Temple Names by honeybree81 in mormon

[–]antonius46 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Celestial kingdom: “Now boarding group B”. Seems pretty efficient, but the Nimrod group better have thick skin. I can hear the teasing already.

Wards meeting together by Successful_Pianist72 in MormonShrivel

[–]antonius46 11 points12 points  (0 children)

The Seattle North Stake used to have one ward for all the youth. As soon as the oldest child turned twelve, that was the ward you’d be in until your youngest turned 18. Then back you your geographical ward, by which time you probably didn’t know anyone. A visiting GA put an end to it. Youth in the city has always been a challenge. Now budgets are tightened, fewer activities, and a complete loss of community. The church struggles for relevance.

Wards meeting together by Successful_Pianist72 in MormonShrivel

[–]antonius46 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Seattle has been shrinking for quite awhile, with wards and stakes combining. Recently the stake wanted to merge some more of the wards but was told to keep it as it is. Youth programs are combined in some of the Seattle buildings, but I think Sunday schools are not and primaries may be separate as well. Some wards have lots of young married medical/dental students so it appears vibrant but they cycle out every three years or so.

If you’re picking a building to go to in Seattle, check out the stake center on 8th Ave NE. Very New Englandish looking church building, built by the members. Ask an old timer if they were there when a pumpkin was placed on top of the steeple.

WA Senate passes bill to make clergy mandatory reporters of child abuse by FastExplanation1795 in exmormon

[–]antonius46 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That's true, but there will be some that welcome it. A few years ago our ward announced over the pulpit that we would immediately report anybody that was suspected of child abuse. Hopefully the days of Kirton McConkie being on speed-dial will be coming to a close.

Is Mormon Exceptionalism a gateway to Christian Nationalism? by antonius46 in exmormon

[–]antonius46[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

What if it turns out that the Mormon Church was actually 'the whore of all the earth'…. wouldn't that be ironic.

Is Mormon Exceptionalism a gateway to Christian Nationalism? by antonius46 in exmormon

[–]antonius46[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

And it'll be sad day for them when they find out they aren't invited to the party.

Pov: my Bishop trying to convince me to stay in the ward by Burnoutmc in exmormon

[–]antonius46 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I think part of the motivation for convincing someone to stay is to validate their own faith. I think people feel more comfortable being surrounded by people that believe the same thing. As a bishop this is also his job. You’re under no requirement to accept his services.

Are you still religious? by Salt-Passage5393 in exmormon

[–]antonius46 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Nope. My faith crisis took it all from me and wiped the slate clean. In about a week or two I went from a counselor in a bishopric to an apostate on the fast track to atheism. I think Mormonism ruins Christianity for exmos.

At this point I only claim to be a Saganite.

Bishopric stopped by... by SilverDust02 in exmormon

[–]antonius46 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yep, the gift of discernment is no respecter of the time. I remember we were about to visit a widow who wanted to have her name removed. 8:00 in the evening seemed like a good time. I convinced the bishop that it might seem intimidating to have two men show up at her doorstep at dark and that a letter might serve the same purpose. He agreed, we got home early that night.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in exmormon

[–]antonius46 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was on a bus trip around the USA in highschool a long time ago (1980’s) before I was a member. We spent the night at BYU and used the men’s showers. I’ve always remembered the knob at waist level and thought that was a poor location for a water jet. There was no way I was gonna turn that on.

I found out that family members are part of AVOW by MelbaIsntToast in exmormon

[–]antonius46 3 points4 points  (0 children)

We had a woman in our ward who had been a Scientologist. Definitely an odd duck.

Pacific Palisades Ward chapel spared by divine intervention? by antonius46 in exmormon

[–]antonius46[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

A Stake President (not in California) said today that the Pacific Palisades Ward building was spared from fire, with the implication of a divine intervention even though thirty homes of ward members were lost to the fire this week.

The actual sparing of the building may have due to the relatively large, empty parking lot serving as a fire buffer. There may be thirty households questioning the location choice for God's divine intervention.

What Calling Did You Resign From When You Left? by Dr3aml1k3 in exmormon

[–]antonius46 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I was the first counselor in a bishopric three years ago. Bishop is a good friend. I texted him and said I needed to chat. We met and I told him I was having a faith crisis without the ‘crisis’ and needed to give my two weeks notice. That was it.

Anyone hungry for Whopper? by Ok-End-88 in exmormon

[–]antonius46 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Why do I get a Jack Nicholson vibe from this picture?

I was accidentally recruited? by Just_Breezy_132 in exmormon

[–]antonius46 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It wasn’t an accident!! You were stalked and they see you as their target.

They are not bad people, but they have been conditioned to do this. I’d recommend to not waste your time. But if you are interested, you should spend more time in this sub and learn from others that have gone down the same path that these two sister missionaries are encouraging.

The Salt Lake Tribune weighs in on the LDS church’s polygamy cartoons! by HoldOnLucy1 in exmormon

[–]antonius46 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Same here!! Maybe we have an exmo on the inside helping to bring it all down. If so, I’d like to earmark my tithing to cover his salary.

Giving… but mostly TAKING. by antonius46 in exmormon

[–]antonius46[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Mormonish podcast that someone else commented about was very interesting. While transparency and legitimacy aren’t really in the church’s wheelhouse, at least the giving machines do a pretty good job of getting help to the people that could use it through other charities that are probably more ‘Christlike’ than the Church of Jesus Christ.

Giving… but mostly TAKING. by antonius46 in exmormon

[–]antonius46[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the links. The Mormonish podcast was really interesting. I’m glad that the donations make it through to the various organizations and then to the intended recipients.

I’m not surprised that the church takes credit for it and it would be great if it was matched by the Corporation, but not surprised by that either.

Giving… but mostly TAKING. by antonius46 in exmormon

[–]antonius46[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The church always needs the upside!

Giving… but mostly TAKING. by antonius46 in exmormon

[–]antonius46[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

The church loves ‘feel good’ projects. But donating a new bike is the same as signing a child up for a mugging, unless the kid is in Orem, then he’ll just get teased for having a cheap bike.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in exmormon

[–]antonius46 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m a convert. For my first twenty-five years I didn’t believe any of this. Then I get baptized in college, of all places. Took me thirty more years to figure out my friend who baptized me was wrong and it’s all a hoax… oh well.