In Mormonism, an apostate is anyone who leaves the LDS Church or openly rejects its teachings or leaders. Apostasy is viewed as one of the most serious spiritual offenses because it means turning away from “restored truth.” While official doctrine today stops short of declaring that apostates are condemned to eternal loss, many Latter-day Saints still see apostasy as spiritually dangerous and deeply tragic.
For those who leave, the cost is often high. Apostates may face strained or broken family relationships, loss of community, and social isolation within predominantly LDS areas. Many describe feelings of fear, guilt, or anxiety about disappointing loved ones or losing their eternal family. The cultural weight of being labeled an apostate can linger long after someone departs the Church.
Biblical Christianity views apostasy differently. An apostate is one who turns away from faith in Christ himself, not merely from a human institution. A person who leaves the LDS Church to trust in Jesus alone is not an apostate in the biblical sense but someone who has finally found the truth that sets them free (John 8:32).
