EX MORMONS. What one thing, specifically, made you change your mind about being "mormon"?

How long were you a mormon before leaving? —hanging in there

Native American DNA.

I was a lifelong member--mission, temple marriage, elders quorum president, branch president ... not that that means anything, just that I was really a believer. I don't actually think the DNA thing is the most compelling problem with Mormonism's claims, but it happened to be the tipping point for me.

What proof is their that the Book of Mormon is a fraud or not a fraud?

Looking for hard evidence here! —Prick Baxter

You need hard evidence that a resurrected white Native American did NOT appear to a boy with a reputation for treasure seeking and lead him to disappearing gold plates that were then translated by looking at a rock in a hat?

Wanting some advice… —margaritajuanita

So....

my mother, who is definitely one of my most favorite people of all time and also as hardcore TBM as you get, basically, and is devastated that I don't go to church or read my scriptures anymore keeps asking me why I believe in "the words of man" more than I believe in the words of God.

Of course, it's because I don't believe those words--from the prophet (who is a man, p.s!), the bible, the bom, etc..are the words of God. However, I didnt say it like that because if she knows that I don't even believe in Jesus anymore, she would probably have a seizure or something and, truly, the last thing I would ever want to do is hurt my mom at all.

How do I even respond to something like that?

Here's what I've taken to doing recently, not only with Mormon friends but also Christian friends. If I want to not engage them on actual beliefs, yet still be intellectually honest about where I'm coming from, I just limit the discussion to practical things rather than beliefs. For instance, if someone asks whether I still believe in God or Jesus, I just say that "it doesn't do anything for me" or I "just don't feel the need for supernatural beliefs, personally."

Help, SP coming over sunday —miracle

Just got a call, SP and 1st couselor in bisric coming over sunday. It could be a calling for DH but DH said at his TR interview he answered "yes" to "do you associate with evil apostates" because of me. I told him he should have said "I just sleep with her." Anyways I am nervous, not because I in anyway think I have done anything wrong, I just am not a great speaker and I don't want to took like a wimp. I am so much happier now. I would like advice on the usual questions I will get. Thanks ahead of time, I gotta run but will check in frequently to get prepared for Sunday.

Sounds like you're ready. A couple of other things I find it helpful to remember in situations like this:

1. Don't be afraid of silence.

2. Don't let them label you.

Most conversations don't play out like a movie script. If you're asked something and aren't sure how to respond, say, "Let me think about that ..." If they ask things that are simply inappropriate (like what particular sin has led to your disaffection), your silence can even be a weapon. Let 'em stand there awkwardly while you decide what, if anything, you'd like to respond with.

To the second point, remember that there's power in labels and the LDS church has developed several. They'll want to talk about your views in terms of "doubt," a loss of faith, and so on. Change the label and the argument disappears. If they say you've "forgotten your testimony," just reply that if we called it closedmindedness instead of testimony people wouldn't be so proud of theirs. When they say they "know" things, you can even acknowledge that: "I don't doubt that you do." Just point out that of course they wouldn't expect you to take their word for it, and they'll have to agree to that.

And of course as others have said you can also opt out of the conversation entirely if you'd prefer. You have no obligation to them. Pretend they're Jehovah's Witnesses if it helps you to not think of them as authority figures.

Book of mormon?

why was the book of mormon translated into King James english. people in the mid 1800s didnt talk like that. —blAIR

This was the first question I can remember asking myself about my beliefs as a kid. I asked our youth leader about this one day while walking back to our dorms at BYU during youth conference. For some reason that moment has remained etched in my mind ever since.

I don't remember his exact reply, only that he was straightforward, didn't try to downplay the question, and said that this wasn't how people spoke in Joseph's day. I guess it was the first thing I ever had to put up on the proverbial shelf.

How do I decide what religion to be?

I have been an atheist for my whol life but recently feel a need for something more, can someone help? —amt_erik

If you're not one to swallow religious dogma uncritically, that narrows the list quite a bit. Maybe Buddhism, or Unitarian Universalism could work for you. (Does the "something more" have to be a religion?)