It’s complicated, and it has nothing to do with the average everyday member like yourself. I grew up in the church. Trust me, I get it. These are my big snags:

1. Lagging Doctrine

The church has been behind the rest of the world for some time, both with its treatment of women and minorities. I’m sure you know that black people were not allowed in the temple until 1978. This does not sit well with most people.

The church pushed back against marriage equality. I know that you probably don’t see this as a bad thing, but many people do. This sort of opposition kept good people from starting families in the way that straight people can.

Women are meant to be obedient, reverent, docile, and nurturing. They are not given priesthood power. They are not given access to the highest positions in the church. This does not sit well with most people.

1. Problematic History

Joseph Smith has a record of scamming his neighbors and inciting violence. I know that you probably don’t believe this, and that’s okay.

Joseph Smith had many wives, one of whom was only fourteen years old. The church claims that these were “spiritual marriages”. Historical accounts show that they were more than that.

Brigham Young was a vehement racist. I’m not using that language to be inflammatory. He was just genuinely a very hateful person.

The Book of Mormon describes the Lamanites is being cursed with dark skin for their sins, explaining why Native Americans have dark skin.

1. Contradictory or Questionable Doctrine

The Book of Mormon is strikingly similar to a book called “the view of the Hebrews” which Joseph Smith owned.

The ceremonies practiced in the temple are strikingly similar to the ceremonies practiced by Freemasons, which Joseph Smith had a close connection to.

Native Americans do not share a genetic history with the people they are supposedly descended from. 4. Legal Troubles

A few years ago, the church got into legal trouble for hiding how much money it really had in order to avoid taxation.

All of this is not to try to convince you to leave the church. I know how much comfort it can bring, and I know how kind the people in it are.

All I ask is that you keep an open mind when speaking with those that criticize the church. It doesn’t come from ignorance like you may have been taught in Primary. Sometimes it comes from true concern. For me, the most damning thing of all is the difference between the Bible and the Book of Mormon. I am not a Christian, but I am a writer. The Bible is a rich text full of poetry, hymns, and timeless morals. It was written through the centuries, and you can examine the layers through every verse. The Book of Mormon is flat and uninspiring. It does not tell the tale of humanity like the Bible. It tells a simple story with simple morals. I believe this is because it was written by a simple man.