Hello SS ~ I think I can understand. While I was not born Mormon, I had to face the same thing when I left my own church.

See, I was born Catholic, and had to follow all the teachings, etc. There are rites we have during our growing up years "bring us into the church." I believed during all those years, until I got into my teens, and then things didn't make sense. I began questioning things -- why this, and why that? But no one would answer me -- I was supposed to blindly follow. Which I suppose is what faith is all about -- but some questions COULD have been answered and instead I got a swift whack with a ruler by the NUN who taught us.

I talked to my Mother, and told her that some things just didn't add up -- and the fact that no one in the church would even answer my questions made me suspicious! She told me the same thing -- Faith. Well, at the time that wasn't enough. And the cruelty (more than just the whack of the ruler!!) of the Nuns was too much so I told her I couldn't attend anymore, and I was leaving the Church.

She wasn't happy, but since I was 17 at the time, there really wasn't much she could do about it. The Church has pretty much "brain washed" us anyway, and for YEARS I had major problems and had to see a therapist to try to handle these problems.

I agree you should talk to former Mormons and see how they handled it. But don't stay in a church and blindly agree with everything. I think it's good that you should question.

God bless and please take care! Hugs, Lee