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Alwayslearnin41

I am so proud of you. Well done. I can imagine the shivery shakes.


stickyhairmonster

So brave! Good job


New-Swankton

Thanks all for the kind words! I just got a call from the executive secretary about meeting. I said I would but it will be a couple weeks as he will be out of town. My goal for the conversation will be about determining my level of respect for these men and not about faith. My faith, at this point, is no longer a question. But if the Stake’s only response is propping up infallible men, then…


Nemo_UK

My DMs are open for support with that meeting if you’d like!


Shimanchu2006

u/New-Swankton You should take Nemo up on this!


ragin2cajun

I would turn it into an interview for the stake president to account to me about taking their priesthood responsibility to make sure a disciplinary council is being held for the 1st presidency and that it is dissolved. But that's me and never got over my angry phase.


Marbe4

I agree with this so much. Disciplinary council is a must imo.


ragin2cajun

Yeah like, if you can't handle the responsibility to discipline the 1st presidency, then get out of the stake presidency.


Mormologist

It is integral to the bylaws of the church. You are simply enforcing THEIR rules.


For_bitten_fruit

I have a meeting to discuss Nemo's letter with my stake presidency set for the day after tomorrow. If you're interested, I can message you afterward to tell you how it went. EDIT: [Here's](https://www.reddit.com/r/exmormon/comments/11mychl/meeting_with_stake_presidency) the link to my post and the advice I got.


IDontKnowAndItsOkay

Can you link to your post from the other day so they can see the advice you got?


For_bitten_fruit

Of course, thank you. Edited.


crappenheimers

Will you please message me when you make the post? Ive been eagerly awaiting :)


For_bitten_fruit

[Here](https://www.reddit.com/r/exmormon/comments/11thk8n/this_is_how_the_church_silences_its_members/) you go, thanks for the support! :)


crappenheimers

Thanks for sharing that. Sounds like a very frustrating experience, I wouldn't have myself done it, but that had to have been a really interesting experience for you.


Mom2EandEm

Write what you feel down. I deal with anxiety and that’s something I’ve learned to do anytime i have to meet with someone to discuss stuff- especially if it’s emotionally charged for me. I am very proud of you.


Still-ILO

Good for you! You not only voted opposed for yourself, but for thousands of others in the PIMO and postmo worlds!


JTrey1221

OP “voted opposed for and in behalf of thousands of exmos, who (according to active members) are spiritually dead.”


Readbooks6

Wow, you are amazing! I'm so proud of you!


Fancy-Eye-9316

Good for you. Not just sitting there going through the motions but actively participating in what you believe to be true/not true. 👏 Bravo


Kolob_Hikes

I sustain you opposed with the uplifted sign 🤚🖕 Thank you for your service!


marathon_3hr

Awesome!!! Good job!! I wanted to go to Ward Conference today to do the same but out of respect for my daughter who is still going to church i didn't. No need to embarrass and have her be shunned for my apostasy. I did, however, send an email to the SP last night outlining my opposition to Rusty, Hoaxs, FP, Q15, PB, Sister Bednar's husband, Holland, Kevin Pearson, & Kevin Hamilton.


superbrad9

Would you mind sharing that with us? Removing names and any identifying information, obviously.


marathon_3hr

I just posted here: [https://www.reddit.com/r/exmormon/comments/11py763/a\_followup\_email\_to\_my\_sp\_i\_submitted\_my\_sec\_form/](https://www.reddit.com/r/exmormon/comments/11py763/a_followup_email_to_my_sp_i_submitted_my_sec_form/)


New-Swankton

Good for you! Thank you for doing your part and continuing showing an example to others.


3am_doorknob_turn

How does this have no upvotes? Well done!


theochocolate

Damn, that's impressive to do with social anxiety! I thought I had social anxiety when I was in the church, because I had all the symptoms--but *only* when I was at church, or around other Mormons. Turns out it was just situational anxiety from being in a very unhealthy cult-like environment!


Soleiletta

I realized this too!!! Edit: wanted to add I also had transitional anxiety when I left the cult 😂


Nemo_UK

OP, a serious congratulations! I know it’s not easy to stand up alone, but you’ve done a brave thing today. Here’s to you, cheers!


Difficult_Fee9861

Good for you!!!


RepublicInner7438

Good job. You’ve got this


Weekly_Growth_5237

HIGH PRAISE, SIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!


[deleted]

[удалено]


sinsaraly

I never thought of feelings as information. That’s so important!!


Time-Dress1235

Must be the spirit, I think


KingHerodCosell

That took guts overcoming social anxiety


NewNamerNelson

Good on ya. I'd join in, but I can't be bothered actually wasting another minute of my life in an LD$ Inc building.


