To My Mormon Friends…
It’s 1am and I’m still awake. The one thought running though my head: posting a letter to my Mormon friends. I suppose you could call it a prompting. So here I am, eating mint chocolate fudge, writing a letter to some of the most influential, respected, and loved people in my life.
As you may know by now, I am a disaffected member of the Church. “Disaffected” is a perfect word to use to describe my relationship with the Church, for to “disaffect” is to lose affection. In this case, I have lost affection for the Church. I have not, however, lost affection for my friends within the Church. Please remember this.
I ask you to remember this because, as you may have seen already, I am quite open about my disaffection. I have heard it said that people leave the Church by can’t leave the Church alone. This is true for many. The fact of the matter is that being a member of the LDS Church, as told to me by the noble man who baptized me, is more than just going to church on Sunday. It is a way of life. For those who leave the Church, their very way of life, down to the minutest of thoughts, changes dramatically. This dramatic change is difficult and painful, much more so than experienced when I joined the Church. I feel it impossible not to express, discuss, and explore this change. I believe doing so aids my own understanding, and perhaps will help others as well who may be going through a similar trial.
I may be critical of the Church, but I do not feel I am anti-Mormon. I am certainly not anti-Mormons. I have told the local missionaries that they are welcome in my home anytime. Any member of the Church would be welcomed as well, my friends especially. I do not write against you; however, you may find what I write to be difficult. Your affections for the Church will cause you to desire to protect it, if only in your own heart and mind.
My exploring this change is not a one way discourse. I invite you to explore it with me by commenting either here or by e-mail. I welcome what you have to say and will respect your words. I always have. We each try to live our lives in the best way we know how. We should build upon one another’s knowledge. We should be honest with ourselves, and then with others. It’s my pledge to do so.
I love you, and I respect you. Please know that these words are sincere, as I would never use them with insincerity. May you find the choicest blessings available to you.
Your Friend,
- Joel
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