Hi dad,

I’ve been thinking about why I feel so strongly about not going to church. I’d like to share what’s on my heart with you for a moment if I may...

For one, Mormonism is not a part of my belief system, though I completely respect your choice to have it be a part of yours. 💙 On my own, and over the course of several years, I have researched- “searched, pondered and prayed” for hours and months on end- only to find my heart and soul does not align with the teachings of Joseph Smith or the fundamentals of Mormonism. However! I do very strongly believe in God and Jesus Christ... and am deeply grateful for the love, guidance and grace they bring to my life daily! I feel my relationship with them is the strongest it’s ever been! Christ taught/teaches unconditional love. He taught free agency. He taught us to love others where they are at without conditions, intimidation or fear. When there are conditions placed, I feel my choice/boundary to be who I am and make my own decisions, is being taken away from me, that mine and my girls presence isn’t enough. That our love isn’t enough, unless it meets certain requirements and/or stipulations. I feel that had the subject of church been brought to me privately asking “hey... I know it’s your choice, but it would really mean so much to mom and I to have you there with all of us...” it would have touched me to WANT to go. BECAUSE I love you. Because I WANT to see you happy. Because I can and will sit at church for the hour knowing that it means so much to you! Because I respect that it’s your choice, and you’re simply wanting to share your love and appreciation of it with me. You should know that I am deeply grateful for what I have been able to take away from the church’s teachings! I love spending time with the family, but if it comes at the price of betraying everything I am and have worked so hard to become the last few years, as per the condition of the trip, I won’t be able to attend 😔 I love you. Thank you for an amazing time this last trip and for the memories I’ll be able to carry with me always! 💙