Dates

• Existence: 1935-

Biographical History

Ed Decker (born 1935) is a writer and evangelist in Utah.

Edward John Decker was born in 1935 and raised Episcopalian. While attending Utah State University, he married a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints named Phyllis in 1956. He joined the Church in the following year. Afer 20 years, Decker became an evangelical Christian and asked for his name to be removed from church records. He was divorced in 1969. He was removed from Church membership on October 21, 1976 in Bellevue, Washington.

Decker founded Ex-Mormons for Jesus, a non-profit organization with the purpose of "witness[ing] Jesus Christ to the Mormon people." Following criticism that the corporation was only a negative attack on the Church, Decker changed the name to Saints Alive in Jesus to promote the positive aspect of the ministry. Decker is the author of many controversial books and articles to do with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and is well known for his film "The God Makers."

Citation:

His The God makers, c1984: t.p. (Ed Decker) p. 4 of cover (internat. dir., Saints Alive/Ex. Mormons for Jesus)

nuc88-137263: And the word bacame flesh, 1983 (usage on UPB rept.: J. Edward Decker)

His The Mormon dilemma, c1990: CIP t.p. (J. Edward Decker) data sheet (b. 11/25/35)

Wikipedia, website viewed November 19, 2014 (Ed Decker; John Edward "Ed" Decker; born 1935; American conterculture apologist and evangelist known for his studies, books, and presentations of the perceived negative aspects of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Freemasonry; former member of the LDS Church; prominent early member of Saints Alive in Jesus; author of The God makers)

Revolvy, April 12, 2019; https://www.revolvy.com/page/Ed-Decker; b. 1935, religion raised, name of wife. Archives West, April 12, 2019; http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv47717; m. 1956, conversion to Church 1957, date/place excommunicated, divorce 1969.

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