No, this is not a joke. After almost four years, and more than 800 posts, the time has come for us to meet.
Let me introduce myself:
Hello, my name is Brad McBride. You might know me as Middleaged Mormon Man.
That’s me.
I was born and raised in Bountiful, Utah. At fifteen, My parents moved us to Scottsdale, Arizona. From there I went to BYU, served a mission (Chile Viña del Mar), back to BYU, married, then back to Arizona.
I have lived in Gilbert for the last 26 years. You might have heard of it. We have a brand new temple! (Don’t covet – everybody can’t live here.)
There you go. Odds are you don’t know me any better than you know MMM, but it does have the makings of a fun “Six Degrees to MMM” game – Mormon style.
This is my EC. My Eternal Companion. The love of my life. My favorite person on the planet. She is the absolute sweetest, kindest, loveliest woman I know. (And most of you that know her would agree.) God gave her to me to offset me being “me.”
And, the FOMLs. In a bunch.
And the family (Because I know what you really want are pictures.)
Oh, and before I forget. Murphy. (Yes, HE has his own Facebook page, and he’s a dog. Do I sound bitter?)
Thanks to all of you for your love and support. So many of your sweet messages calmed some of my trepidation today. I will keep on rolling with my blog, and I hope you keep on reading.
(Now can we get back to business? BYU is getting throttled by the Aggies at halftime, and we get to watch General Conference this weekend. My announcement should be an itty-bitty blip on your radar. )
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I just found this post and I have to say your picture looks like how I pictured you in my mind, not the handcart guy. I thought maybe you lived in Arizona because of comments you made once about lots of members. Nowhere else has quite as many LDS outside Utah; I can’t believe how many chapels there are in Gilbert! My son lives there and I visited him a couple of weeks ago and we did a temple session. It’s one of the most beautiful temples I’ve ever seen. I love your blog and have recommended it to several people as well as forwarding links to specific posts. You are doing much good; I hope that people don’t feel differently about you now that we know your identity.
Your daughter, Emily, is one of my favorite college friends! We took many an English class together, and I was even in her hand-selected book club one summer. She is delightful all around! Small, small world!
Oh wow, I’m behind the times. I must have missed something because I didn’t see this coming. Awesome. Nice to meet you! My dad and brother both served in Chile. Of course, when my dad served in ’69 there was only one mission that covered all of Chile. He served in Vina del Mar though, and has an old companion serving there now with his wife. The old companion is trying to get him to come back there on a couples mission to do some reactivation. My oldest Brother served in the Santiago North mission. I think by that time there were seven missions. He served in ’91.
My other brother also lived in Gilbert for a while with his wife. I doubt you’d know them, but does the name Zierenberg mean anything to you?
Beyond the do-you-know game, I have really enjoyed your blog. I’m often forwarding posts to people because you put things in such a way that just makes sense, not to mention generally well thought out and documented. Your blog is also usually good for a laugh. Thanks!
Very Surprised on your identity–thought you lived in UT. Contemplated about your 6 degrees to MMM, and I came up with a few lines….Lived in Bountiful from 1970 to 1976 and my Brother lived in Gilbert for 10+ years although he has moved to Queen Creek, AZ.
Kinda funny, considering how many times I have said that I don’t live in Utah!
I was out of town during the big reveal. Luckily I figured out who you are a few years ago. Great pictures of the family. I don’t think your lack of anonymity will affect anything. Keep up the good work.
PS USU > BYU
PPS Maybe I should reveal my true identity now and cause less than a molecule of a blip on anybody’s radar.
I can’t believe you did it! I’d be proud of you even if you didn’t do it though. I personally figured you were older! But I really need to thank you for sharing such an incredibly powerful testimony in all aspects of the restored gospel. Not only for sharing but cultivating it. The internet sometimes is too full of anti-mormon nonsense that it is refreshing to come and read your posts. I feel your testimony has a profound effect on the faithful more so than those not of our faith; in that that faithful sometimes feel they are alone but then we realise there is a weird guy online with just as much vigour in his testimony! So keep on posting!
P.S. Looks 95% of your commenters are women. What does your wife say about all of your “lady friends” commenting on here?
She said she doesn’t feel threatened.
Good! 🙂
Everybody knows his “EC” is his favorite person in the entire world. We have all heard (read) it about a million times ;p
Only a million? I better pick up the pace.
I just discovered you, literally, 3 posts before the big reveal so I must admit that I feel cheated of the mystery 😉 Seriously though, I am slowly going back through your posts and reading at my leisure. So far I have really enjoyed everything that I have come across.
