated hearing it 💛
This was a fantastic video, Brendan. I really appreciate your vulnerability, and love how clearly proud you are of Lexi and all that she's doing. I'm proud of her too, I'm sure it's really difficult. I'm glad you're both happy
Man Brendan's so fuckin cool, always excited when he's in a video! You guys are awesome
🙏🏻 Thank you!
Crazy to hear such similarities in our Mormon upbringings. Good to see you out and thriving with a kickass partner who sees and values you.
Thank you for sharing. I am so glad Lexi took some time our she devotes so much time to us. She has a huge life outside of this and I am so glad she has a great husband and kids there too. Love you all of you guys. I am sorry you had such traumas but you broke the cycle with your kids. Great couple, lovely family.
This was really really cool. Like I especially related to the part about always being told that you’ll be happy after you get baptized and after you go on a mission. Like I never felt that there was any other way to live, the only path I was told was right was the path my parents picked. And they rarely said that they would be okay if I did anything else. I am in BYUI studying art right now, and these vids mean the world to me, as they make me think I’m not going crazy as I plan leaving. Initially I thought I was giving up everything I stood for, but I realized loving myself others is best done outside the gospel. I think I’ve said this often in exmo circles, but I’ve felt free enough to come out 🏳️⚧️ as a gender bender. :) this was really freeing I wanted to do it for years! So again thank you for the good words! I love to hear them
Brenden that outro was absolutely precious. Thanks for sharing your story.
Sincere thanks to you both for sharing so openly and honestly. Your vulnerability, and thus your contribution to humanity, is invaluable, quite literally. Keep it metal 🤟😝
Thank you for sharing on here!!
Man, I wish I'd known you growing up. The music, the class art doodling, the gaming, I feel like we'd have been good friends. 😁
Thanks for sharing your story, Brendan. Love your channel ... and fellow headbangers...(I grew up on Sabbath .. before the term Heavy Metal existed).
I left during the early 90's, when there was no support or internet. I left because I knew it was wrong ... and like Brendan, I was forced to attend.
It is so refreshing to see your channel. You have helped many many people accept who they are . You guys are totally awesome.
I appreciate your story. thanks. these videos are helping me so much as I am trying to find my courage and resolve to leave the church. -from a fellow metalhead in Idaho
You and ExMoLex are the best couple ever. I really relate to all you've been through, and still are going through with your family. You sharing your story was really powerful.
First I love your channel and all you post and I watch and enjoy your videos. But. There is a raw honesty about Brendan and the way he talks about his experiences and thoughts. I always feel like I'm just hanging out with him and having a relaxed chat. So I clicked on this real fast.
Thank you.. I was in a different Quiverfull cult. I am a senior citizen now, It took years to unwind the pain and the shunning from my own family..Luckily my siblings came out and my parents just kind of papered over our differences, but I am still not welcome amongst the larger family..
Over the decades, I got more and more at peace with it.. I like who I am, and they may look nice on the outside, but I don't find them so.
Thank you, Brendan I was deeply touched by your MS. yes you had me in tears 😭 one thing that got my attention was when you said you were taught to look down on ppl, and it was not until I walked away from the church that I realized that I too was taught and conditioned to do that, I apologized to so many people going in tears and saying I'm sorry for the things I said when I was Mormon!! it sounds like your parents were the "Do as I say not as I do" Mormon type!! that had to of been very confusing. thank you again for your honesty and sharing.
Thank you so much for sharing, Brendan! I relate to your story and the beliefs that you have come to so much! I am grateful for you both so much. And I love you guys together.
WOW!.. What an interesting story!
Much love to you and Lexi!
ExJW (Jehovah's Witness) Solidarity!
*I began to wake up from the JW's by reading about Mormons and watching videos of episodes entitled.."I was a Mormon".
Then John Dehlin's excommunication was broadcast on television. I started following him and I noticed a ton of similarities between the JW's and the Mormons. This was an eye-opener for me!!
After that I got the courage to go to UA-cam and look up.. "Why do people leave the Jehovah's Witnesses faith"...that's when I really started waking up!
I became obsessed listening to all ExJW stories on UA-cam and the FEAR of the "so called" apostates that we are taught to detest started to become a different reality, they are just people telling their experiences when they were an active JW and why they left.
So all the stigma started to dwindle.
Then I branched out and started looking into Seventh Day Adventist, Scientology, Christadelphians, The Brethren, Christian Science.
I started noticing the parallels between all the religions, and it runs deep...no questioning, no doubting and everything comes from the top down.
The rank-and-file are just the followers with no personal self, no individuality.
After you wake up and start seeing these things it can take a toll on you, especially if this is the only thing you have known all your life!
It is really tough!
The phobias and fears, can mess with a person's mind.
Now I see why a lot of people resort to suicide, it is scary but the good thing is there's help!!
The internet has played a big part in all of this!
Now I look at people as being just human beings trying to do their best, trying to deal with all the stresses and anxieties in this world.
I can now honestly say that life is better on the outside! 💯
you guys are amazing and both of your traumas are so familiar to my own even though I'm much older. I wish you two wonderful people the best life can bring you,you deserve all the best life can offer❤❤
Sounds like we have a lot in common, friend.
Thanks a ton for sharing this.
Thank you for sharing your story! I hope someday you and Lexi will be on Mormon Stories. 🙂