Comment by claudio fernando maciel on December 29, 2010 at 7:51am

I was a missionary once.... I'm just so glad that I didn't manage to 'convert' a single soul! What a relieve!!

Comment by Heather Crozier on December 29, 2010 at 11:54am

I also was a missionary once...converted two and can only hope they left or at least aren't active anymore. But I was young and impressionable as well. A mission is like a brainwashing boot camp for the Mormon church to solidify their young adults into doctrines and goals of the church.

Comment by claudio fernando maciel on December 29, 2010 at 12:04pm

Now here in Brazil the church is requesting the boys to serve when they turn 18. That's a lot easier to manipulate I guess, isn't it Heather?

 

 

Comment by Heather Crozier on December 29, 2010 at 3:07pm

That's the truth. 18? I guess they don't want anyone going even for a year of college so they can maybe gain some semblance of critical thinking skills and maybe not want to go at 19! I can believe it but it's so disheartening.

Comment by claudio fernando maciel on December 29, 2010 at 3:18pm

Yep, 18. They say it's because the Brazilian government is making it a little harder for the issuing of clerk visas, and as the majority of the missionaries in Brazil comes from the USA, they need some more numbers.

Comment by Richard C. Speaks on December 29, 2010 at 8:46pm

Thanks for your insight into the LDS, Claudio & Heather. My dad's side of the family are LDS. They don't think much of me. I doubt they think much at all.

Comment by claudio fernando maciel on December 29, 2010 at 9:36pm

Welcome Richard! I guess, seing it from the half full glas of water point of view, it's rather nice not to be thought of at all, isn't it? That means they let you alone with your thoughts. Is that right?

Comment by Richard C. Speaks on December 30, 2010 at 12:46am

They do indeed. They'd written me off as a lost cause. It still hurts a bit.

 

I live next door to an LDS church now & see elders a lot. It reminds me of past unpleasantness. Maybe that's why I've turned the BOM into a drinking game video series. Silly, huh? I've read the BOM before & I thought I'd read it on Youtube, & here, chapter by chapter with my own commentary. Whenever it says, "it came to pass" I take a drink. It makes the book less boring that way. I guess I've still got a chip on my shoulder. Hopefully when I'm done I can move on.

Comment by Heather Crozier on December 30, 2010 at 12:51am

Be careful, Richard, if you read the BOM too much you may convert!!! LOL. Looking forward to more videos!

Comment by Richard C. Speaks on December 30, 2010 at 1:55am

You might get a kick out of my "it came to pass" drinking game vids. I've actually de-converted a freshly baptized Mormon on Youtube with them (& I'm only up to chapter 12 of 1 Nephi). I think the best way to destroy the BOM is to read it drunk on video & pick it apart. I've recently spay painted my copy of the BOM gold to add to the silliness. My BOM vids are starting to get a bit of a following on YT of folks who don't care to read it for themselves (can't say I blame them), but want ammo to use on missionaries. I may do a chapter on Blogtv someday. If enough people want to join in.

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