43, and Ponkynouncement · 2:17am Sep 6th, 2012
Well, that took shorter than I expected!
How did you all like my 42nd Blog Post? Pretty clever, huh? Yeah, I totally pulled a Skirts with that thing. :ponkysmug:
Congratulations to my good friend Brony Pony for deciphering the message in, like, ten seconds flat! That was crazy!
For those of you too lazy to click on the first link, here is his winning comment:
I think the rest of the message is, "Don't panic, but I'm going to Italy! Here, I got you a nice poem to read in my wake. Until we meet again, so long!"
Holy crap, BP! That is nuts! That's almost exactly the message! I'm floored!
For those of you who just breezed over my weirdness, there's actually a lot of good stuff in that blog. There are six (4+2) "hidden" links, which Brony Pony obviously found, that basically reveal the following about Ponky:
1. Ponky loves Lewis Carroll.
2. Ponky likes Douglas Adams.
3. Ponky has a creepy voice.
4. Ponky is leaving to Italy for 2 years on January 16, 2013.
That's right, it's time for the big reveal: a few days ago I was called to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Northern Italy. That's right, folks... I'm a Mormon!
[youtube=m5M-wD1p4MQ]
Go ahead, haters. Slander me, "Stop Watching", tell me that my way of living is completely crazy and that Nietzsche had it right all along. Won't phase me. I've found that living by the Church's standards has made me a happier person, and between Jesus and ponies my life is freakin' awesome.
Of course, I've already (sort of) talked about this before, but now it's for real and out there in yo' face. For all to see.
So what does this mean for you? Well, it means that there are four months before I'm shipped off to serve the people of Italy and teach the doctrines of my church to those who are curious for two years, during which time a strict set of Mission Rules will keep me from doing anything contrary to the lifestyle of a missionary. That means no TV, no pop songs, no personal cell phone, no computer, no secular movies or books, no internet, no writing, and no ponies. For two years.
That might sound tough--understandably--but it's really not as bad as it sounds. I mean, sure, it's super daunting and terrifying from where I'm standing right now, but every 19-year-old LDS male is commanded to serve a full-time, 2-year mission. I've been preparing for this my whole life, and to tell you the truth, I couldn't be more excited. Especially because I'm going to Italy and learning Italian!! (I didn't choose that, btw. All I did was send in an application to Church Headquarters and they assigned me. TO ITALY!!!) I figure that if I'm gonna do this--if I'm gonna give up two years of my life to serve a mission--I might as well give it my 100%. More on that when it gets closer.
So that means I have four months to finish "The Sisters Doo", "Mantles", and anything else I might decide to throw at you guys. And then I'm Gone-ye West (er... East, I guess) for two years. Hopefully the fandom will still be around to love and tolerate me when I get back. :hopefulponky:
This guy was also a relatively popular MLP fanfic writer who went on a mission not too long ago. It's a big deal, people. Right now there's an army of over 50,000 LDS Missionaries preaching the gospel all over the world. Elder Noe is out in the field now, and soon...
*gulp*
... Elder [CENSORED] will be joining him.
Sorry, I can't do it yet. I'll tell you my name sometime before I leave so you guys can follow the mission blog I'm gonna make. I mean... if you want too... 
So enjoy the next four months with me! Hopefully they won't be my last.
Ponky
Okay, Ponky!
Brony Pony has some real deciphering skills
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If you don't finish TSD and Mantles... dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_Twilight_crazy.png
Fingers crossed that you finish Sisters Doo. I hope not to sound shallow and rude by focusing on the fanfics, but I've never been patient, and God may just be flipping me off for being an atheist if you leave it on a cliffhanger. And no, I'm not serious about the God flipping me off thing, that's just something I say.
Please don't leave us hangin' with the stories, and I do hope that the pony will still be strong upon your return. I honestly cannot bring myself to disapprove of your religious decisions. They are yours to make, and you opted for what makes you happy, gives you a chance to make others happy, and allows you to experience more of this strange and wonderful world we call home or earth or terra or whatever. I don't think you have to worry about Bronies shunning you for your beliefs. Unless you were leaving to join the KKK or something, but that is not the case.
