Gord Richardson
Resident of Winnipeg MB since 1956 though born in Prince Albert Saskatchewan in 1945. I'm a life-long bachelor. Dad was with CN Rail which in terms of transferring its employees hither and yon, was much like the military. Prince Albert SK>Winnipeg MB>Dauphin MB>Regina SK>Winnipeg! Phew! Guess that's why I'm still in the first house I bought in 1976. Enough moving already.
I was raised in the United Church of Canada and prefer Augustine United in Osborne Village to the family church, Westworth in River Heights where I live.
I had a 4-year flirtation with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but in the end, did not convert. I have never been in the company of any group whose members are so universally upbeat and happy, and who reach out warmly when they see a new face at the meeting house. As a single DOC - Dreaded Only Child - I had no immediate family offering a place to go for holday meals but when I was involved with the Mormons, I ALWAYS had a place to go on important holidays. These folks exude love and acceptance from every pore. I felt a warmth in their company. Several of the American missionaries remain friends to this day, some 7 years after I ceased my affiliation. One thing that intrigued me was the fact that they have a living scripture. The Book of Mormon is, of course, the foundation of the faith and is fixed but what they call 'quads' include the Holy Bible as well as the Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price. The D & C is what lives and the most recent additions were added in 1978 (!) with others in the late 1800s. Sadly, I was the old dog who wouldn't learn new tricks and I remain a coffee addict who, as mentioned earlier, likes the odd beer on the patio! That, of course, doesn't wash in the CJCLDS.