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Michaelw Introduction

I served a mission in Venezuela from 1975 to 1977. I was one of the early missionaries in Trinidad and knew some of the most wonderful people I have ever known there. After my mission I attended Brigham Young University where I graduated in engineering. While at BYU I also met and married my dearest friend, the companion of my soul and we have 4 great children and 4 wonderful grandchildren with one on the way. I've spent my career in the Aerospace and Laser industries. I am currently employed in the aerospace industry. Most of the joy in my life comes from family especially grand children and from serving others.

Introduction Michaelw

Thanks for taking up my invitation to join. This is an International Community so everything is sectioned off based on subject. The section that will be of most interest to you is: Mormon Doctrine Studies with the following specific Threads:

* Trinidad & Tobago / West Indies Mission
* History Of The Saints - Updates
* Trinidad Mormons

Of course you can please feel free to look around outside the LDS section into other Boards / Topics given your background the Science and Transportation Boards may also be of interest.

Michaelw Introduction Sharing Member & Introductions

Welcome to the community, nice to have someone with such a brilliant and colorful background join us. Hope to see you around the board, I have a feeling your posts will be well worth reading.

Introduction Michaelw

Hi Michaelw! If you are ever unsure about posting or want to ask a question feel free to ask here and we will point you in the right direction.

Introduction Michaelw

I was wondering why you had not written much and then tonight you came with a world wind of text for your testimony in the LDS section. I was in two minds as to whether I should remove that bit where you focus on my father in so much detail but in the end I decided to leave it. I did not want to go off topic there but just to follow-up with one point you made:

He did drink again, and again, and again and battled with it all his life until it in fact ended his marriage and landed him with cancer and death. This despite him becoming a High Priest, being sealed in the temple with his family and having privileged experiences in the Church that many could only dream to see and hear. I do not remember at anytime that he stopped drinking from a child growing up save for when we lived in Utah for around a year and a half.

You mentioned that you have acquired an intellectual reasoning behind your beliefs. We have many Topics of Mormon Doctrine with unanswered questions and varying points of view - it will be nice to get your input into those Topics as well since it is all the same Doctrine, don't feel you need to focus on just your experiences in Trinidad as this is an International Community.

Michaelw Introduction

I am sorry to hear this. It is devastating news. Although I haven't had contact with your family since I left the mission field I have received news about your family on occasion. While I was traveling in England I met a brother Lobbly who served a mission in Trinidad with his wife and he indicated he knew your family. I also received second hand information through the mission grapevine while you were in Utah. All of the information I received indicated that things were going well. I am so sorry that information was not correct.
My preferred method of discussion about intellectual issues related to the church is usually one on one. My experience with discussion boards is that there tends to be more rhetoric and bravado than actual discussion. Even when a meaningful discussion begins trolls tend to diminish the tenor of the discussion until it seldom has value.
Having said that as I"ve looked through your boards it appears that the moderation on these discussions keeps the dialogue at a pretty high level. I would assume that the serious intellectual discussions about issues with the church are found in the "Mature LDS Discussions"?

Michaelw Introduction

There are no trolls here. They are either deleted before they can make their first Post or they are deleted within a short period after showing their true intentions. We encourage debate once it is done in a constructive manner but I cannot stop bravado so long as it is on topic, besides that is all based on perspective.

We used to have a separate Mature LDS section but it has been made public and merged with the current: Mormon Doctrine Studies Board. I don't think there is any Topic not covered there unless it is sexual / intimate then we move it to the Mature section where it is not public.

If there is a specific Doctrinal issue you will like to Discuss let me know and I will help you find the Thread, however you can start with this simple one if you wish:

What Is "Official" LDS Doctrine?