Wow. Thanks for the insights. Inflexible rules in an inflexible church.
Forum: Recovery Board

In my southern state ward, the chapel temperature was sometimes very cold in winter but the individual rooms had individual thermostats so they could be adjusted. If they were really interested in keeping members they would not ask us to do janitorial and would bring back the paid helpers. Also while shortening the block seems like a move to keep people happy, what would really help would b
Forum: Recovery Board

Yeah, the money part was hardly mentioned! Nor was temple marriage, which seems like everything else mormon, you aren't give choices (like which church, which pastor, how many flowers) you just take what you are given and be 'grateful."
Forum: Recovery Board

Thank you Namarod for sharing. I never did the whole Temple thing because I felt as a lifelong non-church-member, I was doing well to come to church at all much less do anything else. Your story certainly confirms my decision! Thanks. Also, when I get old I want to enjoy my retirement, not waste my time in some stupid calling hoping it means I will get into a higher level in the Celes
Forum: Recovery Board

From Heartbroken's post: "Most silly church callings...are not about serving people but retaining membership by making members feel like they are doing something useful, when they're really not. Imagine the actual good the Mormon church could do if they put their efforts into actual service." Agreed! Before joining the church I volunteerd at an animal shelter. My calling was to
Forum: Recovery Board

Absolutely agree!!! Love people who love what they do!!! Plus, musicians are just cool. :) :) :)
Forum: Recovery Board

In for one year, now out, here is the most important info that I have learned that had I known, would have meant I never would have come back, much less ever been baptized: -You can't get into the highest level of Heaven unless you are married -Men in the church can't be a regular boyfriend (risk of excommunication) -You have to a janitor on a regular rotation -You have to work for the chur
Forum: Recovery Board

Quote: "If one covenanted to God through the church then this would make sense. No one covenants to God at all in their endowment ceremony. One promises this and that and their very lives to the church." This is a very interesting point. The church is supposed to be about God, but it is about Church. As somebody on here says, Pay, Pray, Obey!
Forum: Recovery Board

This is funny to me, that they borrowed customs and ceremonies from the Masons. Did Smith never expect that some Mormons would become Masons, and say, we copied this? Or, the Mormons were purposefully kept so busy with callings that they would never have time to join the Masons and figure it out?
Forum: Recovery Board

Moi, Your insights are interesting, thank you. I started getting up and walking around for a while during testimonies. Especially there is one older lady that gets up there every month without fail, and always, always cries. She caught me one time walking back in after she was done, and hasn't spoken to me since. But, since I'm not going anymore, I doubt that will bother me!
Forum: Recovery Board

According to Douglas Adams in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe, the meaning of life is 42. https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/history/42-the-answer-to-life-the-universe-and-everything-2205734.html
Forum: Recovery Board

Done & Done, Thank you for this perspective. I agree with everything you said. :) :) :)
Forum: Recovery Board

This was a very interesting post, thank you. What I saw in one year in the church: -when I started, 4 missionaries and 2 senior elders in this ward; --now, 2 missionaries, no seniors (they were 'centralized') -last Christmas, 1 Fireside, 2 Ward Christmas Parties --this Christmas, 1 Fireside at the Stake 20 miles away, no ward parties -during the year, 6 converts baptized -
Forum: Recovery Board

Moremany, Congrats on getting out of Seminary, and out of MS entirely! (yes I've been through there (glad you are out of the cult)
Forum: Recovery Board

Rubicon, Gosh. The church pays bills of members? Then I guess they have to go forever, right? Or the check stops coming? What a hole to be in. I bet there are strings attached to that help. :(
Forum: Recovery Board

Xenos, I am very worried that you report your history of hurting pets. Animal shelters are often desperate for volunteers but please do not do that if you cannot be kind to the animals. They have been through enough. I agree with other posters here, get help that is available.
Forum: Recovery Board

Babylon, I thought about your question all morning, and here is another thought, my perspective is as a convert: I think the degree you can't let it go is because of the emotional 'promise' As a prospective member, the young missionaries in their suits greeted me by name, sat with me, shared their books, sat with me in Gospel Principles class, others made a point to greet me and explain
Forum: Recovery Board

As someone who does not have relatives at all, and dreads the holidays because they point up the lack of friends and relatives, I hope I don't sound stupid but could you consider being glad that you have people who care enough about you to come visit you at all? Even though they are weird and cranky, at least they are coming.. Just my two cents.
Forum: Recovery Board

"They’re just paying the Lord first. The windows of Heaven should open up any time now." Hahahahah! Good one!!!
Forum: Recovery Board

I started going to another church when I was having doubts about TSCC. Small town church had paid janitors, paid child care. Mormon, you do janitor, you provide child care. Small town church: donate if you wish. Mormon, compelled to donate and then GRILLED about it yearly. I think they will only have robot janitors if the members of that ward buy them themselves. And, why not p
Forum: Recovery Board

I thought they were all stupid. The divorced women got up there to flaunt their figures and try to attract some second husband for all their brats. The men got up there to have a captive audience. The old got up there to try to impress God and get into heaven. As you can tell, I wasn't too moved by Testimonies.
Forum: Recovery Board

Babylon, Maybe being a member of this board and helping people like me, is the higher purpose. Because, if people hadn't been Mormon and left, there wouldn't be a community such as this. I've found better conversation and more help and more thoughtfulness here in just a few days, than I did in over a year being in the church. :) :) :)
Forum: Recovery Board

If the church really wanted to increase the number of Missionaries they would REQUIRE regular 'Self-Abuse' rather than try to prohibit it. Sheesh. It is a normal part of life. Like telling people they can't urinate. Ridiculous and probably harmful to try to limit this, and how awful to tell young people they have to report it to a judgmental authority figure.
Forum: Recovery Board

Well, this seems to train Mishies to learn to do it quickly...which will not be good training for them if they ever DO get a woman and marry and try to be intimate....
Forum: Recovery Board

Whew! Thank you all! I made it!!! Did not go to church!!! Woo-hoo!!! Thank you all for sharing some absolutely lovely stories. Done and Done, paralyzed, yep! I do feel like maybe I was there because I was 'darted'....and I am now setting the reset button also! Elyse, Yep I'm scared of the food also. The food might be nice but the price of eating it (socializing) is too high... Ba
Forum: Recovery Board

This was very interesting. This explains why guys I would ordinarily if met outside would peg as gay (good-looking, never married) are so obviously flirting with me in church.... trying, I guess, to establish their hetero cred so as not to have that 'mark'.... very sad. Done, thank you for your insight about separating the church and the people, because the people do 'seem' superfici
Forum: Recovery Board

Wow this was very interesting, thanks. It seems like the cult uses ANY excuse to ask intrusive questions! If you are only married in the Temple, does it still have to be ended by divorce or annulment in the real US Legal world? Just wondering....
Forum: Recovery Board

THANK YOU ALL for your help. I am feeling stronger now!!!! I think once I can stop I will never go back because I dread confrontation. Thanks to everyone for their support!!!
Forum: Recovery Board

Elyse....outhouses on Tobacco Road...hahahah! Good one. Presley, AGREED!!!!
Forum: Recovery Board

I was here during and after Katrina. I agree with Brother of Jerry. Having food supplies but when you don't have toilets, or running water to wash your hands after cooking, or garbage pickup, and when it is over 100 degrees and no power, no way to shower, no cell service, just what he said, you want to get out of Dodge till things are restored.
Forum: Recovery Board