Voices from the Dust: May 1997
previous: Voices from the Dust: April 1997
from Deborah Henrie (d███████@h██████.com)
5 May 97, 1:37 p.m.
I am an active "Mormon" and have been for 16 years. I have found great comfort in the Church Of JESUS CHRIST Of Latter Day Saints. When I became severely depressed a year ago, the church officails suggested I seek counsling to bring me out of it. I have had my questions about the church, but I have always found that God has provided a way for me to find the awnsers. Please Email me if you would like me to further explain my experiences.
No, thanks -- it would only depress me. James Morrow argues in his excellent novel Blameless in Abaddon -- and I agree -- that people with afflictions who persist in defending God suffer from the same disorder that causes abused wives to defend their husbands.
from /dust/1997/05/voices-from-the-dust-may-1997.html
6 May 97, 5:34 p.m.
Hi there! Such a relief to read other suckers' stories! Left the "it's-the-only-way"-church years ago, but have never before read about or heard from other apostates. Still wonder how I had the strength anyway, being all alone about my decision.
I never thought about that, god being an alien from another planet... funny thought. Never went to temple, o my gosh, what rubbish it is! Found the ceremonies on the net a couple of days ago. Guess I didn't miss anything at all.
If there is a God, one and only, how he must be laughing his heart out, seeing the shit some people produce, and some go right on and swallow it. I hope he forgives us THAT.
By the way, aren't you ever going to finish your own story?
And finally, thanks ever so. Have a happy life!
Personally, I think that God, if he/she/it exists looks down on organized religion and starts throwing up. Either that or -- again, as James Morrow argues -- God suffers from a bipolar disorder. After all, he created both guns and roses.
from ciara (c████@i███████.net)
7 May 97, 5:35 p.m.
My compliments on your manuscript format site. It is very well written in a language that anyone can understand and includes all the basics with a touch more.
There is a young writer whom is just starting out that I have come to know on the internet. I sent him the URL to your site for his perusal and for him to learn.
Even though I know manuscript form, I found it very informative and printed out a copy to glance over every once in while.
Thank you for your informative site. It is just fantastic!
You're very welcome.
from Michael Lummis (m███████@o█████.████.edu)
11 May 97, 5:54 p.m.
The section for submitting a short story was very useful to me. I have seen the information before, but never put in such a concise and friendly manner. Thank you.
Well, Damon Knight has done it even more concisely, but thanks for the compliment nonetheless!
from David J. Bludorn (B████████@A██.Com)
14 May 97, 7:35 p.m.
I am a member of the church and have to ask you this question. Why, in this page, do you tell so many lies about the church? Can you answer this for me?
Why, in this letter, are you such a fuckhead? Can you answer this for me? If you're going to call me a liar, you'd better back up your accusation with some examples, asshole.
from an anonymous reader (/dust/1997/05/voices-from-the-dust-may-1997.html)
14 May 97, 8:37 p.m.
I am a Latter Day Saint, and I must say I believe you have misinterpreted LDS doctrine. For instance your comment "Well, sure that's a lot of suffering, and a lot of atonement. But when the reward is so great, so much more infinite than the suffering (after all, the 'infinite' atonement ended when Jesus died), then how much of a sacrifice was it, really?" You are missing the whole point. Jesus died for us so that we could be saved. You say that it is not really suffering for Jesus when their is such a grate reword at the end. But then doesn't it follow that the suffering we face is not really suffering when we too receive a grate reword at the end? I urge you to think about this as I can tell you with absolute faith that God is our Heavenly Father and he loves us deeply. And just think for a moment that maybe it hurts him to see us suffering, that maybe he wishes he didn�t have to see us go through this, that maybe he would love to interfere and help us. However he must allow as to do this alone. Do we interfere in our children's lives when we see them making mistakes. No! All we can do is be there to help them and comfort them when they come to us after they realised the mistakes they have made. Gods plan is the only plan that would allow us to get a physical body whilst retaining our free agency, which Lucifer would have taken away. Would you like to go through live without having a choice in what you do? I think not. Please think on these things and contact me if you would like to talk on anything I have said
You don't interfere in your children's lives when you see them making mistakes? You wait for them to come to you when they realize they've erred? Or do you just stand by waiting to rush them to the hospital after they've climbed onto that hot stove as you watched? Sorry, but your arguments don't convince me.
By the way, this is a "grate reword": a barred frame for cooking over a fire. Get it??? (Oh, why do I even bother?)
from an anonymous reader (/dust/1997/05/voices-from-the-dust-may-1997.html)
17 May 97, 12:56 a.m.
Hi Bill!!! I was scanning the [newspaper name deleted], my wannabe competition newspaper, and I saw an article on Mormon web sites and lo and behold, there was the name of that genius editor I remember from high school. How are ya? Sounds like, from your website, you've really got some opinions about your mission. I served one too. Went to Florida and taught the Spanish people. I loved it and the people I taught. Honestly, best experience of my life. I couldn't imagine trying to handle the experiences of life now without the testimony in Heavenly Father that my mission solidified.
Sure was fun to see your name in the paper - imagine - newspaper articles on you instead of written by you. I still write newspaper articles. I'm the editor of the paper in the thriving metropolis of [town name deleted]. Thriving there are small town mayors with big egos and puny mentalities. Had my fill of pueblo politics, that's for sure. Well, I've since married, have a 16-year-old daughter and 14-year-old son. You could call me Mrs. Old McDonald. We have geese, horses, chickens, pigs and a dog and a cat. I'm the editor of the paper and my husband has been the public works director for the city - hence my experience and subsequent fill of small town politics.
Send me back a message if you get this message. C/ya. [author name deleted] - remember, your junior prom date, 1985?
I remember, yes -- I remember I was an asshole to you afterward, and I apologize for that. It's good to hear from you; I'll try to drop you a note soon. But one word of advice -- if you really want to remain anonymous, then don't fill your public correspondence with so many identifying details. ;>
from Amy Murray (I█████████@a██.com)
26 May 97, 8:52 p.m.
I would like to thank you for your Mormon pages. My husband and I found them just a day after realizing that the LDS church was not for us. We had been investigators for about two months and were nearing baptism when I was told about all of the "secrets" that I wasn't allowed to know yet. As the fate of that curious cat dictates, I searchd for and found tons of expositive info on the web, and walked away feeling cheated. I was feeling like a child who was just told there is no such thing as Santa.
Wanting to know more about others' disenchantment with the church, I found your page. My husband and I read your stories outloud to each other for hours and couldn't get enough. You are a very talented story teller and got us hooked. We haven't spent quality time like that together in awhile. Ironiclly, our missionaries asked us to read the Book of Mormon together, but we couldn't get into it. I'd have to say to all those critics of your page, that you have definately been a creative, positive force in at least OUR LDS experience. Thank you, and finish The Road... we're waiting!!
A story to warm my crusty old heart! Congratulations on your near miss, and best of luck to you.
from Josh Bobbitt (K███████@j███.com)
27 May 97, 12:28 a.m.
I like the site in general. I especially liked the Mormon pages.
Yeah, I'll bet. And admiration for me must have been the reason you tried to sneak the HTML code for a banner ad to your Star Wars fan site past me in your little message. What, you thought I was so stupid I wouldn't notice?
