Thank you.

[Guest]

This may seem like a lame post but I feel like I need to say thank you to all those that spent time replying to my questions and concerns. It has helped me a lot - just to have someone to talk to. I've come to a better place and finally feel like I can move forward. Some things are becoming clear to me and and other things remain sort of foggy - likely for me to continue working on well into my future. One thing I feel comfortable with now is that The Mormon Doctrine is man-made with sprinkles of inspiration here and there and tons of borrowed ground from centuries of work and thought by others before Mormonism began. My ties are still to Christianity though my belief in Christ is sort of problematic at the moment. MDB did not put me here. My greatest loss of Mormon belief came during my study of the Joseph Smith Papers. I know MDB is more of an intellectual debating center, but for me it has been a refuge. Thank you.

I'm attempting to say thank you by summarizing your contributions the way I see them (my sincere apologies to those I skipped):

Dr. Shades - Great board - good job (and thanks to your helpers)
Polygamy-Porter - Still laughing about the testimonkey story and the "desk job", causing me more pain from laughing than I've had all year.
truth dancer - thinking she should speak at General Conference this April - it would do everyone some good.
liz3564 - brings balance to the force. What I do with my tithing money is sacred, not secret
Ray A - Where did you go? Are you training for a marathon?
Brackite - "O be wise; what can I say more?"
Pokatator - gave the green light on more questions
moksha - Usually has some of the most thought-provoking questions - using the least amount of memory (least words used) on Dr. Shades' database.
Jason Bourne - I imagine he looks just like Jason Bourne and can probably shoot just as well
Will Schryver - The one person I would like to sit in a room with and ask, "What is really on your mind?"
beastie - I finally understand what an atheist is! Whether it's engraving techniques or MesoAmerican civilizatoins, she has an idea.
Runtu - Considerate
Inconceivable - There were a few times I felt like symbols just crashed after reading your posts
bcspace - I admire BC for daring to post his posts
CaliforniaKid - some nice nonmember theologian that wants to be a Mormon but just not be a Mormon - I liked what you said on the podcast with Mr. Larsen and Bridget
why me - the dynamic duo
Uncle Dale - I had no idea such a person existed.
Seven - Still Hoping my wife will write back to you
The Mormon Report - are you a person?
Sethbag - Makes very good use of every word he writes - and probably makes everyone laugh, even The Nehor and BC
Nevo - kind and considerate, measured responses, well thought out
KimberlyAnn - All I know is there is some really popular black dress involved
Black Moclips - your avatar freaks me out
Some Schmo - I know you are a smart guy, but do you kind of look and talk like Mr. Simpson? Please don't take that the wrong way - it's just how I imagine you talking.
consiglieri - I like your questions on MA&D - I wish you would cross post them over here.
The Nehor - I remember seeing a post from you about your squiggly arms and how it is like your testimony. Please post that again because it was very interesting. :)
Daniel Peterson - in case you are lurking - I wish you would come back - your promise is only with the older generation. We are kind of like the 2000 stripling warriors - not part of the peace covenant.
Gadianton - I imagine you smoke a pipe in real life
Scottie - you sure don't take things too seriously :)
Trevor - It seems you may have talked about things that bothered you to the point where nothing bothers you anymore
cinepro - Somewhere between saying, “Powerful you have become, the dark side I sense in you.” and “We must lengthen our stride and must do it now.”
Imwashingmypirate - the only one I know that uses MDB to write school essays
MsJackMeyers - From that podcast - you made me see the good in the church from the other side - and that in the next life, LDS will be a grass roots organization
RockSlider - Hoping I could go rockclimbing with you someday even though I gave that up years ago. And thanks for the tips.
Doctor Scratch - I don't understand what you are talking about and I have no idea why you are Darth Vader to everyone at MA&D
Gadianton Plumber - Thanks for the PMs
zzyzx - I wonder what your posts will be like after you move out of Utah
Aristotle Smith - Helped me see the importance of reading more history of what happened 2,000 years ago
ttribe - Still wondering - BYU or U of U?
Joseph Antley - Ant: I like every one of your posts. You sound like you have no agenda - and are not afraid of the truth
thews - I apreciate your stories and willingness to share your views - very enlightening
Nimrod - It's always nice to see the 3-eyed fish
Redefined - appreciates classic literature!
Ceeboo - Luckily for Ceeboo, he has not yet read what McConkie had to say about Catholics! shhhh!

Edit: oh, and Tarski - your posts at MA&D are seriously rays of light.\
harmony - You made me come to my senses! I had to go back and double check on Fanny's marriage.
The Dude - is that really you in the avatar?
Jersey Girl - Thanks for your thoughts about thinking about service in a way that would resonate with me. This has been stated by many people but you hit it home for me.

[Guest]

The Joseph Smith Papers caused you to doubt and disbelieve? The Joseph Smith Papers were published to show just what a dynamic person Joseph Smith was.

The guy accomplished much in his short life and experienced much. If he was a conartist, he was one of the greatest conartists the world has seen. But if he were a prophet, well, he acquired much in a short period of time.

Keep up your search for the truth.

[_harmony]

hmmmm. I'm not usually ignored and/or forgotten. I guess there's a message there.

[_why me]

hmmmm. I'm not usually ignored and/or forgotten. I guess there's a message there.

You are too harmonious to be noticed. :=)

[_zeezrom]

hmmmm. I'm not usually ignored and/or forgotten. I guess there's a message there.

Yes, of course there is a message!

You made me come to my senses! I had to go back and double check on Fanny's marriage.

I saved the best for last.

Sorry harmony. I really have enjoyed your posts.

[_zeezrom]

The Joseph Smith Papers caused you to doubt and disbelieve? The Joseph Smith Papers were published to show just what a dynamic person Joseph Smith was.

The guy accomplished much in his short life and experienced much. If he was a conartist, he was one of the greatest conartists the world has seen. But if he were a prophet, well, he acquired much in a short period of time.

Keep up your search for the truth.

thanks why me. I know it sounds crazy that JSPapers did that to me. Of course there were many other things I read along side of that.

[Guest]

The Joseph Smith Papers caused you to doubt and disbelieve? The Joseph Smith Papers were published to show just what a dynamic person Joseph Smith was.

The guy accomplished much in his short life and experienced much. If he was a conartist, he was one of the greatest conartists the world has seen. But if he were a prophet, well, he acquired much in a short period of time.

Keep up your search for the truth.

Thanks slothful member #1.

Z, I revel in your decision.

In your honor may I present the following cover song from Metallica

May I offer the following for the dearly beloved who gather at MA&D to mourn the lost of YET another tithe payer and the generations that shall follow..

And one last song dedication for why me

[_Mike Reed]

Best of luck to you as you attempt to sort things out--and hope you enjoy your new path, as I have mine.

[_zeezrom]

Best of luck to you as you attempt to sort things out--and hope you enjoy your new path, as I have mine.

Thanks Mike. I'll have to look at your blog.

PS - I forgot to mention Doctor CamNC4Me, who makes very good use of the phrase, "Oh my!" and had an interesting take on the afterlife.

[_beastie]

You're welcome, Zeezrom. Part of the reason I continue to participate in the Mormon/exmormon debate is to repay the folks who did so before me, and whom I also once thanked. It is a lonely and frightening experience, and the support and knowledge of others during the process is invaluable.