Leaving Religion: a Guide

When you leave religion, and have family and loved ones that are still in, the holidays can be a tough season. In this episode I share some suggestions for how to navigate family during the holidays so that you can have a beautiful experience. Join my upcoming mastermind group.https://www.amandajoyloveland.com/elevatedmastermindLet's stay in touch!IG: @amanda.joy.lovelandFB Amanda Joy Lovelandwww.amandajoyloveland.comYouTube: Amanda Joy Loveland

Liz comes from a unique background being almost royalty within the polygamist community. Her grandfather was Rulon Allred and he was the prophet of the Apostolic United Brethren (or the AUB) until he was murdered in 1977 by a rivalry group. Later in 2014 until just this year, her father was the prophet of the AUB. Growing up polygamist she loved it but had experiences to where she was shunned by the neighbors when they would find out that she was part of a polygamist church. The AUB was a break off from the original teachings of the Mormon church and believed that they were keeping the celestial, higher law alive by living polygamy. If you have watched sister wives, with Christine Brown, they are a part of the AUB and Christine is a relative of Liz's.At 16 years old, Liz chose to join the mainstream LDS church. She had to wait until she was 18 years old in order to fully join because she came from polygamy. The AUB teachings were so similar to the mainstream Mormon church that often she would have a hard time remembering which was from what religion. She shares that she was quite happy with both religion and she was following her internal compass. She practiced mainstream Mormonism for years until her sister shared a memory that she had at young age of very inappropriate sexual acts with the leaders of the AUB. With this revelation Liz was forced to sit with the linage of what her sister had experienced and all the men that took advantage of their power. The string that pulled the sweater for her was when her dad became the prophet of the AUB. She saw that there was a line from hr dad to her grandfather, to Brigham Young to Joseph Smith and see there was an abuse of their power. This is a truly powerful episode and one that you will want to listen to.Links:Join my upcoming Life Elevated Mentorship group starting Nov 27th. https://www.amandajoyloveland.com/elevatedmastermindLet's stay in touch!IG: @amanda.joy.lovelandFB Amanda Joy Lovelandwww.amandajoyloveland.comYouTube: Amanda Joy Loveland

Talking about epigenetics, the world stage, politics, the astrological events affecting all of us and oh yes, religion too. We are diving deep into beautiful topics today! I was thrilled to share some space with Caryn Terres as she shares her wealth of knowledge of astrological events that are impacting us and affecting our politics right now. I didn't think we would talk about politics, but we dive into it with some interesting questions to ponder. Do you really know how a bill is made? If you don't, go to Caryn's website and you will see where you can get a FREE pdf that teaches you about this.Caryn shares about her background in the Catholic Church, then moving to Utah and joining the  Unitarian Universalist Society church and then the Mormon Church for 18 months before she was kicked out. Caryn shares a unique perspective growing up in Utah not being Mormon and the perspectives gained from different religions. This interview was fun, crazy thought provoking and filled with lots of information you will be grateful you know now. Connect with Caryn through her website: https://www.heartwombleadership.com/Get your copy of Magdalene Codes here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BG3DKJSM?ref_=cm_sw_r_apann_ts_PJ8A423SX4BKDXSVZQ83 (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BG3DKJSM?ref_=cm_sw_r_apann_ts_PJ8A423SX4BKDXSVZQ83)Learn more about my Elevated Life Mastermind: https://www.amandajoyloveland.com/elevatedmastermindLet's stay in touch!IG: @amanda.joy.lovelandFB Amanda Joy Lovelandwww.amandajoyloveland.comYouTube: Amanda Joy Loveland

