In 'Surviving Mormonism,' Heather Gay Takes on the Church.

The article focuses on Heather Gay’s documentary series *Surviving Mormonism With Heather Gay*, which critically examines the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) through emotional interviews with individuals who allege harm from its doctrines and leadership, including survivors of homophobia and child sexual abuse. The series contrasts with the popular, curated portrayals of Mormon motherhood seen in social media influencers and reality shows like Hulu’s *The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives* and Bravo’s *The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City*. Gay, a former member and critic of the LDS Church, uses personal reflection and survivor testimonies to highlight systemic issues within the Church, such as the promotion of gay conversion therapy and the mishandling of abuse allegations. While the series may not fully indict the Church as a cult, it serves as a counter-narrative to the sanitized public image of Mormonism presented by mainstream media.