When a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often misnamed the Mormon Church by those of other faiths) decides to leave the church or is excommunicated for his or her behavior, he or she is sometimes referred to as an ex-Mormon. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do not often use the term ex-Mormon themselves; it is usually those who have left the church or those who are of other faiths who refer to people by this term.

A painting depicting Christ visiting the Americas, as was described in the Book of Mormon.When a person is excommunicated from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this is done as an act of mercy. Excommunication is a mode of discipline reserved for those who have broken very serious commandments. Excommunication releases these individuals from the covenants they have made that include promises to live a higher standard in their lives. The consequences for those who break serious covenants after having promised to keep those covenants are more serious than for someone who commits the same action but has not made those covenants. Thus, releasing a person from his or her covenant also releases him or her from the severity of consequences. They are given the chance to repent and to have a new beginning when and if they choose to enter into the covenants of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints again.

Some people refer to themselves as ex-Mormons even if they are still technically members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They may call themselves ex-Mormons because they disagree with dogma, because they no longer want to live the standards of the church, because they were offended in some way and hold a grudge, or for myriad other reasons. However, if a person’s name is still on the records of the church, he or she is still considered to be a member of the church. Unless a person is excommunicated or requests to have his or her name removed from the records of the church, that person is still a member of the church.

Latter-day Saints are taught to reach out to all those around them, ex-Mormon, Latter-day Saint, and atheist alike, in love, forgiveness, and acceptance. Even if a person has made serious mistakes or does not share the same religious views, he or she has just as much opportunity to be cleansed by the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ as anyone else does. It is never too late to turn to the Savior. We should never judge our fellowman; we do not know the circumstances of others’ lives. We should simply reach out to them in love and let them know of and feel that love, perhaps ex-Mormons especially, since they may feel ostracized and judged.

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