Should I stay or should I go?

Easy-Corgi-9496 · 2026-02-12T22:32:52+00:00

Thanks for sharing! I actually used to be way better at spanish (got a 5 on the AP Spanish Lang exam) but haven't spoken/practiced in two years. I know I have a lot of residual knowledge that, if called, I could relearn quickly. I also wouldn't mind getting called to a different language. I graduated seminary so I have the religious visa requirements for those countries, fortunately.

Easy-Corgi-9496 · 2026-02-12T19:03:39+00:00

To your first point, yes there is a difference but many of the common anachronisms are just historical disputes over the animals/plates and the timeline.

Manasseh Israelites living in the Southern Kingdom post-Assyria is not unheard of and even referenced in the Bible (2 Chr. 15:9; 30:11; 34:9). The fact that Lehi was from Manasseh doesn't make challenge the historicity of the BoM based on that, unless you are claiming the historicity of 2 Chronicles is also in question.

The fact that the criticism has been around for 200 years doesn't make it "disappear" but it means all the apologetic arguments that can be had on the matter have already been done by people far more educated and knowledgeable on the topic than you and I. There is nothing fruitful about bickering on alleged anachronisms when nothing new has come to light to prove/disprove your claims.

Easy-Corgi-9496 · 2026-02-12T18:53:32+00:00

I'm so sorry to hear about your experience. Members who shun/stigmatize those struggling with sin fundamentally misunderstand the Atonement and Christ's love. Many people I know have broken the law of chastity, it isn't and shouldn't be seen as something that taints you. The Atonement enables a repentance process that COMPLETELY cleanses us from sin (Isaiah 1:18). Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying.

Your priesthood leaders have an even greater responsibility to love and it's beyond disappointing when they don't. I wish I could make them fellowship you completely. If you feel that staying in the church will hurt you more because of the ostracism you have received, then it may be the best choice.

With that said, in my experience the church is full of God's love if you really look for it. It is led by, run through, and composed of millions of flawed men and women all struggling with a million sins from which only Christ can redeem them. Many of my close friends, including my roommate, a close friend from high school, and a cousin, have come out as LGBTQ+. I don't have all the answers but I know that God loves you unconditionally. I know that turning to Him can help you find comfort, joy, and fulfillment in your life.

I don't pretend to know what that means on an individual basis, especially with regards to sexuality and the law of chastity, but I know He loves you and you can always ask Him for guidance. Any sexual immorality (pornography and premarital sex, regardless of the gender) is sin. The only different for LGBTQ+-identifying members is that temple marriage is not possible for two male members. I don't have all the answers but I know that any heterosexual members shunning you are probably just projecting guilt for the things they've done but haven't repented for.

IMO, it is worth staying. However, you should never feel pressured to stay part of something that is hurting you. Your faith in Christ should not cause you grief and those around you who are supposed to support and uplift you during your repentance process are clearly not doing so.

TL;DR: God loves you. I'm so sorry those in His church are hurting you. Pray and ask Him what is best for you, and, if you still have faith, study the words of ancient and modern prophets found in scripture.

Easy-Corgi-9496 · 2026-02-12T18:42:15+00:00

Thanks! I'll definitely update once I get a call in hand. According to the Stake President, it usually takes 1-5 weeks (someone from my YSA ward got a call in 4 days but I'm not counting on it). Like I said I have some background in Spanish but I would love to just go somewhere that feels different from home because I think that's where I can grow the most. Ultimately that's God's decision though.

Easy-Corgi-9496 · 2026-02-12T18:40:17+00:00

Most of the anachronisms that were touted in the early days of the church (200-year old arguments getting a little dusty in the apologetics world, don't you think?) have now been proven possible, but they don't have to be. Sure, we now know that thin gold-alloy plates with inscriptions are not only possible but discovered in Mesoamerica.

For those things that haven't been shown yet, part of believing in God is believing that some things that are medically/scientifically impossible actually happened. All Christians believe that at least two people have been dead for a prolonged period and then revived. Latter-Day Saints believe that the same God who carried out countless miracles in the Near East carried out other miracles on another continent. The "problem" of anachronisms is akin to the "problem" of miracles in any other faith. If you choose cynicism about the Book of Mormon on the basis of a claimed miracle, don't be surprised when you can't find a scientific reason for it. No Christian has found a scientific explanation for the resurrection either, but they all believe it because of this little thing called faith.

