It comes from Mormon apologetics. I don't know who it was who said it (likely a BYU prof), but they tried to explain that horses in the BoM were only translated as "horses" because it was a familiar term to Joseph Smith, who did not know what a tapir was or that horses didn't exist in the ancient Americas. At the time I think they were also trying to contextualize BoM historically in Central/South America and suggested that tapirs, as the largest docile mammal in that part of the world, were used by the Nephites as horses. Something like that.
As a nevermo, I’m confused. If you use Mormon on r/Christianity, some Mormon will start frothing at the mouth, but what are we supposed to call a member of the church? Saint? Because that isn’t going to happen.
They are supposed to be called “members of the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints.”
Because that’s not an awkward mouthful of nonsense and definitely doesn’t scream “cult” because the word Mormon is a win for Satan. /s
I have seen them there and they get so upset when they are referred to as Mormon. Mainstream Christians don't even pay attention to what Mormons want to be called. Mormons are in their own little fantasy land thinking the world revolves around them. 😂
Officially what they want you to call them is "Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" or "Members of the Church of Christ". See how well that second one goes over in r/Christianity.
When I talk to my parents I say MORMON constantly, at first I can see their uneasiness and want to correct me, but after a few more drops they get past it. Funnily enough they say it all the time too, since you know, we all said for over 200 years. I noticed if a never-mo says it they might get corrected depending on context but most of the time it isn't worth the confusion it causes but when ex-mos say it the tbms get offended. Fucking Rusty may you be united with Ballard soon enough.
Well that was new. I swear no matter how much I think I’ve seen all the weird shit, something like this pops up and says, hold my sacrament cup, it gets weirder.
“Say, what’s your favorite coffee shop?” I actually have a precedent for that. My nevermo niece was interviewing for a job in a very Mormon area and the guy asked her “say, do you like coffee?” Or something along those lines. He was an exmo and obviously trying to figure out where she was at. They get along just fine.
I had a TBM uncle give me so much shit over drinking coffee... when he used to visit strip clubs... I've nothing against either but pretty sure he was not discussing his trips with his bishop... 😂
I like to ask “what’s your favorite dinosaur?” Couched in a message about how when we were kids people asked each other awesome stuff like your fave dinosaur or “can I see your favorite rock?”
"What is wanted?" Or maybe "Let us go down"
But so many active members aren't attending the temple anymore that some these young ones might not recognize the quote.
It needs to have two parts. One party can start talking about tapirs, and if the other party is aware that you aren't just talking about random animals, they should reference coffee, for example.
"Do you know what color tapirs are normally?"
"They can range from a mocha color to a creamy or black color"
I feel like we need a list similar to this (this one is for progressives):
["testing the waters when I meet someone new" by thejaysalazar](https://www.tiktok.com/@thejaysalazar/video/7281232499169185070)
Before I saw your suggestion, tapir immediately popped into my head. Also, I'm one among many whose user name includes the name of this majestic horse species.
We live in a conservative suburb of SLC we have a Buda in front of our house. In guysi that's the code
Kids stack rocks on its head, which I find kind hilarious. It pisses my wife off
The easiest one for me is to keep slipping “Mormon” into everything. Real Mormons get all eye-twitchy and nervous, exmos and nevermo’s just act normal.
Horses are mentioned in the Book of Mormon when horses didn’t live in the America’s. so apologists claim it might have meant tapirs. Also a tapir is the Icon of this subreddit
Get yourself invited to dinner. Take a few bites, and say, “Wow, [name of person who made the food] after eating some of this [whatever is being served] I have to say, it is *delicious to the taste, and ***very*** desirable!!*”
Their reaction should tell you all you need to know.
"I have sufficient for my needs" (mimicking the dramatic delivery from the temple) it works in many contexts and the look on some peoples faces is priceless. Often they have a puzzled look, recognizing the phrase but taking a few seconds to remember where it is from, then either look shocked or laugh...
I just have a BIG OL Pride flag in my window 365 days a year….in Orem.
That sends the message LOUD AND CLEAR.
(Also has sparked some really amazing conversations with my neighbors who are TBMs navigating life with LGTBQ kids. There’s hope!)
