Rebuilding Friendships After an LDS Faith Transition in Utah
Leaving the LDS Church in a place like Utah can feel like stepping into a different world, even if you've lived in the same neighborhood your entire life. The change isn’t just spiritual or personal — it can touch every part of your life, especially your relationships. If you’ve started to question or move away from your faith, you might be noticing some distance or tension with friends who are still very much in it. That disconnect can be confusing and sometimes painful, especially when the friendships you’ve had for years start to fade or shift in ways you didn’t expect.
By the time spring rolls around in places like Murray, you may be craving connections — people to talk with, laugh with, and feel safe around. Rebuilding friendships after a faith transition is possible, but it takes clarity, care, and time. Whether you're navigating this process week by week or just beginning to notice shifts in your long-time relationships, there are ways to reconnect on new terms or build something entirely different.
Navigating the Complex Emotions of a Faith Transition
Walking away from a core belief system isn't something that happens overnight. It’s often a winding and emotional process filled with moments that challenge your understanding of who you are. Some days, you might feel empowered and clear-headed. Then out of nowhere, guilt or grief surfaces. This range of emotions is normal and part of untangling your identity from former beliefs.
The sadness that can come with a faith transition is about more than just leaving the religion itself. It’s also about losing the social web tied to it. Communities within the LDS Church are tight-knit. From shared worship to casseroles during tough times, it's more than faith — it's a way of life. Leaving that behind might make you feel like an outsider in places that once felt like home.
Common feelings during this time may include:
- Confusion about who you are without the religious identity you were raised with
- Grief about the version of life you expected versus where you are now
- Relief that you no longer have to pretend to believe or follow expectations that don't feel right
- Guilt for upsetting people or withholding your thoughts for so long
- Hope that your future relationships and choices are aligned with your true self
One client once described this process as “walking backwards out of a house fire,” reflecting the mix of pain, urgency, and familiarity. That metaphor captures what many feel — escaping something that hurt you but still held meaningful parts of your life.
Strategies For Rebuilding Friendships
As you go through a faith transition, you might find some friendships getting shaky. Some may fade, others might deepen, and a few may surprise you. The key is deciding what you value in those connections and how to approach them from your current place in life.
Here are a few ways to approach changing friendships:
1. Pause before reacting. If a friend says something hurtful or awkward, it’s okay to give it space before choosing how to respond.
2. Reconnect through shared interests. Return to inside jokes, games, or mutual hobbies that used to connect you — they can reopen conversation in a low-pressure way.
3. Let friends know what you need. You don’t have to expect them to read your mind. If you're open to questions or prefer to skip faith discussions, say so.
4. Be clear about your limits. If someone keeps inviting you to activities that feel uncomfortable, speak up kindly but directly.
5. Honor grief. Letting go of long friendships can feel like a loss. That pain is valid, even if a breakup isn’t anyone’s fault.
Not all friendships will survive a big life shift, but the ones that do stand a real chance of adapting and growing. The goal isn’t to convince anyone to change — it’s to figure out whether you both can meet each other where you are now.
The Role Of A Faith Transition Therapist In Utah
Faith transitions go beyond a change in Sunday routines. They often include deep emotional, relational, and psychological shifts. That’s where a faith transition therapist in Utah can be especially helpful. Since religion is often woven into family structures, self-worth, and decision-making, working with someone who understands LDS culture from within helps you feel seen, not judged.
A faith transition therapist can support you as you:
- Work through religious trauma and past belief-related stress
- Separate your personal identity from inherited expectations
- Manage difficult conversations or boundaries with loved ones
- Rebuild your internal values from a place of honesty
In towns like Murray, where the LDS Church has such strong social influence, finding a therapist who gets it makes a big difference. Look for providers who use trauma-informed approaches and support faith transitions without pushing you toward a specific belief or non-belief path.
Being able to speak freely, without fearing shock or shame, often feels like a breath of fresh air. That space helps you rebuild your sense of self at a pace that feels safe and real.
Community Resources And Support Groups For Faith Transitions
After leaving the LDS Church, you might feel like your whole social map just disappeared. But new communities exist — they just might take some effort to find, especially if you’re trying to connect with people who understand what you’re going through.
Some local groups in Utah, including areas around Murray, offer face-to-face meet-ups like:
- Potluck dinners with open conversation about identity and relationships
- Walking groups where discussion happens casually
- Guided sessions with therapists that offer a safe space for deeper discussions
If in-person isn’t your style, online groups offer a level of comfort and anonymity. Whether through forums, social platforms, or guided virtual groups, you can find others who get it.
Here are some ways to find support:
- Google ex-faith meet-ups or post-faith support events in nearby areas
- Ask your therapist for suggestions
- Try out different types of groups to see which ones feel right
- Make sure the group encourages openness without replacing one rigid worldview with another
Support groups remind you that while your story is yours alone, you’re far from the only one who’s walked this road.
Building A New Social Network Post-Faith Transition
In places like Murray, where Church-centered social activities are common, stepping away from the faith can leave a big social gap. But it can also open space for new connections that match who you are now.
Start by thinking about what lights you up outside of belief systems. Try:
- Joining a local hiking group
- Attending open mic nights or creative workshops
- Signing up for classes or skill-sharing events
- Volunteering for causes that align with your values
These spaces often open the door to friendships built on curiosity and shared interests instead of shared beliefs.
Building new support systems can feel slow, but try to:
- Focus on values over backgrounds
- Be open to different types of people, even if they don’t match your past circle
- Say yes to new activities without pressuring yourself for instant connection
- Talk about things deeply meaningful to you when you’re ready
Over time, your new people will emerge. And they’ll likely meet you where you are, not where you used to be.
Embracing Your New Path Forward
Eventually the focus of the faith transition shifts from what you walked away from to what you’re building. Starting fresh means figuring out what you want your life to be shaped around now — your own voice, your own values, and your own goals.
You’ll make mistakes. You’ll probably revisit old thought patterns. But over time, you’ll begin to trust yourself with those big, grounding questions that used to scare you.
Let this season be about:
- Listening to yourself without judgment
- Creating new habits that fit who you are now
- Letting go of timelines or expectations around personal growth
You don’t need to mirror anyone else's process. Keep moving at a pace that feels kind toward yourself.
Moving Forward With Confidence And Support
There’s no straight path out of a high-demand religion, especially in a place like Murray where faith is woven into daily life. But healing relationships and building new ones is possible.
Whether you're actively working with a faith transition therapist in Utah, reconnecting with old friends, or attending support groups for the first time, each step you take moves you closer to a life that feels true and livable. You get to decide who sees the real you — and you get to protect that version of yourself with support that feels earned, not expected.
Give yourself permission to slow down, disconnect from what no longer serves you, and create relationships and communities on your own terms. You deserve that kind of peace.
Finding your way through a faith transition can be challenging, but with the right support, it becomes a transformative experience. If you're ready to connect with a faith transition therapist in Utah who understands the unique journey you're on, Modern Eve Therapy is here to walk alongside you. Start your path to healing by exploring our resources and support tailored to help you move forward with confidence.