I was a single guy, living in Southern California, going to church now and then just for social reasons, but still unsure where I stood with the church.

There were only a handful of single women in my ward. I had gone out with some of them but nothing developed between us. The single women at work were either involved with someone, just weren’t interested in me, or believed in not dating coworkers.

So I signed up with Great Expectations, the video dating service. (This was long before the Internet.) In the course of one of those dates it came out that she was a jack Mormon. What a coincidence, so was I. She asked whether I believed in the gospel and all that.

I said I didn’t know.

She pressed, “Well, do you believe in the First Vision?”

No one I could be totally honest with had ever asked me that. And in that instant I knew. “No. I don’t.”

“So you don’t believe Joseph Smith was a prophet?”

“No.”

“Then all the rest of it falls apart, doesn’t it?”

Yes it did. Yes it did.

It was our only date, but that was okay. I came away with something much better than a girlfriend: clarity and inner peace.

Life's important messages to us can sometimes come in unanticipated ways.

I have been realizing lately that certain things which happened to me throughout my life were, in retrospect, important (as either messages to me or as turning points), though back then, I often did not recognize what they were "telling me."

I'm glad you were able to recognize your turning point when it occurred.

Perhaps not exactly related, but I learned long ago to respect my own premonitions about things too.
If I felt strongly negative about something, I’d avoid it.

olderelder Wrote:
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Isn’t that called a computer dating service?

So, which religion have you joined now?
Are you an atheist or do you prefer to be called an agnostic or irreligion or ignatist or spiritual.
Are you a deist?

Do you think the word god has a meaning?
Do you think that humans have souls and other animals do not?

I’m a nevermo who enjoys religions.
~~~~iceman9090

iceman9090 Wrote:
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> olderelder Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> Isn’t that called a computer dating service?

There was no computer involved, except maybe the one that took my credit card.

> So, which religion have you joined now?

None

> Are you an atheist or do you prefer to be called an agnostic or irreligion or ignatist or spiritual.

Atheist

> Are you a deist?

No

> Do you think the word god has a meaning?

It describes what most people worship

> Do you think that humans have souls and other animals do not?

I don't think souls exist

That's a beautiful post, olderelder. Clarity and inner peace. What more could one wish for? I fact, I think that's what I'll wish people at Christmas this year. Thank you for it.