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Before I go into why the LDS Church should excommunicate me, I would like to sincerely send my sympathies to Kate Kelly and family, as I know at this time she is heartbroken by the decision made by the church she loves.
Now, as for me, I would like to go on the record that I am drinking 12-year-old scotch with one ice cube only as I write this. I dropped out of the LDS Church at 14 years of age. By the time I was 18 I was already declaring myself to be an atheist. I want to assure the LDS Church I have always supported and encouraged LDS and any religious people to give atheism a try. There were heavy drugs and alcohol in my early years, along with a lot of premarital sex, intimate moments with myself, and I even used to go to the gay bars even though I am heterosexual.
I eventually became a registered nurse and met plenty of gay people in the medical profession very early on, and I have never had a problem with the LGBT community or giving them equal rights.
I could go on forever with stories of lewdness and debauchery by Mormon standards, but you get the picture. So why does Kate get excommunicated and they still keep me on their records as a member? I don't even want all the publicity for my excommunication. I just want it because I feel like I've earned it and want to wear my excommunication like a medal of honor.
Keep in mind too I still love caring for Mormons, especially when I can see the disappointment in their eyes when they discover I'm not one of them. But, actually, I guess according to them I still am.
Karl Raymond Walker
Salt Lake City