In this collection of stories, women share their experiences of journeying away from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and returning to it again. For some leaving the Church was a simple choice; for some, relationships and life circumstances made it more complicated; some were disfellowshipped or excommunicated. All chose to return. These are their stories, their reasons, their testimonies.
15 posts displayed

Christ Lives

This story is part of our Tales of Return collection. Read more from Tales of Return. In 2016 I had a series of events that created... (Read More)

On My Road to Damascus

Robyn Burkinshaw is the secretary of her stake Relief Society, and a gay woman. She was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day... (Read More)

So We Can Be Together

This story is part of our Tales of Return collection. Read more from Tales of Return. I left the Church due to an unhappy marriage and... (Read More)

Buried Deep Inside

This story is part of our Tales of Return collection. Read more from Tales of Return. I was the young lady that attended every meeting—first to... (Read More)

My Hope is Greater Than My Fear

This story is part of our Tales of Return collection. Read more from Tales of Return. I’m not sure anyone even knows I left the Church.... (Read More)

Bearing the Weight

Kathleen Flake is the Richard Lyman Bushman Chair of Mormon Studies at the University of Virginia. This paper was originally given at Sunstone Symposium XI, and published in... (Read More)

I Am Not Denied

This story is part of our Tales of Return collection. Read more from Tales of Return. I “quit attending” when I was about 16 due to... (Read More)

Full Circle

This story is part of our Tales of Return collection. Read more from Tales of Return. I have not walked a traditional or simple journey of... (Read More)

I Felt the Lord’s Love for Me

This story is part of our Tales of Return collection. Read more from Tales of Return. Due to an early childhood sexual experience, I did... (Read More)

Charity is the Key

This story is part of our Tales of Return collection. Read more from Tales of Return. I was raised in an LDS home with good... (Read More)

Miraculous Ways

The following interview with Olivia Foo Fung Leung Luk was first published by the Mormon Women Project in March 2014. A job loss. A family... (Read More)

People Like Us Do Things Like That

The following interview with Raquel cook was first published by the Mormon Women Project in February 2014. Raquel Cook’s biography so far might read like... (Read More)

When You’re Ready

The following interview with Pam Shorr was first published by the Mormon Women Project in August 2013. When Pam Shorr decided to stop attending church, she... (Read More)

In the Lord’s Time

The following interview with Peka Holmes was first published by the Mormon Women Project in August 2013. As a wife and mother in a part-member... (Read More)

Playing from Her Heart

The following interview with Tina Richerson was first published by the Mormon Women Project in May 2013. Tina knew from a young age that music... (Read More)
The LDS Women Project

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