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Article published In: Narrative Inquiry
Vol. 27:1 (2017) ► pp.132–148

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“Losing my religion”

Identity (re)constructions in Mormon exit narratives

 | Utah State University
 | Utah State University
Published online: 3 August 2017
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/ni.27.1.07sch
Abstract
The present study explores how former members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who are often referred to as Mormons, construct their identities. Framed in an interpretive narrative approach, 150 online exit stories of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that voluntarily left the Church were qualitatively analyzed. Findings reveal five prominent identities: (1) the disenfranchised victim, (2) the redeemed spiritualist, (3) the liberated self, (4) the (wo)men of science, and (5) the Mormon in name only. Results suggest that membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is inextricably connected to individual identity. Thus, exiting the Church is much more than leaving an organization. Future implications for research will be discussed.
Article outline
  • Introduction
  • The high cost of LDS membership and disaffiliation
  • Narrative, sense-making, and identity
  • Method
    • Data collection
    • Data analysis
    • Verification procedures
  • Findings
    • The disenfranchised victim
    • The redeemed spiritualist
    • The liberated self
    • The (wo)men of science
    • The Mormon in name only
  • Discussion
  • Limitations and directions for future research
  • References
References (39)
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