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October 2007 Expositor

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October 2007 Expositor THtri\trW trXPOSITOR QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE EXMORMON T'OUNDATION No. 3 FALL 2OO7 A l2-StepProgram for Recoveringfrom Mormonism By Richard Packham and Matthew P. Barnson Trouroro, of peoplesuferingfrom 3. I make to myself a frm promise to 8. I make a list of those for whom it the devastation of alcoholism hqve been listen in the future only to reason, would be important to know of my rationality, and factual evidence in helped by following the "Twelve Steps" decision and the changesI am making in developed by Alcoholics Anonymous. making decisions about how I should my life, and preparemyself emotionally Marry other programs dealing with live my life, rejecting all emotional to discuss my decision with them all, appeals, guilt-inducing threats, myths, recovery .from drug addiction, realizng that many may re,aclwith hurt, overeating, and other addictive pretty stories, promises of castles in the anger, emotional outbursts, or other behoviors have adapted AA's Twelve air, and superstition. unpleasantness. Steps. Those leaving Mormonism usually are dealing with similar problems of 4. I make a searching and fearlessmoral 9. I discuss my decision with them and intellectualinventory of myself with recovery, and the following ,s an (except in those cases where I think it the purpose of recognizing in myself adaplation of the Twelve Steps for help would cause greaterharm to do so than those weaknesseswhich induced me to i n r ecov er ing fr om M orm onism. not) in a calm, friendly and loving way, remain Mormon for so long. without argument. 5. I itemize (preferably in writing) to 10. I continue to take personal inventory, (and l. I admit that I am powerless to change myself and to a trusted loved one to and where | find artifacts of Mormonism, the fact that I have been Mormon for a a higher power if I believe in one) the I carefully consider whether they should good part of my life, whether becauseI specific reasons why I can no longer be continue to be a part of my life, or was bom to Mormon parents, or because Mormon. whether I should discard them. I voluntarily converted. 6. I make the decision to do what is I l. I seek out truth wherever I can find 2. I realizp that I have within me the right, and to acc€pt whatever the it, whether religious or secular. power to free myself from the harmful consequencesmay be for acknowledging (with part of my Mormon past the help the truth and living accordingly. 12. Having had an awakening and of a higher power if I believe in one), renewal as the result of these steps, I try through each of my and that I am no longer bound by 7. I begin working to be helpful to other recovering or problems of mind, promises or covenants which I was Mormonism-related doubting Mormons, and to practice these and (if I believe in induced to make based on the false body, relationships, principles in all of my affairs. promisesof Mormonism. such a thing) spirit. A Messagefrom the President DVD Project Nears Completion The October conferencein Salt During the past few months a Lake City will climax an eventful year major undertaking of the Foundation has Work on a DVD featuring a number of for the Exmormon Foundation. After been the production of a documentary well-known ex-Mormons explaining two very successfulterms, Lou Wagner DVD which we hope will be completed why they left the church, is stepped down several months ago as in time for showing at the conference. nearing completion. The DVD, Foundation president, and in replacing Another project has beenthe inauguration commissioned by the Exmormon him I realize that I am having some big of our quarterly newsletter, The New Foundation,is still unnamed as we go to shoesto fill. Another dedicatedmember Expositor. press, but is expected to be completed in whose serviceswill be greatly missed is time for a showing at the October Matt Barnson,who is relinquishing his Having been among those who conference in Salt Lake City. position as the Foundation'swebmaster. attendedthe first meeting of our group in '1'997, Matt's many hours of service to the Las Vegas in when it was just an Among those interviewed in the DVD organization have been a major informal get-together of a bunch of are Simon Southerton, DNA contribution, and his audio recordings of people with a common interest, I have researcher; Ken Clark, former presentations at the annual conferences, been impressedwith the Foundation's CES employee; Bob McCue, which have been available on the remarkable gowth over the past ten attorney; Arza Evans, retired Foundation website, have been years, and I am confident that it will professor,Bill Gardiner, clinical appreciatedby hundreds who were unable continue to grow and provide social worker; Tal Bachman, to attendthe conferencesin person. companionshipand support to thosewho professionalmusician; Tracy Bachman, have shared the often wrenching English