 Have you ever thought that being raised in religion taught you to be disconnected from your body? My next guest shares how disconnected she was to her body when she started learning about nutrition and recognized how out of touch she was. This was part of why she had disordered eating. She noticed that she felt she couldn't trust her body and what it was telling her. It didn't feel safe to her in her body was a huge realization. Join me today as I sit down with Rebecca Hambright as she shares her journey of going through her religious upbringing in the Southern Baptist Church. Her father had left their religion when she was in her youth and she watched the division in created within her home. In their faith, divorce was never an option. Later she goes to a Christian university which she struggled with especially the shame that came there. Rebecca shares that confusion was her overall feeling as she started to really explore who she was. Stepping out of the environment of the Christian school assisted her in really beginning her deconstruction out of her religion, especially as she started to have more of a relationship with herself.Join us in the conversation as Rebecca shares more about her journey with health, nutrition and connecting more with her body and what it wanted.Rebecca Hambright MS, RDN is a registered dietitian nutritionist at Wise Heart Nutrition. Connect with Rebecca by visiting her website at: http://www.wiseheartnutrition.com/ or follow them on IG @WiseHeart_NutritionSecure your seat today for my upcoming Inner Guru Activation Call. October 30th at 10am MSThttps://www.amandajoyloveland.com/activationLet's stay in touch!IG: @amanda.joy.lovelandFB Amanda Joy Lovelandwww.amandajoyloveland.comYouTube: Amanda Joy Loveland

 Sit back and enjoy this beautiful conversation I had with Aaron Trembath. We met at a recent retreat and I loved our conversations and the depth we were able to go to. Aaron has a wealth of knowledge in many things but one in particular, philosophy, that is greatly insightful.In today's episode Aaron shares that he became his  own abuser as he held the religious gun to his head. A truly profound analogy that I think many people can relate to.  Aaron shares his journey through religion and how he felt the religion left him. Religion is not spirituality. Talking about magic faith and the idea of a truth first perspective. As Aaron shares, every philosophy is going to have a bubble in the fly paper. Underneath it all there is something you have to swallow. Because of this, he started pursing truth for the sake of truth and his journey that unfolded is quite beautiful.Aaron shares that as he taught gospel doctrine it became more and more clear to him that the church was going away from the divine love principle that Jesus taught. As his relationship with the divine started to change, so did his relationship with the religion.We touch on Buddhism, shintoism, the void and more. You will want to join us in the conversation.Are you wanting to attend one of Aaron's classes? Connect with Aaron through his email: aaron.michael.trembath@gmail.comLinks: https://www.amandajoyloveland.com/activationLet's stay in touch!IG: @amanda.joy.lovelandFB Amanda Joy Lovelandwww.amandajoyloveland.comYouTube: Amanda Joy Loveland

Have you ever considered that having boundaries with God / Spirit is a very healthy thing? This is a new concept for most people and something that we should discuss more. Join me today as I sit down with Michelle Wilding as we have a beautiful and interesting conversation around the filters that the voice of god can come through. Diving into the pendulum swing that can happen when we leave and some of the spiritual pitfalls after leaving religion.Are you being a victim to what God is telling you to do?What are the results you are getting out of your life? Are you liking them?This episode really covers so many great insights, thoughts and tools to assist you in navigating the waters after leaving religion. You are not alone! To listen to Michelle's first episode with me where she shares her story of leaving, go here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0BenHUKSPCXm5s6agDlC7I?si=Si7V7KY9TKKyCGAISNvdgwLinks:To see more about Michelle & Amanda's upcoming training, click here: https://www.thesoco.org Grab my latest book to assist you in your faith transition: https://www.amazon.com/Leaving-Religion-Those-Leave-Behind/dp/1952566487/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=leaving+religion+%26+those+we+leave+behind&qid=1665446189&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIwLjAwIiwicXNhIjoiMC4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=leaving+religion+%26+those+%2Caps%2C123&sr=8-1Looking for more tools? Click here to grab my guided meditation bundle to assist you in unwinding the energetics out of your field so that you can see and feel more cleanly. https://www.amandajoyloveland.com/leavingreligiontoolsLet's stay in touch!IG: @amanda.joy.lovelandFB Amanda Joy Lovelandwww.amandajoyloveland.comYouTube: Amanda Joy Loveland

