Life After Ministries Management Team
Michelle Grim
Michelle was a 6th generation Mormon who’s family background included polygamists. After a lifetime in the Mormon Church, Michelle left the church in search of the truth. Though she would find that lasting peace in Christ, it did come with a price. Michelle was rejected by her friends and family in Utah and treated like the worst kind of criminal. The Mormon Church has attempted to persuade her to come back to the Mormon Church and renounce her Christian faith, even going as far as pressuring family members. Since she left, the LDS Church has long persecuted her by using character assassination as their weapon. Ironically, although Michelle would once spit in the face of Ed Decker for his efforts to shed light on Mormon beliefs, she eventually joined forces with him and worked along side Mr. Decker at Saint Alive for 11 years. Michelle and her husband, Kirk, have two beautiful daughters, ages 20 and 18.
Kirk Grim
Kirk joined the Mormon Church in Thousand Oaks, CA. in 1981. Shortly afterwards, he joined the Air Force and was immediately stationed at Hill Air Force Base in Layton, Utah where he met and married Michelle Parker. Over the next 10 years he began questioning the teachings of the church and comparing it to the Biblical perspective which ultimately led to his discovery of the true Jesus Christ. Kirk and his family now reside in the Northwest where he and Michelle have ministered to countless Mormons. Kirk also came from a background of Masonry and has extensive knowledge about the Lodge and its affects upon the Christian’s life. Kirk retired from the Air Force Reserves and continues to work in the aviation industry.
Kent Otott
Kent is the Executive Director for North Central Kansas Teens For Christ, Inc., headquartered in Concordia, KS. His primary duties include the overseeing and production of the Teens For Christ Bible Clubs and Teens For Christ Rallies along with other youth ministry functions. He has been with North Central Kansas Teens For Christ since January, 1984. Kent is a graduate of Christ Unlimited Bible Institute, which was operated by a ministry formally known as Kansas City Youth For Christ.
Kent’s local ministry involvement included being the treasurer of the Concordia Ministerial Association. He created a jail ministry program for Cloud County. He serves as the Chaplain for the Concordia Fire Department and has been invited to start a chaplaincy program for the Concordia Police Department.
Kent has recently been added to the board of directors of the Nauvoo Christian Visitors Center. He has helped with their outreach programs for since 2001. His interest in counter cult ministry has grown since beginning serious research in 1998 and has sought to educate people in north central Kansas and south central Nebraska.
We have many faithful volunteers on our staff who willing lend their time to us to bring Jesus Christ to the lost.
Our volunteers include:
Melissa Grimes
Melissa converted to Mormonism after getting married. She was a faithful, temple going member of the Mormon Church for thirteen years. It was through a television documentary three years ago on the Masons that led Melissa to ask some serious questions about Mormonism. Since then she has left the Mormon Church for a relationship with Jesus Christ.
[…] Who are We? […]
god bless all of you i to learned the truth about the cult..poor old tom,so many are leaving his money is running low
he needs to starve for all the lyes hes told and the money hes stole.i hope they loose there tax exsemp status and he and all the rest will be in hell with there god saten
To Paul Harris: What are you talking about? Please explain your post…
Translation of Paul Harris post:
“He [Thomas Monson] needs to starve for all the lies he has told and the money he has stolen. I hope they [LDS church/Mormon Inc.] lose their tax exempt status and He [Thomas Monson] and all the rest will go to hell with their god Satan.”
Ex-Mormon:
I can understand how you feel. I too felt very angry when I first started investigating the LDS religion I was born into and lived out for the first 26 years of my life. Thankfully by the Grace of God, He set me free… and I am free indeed.
Try and do what I did when I left the church. I focused that anger and feelings of betrayment into love and compassion for the LDS people. Namely because all the people I had ever known and loved were still in the church. I started witnessing to all people about Jesus and how he had set me free. I not only witnessed about Jesus, but I also warned people about the false teachings of the LDS church. That they have a great veneer of Christianity, but the church is like a whitewashed tomb. I had to get the word out to fellow Christians and non-believers that the even though the LDS church had the “structure” and the “answers” to the tough questions in life, (which makes them so attractive to lost people), the structure is a yoke and the answers are heretical when compared to the Bible.
Pray for Monson, and all the LDS people that the Holy Spirit will reveal to them the Truth that can only be found in the “God breathed” Word of God. That having an answer for every little thing does not mean that it is true. Men can “interpolate” anything to support their ideas.