I think it is very brave and inspiring that you revealed yourself to the blogosphere. I believe you are correct that Heavenly Father can use us when we are anonymous, but our lives are a much stronger, brighter testimony when they can be seen and known. I am the only Mormon in my home, but living right (and always inviting the Missionaries over for dinner and to watch Conference, etc.) allows Christ to shine a light through me. You can now do more of the same 🙂
I look forward to reading more of your forthcoming posts. And double congrats on taking a break from distractions and focusing on your family. We could all stand to do more of that (Heaven knows I could)!
Ridiculous…ly…HANDSOME!!!!
I can see why you kept things on the down low.
As soon as I saw the Gilbert, AZ thing I have to play do you know! I have two brothers that live in Gilbert! I actually decided to look it up myself and looked up your personal fb page. And you do know one of my brothers! Small world! My big brother is Ken Law! Love your posts! I love a good chuckle!
Ken Law is a good friend of mine. We live in the same ward, have served together for years, have sons that play together. He is as good and solid of a man that I have ever known.
I’ll admit, since you and I are the same age, I was really hoping you were someone I knew. Once I get over that disappointment, I’ll be fine. Thank you so much for all your wise words!
Have gained soo much insight to the Gospel due to your blog. Strengthened my testimony and made me ponder gospel principles. Love your no nonsense approach to living the commandments. Really. Love your post about the 50 things you are thankful for…there are not trek reenactments every weekend….cracks me up every time I think about it. Love that you ne’er criticize the Church leaders or Doctrine. And if we think you do, we have misunderstood. LOVE that! THANKS and keep posting!! My testimony needs it!
Sorry about the “Y” but delighted to meet you & your lovely family. You touch hearts, minds and funny bones while building testimonies. Good job, Bishop Brad! Never stop! “A rose (or a McBride) by any other name……….”
I hope you ward and stake family are able to be kind and not feel the need to question everything you talk about. I’m fairly new to the blog and glad to be inspired by you. Thanks.
Brother McBride you have a Beautiful Family. Our Family lived in AZ for what seems like many yrs. I must admit I disliked it (I would say the H word but as you said to be nice), Then again I also disliked OK city, why because I was expecting everyone to be wearing the clothes from that movie. And then I can’t stand sports and I’ve been married to a man who Loves sports for the last 31 yrs., But I was born and breed in England.
I Love your writing and I think you are funny.
Thank you.
I have enjoyed your articles. There have never been any caustic elements, nothing but good will, truth and fun. Thanks.
How fun! I have a daughter serving a mission in Gilbert! She has loved it there.
Brad! Hooray! It’s nice to put a face to the MMM. Nothing changes. I’mma keep calling you MMM.
I went to Chile on my mission (Santiago Sur), but I had a companion from Vina del Mar; Monica del Rios.
Woo-hoo! I should have known you were a fellow Gilbertian! 😀 Maybe I’ll run into you at Win-co, Sam’s Club or our awesome temple, one of these days. 🙂
dang it, i was convinced it was my nineteen year old brother this whole time. i guess not.
My husband served his mission in Tempe, Gilbert being at least one of his areas, but he doesn’t recognized you. Which is ok, as there were 7 stakes in Gilbert when he was there. He loves AZ and would love us to move there someday – he is almost done with school! Good to “meet” you online.
Grateful for your generous gift of time spent elevating our thoughts by your insights. It doesn’t matter to most of us what you look like…we know your spirit, we cheer for your humor, and revel in the secrecy. “We get you!”
Hello, nice to meet you. Just read your previous post and heard the news. I would have cancelled my FB account…but I don’t have one. Never guessed that you lived in Gilbert! Maybe I will meet you in person one of these days at the temple or maybe San Tan Village? I hope you don’t change the photo in your header! 🙂
Nice to meet you. I kinda liked the anonymity, but I’m glad you are real.
Hi Brad! Now that we’re being personal, I want you to know that you have strengthened my personal testimony, helped me personally answer tough questions posed by those who sincerely have a desire to know and understand our beliefs, helped me teach my four young sons and reach out to friends across the nation to share your inspired words of knowledge and humor. Thank you for personally blessing my life and the lives of so many others. ..
Wow. Thank you. I feel very honored.
Yes, your writing helped me too – to laugh, to think, and to be a better person. Also, the community you’ve created is delightful. Please continue.
WOW glad to know that you live in ZION, and that you are next door if i see you in walmart don’t be embarrassed if i yell WOW great to met you “MMM” in the flesh. you have a great outlook on life and it is appreciated
What a pleasant intro. . . .not disappointed AT ALL!! In fact, it makes reading your blog more fun and has a connected feel to it even more. Very lovely family and of course a beautiful wife. You have indeed been blessed. Now as you mentioned, “back to business”. Well done!!