Leaving religion is not an easy thing to do. In fact it's quite difficult as you now get to unwind all the beliefs you have carried AND you move into a place where you are judging yourself, questioning your beliefs, wondering if you made a mistake and so much more.What do you do? Will it ever get better?Join me as we dive into some of the hard truths about leaving religion. I share some tools that will help you along the way.Later in this episode I take you in a guided meditation that will assist you greatly.Links:Want more tools to assist you in letting go of old programs and beliefs?https://www.amandajoyloveland.com/leavingreligiontoolsOrder your copy of my Leaving religion book:https://www.amazon.com/Leaving-Religion-Those-Leave-Behind/dp/1952566487/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1VJZLYGIDGFTI&keywords=leaving+religion+%26+those&qid=1654055556&sprefix=leaving+religion+%26+those%2Caps%2C180&sr=8-1Let's stay in touch!IG: @amanda.joy.lovelandFB Amanda Joy Lovelandwww.amandajoyloveland.comYouTube: Amanda Joy Loveland

Today I am talking about the triangle of disempowerment and how christianity is smack on it! Also diving a bit into Joseph Smith, Jesus, Christ Consciousness, self mastery and so much more. This episode is a bit more of a deep dive into deeper truths within spirituality and I am excited to have this conversation with you.Need help with you uncoupling from religion? Head to my website to grab your leaving religion bundle. Click this link to receive 20% off your order: https://www.amandajoyloveland.com/offers/kFjGjqQc?coupon_code=LEAVINGRELIGIONTo listen to Hugh Vail's podcast that I reference click here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1J4mG7y5MFbjeZGKVWRo6I?si=nxGUx2yGR4O73tujpjXG-AAre you on my email list yet? Make sure to subscribe! https://www.amandajoyloveland.com/Let's stay in touch!IG: @amanda.joy.lovelandFB Amanda Joy Lovelandwww.amandajoyloveland.comYouTube: Amanda Joy Loveland

After a beautiful and raw first episode I, along with several others, were left wondering about more of Rachael's story. I was grateful when she agreed to sit down with me again.Sharing about her journey as a child, being an olympic junior medalist, growing up within the mormon religion, her marriage and how they chose to navigate things like how they wanted their children to view the human body, a bit different than what the church teaches.This is a beautiful episode as Rachael shares that she still feels called to go to church and be a part of opening doors to other possibilities. To join my next INbody Retreat Experience head over to https://www.amandajoyloveland.com/inbodyConnect with Rachael:Email: rachaelsbeautyparlor@gmail.comIG: Rachael.wheeler.376Join my private facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/leavingreligionFor more tools to assist you in stepping out of religion: https://www.amandajoyloveland.com/leavingreligiontoolsGrab my latest book! Leaving religion, a guide to finding your spiritual center after religion: https://www.amazon.com/Leaving-Religion-Those-Leave-Behind/dp/1952566487/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1FUQQ23L4I458&keywords=leaving+religion+%26+those&qid=1655217437&sprefix=leaving+religion+%26+those%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-1Let's stay in touch!IG: @amanda.joy.lovelandFB Amanda Joy Lovelandwww.amandajoyloveland.comYouTube: Amanda Joy Loveland

