I have a hard time watching them without wanting to talk back to the screen, but I have read all of the talks for the past two GCs. DW has been more than a little shocked when I've demonstrated a familiarity with the topics and could actually quote some of the GAs. She still can't figure out why I haven't converted; as though I would be powerless before the collective wisdom on display.
Forum: Recovery Board

It's akin to that exhilaration I feel when I stare up at the stars on a clear night and can almost feel my consciousness pulled into space.
Forum: Recovery Board

summer Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Well, I'm a nevermo, but look at it this way -- if > you didn't grow up in the faith, you would likely > find certain things howlingly funny. One of my > favorites is, the angel took the plates away. Wow, > how *convenient* for Joseph. Now he doesn't have > to produce the plates for anyone's inspectio
Forum: Recovery Board

And Moroni swam across the Atlantic with the gold plates to bury them in upstate NY. Yeah, I can see that! ;)
Forum: Recovery Board

This is a very valuable lesson I learned after years of being the good kid growing up. Always be respectful, never talk back, don't fight back, don't be mean to your sisters, etc. However, all of that makes you targets for those who weren't taught to be "good kids"; or from sisters who knew they could torment me all they wanted because our parents would punish me if I ever retaliated
Forum: Recovery Board

"I like beer, cause it makes me a jolly good fellow. I like beer, cause it helps me unwind and sometimes it makes me feel mellow." From the classic country song, "I Like Beer". Unfortunately, I don't remember the who sang it.
Forum: Recovery Board

I'm a nevermo, and before I married my TBM DW I may have been one to casually dismiss the indoctrination that all ex-mos struggle to overcome as they leave. I used to buy into TSCC's PR image as a wholesome, family-oriented Christian religion that was unfairly persecuted by people who were indimidated by Mormon dedicated virtuousness. When we got married, DW wanted me to learn all about Mo
Forum: Recovery Board

My TBM DW has repeatedly told me that Catholics make the best converts to TSCC. I don't know whether that reflects any TSCC teachings, or even whether that is supposed to reflect well on Catholics. I think she meant it as a compliment in the context that I am an ex-Catholic myself, and she sees in me many of the positive qualities that Mormons want to see in themselves. DW attributes thos
Forum: Recovery Board

Having brunch at a local country club with my Catholic family. It's kind of an impromptu event since half of my sibs are scattered across the country this weekend. All I know for sure is that I will be enjoying a spicy Bloody Mary, or two.
Forum: Recovery Board

As an outsider, I've been asking my TBM DW this same question. What's the point in having a "Gen-u-wine" living prophet if he's not out there selling it to the unwashed masses. There are so many people dying for answers to sincere questions who would not hesitate to follow somebody who could demonstrate that he was truly a prophet of God. I had no idea that the TSCC had a prophet, livin
Forum: Recovery Board

I have the greatest respect for how you are handling this. I'm sorry that they are so committed to their script that they can't acknowledge the integrity of your stand. I wish you only the best.
Forum: Recovery Board

Fall is my favorite season. I will not be shoveling tomorrow's "global warming"...I'm just going run my SUV a little longer until it melts away.
Forum: Recovery Board

I frequently joke with my TBM DW that the secret to my generally good health and happy mood (as opposed to her frequent illnesses and depression) is the regular consumption of coffee and alcohol.
Forum: Recovery Board

I'm starting to realize that I did not give Carl Sagan his due credit while he was still alive.
Forum: Recovery Board

Spring is already over in MN, and I think we've skipped summer and fall, as well. We're expecting 6-12" tomorrow. Just another Wednesday.
Forum: Recovery Board

I think it was the second or third investigators' class I attended after marrying my wife a few years ago. I didn't know much about TSCC yet and DW was eager for me to learn "the truth" before I stumbled on "anti-mormon lies". Anyway, after class the ward mission leader came up to us and was eager to strike up a conversation with me, being a prospective new member and all.
Forum: Recovery Board

One time when the missionaries dragged out the old trope about how Joe couldn't possibly have written the BoM without divine assistance, I did a quick search on what B.H. Roberts had to say about BoM and "The View of the Hebrews". They saw that I was online with my tablet and insisted that they weren't allowed to surf the internet. "But you're not surfing, I am. Besides, I'm jus
Forum: Recovery Board

Fortunately, we don't have to worry about kids (we're too old), and she already has her ticket to the CK with her first husband...which really ticks her off. I was once, and still may be, a ward project, but I hope we dispelled that during our last argument. She doesn't want to hear anything critical of TSCC, but I have promised her that she will learn everything I know before I would allow t
Forum: Recovery Board

Oh, heck no! I remain a nevermo; planting seeds of doubt in all TBMs (be they missionaries or members) who visit with the hopes of showing me the light. I don't seek out people to un-convert; but if they come to convert me, all bets are off. DW and I have mostly agreed to disagree, but that's not to say we haven't had some arguments over my refusal to convert. I may be too accommodating in
Forum: Recovery Board

The upcoming GC reminds me of the first GC telecast I attended with my TBM DW three years ago. We were married only a couple months, and I was just learning about TSCC...both from the missionaries and my wife, and through my own research. DW wanted me to see the GC "live" at the chapel, and had volunteered us to drive the missionaries since I was their most promising investigator.
Forum: Recovery Board

No, she's not concerned. For her it's enough that she can justify in her own mind that there is a possibility that Joseph Smith was an innocent victim of persecution. The details are unimportant and would only ruin the narrative: "I wasn't there, and neither were you! We don't know for sure what really led to his confession."
Forum: Recovery Board

I agree that it's more about control than porn itself. I remember as a teen that I thought my dad could somehow read my mind. He somehow knew whatever mischief I was hiding from him and anticipated all of my excuses. It wasn't until I was older and wiser that I realized his Jedi mind tricks were borne of his own experience as a mischief-maker, and that he was letting me know that he was i
Forum: Recovery Board

My wife frequently uses experiences from her life as proof that Joe (and mormons in general) was unfairly persecuted. For example, one of DW's sons pleaded no contest for something that he didn't do to avoid being charged, and possibly convicted, of a greater charge. Therefore, Joe probably made a deal with the judge to plead guilty to a lesser charge to avoid a greater one. Another exampl
Forum: Recovery Board

I told my TBM DW about this once to support my claim that Joe was (at one time, at least) a confessed con man. She insisted it was either an anti-mormon lie or Joe was coerced into his testimony in court.
Forum: Recovery Board