Lol! Joseph smith appeared to me in a dream and told me he was gay... how fast before they cut the mic?
Forum: Recovery Board

I stumbled upon obvious evidence of the church not being true several times. What kept me going? I grew up in it. The church was my entire life. Maybe it was that the church not being true made the world uncertain. If I wasn't really receiving revelation in response to my prayers, then the safety net I thought I had was an illusion. I was walking on a tight road over a deep valley without a
Forum: Recovery Board

On my mission I heard a story about a gentleman releasing doves in the chapel during fast and testimony meeting. I had plenty of experiences myself with people spouting off "deep doctrines" and stories of isrealite tribes living under the ice caps and on the moon. What would yu say in a testimony meeting? I am tempted to attend one and start bearing some testimony. "I know that
Forum: Recovery Board

I take issue with the fact they are not put testifying about the gospel. The apostles in the Bible were out traveling the world declaring the gospel. These guys ably declare it to their loyal followers. Where are the miracles? Why are there 15 apostles? Were there 15 in the Bible? Once again, why are they not out there spreading the gospel?
Forum: Recovery Board

Not going to church is worse than murder? What a horrible person I must be. Apostasy is when you stop believeing? I thought that would be more like someone saying "an angel came to me and now I am the prophet. Everybody follow me".
Forum: Recovery Board

On my mission I had a bishop that made us participate in activities such as that. Clearing the ward of people. We were sent to check addresses and see if people really lived there. That is horrible that they sent that to you. I am certain it was the bishop that initiated your name removal.
Forum: Recovery Board

From what I have seen it's a mixed bag. That was one of the things that showed through the facade of TSCC. Why is so and so being blessed so much when I know he is a sociopath and cheats on his wife every chance he gets?
Forum: Recovery Board

Maybe they need another Paul H Dunn to make up amazing miracles...
Forum: Recovery Board

My subconscious reacted in odd ways too. I never dreamed of Satan, but I did dream of being called back on a mission. In fact I still dream about it from time to time. My old missionary companions are there, and I think "how can I be called on a mission? I don't believe anymore". Unlike many, my mission was an incredible experience. It's too bad it is all fake, because it was such
Forum: Recovery Board

Why can't they do those things now? Why can't they still go camping and all the rest? In writing this I realized the answer. They don't want to pay for the insurance. They don't want the liability.
Forum: Recovery Board

Bishops often cut the mic when someone goes off the approved script. I thought being gay was not a sin? So why stomp out her testimony?
Forum: Recovery Board

Good point. The Romans believed in their Gods and flourished for a long time. In fact, it was after the introduction of Christianity that it went into decline (I don't believe that is why it declined). The Japanese reached a very high level of civilization and believed in things very much in opposition to Christianity. They believed it and flourished. According to LDS teachings they should h
Forum: Recovery Board

On my mission I encountered Hindu and Buddhist believers. They believed in their religions just as much as I believed in mine. They even had faith promoting stories. That ended my supposed monopoly on the truth. How could they believe in their false religions just as strongly as I believed in my true religion? Maybe my religion was not any closer to the truth than theirs. I brushed the line
Forum: Recovery Board

It is strabge to have people claim to know something they never witnessed, and that there is no evidence of.
Forum: Recovery Board

Don't worry, your not going to outer darkened. Even if the church were true, that fate is reserved for those who have a sure knowledge and deny the Holy Ghost. The fact you are doubting proves that you don't have a sure knowledge. Besides that, the church isn't true. I used to go back and forth, but then it all piled up too high for me to deny anymore. I am familiar with the lousy companion
Forum: Recovery Board

So it's not just racism, they are against the poor too.
Forum: Recovery Board

My wife is Chinese. I had no idea the church was teaching people to marry within heir own race. How silly, sounds like the Nazis.
Forum: Recovery Board

The church really excommunicates people just for not believing? That is one of the things that does it for me. They are going to cut you off for thinking.
Forum: Recovery Board

So many posts here. You are both victims of the church here. Of course you love each other. I used to feel that way as a TBM. I felt like I had forced my wife into my LDS way of living. She got baptized, but very quickly saw through the church's lovely facade. It took me a while, but I came around. I am not saying she will leave the church, but I think your discussion with her should be al
Forum: Recovery Board

Another fun story. I was new in an area, and was taken to meet a recent convert. We were sitting in this ladies living room, her youngest kid is on the floor playing with some toys. He wasn't really making much noise, just keeping busy with the toys. All of a sudden the lady yells, "that's it! GET THE MEDICINE!". We were a bit confused, then the kid starts crying "I don't wan
Forum: Recovery Board

I don't mind saying. I am in a smaller city called Hefei. I was living in Beijing, but moved here last year. Better air, slower pace, I'm loving it.
Forum: Recovery Board

They also closely resemble the current government here in China. The way they reshape history to be so much more glorious and kind toward them. The way they control what their people read and watch. It's amazing how closely they resemble one another.
Forum: Recovery Board

It is possible that our un inspired church taught us in inspired teachings about the nature of life, death, and what God is. I am afraid we will only know for sure when we die. Maybe that is how it should be? What if we knew everything? What if we knew absolutely that when we die we are simply born again into a new life? What if God is not what we think? What if he is simply a being of infi
Forum: Recovery Board

I am not sure they have anything in my city.
Forum: Recovery Board

Good call. I have not read it in quite some time, and not since waking up from Mormonism. I don't even know if I am supposed to pray to Jesus, or if he is the same as the father. I am starting from scratch here. Unfortunately I will not have much of an opportunity to check out different churches, as the only ones here I am not allowed to attend. I was told (by TSCC) that foreighners are forb
Forum: Recovery Board

I remember driving down PCH one day and seeing all these cops on the side of the road. Then I noticed the giant naked fat man they were trying to get off the steps of a store. It seemed nobody wanted to touch the guy, and he was just sitting there with his junk hanging out giving them a look of "make me get up". Then the light changed and we drove away.
Forum: Recovery Board

I hope you get a chance to read this. I used to be just like that. Then at the end of 2006 I got a passport abd came to China. It was incredibly liberating. I discovered that so much of my anxiety came from knowing the people around me expected me to be a certain way. I was so anxious from trying to either fit what they expected, or to simply not be noticed at all. Here in China it doesn
Forum: Recovery Board

I think those points about Utah County are right on. As for plans, go to Taiwan. Great place, great food, amazing culture.
Forum: Recovery Board

Lol... tell them you went on a service mission to plant flowers at temple square. Then watch as a look of disgust forms on his face.
Forum: Recovery Board

I have been attracted to Buddhism as well. There are temples here and there in this city. I have visited some, but they seem to be more along the lines of tourist attractions and places people go for luck. It is one of the few religions that doesn't seem to be exclusive. By that I mean they do not condemn anyone for not bein Buddhist.
Forum: Recovery Board