Dear Joe Letters: Breaking up with the Mormon church

This letter is to a specific leader who felt it was appropriate to reach out to my 18-year-old daughter to save her from her feminist and LGBTQ+ supporting views. Dear Youth Leader:  I have read the text messaging conversation between you and my daughter. While I understand that you have the best intentions in contacting her, I feel it is my duty to address this conversation. To begin, I'm not sure why the Instagram photo on her story caused you such concern. The photo only said, "I was born gay. You were taught religion." How is this a problem? Both of these statements are true. Even the church, speaking of "same-sex attraction," has come around and stated that, ". . .  individuals do not choose to have such attractions" ( https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/official-statement/same-gender-attraction). So, being born gay is not an opinion. And how can you question being taught religion? How else do we get religion? You HAVE to be taught it. Even ...

 I know this one is strange, but I wanted to write my feelings about missing the first General Conference that I can remember in my life. Dear General Conference: I must apologize for missing our twice-yearly date. I'm sure that you were expecting me to show up with notebook and colored pens in hand. I do appreciate the years of  suggestions of how to live my life. I'm sure you meant well all along the way. However, I have now begun to understand how mental abuse in a relationship works. Whether you mean to or not, the way you talk to me is very judgmental. If you want me to change or become a better person, threats of being alone or not being good enough is never a good way to motivate someone. At the end of conference I usually feel overwhelmed and guilty, instead of inspired and uplifted. Sure, that could be my fault for not preparing and being unwilling to feel the spirit, or perhaps those words are just another example of the gaslighting I have finally come to recognize. ...