Sitting down with Hugh Vail is always such a pleasure. I am hoping we will make this a more regular occurrence. Hugh is someone who knows scriptural text very well as he's made it part of his studies. As we dive into the scripture, "for god so loved the world he sent his only begotten son" and if there is a more accurate translation, we engage in a fascinating conversation about truths. Hugh share's about a recent conversation with a client of his that leads to an interesting discussion about the lgtbq+ community and actual scriptural text around truth. "a man shall not lay with a boy" was not to say that same sex attraction was not okay, but that a man should not lay with a boy. Simple truths.Is it possible that there are more accurate truths within scriptural text and reframes that could allow for you to deprogram out of religion? Have you ever heard of the phrase plant sacrament? Hugh heard this one day and then had it synchronistically come up later in a conversation which led him to an experience with a plant sacrament that is beautiful. Life is not a random series of events, but is working in your behalf. There is truth in all things, are you paying attention to what the truths are trying to share with you?Join us for this insightful conversation!LINKS: Head to Hugh's website to learn about his upcoming events: https://www.mustangmedicineevents.com/Follow Hugh on his social accounts:TicTok @Cowboy_JesusIG @mustang_medicine_FB @mustangmedicine1Let's stay in touch!IG: @amanda.joy.lovelandFB Amanda Joy Lovelandwww.amandajoyloveland.comYouTube: Amanda Joy Loveland

This is a unique episode where we dive into some healing work together. While this wasn't planned, it was exactly perfect. Rachael steps into her vulnerability and allowing herself to be fully seen in this episode which is such an inspiration to us all! When we allow ourselves to be seen, we allow for true healing and the ability to fully accept and love ourselves.Rachael shares a bit about her story through leaving the mormon church and at the end of the episode I found myself wanting to know more of her story! So, we will be sharing another episode next week of her full story in her choice to step out of religion and out of her marriage. Join us for a beautiful episode. If you would like to be a guest on my show and are wanting to work through a few of your blocks or pieces you are having a difficult time letting go, email me at aj@amandajoyco.com.Connect with Rachael:Email: rachaelsbeautyparlor@gmail.comIG: Rachael.wheeler.376Join my private facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/leavingreligionReady to claim all that you are? Join me at my next retreat experience: https://www.amandajoyloveland.com/inbodyFor more tools to assist you in stepping out of religion: https://www.amandajoyloveland.com/leavingreligiontoolsGrab my latest book! Leaving religion, a guide to finding your spiritual center after religion: https://www.amazon.com/Leaving-Religion-Those-Leave-Behind/dp/1952566487/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1FUQQ23L4I458&keywords=leaving+religion+%26+those&qid=1655217437&sprefix=leaving+religion+%26+those%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-1Let's stay in touch!IG: @amanda.joy.lovelandFB Amanda Joy Lovelandwww.amandajoyloveland.comYouTube: Amanda Joy Loveland

Kami Mitchell & Shelby Smith and I got to sit down together, via zoom, as they shared their epic and beautiful story of deconstructing from religion, leaving toxic relationships and cultivating their friendship which brought them together in a beautiful way.On this episode both women share their stories of growing up mormon, getting married, and their journeys through many paths in their lives. They share how they first met and had this epic moment of soul recognition. During this episode they share pieces around how they were taught to believe that they had to earn their worth and that emotions were not safe, unless you were happy. A big piece for both of them was finding their inner truth and the quickest way that they found this was through self love. "Once I tasted that godness within, that love within me grew and finding that love allowed for me to start developing the trust back for myself. Instead of giving authority over me, I started coming back to my own truth."Have you heard of the kinsey scale? It is a truly interesting scale and the research behind it is quite interesting. You can read more about it here: https://kinseyinstitute.org/research/publications/kinsey-scale.phpKami & Shelby offer the thought that if there is any curiosity within you it may be your soul / heart asking you to experience something different. The universe is always conspiring in our favor.A bit more about Kami & Shelby:Shelby and Kami, partners both in life and in business,  are celebrators of the human experience!  Over the last decade,   they have co-created and held retreats to invite others to get back in touch with their whole selves through movement, breath, sound, touch, music, emotional release, and play.  These two have done the work inside, and within the last five years,  have answered their heart call, leaving toxic marriages, outgrowing the walls of organized religion, releasing old patterns, rewriting old programs and digging deep to identify the lies they tell themselves, to find truth. They believe in humanity and invite us all to slow down, behold the creators that we are, and BE magnificent, by being all of you. Both Shelby and Kami are trained in reiki, BARS, Heart Theta, presenting, energy, healing touch, Tantra, mindset shifts, loving all that arises, emotional clearing/release, movement and flow, shadow work, heart mentoring, play and inner child work.  They are certified cuddlers as well, and are published contributing writers in several co-authored books.  They are thrilled and honored to BE with all those who are choosing into the INbody Retreat!To follow Kami & Shelby on social media on IG: @yinyang_shelby & @kamsterdance You can also text Shelby at 208-709-0904 OR Kami at 435-229-0513.Get your spot today at our upcoming INbody Experience! https://www.amandajoyloveland.com/inbodyGrab my latest book on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Leaving-Religion-Those-Leave-Behind/dp/1952566487/ref=sr_1_1?crid=CU4NMG55H62Y&keywords=leaving+religion+%26+those&qid=1658200798&sprefix=leaving+religion+%26+those%2CaLooking for more tools to assist you in deconstructing after religion? https://www.amandajoyloveland.com/leavingreligiontoolsLet's stay in touch!IG: @amanda.joy.lovelandFB Amanda Joy Lovelandwww.amandajoyloveland.comYouTube: Amanda Joy Loveland

