Out of Mormonism's Podcast

Matt tells why he believes Latter-day saints are deceived by their feelings. Matt explains that the devil would not be a very good liar if people could recognize by their feelings that he was a demon. Matt demonstrates why his new belief in Christianity is based on objective truth.

My brother, Matt Poland, tells his perspective on growing up in our Mormon family. We reminisce about our childhoods and some of the things we learned from our devout LDS parents. Matt explains the strong support we experienced, both in our LDS family and the LDS community. After Matt’s marriage, he became involved in discussions with a Christian at work about Mormonism. He felt confident he was right about Mormonism, but, could not convince his co-worker. Later, he was confronted with questions he could not answer, which prompted him to do his own search for the truth.

Jim and Judy finish their story by explaining why they started the ministry at Concerned Christians. Both believe that the relationship they have with the Biblical Jesus has given them hope that the Mormon Jesus could not give.

Judy believed that the reason why she joined the Mormon faith was because she and Jim did not fully understand Mormonism or the teachings of the Bible. After they joined the church, Jim and Judy began finding teachings within the Bible that contradicted the teachings of Mormonism. Neither Jim or Judy told the other the things they were finding because each believed the other would leave them for questioning the beliefs of Mormonism.

Concerned Christians’ founders, Jim and Judy Robertson, share their testimony of joining the Mormon Church, out of a local Lutheran church in which they were both active. Jim’s Lutheran upbringing and Judy’s Disciples of Christ upbringing were not enough to prepare them for avoiding the pitfall of Mormonism. At the time of their conversion to Mormonism, Jim and Judy were active participants in a Lutheran church in Arkansas, and neither had any intention of joining the LDS church until Jim met some LDS friends and business associates in Arizona. Being impressed with their lifestyle, Jim, and then Judy, became curious about their beliefs.

Scott finishes his story by explaining about how his decision to leave Mormonism proved to be the final step that destroyed his marriage with his Mormon wife. Scott tells how his family reacted to his new Christian beliefs. His brother wanted to know why Scott felt that Mormonism was not Christian. Scott answered his brother by explaining that the gods of Mormonism were not the same as the one God of the Bible.

Scott Bennion explains about the questions he asked were dodged by family members and church leaders. Scott did not have a testimony of the church but wanted to receive one. Although Scott took the actions necessary to prove his faith he found that the answer never came. After years of searching he found that the Bible had answers Mormonism did not have.

Tony’s divorce from his Mormon wife led him to find a Christian roommate. Tony was embarrassed by the divorce and felt like he could hide out at his Christian friend’s apartment from the Mormons in his ward. Tony began attending church with his friend hoping to become a better Mormon. As Tony continued to attend at a Christian church he started to realize that Mormonism was not Biblical.

Tony Amodeo grew up in New York State and was a good Catholic. As he headed to college he was exposed to Evangelical Christians that continued to badger him about saying the sinner’s prayer. Tony obliged them so that they would finally leave him alone. Later his roommate exposed him to Mormonism. The Mormons asked Tony questions about heaven that he could not answer and provided answers that felt good to Tony. Tony was very impressed by the life the Mormons led; they seemed so happy. Tony joined the church and showed fanatical devotion to the faith. Yet God had other plans for Tony.

Justin and Christy finish their story by explaining the best way to witness to those lost within Mormonism. Justin felt that some of the lies told by well meaning Christians only helped Justin to join the LDS church. Christy expresses the hope she gained by embracing Biblical Christianity.

Justin describes how his investigation into early Mormonism uncovered some Mormon doctrines that surprised and troubled him. Justin was greatly troubled by the fact that the Mormon Church appeared to be covering up these doctrines. As Justin became more and more distressed about his discoveries he began sharing these problems with Christy. Christy believed that she would be able to find answers to Justin’s concerns. As she began to investigate further she was surprised to find that Justin’s concerns were valid. Christy began to realize that the LDS church was not true.

This week, Justin and Christy Carlson tell their story. Justin was a convert to Mormonism, though raised by Christian parents in an evangelical church. He describes his curiosity about Mormonism and how friendships made with Mormons caused him to investigate and join the LDS Church. Christy was born and raised Mormon. In Part 2, next week, hear her story of how the light of truth came on in her mind and heart.

Sherry Benson tells how she struggled with the idea that she would have to get married someday to receive eternal life in Mormonism. She could not bear the thought that she would have to have kids and do the Mormon family thing and she needed a break. So she took a break from going to church and looking for a husband to save her. Her plans unexpectedly changed when she was exposed to Biblical Christianity through the book of Job.

