Mormonism: Former Mormon Explains Why She Left the LDS Church

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I got to talk to Brandi Bronson, who is the author of “The Journey to Jesus: Finding Christ After Leaving Mormonism”. She shares her story about growing up in the LDS church, and explains the moment she realized that the church wasn’t true. She eventually found the Jesus of the Bible. Brandi also answers my “outsider” questions about coffee/caffeine and whether the LDS church really taught that you could be a god of your own planet. (NOTE: We used some terms you might not be familiar with if you didn’t grow up in the church. I’ve got a list of some terms and definitions below in case you need it). 

Seminary: A religious education program for high school students in the LDS church.

General Conference: Worldwide gathering of LDS members twice a year to hear from leaders.

Restoration: The LDS belief of the modern-day return to the original gospel. They believe the gospel became corrupted and Joseph Smith restored it.

Standard Work: The 4 LDS scriptures, which include the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Pearl of Great Price, and Doctrine and Covenants.

The Prophet: The LDS church leader. He is the one that speaks on behalf of God to the LDS church.

Bishop: local/congregation level leader in LDS church. The position is unpaid.

Priesthood: The LDS belief of a received “power and authority” of God. African American members weren’t allowed to receive it until 1978.

Celestial Kingdom: The top level of heaven. The only place where God the Father dwells in LDS theology.

Brigham Young: the 2^nd president/prophet of the LDS church, after Joseph Smith. Young led the church on the trek from Illinois to Utah in 1847.

Kinderhook Plates: In 1843, men engraved symbols on plates and buried them. They then tricked Jospeh Smith to have him translate, as they said they had found ancient records.

Priesthood Keys: The rights of presidency, or the power God gives to the prophet to govern and direct the LDS church.

CES Letter: A document that lists problematic challenges to foundational truth claims of the church.

Sons of Perdition: Those not worthy enough to dwell in any of the 3 kingdoms of LDS theology.

Telestial Kingdom: The lowest level of heaven, or “kingdom of glory”. This is where the Spirit will visit, but none in this kingdom will see Jesus or Heavenly Father.

Pre-Existence/First Estate: The LDS belief that all people lived in God’s presence before this life as His literal spirit children.