I know there people who think the LDS Church is coated in Teflon® and will continue to roll on largely unaffected by the Internet, but I cannot agree with that view from my perspective down here in Australia. Besides, I love it when facts get in the way of a good story.

The LDS church in Australia and New Zealand has made an excellent start at entering a phase of apostasy unprecedented in this part of the world. The church Downunder has always grown at respectable rates since the 60's.

The following facts were taken from www.cumorah.com, a website run by TBM's (True Believing Mormons).

There are currently around 285 LDS congregations (wards and branches) in Australia. When I left the church 10 years ago the church was consistently adding around 10 congregations per year. During ALL of the last 8 years the church has added just THREE congregations. That is at least 77 congregations short of where they expected to be back in 1998 if growth had remained constant.

It is worse in New Zealand. There are around 200 congregations in NZ. Back in the late 1990s the church was consistently adding around 8 units a year. In the last 8 years the church has not added a single unit on balance. In fact it has lost 16 units, or 2 per year.

I don't think there has been a big drop in baptism rates in Australia. They have never been spectacular. The problem is retention of not only recent converts but people who have grown up in the church. People who have left recently have said that there is a big push to retain members and reach out to the less active

There is no doubt in my mind that the single most potent factor contributing to this apostasy is widespread access to the Internet. The abrupt stop in church growth comes immediately after the exponential rise in Internet access in Australia and NZ households.

The Internet Apostasy is happening Downunder.

New Zealand women are Googling instead of asking their priesthood leaders - by Danna

From experience (New Zealand), I think increased exposure to things Mormon in the media has set people Googling as well. Most of my family have been online for 8-10 years, but no one really got interested till they understood that there was information available.

Big Love has certainly increased the understanding that Utah Mormonism is way different to the experience here. We are halfway through the second season, and there have been some interesting reviews in the Dom Post and Herald (national daily paper). In a funny kind of way, the Ensign article on Mountain Meadow Massacre last year gave my Mum 'permission' to investigate the dodgy history. Then the re-wording of the Book of Mormon introduction and the DNA issue also aroused interest.

I have not been to church for years, but I understand that there have been a number of 'lessons' or discussions on the DNA problem - it is a really big issue for some Maori members, even those who were insisting they were Nephites. Mum has a head full of pretzels, but would make a FAIR apologist proud - she accepts everything said there as gospel and interprets for other members - spending quite a bit of time on it.

If she is spending so much time researching apologetics, she must be taking quite a few questions that the women are not asking the priesthood about.

Members in New Zealand are now inclined to question church doctrine by Kirikiriroa (former LDS Bishop

The LDS Church definitely on way-down in NZ. The Church College of New Zealand at Temple View (where NZ Temple located) closes its doors during 2009, after 51 years of existence. Such closure will have far reaching effects.

It amazes me that Church leaders in NZ don't realise this. More and more church members in NZ are now inclined to question church doctrine, practices, and history. I am a former Bishop and am now aware of many other church members in NZ who no longer follow like sheep, but are thinking for themselves.

Though church attendance is still strong on Sundays, belief isn't. More and more shop on Sundays, after church, attend at restaurants, watch and play sports, and enjoy recreational activities such as going to the beach. The LDS curtain is parting and people are beginning to see with their own eyes, rather than through the eyses of church authorities.

Sister Mary Lisa Nails' It (from her blog)

If Joseph Smith had the Internet.....
Helen Mar Kimball sits on her bed, computer in her lap.
sweetiepie14 (online)

Suddenly a pop-up message appears on her computer screen: nastyboyJS wants to chat ~ ACCEPT/DENY ~ She accepts.

nastyboyJS: hi. got your address from heber.
sweetiepie14: my dad?? who is this?
nastyboyJS: brother joseph
sweetiepie14: oh! hi!!! wow!
nastyboy14: how RU?
sweetiepie14: ur a nastyboy???
nastyboyJS: j/k - a joke i made up LOL
sweetiepie14: lol
nastyboyJS: R u alone?
sweetiepie14: yes. why?
nastyboyJS: ur sweet
sweetiepie14: LOL
nastyboyJS: and pretty
sweetiepie14: lol
nastyboyJS: when ur dad talks 2 u tonite, listen 2 him
sweetiepie14: what RU talking about?
nastyboyJS: just remember i talk with god, K?
sweetiepie14: k
nastyboyJS: & god tells me what to say
sweetiepie14: k
nastyboyJS: ur perfect
sweetiepie14: ROFL - no
nastyboyJS: i saw you last week in your white dress
sweetiepie14: oh
nastyboyJS: you looked so pure and innocent
sweetiepie14: thx i think ur cute!
nastyboyJS: thats good. real good.
sweetiepie14: gotta help mom - ttyl
nastyboyJS: listen 2 ur dad - a commandment by God
sweetiepie14: k cya

Joseph Smith sits at his computer in a hidden location (for his safety).
fanny4U has signed in

nastyboyJS: hi F
fanny4U: hi lover
nastyboyJS: where RU?
fanny4U: @ ur house w/ Emma
nastyboyJS: WTF!
fanny4U: she asked me 2 help her
nastyboyJS: RU OK?
fanny4U: yes - we R BFF again
nastyboyJS: don't trust Emma!!
fanny4U: why?
nastyboyJS: get outa there now! don't say anything!
fanny4U: K - she's coming - brb
nastyboyJS: GET OUT NOW
fanny4U: xoxo ttfn
fanny4U has signed out

