I'm not him, but I am on the outer periphary (Is that even a word? If it is I am sure that I dorked up the spelling) of Mormonism. I drink coffee, wouldn't mind drinking (But really don't like it that much) and I've been divorced. There are actually a lot of us out here.

I respect the religion but am not compelled (For now) to really follow it. I pretty much don't make judgements too harshly either way.

More and more, Utah is getting a better mix of people and I say the more the merrier, IMO.

My advice is, if you're going to live in Utah, either get in or get of of Mormonism entirely.

My question is, how can you only believe in part of Mormonism. I get that some beliefs may overlap those of Mormonism but either you believe Joseph Smith was a prophet or you don't. It isn't really a cafeteria religion.

Thanks for the tips :) I wasn't really sure where else to ask, I figured your readers would have a good gauge on Utah culture :)

I do beleive that Joseph Smith was a profit, but I also think he interspersed all kinds of Crazy in with his actual revelations. Which makes it hard to know what to believe and what is just Crazy, so - I just go with my gut (or what others might call the Spirit, I guess) Mainly what I was referring to was my utter refusal to follow the Word of Wisdom (I don't think Heavenly Father really cares if we drink tea), the fact that I don't get all weepy when I talk about my (rather weak) testimony, that I don't feel any need or desire to go through the temple other than curiousity, etc. I guess I would say I believe but keep it at arms length in case I wake up one of these days and realize it's a total sham :)

Actually, you hang on to parts of the beliefs despite knowing Joseph Smith was nuts because Mormonism is a part of your identity. Giving up one's identity is a difficult thing to do.

One day you will realize you always believed it was a sham but had a hard time rejecting the part of yourself that identified yourself as Mormon.

And that's OK. We've all been there.

and not a prophet. and that's only a small part of what is very troubling. ;)

But think of all the things from the 80's that stuck...

-shudders-

This is hardly even close to the most embarrassing entry in that diary.

It's endearing, really.

i say "cuz" all the time. i'm too lazy to actually type out the whole thing.

actually shows you were ahead of your time. or something like that.

LMAO.. two different things! (the way i see it anyway...)

but very good point.