Determined to know the truth, Tracy and Scott embark on an intense fact-finding mission. Desperate to find evidence to support Mormonism, their travels take them to Utah, where they meet with an LDS Institute Director, active LDS relatives, and the notorious Jerald and Sandra Tanner, and Dennis and Rauni Higley. What they discover shakes them up even more.
The night the Oprah Show airs, Tracy gets a surprise phone call from Becky, "The Other Woman" in the love triangle of 20 years before. She's told the startling news that Becky left the LDS Church just a few months before and had become a Born-Again Christian. Tracy is sure this is her chance to bring Becky back into Mormonism.
With tattered tee-shirt, threadbare jeans, and a crumb-laden bosom resembling a snack tray, Tracy (now the ward's new Relief Society president) is escorted to Harpo Studios in Chicago to appear on the Oprah Winfrey Show for a Frumpy Clothes Makeover. Does Heavenly Father hear and answer prayers over pet fish? Maybe the answers are different than we expect.
Have you ever taught a lesson that went so badly it caused a class member to run screaming from the room? Some Relief Society lessons are like that. At least this one was. The way Tracy handled it propelled her to a new level of fame and respect within the ward.
It seemed like some people had a direct connection on the Holy Ghost Hotline and were on a first-name basis with the Godhead. Many of her LDS friends claimed having visions, dreams, and daily promptings of the Spirit. Wondering what was wrong with her, never seeing "dead people" in the temple (sleeping people perhaps, but not dead ones), Tracy begins to practice hearing the "still, small voice" with some unintended consequences.
Historic interviews with LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley by Mike Wallace of 60 Minutes and Time Magazine have members of the Church excited, anticipating what the prophet will tell the world! Tracy is troubled by some statements that seem less than forthright. Her brother-in-law tells her not to worry; that the Church is true even if some of its leaders aren't real "prophets, seers, and revelators." He explains that one day soon the Lord would come to "clean house" and set His church in order.
Did the people across the street have something against large families or something against Mormons? Tracy couldn't wait to move out of the neighborhood, away from those "born-again Christians." Her neighbors weren't the only ones who didn't like Mormons. When Walter Martin discussd Mormonism on his radio program, "The Bible Answer Man," he got the facts right, but always put them in the worst possible light. One day Mormons would be vindicated and the whole world would see that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church on the face of the earth! The immediate problem was that Scott wasn't so sure about that anymore after reading the book, "By His Own Hands Upon Papyrus."
Close Encounters of the Teenage Kind. Tracy faces challenges as she takes three of her kids to have their wisdom teeth removed. Each one of them manifests a variety of side effects from the anesthesia; everything from pole dancing to macho-man calisthenics to incessant talking. Do moms really sign up for this?
Tracy and her two sons are chased by hillbillies across a parking lot and down a back-street. After that harrowing event, life seems to settle back down when a disturbing and heartbreaking situation develops. Tracy learns about being judgmental; what goes around, comes around.
Ahhh, the joys of motherhood! Nothing like children who put things up their noses (keys, beads, fingers) or roll along the church pew at breakneck speeds. Join Tracy in her pursuit of parenting perfection.
Tracy is introduced to popular Christian music and begins incorporating it when asked to sing special musical numbers in Sacrament Meeting and other Church events. She and Scott become well-known for their talents, despite being so bad at one time that they were given a 5-dollar tip to stop singing.
Is the United States Constitution divinely inspired and to be considered Scripture? Joseph Smith and other LDS leaders have prophesied that the Constitution would "hang by a thread" and the Mormon people would rescue it from destruction. Who will survive the coming calamities? Will the only safety to be found be in Jackson County, Missouri with the LDS Church?
Three hitch-hikers disappear from the back seat of your car after warning you that the End of the World is near! Are you ready to walk to Jackson County, Missouri to escape the coming calamities? Never fear when food-storage is here! Chapter 7.
Having rambunctious children doesn't exactly endear a family to neighbors! Tracy learns that actions lead our emotions, and if you "do right" you'll "feel right" in relationships.
With no working car, Tracy goes to the hospital on a motorcyle to deliver her third baby. She meets two special women in the ward who later become her best friends. A high-profile ward member loudly chastises Tracy in front of the whole congregation during the passing of the Sacrament. Tracy leaves in tears, vowing never to return. Will she become an inactive member or come back?
Tracy's LDS Institute teacher tells her that polygamy will be a common practice among church members during the Millennium; an idea she is not crazy about but will deal with when the time comes. She prepares for her temple endowment and sealing to her husband.
Scott brings home a mysterious package he finds in a dumpser. Will it be filled with coins or jewels? Will it be the end of his and Tracy's "Hamburger Helper" days? Chapter 3.
Unable to marry Donny Osmond, Tracy settles for a mere mortal from her ward; a returned missionary who, at the ripe old age of 26, had not yet found "Miss Right." The only problem was trying to eliminate the competition. Chapter 2.
Tracy is introduced to Mormonism at the age of 13. Her family moves to Utah where she meets the boy of her dreams: Donny Osmond. Chapter 1.
First in a series of bonus episodes, this is the introduction to the compelling autobiography; Mormonism, the Matrix, and Me. Tracy discusses the purpose of the book and introduces listeners to the concept of a "spiritual Matrix," designed by the Enemy of our souls to blind us to God's truth.
The Apostle Paul wrote, "If possible, and to the extent that it depends on you, live in peace with all people." Tracy discusses the importance of transparency and patience with loved ones as you make the transistion out of Mormonism. In the words of leadership expert Simon Sinek, "Good leaders make you feel safe." When your active LDS family members feel safe around you, remarkable things can happen. In the conclusion of this series, you will be encouraged to know that God is FOR you, not against you, as you go through the process of leaving the Church. The basis for the series on Leaving Mormonism is the Kindle book, "Confessions of an ex-Mormon: What I Wish I Knew When I Left the Church" (available on Amazon).
The emotional challenges of leaving Mormonism include living with fear and regret and isolating oneself from others. Tracy discusses how to overcome these negative emotions and move toward recovery.
Active Mormons sometimes think that people who leave the Church are trading Mormonism for hedonism; in other words, they leave for the purpose of living a life of debauchery. Nothing could be further from the truth, yet that is a common misperception. Tracy discusses how flaunting our newly acquired vices (coffee, tea, Mike's Hard Lemonade, and fishnet stockings) impact our LDS family and friends (or ex-friends).
Of all the mistakes made when someone leaves the Church, forgetting tact and sensitivity is one of the biggest. In this segment of "Leaving Mormonism," Tracy talks about the harm done to relationships when we disrespect the beliefs of our LDS family and friends by using sarcasm, inappropriate humor, and arguing. As Oliver Wendell Holmes advised, "Don't flatter yourself that friendship authorizes you to say disagreeable things to your intimates. The nearer you come into relation with a person, the more necessary do tact and courtesy become."
How will my spouse and kids react when I tell them I no longer believe? What will my Mormon relatives and friends say? How should I respond to ward members? These are some of the questions Mormons ask as they begin the process of leaving the Church. In this episode, Tracy talks about how it feels for individuals leaving Mormonism, some of the reactions they can expect from others, and what their loved ones might be feeling.