About Me Part 2 — Steve Arrowsmith
Times Are A-Changing!
Would You Wait 46 Years For the One You Love?
Over my lifetime, I have been many things to many people. And yet, not the thing I wanted to be for myself. I wanted to be a writer, and more importantly, I wanted to reconnect with my first love, whom I met when I was 17. And so here we are, almost 64 years of age. And I am a writer. And, after what seems to be two lifetimes, I am with my lifelong sweetheart. How is that possible? As you see by the subtitle above, it took a very long time. I finally feel free and able to do what the hell I want, including falling in love with my beautiful fiancee and living the rest of our lives together. Traumatic experiences over the last fifty years led to life-changing lessons. Employment and religion no longer constrain me. I no longer have to worry about consequences from anybody else. My values are now my own. I chose love, and love chose me. For my fellow Brits, similar to 'Last Tango in Halifax.' For my American friends, google it! A great show.
So, who the hell am I? I am a proud Englishman who has resided in the USA for 25 years. I emigrated to attend graduate school at BYU. After completing a Dual Honors Degree in History and American Studies with a Minor in Religious Studies in 3 years at Manchester Metropolitan University in England, I taught American Studies at MMU for a year. I graduated from BYU with an MA in History, emphasizing British and Utah Mormon History. During that time, I interned at the LDS Church Museum and spent many years in the LDS Church Archives. While at BYU, I worked as a researcher for Dr. Ron Walker, the most exemplary mentor I have ever had. After changing my career due to family and mental health issues, my new path took me back to LDS Church employment within the Church Welfare Department. Assignments and jobs took me around Utah and Arizona before my premature retirement due to a severe medical issue. Career-ending it was; however, I have never let anything stop me before. Although a life of significant disability creates obstacles, I have always ignored my so-called disabilities.
I was a highly dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for almost 35 years. After being ordained a High Priest at an unusually young age, I served in most local Ward and regional Stake positions or callings in England and Utah. Due to family and significant mental health issues, after 20 years, I was excommunicated from the LDS church due to "Bringing the church's name into disrepute." It was a sorrowful time, and although abusive and mentally ill, no aid was offered to me; at least the church's name was beyond reproach (sarcasm is hard to emphasize).
Years later, I again was rebaptized. It is a challenging path to return to the good graces of the LDS church. Statisticians within the church would point out the difficulty of returning to the fold because over 96% of people never return. Once more, I fought the good fight. However, after many years of asking questions without any answers, I started my journey of withdrawing from not just the LDS church but also Christianity. Suddenly, it became apparent that I had been living in a mix of Disney and a Truman Show. Only without the lovely children's songs. The blue pill was wearing off, and I finally wanted the red pill. The Matrix is an imaginary world created to prevent humans from discovering that they are slaves to an external influence. It became ever more apparent what exactly that influence was in my case. And so here we are! Crazy in love and the freedom to write. You now know something about me, of course not everything. If you wish to learn more, please read and follow me. If you have questions, feel free to ask.
© Stephen G. Arrowsmith 2022
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