I had an engineering project on a massive chemical recovery boiler that was to be constructed at my work here in TN. I flew to Finland in 1995 to become acquainted with the controls and operation. I had served a mission to Finland years earlier. I spent 3 days in Helsinki wandering places I had proselytized for 9 months of my mission. It struck me that I had really accomplished nothing in those 2 years of my life.

At the hotel, I called home and DW stated she did not want to attend church anymore. I agreed that we would take a 6 month Sabbatical to study and take a break from the monotony of Mormon activity and concentrate on our family. As we all know, independently studying Mormon history leads most folks out of the corporation. We also had moral support from a few ex-Mormons as well.

My story is the first on on the site. It is amazing that 30 years has passed. We have met many wonderful people here online and at conferences and in person while traveling. How can 30 years go so quickly? We also talk about those who have been here and are no longer with us as we age. We miss them.

I am thankful for the moderators and volunteers over the 27 years this site has been online. I never imagined such compassion and selfless dedication that they have given to people - Susan I/S in particular.

Anyways, back to my few years left to play with grandkids, family, music, friends and grateful to be free of a cult even after so many years.

I'm still here.

Our presiding priesthood

I'm still hanging out in the shadows Eric. Found this board a few weeks/months after it started. Thank you for this board. Back in the day we didn't have TICTOK, INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, and the CES Letter. We had libraries, this board, and MSN chatrooms. Your board was a lifeline for many of us. And SUSAN I/S was just a beautiful bonus. ;)

HH =)

This board made an enormous difference to my life. I won't say it gave me closure but it did give me peace as I was finally able to sort out what happened. Thank you.

Amen to feeling "grateful to be free of a cult even after so many years."

I well remember meeting you at the exmo event in Las Vegas back in the late 90's (1998 perhaps). I was just navigating my way out of the mormon church after a rough few years as the ex wife of a man who had been my rock since high school, but had finally come to terms with his deeply closeted homosexuality.

Eric, this recovery board was such a place of healing, education, validation and friendship back then. All these years later, it is a constant source of information and fact-checking that I visit daily. That is an amazing accomplishment! Could you share again how you made the decision to start this board all those years ago?

Kudos to you for working with your wife when she didn’t want to attend anymore. When one member of a couple finds serious reasons to doubt, it can be destructive to the relationship, so I’m glad it was the opposite for you. I was also lucky in that regard. My wife and I had very different reasons for initially stepping back from TSCC, but we both found our way out.

Keep playing music as long as you can. My passion for over a half a century is guitar, but I fear my time with my current band may come to an end soon. Arthritis in my left thumb is making it difficult (and painful) to play for long periods of time.

You are the right not righteous kind of pioneer. Thank you.

as I enter my 60th year on this Earth.

So glad I found you. So glad you left and started this site so I could find you.

Three cheers!

Is Susan I/S the one who used to say "It's feeling kind of trollish around here, folks?"

I remember “PICK A NICK AND STICK”

Yes, that was another :)

drunkbeth Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I remember “PICK A NICK AND STICK”

I remember that, too! LOL

I’ve been around, on and off, since ’98. Thanks, Eric. Also, all others, who have come and go, thru the decades. Each and everyone taught me something.

ETA: Eric, I had never read your story until now. I think of all the people you and others (looking at Susan) have helped.

Leaving Mormonism is so often traumatic. To learn one was part of a cult.

Takes a long time to process.
This place, this safe place. So many helped
Thank you



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/05/2025 05:15PM by angela.

Many lives have been damaged by the crazy, backward, racist Mormon cult, including mine.


Now they are trying to run away from what they fervently believed.

Eric, I'm so glad that your wife was on the same page as you were. As we all know, that isn't always the case. I hope that you continue to enjoy your well-earned retirement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deq6_p47g54

"In every revolution, there's one man with a vision..."

Over 74,000 people were killed in Nagasaki in the US bombing in 1945, three days after Hiroshima.

Even if 30 years is a fraction of this year's 80th anniversary, the brainwashing tragedy causing our own atomic LDS bomb to explode, did it's damage to everyone around us.

Trying to stay far far away from cults, these days.

Your site popped up when I did a search for "frustrated Mormons". That was in 2000. I will be forever grateful to you, and to our old friend who has passed on, SuzieQ#1, who took me under her wing. And of course Susan IS, thank you for your dedication over so many years.

I'm so thankful this website was here when I needed it. Thanks to Eric K and all for providing. You're in my heart. (wondering if my troll is still lingering)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/20/2025 09:56PM by wine country girl.

wcg! It's great to see you drop in. I hope you are doing well.

I'm doing well enough. Who could ask for anything more? And you, my dear dagny?

Life has been good!
There are a few old timers who drop in now and then. It's always nice to hear how they are doing and that they remember RfM.

It's so nice to see you WCG!

Thank you, Susan. I hope you're doing well.

Hokey smoke, WCG rises from the plains. Good to hear from you.

I'm still recovering from the great "Thank God we found Guerneville" mountain exploration adventure, otherwise doing fine. You apparently have managed to keep your distance from various California wildfires over the years. Congrats.

We found Guerneville? Was it missing?

It's nice to see you, Brother of Jerry. I hope you're well.

And I really hate to hijack Eric K's excellent post which we should all be celebrating. Sorry dude!

Good to see you, wcg. I always liked your posts.

TG

"Those who wish to express their appreciation for ERIC K'S service may manifest it by the uplifted hand".

There is a more substantial way.

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