Just wanted to share a family success story...

Hi, heathens. In case you needed a glimmer of hope today, sometimes the family members who you never thought would see the church for what is is, do come around. I left the church in 2013 as a fresh BYU grad after moving to big/bad/scary Los Angeles. (Read the CES letter right when it first started circulating online and was done overnight.) My relationship with both of my parents immediately descended into about 5 years of screaming matches, disconnection, and ultimatums. Hurtful things were said on both sides-- a situation I am sure many of you can relate to.

After those initial years, it became a topic we mostly avoided, but when current events forced an LDS-adjacent conversation, we could eventually discuss without crying angry tears. I still never thought in a million years that they would ever understand my new reality or see the church the way I do now. Slowly, I rebuilt a relationship with my mother by finding common ground and becoming true friends with her again. Then over the last couple of years, conversations about polygamy, church finances, the Book of Mormon's truth claims, clergy abuses, etc., became regular again and she started expressing disillusionment and willingness to learn more.

Fast forward to 2026--she is out. She no longer attends or pays tithing, and yesterday she told me she has stopped wearing garments after nearly 40 years. I'm so proud of her and happy that she gets to discover her identity without this cult for the first time in her life.

If you've got a family member you are hoping will get out, a little love and understanding goes a long way. Keep the faith, brothers and sisters. ;)