“His ways our higher than our ways, His thoughts are higher than our thoughts”
How deep are the riches and the glory of God. His judgements are unsearchable and His paths beyond tracing out.
Are you still out there? Camden C? Can you contact me?
I am so glad I found this blog. I am currently in the process of leaving the Mormon Church and as you probably know, it is far from easy.
Hey there Salt Lake!
We wanted you to know that we’re praying for you! When you’re comfortable with sharing let us know how we can pray for you or how you decided to leave.
I wanted you to know I am praying for you! I left the church 9 years ago, I am Free in Christ! It is so amazing. I have a Mormon Recovery Ministry on FB. Right now we are doing a study in Hebrews on “Our Great High Priest.” I am sure this information will be helpful to you.
God Bless, La Vonne
We need your testimony on our site! 😉 When you have time why don’t you e-mail it to me? 🙂 I know your story will bless many people my dear.
Michelle
Thank you very much Michelle for this opportunity to share my story. I have started a Mormon Recovery Ministry on FB and I am seeking a church to host this ministry here in S. Cal. There aren’t any former Mormon ministries here. I also just completed my book, “Loved into the Light, Shining God’s Light on Mormonism.” Please tell me more about your ministry.
Here is the intro from my book. Please let me know if you would like to adjust it. I am hoping that if you paste it as an intro to my book it will bring awareness of the book.
Introduction – Journey to Freedom
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
– John 8:32
I was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. I lived a pretty sinful life growing up and was introduced to the Mormon religion when I was 19 years old. Some of the girls at the beauty college I attended sent the women missionaries to my home to teach me about the Mormon faith. I didn’t know it at the time, but my soon to be husband was a Mormon.
The gospel they introduced me to was not the Gospel I know now. I was taught very little about Mormonism, but I was taught that Jesus loved me—which was enough for this sinful, spiritually hungry girl. I wanted His love and forgiveness, and so I was quickly baptized into the Mormon Church.
What started out as my love for Jesus and His love for me turned into a continuous battle to try to earn and be worthy of through a set of rules imposed upon me. I would continually try to perfectly adhere to these rules, thinking it the only way to maintain this love and forgiveness that I had found. Soon, the Church made it necessary that I change my lifestyle even more—not that the way I was living was bad during that time; it just didn’t conform to their worldview. I had to adapt to these new laws and rules that I never even knew existed before I was baptized. For a while, it seemed that each new member that came into my life, whether they were a leader or just a member of the congregation, had a new rule to offer me. I continued to obey these rules and encouraged my family to do the same.
I remember vividly a time when my husband wanted to take our 10-year-old daughter out on a Harley ride and get a Jamba on a Sunday. I got so upset with them because this was not honoring the Sabbath—a rule I was told to keep in order to keep me on the path to salvation. Additional rules began to affect my marriage and family in ways I had not expected. Without realizing, my family began to suffer.
The fruits of living this oppressive lifestyle were adding up quickly. Our family looked really good on the outside. We all appeared happy and looked very nice. What remained hidden from everyone else were the guilt, oppression, anger, captivity and fear that began to dominate everyone’s life in our home. I didn’t understand where this was all coming from at the time, but now that we have all been set free from religious captivity I know. The fruits of Christ’s True Gospel are very different and apparent in our home and our lives now. There is so much peace, tranquility, love, happiness, and joy it is hard to explain, but makes me ache to do so. I know God desires this happiness for everyone!
I would like to make it clear that my separation from the Mormon Church had nothing to do with unworthiness or transgression. For 18 years, I was 100% devoted to the LDS Church.
During those years, I never once questioned the truthfulness of their gospel. My faithfulness was clearly demonstrated by my service in the Church, and anyone who has ever served with me can attest to my wholehearted dedication and commitment. We held weekly family home evening, daily personal/family prayer and scripture study, regular church attendance, temple attendance, and gave generous tithes and offerings. I was a very faithful member.
The turning point for me came because the fruits of living this way began to destroy my family. I could no longer deny the truth of what was happening. My family was falling apart and I needed God more than ever. I went out alone and fell to my knees crying, “Jesus, what do you want me to do? I do not want to betray you by leaving the Mormon Church and yet my family is falling apart. Tell me, Lord, what to do.” I felt a peace come over me about leaving the Mormon Church. It became a peaceful conviction that I could do this and Jesus would walk with me. I could not have left the Mormon Church otherwise, because leaving God’s “true” church was not something I ever wanted to do.
