UNVEILING GRACE BOOK
The Story of How We Found Our Way Out of the Mormon Church
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From a rare insider’s point of view, Unveiling Grace is a gripping story of how former Brigham Young University professor Lynn Wilder’s entire family, deeply enmeshed in the Mormon Church for thirty years, found their way out into the loving arms of Jesus' grace.
For thirty years, Lynn Wilder and her family lived, loved, and promoted the Mormon Church. Then on a Mormon mission trip to Florida, their son Micah had a revelation: God knew him personally. God loved him. And the Mormon Church did not offer the true gospel.
Micah’s conversion to Christ put the family in a tailspin. They wondered: Have we believed the wrong thing for decades? If we leave Mormonism, what does this mean for our safety, jobs, and relationships? Is Christianity that different from Mormonism anyway?
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As Lynn tells her own story of abandoning the deception of Mormonism to receive God’s grace, she gives a rare look into Mormon culture, what it means to grow up Mormon, and why the contrasts between Mormonism and Christianity make all the difference in the world.
Whether readers are in the Mormon Church, curious about Mormonism, or simply looking for a gripping story, Unveiling Grace will strengthen their faith in the true God who loves them no matter what.
About the author​
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Lynn K. Wilder 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.
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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.
Book reviews
Significant Living Magazine
Posted by Bob Shank
On September 01, 2013
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Wilder shares the unbelievable story of her family's journey out from under the priesthood authority of the Mormon Church and into the grace-filled arms of the biblical Jesus. Not only does her book expose secret details about the inner workings of the Mormon Church and how its influence can permeate every area of a members' lives, but she explains what enticed her family, and many others, into the fellowship of the Mormons.
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Pray the Bible.net
Posted by Chuck Huckaby
On August 22, 2013
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Her (Dr. Wilder's) narrative offers deep psychological insights into Mormon culture on virtually every page. Behind the veneer of niceness can lie many profound heartaches. Most shocked with “Unveiling Grace,” perhaps, will be those Christians oblivious enough to assume Mormons are simply “another denomination”.
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Caravan Sonnet
Posted by Rebecca VanDeMark
On August 13, 2013
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"Unveiling Grace", by Lynn Wilder, is a powerful testament to the beautiful love of God working in the midst of everyday life. From page one Lynn wraps and weaves a story that is easy to read while not being to simplistic. She tells the gripping story of how her family, which had been deeply involved in Mormonism (for 30 years), found their way out of the Mormon church and as she states, "to Jesus Christ alone". Sharing a powerful tale of the Lord's amazing work in her and her families lives I was brought to tears at the power and love of my precious Savior who works so lovingly to bring people to Him.
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From the Lighthouse
Posted by Asa Veek
On August 11, 2013
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Wilder shares their story more like a narrative, and, within their story, she weaves in teachings from the Latter Day Saints (LDS). The story has almost the feel of a clandestine spy novel. Her storytelling style pulls the reader along, much like a well-written dramatic tale. From a pure storytelling standpoint, I enjoyed it.
From the content, however, I was very disturbed. It was not her story that disturbed me, however, but rather the content of her story. To get a first-hand story of the LDS church, I was very much shocked and saddened at what she reveals.
Unveiling Grace is not a story written by an embittered ex-member of the LDS. Rather, this is the story of a couple steeped in the faith (he was very active in Temple activities, teaching, leading; she was a full professor at Brigham Young University) and their journey to the biblical Jesus.
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Mormon Research Ministry
Posted by Eric Johnson
On August 10, 2013
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Many Christians—especially those of us who live in Utah—have heard of the Adam’s Road band and seen them perform. Using the powerful words of scripture, the members of the band have shared the gospel of grace and truth at concerts throughout the nation.
Now comes a book by Lynn Wilder—the mother of band founder Micah—that explains how the Wilder family found Jesus not very long ago. The only word that could describe the Wilders’ transformation is miraculous. After all, many individuals regularly leave Mormonism and embrace Christianity; however, for an entire family to leave the religion for the grace of Christ is truly a rare event. For believers who think that their Mormon friends and family members will never be able to see the truth, Unveiling Grace is for you. It is a compelling account filled with hope and power.
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Entrusted with the Gospel
Posted by Bryan Catherman
On August 09, 2013
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Unveiling Grace is not just about Mormon and Christian Doctrine. It is the story of a BYU professor and her LDS high priest husband and family leaving the LDS church because God revealed the Biblical Christ to them through his Word and saved them. This book is personal and shows the battle, the carnage, and the joys of coming out of a cult and finding real truth. I was deeply moved by Lynn’s work to renew my commitment to pray for and engage my Mormon friends and neighbors with the Gospel. This book will become the first book I encourage people to read if they want to learn about Mormonism because of the way it presents doctrine in the context of life and experience. I highly encourage Mormons, Christians, and pagans alike to read this book and hear about just how great the God of the Bible is.
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The Book Ministry of Servants of Grace
Posted by Dave Jenkins
On August 02, 2013
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The narrative in Unveiling Grace is compelling, convicting, and true. The differences between Mormonism and biblical Christianity are many and stark. Written from an author who spent thirty years in various callings in the Mormon Church and even as a tenured Professor at Brigham Young University, Unveiling Grace will be a book that will rip to shreds your preconceptions about Mormonism and open your eyes to what Mormons believe and how that belief informs their lives. Whether you are just mildly curious about Mormonism or you are regularly ministering to Mormons, I encourage every Christian to read this book as it will open your eyes to the mission field that is Mormonism and drive you to study it further. Unveiling Grace will be eye-opening for those who know nothing about Mormonism. This very well-written and engaging book will leave you at the edge of your seat wanting to know about what is going to happen next and more importantly, it will leave you wanting to read and study the Bible all the more.