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I'm (No Longer) a Mormon: A Confessional by Regina Samuelson
Now in her 30's, Regina Samuelson has decided she can no longer be Mormon. This is not as easy as one would She was born in the church, educated at BYU, married in the temple, and is raising more Mormons. She faced a serious keep quiet (and avoid losing everything dear to her), or tell the world what being raised LDS does to a person's psyche, especially when they realize that everything they were taught and everything they hoped to believe is a lie. To expose the difficulty faced by Mormons who leave the Church and to seek support for their plight, Regina offers a first-person confessional memoir recounting her many atrocious experiences, managing to weave in enough humor to keep you turning pages, and enough brutal honesty to bring you to an understanding of what it is to be a Mormon, and to try to leave it behind...
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First published November 7, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 19, 2016
I stumbled upon this book through my kindle unlimited account after listening to a podcast about a woman who walked away from Mormonism. This book was very hard to read at times. The author shares her story about growing up in the LDS faith and enduring mental, emotional, and sexual abuse in the community and at school. The author attempts to expose what she believed was a fabricated story about Joseph Smith and Bringham Young, the founders/prophets of Mormonism. Additionally, there were various stories attempting to discredit Mormonism and reveal its hypocrisy. At times, I was very angry especially after reading parts of the book related to sexual abuse. While I admit that I do not know a whole lot about Mormonism, I definitely see some similarities from my own experiences.
I attended a very religious Jewish school for three years when I was a kid and can identify with how difficult it is to be affiliated with an oppressive religious institution. There are so many unnecessary ideals and rules imposed on the followers of fundamentalist movements not to mention the harsh and painful consequences towards those who disobey. These experiences lead a significant percentage of them becoming emotionally and psychologically unstable, often perpetuating the abuse that they’ve endured. Yes this has been clinically proven for all the devout deniers out there.
After my mother took me out of the school and transferred me into a public school, I received non-stop phone calls for months from the school administrators telling me what a disgrace I was.
At the end of the day, I commend the author for sharing such a personal and at times painful story. My heart and prayers go out to her. I realize that some parts of the book could have been organized a bit better but that is small scale stuff. The story is too important not to share. I hope more people read this book, especially those that have been in similar situations and need hope to move on. What drives me nuts about any fundamentalist religion or cult is that each denomination believes they are God’s chosen people and have a monopoly on the truth. I think all of them will be in for a rude awakening after they die and realize that God is not the arrogant, misogynistic, hateful, and controlling asshole that they unknowingly portray God to be.
I attended a very religious Jewish school for three years when I was a kid and can identify with how difficult it is to be affiliated with an oppressive religious institution. There are so many unnecessary ideals and rules imposed on the followers of fundamentalist movements not to mention the harsh and painful consequences towards those who disobey. These experiences lead a significant percentage of them becoming emotionally and psychologically unstable, often perpetuating the abuse that they’ve endured. Yes this has been clinically proven for all the devout deniers out there.
After my mother took me out of the school and transferred me into a public school, I received non-stop phone calls for months from the school administrators telling me what a disgrace I was.
At the end of the day, I commend the author for sharing such a personal and at times painful story. My heart and prayers go out to her. I realize that some parts of the book could have been organized a bit better but that is small scale stuff. The story is too important not to share. I hope more people read this book, especially those that have been in similar situations and need hope to move on. What drives me nuts about any fundamentalist religion or cult is that each denomination believes they are God’s chosen people and have a monopoly on the truth. I think all of them will be in for a rude awakening after they die and realize that God is not the arrogant, misogynistic, hateful, and controlling asshole that they unknowingly portray God to be.
August 22, 2013
This is a great book from a woman raised and married in the Mormon church who subsequently sees through the lies and abuses of the church and decides she can no longer continue believing.
It is not a scholarly book detailing with footnotes the thousands of lies, deceptions, and manipulations of the Mormon church. There are plenty of books like that available, some of which are mentioned in this book. But this book focuses on the personal, heart-wrenching experience of an intelligent person coming to terms with the fact that what she has been taught for her entire life is a pack of lies.
Sadly (for me), the anonymous author has not terminated her church membership because she is still married to a believing husband and trying to raise two believing children. That is frightening, because it is hard to see how it can have a good outcome. In my experience, once the genie has been let out of the bag, you cannot get it back in. I hope she can find a way not to screw up her children's lives by raising them as Mormons.
I left the Mormon church about 30 years ago after reading The God Makers and realizing that the teachings of the church are lies. Leaving was difficult, but freeing.
It is not a scholarly book detailing with footnotes the thousands of lies, deceptions, and manipulations of the Mormon church. There are plenty of books like that available, some of which are mentioned in this book. But this book focuses on the personal, heart-wrenching experience of an intelligent person coming to terms with the fact that what she has been taught for her entire life is a pack of lies.
Sadly (for me), the anonymous author has not terminated her church membership because she is still married to a believing husband and trying to raise two believing children. That is frightening, because it is hard to see how it can have a good outcome. In my experience, once the genie has been let out of the bag, you cannot get it back in. I hope she can find a way not to screw up her children's lives by raising them as Mormons.