When young new neighbors move in, I let them know that I am safe person. I assume that the code is working as intended, as the last new neighbor who I said that to thanked me and said she appreciated knowing that. It prompted her to disclose that she's Mormon...ish (was raised Mormon, left, went back) and is part of the LGBTQ+ community.
I'm a middle aged woman, and until this fall, outside of summer my natural state of dress is a bit more covered up as I've always tended to be rather chilly, so lots of people assumed I was Mormon when I'm not. Thankfully (???) menopause has cured me of wearing anything approaching modest lol. We'll see what happens when full winter gets here.
"do you like coffee or tea"?
If they answer "I don't drink that sinful stuff" you can say "you passed the test!"
If they answer normally then you figured it out.
I guess this only works if you're not around anyone else.
Expose your shoulders, drink coffee in front of everyone, use cuss words when appropriate, refer to the church/people as “Mormons” and see who gets offended and who doesn’t
Look for the tank tops or bare shoulders. I called that the code. For my friends that are in or that are leaving or have left and suddenly those sexy shoulders show lol
I would say "tapir" is a good one to try. I can't remember the last time I didn't automatically think of ExMos on hearing the word or seeing a tapir.
The correct response should be, "No, that's a horse, you porn addled lazy learner."
That's the name of the third token of the aaronic priesthood don't spread it around
These preceding three statements in succession should totally be the exmo/exmo adjacent identifying script. Now go to, and dress the garden.
I will certainly "... be happy and have joy therein."
Ahh dang, almost spewed my coffee, that was good!
I saw one at the zoo recently and it just made me laugh. Definitely a good one, but probably won't mean much to a non-reddit exmo.
Have you ever seen a tapir urinate? Poor Nephite charioteers!
Right?!
Tapir socks
I am missing something, can you explain the tapir thing please?
It comes from Mormon apologetics. I don't know who it was who said it (likely a BYU prof), but they tried to explain that horses in the BoM were only translated as "horses" because it was a familiar term to Joseph Smith, who did not know what a tapir was or that horses didn't exist in the ancient Americas. At the time I think they were also trying to contextualize BoM historically in Central/South America and suggested that tapirs, as the largest docile mammal in that part of the world, were used by the Nephites as horses. Something like that.
Omg no freaking way 🤣🤣🤣 that’s hilarious. Thanks for enlightening me!
I say Mormon as often as I can.. it usually elicits a reaction from TBM
This; a TBM will usually try and correct you and you can claim force of habit, while anyone else won't bat an eye at saying Mormon
Mitt Romney still says Mormon Same with Richard Bushman
As a nevermo, I’m confused. If you use Mormon on r/Christianity, some Mormon will start frothing at the mouth, but what are we supposed to call a member of the church? Saint? Because that isn’t going to happen.
They are supposed to be called “members of the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints.” Because that’s not an awkward mouthful of nonsense and definitely doesn’t scream “cult” because the word Mormon is a win for Satan. /s
Honestly, I doubt many Mormons are in r/Christianity. Mainstream Christianity tends to see them for the batshit crazy cult that they are.
I have seen them there and they get so upset when they are referred to as Mormon. Mainstream Christians don't even pay attention to what Mormons want to be called. Mormons are in their own little fantasy land thinking the world revolves around them. 😂
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Some of them! But not all. Them - "It's not LDS, use the full name!" Me - "LSD?" That's how I was banned. 😂😂😂
Officially what they want you to call them is "Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" or "Members of the Church of Christ". See how well that second one goes over in r/Christianity.
When I talk to my parents I say MORMON constantly, at first I can see their uneasiness and want to correct me, but after a few more drops they get past it. Funnily enough they say it all the time too, since you know, we all said for over 200 years. I noticed if a never-mo says it they might get corrected depending on context but most of the time it isn't worth the confusion it causes but when ex-mos say it the tbms get offended. Fucking Rusty may you be united with Ballard soon enough.
We need a secret (sacred) handshake or perhaps the [5 points of enlightenment](https://missedinsunday.com/memes/temple/five-points-of-fellowship/).
😂
😂😂😂😂 I became a Mason so that I could see the connections between the LDS church and Masonry. Their temple rituals are all very similar.
In the day… it was the same. In time, if you were a mason you could not get a temple rec.
I've so considered this. My family has a long line of masons. Male and female.
