Alas, the time has come to unveil my true identity. To some of you I say “You are welcome.” To others I say, “I am sorry.”
Over the past six months, I have felt like I caught in a current leading me towards this point. The final straw this week was when Facebook shut down my account for not using my real name. (Which, ironically, puts me in solidarity with drag queens across America. link) However, since I am NOT a drag queen, my account will remain closed, unless I start using my real name.
Which bring us to the current situation.
After much thought, prayer and conversation with those who love me, I have decided to spill the beans. It won’t change what, or how I write, which is why you read MMM anyway. (Or so I hope)
There have been some advantages, and some disadvantages to being anonymous. I understand that many of you LIKE not knowing who I am. It does lend some mystery to the whole thing, but mostly, I would hope that you judge my writing based on what I say, not who is saying it.
Some of the disadvantages are having to remember who knows what, and to juggle different identities, email accounts, passwords, etc. It is a headache.
The question that really helped me finalize the decision was this: “Would I be more useful to the Lord if I was no keeping any secrets.”
My answer: I believe so. How that will unfold, I don’t know yet, but I’ll keep you posted.
As for The Reveal, I will post an article tonight about me. The real me, not MMM. (Even though the people that know me best can’t find a whole lot of difference between me and MMM.)
I will post it tonight during halftime of the BYU/USU game, because that is what I will be watching tonight. We can chat afterwards if you like on my Facebook page. (Probably sometime around 8:30pm to 9:00pm Utah time)
Hopefully, this won’t change all that much and that you will all stick with me. It should only make us better friends, right?
Thanks!
~The Soon to Be Revealed MMM~
I guess this improves your chances to be quoted during GC this weekend. I suppose the General Authorities would rather quote a name than some anonymous MMM. 😉
The drag queens sued and won. FB Agreed to change it’s policies…maybe anonymity can continue…
I lost my internet for a day and a half. I thought…for sure I didn’t miss anything. But, what? I come back to this?
I’m just ticked!
Not because of losing my internet, or feeling like I missed out (though it has been very inconvenient), but because of the reveal!!
Things will never be the same…..
Seriously! My missionary boy who JUST left for the MTC…..not even joking here……is your biggest fan and will cry when I tell him that you FINALLY revealed who were are. He missed it! lol So exciting……
Let’s just get this straight before we go any further. There is only one MMM. There will only ever be one MMM. And he will always remain MMM. Ok you can continue on…
Can’t wait! I’ll find an excuse to come to your town so we can hang out…
If you’re actually my bishop I’m going to freak out.
If I am, I promise that I’ll keep those disturbing secrets.
Nooooooooooo.
$%#@! (Edited by MMM for General Audiences)
*sigh*. Well. It’s important to do what you feel is right, and if you feel it’s right then go to it. But I’m sulking a little. I *liked* you being MMM.
In other news, it’s conference tomorrow. Squeeee! =) =)
Oh my goodness! I’m so embarrassed. It looks like I said something dreadful. Is that *really* a swear word? My poor Sunday school class. I’ve said it at least once there. I’m sure I said it when I taught gospel doctrine too. And young Women……
I loved the mystery but I will still be in awe of your posts.
hmmmm………and how do your EC and FOML’s feel about the BIG REVEAL…there goes their anonymity…..but judging from their husband and father….I’ll bet they’re pretty squared away (and proud of you too) I read your MMM-M’s (messages) all the time…Kudos to you!
They feel fine about it. My EC thinks it is overdue.
please noooooooooooooooo!!!!
just kidding but are you going to post a picture? because if you do i will never look at it because i have this image in my mind of a pioneer man being middle aged mormon man and i dont think i could ever change that.
that one youth reader you have,
emma
Maybe the only one who will admit it…
What Emma said. Ditto.
Okay what’s wierd is that I love MMM too, my name is Emma, and I too am in my teenage years.
hah! Emmas of the world, unite!
Halftime huh? I always suspected you were Bronco Mendenhall.
A MMM by any other name will still be as sweet….I think I already know who you are, just by the process of deduction. I will raise my arm to the square and sustain you by whatever name you choose to use! Any opposed??? I thought not!! We love ya Buddy! Do what you think is best.
No no no no no no!!!!! It’s worse than finding out about Santa and the Easter Bunny. You shall forever remain MMM in my book.
You have a book for this stuff?
And the suspense rise’s. . . . .anxious anticipation being built. . . .will ‘his’ true identity go hand-in-hand with delightful, thought-provoking writing skills? Waiting. . . .patiently. . . . waiting. . . .
I always feel that your goal is to serve the Lord, and to share your testimony. I’m glad that you always do what you feel will help you be most useful to the Lord. It makes me trust your words, and want to read them even more.
I adore Melinda Smith.
Well, the OZ theme is cute, but I would respectfully suggest Star Wars:
“I am your father”
“No… that’s not true… THAT’S IMPOSSIBLE!!”
I’m glad I was sitting down for this post. 🙂
Let the nail-biting commence!
Except…
I am pretty sure you are no one I know personally so I guess nothing changes for me. 🙂 Still enjoying my MMM journey!
