As most of you know, by now, my family has chosen to leave the LDS church. This was not a decision we took lightly. In fact, I gave more thought to this decision than any other I have made in my life.  If you are not LDS, you may not understand the significance of that choice, or why it would affect me so much. I hope that this Blog will help you understand. If you are LDS you may understand the significance, but not realize what it was like for us to make that choice.

Over the past year I have settled into my decision and my new lifestyle.  The 2 years before that were a real struggle for me, as I tried to cope with what I was learning and my beliefs changing. I am sure I offended many people during those years. (Let’s be honest, I have probably offended people for a lot longer than 3 years.) I know that I hurt people, because I was hurting so much myself. And I am very sorry for that. In the last year, I have found more peace, and have been able to start healing and moving forward. I am at a good place in my life. Maybe the best place I have ever been. (And I’m not just referring to the sunny days here in Vegas- although that helps a ton!) In this time, I have pretty much kept my mouth shut. I have thought about sharing my experience a million times, but have never wanted to “open that can of worms”. It has also been such a personal choice, that I didn’t necessarily want anyone else to weigh in on it. I have seen anger on both sides, and have hoped to remain quiet in the middle.

The problem with remaining quite is that the story goes on without me. People still talk. Only now, without me speaking up, they interpret things how they see them.  They fill in the blanks that I have left with other people’s experiences, or their own assumptions. They may hear many different stories, but none of them are mine.  In an effort to reclaim my own story, I have decided to start blogging about it. This blog is completely dedicated to sharing my personal journey out of the Mormon church. (And maybe some of JT’s experience as well, if he wants me to share them.)  No one has to read it. My small family may be the only people who ever care what I have to say. And that is OK too. I just need to make sure that if my story is being told, that I am the author.  That is why I have chosen to put myself Back in the Narrative.