OrsonHide has signed in
ZinaBaby has signed in
elizaRsnow has signed in

OrsonHide: hi Joe
nastyboyJS: Orson! guess what?
OrsonHide: what?
nastyboyJS: ur going to jerusalem!
OrsonHide: WTF? A mission?
nastyboyJS: as revealed to me by god
OrsonHide: but what about Marinda?!
nastyboyJS: ur wife'll be taken care of. TRUST ME.
OrsonHide: i guess if god wills it.....
nastyboyJS: oh he does, he does.

nastyboyJS: Zina! Hi!
ZinaBaby: Hi
nastyboyJS: whatcha doin?
ZinaBaby: chatting w/ Henry
nastyboyJS: U should chat w/ me only
ZinaBaby: but he's my husband
nastyboyJS: about that.....
ZinaBaby: ?
nastyboyJS: I dont WANT plural marriage
ZinaBaby: I know, me neither! lol
nastyboyJS: BUT...
nastyboyJS: an angel came 2 me with flaming sword last nite. if i don't do this i'll lose my position and my life!
ZinaBaby: Wow! RU serious??
nastyboyJS: Lord made known to me UR 2B my celestial wife
ZinaBaby: i'll have to pray about this
nastyboyJS: good idea, then you'll know the truth i speak
ZinaBaby: what will Henry say if god wills it?
nastyboyJS: he follows god 2 - all will be well
ZinaBaby: i better go pray
nastyboyJS: lemme know asap
ZinaBaby: brb (praying)

elizaRsnow: hi babe
nastyboyJS: hi e
elizaRsnow: i wrote you another poem
nastyboyJS: kewl
elizaRsnow: inspired by last nite
nastyboyJS: u rawked my world! lol
elizaRsnow: i may be old, but i've got skilz LOL
nastyboyJS: can't wait to see poem
elizaRsnow: i can't believe emma didn't catch us!
nastyboyJS: we can't let that happen
elizaRsnow: i made ur bed this morning and thought of u
nastyboyJS: thx for helping emma at home
elizaRsnow: if it means i'm closer to u, then its all good
nastyboyJS: gotta run
elizaRsnow: luv u
elizaRsnow has signed out

OrsonHide: RU sure??? jerusalem is so far....
nastyboyJS: god wills it
OrsonHide: Y not Chicago?
nastyboyJS: god wills it
OrsonHide: Marinda is scared
nastyboyJS: i'll personally take care of her
OrsonHide: k...i guess if god wills it...
nastyboyJS: never fear u will be blessed
OrsonHide has signed out

EmmaHS has signed in
HeberC has signed in

HeberC: i talked 2 her like u said
nastyboyJS: and?
HeberC: she didn't want 2 @ 1st
nastyboyJS: did u tell her like i told you 2?
HeberC: yes - salvation 4 all of us if she will
nastyboyJS: and?
HeberC: i told her 2 think on it for 24 hrs
nastyboyJS: lemme know ASAP
HeberC: she's a good girl - she'll say yes
nastyboyJS: i hope so as god wills it
HeberC: i know - and i wanna be saved!
nastyboyJS: it depends
HeberC: gonna go talk 2 her again
nastyboyJS: u do that
HeberC has signed out

EmmaHS: hi babe
nastyboyJS: hi u sexy thang
EmmaHS: u know it!
nastyboyJS: gonna B gone 2nite
EmmaHS: not again! Y?
nastyboyJS: more of lords work
EmmaHS: :(
nastyboyJS: i may B gone 3 nites
EmmaHS: im not 2 happy
nastyboyJS: b strong
EmmaHS: its hard
nastyboyJS: ur my light, my life
EmmaHS: i know
nastyboyJS: god will bless u
EmmaHS: fanny was here
nastyboyJS: oh?
EmmaHS: we R friens again
nastyboyJS: b nice!
EmmaHS: Y should i?
nastyboyJS: i told you 2 thats Y
EmmaHS: u better stay away from her
nastyboyJS: of course lol
EmmaHS: im not lol
nastyboyJS: k i promise 2 stay away
EmmaHS: gotta run
nastyboyJS: luv u - cya in 3 days
EmmaHS: as u should
EmmaHS has signed out

sweetiepie14: u still here?
nastyboyJS: HI!!!
sweetiepie14: my dad told me
nastyboyJS: and?
sweetiepie14: Y do u want me??
nastyboyJS: god wills it
sweetiepie14: will it save my kindred?
nastyboyJS: oh yes - salvation for all
sweetiepie14: im scared
nastyboyJS: god will provide - ur a good daughter of god
sweetiepie14: if it will save my family.....
nastyboyJS: say yes and be saved
sweetiepie14: and my family 2 right?
nastyboyJS: its the only way
sweetiepie14: i guess i will then
nastyboyJS: ur a good girl
nastyboyJS: u will be saved now
nastyboyJS: 2morrow nite we will b sealed 4ever
sweetiepie14: 2morrow nite!
nastyboyJS: god says it has to be 2morrow nite
nastyboyJS: ill take good care of you my sweet
nastyboyJS: i promise u eternal salvation
sweetiepie14: im scared!
nastyboyJS: im a prophet of god - b not afraid
sweetiepie14: k i guess
nastyboyJS: follow the prophet and b saved
sweetiepie14: 4 my family
nastyboyJS: oh 1 more thing
sweetiepie14: ?
nastyboyJS: cant tell Emma - god said 2 keep us a secret
sweetiepie14: y?
nastyboyJS: its gods will u keep it secret 4 my safety
sweetiepie14: if god says so then k
nastyboyJS: i look forward 2 us 2morrow
sweetiepie14: cya
sweetiepie14 has signed out

