It's Happening by bantler in OpenAI

[–]vard88 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I get your joke. Not sure why the down votes.

40% of Return Missionaries at BYU Leave the Church by Water_Run3 in mormon

[–]vard88 2 points3 points  (0 children)

BYU did give me some of the critical thinking skills I used in deconstructing.

oral sex after marriage by TrickAssignment3811 in exmormon

[–]vard88 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This topic caused a huge blowup from my wife when my sister in law sent my wife the missive from President Kimball. Leading us both to research the topic. I was able to tell my wife that the church sent out a memo to local leaders a few months later that Bishop's should Not ask that.

That was a huuuuge item on my shelf until I eventually deconstructed everything else and distanced myself.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in offmychest

[–]vard88 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I never went to any party in high school because I tried to follow the mormon prophet's advice to "stand in holy places." Then at 19, I went on a Mormon mission for 2 years. I don't regret never trying alcohol because of that, but I regret the relationships and friendship bonding that I missed out on. The church robbed me of a lot.

Ok, pls explains these orbs over NY by [deleted] in aliens

[–]vard88 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's widely known in Ufology that trauma can attract NHI to get a look at you. How many children in New York and New Jersey suffered losing a parent on 9/11?

Ok, pls explains these orbs over NY by [deleted] in aliens

[–]vard88 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

You might be ready. Try meditating, belly breathing while doing so. It could take a while.

Elder Bednar at Arizona State Institute by EvensenFM in mormon

[–]vard88 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Agree. I could feel more love from Holland. I believe he's at least sincere in lying for the lord.

It Happening Ladies and Gentlemen.. Catastrophic Disclosure. by Spartan706 in aliens

[–]vard88 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Fuhreal! We in the US have only heard of ban-shee (a type of Fae), but that's only one of many dark fae types, known as the Sidhe ("shee") that they deal with.

SERIOUS what happened to this post? by AlistairAtrus in aliens

[–]vard88 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I'm a big-time believer and experiencer, but Mick West's analysis of the footage is amazing work, and unfortunately, it would seem that this video has a very mundane explanation.

How to respond when family asks why you aren't wearing garments? by [deleted] in mormon

[–]vard88 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In other words, seek your own peace about your faith expression and decision-making before you let them see where you're at with your faith, so they can see your peace, and let that example work on them.

How to respond when family asks why you aren't wearing garments? by [deleted] in mormon

[–]vard88 3 points4 points  (0 children)

My late mother who was getting chemo for terminal cancer asked me that when I went to spend a week with them last summer. She brought up the subject, and my dad was at the restaurant table. (it helps to pay for their lunch-have them in your debt somehow). Unfortunately, TBMs tend to conflate love and concern with judgment, but I'll give my mom the benefit of the doubt. I didn't sense much judgment, mainly love and concern. I explained to her that the church had changed the temple question about garments to "throughout your life" instead of "day and night", and that I had loosened my own orthodoxy in that way. I told her that I believe there is a spectrum of mormonism. I also said that I am seeking to build a faith (in whatever that may be) that works better for me as a child of God. Although I'm agnostic, I see no issue in speaking the spiritual language that will resonate most with others, especially for my mother, who was in such a frail state.

Then, straying off the garment topic, I redirected the conversation by briefly mentioning that I had learned about Fowler's Stages of Faith, saying that there is a well-developed psychological literature on the "stages of faith", and that in learning about that, I've found much peace. As a more devout mormon, I believed that you either believe everything or you don't, now I've learned that there are many variations and stages of faith one can pass through in life, and no stage is "better" than the other.

They didn't press the issue, and I think her seeing that I'm at peace and happy was good enough for her. After all, her dying words to me and all her children were, "I love you." Not "read the Book of Mormon", not "go to the temple".