As I have gotten older, it has become increasingly clear to me that most people do not seek to discover truth. Rather, they seek to validate whatever it is that they want to believe and then call it "the truth".

This is why i make sure to use my words very intentionally when I speak about my beliefs.

Lots of people casually say "I can't drink coffee, I can't cuss, I can't watch that movie"

I hate that, because that language removes the agency that I personally have.

I can drink coffee. i CHOOSE not to. I can say whatever words I want. I make a choice every day to not. I can watch any movie. But I don't.

I am not passively following what I am told. I am actively choosing what I spend my time on every day.

Hanks: "I could now be an adult..."
Christ: "Ye must become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God."

22:15 The happiest I have been in my life, mission, husband, father, etc… has been when I’m really not doing anything for myself, but building/contributing to something bigger than myself. Before my mission I was extremely materialistic, on my mission I wasn’t really buying/doing anything for myself yet I was way happier. It was a huge epiphany.

I grew up Christian Reformed, converted to the church when I was in college, and converted back 3 years later(long story). I struggled (and still struggle) with some of the deeper teachings of the Church because my years growing up in the RCA. I must say though, I stumbled across this channel, and a podcast called Standard Of Truth, and the explanation of things has gotten me thinking I may be wrong. Have in the last few days been pleading to God to give me an answer as to wether or not the church is true, that JS was a prophet, and that the beliefs I currently hold are incorrect. I have begun rereading the BoM as well to see if the Holy Spirit will speak on its validity. Anyways, I ask you wonderful people to pray for me in this quest, I just want to worship the Father, and Jesus in the best way possible. Regardless, I will always respect the members of the church, such wonderful people. God Bless.

Good point ,Jake “when you find yourself, you lose yourself ;  when you lose yourself for Christ’ sake , you shall be found “

I remember very clearly the church policy that came out a decade ago. A young girl in my extended family was preparing for baptism, but she was forbidden because her parents were in a same sex relationship.

I felt hurt by the announcement of the policy. I decided to take my questions and concerns to the Lord. My answer came so clearly that this church is the church of Jesus Christ. He is very aware of my beloved family and loves them.

In the end, things worked out well for her. She was baptized, and I couldn't be happier for her.

This Gospel saved my life. It’s a treasure. 💛

This happens a lot. People decide they want to leave, but they take years, not searching for truth or reasons to stay, but collecting reasons that they're justified in going until they believe they have an iron-clad case where no one could blame them for leaving.

Imma just say it. Don’t be surprised if she decides to return to the fold. Whatever the reason for leaving active membership behind, there’s always the chance they will come to themselves and return.

Let’s pray for her to now experience the other half and see the fruit she’s missing.

I was born and raised in the church in Hawaii. Baptized at 8, Eagle Scout, honorably served a 2 year mission in Japan.

I went inactive for 35 years. Once I touched enough stoves, and studied enough alternative doctrines, I realized that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has the most complete doctrine on earth.

My thanks to Jacob Hansen, aloha my bruddah, and also the Ward Radio, Stick of Joseph, and The Keystone peeps for keeping the faith and sharing our apologetic with the world!!

David Alexander, Jasmine Rappleye, For all saints etc.

I think there should be some room for a counselor to say it is okay to leave the church. When my brother was at BYU, he went through a faith crisis. It was so messy in his head that he became suicidal. At the BYU Counseling Center, he was advised to leave the church "for now." Otherwise, he could have ended up taking his life.
Ten years later, my brother is still alive, somewhat back in the church, and still trying to figure out his life.
Sometimes a truth seeker needs some healthy space.
The only downside is the stupid choices some people make during that "soul-searching" period.

1:01:30 for me, it comes down to, "Pick your hard." As a homeschooling, business-building, military spouse, I'll choose my hard over and over again because it is fulfilling, jam-packed with love and growth, and I'll miss these hard times when they're gone.

I have had depression for a very long time and what I learned from it is happiness is overrated. When I seek happiness I end up right back where I started and sometimes in an even worse state. What we need to seek after is joy. And joy comes from having a life filled with meaning and purpose.

I started following Julie about 5 years ago because she was an lds counselor, and about 4 or 5 months in, it was clear to me that I had to unfollow her. Spiritual discernment is such a blessing. I could tell she was working in half truths and confusion.

It seems she only stayed "active" because that's where she was gathering her followers

Both of my parents are converts. There’s a drastic difference between the life I have being raised a member of the Church vs. the lives of my cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. I see all these people (mostly my age) leaving the Church. They can’t see what a blessing the Church has brought to their life being raised on a solid foundation with generations of righteousness and wisdom. After my mom got into genealogy she discovered my convert dad came directly from a pioneer family to arrive first in the Salt Lake valley. I had no idea I came from pioneers. Their son stopped going to church and it affected generations. Not even my grandma knew she came from Mormon pioneers. Because of the choices of my 5th great grandfather, it took four generations away from the Gospel. They missed out on growing up in the Church.

I’m a 74 year old baby boomer . I was born in 1950. I am very sad to hear this about Julie Hanks. But to be honest, I’m not at all surprised. The first time I heard her speak I knew this story would have this outcome. So I have been waiting for this to happen, wondering how long it would take.  Being an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints isn’t always easy. There have been times when I just wanted to walk away. It would have been so much easier. But then I would have to ask myself what I really believed. And I have always come to the conclusion that this is the Lord’s church, and no matter who I’m mad at, who has hurt my feelings, this is still the Lord’s church. And if I want to have peace in my heart, I will cling to Jesus Christ and his church with everything that I have in me.🙏❤️🕊️

Dr Hanks is such a beautiful soul, she got me back into church ironically. I hope nothing but the best for her! God bless her.

It always intrigued me verse 18 in Alma 30 - the Korihor chapter - saying "And thus he did preach unto them, leading away the hearts of many, causing them to lift up their heads in their wickedness, yea, leading away many women, and also men, to commit whoredoms—telling them that when a man was dead, that was the end thereof"  - says women first ... "Leading away many women , and also men..." Julie Hanks makes this make sense. She's echoing Korihor.

If one is regularly attending the House of the Lord, the experiences, the spirit, the presence of the Lord, His love that is immensely felt in there gives no way to leave His church. There’s no other place on earth, that gives you such peace such love and understanding than the House of the Lord.