ZinaBaby: back
nastyboyJS: did u pray?
ZinaBaby: yes
nastyboyJS: and?
ZinaBaby: i was told its true
nastyboyJS: came from god
ZinaBaby: this is hard
nastyboyJS: im not about 2 make that angel mad! r u?
ZinaBaby: but I luv henry
nastyboyJS: me 2 - but god wills it
ZinaBaby: henry knows god wills it
nastyboyJS: R u sure?
ZinaBaby: yes
nastyboyJS: k - i'll be there 2morrow a.m.
ZinaBaby: so soon?!
nastyboyJS: u didn't c that angel
ZinaBaby: k
nastyboyJS: i cant wait 2B sealed 2 u
ZinaBaby: god wills it
nastyboyJS: and im a prophet of god - follow me n b saved
ZinaBaby: k ttyl
nastyboyJS: oh - god said dont tell Emma
ZinaBaby: k i promise cya
ZinaBaby has signed out

Joseph logs out and prepares to depart.

posted by Sister Mary Lisa at 8:48 AM

The Internet is KILLING the Cult of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Spin!

My kids do everything off the Internet, my boy recently bought a car on the east coast and sold his old one on the west coast! Music, clothes, homework, friends - it's all in the cyberworld now. And so is philosophy and religion!

When I was in the mission field we had almost complete control of the info our investigators received - maybe they looked at the encyclopedia or asked questions at work, but we were in control and they trusted us. But TODAY, who would want to try and teach Cyberkids? In seconds they can be on an "Anti-Conversion" site and print out pages of questions for their missionaries to answer!

Suddenly the missionaries know LESS about their OWN CHURCH than some random strangers!

The Internet did it for my wife and me. Our son-in-law deconstructed while teaching institute and early morning seminary. He decided to seek a little "outside" sources for his teaching and learned many things that drove him "out".

About a year later, while we (wife and I) were obsessing to the branch president about our son-in-law's departure, the BP suggested that his leaving the church might be our fault because we were not attending the temple as often as he thought we should attend.

My wife and I both had a WTF moment and went home and started surfing the Internet to find out just what had caused our son-in-law to leave so abruptly.

That was in March of 2005; by July we had read enough and submitted our letters of resignation and were officially "non-members" by October of 2005.

We have one child still in the church who has come to grips with our apostasy and respects our decision; at least now that he has recovered from our sudden departure. Our daughter and their whole family are now out as well.

Since we live in the mountains of North Carolina, we have almost no contact with that church and it is a fading memory (a bad one indeed!).

While I was on the bishopric in Penrith ward, one of my responsibilities was primary. One of the primary presidents left the church not long after moving out of the ward. I tracked her down recently and had a chat. It was fascinating. She started her journey out of the church while searching the Internet for material for a Young Women's lesson. She then spent 3 days with virtually no sleep just reading in astonishment at the things she never knew about the church. Her family is now well and truly out of the church including name removal. In fact, they took legal action to make sure the church put in writing that they actually removed the names of them and their children as they didn't want the church hunting the children down later.

I would be very happy to meet up, chat or swap emails with any exmo's or potential exmo's.

Leaving Mormonism is an incredibly impossible thing to digest at first, especially when you are not inactive at the time, as your not looking for a reason. Even though you realize afterwards you've been fed lies for years. You hear one thing in particular, what ever that be and the alarm bells start ringing. For me it took 18 years to hear it.

For me last year in 2005, late my old friend tracked me down, I had converted her to Mormonism 15 yrs ago, and she left briefly after that and wanted nothing to do with me because of Mormonism. So for years I had no idea what became of her. For a period of the last three years she was wondering about me all the time, and finally found out how to track me down.

Knowing we live in a very isolated place in Australia, never been to Utah and just follow what the leaders say as truth - Bizarre to think now! I only learned really of the Bible through LDS, didn't read or own one before this time. In truth when the sadly obedient paying missionaries, (fancy paying to follow a bunch of rules to be obeyed so as to not lose sight of having the spirit with you, eye single to the mission your own) teach the sugar and spice of the gospel the way they do. LDS have to advertise it the right way so people want to buy in.

We didn't have temples across our country and I certainly hadn't been. Even though I joined at 18. Got married, converted a man (actually no returned missionary (RM) wanted to marry me and there weren't many in this country anyway, but have been asked plenty of times by others. In fact I gave up my childhood sweetheart, and then my next great love because none of them believed in LDS and couldn't see why I couldn't just except them as they are. The saddest part this is I grieve now for all the other LDS sisters who aren't married and miss their years of youth, motherhood etc., because no worthy LDS wants to marry them or they haven't been asked.

You limit your options. Of course some other man in Australia outside of the church could have easily fallen in love with the same girl, someone that she loved to and they could of experienced a family. But as an faithful true LDS, you don't lose sight of the goal of exaltation. Hell, in the next life you'll get married and raise a family. SO so sad.

My friend who found me said about the blood oaths in the temple. Quoted the words that are spoken in the temple. And straight out I told here, that's just anti-Mormon stuff. I've been to the temple and I did no such thing. I said my goodness that stuff that you are saying is cultic satanic and I would never be a part of that, and I certainly wouldn't be LDS.