I left the Mormon church about 30 years ago after reading The God Makers and realizing that the teachings of the church are lies. Leaving was difficult, but freeing.
July 17, 2013
Powerful, relate-able, and the only one I know of its kind. It makes you laugh, makes you cry, and wakes you up to the plight of the indoctrinated, Mormon or otherwise. Beautiful.
July 24, 2021
Relatable book truth
This book is relatable well understood by me I feel so much the sane as she in this book she spoke of reality and how we feel being in a cult, religion that controls all aspects of your life. Was comforting to know for sure I am not alone! I highly recommend their were moments if laughter for me and tears of sadness that are hard to explain unless you are having a faith crisis yourselves! Thank you Regina
This book is relatable well understood by me I feel so much the sane as she in this book she spoke of reality and how we feel being in a cult, religion that controls all aspects of your life. Was comforting to know for sure I am not alone! I highly recommend their were moments if laughter for me and tears of sadness that are hard to explain unless you are having a faith crisis yourselves! Thank you Regina
December 19, 2019
Interesting book
The author's point is that upon leaving a cult, these people need love, support, help. This is very informative and she writes from the heart...I have been reading so much lately about Mormons, Amish and loved this viewpoint from a mom and wife. Regina, I'm cheering for you!
The author's point is that upon leaving a cult, these people need love, support, help. This is very informative and she writes from the heart...I have been reading so much lately about Mormons, Amish and loved this viewpoint from a mom and wife. Regina, I'm cheering for you!
October 10, 2016
Interesting & enlightening
I enjoyed this book, reading it in one day. I learned so much about Mormonism & the LDS church. I can't begin to imagine what the author has been going through for so many years. I am an imperfect Christian but I know my many sins are forgiven and that I am loved. The most wonderful thing about my salvation is that it's simple and free, not earned. I will pray for you and your family Regina.
I enjoyed this book, reading it in one day. I learned so much about Mormonism & the LDS church. I can't begin to imagine what the author has been going through for so many years. I am an imperfect Christian but I know my many sins are forgiven and that I am loved. The most wonderful thing about my salvation is that it's simple and free, not earned. I will pray for you and your family Regina.
December 9, 2013
I found this book to be a well written confessional from someone who was raised in the Mormon Church and had some very strong attachments to the church.
The beginning I thought was overly emotional. I've never been so attached to a church before. So, I found this puzzling. It wasn't until I read more that I found how all encompassing the LDS church was in her life.
This is the story of a woman named Regina (not her real name) who has left the Mormon Church. While you will find details of the church that may be new to you. This isn't the real reason for this book. Regina wrote it as a confessional about her own personal struggles with the Church of Latter Day Saints. Any and all church history and so-called secrets she talks about within it's pages all lead back to the reason she was having such a hard time remaining a member.
I applaud the author's emotional honesty and courage in writing this book. In daring to publish this book, she risked everything, including her family.
The all encompassing nature of such a faith reminds me of a cult. And that's something the author talks about. It's far to easy to make those comparisons if this is the first book on the Mormon Church you have read. While I'm an atheist. And I have no desire to join any religion. I don't plan on this being the only book on the Mormon Church that I will read. This book was a free Kindle book that will provide a jumping off point for my continued research into this and other religions. I'm a curious person. And I'm curious to find the origins of organized religions and what inspires them. With the ultimate goal of trying to understand why mankind thinks they need religion.
Thank you Regina. Whoever you are. I thoroughly enjoyed your book. And I look forward to reading your blog.
The beginning I thought was overly emotional. I've never been so attached to a church before. So, I found this puzzling. It wasn't until I read more that I found how all encompassing the LDS church was in her life.
This is the story of a woman named Regina (not her real name) who has left the Mormon Church. While you will find details of the church that may be new to you. This isn't the real reason for this book. Regina wrote it as a confessional about her own personal struggles with the Church of Latter Day Saints. Any and all church history and so-called secrets she talks about within it's pages all lead back to the reason she was having such a hard time remaining a member.
I applaud the author's emotional honesty and courage in writing this book. In daring to publish this book, she risked everything, including her family.
The all encompassing nature of such a faith reminds me of a cult. And that's something the author talks about. It's far to easy to make those comparisons if this is the first book on the Mormon Church you have read. While I'm an atheist. And I have no desire to join any religion. I don't plan on this being the only book on the Mormon Church that I will read. This book was a free Kindle book that will provide a jumping off point for my continued research into this and other religions. I'm a curious person. And I'm curious to find the origins of organized religions and what inspires them. With the ultimate goal of trying to understand why mankind thinks they need religion.
Thank you Regina. Whoever you are. I thoroughly enjoyed your book. And I look forward to reading your blog.