How many social norms are you accepting in your life because it is what you are told to believe and be? What about my current environment am I accepting because it's a social norm? Marriage is one of those that is entered upon and not fully creating a conscious relationship.Chip and I have a conversation around relationships and the abuse that happens with men.  One of the commonalities that I have been noticing in my conversations is that men often lose themselves in their relationships, especially when they are in a traditional religion relationship. As Chip shares, he served a mission and then did the next step of finding a wife and put his wife and his children above his own wants and needs. This is so common. Did you know that about 1 in every 6 to 7 men will be a victim to domestic abuse?  Did you know that:The rate of suicide is highest in middle-aged white men.In 2020, men died by suicide 3.88x more than women.On average, there are 130 suicides per day.White males accounted for 69.68% of suicide deaths in 2020We create our own experiences. Sometimes things happen we cannot control, but how we respond we can control. The more you can step into the learning in each relationship, with eyes open, it will propel you into more and more of yourself asking to be seen.Have you been building a life be design or letting life push you around and creating a world that you do not love? We have the ability to build a life by design. Our lives are defined by the stories we tell ourselves and the stories we tell others.To Chip, the phrase strive satisfied shows the ability to be okay with what is and hope to have dreams and desires. To follow Chip Hopper, head over to his website: https://www.bookjedi.comIG: @chiphopperFB: @chiphoperWanting to be apart of my upcoming group mentorship program? Email me aj@amandajoyco.com for more info. Starts July 6th.Grab my latest book! https://www.amazon.com/Leaving-Religion-Those-Leave-Behind/dp/1952566487/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1FUQQ23L4I458&keywords=leaving+religion+%26+those&qid=1655217437&sprefix=leaving+religion+%26+those%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-1Let's stay in touch!IG: @amanda.joy.lovelandFB Amanda Joy Lovelandwww.amandajoyloveland.comYouTube: Amanda Joy Loveland

Are you feeling like you are in the fire? How can you navigate the fire when you are in it and how can you see the gifts?When we are leaving religion, or going through any transitions in life, it can feel as if we are being put in the fire. It feels painful, I get it trust me. And, there is beauty in this fire as it's burning away more layers of those places within that are asking to be deconstructed. This assists you in becoming more clear in who you are. My book, Leaving Religion a Guide, is a powerful tool to assist you in your deconstruction. In this episode I share a bit about how this book came to life, the challenges that I faced while writing and publishing this book and I share one of my most vulnerable chapters around shame.Come join my group mentorship program geared to assist any of you that are moving through transitions in life right now. The group starts July 6th and is packed with freebies, weekly calls, daily accountability and massive support and tools. This course will fill up quickly so snag your spot today. And, if you join my gift I want to give you an autographed copy of my book for free! Email me aj@amandajoyco.com to secure your spot. To get my book, head over to amazon! https://www.amazon.com/Leaving-Religion-Those-Leave-Behind/dp/1952566487/ref=sr_1_1?crid=15D40RVX90IO8&keywords=leaving+religion+%26+those&qid=1654713416&sprefix=leaving+religion+%26+those%2Caps%2C142&sr=8-1Grab my meditation bundle: https://www.amandajoyloveland.com/offers/kFjGjqQc/checkoutAre you enjoying this podcast? Please leave me a review!Let's stay in touch!IG: @amanda.joy.lovelandFB Amanda Joy Lovelandwww.amandajoyloveland.comYouTube: Amanda Joy Loveland

