Just put this as a blog posting, but figured I should probably post it on the forum by way of an introduction:
My first interaction with a Mormon was when I was 17, working at a department store. One of my co-workers said he was Mormon. I didn't know anything about the religion at the time, and I was also very, very anti-religious, so I never bothered looking into it. Then when I moved to the southwest, I was suddenly surrounded by Mormons. I found them all very nice, but again I never bothered looking into their beliefs or finding out if the whispers I heard about the religion were true. I was still against religion for the most part, but yet, I was drawn to philosophy and enjoyed reading about religious subjects (notably buddhism). Eventually, I went to law school and found myself right next to the birthplace of Joseph Smith. I didn't even know it was there when I had visited/applied to the school. Once I found out about it, I went and check it out, but I declined the invitation to learn more about the religion.
I tell you all of this because I had been around Mormonism for quite some time, but in my ignorance, never really checked it out. That was my failing -- doors were open to me but I never walked in. I did eventually read more and more about the religion, which gave me a solid understanding of what they're about, but I still had my bias. I just couldn't believe (not just in Mormonism, but any religion). I could never take that leap of faith.
Fast forward to the present, lots of life changes, and living in a brand new country. We had a really good life that we gave up for an overseas adventure, and for the first few months things were not going well at all. We had a roof over our head and our health, but the move just wasn't what we expected and was creating a lot of stress and tension in our household. One day I was out at the park, like I was everyday with the kids, when I saw the missionaries going about their work, discussing Jesus Christ to people in the park. I had hoped they would come talk to me. With an overactive toddler playing in the sand it would have been really hard to pry him away to go across the park to say hello. But, honestly, if I had the courage, I could have done it. In reality, I was hesitant and perhaps scared -- I didn't want to be the one who made contact first.
The next day I saw missionaries on the bus. I'm not sure if it was the same ones or not, but I said to my wife, "If their story wasn't so fantastical, I'd join." (We're both not religious, at least actively/outwardly - maybe privately in our own way, I suppose.) Her retort: "What makes it any more fantastical than the others?" It was a revelation. I had never thought about it in that way before. I didn't tell her how profound her (probably throwaway) comment was, but it really had an impact on me. If the others can be true, why can't this one? I'm drawn to a lot that the faith has to offer, so why could I not believe?
The next day I started reading the Book of Mormon online, and ordered myself a hard copy. I'm currently in the middle of the Book of Mosiah, trying to read some every night. I'd like to get through the BoM and reflect more before deciding my next steps. But I'm happy that I've decided to go down this road, wherever it takes me.