Mike had a problem. He was attending a rock concert and felt the Holy Ghost of Mormonism. He knew that feeling from church but knew that could not be the Holy Ghost at a rock concert. Mike began to wonder if he had been deceived by his feelings because all he believed was based on that feeling. Mike today has left Mormonism and describes the struggles he believes most Mormons go through when they leave.

Mike tells his story about leaving Mormonism. Mike's story shows the price many Mormons face when confronted with the truth. Mike sought to find the answers to his questions about Mormonism from church leaders so that he could be a good Mormon. When his church leaders could not answer his questions, he was surprised to find the answers in Christianity.

John and Noni Lee compare and contrast their lives as Mormons vs. their lives as Bible believing Christians. John and Noni also describe their family reactions to their decision to leave the church. They provide insight into how Mormons react to early Mormon history and changes in Mormon history and doctrine.

John and Noni Lee discuss their journey out of Mormonism. John and Noni discuss the LDS temple ceremony and why Mormons feel they must not talk about it. John served as a veil worker in the Mesa AZ Temple before he and his wife left Mormonism.

Latayne finishes her story by demonstrating how the Mormon Church has poisoned the well of biblical Christianity. She also answered the question why she used fiction writing to expose the falsehoods of Mormonism. In conclusion, Latayne shows how Pastors can prepare to help former Mormons transition from Mormonism into the local Christian church and belief system.

Latayne shares her insight into the loving way to witness to Mormons. Latayne's hope in Christ after leaving Mormonism has greatly improved her life and she loves gently explaining why she felt the need to leave Mormonism. Latayne tells about why she wrote her latest fiction book "Latter-Day Cipher"- a murder mystery. Latayne believes that as a Mormon reads Latter-Day Cipher they will gently be confronted with the darker side of Mormon history throughout the story.

Latayne describes her struggle to embrace Christianity and God after leaving Mormonism. As Latayne and Andy discuss the difficulty she had in severing her ties to Mormonism, Latayne asks Andy how the temple ceremony connected and tied Andy to Mormonism and the difficulty of cutting those ties. Andy answers by describing his first time through the LDS Temple and how he felt a deeper connection to Mormonism after his experience in the temple which made leaving Mormonism more difficult. After Latayne embraced Biblical Christianity, Latayne explains the difficulty she had in relating to the Christians in the church she was attending. She began to feel that life within Christianity would never be as good as within Mormonism until she met a former Mormon who had converted to Christianity. Latayne relates some of the wrong ways to reach out to Mormons in transition out of Mormonism and the right ways to help them.

Latayne tells her story about how she became a Mormon convert at age 11 along with her father. She fell in love with the story of the Book of Mormon and with the culture and lifestyle of Mormonism.  While Latayne was attending BYU her Christian Mother introduced Latayne to Christian men hoping that Latayne would fall in love and leave the Mormon Church. Although Latayne had no interest in leaving Mormonism, Dan Scott began asking questions that began troubling Latayne about her dearly loved Mormon beliefs.

Duane tells about his life growing up in Snowflake AZ. Snowflake is 95% Mormon and Duane relates how he felt like he grew up in a Mormon bubble. Duane explains that although he was a "jack" Mormon he strongly believed in Joseph Smith. After his marriage to a Christian Mennonite woman, Duane explains how God led him out of Mormonism.

Eric and Cassie describe how they met and fell in love. Eric and Cassie felt that they should be married but never resolved the issue of their beliefs until after. Cassie felt she could covert Eric to Mormonism. Eric believed that God led him to marry Cassie. God used their relationship to reveal the truth to Cassie.

Eric and Cassie Secor explain how they met and how Cassie left Mormonism. Eric was never LDS and tells of his life before he met Cassie. He was married to an LDS woman and was taking the missionary disscussions when he was converted to Biblical Christianity. His LDS wife was disappointed to learn that he would not accept Joseph Smith as a prophet.

Andy Poland finishes his testimony. Andy explains why leaving Mormonism made it difficult for him to become a Bible believing Christian. Jim and Judy Robertson from Concerned Christians helped Andy to find faith in the Biblical Jesus. At the Concerned Christians’ Thursday night meeting several Christians prayed for Andy’s active Mormon wife- asking God to send Lori to next week’s meeting. Andy could not believe it when Lori decided to go to next week’s meeting. Andy’s new hope in Christ has radically changed his life giving him hope rather than fear.

Andy Poland the host of Out of Mormonism and general manager of Concerned Christians tells his story of how he left the Mormon church.  Andy explains the ministry of Concerned Christian and how Jim and Judy Robertson started the ministry. Andy also explains how Concerned Christians reached out to Andy and his family to help him out of Mormonism.