I just went to the temple a couple of years ago. (I was really furious at the time- my husband had been a few years prior- we were moving from state to state just under 1,000 km to do in the day, actually on the journey on the road that day, and just briefly dropped in to do my endowments and then kept driving in different cars too. All those who know could imagine what was going thru my head.

My friend told me she had been on the Internet for days, and she was obsessing with the history of the church and it just consumed her, that's all she could do. Immediately I asked my older LDS friend who had her endowments years prior in the Salt Lake Temple and I said did you do that throat penalty thing and she said yes. My teeth started to chatter. It was just this one simple thing for me.

Then I went online ( which I wasn't an Internet user), and it consumed me for a total of six months, it's all I could do and read history. Now my husband has done exactly the same thing. And its all consuming for us, I totally believe it's man made. But my husband knows now more than ever that its true. He speaks like a great doctrinal moron that drives me insane. Not a child can understand what he says, it's that complicated and hidden mysteries.

I don't know if he will ever come out. But I have brought my 4 young children out. 5-11 years old. This man is destroyed. His identity is Mormonism, and the ordinances are everything to him. The authority, the authority, the authority. It's like living with a Hitler. He mocks all Christians and the things they do as a waste of time. I have got my kids going to main stream Christian now and he refuses to help them get ready or anything, as he says going to Sunday school is a waste of time.

The sad thing is there are all these Christians out there who believe in Jesus Christ and believe in God and that is what Christ Himself taught the people to accept Him as their Savior and to believe in Him. These people love Him, but my husband thinks, well if you believe in Jesus Christ and want to follow Him then you would believe that the Book of Mormon was true and that he heads the LDS Church and you would be one of them, then you would be accepting Jesus. Its a vicious physiological circle for him.

Guys, there are still so many people struggling with Mormonism but don't have the courage to actually do anything about their true gut feelings on the matter. Once you start the courage to act a little bit further, the belief system will become so illogical that you will eventually see the light. It could take years, but it is worth the search to break the mold, because it is definitely all consuming.

You don't realize how judgmental you are as a Mormon towards others opinions on God and matters. You actually segregate yourself from society in a way you don't realize until you do COME OUT of Mormonism psychologically. Heck, I married a man I didn't even love, just so that I had a chance to be exalted and possibly live in the highest degree in the Celestial Kingdom and create worlds of our own. Even though not once could I actually say that I was in love with him. Has anybody married a man in the church that they weren't actually in love with for a similar reason in this day and age? I'd like to hear from them.

Everyone needs to come to their own faith in Jesus Christ in their own way I feel. Bless you all that still have in Jesus Christ, I do.

I know that the main threat the internet poses to Mormonism is the factual information about Mormon doctrine and rituals that can be dispersed to anyone who looks up the word "Mormon." However, the fact that individual congregations/wards don't have their own websites is absolutely going to hurt their ability to compete with other churches. People no longer have to look in the yellow pages for a new house of worship when they move to a new town-- they can look on the internet and find out what sort of church building, pastor, activities etc. each church offers before they go... except for the Mormon ones.

A church without a website is going to be assumed to be made completely of old people or fools.

MY TBM (True Believing Mormon) mother-in-law is serving a mission in the Richmond VA area. She is a very sweet, naive and devout woman who has swallowed the whole Mormon "thang" hook line and sinker. She actually WANTED to proselytize instead of work in the mission office where they had placed her originally. She is a seriously deluded person - sigh....

Anyway - she has told me several times that they will have some poor schnook investigator who they are "teaching" (GAD - I hate how she says that) and all of a sudden the person tells them not to come back. When asked why, on more than one occasion she has been told that the person looked up Mormonism on the Internet and read all sorts of "BAD" things. Of course, MIL thinks this is Satan's work.

I am delighted to know that some people are smart enough to look into this faith before they get dunked. If everybody did, there would be ZERO converts.

It was 10 years ago next week, during Thanksgiving in the US, that I put up a first page and typed "Recovery from Mormonism". It was on an ISP in Chattanooga, TN and was a personal web page before registering exmormon.org a few months later. The site was originally designed to last a year to pay forward those that had helped me recover from my Mormon experience. I never anticipated 10 years.

There have been and continue to be many volunteers who help behind the scenes to keep this running. It is because of them the site is still online. The Exmormon Foundation is an outgrowth of ex-Mormons' desires to help others out of the corporation.

I just had another interview with a newspaper doing an article on Mormonism. It is odd to me that such a small experiment changed my life. I am a quiet individual living in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains with a web site that has now become a collaborative effort which has reached thousands around the world. Who could of ever imagined?

Even though there were always things I didn't like about the church when I was growing and major things that just didn't quite compute--especially the temple (pre-1990), I never could have left because there would always have been that nagging "what if" hanging with me. I might have gone "inactive" but I never could have completely deconverted and been able to move on without the knowledge and facts that I did not have access to before the internet. - 11/12/2005 - Star Buck

I did leave before the Internet. However, when I got on line and found out about the DNA issue, I was quite happy with myself. It really confirmed what I had thought all along. And now there is so much to back up my decision. And others to talk to about the same process. Life is good! - 11/12/2005 - doublehelix

Religion competes with every other activity available under the sun, and while religion's offerings haven't changed much over time, other forms of entertainment have greatly improved and become more compelling. Like multi-channel cable TV, computer and console games, an explosion of sports broadcasting on Sundays, better and more available movies, the internet- chatting, instant messaging, news, e-mail, etc., cheaper and easier long-distance phone services, etc. All of this has the effect of decreasing interest in religious activities. And it will only get worse with HDTV and the wire to the premises information superhighway. - 11/11/2005 - F#m7

I left the Mormon Church recently after my son told me after church that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene. I never ever searched anything on the Internet before regarding church information except on the official site. I was curious about my son's comment so I went to Google and typed Mormon and there it was.

