Unveiling Grace: The Story of How We Found Our Way out of the Mormon Church

Unveiling Grace

Lynn is a wife, mother, grandmother, scholar, and author with a doctorate in education. During more than a decade as a professor and researcher, and 20 years as a public school teacher, she has produced more than 50 scholarly publications, written four books, and mentored hundreds of students. Her experience, passion, and expertise lie in how to advance the academic and social-emotional success of “marginalized” students who struggle in school. Once tenured faculty at Mormon Church owned and operated Brigham Young University (BYU), Dr. Wilder resigned from BYU and then from the LDS Church in 2008 when she experienced a crisis of faith. She currently teaches at Florida Gulf Coast University, speaks, writes, and enjoys time with 7 much-loved, vivacious grandchildren.

Raised in Protestant Christian homes, Lynn and husband, Michael joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) and accepted the gospel according to Mormon Church founder, Joseph Smith, as a young married couple. They were looking for a church home when the Mormon missionaries knocked on their door in Indiana in 1977. Mike and Lynn had no children at the time and immediately dove into a life of active participation with their new church “family.”

For 30 years, Michael and Lynn were temple recommend-holding, active members of the Mormon Church and held numerous leadership positions. Eventually, they had 4 children, all of whom were faithful and active in the LDS Church like their parents. The three oldest children, sons, served missions in Russia, Denmark, and Florida respectfully. Before their missions, the sons had served as stake youth leaders, seminary president, and their third son, Micah, worked in the temple. Their daughter held leadership positions as well. They all bore testimony of Christ often in church and were sincere and contented members of the LDS Church.

The Wilders moved from Indiana to Utah in 1999 when Lynn finished her doctorate and was hired at BYU. Mike established a business in Utah and the family continued to serve their church in the perfect Mormon life.

Then in 2006, everything changed.