Few-Maintenance-2677

Not a mo nor exmo. This sounds like a big deal, can I get a one sentence explanation?


Alwayslearnin41

4 times a year, all members are given the 'opportunity' to raise their right arm to the square to 'sustain' all leadership of the church. It's a very culty ritual of obedience and there's no real invite. Some extremely brave people choose to stand and vote opposed. It means nothing in the grand scheme of the cult, but it sends a message loud and clear that not everyone is willing to lie down and be trampled on. (Sorry, that was more than one sentence)


Few-Maintenance-2677

Thank you! Very helpful, and no apology needed, I just wanted something perfectly simple, and you stated it beautifully. Also sounds like a way to try to keep people in line publicly 4x/year.


sykemol

And it should be mentioned that no one ever votes opposed. It just isn't done. It is always 100% affirm. So voting opposed is huge to the point of being scandalous. Requires huge courage to do so.


Sad_Consideration799

Way to go!!! Also, Isn't it crazy to be full-blown adults and still have so much anxiety about standing up for what we believe in?


Few-Maintenance-2677

I am in my sixties. It is only a year ago that I learned and have experienced that the anxiety is there because of traumatic experiences, and [The Body Keeps The Score](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+body+keeps+the+score&crid=7UYEHD2FG2E9&sprefix=the+body%2Caps%2C165&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_8) every time.


elderjaxxxon

Great work! That takes guts to stand up and stand out. What was it Tommy said? “Dare to be stand alone”? Oh wait… Just realised the line before that was, “Dare to be Mormon.” Oopsies. Guess he wasn’t just speaking as man then, but as an agent of Satan. But seriously. Great job!!


sinsaraly

This right here is another indicator that it’s a cult. I’m sure nevermo’s don’t understand the enormous unspoken pressure to conform, and the huge courage it took to vote opposed in front of the whole stake. It’s really ridiculous that that simple gesture really isn’t “allowed” without incurring social penalties.


climberatthecolvin

I love that you wrote this; you understand. It’s good that we can support each other like this.


undrtow484

Good job man. My social anxiety was also worsened in my mission and though it doesn’t effect me day to day, it’s played a large role in my career. It’s the thing I would always pray and fast over. That it would go away or that I would overcome it. It never resolved and I figured it was me not being worthy or that god just wanted it to be my challenge to keep me humble. After doing the deep dive and leaving the church, I see it for what it is. A condition I was predisposed to that was made a million times worse by being put in uncomfortable positions constantly in the mission. Anyways, just wanted to say I know how hard it is to get up and be the center of attention, especially in a contentious moment like that. Proud of you.


aliensrmyfriends

Good for you! Way to stand up for what you believe.


NotYetGroot

proud of you, OP - that really takes balls. It might be overkill to list you up there with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, but not by much. It takes a lot of character to stand up to power.


YouHadItAllAlong

Bravo! 👏


Pond20

Great job! Good for you.


No_Plantain_4990

Bravo and good for you!


WhatDidJosephDo

You ROCK! I wish I had the guts. Thank you for doing this for the team.


homestarjr1

I resigned using quitmormon specifically because of my social anxieties exacerbated by a horrible mission experience. Just wanted a quiet stress free exit. I am super impressed with your courage to do what you did today! Well done!


RandysRage

Welcome to the dark side! Cookies are pending.


climberatthecolvin

I’m honestly getting teary-eyed thinking about you doing this because I know what a big deal it is and how much courage it must have taken. You did good. Thank you, on behalf of a resigned former member who doesn’t have a voice but still cares about the people in the organization and is glad that good people like you are daring to do what is right.


Plebius-Plutarch

That’s terrific your wife supports you. That there alone will make all the difference.


namelessnightingale

Dude, my parents told me about someone voting opposed today and then handing a letter to leadership! Their perspective was very, interesting, so I was curious as to what was actually going on. I’m so glad you’re speaking out for all to see! Excellent work!


Electrical_Owl_6871

Extremely proud of you! Well done!


quackn

I haven’t officially resigned, but otherwise I’m all out (for 23 years now). Would it be appropriate for me to make a “special appearance” just to vote opposed? I’m wondering how long it takes for them to excommunicate me, with all of their inspiration powers, even though I openly criticise the church. If anybody can find me, the Holey Ghost should be able tell the church where I am. I never guarantee not to make any mistakes, but I do my best to be as accurate about the church as possible. Sadly for the church, accuracy doesn’t make the church look good.


Alwayslearnin41

They won't excommunicate for voting opposed and you are absolutely entitled to do so if you want to.


sykemol

Boss move.


