Leaving Mormonism: Can Changing Your Beliefs Change YOU?

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What happens when your entire identity, community, and sense of safety is wrapped up in a belief system you can no longer embrace? Darcy Burke opens her heart in this deeply moving conversation about leaving Mormonism—a faith that had been her foundation since birth.
The journey begins when Darcy and Brandon's teenage daughter courageously questions the Mormon faith, planting the first seed of doubt about eternal families and divine judgment. "Would God really separate my family because people believe differently?" This question launches Darcy into a profound examination of her spiritual identity, eventually following her husband Brandon's path of questioning church history and doctrine.
This isn't a story about religious criticism—it's a deeply human account of what happens when we allow ourselves to trust our inner knowing, even when it leads us away from the safety of familiar structures. Darcy shares the terror of rebuilding her worldview while simultaneously facing judgment from her community: "You're also having to fear the judgment of other people... is my community still going to accept me now that I believe differently?"
The most beautiful revelation emerges as Darcy describes how their family has transformed through this process. Rather than tearing them apart, embracing authentic spirituality has created deeper connections. The family now engages in open spiritual discussions where all viewpoints are honored, fostering critical thinking and genuine connection. "That type of vulnerability with each other and openness and authenticity—the byproduct of that is connection."
Darcy closes with a powerful letter to her former church, acknowledging both gratitude for what it gave her and grief for what it took away. "Leaving you rewired everything, not just my beliefs but my nervous system... But in all of that grief I found God, not in a steeple, not in a temple, but in my breath."
If you're questioning your spiritual path, navigating a mixed-faith relationship, or simply curious about the human capacity for growth through challenging transitions, this episode will touch your heart and perhaps give you permission to trust your own inner wisdom.