It was so disturbing I couldn't believed if this could be true at first. I thought these are lies then I even searched more. Well these are not lies. Most of them came from church books and articles. We quit this cult right away. Thank God for the Internet.

It was hard at first because we lost our friends, but my family is no longer under the control of Joseph Smith. All I can say is we are not in the dark anymore. - 11/10/2005 - been deceived

10/23/2005 - Dr John

I do not envy the church leaders. No one has ever confronted the truth in open battle and won. The only way to defeat the truth is to increase ignorance of it and dilute it. The internet has taken away that strategy. It is the double edged sword. The church depends on it but it is also killing the church.

The only reason the church survives at all is because the top leaders wisely do not depend on revelation. They depend on public relations firms, the best.

10/15/2005 - ZelphRules

At first I was very skeptical of all these books and websites and didn't want to believe them. I Googled everything and checked everyone's facts, and to my surprise, it was the LDS Church, Farms, and Fair that were full of crap, and everybody else actually checked out.

In fact, the MOST DAMNING WEBSITES I ever read from, were actually FARMS and FAIRLDS. Their lame explanations and loony spins were what finally confirmed what Simon Southerton, Grant H Palmer, Duwayne R Anderson, and the plethora of website like this one were saying. (for example, I didn't believe that JS made up the Zelph story, until I googled Zelph and found defenses of him on the church's own web sties!)

Yes, I was raised in the church in TN, was active for 30+ years, returned missionary, wife & I sealed in the temple. Active, True Believing Mormon, and saw my life-world-and-universe through my Mormon tinted spectacles. I had a few doubts or issues that I suppressed, but eventually a few of us started talking about some things.

I heard about Southerton's book on-line, and ordered a copy from Amazon. I read it. I got a copy for my dad. My brother ordered it, and so did another TBM (True Believing Mormon) friend. It was all we could talk about and think about, I told my wife and other friends and family members, I found the www.exmormon.org website, Googled everything having to do with the church and its history. Next we all bought and read copies of Grant Palmer's book, 'An Insider's View of Mormon Origins' and Duwayne Anderson's 'Farewell to Eden'. I would have never found this material had it not been for the Internet.

This is like a virtual stone cut out of the mountain with out hands, and there is nothing anyone can do to stop it. The only scripture that means anything to me anymore is this: "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." That one really has a special meaning to me now.

eBay is not helping the church either. I didn't want to believe what I was reading about the church, so via eBay I started collecting some of the old books and manuals and stuff, and to my surprise, the gospel is NOT the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow!

09/19/2005 by frombehindthezioncurtain and others from Recovery from Mormonism

I had an interesting conversation today with a True Believing Mormon (TBM) friend of mine who lives in the Provo area. He was telling me how his kids have all left the church, mostly after attending graduate school, or earning an advanced degree somewhere. He said the all say the same things, that Brigham Young said this and that, no DNA evidence for Lamanites, Joseph had 50 wives, horses mentioned in the Book of Mormon when there were none at the time in North America, etc.

He couldn't figure out why his kids went away to get an education, and came back w/o a testimony. He then went on to say he knows of many people who are leaving the "church" and becoming atheists. This guy, who used to be a Bishop in a BYU ward, says that members are leaving in droves over this "anti" stuff they read on the Internet. Very interesting.

Any numbers on "leaverites" yet? - Statperson

"Leaverites"!! Love it! - jillian

Without the internet I would have never resigned - I would have never known there was information out there! Some of us grew up in very small towns with very limited access to things like church history. So, yes I credit a lot of it to the internet. - 09/19/2005 - Kim

I left so long ago when there was no Internet, so I really have wondered what effect the Internet has had on people leaving. What type of searches did you do? on polygamy? DNA? - Bonnie

I don't remember exactly what I started looking for - I might have typed in non-Mormon or something like that in a search engine. I came upon a site (it was probably this one!) and began reading exit stories. I was so overwhelmed with everyone's stories, and instantly felt a connection with these people, even though we had nothing in common except the church. For a long time I didn't want to explore the *anti* facts, because it was too painful to face them.

One day I happened upon someone's story about how she worked for the church (my memory is hazy on this one) and was trying to prove something on behalf of the church. Her research led her straight out of the church - it was this story where I learned about the Book of Abraham. I was so flippin' mad! Once I read that, I knew it was all a fraud.

So now that I wasn't afraid of the *anti* stuff anymore, I pretty much scoured this site and it ballooned from there. To this day I am still learning things, and my search has been going on for several years. Sometimes I will read something and it won't sink in. A year later I come across the same thing and all of a sudden it takes on a whole new meaning. Anyway, without the internet who knows where I would stand in the church. Probably a jack Mormon, still on the records but not giving a hoot about it all. Thank God someone invented the internet! - Kim

I left long before the internet even existed, but the Recovery from Mormonism site did encourage me to make it formal. - bona dea

The Internet is having a huge impact!

Okay, we are splitting hairs now. I'm with you "I am Kim." Obviously the Church is ultimately responsible for suppressing all of their true history and outright lying.