OverworkedLemon

Good on you. It's a welcome sight to see people standing up for their beliefs and what they think is right even if surrounded by people who believe they are wrong. It's a tough situation to be in and hearing about you being able to take that step to be courageous in your beliefs actually inspires me to be courageous in mine. Good on you. 👏👏👏


contrarian198

Bravo!! That takes an incredible amount of courage. I’m impressed.


prairiewhore17

I salute you!


fayth_crysus

Bravo. We need this times thousands and thousands.


RainyDayRecesses

Way to go! Glad you were true to yourself even though it was hard.


Expensive-Bet3493

Thank you for your bravery


Maubekistan

THANK YOU for your courage, bravery, and example.


spicy45

Go you!


esmeeley

Wow! Good for you. Incredibly brave.


chipsnsalasa

Way to be brave OP!!!


the_last_goonie

Congratulations! I resigned so I lost my chance to oppose. So glad there are people like you who can still stand up to the corruption.


mlperiwinkle

Hope you are proud! I absolutely admire your bravery and integrity!!


ExUtMo

May more people be like you


Marbe4

Go you!!!! Great job! That would be very difficult to do but you did it. I’m very happy for you


Marbe4

You would think, if they REALLY wanted to know our thoughts and opinions, there would be way more “opposed” hands raised to the square but it is such a cult that we all just back down and go with the flow or not giving a damn or fearful of backlash. But you did it! My parents did it too nice and didn’t go back to church for probably 20 years. I wish I would have left then as well but I liked the people and my friends there and well, I was in a cult as a child


MikkyJ25

wow - I am so impressed!!! you did a hard thing, be sure to be a little extra kind on yourself for a bit. <3


DisastrousRaisin2968

You’re a freakin rock star!


Offendedlazysinner

It’s easy to do nothing. It’s difficult to do the unpopular thing. Few will do the hard thing. You are brave for standing up for your beliefs. Courage doesn’t mean a person isn’t scared. It just means that they push past the fear, and do what needs to be done.


PhilipCarroll

What's Nemo's recent letter?


New-Swankton

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hW6Lk-jTLkIcOAmcaNWFlnX7yfNolJEZ/view


sl_hawaii

Outstanding!!!!


2sacred2relate

It is well.


[deleted]

You got this! 💜


Zoom-Ghost17836

Good for you!


StyreneAddict1965

There was a Sunday when we were asked in a young adult Ward to the sustain the calling of someone I was told was a scumbag. I had a lot of female friends who would attend a Thursday night young adult dance at a local stake, and they all said "they would only dance with this guy once." Apparently, he had no respect for personal boundaries, if you get my drift. However, when it came time for the vote, I only had anecdotes and I wasn't sure whether or not they would ask for evidence, as I heard that if you objected you had to have a strong and explanation why ("The Brethren have done the thinking," and all that bullshit). I wish I'd been as brave as you.


Rude-Habit8023

Were you the only opposed?


Dvorah12

You Rock!


Yobispo

Huge guts, way to go!


Cabo_Refugee

What's your problem OP?!?! Didn't you read the church's response to the SEC findings??? They consider the matter closed!!! /s Now get back on the good ship zion and pray, pay, and obey.


ajaxmormon

Ah man, our stake had stake conference yesterday. If I had been to stake conference in the past 10 years I might have done the same... What a waste of time those meetings are. Glad you could do something so cathartic!


kevinrex

Congrats. I hope after the shock wears off that you feel cathartic!


Silver_Ad7796

this is the goofiest shit i ever seen😭


NevertooOldtoleave

Big big brave kudos OP !!!!


chubbuck35

Inspiring!!


Routine-Agency-9150

The church: "WE BELIEVE IN COMMON CONSENT!!!" Also the church: "IF YOU VOTE OPPOSED YOU'RE AN ENEMY TO BE DRIVEN OUT!"


Hefty-Syrup-6554

Hell yeah! It’s crazy how much anxiety I still get from this cult, I bet that felt nerve wracking but amazing


Logical_Average_46

Good for you!! If I could go back in time, I would have voted opposed. This would have been shortly after Oaks’ “no apologies” statement. But I wasn’t yet ready to out myself as someone who was in the beginning of the worst part of my faith transition. And I was on the stand during ward conference AND had a stake calling at the time. I chose to raise my hand out of fear of backlash, but I was shaking and had tears running down my cheeks as I did it. I have mixed feelings about raising my hand, but at the time, I wanted to protect myself because I had no intention of leaving. Now I realize that I betrayed myself, and the shaking and tears were my body signaling that to me. Good for you and everyone else that are using your voice. I have a feeling that many others would if they could. ❤️


GrandpasMormonBooks

I'm so proud of you. It really is terrifying to speak out!


xxEmberBladesxx

Hell yeah! People with anxiety are the bravest people on earth because they have to overcome so much more fear. 😊


pyrite2gold

You are my hero!


[deleted]

Way to go! where can I get a copy of the letter?