Are You BIC or a Convert?

[_TAK]

BIC/RM/YBU (for one year thankfully) and then escaped ..

[_Trevor]

BIC/RM/BYU/T(emple)M(arriage)

My ancestors all joined before 1860 and crossed the plains (several in the Martin Handcart Company). Some joined as early as Kirtland.

[_Pokatator]

Question: "Please Describe Your Status"

Presently, considered an anti-Mormon by most.

Previously, my mother's lineage converted and crossed the pond in 1834 and my father's lineage converted and came over in 1837.

Voted BIC, Brainwashed into the Church.

[_Ray A]

Bump.

[_Jason Bourne]

Neither. I was born to inactive LDS parents. They had not, nor ever been, through the temple. But I lived in Utah so they did all the Mormon things for me-baptism at 8, deacon at 12 and so on. They insisted when I was a teen I attend Church thought they did not go. When I balked dad said "when you are 18 you can decide." But if I pushed it he relented. Or I went but at times would sneak off with friends. Especially when I had a car. That was until I made my own decision to really commit to it at about 17. Then from 18-19 I went inactive but at 19 had what I believed was a spiritual witness that I needed to serve a mission, so I did.

[_Jason Bourne]

It depends on who you marry. If you marry into the hierarchy, your lack of BIC-hood is forgiven and you float on the higher level. Marry someone who isn't in the hierarchy, and your lack of BIC-hood is a constant reminder that your BIC spouse married beneath them.

Not where I live. And where I live most are converts and I know of none who feel this way. Many leaders here are converts as well. Of the past five bishops of my ward 3 were converts. The current SP is son of a convert and grew up in our area. I guess since my family has been LDS since the 1840s and 50s I might still be considered BIC. My wife is a convert and nobody here thinks I married beneath me. Most who know me think she married beneath her!

[_Ray A]

I'm sorry you missed out on the best calling: nursery worker. You get to sit on the floor and play with toys, eat snacks, and color. How much better could it get?

That's what I used to do in the bishop's office.

[_Gadianton]

BIC all the way baby. 3d generation on both sides, at least.

For guys like us, it's funny to listen to apologists (some of them converts) try to explain we never understood it in the first place.

That study (on this thread or another one) proves what I've been saying for years, converts almost never "get it".

[_Seven]

I am BIC, temple marriage, husband is BIC.

My Mom converted as a teen, father was BIC, and they married in the temple, but on his mission had come across anti Mormon material and became more of a New Order Mormon type.
He welcomed my critical thinking and doubts as a little girl, but my mother was a staunch believer who would get angry at my questions.

My mother's family history is interesting. Even though her whole family converted, she had pioneer ancestry directly going back to a prominent leader. (I won't say who)
She tells the story that someone down the line became offended by a Ward member (of course!) and left the church. So there was a generation of family that was not raised LDS.
The missionaries knocked on their door one evening and they all converted except for my grandmother. Their marriage ended in divorce and my Grandfather married a TBM convert.

I always felt growing up in the church that converts had more powerful testimonies than BIC members. In talking with other TBMs who are BIC, it seems that there is more of a struggle in gaining that type of testimony when you've been taught the church is true since nursery. I used to appreciate the talks by GA's who would describe the process of gaining a testimony as line upon line, and that it probably won't be a powerful event.
It was the converts who had the more profound experiences that made me feel as if something was wrong with me for not receiving the same witness.

But, I think it's probably more difficult for BIC members to leave the church than it is for converts.

[_Ray A]

I always felt growing up in the church that converts had more powerful testimonies than BIC members. In talking with other TBMs who are BIC, it seems that there is more of a struggle in gaining that type of testimony when you've been taught the church is true since nursery. I used to appreciate the talks by GA's who would describe the process of gaining a testimony as line upon line, and that it probably won't be a powerful event.
It was the converts who had the more profound experiences that made me feel as if something was wrong with me for not receiving the same witness.

When I joined I was told by several missionaries that converts were "more valiant" because they had to find the gospel, but that doesn't make much sense. If you were valiant, then you should be born in the Church, not out of it. Another explanation for BIC members was that they were "so used to the Spirit" that they had trouble recognising it because they grew up with it, whereas for the convert it was a new experience.

But, I think it's probably more difficult for BIC members to leave the church than it is for converts.

I agree. When I left I virtually went back to my "normal life" (what is normal?) before joining. I guess for a BIC even just drinking his/her first coffee or alcohol would seem like a capital offence (to those who never previously indulged).