Hey, cmat. It's good to hear from you, man. I'm another member that has been telling friends about this cool catholic dude that was such a BYU fan. I generally read more than I post, and I can say that your stuff has been the most entertaining. I have a musician friend in South Lake Tahoe who was catholic that came to our ward there for over eight years before finally becoming LDS. Anyway, please don't feel bad, and consider keeping your moniker for old time's sake.

Thanks all for the kind words.

One asked why I left the church, and decided to come back. I won't get into it all, but will tell you that over 20,000 LDS members, in the state of Utah, go to the LDS 12 step program. 20,000 members! Addictions are a terrible thing. My addictions were, and in no special order, Money, drinking, Chewing, smoking, eating, to much NFL on Sundays, blogging on these boards, and I am sure more.

I hit my rock bottom 4-5 months ago, I lost my wife, my kids (get em on the weekends, oh boy!) for my addictions. Look, everyone knows someone or has heard the same thing. I left the church for selfish reasons, one addiction led to another. NFL on Sundays, led to drinking, which led to, fill in the blank for whatever. Now this is just my story. Some people can control there minds and body, but for some reason, for me, I just just have to go for it. So, selfishly I left my Savior. I left what I was brought up to be. I was reading The Book of Enos one day. And it HIT ME like THUNDER AND LIGHTINING. My soul cried out, I got on my knees and asked for forgiveness, and I felt a sweet spirit come over me.

So, I threw myself back into the church. I am scared to death of falling back. I do my best to read the scriptures every day, and pray, just the simple things. I go to my 12 step meetings, I want to serve. I want to have the Priesthood back in my life at some point. Such a great thing to have.

For those that have never gone astray from the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I tip my hat to you. For those that are in-active and came back, lets do this, and lets do this the right way. For those that are still in-active, read The Book of Enos, but do it if you really want to, and if you really want to change.

The one thing that has been consistent with me, is BYU football. I will just say that Bronco is the right man. Ecspecially for these last days.

If the Moderators could just change my monikor to Matt, that would be great.

Boid, that is great stuff, about your freind.

catholicmat wrote:

NFL on Sundays, led to drinking

Well when the home team drafts a with the number one pick you'll think what the and then which can lead to , and then you wake up and . At first you think and then you read Enos and which causes you to turn to Savior and you're thinking

BTW I still owe ya for the you know what. When I get out of PA school I'll buy something pricey from ya.

catholicmat wrote:

If the Moderators could just change my monikor to Matt, that would be great.

It's pretty easy for us to change our own names (hence Eldermars-->Mars and etyotx-->byutx). All you need to do is go into "My Profile" and then to "Edit", then to "Update Profile".

Thanks for sharing your story and good luck. I know how hard it is to come back-I'm pulling for you. Again, we're glad to have you back!

People try to say that BYU and BYU sports, are only a missionary tool, or not important to the Lord... but I want to second Matt's thought. I was having a hard time back a few years ago... Won't go into details... but I'll just say I wasn't as interested in attending Church with what was going on in my ward and Stake... Anyway... BYU, and BYU sports were one of my major connections to the Church. When I would come home on Sunday's asking why I even bother, BYU was a connection to the Church I knew, loved and believed in. Even during the Crowton years, BYU and most easily connected to, BYU Sports, were a reminder of what I knew, love and believe in about the Church. Thankfully I am in a better place (Physically and mentally) and for the most part enjoy and want to attend church (with four kids under 7 is it still trying)... but when I was going through those dark times, BYU was something I could focus on that helped me (and my wife) from totally giving up on it all (the church not life... we weren't suicidal.)
catholicmat wrote:

Thanks all for the kind words.


The one thing that has been consistent with me, is BYU football. I will just say that Bronco is the right man. Ecspecially for these last days.