However, without the Internet, how was everyone going to find this out in the sheer volume that is happening right now. The Internet has had a huge, massive impact on the flow of information and that can't be denied. Most people won't go out of their way to find fault with the Church but when all they have to do is log into their computer, bingo, it's much easier.

Also, a lot of people are looking up innocent stuff, or preparing to teach a Church lesson and this site for example pops up. They start reading and the next thing you know, their gone too. I also wouldn't be writing this post or out of the Church if it wasn't for the Internet. 3-4 months ago, I had no idea that the Church was a fraud until I started reading this site and others. I was stunned!! I read many exit stories and all of the archived stuff and suddenly my mind opened up. Next thing you know, I was posting my own exit story, thanks to the Internet!!

There were obviously people that left the Church before the Internet, but I don't think that it was as many in number as it is now. Also, a lot of people it seems, just stopped going but didn't know all the details of the "dirty Mormon History", that everyone can now so easily find. I thought that I knew a lot about the Church, but I found out very quickly how little I really did know. The nice thing about the Internet, is that it puts everything in one place that can be accessed in seconds and minutes.

I would also say that they Internet and sites like this one have been huge in allowing people to anonymously share their experiences and insights. In other words, it is a place for people to gather and discuss what they think and feel, just like we are doing right now. That's probably the most important thing that the Internet has contributed to the individual.

But, just for fun, let's ask everyone!! Who would most likely still be in the Church if it wasn't for the Internet? I'm curious now.

http://mormontruth.blogspot.com/ - Samuel the Utahnite

Subject: Hinckley wishes porn was the biggest problem with morgbots being on the Net!!!!!! However, I quit because of GBH and the MOlympics. - around

I found this site & "Josephlied" a little over a year ago. This site led me to deconstructor's website, "rethinking Mormonism" website & other web sites. At first, I couldn't believe it. I didn't want to believe it. I discounted the information until I went to the library and checked out Grant Palmer's & Fawn Brodie's books & read them.

Almost immediately after finding this information on the internet, I quit my calling (teaching Sunbeams) and stopped going to church. I didn't tell my wife or kids immediately, in case I had actually stumbled onto fake or "offended anti" websites, but after reading Palmer's & Brodie's books, I had to share with my wife what I found. She is still undecided, but at least has confirmed her marriage to me & not the church, on a several occasions. I was relieved.

The Internet helped me out (but I'm not out officially yet) & continues to reassure me I'm making the right decision & help me recover. Mormonism is all I know and now I have to figure everything out again. Everything was all neatly packaged but since that is a lie, I have to figure it all out.

I'm sure porn is a huge issue in the church, but if the Morg wouldn't repress its members sexually & otherwise, the members wouldn't spend so much time & money on porn and then they could find the other great websites like this one to help them out of the Morg.

Also, when I was 15-17 years old, the internet wasn't as popular as it is now, in fact, I believe only the government & universities used it (late 80's). At this same time, I was fighting with my parents about the church and how I didn't believe & how do we know this or that. Basically, if I wanted to live in their house & survive, I had to believe & attend church. They basically forced me to swallow the blue pill. I didn't know there were Mormon history books in the library. I didn't know about the BoA information, which came out in the 60's.

I'm pissed at myself for caving & at my parents for forcing me & not allowing my free agency. I'm pissed at the church for being a bunch of liars, thieves & whores of the devil. I eventually went on a mission & served 2 years. I don't regret going on the mission (language & wife of 10 years now), but I feel bad for all the people I "taught" & baptized. Thank god I didn't go to BYU. whew...

Just wanted to get that off my chest. I would have been out sooner had the internet been around. - - AZanon

I left because I just got sooooo weary of trying to shove myself into the mo-mold. My metaphor has been the uncomfortable shoe that you wear because it is fashionable, and everyone says looks so good on you, but, in reality, it pinches and hurts, and ultimately limits you.

So I finally took the damn shoe off!!

If 'it feels so right' is reason enough to join the church, "it feels so rotten" should be reason enough to leave it!!

What I have learned since, at this site, has just been an intellectual affirmation of a decision I made based solely on my gut.

My increased sense of well-being and freedom have also been reaffirming. And I know that it was right for me to leave, and I know the church is NOT true, in the name of Ithankyouverymuchgod. Amen - jillian (the 'leaverite'!

My experience was much the same. I left because I didn't like it but had no internet to confirm my doubts . I have always been a voracious reader. Such books as "The Twenty-Seventh Wife" finished it for me. However, more people use the internet than read books so I am sure the internet is a major force. - bona dea

Intellectually, I had left before the Internet but the Internet helped to make it final.

Also, it was a great way to learn from so many other people who had been through similar experiences.

All the noise about Internet porn is just the GA's way of getting members paranoid about the Internet so they'll not read sites like this one. - John Andersen

The internet, specifically the exit stories, had a huge impact, reading stories from people who had the same unanswered questions that I did was overwhelming. Up to that point, I thought I was the only one who had questions. Reading other people's stories, and how sincere they were, and how hurt they felt after being lied to by the church was very powerful.

I then read more books, pro and con, about the church than I can count. Finally the answers to my questions came, and the church was not on the side of truth. The leaders lied to us, and the church continues to lie to the members.

The exit stories were very influential in my decision, the only way I would have "heard" from so many ex-Mormons was thanks to the internet..

I remember how the church was taking credit for the blessing of the internet and its help in spreading the gospel and in doing genealogy. They claimed all the good inventions came after the restoration of the "gospel"...the irony here is quite funny.

