I recently received (and responded to, as you will see below) the following letter. At the letter writer's request I have changed the names:
Thank you so much Latayne. I live in (place withheld) and a friend down the street from me and I were in conversation and she didn't know I was raised as a devout Mormon, was Seminary President in high school, did Baptisms for the Dead, and went to BYU. I told her for the past 12 years I haven't set foot in a Mornon church mainly because I just didn't believe in the prophet Joseph Smith's teachings and I don't believe he was a prophet. I also believe we are saved by grace and not by works. My husband (who was never raised in any faith and only goes to the non-denominational church we go to now just to be an example to our two small children) and I have been married for eight years and I've always felt that one day I probably would go back to the Mormon church just because it's what I felt was what I “knew”; and deep down I wondered –well what if it's totally true after all…what if I won't know my family after I die because I didn't get sealed to my husband or children?
I still always defended the church as being “Christian”; because that'ss what I had always been taught. That is, until last week.[My friend] told me that she knew you, so I looked you up online and found a WEALTH of information. I have to honestly tell you Latayne, I haven't had peace like I feel now. I didn't know SO MUCH…mostly what flabbergasted me was the temple rituals being so closely related to Free Masonry. I never visited the temple as an adult so what goes on was a total mystery to me. What keeps playing through my mind is how as a child and how as a Young Women's accompanist I would sing and play “I Love To See the Temple, I'm going There Someday…” and I realized it really is brainwashing!!!!!!!! I have had PEACE this week from pouring myself into the information you have online. It's not hateful at ALL…simply facts that those struggling in faith like me can use. It gives me great comfort feeling that I made a good decision. What I've realized this week is that I truly did accept Jesus Christ as my Lord & Savior years ago even when I was a practicing Mormon, but the definition has changed and I realized I need to get baptized in a CHRISTIAN Church. So this weekend I am being baptized!!! I can't even tell my own mother…it will truly CRUSH her. But I'm telling you, a woman I dont even know, because of the peace I've gained this week from your words.
Thank you from the bottom of my very grateful heart!!!
Hello! You didn't mention your name (so I for sure won't include it when I post your letter 🙂 but I am SO glad to get to know you! What would we do without [friends in] our lives, who give us direction when we need it! Give her a big hug from me!I'm so happy my website was helpful to you. Please, let me help you if questions arise. And I'd love to hear about your baptism afterwards. That is wonderful!
Your letter made my day!
Yours and His,
Latayne