Terina had an unique experience leaving the church. Going from devout Mormon to reading the Gospel Topic Essay's and two weeks later crying in her bishops office knowing she was  being done. Join me as I have a beautiful conversation with Terina, who is a life coach, as she shares some valuable tools that assisted her in her transition out of Mormonism. Grab my latest book, Leaving Religion a Guide! https://www.amazon.com/Leaving-Religion-Those-Leave-Behind/dp/1952566487/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1VJZLYGIDGFTI&keywords=leaving+religion+%26+those&qid=1654055556&sprefix=leaving+religion+%26+those%2Caps%2C180&sr=8-1To follow Terina:http://www.terinamaldonado.comhttps://www.instagram.com/terina_maldonado/https://www.facebook.com/HealEmpowerEducate https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTdt726Xv/https://www.linkedin.com/in/terina-maldonado-49129b201/Grab her book, Fear to Freedom: Stories of Triumph After Leaving a High Control Religion https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B08D89DNTY/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_3YH4KKX14D5WDRBMJAQ1Let's stay in touch!IG: @amanda.joy.lovelandFB Amanda Joy Lovelandwww.amandajoyloveland.comYouTube: Amanda Joy Loveland

Where are we not allowing those in our circles to be seen and heard, especially with our men? Where are you not allowing yourself to own all parts of yourself and recognize the wholeness of all that you are?It is time for us to pick up crosses, to burn them, to stop the suffering and to embody and be seen for all that we are. Let's stay in touch!IG: @amanda.joy.lovelandFB Amanda Joy Lovelandwww.amandajoyloveland.comYouTube: Amanda Joy Loveland

Join me and Keira Poulsen as we talk about the books that have been burned. There have been so many women in our history that have written sacred books that were burned and or destroyed. Often these women were also killed, burned with their books, as a heretic for speaking truth. How amazing and fortunate are we that we live in a time where we get to speak our truth, we get to write sacred books and publish them without fear of death!Are you feeling the call to write your sacred book? If so, join us next week for our writers retreat and step through the gateway to this stunning writers experience.It's time to for your message to reach the world.Join us: https://www.amandajoyloveland.com/writersretreatTo learn more about Keira Poulsen, connect with her here:https://www.keirapoulsen.com/IG: @keirapoulsenFB: @keirapoulsenTo listen to my previous episode with Keira,  check out episode #27https://open.spotify.com/episode/5fP1lDecf5wWYDeLuMwR5H?si=lk__205jSJGqljHy0ZotBgLet's stay in touch!IG: @amanda.joy.lovelandFB Amanda Joy Lovelandwww.amandajoyloveland.comYouTube: Amanda Joy Loveland