The internet is helping share information, that's all. All tyrannical governments/organizations suppress information, suppress public discourse and try to re-write history. Bummer for the morg, I hope it goes down the same path as the soviet union did. Truth always wins out in the end. - danboyle

The information available on the Internet started my slippery slide. A lot of things haven't fit for a long time, but, one Sunday in priesthood class the instructor mentioned "Joseph Smith's wives" and on the same Sunday our Gospel Doctrine instructor mentioned something about Hugh Nibley's daughter's book.

I got curious, so, in yahoo I typed in "joseph smiths wives", I clicked on a link to information about "In Sacred Loneliness" by Todd Compton and began my research, eventually it lead me to an information overload and a complete loss of belief in the authenticity of the Mormon claims to be the "only true church". I was convinced, by evidence sited on many web sites that the church was man made, as I had previously believed all other churches were, except Mormonism. - Jn

The original post said that the guys kids had left, mostly after graduate school. I can from my own experience say that my time at a liberal "Red Brick" university was probably the foundation for my apostasy. At University one is taught to think openly to criticize. The first thing I remember being taught in history class was about different sources, primary and secondary their relative values etc... Also crucially, that one should never rely on just one source of information.

But wait a minute... All that I'm supposed to read comes from the multiplicity of church materials that are out there. That I realized was not a balanced and objective way of learning. Slowly I started to notice holes in the history. Joseph Smith was in Carthage when killed - well why? - oh he was falsely imprisoned - why? No answer - he was falsely accused.

Don't get me wrong the internet has the power to enlighten all the fallacy of LDS inc, but the point about education is a good one. I think in a few years time the GA's will catch on to it. They must be losing well educated members young and old by the drove.

I reckon in the next few years BYU will be massively expanded. With growth leveling out they could easily project student numbers for a re-introduced policy of a higher education for all LDS students at BYU and it's affiliate colleges - "to protect the youth of the church from the increasing liberal and atheistic universities of the world and their so-called intellectualism"

Either that or they'll have to write a proclamation steering the faithful away from Arts & Social Science (Oh and DNA science too!) - J.

The Internet also provides a forum for discussion that allows "apostates" and doubters to converse, and share ideas in a semi-anonymous way without fear of being found out before one is ready. - Ken S.

To all who've said see-ya-later to those phony hustlers from the Utah "Kremlin" because of this remarkable medium, I say welcome home. You wouldn't want to share your eternity with those bungholes anyway. Imagine sharing a cloud with Gordon Hinkley? forever!! Barf! - 12/19/2007 - Johnny Putt

Public relations firms and Madison Avenue to sell Gods Words of Truth? What an insult to God and the most powerful form of PR ever- Simple Truth, spoken to your heart by God himself. What kind of Mormon God allows truth to be copyrighted and sold to members for $27.95 at Desert Book?...with all royalties going to further fatten so-called GA's.

I have left Mormonism and their money machine made-up of "members in good standing." for reasons without number. What an insult that stereotype was, having it, or, not having it, and the smug feigned humility it created. Called in once a year to give accounting of all the tithes, offerings and assessments paid when the rest of the year they teach (wink-wink) Christ's admonition-- to not let the left hand know what the right hand is doing. A church of power and authority instead of love and forgiveness.

A church that is "the only true church" but, can't tell the truth about it's own history locked-up in a vault inside a vault inside a vault. A church that proclaims it is the absolute truth, yet, it won't tolerate absolute scrutiny. Question General Authorities!! Debate these people who act like truth is afraid of inquiry. I got sick of realizing that the thing I should be asking the most questions about ever-- my eternal soul, well-- "shut-up the thinking has been done." I got tired of the knot in my gut I had listening to all the inconsistencies and contradiction and being told that revelation is ongoing and truth changes...but never changes... while siting there nodding approval of my own brainwashing.

I love Jesus Christ, and the Jesus Christ that inspires me, and is my Savior, Teacher and Friend- is not the Mormon Jesus- never was, and never will be. I'm sorry it took me so long to figure it all out. What a waste of time it was reading and believing fiction and imagining it to be the truth because Joseph was a true prophet. Jesus said: "Come follow Me." So I did, and quit following "the prophet" then followed Jesus right out of the LDS church. - 11/09/2007 - Markus

Here's the most recent LDS gem on the Morg website:

"The Church is a place where imperfect people gather to provide encouragement, support, and service to each other as we press on in our journey to return to our Heavenly Father." ?Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

Here's the draft I found dumpster-diving outside the Church Office Building:

"The Church is a place where uptight, depressed people gather to hide their mutual anxieties, feel "normal" in spite of the hip neighbors taking their boats to the lake, and pretend to be superior to everyone else as we press on in our journey to fund this silly cult and make our parents proud." - 11/05/2007 - Russ Landshark

The internet is amazing. I was in my senior year of college, was suffering from anxiety, depression, major guilt complex, etc. and had subsequently become semi-active, though I still paid my tithing, fast offerings, prayed and read my scriptures (though not every day as I used to).

I was at the point where I was suffering an emotional breakdown/meltdown nearly on a weekly basis, I woke up 4-7+ times everynight in addition to taking 1-2 hours to fall asleep in the first place....basically, I was falling apart. It was General Conference time and I had been invited to a TBM friend's house to watch conference (btw, still a good friend, she doesn't know the extent of my split from the church however. i think she would be sad if she knew, but she's a good person and wouldn't ditch me or condemn me because of it. her bro is an exmo).

