Dear Joe Letters: Breaking up with the Mormon church

I recognize that many bishops in the LDS church are not good men, and I want to own that fact. However, I have been lucky in the "bishop lottery" and the bishops I have gotten were all men doing their best (as far as I know). So, please take this letter as it is intended, knowing that I understand not all bishops are good men. This letter is addressed to my current bishop. Dear Bishop:  I want to say thank you for the great things you have done for our ward. I see the hard work and sacrifice that you and your family have given to help people. I especially appreciate the energy and support given towards the youth. Please know that my husband and I leaving the church has nothing to do with us being hurt or offended. As people grow and mature it is a natural progression for us to think and question. Our beliefs have begun to morph into a worldview that is more accepting and universal than the doctrine taught by the church. I believe that most of the teachings of the church are g...

  What does money have to do with religion? A lot. Read on. Dear Rich Mormons:  Did you know there is a caste system in the LDS church? I bet you don't, because you are at the top. Look around you and notice who is holding all the "top" callings. Notice which families are always at every Sacrament Meeting and every activity.  Families who are more financially stable are more successful in the Mormon church. We can talk about finances specifically when we talk about tithing. If you do not pay your full 10% tithing every year, you cannot enter the temple. While you may assume that 10% is fair, in reality a family who is trying to make ends meet with $3000 a month has a much harder time giving up $300 than someone who is making $10,000 a month has in giving up $1000. Imagine trying to decide between paying your rent for the month or being able to accompany your 12-year-old daughter to the temple for her first baptism trip. These choices would never occur when your family...