Hello all,
I understand that it's considered rude not to introduce myself. So here goes. I'm typically the lurker type. I like to read and digest but consider my thoughts and feelings my own.
I stopped being a regular attendee of church when I was 22. (1990)I hated to be told what to do by idiots (the bishop). He had no idea what my life was like. And obviously was NOT inspired by any Godly revelations. I married not quite a year later to a great guy who had didn't have an organized religion background. Thank God... LOL
In 1997 I attended a funeral for a young mormon return missionary. Hubby worked with his Dad. It was a sad and very moving funeral. I knew all the hymns etc. I decided that day that I was going to study the Church. I was either all the way in or all the way out. No more fence sitting for me.
I went home and typed Mormonism into the computer. Wow! There was alot of information. I was determined to weigh it all. I think that back then there were many fewer options as far as exmormon sites. I landed on Recovery From Mormonism, while it was in it's infancy. I chose to shy away from the "anti-mormon" literature, but instead read biographies and historical books dealing with the beginning of Mormonism.
I remember a seminary teacher saying that Joseph Smith was the cornerstone of the church. So if he was corrupt then the whole church was based on a rotten foundation. With that sticking in my mind I read Emma Smith's Biography. It was moving. I decided at that point so no more Mormonism for me. I was out... all the way out. But as for removing my name from church records (what a joke), I didn't really care whether or not that happened.
In 1999-2000 my do gooder siblings shared my address with the church. Hubby was in the Army so we moved 3 times in those 2 years and I was shocked when the missionaries or a stupid visiting teacher showed up shortly after each move. So I had no choice. I asked to have my name removed. It was like closing a door. My children never knew the church. My husband has his own beliefs and as he told my Bish Bro-in-Law, his God isn't cash poor.
Now to today. The one true regret of mine has come to fruition. I had a baby years ago, while I was still a believer. I gave her up for adoption. To a blasted TBM family. She has found me. For that I am happy. But she doesn't understand my choice to leave the church. And I have to revisit all the things I learned 18 years ago. She may never want to know the truth, but she is my child and in that I must be able to help her if she wants to know.
This was a longer post than I thought it would be, but I better end it now.
Thank you,
MarriMouse........... Like MickeyMouse