Her kids got sick and so she cancelled the conference watching at her place--she used to invite us college kids over for brunch and conference, as well as the mishies. So, after having been up most of the night studying and not feeling like getting up and driving 20-25 minutes to the closest meeting house, I decided to sleep in instead.

I felt guilty after a while (story of my life) and decided to try watching conference online from my dorm room. It was a bit dry, and for some strange reason, I'm still not sure what came over me, I googled "former mormon". The rest, as they say, is history. I didn't believe everything I found at first--all the history of Joe Smith, the history--and present doings of the church, etc.

It took study, prayer, and soul-searching---whether those of you who are still TBMs believe it or not---to come to the conclusion that the LDS church is NOT true, is NOT what it represents itself to be. Without the internet and these awesome sites I might still be there, in that emotional and mental rut, continuing to fork out my 13% (which since half of my income went directly to school, made closer to 25% of my actual takehome income). Thanks guys!!! - 11/02/2007 - phoenix rising

If u don´t like it, just leave it. There are many thing to enjoy and learn, don´t be a obstacle to others - 10/30/2007 - anon

Put your laptop into a hat and find the truth by reading the google-stones. - 10/28/2007 - Lurch

Attention all! I found a church that truly believes in Christ! It reads from both parts of the bible, old and new testament. These people are so committed to their church and always try to be Christlike. They hold the True Priesthood of God. This church is the fastest growing church in the world! They even follow Prophets today!

So let me think: follow some screaming evangelical who holds no priesthood, and all he does is read the bible to me, and guilts me into donating to HIS PERSONAL FUND, and drink or do whatever you want as long as you come to church? OR follow a prophet God has blessed us with. A church where PRAYER and the HOLY GHOST are the true ways to find answers -not the messed up lying internet.

My Church is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Even if if ends up not being true - I'm still saved by all of your standards!! (i.e. accept christ) But if I'm right...hmm....think about it. - 11/01/2007 - Troy

My journey out of the LDS church was step by step and with every quiet question I was asking myself. When I felt it was time to get my name off the records for I was thinking about having children and I didn't want "the church" to automatically add them. I sat down and did my first search on how to go about taking my name off. The very first site I clicked on was www.mormonnomore.com I am every grateful and want others to know how simple and easy it is.

Now that I am free to live and love ALL people I have joy and peace. My family will have nothing to do with me and won't even let me see my nieces and nephews. Not even this would take me back to the lies that make up "the church" Since I have left the mormons I have done more research on the computer and it confirms to me that my own inspiration is MORE than any "man of god" Thank you for Salamander Society and many others!!! Cheers and my you find your own path and passion what ever that is and where ever it takes you!!! LOVE without fear and guilt - 10/07/2007 - I'M FREE

I have never liked the church..the comment up above a bit says something about a shoe not fitting..and that was exactly how I always felt. Even the day of my baptism I thought it was all stupid, but was too afraid to tell anybody..Besides they were haivng cake and a I got a bunch of presents...Leaving has been the only right thing I have ever felt in reagrds to the morg. - 09/03/2007 - Shel

Not only did I get duped into the "sacredness" of the temple (prior to 1990) so that I didn't question the pantomining of slitting my own throat, cutting out my heart, or disemboweling myself and then taking a satanic blood oath to never tell it as interestingly(!) warned of in Moses 5:29 (Lucifer telling Cain to never tell it or suffer his life to be taken before delivering Abel to Cain to be murdered)

BUT, I also consecrated everything to the church - everything I own, my time and talents, etc. This provided and still provides for the church leaders/money changers (who secretly sit on bank, insurance, corporate boards) the justification to steal your assets by surrounding you, accidents, taping your phones, sabotaging your cars. Don't worry they only do this if you have assets worth stealing. Most TBM don't have huge assets because they are too financially stressed because of their huge families, depressed wives, and fatigue from mind-numbing callings. There are hundreds of us who are talking with each other who have had our assets stolen. Many of us are writing books. So the truth will continue to come forth. Interesing tidbits: Hinckley is a facade and threatened Garth Baum when Hinckley wanted settlement because of "60 Minutes" publicity, they (Mormon Mafia)stole his cherry orchard in Provo.

Research SLTribune article "Silent Witness" about GBH's son-in-law confession to the FBI regarding his Olympic scandal bribery checks that he admitted to writing out. Five weeks later Alan Barnes is dead from a non-traceable, "heart attack."

I personally know of people in Montana, Utah, England, Canada, Alabama, Missouri, and California who have had "Mormon Mafia" events stealing assets, causing accidents, taping phones (remember the illegal use of Matrix in UT & FL?) It is well organized and very real. You are smart to "get out of his employ." - 01/16/2007- antiMormon Gestapo

I am leaving Mormonism, put in my formal letter, been to all the anti-mormon sites also. Most of those sites are like counseling or are very true and funny! I was duped, screwed over, mentally tortured and then some. I still get harassment big time. - 09/08/2006 - Michelle

The internet is many things to me. I love it and surf much. The most important thing for me about the internet is that it freed me from the clutches of the morg. I resisted much "temptation" for a long time, but eventually succumbed to the siren's song "recovery from Mormonism." Now the rest is a slowly fading church history.

Joe Smith was a prick. The current church leadership is either incredibly, unbelievably ignorant, or else evil.

That ain't my testimony. That's fact. - 03/26/2006 - zman44