DiscussMormonism.com

When I was a believer, there was nothing more testimony-strengthening for me than sin. If I got a little lax, started taking the religion for granted, and then I committed some sin, immediately I had a great desire to be more religious. I felt dirty, and I wanted to be clean, and I was desperate to do it. I'd pray harder, read the scriptures more, pay closer attention in church, do my home teaching, etc. Sin made me get closer to Mormonism.

So I think this little trope that apologists like to trot out about critics leaving the church as an excuse to sin is exactly ass backwards. It's the sin that made me, at least, as a true believer, an even stronger believer. Sin made me let go of intellectual doubts and cling to the LDS gospel for dear life.

This was true for me too. I kept thinking if I die now there is no way I am going to make it back to the CK. I better start living better and try not to sin. Everytime I did sin though the feelings came back that I must try harder. That's why the call it endure to the end! What a fun life Mormonism is when you truly believe it.

Although, it was interesting after I stopped believing I had to define for myself what I think is morally wrong. Some things are the same and some things are totally different. In a lot of ways I find the church belief system morally wrong just how they find my belief system morally wrong.

So yes I do "sin" without guilt now however, the Mormon church sins in my eyes and I'm sure they don't feel guilty about it either.

TBMs stay in church because they sin

Sure. We are all sinners. Anti Mormons stay away from Church because they love to sin.

I would rather practice virtues than struggle to avoid sin.

I would rather practice virtues than struggle to avoid sin.

One and the same and that is indeed what we counsel people to do. For example: Mosiah 2:17

Don't struggle, immerse yourself in good things and your desire to sin will cease.

Sure. We are all sinners. Anti Mormons stay away from Church because they love to sin.

Unbelief being a sin.....D&C 58:15