My guest, Hugh Vail, has spent thousands of hours combing through scriptural texts and finding the true meaning in the translations of the scriptures. For example, the word perfect  is not translated correctly. Perfect actually means whole. So it's about our wholeness as we are all whole. Sin has a truer meaning of missing the mark. Is it possible by having a different perspective on some of the ancient stories it can help you to have more peace? Is it possible that religion is a necessary first step in learning about spirituality and ancient wisdom?Hugh shares some of his formula that has taken him years to create around how to move through and let go of your story.  Are you still holding onto your wounded story?Our conversation dives deep into scriptural truths, ceremonies, the endowment and more. We talk through ancient stories and ancient wisdom that you will want to dive into with us!To follow Hugh and to learn more about what he does head to his website.LINKS:https://www.mustangmedicineevents.comIG: @mustang_medicine_To grab your ticket for our upcoming event head to: https://www.amandajoyloveland.com/leaninLet's stay in touch!IG: @amanda.joy.lovelandFB Amanda Joy Lovelandwww.amandajoyloveland.comYouTube: Amanda Joy Loveland

Solocast. As Easter is coming up it is common to wonder what we celebrate now after religion. In this episode today I am diving into this time of year, plus touching on some pieces from the Mormon conference that was experienced for many. What if there was a comment made about members who leave being compared to Judas, why does it matter?We have been taught, conditioned and programmed as to who Jesus was. He was not what we have been taught to believe and many of us have been or are still living in the shadow of the cross. It's time to see the shadow and step into the light.Where are you holding to places within that are not allowing for new truth and experiences to come in?Where are you needing to let go and heal parts of you?What gets to be re-birthed?Book referenced: The Existential Kink by Carolyn Elliott, PHDGrab your ticket today for my upcoming speakers symposium! April 24th in Highland, UThttps://www.amandajoyloveland.com/leaninLet's stay in touch!IG: @amanda.joy.lovelandFB Amanda Joy Lovelandwww.amandajoyloveland.comYouTube: Amanda Joy Loveland

Today I am sitting down with the beautiful Anna Ship. Anna shares her fascinating story of growing up in New Mexico. At a young age she experiences abuse, her mother passing and then her father leaving her life. Adopted by her aunt, Anna had many changes in her young life and is now Mormon with her adoptive family. The church, Anna says, was a safety blanket to her. It offered her comfort. The idea of Zion, she says, "this was it." In the community that she grew up in. "I embodied everything about the church." Later on in life, after a marriage that she gave everything to - even sacrificing herself, she had experiences through her church that rattled her beliefs. For fourteen years, Anna shares, she was hustling to be the number one woman in her husbands life. It created a prison and she discovered that she was stuck. Her priesthood leadership was not great at the time and the experiences that she had with them would have caused her to leave. She was ready to walk away as she lost all respect for priesthood leaders. A book came into her life, "How to Love" by Thich Nat Hanh and it was a godsend to her at this time in her life. Anna shares that she still has a lot of love for the church and still holds that there are a lot of truths there, she just now believes that it's universal. During a conversation with her mother she asked Anna, "do you believe that God's work never fails? It's God's work and glory to bring past our eternal life, that's not our work. Our job is to love and we are on God's work table." This rang true to Anna.Later, during a conversation with her bishop where she was not going to get her temple recommend, he said, "you know it's okay not to have a recommend. It's okay if it take a long time."  Anna shares that this was the first time in the church that she felt someone was telling her it was okay to have the journey. With this thought that it's okay to have the journey and the belief that everyone is on God's work table, gave her permission to allow the pieces to fall. God has me. There is no space he's not LINKS:To join me in my upcoming speakers symposium grab your ticket here: https://www.amandajoyloveland.com/leaninAre you feeling the call to write your book? Come join my upcoming retreat May 12th-15th! https://www.amandajoyloveland.com/writersretreatThe Book How To Love by Thich Nhat Hanh https://www.amazon.com/Love-Mindfulness-Essentials-Thich-Nhat/dp/1937006883Grab my guided journey for the death and rebirth cycle. Are you feeling that something gets to die? This is a stunning practice and one that you will find extremely helpful. https://www.amandajoyloveland.com/offers/nHjFkTTY/checkoutLet's stay in touch!IG: @amanda.joy.lovelandFB Amanda Joy Lovelandwww.amandajoyloveland.comYouTube: Amanda Joy Loveland