I went to my husband and told him what I had experienced. After much prayer, we decided we would go to our community Christian Church. Each lesson from the podium was as if God was answering every question I ever had about the Mormon Church, and the pastor never once mentioned Mormons. But God was doing something wonderful in my heart. He was setting me free.
I began my search. I wanted to know everything. For years, I was warned not to read anything contrary to the Mormon Church, that just the act of doing so would be apostatizing and demonstrating a lack of faith. So at first, I was scared to do it. I never knew how much fear had been instilled within me.
But because of my walk with Jesus, He gave me the strength to carry on and search. I learned that Jesus wants us to search out truth. He wants us to know everything about Him. He is not afraid of anything! Wow, it has been great overcoming my fear.
I have learned so much! I have learned that Mormons are really great people. They love God very much. I sure did then and still do. But I must tell you; there is so much they do not know.
I invite you to take a walk with me through my book, “Loved into the Light,” and discover how you can be freed from any religious captivity you might be in. Whether Mormon, Muslim, Catholic, New Age, or whatever it may be, there is a God that wants to set you free—free to live the most amazing and adventuresome life you could ever imagine!
La Vonne Earl
To saltlaketorome:
Glad to hear that you have “seen the light”… if you ever need to correspond, let me know on this blog page.
Glad I found this website. I’ve been a Christian for the majority of my life. For the past 5 years I have been friends with a woman and her family who are Mormon. I truly believe God has given me a burden to pray for this family and others who are in the Mormon faith, to come into the grace and knowledge of the True and Living Lord, Jesus.
We will all be praying for you and for your friend and her family…
The Mormon Religion did many damages to myself and my family. It is interesting that even if you do not know why your life is falling apart, it will continue to do so if we are out of harmony with God’s will. There was so much oppression, depression and guilt to go around. Now our home is filled with the spirit of God! I am praying for Mormonism to be completely dissolved. I believe we will see it in our lifetime.
i am newly ex lds they teach one thing and do the other crazy so lost now
Dennis- I know that it is tough… I was born and raised in the LDS church and left when I was 26. My whole family was and still are Mormon.
Shoot me an e-mail at camden@lifeafter.org
I am a Mormon. I was born into the church, married in the temple, and have 6 children. I have a felt an emptiness in myself which I link to the church over the past few years. I have recently found many things about Joseph Smith specifically which are disturbing to me and rock the core of my testimony. What I DO KNOW is I believe in Christ, in God, in something greater and more beautiful than anything any of us can imagine. I’m scared to leave the church because I have this fear that God will punish me….either thru my marriage or children. I don’t want my husband to lose his job, I don’t want my children to get sick, I don’t want to end up divorced and my family torn apart…..and yet I have this fear if I leave the church these things will happen. I don’t know what to do.
EM the God I know love and serve, does not want us to fear, He loves us and wants us to be happy and come to know Him through His son Jesus. you just keep praying and studying and reading Gods word.if you need someone to talk too I am a good listener I will to the best of my ability help you find scriptures that will bring you peace of mind about what you must do . you can reach me on facebook my name is Otha Woods .I would give you my e-mail but my keyboard is messing up and I can’t make the at sign so if you would like just message me on fb..
Otha – Thanks for being there for EM… God Bless you.
EM, we are praying for you and your family… God works all things together for good for those that love Him…
You will be safe in His arms…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciW8r-5kCDY
Romans 15:13
One of the pastors for our church is an ex-Mormon. Lots of tension with his family even though he is still serving God.
I have looked over the comments here from sounds like ex-Mormons or Mormons having personal problems well I must be honest firstly if Mormons are wrong all will be held accountable for their personal knowledge of the gospel it is not up to any man to judge others freedom to worship the people who should fear are those who have known and have turned away. I was not born a Mormon I converted because I believe it, if you don’t that is your choice
Hi Debra, thank you for taking the time to visit and comment on our site. I’m going to try and ignore your hypocrisy of telling us not to judge when you, yourself are judging those who disagree with Mormonism.
If we’re in Jesus Christ what do we have to fear?
What “gospel” are people going to be “held accountable” too?
The gospel found in the Mormon Church?
Where is that teaching found in the Bible?
I find it very sad every time Mormons like yourself write in condemning us for just pointing to what Mormonism teaches and comparing it to what God has said in His word. Your problem isn’t with us, it’s with God, and that’s something you’ll have to face one day. – Melissa Grimes
Not being honest in your testimony Michelle. You never spit in the face of Ed Decker. You spit at a television, not at a man.
Anyway you look at it that is dishonest at best. At worse it makes you a liar for slanting your testimony to make it appear you spit in the face of Ed Decker.
