Dear RFM:

We did it. A family of 5 sent off our resignation letters
yesterday. We stopped going to church approx 18 months
ago. We were in BKP's home ward for the past 13 years.

I was exec sec at the time we stepped down.

I'm related all the way back to a JS bodyguard. BIC
on steroids, RM, temple marriage, you name it.

When I first found RFM I was petrified and scared
to death. But I can't begin to express how much
your empathy, understanding and beautiful minds
have meant to me, and indirectly to my family.

There's too many posters to mention. I'd hate to
leave anyone out.

A special shout out to Susan who was there for me
when I was extremely vulnerable. Thank you Susan
for all your time, attention to this board, and caring.

My wife and I were interviewed on the Naked Mormonism
podcast during the summer of 2015:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/spedep09-discussion-listener/id939310746?i=346269737&mt=2

(she came from Hinkley's home stake, I came from
Huntsman's. I think you'll get a kick out of our story)

Here are some pics to enjoy

Pic 1:

http://i.imgur.com/MJybNka.jpg

Pic 2:

http://i.imgur.com/x9BExOq.jpg?1

(I fully understand my full "government" is viewable
on the table in Pic 1. I don't care. I'm not afraid
anymore)

Preston (smo)

What is it like with these guys in your "home" ward?

What percentage of the time do they even attend?

How do people act around them?

I couldn't get out of Utah fast enough after BYU but this was always one of those "mysteries" I wondered about.

To P m SS,

Extremely rigid. Everything by the book, no exceptions. You can see it in people's faces walking in the halls, etc.

He didn't attend much. When he did, he was whisked away right after sacrament with bodyguards into a very nice, always clean automobile.

I always thought, "humm, aren't you supposed to attend ALL of your church meetings? What gives?"

One of my kids reached out to shake his hand after he spoke one Sunday. One of his handlers batted my son's hand down out of the way like my son had a weapon or something.

Does that help?

Yeah, that's kind of what I imagined. On one hand I had this vision of a super "spiritual" ward lifted by these "giants amongst men."

I personally met Hinkley in '88 or 89 'down at a private reception before a big BYU fireside. He was just "not there" with the couple dozen people there and looked right through me as we shook hands. He had his teleprompter notes and clearly was seeing his speech for the FIRST TIME. He was unhappy with a few things and was making people jump to get them fixed.

Can you say let down! So much for him speaking under the prompting of the spirit.

Yeah, I feel stupid. :)

I'm an old guy and was married in 1973. The 2nd apartment we lived in was in Holiday, UT and within a couple of times of going to church, we were told that "this is the home ward of Bernard P.Brockbank" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_P._Brockbank

(Nobody now remembers who he was).

I saw him come to church a couple of times in the couple of years we lived there. I spoke to him one day, and we talked about his visit to the Brasil Central mission where I was in 1970. Without looking it up, I think he came there to create the 2nd stake in Brasil. He seemed like a nice man.

I enjoyed pic #2 -- celebrating with a glass of wine :)

Congratulations. Enjoy your new life, honest and authentic, and making your own destiny.

How wonderful to have all been together in your decision.
Congratulations!

Congratulations!

Wow. Just wow. With "DNA" mormons like you leaving, all is truly unwell in Zion. Very best wishes to you and family. Wow.

Inspiring story. Thanks for sharing.

Is there another way I can listen to that podcast? I don't want no itunes on this machine.

Dear Elder Berry,

I guess just hunt down the podcast on the device your comfortable with. Our episode is called Special Episode 9 I think, Preston

Is this it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riDf1_R51XI

No, his is the SpEdEp9. It doesn't look like it's on YouTube.

I loved listening to this smo. It was a good way to kill time during my sons nap. Lol

This is really cool. One of my progenitors was also a JS body guard.

I love the stamps you chose! Words that TSCC does not really comprehend.

Congratulations.

Last I checked he had 13,700 known descendants ...

snowball Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I love the stamps you chose! Words that TSCC does
> not really comprehend.


I loved them too but I do not fully comprehend either ... What is the difference between liberty and freedom?!

Congrats! Leaving as an intact unit is music to my ears!

ANYBODY leaving is music, but all in one fell swoop, well, that's just lovely.

Dude I love your kitchen! (Is that apple cider you're drinking to celebrate or did you go from 0 to 60 in record speed?)

Congratulations!

Photo no. 1 should be on the front cover of LDS Inc.'s "Ensign." Classy photo!

Cover Caption: "As member's learn the truth, the truth sets them free."

Kudos to you and your family.

Yeah Baby, Yeah!

Thank you for sharing. I'll have to check out the material when I get home from work.

Congratulations!

...and nice kitchen

Those photos make my heart happy. I hope to have replications of my own someday! Truth will out! Congrats!

Cheers! I'm glad your family escaped intact.

Congrats for getting out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think its wonderful.

Congratulations to you and your family.
My family has been out since 2011 . It has been the best thing for our family . We have become much closer without a church being in the middle of our lives and business on a daily basis . I have to say we don't miss it at all it was taking away from us and not adding to our lives . As you probably know it will be somewhat of an adventure for you because you have been so involved all your life .

You now have the opportunity to build a new life and it can be a lot of fun enjoy it all you can life is short

Congratulations.

We have the same looking granite countertops. I do like the stove.

I have early mormon ancestors and early anti-mormon ancestors. The anti side was around when Joe got shot. I hope one of my relatives was involved in the deed.

smo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Dear RFM:
>
> We were in BKP's home ward for the past 13
> years.
>
> I was exec sec at the time we stepped down.
>
> I'm related all the way back to a JS bodyguard.
> BIC
> on steroids, RM, temple marriage, you name it.
>>
> >
> (she came from Hinkley's home stake, I came from
> Huntsman's. I think you'll get a kick out of our
> story)
>
> Sorry to do this to you, but none of your heritage nor positions you held in the church mean anything to me. I had to put up with decades of people feeling superior due to their linage. In time, you will become ashamed of your ancestors.

Hey Preston, our parents knew each other when we were kids.

Sorry to due this, but I need to respond to your initial post that detailed your credentials in the LDS Church.

I am NOT a descendent of the valiant pioneers. Neither I nor anyone in my family ever had an important position in the church.

I no longer am impressed by Mormon Royalty, nor do I feel the princes and princess of Mormondom are better than me.

Hi Calrichmond,

I'm a bottom of the barrel mormon. But it is kind of impressive (and heartwarming) when royalty resigns, isn't it?

And remember, Fear IS a mindkiller. Yet, you DO remain. Not only remain but THRIVE :)

"I will not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."