My interesting find

[_Wisdom Seeker]

About a year ago, I was introduced to an apostate Mormon who I happened to be in his ward in California when we were children. His name was *****.

Later that year I was reading something on one of these discussions boards and recognized certain events a person was discussing and later asked the guy I know named ***** if it was him. He said yes.

About 6 months or so, I read of a discussion board get-together at a restaurant, I show up and a guy named ***** who used to be in an old ward of mine was there.

So I met 3 different guys each either struggling with their faith or in apostasy. Each having been a part of my life in 3 separate wards. All with the same exact first name of ***** (I am keeping this name private as to protect every guy named *****).

Is this a strange coincidence or can I believe that this might be a sign?

[_harmony]

It's a sign you know a lot of men named ****!

[_Redefined]

Or if your name happens to be *****, you might take it as some sort of sign!

[_Wisdom Seeker]

If your name is ***** you just may be a little more critical of your LDS faith than those with the name of Pedro.

[_MCB]

Hey, if your name is Pedro, and you live in Utah and you are Mormon, you are not as likely to be removed from the country as someone named Pedro who is Catholic. Just catch him crossing the no-passing line, and he is gone. Being Hispanic and Mormon does have its advantages out there.

Riff on "liberal" attitude towards illegals in Utah. Newspaper article on it in Sunday's paper. (It didn't make that point.)

[_Wisdom Seeker]

That was the most beautiful thread redirect I have ever seen.

[_zeezrom]

Do any of these **** guys wear red Nikey headbands when they workout at the gym?

[_Wisdom Seeker]

I have heard that those with the name ***** also wear headbands. I have not witnessed this personally but a report has been given to me.

[_why me]

Is this a strange coincidence or can I believe that this might be a sign?

Both. I think that many people are struggling with faith these days and not just Mormons. It is the sign of the times and so I wouldn't read much into people struggling with their LDS faith. I believe that it is very difficult to be a christian these days. Much is against the christian faith, including the media. And with the rise of moral relativism, it will only get worse.

[_Runtu]

It's not surprising, as Mormons tend to be extremely interconnected in terms of personal relationships. I've always said that, if you talk to another Mormon long enough, you'll find a connection that you share. They say there are six degrees of separation between people, but with Mormons it's more like two degrees of separation.

When I first posted on RfM a few years ago, I found 7 people who had been in my mission who were at the same stage of apostasy that I was. I've discovered people from just about every ward or stake I've been in who have left the church.

I don't think it's so much a sign of a mass exodus as it is just that we tend to be connected to each other.