Is Heather Gay’s ‘Surviving Mormonism’ a True Reflection of the LDS Church?

Bravo’s upcoming limited series, Surviving Mormonism with Heather Gay, is set to premiere on Tuesday, November 11, with all three episodes available for streaming on Peacock on November 12. While the series has not yet aired, Bravo has released a trailer, episode descriptions, and promotional materials giving viewers an early look at what to expect.

Heather Gay, known from The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City and author of Bad Mormon, shares her personal journey of leaving the LDS Church while highlighting the experiences of other former members and survivors of abuse. The series promises a blend of personal reflection and candid conversations about controversial aspects of church history.

What We Know About Surviving Mormonism So Far

Bravo has shared details for the three planned episodes, giving a glimpse of the themes and stories viewers can expect.

Episode 1: “A Bad Mormon”

The first episode focuses on Gay’s personal departure from the LDS Church. She meets with David Matheson, a former Mormon known for his past involvement in conversion therapy, who discusses the teachings he once promoted.

In the trailer, Gay says, “The things I learned while we were filming this shocked me to my core. The real secret lives are much darker, deeper, and more tragic.”

Episode 2: “The Highest Level of Heaven”

The second episode will explore stories of abuse and the challenges faced by some church members. Gay will speak with survivors, including a man named Ben, and hear from a former Bishop about his experiences in leadership.

Episode 3: “Change Is Gonna Come”

The final episode will feature sisters Jennie and Lizzy, who endured abuse at the hands of their father and reported it to church leaders. In the trailer, Gay responds, “This is still going on. This has to stop. I just feel overwhelmed and horrified.” 

Heather Gay’s Memoirs

Gay’s memoir, Bad Mormon, was released in 2022, and offers a deeper dive into her life, including her experiences growing up in the LDS Church, her divorce, and raising three daughters as a single mother. The book provides context for the perspectives she brings to the series and is described by Heather as “vulnerable,” recounting both challenges and lessons from her life.

Gay shared on Instagram, “I was raised Mormon but now I’m raising a glass of champagne and writing all about it!! I’m so excited to share my full story with you in my book BAD MORMON!”

In an interview with PEOPLE, she added, “A good Mormon would never write a book like this! I’m excited to tell my story and talk about the parts of my life that never make the TV screen. I hope that by sharing my experiences people will learn and grow from my mistakes, challenges and successes.”

Gay also released Good Time Girl, a follow-up book that continues to explore her life as a former Mormon, mother, and reality TV star. While Bad Mormon delved into her orthodox upbringing, the challenges of marriage, and leaving the Church, Good Time Girl takes a more playful, candid look at her life afterward. The book captures her humorous adventures, romantic mishaps, and the unexpected successes she has found while embracing independence, womanhood, and second chances.

Gay is no stranger to discussing her experiences with the LDS Church publicly. Through her reality TV appearances on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City and in interviews, she has shared candid insights about her faith journey, personal struggles, and her decision to step away from the Church.

Context from the LDS Church

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has addressed portrayals of its faith in entertainment media, noting that while some depictions are fair, others rely on sensationalism or stereotypes that do not accurately reflect the beliefs and lives of its members.

According to the Church, “Some portrayals are fair and accurate, but others resort to stereotypes or gross misrepresentations that are in poor taste and have real-life consequences for people of faith. Millions of Church members around the world are deeply dedicated to family, fidelity, service, and the gospel of Jesus Christ. The true story of our faith is best seen in the countless lives of those who strive daily to follow our Savior Jesus Christ.”

This perspective reminds viewers that individual stories in media, such as those featured in Surviving Mormonism, represent personal experiences rather than the broader faith.

How the Series Fits with LDS History

Based on the information released so far, Surviving Mormonism explores challenging moments in LDS history alongside personal stories. While it may prompt discussion and reflection, it is not yet a full reflection of the Church, and viewers should consider it as a set of individual experiences rather than a definitive portrayal of the faith.

Response to Abuse

In Surviving Mormonism, Heather Gay interviews two sisters who allege that reports of abuse to local Church leaders were ignored. Abuse is evil, and the Church has been open and direct in its statement that it condemns abuse of any kind.

In the Church, abuse is viewed as a serious sin and a violation of both God’s law and civil law. The Church teaches that all leaders must take allegations seriously, protect victims, and comply fully with reporting laws. The Savior Himself condemned the harming of the innocent, warning that it would be “better… that a millstone were hanged about his neck” (Matthew 18:6).

The Church operates under a zero-tolerance policy for abuse and has established a comprehensive system built around three principles: Prevent, Report, and Respond.

• Prevent: The Church teaches that abuse is never acceptable, trains leaders to recognize and stop it, enforces a two-adult policy for youth activities, monitors membership records for past offenders, and requires congregational approval for anyone serving with children.
  
• Report: Leaders have access to a 24-hour helpline staffed by professionals to ensure victims are protected and legal reporting requirements are followed. Members are urged to report abuse directly to civil authorities, and leaders are notified as needed to ensure vigilance and support.
  
• Respond: Victims receive ongoing spiritual and professional care, while the Church cooperates fully with investigations. Abusers face serious Church discipline, including loss of membership, and are permanently barred from working with children or youth.

Through these policies and procedures, the Church strives to follow Christ’s example by protecting the vulnerable, supporting healing, and upholding justice. 

About Mormonism Explained

Mormonism Explained is a resource that was designed to provide objective and factual information about Mormonism, its history, doctrines, and policies. Our team of researchers consults experts and primary sources to present factual information on a variety of topics relevant to the Mormon Church.

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