Sorry, Ya have to click it, just me...ya know you want to!
Nice! I just wish it would pop up in a new window. Grrr. That bugs me about this forum.
~Those who benefit from the status quo always attribute inequities to the choices of the underdog.~Ann Crittenden ~The Goddess is not separate from the world-She is the world and all things in it.~
harmony wrote: That was me, 20+ years ago. I never measured up to those who looked down their exalted BIC noses at me, no matter how hard I tried.
You know Harm I have lived my entire adult life in a ward and stake that is far removed from Utah. We have some members who are pioneer stock, myself included ( though my five generations of Mormons were all just normal folk. No leaders, probably a few drunks and so on) but most are first or second generation member. At least where I live I have never seen the disdain and arrogance you talk about from BICers to non BICers. Never ever. I am not doubting your experience but yours sure ain't mine and I am married to a first generation LDSer. I am sure she would echo my thoughts.
Now, those people can all go to hell. I went back to school, got 3 degrees, found a job that still interests me after 17 years.
Marriage is important for raising children. It does make one less likely to exit the relationship, and I think, whenever possible, children should be raised with two parents in an intact home.
Other than that, I'm not so certain how important it is. I've been in a committed, loving, monogamous relationship with my sweetie for over 14 years now. Our relationship is MUCH better than my 15 year marriage ever was. We spend every weekend together, but still live in separate cities due to jobs and family ties. We do plan on getting married one day for legal reasons - insurance, healthcare issues, etc. But neither of us is in a hurry to do so, and neither of us believes it will enhance our relationship to do so. I wear a ring and we call ourselves "engaged" to make a social statement about the commitment in our relationship, but we've been engaged for ten years. My family members have running bets on whether or not we'll ever tie the knot, but no one doubts we will stay together.
We hate to seem like we don’t trust every nut with a story, but there’s evidence we can point to, and dance while shouting taunting phrases.