In this episode, Brian explains why the Mainstream Mormon church cannot successfully separate itself from its polygamous past. In addition, Brian explains what blood atonement is and why he felt righteous justification in planning to kill his own father. As Brian’s story takes surprising twists and turns, Brian relates that his journey out of Mormonism began when he became one of Fundamentalism’s “lost boys.”

Brian describes his journey out of Fundamentalist Mormonism. Brian's story was not anything I expected. Brian grew up in Salt Lake City in the FLDS church rather than some remote compound. He played football with Warren Jeffs as a kid right there in the Salt Lake Valley. In this episode, Brian explains why Fundamentalist Mormons still practice polygamy. He also addresses the question - Who is more closely following the teachings of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, the Fundamentalists or the mainstream LDS church? Brian also describes what his life was like living in a polygamous household.

Coming to Christ does not always mean being confronted with the incorrect doctrine of Mormonism. Christine explains that she found a loving relationship with Christ because Christians in her life and showed her the love of God. Christine finally understood what free grace was when her Christian pastor explained unconditional love from the book of James. Since she has come to faith in Jesus her new life has meaning and direction she could not find in Mormonism.

Kristine describes her life as a Mormon. Kristine lived in an ideal Mormon family that was very active in the church. Her life began to change when her mother and father got a divorce. Kristine began to question whether her family would make to the Celestial kingdom. Kristine's response was to try even harder to be good enough to get there. Although she tried very hard to be perfect, she found that she could not measure up.

Ted describes the tipping point that caused him to leave his Mormon beliefs and embrace Christianity. A conference at his church talking about Mormonism coupled with his brother coming to faith in Jesus had a profound change in Ted's life. Robin Shaffer describes the surprise she felt as she saw her husband Ted walk down to the alter call after twenty years of praying for her husband. In addition, Ted describes how he became involved with the ministry at Concerned Christians.

Ted Shaffer tells about his involvement within the Mormon church. He describes how the Boy Scouts of America are a major part of the Mormon church and his life as a Mormon. As Ted began attending college he met his Christian wife, Robin. Ted kept the fact that he was a Mormon from his wife until after they were married for two years. Robin discovered his Mormon scriptures in his truck and confronted him. Ted said that Robin's discovery shook their marriage.

Heidi describes the difficulty in accepting her fiance's conversion to Christianity. Although she felt separated from Mormonism she still believed in and defended Mormonism, as Clay showed her the differences between Christianity and Mormonism. Clay's questions forced her to do research to find the truth. After a year of research, she left Mormonism and embraced a belief in Jesus. Although her family rejects her new beliefs, Heidi says that her relationship with Jesus has never been better. 

Heidi describes her experience as a Mormon. Her Mother and Father both were respected Mormons in the Church. Her siblings were good Mormons living as Mormons should. Heidi describes mistakes she made and how these decisions caused her family and friends to treat her differently. The judgement of family and friends and new found freedom caused her to make more bad decisions. She describes how she met her husband and his conversion to Christianity.

John and Noni Lee compare and contrast their lives as Mormons vs. their lives as Bible believing Christians. John and Noni also describe their family reactions to their decision to leave the church. They provide insight into how Mormons react to early Mormon history and changes in Mormon history and doctrine.

John and Noni Lee discuss their journey out of Mormonism. John and Noni discuss the LDS temple ceremony and why Mormons feel they must not talk about it. John served as a veil worker in the Mesa AZ Temple before he and his wife left Mormonism.

Amy finishes her testimony by describing the hope she feels now as a Christian verses the fear she felt as a Mormon. Amy says that she could never go back to being a Mormon and expresses her gratitude to God for saving her.

Amy describes her research of Bible translation. Her research gave her reasons to trust the Bible and helped her belief in Jesus. The results of Amy's Biblical research was suprising to her, because Mormon history was so full of problems.

Amy Snow tells how she defended Joseph Smith and the LDS Church until she could no longer do so. Her story tells of her heartache as she left the LDS faith.

Andy finishes his story and explains how his wife decided to leave Mormonism. Lori told Andy that he was "ruining her life" as he was sharing the problems about Mormonism. Concerned Christians prayed for Lori to attend the Thurday night meetings. Andy never thought she would ever walk through Concerned Christians doors.

Andy Poland tells his story of leaving Mormonism and embracing Biblical Christianity. He tells of how he became involved with Concerned Christians-a ministry dedicated to helping Mormons become believers in Biblical Christianity. Andy became the General Manager of Concerned Christians when founders Jim and Judy Robertson retired from the day to day operations.