Independence Day

[Angel]

So, what is your independence war story? What made you become a critical thinker, claim authority and independence for yourself, to become self-reliant when it comes to spiritual matters and beliefs?

It takes a war story for most people. Humans prefer being humble, meek, teachable, would like to trust others - the good humans do not seek leadership positions, are content to take orders, are pack animals at heart. My war story was fighting for my children and other children who were abused by a bishopric councilor who is now in jail for the rest of their life.... the detectives had 18 years worth of videos on one USB drive alone, and have still not broken through computer hard drives. That one USB drive was enough to be sentenced - "without probation under Jessica's law". ... We all raised our hands to confirm this person, raised our hands in front of those kids. All those years and years and years, calling after calling after calling, temple recommend after temple recommend.... not just one bad apple, but all those who honored him, protected him, called him, sustained him.... He abused babies, and the mentally ill, chose those who were unable to speak. Some of the footage was from inside church buildings.

I wanted to live the humble life, peaceful, teachable, meek, did not seek to be the head of the household, did not seek the male role of "protector", did not seek a career, would have been happy to rely on others to provide for me.... that is not how life turned out.

So, what is your story? How do you celebrate your independence for those who have found it? Hoping all will enjoy those beautiful big fireworks, and celebrate their own personal independence victory story this weekend.

[glass shelf]

I'm sorry that you and your family had to go through that.

My story is much less dramatic. The church essays came out. I read them and realized that i'd been lied to my whole life, and I was done. Since then, it's been a journey of largely finding and acknowledging myself and not seeing myself through the lens of Mormonism. I celebrate every day by enjoying the small and big freedoms that Mormonism took from me in various ways.

It's still mind boggling to think of all the ways the Mormonism affected my life. Just this week, my kids asked me to get them some playing cards which I did, and I told them how I was never allowed to play with them when I was growing up. Mormonism--so many pointless rules.

[Angel]

I'm sorry that you and your family had to go through that.

My story is much less dramatic. The church essays came out. I read them and realized that i'd been lied to my whole life, and I was done. Since then, it's been a journey of largely finding and acknowledging myself and not seeing myself through the lens of Mormonism. I celebrate every day by enjoying the small and big freedoms that Mormonism took from me in various ways.

It's still mind boggling to think of all the ways the Mormonism affected my life. Just this week, my kids asked me to get them some playing cards which I did, and I told them how I was never allowed to play with them when I was growing up. Mormonism--so many pointless rules.

So many rules. Today an old friend posted

"Happy 4th! I'm grateful for our freedom to improve and grow as individuals and as a country. I liked a sermon I heard recently, that talked about how more than having a freedom from restrictive rules, we have freedom to be a force for good, growth and caring for others, too." With a meme "freedom is nothing but a chance to be better".


Wow, a sermon on "restrictive rules" for independence day, and how to better follow those restrictive rules... really???

Rules for women: You are not the provider, do not support yourself. You are not a protector, leave your children in our care, you are not the head of the house, you have no authority. Wear a dress, do your hair, sustain follow and rely on the priesthood without questions... this is their "freedom".

Freedom is thinking and acting for yourself, being self-reliant. Congratulations on your independence glass you have a bright mind.

[MoPag]

Wow Angel!! I'm so sorry you and you family had to go through that!! I'm glad that monster is in jail.

I think my independence is still an on going process. Like Glass Shelf wrote, sometimes little things pop up and I'm like oh wow.

I do remember during GC, I think it was Perry, made a joke about people who question Family Proclamation. I always hated fam proc since I have lots of gay friends and I had been though a violent marriage and nasty divorce. The audience laughed at Perry's joke and I just remember thinking "Why are they laughing? This is horrible." I started to see the many other horrible things the church does, especially to marginalized people. Mormon Feminists' groups like FMH and Exponent II helped me deconstruct a lot of things. And then I found my awesome NOM ward family!

Yay for independence!!