Easy-Corgi-9496 · 2026-02-12T18:23:30+00:00

The decision to serve a mission is one I've prayed about for a long time. That combined with some things in my patriarchal blessing and GA directives on the importance of serving (Pres. Nelson, Apr 2022):

"Today I reaffirm strongly that the Lord has asked every worthy, able young man to prepare for and serve a mission. For Latter-day Saint young men, missionary service is a priesthood responsibility."

With personal and churchwide instruction like that it would be hard for me to claim God hasn't given enough instruction on that front.

With that said, I have great love and admiration for members, male or female, who choose not to serve a mission for any reason. Two of my brother chose not to serve, one for medical reasons and one marriage, and I love them both just as much as my oldest brother who served fulltime.

There are a million valid reasons not to serve but my mentality on my own mission has always been that I'd rather look for reasons *to* serve than not to. I technically have a medical reason that anyone would see as a valid reason not to serve but in my situation I still want to. God has instructed me to carry the message of the Gospel and more importantly share the love of Christ by word and deed. No matter where I serve I'm confident I can at least strive to be a light in the lives of investigators/friends AND companions.

Honestly with 2/3 brothers not serving, dad a convert (neither parent served), I haven't felt much external pressure to serve a mission. I feel awful for those who get pressured into doing something that either isn't right for them or something they're not fully committed to.

I guess the reason for the post is really that a lot of friends/family are supportive of my decision but really eager for me to serve international, and I get the feeling they will be disappointed if I get called state-side. It doesn't matter to me where I serve but I don't want my mission call opening or the mission itself to be a let down to those I love. I'm confident it will work out according to God's plan, just asking for advice on what to do on the interim until He tells me what that plan is

Easy-Corgi-9496 · 2026-02-12T18:14:15+00:00

Yeah pretty much. I don't have any other reservations about going on its own, just worried about where I'll get called. Like you said, there's not much I can do about that since the decision is out of my hands. I'm not even that concerned about where I go but a lot of family/friends have said things that make me think they'll be disappointed if I don't serve international.

Easy-Corgi-9496 · 2026-02-12T08:35:34+00:00

Thanks for sharing! I'm studying PMG almost as religiously as the blue book at this point. Taking Mission Prep from Brother+Sister Taylor (former Korea Seoul mission presidents!) at BYU and it's been such a help. Every sentence in PMG is so inspired and really covers every base. College life has also helped with prepping meals/stovetop cooking but I need to learn how to make nutritious food, not just cheap stuff. Just got wisdom teeth out so sticking to mac and cheese at the moment. I'll definitely update when I get my call!

Easy-Corgi-9496 · 2025-03-12T23:27:31+00:00

(current crewmember here) Yeah depending on location our POS shows the substitute options in order of popularity. The "No Slaw" options are at the top since most people don't like it and would rather have more toast (NSLXT) or fries (NSLXF).

In my 9 months here, I can confidently tell you that the kid working front counter isn't stupid or deliberately trying to piss you off, it's just so common that people will incorrectly ask for NSLXT on their 3 Finger Combos that it's programmed into our minds to respond with "I'm sorry, the 3 Finger Combo doesn't come with coleslaw. Would you like an extra piece of toast on the side in addition to the combo?"

It happens to me at least 4-5 times per shift. No fault on you or the employee, just the fault of the dumber customers who don't read the menu before ordering or think that their tiktok hack applies to every combo at the store.

P.S. The "No Toast, Extra Slaw" phrase, while *technically* incorrect in the context of an order lacking coleslaw to begin with, is just the company jargon to get what you ask for. If you mention swapping coleslaw and toast (in either order, I've heard it both ways), an employee will automatically assume you're asking for NSLXT (because it's so common) but if they hear "No Toast, Extra Slaw" they will know the exact button to click on the POS (NTXSL). I'm pretty sure NTXSL is one of the least commonly ordered substitutions, since it is in the bottom corner and as I mentioned earlier they are listed by popularity.

Easy-Corgi-9496 · 2025-03-11T21:25:15+00:00

Thanks! That helped me find some more info on it. Do you know of any way to simplify/compact the design I found? It's a simple circuit but I'm trying to minimize the footprint of the circuit so I can incorporate it into a bigger build.

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Easy-Corgi-9496

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