Earlier this year Reuters reported that the top leadership of the Mormon Church is not only aware of the fact that Mormons are “leaving [the Church] in droves,” but the leaders “really care” about the situation. Additionally, ex-Mormon discussion and support groups have popped up all over the Internet. In answer to the “I’m a Mormon” ad campaign produced by the LDS Church, former Mormons produce their own videos explaining, “I’m an ex-Mormon.” Similarly, an interested investigator might visit both the “Mormon Scholars Testify” website and “Ex-Mormon Scholars Testify.” Clearly, people are actively leaving Mormonism and looking for something better.
It is admirable that so many ex-Mormons make themselves available to others who are struggling with doubts about their Mormon Church membership as well as the transition out of Mormonism. While a lot of what is available for exiting Mormons is helpful, much of it leaves out the very thing that would be the most help to these hurting people: a living relationship with the Gentle Healer Himself, Jesus Christ.
It’s heartbreaking to see exiting Mormons go through periods of feeling betrayed, disgusted, angry, confused and, finally, so spiritually despondent that many abandon faith altogether. They have left the “comfortable” atmosphere of Mormonism for a world that is a total mystery to them–and they have no idea how to navigate through it.
One former Mormon who has successfully traveled the rocky path from Mormonism to biblical Christianity is Katrina Marti. Katrina’s ancestors sat at the feet of Joseph Smith, witnessed Brigham Young take “the mantle of Joseph,” crossed the plains with the Martin Handcart Company, and lived The Principle of polygamy in obedience to the Mormon Prophet. Katrina was born into this Mormon legacy, lived it, and “loved it.” But God reached into her life and took hold of her. Katrina studied her Bible with a passion and, in her own words,
“…to my great surprise, my Bible studying led me away from the LDS church and not toward it. Within six months of attending the ladies’ Bible study and tenaciously studying even more on my own, I found myself really and truly out of the LDS church—heart and soul.
“The journey, however, wasn’t so very easy. In fact, it was hard. It was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done. For me, to make the transition to biblical Christianity from Mormonism was to turn my back on my friends, my upbringing, my heritage, my pride, and nearly everything in my life up to that point…it was relearning practically everything I’d ever known or learned about God, who He is, what He wanted from me… It was also risking rejection by my family, my friends, and others I truly cared about. In some cases, these were people who in many ways were nearer to me than my family. It was telling them I thought they were wrong and then dealing with the consequences in our friendship as a result. It was losing the security of knowing I was in the one true church, knowing its routines and patterns, as well as the ebbs and flows of life in that church. It was literally a step of faith off the cliff of the known into the unknown.”
Katrina knows and understands what so many other exiting Mormons are now experiencing. She knows their fears; she understands their feelings of vulnerability. And she stands ready to help them make the transition from Mormonism to biblical Christianity. In Katrina’s new book, Making the Journey, former Mormons will find Katrina’s compassionate and empathetic encouragement to recognize that “God is big enough to handle all your fears, doubts, troubles, insecurities, and even temper tantrums.”
Making the Journey is a very practical book, addressing very real questions born of belonging to the Mormon Church. From discussing various issues related to the Bible (e.g., “Can I Trust It?” “Which Version Can I Trust?”) to church-related questions (e.g., “Which Church is the True Church?” “Why Go to Church at All?”) to doctrine (e.g., “Who Am I?” “Who Is God?” “One God, Three Gods”) to understanding the place of law in a Christian’s life (e.g., “The Sabbath, the Word of Wisdom, and Other Bits of Legalism”), Katrina’s answers are soundly built on a scriptural foundation and written in language former Mormons will understand.
Unusual for a Christian book written for Mormons, Katrina does not quote Mormon leaders or other Mormon sources. She assumes her readers, as former Mormons, already know what Mormonism teaches. They, like Katrina, have lived it. Katrina’s goal is not to help her readers better understand Mormonism, but to remove any barriers that might keep them from placing their hope and complete trust in Christ.
Always speaking honestly, Katrina does not sugarcoat the hard truths associated with leaving Mormonism. Nevertheless, she wants to be sure her readers know this:
“Despite the battle, despite the loss of relationships with LDS members, family members, and dear friends, and despite the uncertainty and fear we’ve experienced, every single one of us is glad that we’ve made the transition. The cost is high—but the prize is much, much better than anything we could ever imagine.”
Katrina has made the difficult journey from Mormonism to Christ; through her book, she is ready to walk with you all the way to the foot of the cross.