convert; Richard Packham, A new member of our Board is experienceof leaving Mormonism. retled teacher and attorney; Jarom Jarom Smith, whose enthusiasm and and Smith, former missionary; Dennis dedicationare a welcome addition. He SandyCrain Farley, author and attorney; and Sandy has been an active participant in ex- Crain, president of the Exmormon Mormon activities the past severalyears. Foundation. Several of the Mixed Reviews for participants have served as bishops or held other positions of authority in the THE NEW EXPOSITOR SeptemberDawn Church prior to their resignation. Fall2007 The long-anticipated movie based on When completed, the DVD will be No.3 the Mountain Meadows Massacre, available for purchaseon the Exmormon September Dawn, has met with mixed website. Publishedquarterly by reviews. Roger Ebert awarded it a The Exmormon Foundation thumbs down, and Entertainment www.exJnornonfoundation.ore Weekly called it "...a plodding and highly questionablehistory lesson." The How to Join or Donate OFFICERS Boston Globe said, "...it only servesto remind us of one of the uglier chaptersin Membership in the Exmormon American history." Foundation is open to everyone President:Sandy Crain interestedin Mormonism. Annual dues or for two Vice President:Sue Emmett On the other hand, MatchFlick gave are $20 per person, $35 personsat the sameaddress. Secretary: Chad Spjut it five stars, and Maxim's Peter The Foundation is an IRS Tax- Treasurer:Brian Madsen Hammond said, "Despite awkward Exempt Organization, and all donations direction by Christopher Cain and uneven MembershipSecy.: Ken Roach made to the Foundation are fully story-telling, September Dqwn Member:Jarom Smith is often deductible as charitable gifts. We gripping and fascinating, packing a welcome contributions of any size, and Editor, The New Expositor powerful punch particularly in later commit to using the funds carefully and Ed Bliss scenesas the tension escalates." efficiently in advertising our presence and supporting people in their journey Perhapsthe Seattle Times reviewer put (or News and lettersto editor should be out of Mormonism. Dues donations) it best: "SeptemberDawn is well-crafted can be sent to Exmormon Foundation, sent1o The New Expositor as a revisionist Western with a message. c/o Brian Madsen, 4332 Coldwater P.O.Box 384, Lompoc CA 93436 If the messageis muddled, there's plenty Canyon#1, SrudioCity CA 91604. or e-mailto of literature to clear the facts - or to [email protected] make the matter even more bewilderins for those seeking truth, Hear these speakers at the 2007 Bmormon Conference October 12 74, SaIt Lake City Bob McCue Returning by popular demand after a stellar performance at last year's conference, Bob McCue will speakon "Damage Contol, Healing, and Growth in Post-Mormon Relationships- Sisyphus,Icarusand the Holy Grail." Brian Patrick Noting the 150th anniversaryof the darkestmoment in Mormon history, Brian Patrick will show his fim, Burying the Past: Legacy of the Mountain Meadows Massacre, and will discuss his experienceswith Church authorities and with the Fancherfamily while filming it. Art Vanick As co-author of Who Wrote the Book of Mormon?: The Spalding Enigma, Art Vanick has been interviewed many times on radio programs about his book. F.A.R.M.S. has published a 130- page rebuttal to the book - which obviously stirred a lot of interest! Dan Fischer. D.D.S. Dr. Fischer,the dinner speakerSaturday evening, was raised in a third-generation polygamous family. After leaving the FLDS church he establishedThe Lost Boys, to help boys, some as young as 13, who have been were kicked out and abandonedby polygamous families. Bill and Mel Gardiner and Janet Jacobson Bill Gardiner, a former CES employee,his wife Mel, who was raised in a family of l3 children, and JanetJacobson, a convert at 18, a divorced mother of 5, will discussways to leave guilt behind and find a passionfor life again after Mormonism. A questionperiod will follow. Ravmond A. Hult A retired FBI Special Agent and former Mormon bishop, Ray Halt is author of An Agnostic View of BothersomeMormon Doctrine. A fervent follower for most of his adult life he decidedto subject JosephSmith to the credibility standardshe used in his criminal investigations.. Nannette Martin After 27 years as a dedicatedchurch member, Nannette suffered depressionafter trying to live the gospel, and tried the internet to find kindred souls. On leaming the "real" history of Mormonism, she and her husbandvisited their son in the mission field to sharetheir discoveries. For registration informotion, visit the ExmormonFoundation website www. ex m o r mo nfo un d at i on. o r g/ 2 00 7C o nfer e n c e Hotel registration: EmbassySuites Hotel 110West 600 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101 Telephone: (801)359-7800 Some Favorite Websites There are many websites that are helpful for Bob McCue's website...Thoughtful observations former believers who have left the LDS Church, or about the Mormon mind-set by a former bishop.
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