Thank you both! This journey has been challenging but so wonderful.
The reasons for leaving the LDS Church are numerous. From social and experiential, to doctrinal and dogmatic. My three earliest “HUH?” experiences were when I realized parts of the Book of Mormon were EXACT (including italics!) copies of verses in the King James Version of Isaiah (Isaiah 48–49 → 1 Nephi 20–21). My seminary (LDS theology classes for 15-18 year olds) teacher was unable to explain why this could be. Also when I realized, in my World History course in high school, that there was not silk, steel, or cattle in the Americas until Europeans brought them.
And, of course, D&C 132, which is essentially a letter from “God” (copied down, of course, by Joseph Smith) telling Emma Smith, Joseph Smith’s wife, to go along with polygamy else she’ll be damned. “And I command mine handmaid, Emma Smith, to abide and cleave unto my servant Joseph, and to none else. But if she will not abide this commandment she shall be destroyed, saith the Lord; for I am the Lord thy God, and will destroy her if she abide not in my law.”
My mother, a teacher in Relief Society, was studying John Taylor, the third president (equivalent of Pope) of the LDS Church. She started reading non-Church approved books about him, as she was fascinated with his story and his thoughts on polygamy. Well, once you start you just cannot stop. The LDS Church quickly unravels. It felt so clearly to me and my family a money-making, power-attaining scheme by Joseph Smith.
That said, I think a lot of what the LDS Church teaches about family (aside from polygamy) is beneficial. I am very close to my family and I think a lot of that has to do with our upbringing in the LDS Church. I think the LDS Church works for a lot of people. I don’t judge my friends or extended family for continuing to be active in their Church. I want to make that very clear. This is my experience. I don’t like the LDS Church, but I love many of its members.
I was agnostic until a conversation with a couple of friends got me rethinking about God. I started dating my now fiancé, who is a cradle Catholic, and we started getting kind of serious – thinking about marriage and our future together. I decided I better learn more about the Catholic Church. I have since fallen in love. It’s such a rich tradition with so much fascinating history and an authentic understanding of the Gospel. It just fits me. I never knew, after leaving the LDS Church, that I could feel close to God. But I do. I think every little step along the way was leading me here, including my decision to move from Utah to California, my decision to date a Catholic boy and to follow that feeling to discover. I am home!
As I said earlier in this thread, I understand why Mormons think they are Christian – even in the name of the Church is Jesus Christ! But really, it is such a peculiar religion, very unlike other sects of Christianity. So different, I really don’t think it’s a form of Christianity. Their entire understanding of God is so different!