Ya ya ya..alot about you… but your wife! She is beautiful and looks like she is about 25 or maybe 24 or even 3. I need a post about her tips for looking young and refreshed!
It’s nice to have a pretty face to go with all those blog entries. I still say it was fun in the mystery…..
Beautiful family! And I knew you had to be in a state bordering Utah! Glad to meet you and slightly relieved I didn’t know you. 😉
Well hey, Brad, what a lovely family you have! 🙂 You’re still going to refer to yourself as MMM, right? Cos that would blow if you didn’t.
You coming from Gilbert made me laugh. One of my most favourite people in the world – who is also totally awesome – hails from Gilbert. And now you do too. How cool is that?
In other news, it’s conference in four hours!!! 🙂 Not that I’m counting or anything.
Your EC is so stinking cute…gorgeous really!! I want to be her BFF JUST FROM HER SMILE ! HUGS to you all. See, that wasn’t so hard!!! Congrats!
Hello – I’m Kristin, nice to meet you 🙂
Hello great to meet you and no problem MMM we will continue reading. My only connection to Gilbert AZ was a young couple needing a ride from the Boston Temple to the T. They were visiting here and we helped save them a long walk. Visiting in your area is a goal we plan to travel with our horses trail ride and visit Temples.
I should have guessed Gilbert, but didn’t. Before we moved to the UAE we lived in Casa Grande and Coolidge. My parents have lived in Gilbert for 15 years. We know a McBride family from our time in Casa Grande.
Ghah! That was easy! Hope it continues to go swimmingly. Feel free to divulge any other secrets while you’re in the mood.
I’m with Jeff.
He’s Numbered his kiddo’s?!? lolol
xoDaleB.xo
I read MMM for a long time before finding out he was Brad – a friend of mine since 1979. Folks, I can tell you that he is even smarter and funnier and more awesome in person than he is online.
It’s about time. Sheesh
…and I was sure you were Steve Young!
I always knew that it wouldn’t make any difference to put a name to the MMM but actually it’s very nice to meet all of you. You’re so normal, guy next door, kind of guy. From your general authority take on things, I always pictured you in a suit. I guessed that you lived in Gilbert because of my Agatha Christie gene….I ordered books from you a while back and I checked out the postmark. Your following will be waiting, as always for your Conference insight. Enjoy!!
Hey, we have a Brother McBride in our Ward! I practically almost know you personally!
You really did it, you took the red pill. Or gave us the red pill. Or something like that. Anyway, nice to meet you — but you’re still MMM to me. 🙂
Thanks for a solid, yet witty, mormon blog. Keep em’ coming; your posts give us great table conversations & my kids don’t even give me a hard time about it!
Any relation to Thomas McBride (of the Haun’s Mill massacre)? We’ve a few McBrides in our genealogy.
YES! Direct line.
I knew there would be some sort of a connection. My brother also married a McBride from Layton, and has a daughter serving in Chile. Small world, indeed.
I was so sure you lived in Utah. What a nice surprise to find we are neighbors—I live in Queen Creek. Just got home from my Friday shift at the Gilbert Temple. I grew up in Mesa and it is still MY temple, but I love Gilbert too. I am fairly new to your blog, but I’m hooked. Have loved every one I’ve read. Thank you for sharing your thoughts (the profound and the funny). Brother McBride, your MMM persona certainly has a talent for the written word and your insights are amazing! I’m an FF (Forever Fan). Thank you so much!!!
Here I thought you lived in SLC somewhere and I find out you really live ten miles or so from moi! Hope I haven’t offended you with some of my sarcastic comments. Now I’m scared! And seriously…….you look familiar. Have we crossed paths? Keep up with the great posts!
I enjoy your perspectives and your writing. It’s awesome to meet you! I’m so happy that you have a temple!
Its been so long since I commented I can’t remember how to do it………how about………I really liked your post! 🙂
So disappointed that is all you have to say, daughter dear…..this is a significant post…MMM has revealed himself. Cant you be a little excited? ( Not sure revealed is the word I should have used)
Nice to meet a neighbor. Thanks for writing a wonderful blog to read.
After being a casual reader for over a year, I find out its one of the people I have always looked up to the most in my life! My own cousin! You are the man!
Joel! My favorite comment of the night!
I just got a little teary reading this exchange. Pretty neat!
That is just too good!!
While you DO look middle aged, your beautiful wife certainly does not! And I see your daughter got her good looks from her mother. 😉
Lovely family, MMM. So glad to finally “meet” you.
We are the same age. Can’t explain it.
So nice to meet you! I surmised that you didn’t live in Utah, but was guessing Idaho. Wrong direction. I so enjoy following your blog. Keep it up, MMM!
I grew up in bountiful and my son is on a mission in Arizona 🙂 (chinchilbito). I love your blog!!!! 🙂
Hahahaha! Gilbert. My hometown, my mom was born in a tiny house across the street from the water tower. Now it’s the Hale Center Theatre or something. My cousins still live there, one is a patriarch. It was a tiny one-street town when we grew up and even until I was a teenager. The fact that they have a temple now is just amazing and would make my grandpa (former Mayor of Gilbert…in the 30’s) SOOOOO happy. He would be amazed to see how big it is now, anyway, he died almost 50 years ago.
I moved away from Arizona 30 years ago, lived in Utah for a bit and now California. But AZ is still “home”, I’m just a weather wimp. And now the Valley is so big, I get lost…I’m really a country person. We live in a tiny town no one ever heard of on the Monterey Bay.
Our family here in the land of the tie-dye wearing, crystal worshipping, birkenstock wearing Northern Californians LOVES your blog. We frequently read it out loud. You have a knack for saying what needs to be said in a way that leaves no doubt as to it’s truth. We love you.
Glad to meet you!
Arizona? We thought for sure you lived in Pennsylvania.
Before the Albuquerque temple was built I lived in the Mesa temple district sooo, that’s my only contact with Arizona. And when we visited the Grand Canyon 5 years ago.
Brother McBride, you have a beautiful family…..how silly to say that….of course you do. MMM, thanks for coming out from behind the curtain I know you were reluctant to do so, I think Elder Bednar made this a bit easier for you. I remain a faithful follower of your blog and despite the lovely photos you remain for me, the guy pushing the handcart.
Yes! I always pictured the guy pushing the handcart, too. 🙂
So, this afternoon I thought about your announcement and said to myself, “It’s not like I’ll know who he is or anything. He’ll still just be MMM to me, even though this is a big thing in HIS life.” And then I read this intro… and realized that it’s entirely possible I might be sitting across the aisle from you in the temple some day. We still haven’t met yet, in this life, but we’re close enough that it’s a possibility. So, let me just say preemptively… “Nice to meet you, finally!” You may never realize just how much good you’ve been able to do for your brothers and sisters, and how many hearts you’ve touched. I’m so thankful for the technology that allows me to “know” my brother and receive his counsel even though our lives on this planet have taken us on different paths. I truly do hope that one of these days I’ll find myself meeting you face-to-face by random “coincidence”, here in Arizona. And in the meantime… I pray for your family. I truly hope that this revelation doesn’t bring you/them any ill effects. There are some mean people in this world. 🙁
Ditto!
Couldn’t have said it better.
No foundation shaken. Thanks for your diligence to be the friendly voice of a Christ like life.
Still see you as an old guy pulling a handcart .
My kids still talk about the Gilbert Temple open house and are excited to see Phoenix soon! I have cousins in Gilbert…let the 6 degrees begin. 🙂 Excited for your thoughts on Conference…
I knew you weren’t a California Mormon. Nice ta meet ya!
Hey!
Nice to meet the real Brad of MMM. I hope nothing changes with your writing after your ‘coming out’. You’re still the same honest, witty, tell it like it needs to be said guy(I hope so anyway). Looking forward to hearing more from you.
I have friends from high school that live in Gilbert, one is actually married to a Stake President there. 🙂
So nice to meet you! Thanks for all you do.
I knew I liked you for a reason. I’m a Mesa gal. Love Gilbert, the Gilbert Temple, all of Arizona. Happy to meet you. Hope you are enjoying a break from the heat — or so that’s what my people tell me is happening at home. 🙂
Awesome!
Well hello Brad…Bro. McBride…for some reason I thought you lived in TX? Six degrees from BMB..Bro in law lives in Bountiful, Mother in Law lives in Taylor, Az, and I have a friend who could be your daughter in laws twin (I’m assuming that is your DIL sorry if I’m wrong) Nice to meet you friend! 🙂
Still love your blog, still love your humor and I will envision a MMM super hero costume whilst reading your wise words. Best to you and your family!
Can I add Murphy as my friend? He is so adorable! Also, I’m a Mesa native—fun to know you’re in the valley. (Although in my day Gilbert was just cornfields so it’s still weird to me that you have a temple).
