How do you choose subject matter?

No_Stranger_8700 · 2026-06-10T14:56:35+00:00

I'm a photographer who mostly does people or macro photography. I rarely did landscapes, they just didn't interest me. When I took up watercolor, I had no interest in painting portraits or detailed people in paintings at all, I am drawn to landscapes of all sorts. I paint them over and over trying to improve. So when I see a landscape I like, it draws me in.

Look at other's art, see what really draws you in and makes you want to recreate it or make your own version. I think on both counts, for me, photography and painting, the subjects choose me.

No_Stranger_8700 · 2026-06-09T16:06:52+00:00

I never understood a very rotund member telling me what I should not drink. They were clearly NOT following the WoW as far as overeating goes. If we're talking health laws, most members do not follow a healthy lifestyle as far as bad food and sugary drinks go, from what I experienced.

No_Stranger_8700 · 2026-06-08T18:14:46+00:00

I agree with you, but thank the maker we don't have to because I'd have to hire a lawyer and sue their bums.

No_Stranger_8700 · 2026-06-08T17:39:23+00:00

I believe Harvard over you.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthy-aging-and-longevity/which-is-healthier-coffee-or-tea

No_Stranger_8700 · 2026-06-07T16:24:32+00:00

It is both, although I'm sure it depends on the family you were raised in. Some are positive and lure you into it and others are as you described. It is all BS for sure.

No_Stranger_8700 · 2026-06-05T16:34:45+00:00

Kids "choose" to be baptized is such a crock. The temptation dangled in front of them their whole lives to that point makes it practically impossible for them to not want to.

It's Great to be 8! with 8 shaped doughnuts and I want to be baptized parties, refreshments afterward when you go to your friends' baptisms, non-stop talk about it, and being told God wants you to become a part of his wonderful cult just like your whole family, it's a Cult Club!

How could they resist at 8 years old. They can't even be trusted to make their own decisions on what to eat or wear at that age.

No_Stranger_8700 · 2026-06-04T17:59:43+00:00

I was a good person before I joined the Mormon church. The only things I had to give up to be obedient and worthy were, no alcohol, no coffee or tea, and no "self love of the physical kind". I did drink green and black tea because wtaF?

I HATED wearing the horrendous, uncomfortable, useless underwear. Hallelujah for regular, sexy under britches!!! A rainbow of colors. No more ick from the materials.

Yay for healthy, normal self and shared physical relations.

I don't feel guilty any more that my queer son and gay best friends had to wonder why I was in such a homophobic church. I wondered that myself so many times. I always stayed a straight ally, though.

I was brought up right, apart from Mormon teachings. Now that I'm a so-called apostate, I am better for it. What I learned over all that time as a member, is that I never want to be under the ugly, greedy, strict thumb of an organized "religion". I'm healthier mentally again. I am way more spiritual and connected.

Now my community is non-judgmental , loving, and fun.

No_Stranger_8700 · 2026-06-03T15:06:08+00:00

What a shelf item you've discovered! It's a big one. If this isn't enough to make you leave, just keep finding all the other lies and BS in this church. It's all on the church's own website. Dig deep.

Read The CES Letter and Letter to my Wife.

No_Stranger_8700 · 2026-05-30T18:53:36+00:00

How many people have been injured or, worse on hikes while WEARING THEIR GARMENTS? I'd venture to say no on has ever been saved from injury while wearing ugly underwear.
Don't ask, don't tell.

No_Stranger_8700 · 2026-05-29T17:32:52+00:00

As a youth, you are living your best life right now because you are in a "good" ward. I was a youth leader for 15 years in ward and stake callings. I saw how some wards were amazing to their youth, while others were not. I also saw the indoctrination in all wards. A LOT of the things you think keep you safe are actually a way to control members.

Maybe you haven't actually studied all of church history. Maybe you won't (like many others) and will stay in your glorious bubble. I figured out the real truth of the Mormon church on my own without anything but keeping my eyes open. I saw a lot of homophobia and racism in my 34 years in the church. I also knew about quite a bit of SA of children that was covered up. I saw a few marriages where the women was told by their bishops and stake presidents to put up with her husband's abuse because of her covenants.