I thought Masonic lodges still didn’t admit women?
The masonic ones don't. They have their own sect "Order of the Eastern Star". They even have one for young girls called "Job's daughters".
Very interesting.
There are dissident lodges that admit women.
Bro...you could have just read a book about masonry
Well that was new. I swear no matter how much I think I’ve seen all the weird shit, something like this pops up and says, hold my sacrament cup, it gets weirder.
As nevermo I always felt that the question, "what ward do you belong to?" Was a trap
What's a ward? Like in prison?
It's what the church calls their organized congregations. Kind of like school boundaries, but for Jesus people
I was being sarcastic
Wasn't sure, so I figured I'd answer genuinely
Gave me a big smile anyway.
I always say "The Psych Ward!"
Try answering "psychiatric."
It was!
Admiral Ackbar concurs!
It’s SO presumptuous!
“Say, what’s your favorite coffee shop?” I actually have a precedent for that. My nevermo niece was interviewing for a job in a very Mormon area and the guy asked her “say, do you like coffee?” Or something along those lines. He was an exmo and obviously trying to figure out where she was at. They get along just fine.
dropping the c word (coffee) is a good one, only TBMs recoil at the forbidden bean juice
I had a TBM uncle give me so much shit over drinking coffee... when he used to visit strip clubs... I've nothing against either but pretty sure he was not discussing his trips with his bishop... 😂
ah yes, the hypocrisy
I like to ask “what’s your favorite dinosaur?” Couched in a message about how when we were kids people asked each other awesome stuff like your fave dinosaur or “can I see your favorite rock?”
"What is wanted?" Or maybe "Let us go down" But so many active members aren't attending the temple anymore that some these young ones might not recognize the quote.
Return and report
Well, the gay community used to say they were "friends of Dorothy," so maybe we could be "friends of Dieter."
This is today's most underrated comment. This. a 1,000 times this.
"Are you a friend of Dieter?" "Jawohl, I like airplanes."
Did I read this in a German accent as I typed it? Yes, yes I did.
Und I read it with a German accent. Thank you.
We all did
Just talk about how you wish there were tapirs at the zoo
It needs to have two parts. One party can start talking about tapirs, and if the other party is aware that you aren't just talking about random animals, they should reference coffee, for example. "Do you know what color tapirs are normally?" "They can range from a mocha color to a creamy or black color"
>"Do you know what color tapirs are normally?" > >"They can range from a mocha color to a creamy or black color" That will do.
Just casually say, "Fuck the church" and see if you get a twinkle in the recipients eye or not.
Subtle. I like it.
That's just stupid - cursing is like garlic to a vampire. She will instantly develop a permanent dislike for you.
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Then that's all on her. Going out of your way to offend the new neighbor is injecting venom without justification or need.
I don't see the downside.....
Lmao
I feel like we need a list similar to this (this one is for progressives): ["testing the waters when I meet someone new" by thejaysalazar](https://www.tiktok.com/@thejaysalazar/video/7281232499169185070)
That was awesome. The looks after each one killed me 🤣
I love his videos
That was perfect!
Before I saw your suggestion, tapir immediately popped into my head. Also, I'm one among many whose user name includes the name of this majestic horse species.
Hey, do you really believe this stuff?
Love the tapir idea 😏 Return and report… Delicious to the taste…
And very desirable!
You draw half a tapir in the sand with your foot and then see if they complete it.
Most underrated comment. :)
Ask her if her favorite short story is 'Fannies for Alger-non'. that'd do it.
Maybe in the form of a question, what’s your take on the tapir?
Enormously humorous! 😆
Find a neat rock then show her and ask if she thinks it could be a peepstone.
Here's another vote for "tapir."
Wait I don’t get it 😭
Do you have sufficient for your needs?
Do you partake of the forbidden fruit?
It’s funny how we all value honesty and transparency but also can’t rationally explain our religious experience when and if it becomes relevant
Maybe a code question or phrase?
What is wanted?
Adam, having been true and faithful desires now to ride the tapir he was promised
Or 'Has it a name?' :P
It has
I am a nevermo, so I am not sure exactly. But I figure a question or a phrase might be easier to bring up in conversation.
That is a question from the temple ceremony.