December 28, 2015
The first half of this book is excellent, pointing out "the man behind the curtain" of Mormonism's past & present, giving us an insider's commentary on policies, beliefs, and rituals. The second half of the book falls apart. This is where the author grinds her many personal axes with the Mormon church, focusing heavily on the double standards that exist between men & women in sexual issues. In fact, she describes a couple of date rape/molestation events which happened to her, and how she was led to feel guilty by church authorities after discussing the incidents. From there we are told a bit more than necessary about her and her husband's current sex life, and about her enlightened and liberal view on gay rights. Finally, we are reminded that even though she's spent 183 pages exposing and bashing Mormonism, she STILL BELONGS TO THE CHURCH. To leave, she explains, would leave her without family, husband (who, incidentally, seems as disenchanted with the whole business as the author does), and social connections; plus, her children would suffer "psychological damage" from being uprooted and pulled away from this cultish system because it's the only religion they know. Apparently, after airing all the Church's dirty laundry and discussing in-depth the mind control practices effected by church leaders, the author feels that having her children leave the church would be more psychologically damaging than staying in it? This revelation caused me to lose any credibility I'd granted her while reading the first half of the book.
December 28, 2015
I don't always take changes on self-published books, but I'm glad I did with this one. The author does a great job of describing her how her views evolved from being a devout Mormon to someone who doubts everything the Mormon church teaches. I learned about what its like to be a Mormon from the viewpoint of someone who has been there. I also found a lot of parallels between her story and mine, even though I moved from traditional Christianity into atheism (the author herself has not (yet) embraced nonbelief) I hope she finds the courage to leave her faith publically, though i can see why she doesn't- it would jeopardize just about every relationship she has. A very powerful book which explains how a person grows out of the faith they were taught as a child. I really related to a lot that was in this book. Its true her writing style was kind of disorganized but because of the nature of the book I didn't feel it hurt what she was saying. And I liked her informal but direct way of talking to the reader.
September 1, 2014
It amazes me how similar and how individual each story of leaving Mormonism is. I feel a kinship with Regina Samuelson. Her mind seems to work much like mine; we ask questions and aren't happy with half-answers. We want things to make sense. We seem to have studied similar things at BYU (I also spent time in the HFAC and accompanied students to Cedar City) and her stories of teaching in Utah were sadly familiar.
Leaving Mormonism is hard. It leaves you stranded in so many ways. I appreciate her honesty, in telling her story, in sharing her own mistakes and in her pleas for compassion for those leaving Mormonism. She is right; we need help.
I've read so many stories of people leaving the church. I keep thinking I'll get tired of them, but I don't. They are so honest and reflect so much pain and hope.
Leaving Mormonism is hard. It leaves you stranded in so many ways. I appreciate her honesty, in telling her story, in sharing her own mistakes and in her pleas for compassion for those leaving Mormonism. She is right; we need help.
I've read so many stories of people leaving the church. I keep thinking I'll get tired of them, but I don't. They are so honest and reflect so much pain and hope.
October 22, 2013
I didn't like it. In looking at other reviews, it seemed to resonate more with other Mormons/reformed Mormons (?). She just seemed kind of all over the place and it was difficult to follow. Also, while I do realize that religions are different, I could easily carry over many of her complaints to other religions. I didn't really get the point of her book, but maybe that's because I had to stop reading it about 30% of the way in.
August 20, 2015
Very good.
I could relate all the way. I have a daughter-in-law who experienced the same type of date rape at BYU as she did . I was raised in the LDS church and I'm now at age 61 going through a faith crisis. I have the same feelings , the same outrage, the same grief , that those of us learning about our religion are going through. Thank you for writing this book.
I could relate all the way. I have a daughter-in-law who experienced the same type of date rape at BYU as she did . I was raised in the LDS church and I'm now at age 61 going through a faith crisis. I have the same feelings , the same outrage, the same grief , that those of us learning about our religion are going through. Thank you for writing this book.
October 16, 2013
The author is admittedly biased, but provides an interesting insider's perspective. The most interesting part for me is her struggle between her rational thinking and the conditioned responses programmed into her (as she sees it) by her former religion.
June 11, 2015
At times interesting, at times heart-rending, this book is a great read for anyone trying to understand and be supportive of Mormons in transition. The author is a very engaging and creative writer! The writing style and content sucks you in and makes for a most fascinating, enjoyable read.
March 8, 2016
Putting words to my feelings
This story was a good read for me. The writer took the feelings of anger, frustration, and disappointment I had and put words to them. I would recommend this book to anyone who has left the LDS church. Or otherwise thinking of doing.
This story was a good read for me. The writer took the feelings of anger, frustration, and disappointment I had and put words to them. I would recommend this book to anyone who has left the LDS church. Or otherwise thinking of doing.
September 8, 2016
writing was bad. no nuance. ax to grind.
It was a cheap kindle book; had to quit at 42% complete.
It was a cheap kindle book; had to quit at 42% complete.
January 5, 2017
I really liked this book because I could personally relate to it so well. It gives a really good look into what it's like being a part of the mormon culture, and what it is like to leave it.
April 26, 2017
The author gives her account of being raised Mormon and living life as a Mormon. I feel her information is accurate and she has valid complaints against this religion. The writing was very angry (understandably) at times and I felt more as if I were reading someone's ramblings, rather than an organized manuscript. I admire her courage to speak out against this religion.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews