Leaving the Fold: Candid Conversations With Inactive Mormons

by James W. Ure

Anyone raised a Latter-day Saint belongs to the culture, no matter how they may try to escape its influence, observes Ure after conducting the eighteen interviews that comprise Leaving the Fold. While examining the cultural influences on well-known "Jack Mormons" -- people who no longer actually participate in church functions -- the author wanted to explore the issues that separate them from their common roots. Interestingly the participants expressed respect for the church, its leadership and members, but hinted at a disappointment and longing, a sense of futility in their search for a promised ideal. Ure wonders if this is ironically due to the concept of perfection taught by the church.The author chose men and women who were raised LDS but left when they were older, and whose life experiences allow them to render thoughtful analysis of their religious choices. Readers will realize that every Mormon -- active or not -- is in some ways similar, something Ure hopes both groups will come to understand about the other

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Mormonism

253 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1999

Reviews

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a difficult book to review, because I think it is for a very specific audience. Non-Mormons will probably not understand a lot of what is referred to, unless they are intimately familiar with the LDS church. Ex-Mormons who have had their names removed will probably not understand the mindset of many of these people, who for the most part do not believe at all, but for various reasons either don't want or don't feel they can have their names removed from the records. Active members of the Mormon church will, by and large, not understand these people either. I completely understand that these are generalizations, and of course there will be exceptions. But overall, this book's audience seems to be people like me - those who are inactive in the LDS faith and don't have any desire to return, but don't hold much anger or animosity toward active members, although the organization itself can still stir up those feelings.

So it seems to be geared toward a small group. But many of these stories are quite affecting. I was particularly touched by those of many of the Mormon feminists. I also found Cal Rampton's story very interesting. There are several subjects who chose to remain anonymous, and for the most part, I found those stories less effective, perhaps because it was harder to connect with the nameless. But the last story in the book was anonymous, and I found it very stirring.

Overall, this is not a book for everyone, but those who chose to read it will find it thought-provoking and worth the time.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's well written - not a hater-ator book at all. All the people interviewed are from Utah and most are really involved in the local politics there. I have been interested and surprised learning the churches stance against the Equal Rights Movement back then.
I liked how honest and varied each interview was. The same questions were asked of each but their answers were all over the place. Some people don't believe in God at all and some are really close to Christ but need more freedom to worship than their upbringing allowed. I would reccommend this for people interested in the church or even on the fringes that need to feel understood by someone.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting perspective through interviews with well-known Mormons no longer practicing the Mormon religion. The people interviewed were articulate, intelligent, and the questions for the interviews, as well as the process to select the interviewees was careful and thoughtful. Most surprising in the interviews was that most did not consider returning to the "fold" but few or none wanted to be withdrawn from the rolls of the church. An opportunity to learn more about a religion that has always mystified me, and that I have resisted understanding because of their position on women. That was reinforced in the reading.

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essays and interviews with individuals, some well-known and some not, who were active members of the Mormon church at one time...with discussion as to why they are no longer. They all seem to have difficulties with the First Vision and The Book of Mormon. If one doesn't have a real testimony of those two things then there's not much point, in my mind, of being a member. I found this very insightful and even tender at times.