I used to play in my uncle’s cornfields in Gilbert as a kid. Found out I was crazy-allergic to cornsilk after a lengthy game of hide and seek. We slept outside in spring on the trampoline. Picked up Pecans for my aunt for 5 cents a grocery bag (we were suckers, I know). Caught crawdads in the irrigation ditches.
Are you Andy’s brother? If so tell him I said Hi!
He is, and I will!
FRED!! Seriously love your face and the faces of your family.
Congratulations…this must be a wonderful relief for you and your family! Welcome to the “real” world; I appreciate your wonderful blog and will certainly continue to follow it/you. Hmmm, I thought for sure you lived in Utah…the “shadow of the everlasting hills…”?
I served in Vina from 96 to 98 (my wife points out that you’re considerably older than I am) but hey, maybe we went to some of the same areas. Good to meet you.
Achupallas, O’Higgins, La Serena, and Ovalle.
La Serena: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2180389150077.2110417.1257362844&type=1&l=4dc8a0e8ac
I love this! Love your blog so much. You have such a beautiful family and your wife looks like someone I’d want to be friends with. So good to finally meet you!
Howdy. From Texas. OK: a “brad” is sharp, and holds things together. Works for me.
happy to meet you!
Welcome to a life of non-obscurity, MMM. 🙂
Thanks for trusting your loyal friends and followers with your ‘real’ identity. I don’t think I’m alone in saying that MMM will continue to confound, comfort, censure and support in powerful prose in the same amazing way as Brad in the light of day as MMM in the shadows of mystery. Looking forward to continuing the journey with you. 🙂
Oh my gosh!! I love you guys!!! Seeing your photos made me grin, and I can tell that our families would be good friends if we ever hung out. (Well, my oldest is about the age of your youngest, but we’d all get along well! 🙂 ) Thanks for everything, and for bringing joy into our lives. I love you all!
Waited for your post today. Love your inspiring messages each time I read them. Looking forward to receiving many more posts on your blog!
Sorry, but “Go Aggies :-)!”
atta boy. good job.
Nice to meet you, Brother McBride. My dad lives in Gilbert too, and seems happy about it. I will never understand.
Love it. Love you. You have a most beautiful family. Go Aggies.
Ditto ^^what mom said.
Nice to meet you! Still a fan. Will always be a fan. I’m glad you’re not a drag queen. 😉
Hi MMM’s alter ego. Nice to meet you. Good luck with the football game tonight. Looking forward to MMM’s take on conference. 🙂
Nice to meet you!
An itty bitty blip on the radar…as if…
I’m stunned. I’m speechless. I can’t believe you aren’t a General Authority. (Or Mke. Or David. Or Monique.) How can this be? Wait – how do we know you really are who you say you are? After deceiving us for this long, this could be just a ploy to maintain your anonymity. Make us believers. Give us some proof. Show us a sign.
I’m with you Doug…I was sure a General Authority…or at the very least Mike, David or Monique!!
Heerrre’s yer sign Doug! ;oP (my apologies to The Five Man Electrical Band for changing their lyrics)
And the sign said “Short Haired anonymous people, need not apply”
So I tucked my I.D. up under my hat and I went in to ask him why
He said “You look like a fine upstanding young man, I think you’ll do”
So I took off my hat, I said “Imagine that. Huh! Me! Runnin’ a Blooooog!”
Whoa-oh-oh
Signs, signs, everywhere a sign!
Blockin’ out the scenery, breakin’ my mind!
Do this, don’t do that, can’t you read the sign?
And the sign said you can’t be anonymous, you’ll be deleted on sight!
So I jumped on my soapbox and I yelled at Facebook, “Hey! What gives you
the right?”
“To put up a “block” to keep me out, or to keep all my followers in”
“If God was here he’d tell you to your face, Man, you’re some kinda sinner”
Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Blockin’ out the scenery, breakin’ my mind
Do this, don’t do that, can’t you read the sign?
Now, hey you, mister, can’t you read?
You’ve got to have a Real I-Dent-Ity!
You can’t even Post, no you can’t “LIKE!!
You ain’t supposed to be Heee-EEERE!!
And the sign said you got to have a Legal I.D. to post inside
UGH!!
[Lead Guitar]
And the sign said, “Everybody welcome. Come in, get online, type awaaay!”
But when they passed around the meme at the end of it all, It made me want to kneel down and praaay!
So I got me a page and a keyboard and I made up my own little Memes!
They said: “Thank you, Lord, for thinkin’ ’bout me. I’m for real, my page will be fine!”
Wooo!!
Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Blockin’ out the scenery, breakin’ my mind
Do this, don’t do that, can’t you read the sign?
Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
xoDaleB.xo