Former Mormon, Now Christian Takes The Gospel To Utah Lawmakers
Carl Wimmer, a former Utah State Representative and Mormon Church leader who four years ago converted to Christianity, is the man who is taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ to Legislators in the Utah State Capitol.For more than a year Pastor Wimmer has handed out weekly exegetical Bible studies to each of the 104 Legislators beginning with Why You Can Trust The Bible, a subtle nod, perhaps, to the fact that he had discovered that he could not trust the Book of Mormon.
Pastor Wimmer’s conversion to Christianity happened in 2013 when, as a lifelong member of the LDS Church and one of its local leaders, he was brought information that refuted parts of the Book of Mormon.
“I was a die-hard Mormon,” he said. “I was very involved and active in the church. I believed it with everything I had. These things upset me so much, so as someone who loved the Mormon Church, I set out to prove what I was hearing was incorrect.”
But the opposite happened. He discovered historical, linguistic, and archaeological evidence that cast doubt over much of the church’s teachings.
“Everything that I had been raised to believe, my entire life structure was ripped from me. My world view was destroyed. At 38 years old, I had no idea even if there was a God.” 
“This is where I was when Jesus Christ found me through his miraculous grace. He just made it very clear in one night, Feb. 22, 2013. He exploded my heart for Him and I’ve never been the same. I went from being an angry, empty person to a man who is free in Christ.”
Pastor Wimmer presented the evidence to his wife, Sherry, who conducted her own research and also made a commitment to Jesus Christ. The couple and their five children now attend a Bible-based church and Pastor Wimmer occasionally preaches at neighboring churches. He is also working toward a bachelor’s degree in theology at Liberty University.
For quite some time he avoided becoming involved with Capitol Ministries because he knew it meant he would be ministering to Utah Legislators whom he had once worked alongside, and who mostly share the Mormon faith. Pastor Wimmer was State Representative from 2006 to 2012 when he stepped down for a run for Congress, which was unsuccessful.
“I did everything I could to avoid it,” he said. “But there is a shortage of whales in Utah, and outside of being swallowed by one and forced to go to Nineveh, God made it very clear that this is where he wanted me.”
“So I stepped out in faith and became a Ministry Leader and it is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It has been absolutely amazing. To be able to minister to Lawmakers about Jesus Christ is incredible.”
But it’s not been easy.
He’s been shunned, criticized, and rejected by his former colleagues. His Bible studies are taken from Lawmaker’s desks and thrown away. Nearly 40 people accepted his invitation to attend a catered sit-down breakfast he had arranged where he planned to discuss “Biblical Archaeology,” but only two people attended.
A senior staff member threatened him with arrest for distributing his Bible study after a Legislator, who is a leader in the Mormon Church, complained, but Pastor Wimmer stood his ground. A police officer by profession, Pastor Wimmer questioned the law the threat was based upon and the intimidations ceased.
As a result, many Legislators were jolted by the attempt at censorship and have become cordial, even friendly with Pastor Wimmer.
And he has made inroads.
“What is amazing is, that through the discouragement, there have been wonderful sparks of light,” he said. “God allows enough amazing miracles and nuggets to come through that keep my ministry exciting and interesting and keep me buoyed and hopeful.”
Numerous legislators have asked Pastor Wimmer to pray for specific needs, he has been invited into the office of a high-ranking Legislator who is a Mormon for private prayer, and a former lobbyist, who was Mormon, was persistent in asking for a meeting and as a result has become a Christian.
Every week Pastor Wimmer hand delivers Bible studies to each one of the Utah 104 Legislators, and he intends to persevere.
“I think I made Satan very angry by joining Capitol Ministries,” he said. “There’s no doubt that there are people up there in the Capitol who need a safe person to talk to about how they are struggling and doubting the tenets of Mormonism. I want to be that person. The mission of Capitol Ministries is fantastic. It could change the world.”
If you would like to pray for Pastor Wimmer or support his ministry, you may contact him at: carl@carlwimmer.com