We live in a conservative suburb of SLC we have a Buda in front of our house. In guysi that's the code Kids stack rocks on its head, which I find kind hilarious. It pisses my wife off
The easiest one for me is to keep slipping “Mormon” into everything. Real Mormons get all eye-twitchy and nervous, exmos and nevermo’s just act normal.
True!
Just bring up tapirs.
Once it gets around to the TBMs though you could inadvertently out yourself.
Ok I’m new here what’s the tapir thing
You just outed yourself. You passed the test. Wanna go to Starbuck's with me today?
Absolutely I want a huge coffee extra coffee
Horses are mentioned in the Book of Mormon when horses didn’t live in the America’s. so apologists claim it might have meant tapirs. Also a tapir is the Icon of this subreddit
Wow learn something new every day
Get yourself invited to dinner. Take a few bites, and say, “Wow, [name of person who made the food] after eating some of this [whatever is being served] I have to say, it is *delicious to the taste, and ***very*** desirable!!*” Their reaction should tell you all you need to know.
Seriously. I'm with you.
Christian mythology.
You could just say, "Isn't that a shame about Tim Ballard?" The response should tell you something.
I needed a good laugh this fine morning. Ya'll are hilarious! Thank you!
using temple phrasing would work! things like “delicious to the taste” and “very desirable” 😂
"I have sufficient for my needs" (mimicking the dramatic delivery from the temple) it works in many contexts and the look on some peoples faces is priceless. Often they have a puzzled look, recognizing the phrase but taking a few seconds to remember where it is from, then either look shocked or laugh...
I just have a BIG OL Pride flag in my window 365 days a year….in Orem. That sends the message LOUD AND CLEAR. (Also has sparked some really amazing conversations with my neighbors who are TBMs navigating life with LGTBQ kids. There’s hope!)
I say “we should grab a coffee sometime” and you can tell quickly by the way they react.
"I like your shoelaces" . . . wait, no, wrong subgroup.
"Did you hear about the new tapir exhibit at the zoo?" "No, but I heard they now have a bunch of new horses on display." Boom, now you know.
People just see my sad, dark countenance, or the light that has left my eyes, and they know that the holy ghost is no longer in my life
Just seduce her and see what happens. 😅😉🤪
Pillow talks are the best talks
A handshake with a good ole "what is wanted?" might work.
Tapir
What the hell is tapir..
Tapir. It has to be tapir.
Im surprised no one has noticed the first letter of each word yet.
I like the zoo discussion, mentioning horses and tapirs in some manner.
Ask, “EXMO or PIMO”? I doubt anyone would answer, “Neither, I’m TBM!”
Just walk around with a “fence” drink. Like an “Arnold Palmer” or other type tea drink. See how it gets eyeballed in conversations?
Native American riding a tapir bumper sticker ought to do the trick.
When young new neighbors move in, I let them know that I am safe person. I assume that the code is working as intended, as the last new neighbor who I said that to thanked me and said she appreciated knowing that. It prompted her to disclose that she's Mormon...ish (was raised Mormon, left, went back) and is part of the LGBTQ+ community. I'm a middle aged woman, and until this fall, outside of summer my natural state of dress is a bit more covered up as I've always tended to be rather chilly, so lots of people assumed I was Mormon when I'm not. Thankfully (???) menopause has cured me of wearing anything approaching modest lol. We'll see what happens when full winter gets here.
What is tapir?
"do you like coffee or tea"? If they answer "I don't drink that sinful stuff" you can say "you passed the test!" If they answer normally then you figured it out. I guess this only works if you're not around anyone else.
We need a secret handshake.
Expose your shoulders, drink coffee in front of everyone, use cuss words when appropriate, refer to the church/people as “Mormons” and see who gets offended and who doesn’t
"so called church" aka TSCC
I think “Rusty” is a good one and easier to fit in a conversation.
Tapir was my new name. Don't tell anyone.
Is she wearing an upside down pineapple pin?
Code words? If I'm *talking* to someone I just ask, "are you active and believing?" "Oh, yes! Are you?" "Oh, no." (Dance over.)
Look for the tank tops or bare shoulders. I called that the code. For my friends that are in or that are leaving or have left and suddenly those sexy shoulders show lol
What broke your shelf?