Oh, I hope your reveal photo is a black and white of you in pioneer clothing pulling a handcart, like the current image. Because that’s the way I’ve pictured you for a while now. 🙂
Does this have anything to do with Conference Weekend?
Are you about to get a new calling? And we will have to know who you are?????
Just speculating.
Wow- it’s kind of bittersweet, right?
I’ll be at the game so I suppose I’ll have to wait a bit to find out.
Don’t suppose it will change anything for me, because I don’t know anybody in Utah, now that my sil has moved to Arizona. I just hope we still get to call you MMM.
I see you really are the wizard of Oz and your favorite color is green. I never knew the wizard was a Mormon. – Looking forward to the real reveal although it won’t change anything for me. 🙂
Knowing your real name won’t make a difference to me — unless I know you, which is highly unlikely — but I’m glad you’re making the decision you feel is right. We would expect nothing less from you.
Here’s to continued success as the (marginally less anonymous) MMM in the future!
I don’t think having a name to go with your posts will change much for me because who you are is the person I’ve come to know through the posts and community. I hope that comes across as a compliment because it is.
It won’t change anything for me but I have enjoyed the mystery! Nothing cowardly about it!
I never thought this day would come. I think you’re great whatever your name is!
You may need to hire a Security Squad to keep you safe from all the stalkers, now. Like me. (No no no….I dont mean I”m a stalker, I just want to be on your security detail.) Congratulations on your coming out.
Thanks, even though I am a bit uncomfortable with the way you phrased that.
I’m kinda thinking a lot of people will know you
I have never been a FB cheerleader. I think it can be a dangerous site to post pictures of children on it plus too many other things that irritate me about it. And now I have added one more thing. Honestly. . . . what problem is it for FB if one wants to remain anonymous. That should be a decision not up to FB. I don’t trust FB and never have. Do I have an account? Yup! And I’m also OCD over what I will and will not put on it. Personally, I think you should remain anonymous just for the fun of it. But you’re right. You’ve gotten quite a bit of attention and seriously …. that can be a good thing in many ways. If I find out I’m related to you, I’ll be over for Thanksgiving dinner. Deal?
Im never one to stand behind a curtain…congrats on making this decision. Being anonymous is for the cowardly.
I agree with Cary Talbot. It’s kind of a sad day. I hope I like you as much as MMM.
I think I just misted up. Tough decision. I’ll frankly miss the mystery but will still enjoy your blog etc.
It won’t change a thing for me! You’ll always be the “MMM” to me!
Ahh – Revelations are starting even BEFORE conference starts! You are not trying to upstage the brethren? 🙂
Boo. I don’t like it but I like you so I will stick around.
Can you find a way to leave MMM in your name?
You’re Batman!?!
Halftime at the game will be a bit later. Kickoff isn’t until 8:15 pm! So halftime will be somewhere around 10 pm. That means getting home time for those who go will be very late. My SIL has traffic control duty at the end of the game and he doesn’t have to show up until 11:30 pm !
I’m excited as well, however, it will only make me love you more 🙂
Whoa! Exciting…. but at the same time, a bit sad, too. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad the Big Reveal is coming – I was one of the minority that indicated I did want to know your true identity in the MMM poll you recently conducted. But now that I’m faced with the impending end of the mystery, I find myself with a touch of regret. A bit like finding out the (SPOILER ALERT) truth about Santa Claus – once you know, then you can never go back.
Anyway, looking forward to the Big Reveal! Here’s to hoping it comes between two halves of much rejoicing for us Loyal (and tonight Royal), Strong and True BYU fans!
I just told my husband LAST NIGHT that I bet you never reveal who you are…he should have asked for something good… ; )
Well, well, well!
Like you haven’t known for years!
Is it April 1st, or what?! 😉 No matter your identity, you’ll still be the MMM!
Excited to see/learn your true identity, will love you and your posts no matter what!
GO AGGIES!
Really? Well this should be fun 🙂 I must say though that I am surprised, never thought you would share your true identity. Won’t change anything though, I’ll still think that your awesome!
Exactly what? makes the difference?
I like that you were very careful about your decision, This blog and interactions with people mean that much to you. Thank you
Since I’m pretty sure I don’t know you anyway, it won’t change anything for me. I hope you will continue to use the pen name “middle aged Mormon man” though because that’s how I do know you. If I get emails from Ted or Bob it just won’t be the same. 🙂
I will be AT the game tonight! I hope I can get reception on my phone. Hmmmm–your reveal, or Jim McMahon’s number retiring? Which shall I pay attention to? I loved the mystery, but you are you. I’m just sad that the haters will KNOW who they are hating. And by saying that, of course there are haters, because what you say is RIGHT!!
I am excited also – and it will not change our relationship at all. I love the word “reveal.” Such a powerful word. Can’t wait! I am a USU graduate, but I love BYU, so I will be torn tonight. Rah, rah!
That means you win either way!
Cool!
I’m so excited!
And I promise, it won’t change our relationship at all. 😉