More than 25 years ago, I served my mission in Brazil. There were many people I tried to stay in contact over the years but back then we did things by letter USPS. Eventually, I lost contact with a bunch of folks until recently I found them over facebook.

One person I found and baptized in particular, went on a mission and returned home and serves firmly in the church still. She never married which I find a little odd as she was not ugly. Her sister informed me though that she decided as its hard to find a worthy man in the church in Brazil. She is basically very TBM.

Of course I am no longer believing for the past 12 years. I shared the recent article of the church being fined to her as I feel bad that she is still single no children. She was not having it at all!! Still firm in her belief and I am the dude that taught her and baptized her. Go figure, strange turn of events.

rational understanding. Some underlying need must be met by her latching onto to this cult?

i would think a sense of empowerment and purpose in life? she was a very sweet young lady when we first met. i could see that she liked me, however, i had my mind on my mission then, i met my wife within no time at all when i returned. she actually wont talk to me as if i promised her marraige. her sisters keep us in communication. but she has dug in her heels and is sticking with a loser. its really sad and i feel guilty having turn her life upside down. damn u joseph smith!!!

At some point, each person has some amount of responsibility for his/her destiny. You shouldn't be too hard on yourself if she is dedicated to the church.

My mission story involves marrying a beautiful woman who I met in the field, but she refused to get baptized- her brother however said yes and was baptized. For a long time, she felt bad but I always told her it wasn't her fault.

She's not ready to see the truth about her church. People do not want their belief systems challenged. They get defensive or dismissive.

If she becomes unhappy with the church she'll be more open to critical talk about the church, which she 'knows' is true.

And it may still happen.