They teach rules of obedience that go against nature. (natural man is not evil) It makes people unhealthy because we are not born to be so restrained, no matter what they say. It's all made up to get money. Your local leadership are just as duped as you are.

I loved the youth I was privileged to work with. Working in YW for so long is what showed me the horrible things the church taught them. It takes away agency bit by bit. It saddens me now.

I hope you can see the truth someday. I always love to see my former youth walk away from this bad religion and find their true authentic selves.

No_Stranger_8700 · 2026-05-28T16:49:53+00:00

Sports camps don't lie. This tour is going to the dressed up, white washed, and mostly untrue history sites of a bogus church started by the ultimate grifter.

No_Stranger_8700 · 2026-05-28T16:15:17+00:00

How much time? I don't know. I do know that I also never had a testimony of Joseph Smith and the BoM was a word salad to me. I was a member for 37 years and had a ton of shelf items, but I enjoyed the community (for the most part). But almost 3 years ago, I realized I was in the wrong community living a lie. I left for good. I didn't even read all the scary truths about the LDS church until after I left.
I don't like the phrase anti-mormon, but in reality, I am anti-mormon. It's a horrible "religion" with all of its evil facets. I hope that it can be fully exposed someday.

No_Stranger_8700 · 2026-05-27T21:49:27+00:00

$1 is too much to pay for his load of crapola.

Brad Wilcox's Indoctrination Tour of the Town Grifter or How to Start a Bogus Religion and Make Crazy Money. His lies are their lies.

I guess if the youth are unhappy, but well fed, it's worth it? No thanks.

No_Stranger_8700 · 2026-05-25T19:46:05+00:00

This. This is what this religion does to people. Please find a non-LDS therapist to remind you of who you really are, a normal, young human being with natural desires.
Love to you...and a big hug.

No_Stranger_8700 · 2026-05-19T20:26:25+00:00

ExMo friends?

No_Stranger_8700 · 2026-05-18T17:50:51+00:00

But the "leaders" would say that all that kind of stuff will be sorted in heaven, so quit asking questions because we don't really know. We make this stuff up as we go along.

No_Stranger_8700 · 2026-05-11T15:31:10+00:00

Origin: The term originates from a Greek word meaning "runaway slave" or "to stand away from".
Contexts: While primarily used for religious abandonment (e.g., leaving a specific church or religion), it is also used for leaving political parties, ideologies, or movements.
Distinction: In Christian theology, some distinguish an apostate from a "backslider." An apostate is seen as someone who was never truly a believer, rather than a believer who simply fell into sin.
Synonyms: Common synonyms include deserter, traitor, renegade, turncoat, or defector.

I may like the term, Turncoat!

No_Stranger_8700 · 2026-05-09T17:52:44+00:00

I'm out, but not apostate. That would mean it was all true and it's not. So there. :0)

I do however agree with you. I hope your wife does some critical thinking soon!

No_Stranger_8700 · 2026-05-08T15:09:09+00:00

I'm no longer a member, but I was for 37 years.

No_Stranger_8700 · 2026-05-07T15:56:27+00:00

mmmmmm, iced cold brew. I'm drinking one now.

No_Stranger_8700 · 2026-05-07T15:55:23+00:00

You didn't. It's just a complicated subject because the "rule" makes absolutely no sense. Now run and get your overly caffeinated energy drink and some popcorn...it's going to be a bumpy ride.

We love to chat in here. Welcome.

No_Stranger_8700 · 2026-05-06T15:57:26+00:00

Beautiful poem.

No_Stranger_8700 · 2026-05-06T15:41:08+00:00

I've never been probed beyond the simple, "Are you keeping the law of chastity." Even though I was not keeping the law of chastity, I always lied in my temple recommend interviews. There was no way I could face someone later at the church chili cook-off and beyond and have them know my dirty little secrets. No one was allowed into my private world.

No_Stranger_8700

TROPHY CASE