It is also amazing you claim you’ve been viciously harassed for leaving Mormonism. Yet there is nothing which shows that to be true either.
Where is your documentation and facts showing you have been harassed by the LDS Church or its members?
Robert, your comment sounds like harassment to my ears. You called Michelle a “liar.”
I read Michelle’s testimony above. But, I did not get the impression she actually spit in a man’s face. It said the she “would” do that in the past. Not that she “did” do it. So, actually you are wrong, and Michelle is not a liar.
And, your comment just provided evidence “documentation and facts” to answer your own question. See you just called her a “liar” and that proves that she has been, and continues to be, harassed,
Also, it sounds like you know her personally, as you refer to an event in the past of you witnessing her spitting at the TV. So, you are an example for us all to witness of “rejection by family and friends.”
So sorry Michelle to witness first hand this harassment and rejection. God bless you and your work to educate with love and respect.
Hi my name is Victoria, I was baptized Mormon when I was 13 after my Dad passed away. My friend asked me to come and my family had soon joined. I did not grow up going to any church or really have any religious beliefs in our house so having a religion was good. I grew up and was a good Mormon I married and went to the temple and had children raised them in the church as well. I did everything that I was told to do. After almost 15 years of marriage I left my husband and then I got remarried. My husband is not Mormon and I have never been one to judge anyone for their past or who they are. We have had many discussions about the bible and the Mormon religion. Turns out if you are a women there is a lot of stuff that you are not taught. See I tried to get my husband to join the church with me and he ended up telling me what they taught to the men and to be honest some of the stuff put a sour taste in my mouth. My biggest thing was that I was not going to get to the highest degree of heaven without my husband and his faith and I am sorry but my life on earth has nothing to do with someone else it has to do with me. No one is going to tell me that I can not get to heaven because of my husband. That was not right. Do not get my wrong I believe there are a lot of good things taught to the youth to keep them strong but you do not need a religion to teach morality to a family you need a good relationship with Jesus. anyways I have enjoyed reading the comments and am going to go get the book cause it is hard to change your mindset after being Mormon for so long. Thanks for letting me chat.
Thank you for your comment anonymous. I’m so happy to hear that you’ve made your way out of Mormonism. You’re right a relationship with Jesus is so much more important than having a one with a religion. Jesus frees people, he changes lives and hearts. All religion does is bid people to a set of rules, and in a way holds them hostage, it does nothing to change hearts and minds, it only confounds them. – Melissa Grimes
I’ve been researching the Mormon teachings for a while because I was concerned about a friend who believed they were just another branch of Christianity. As I learned of the lustful practices of Joseph Smith, I inquired of the Lord as to what happened to this spirit of lust. The people seemed more moral than most, yet I understood, because of their founder, this spirit must be lurking somewhere. I heard the Lord say, “seducing spirit”. Suddenly, it became so clear why it is so difficult to leave the Mormon church. They are dealing with a spirit of seduction, that draws them in and keeps them bound. Please spread the word.
the mormon church is a sex cult after your money and to control your life,,i to am gone
Small correction. Effects not affects in Kirk re masonry and its effects
The real problem for Christians Is the 30000 different varieties and which one is the HolySpirit listening to.???…one scripture…..one Church MichAel
I don’t know why I have never come across this website before. I grew up in a Southern Baptist church in South East Idaho. I have studied Mormonism for more than 50 years. I am certainly no expert or authority. I have pastored 4 different baptist church over the last 50 years. I currently live in an Idaho town of 12,000 people with ten LDS Wards, and two Temples within 30 miles.
I have a website with a bit different approach to getting LDS people to think about the Biblical Gospel. I have begun my website: “TrueSaints.us.” I value greatly the work of so many who publish articles seeking to get LDS people to think critically about the actual authenticity of LDS teaching. I personally have had little success with what LDS would call “anti-mormon” information. My approach is to challenge Bible believing Christians to realize that we are the True Saints of God, not for us to boast but as a thanksgiving and dedication. Thus on my website I try to focus on what the Bible itself says. My experience is that it is easy and common for LDS people to hear Christians calling them stupid for believing the false claims of Mormonism. Thus I seek to be Pro-Bible more than anti-LDS.
Having said all this, I am thankful to have found this website. My impression is that it is kind and gracious while being thoroughly factual.
May God continue to use your publishing and posting to reveal Himself to people blinded by the spirit who seeks only to devour.
I welcome any helpful comments or criticisms of my website.
Neil Evans — neil@truesaints.us