“That means no TV, no pop songs, no personal cell phone, no computer, no secular movies or books, no internet, no writing, and no ponies. For two years."
...Why? No computers or cell phones or TV sounds bad enough, but no books? I'm not insulting your religion or anything, but “no books" in particular sounds like complete insanity. That would be torture to me. Why on earth is this considered necessary?
Well, this made me sad.
339382
Great question. I should have clarified that better.
This is straight from Wikipedia, and I'll witness to its truth:
The purpose of avoiding entertainment, as I understand it, is to keep the missionary 100% focused on the task at hand at all times for all two years. Of course that's impossible--humans get distracted. But they want to remove as many potential distractions as possible. And it's certainly not that they want to torture us or keep us from having fun. I'm close friends with dozens of men who have served missions, and none of them--not even my dad, who is no longer a member of the church--have ever regretted it. In fact, most men call it the "best two years" of their life. My three dearest friends IRL are all on their missions right now and, through written letters, I've kept in contact with them. They say that it's hard, very hard, but that it's an amazing and overall wonderful experience. I believe them.
Thanks for allowing me to clear that up.
Also, I don't want anyone to think that I'm inferring that Tom Cruise is "completely crazy". His religious affiliation is infamous and I used that link as a comical reference. I love Tom Cruise.
339392
), it is their really cool original My Little Pony Opening that they made on their own. Original song and things!
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339433
I'm sad to hear about this but happy for you. Cause if there is at least one awesome thing that the Italians have done (and they have done a lot of awesome things
English-translated lyrics:
Let's do this!
In a beautiful world / colorful and magical / Little Ponies live / always in peace and harmony
Shy and cute / clever and romantic / are the characters / of the friends you will find / and someday you will grow up / how many problems will you solve? / Togheter with the other ponies you know / you'll have fun!
(chorus)
Fly and Go! / My Little Pony / if you want to meet new friends / take flight / listen your heart / and each adventure you'll face
Fly and Go! / My Little Pony / realize your dreams and don't stop!
339433 Its a good thing your doing. But after your two years are done... what then?! You gonna rejoin the herd afterwards or what??
This cannot mean the end of the writing sensation "Ponky"!!
339433 339436 Oh, and when your in Italy. Learn. That. Song. You will be a missionary but there is nothing against sing in the shower or just singing an amazing song... Is there?? Ok just reread the entertainment restricted part, ummm yeah. You have 4 months to learn, so you may then burst into merry unsatanic song while in Italy. FOR THE HERD!!
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At first, I tried to look into each and every one of his links. I came up with small bits and pieces of what I at first thought it meant. I read poems, followed link after link, until I realized something; maybe, just maybe, this is much more simple than I think it is. So, I took a gander at the title of each one, read a few lines from the links, and realized the message was just popping out screaming at me for making it a bigger deal than it really was. I face-hoofed several times before writing it all down. Ponky certainly has a way of making me think more than I usually do!
339519
Ah, okay.
haha
I'm so totally psyched to learn Ponky's name! It's probably gonna be something along the lines of; Leonardo, Andreous, or Big Macintosh! He's just going to have the best name of all names! One that will be forever remembered in history! Maybe, one that has never before been used or heard of!
339519 I only thought of Lewis Carrol when I saw the 42's. Nice dectective work.
339436 I love that song! One of my Church leaders sent that to me right after I was called.
And 339490, don't you worry one bit. I'm gonna learn it and I'm gonna sing it and I'm gonna spread honesty, kindness, generosity, laughter, loyalty, and the magic of friendship right along with the gospel! Nothing Satanic about ponies! Much of our doctrine is actually complimented by the show's message (which is why I was so drawn to it to begin with).
And it's not like going on a mission will sap me of my love for poni poni poni! I won't have to rejoin the herd because I'll never leave it! You can take a man away from his bronies, but you can't take the brony out of a man.
339486 Essentially, the difference is that we believe in continued revelation from God. That means we believe there are still prophets on the Earth and additional scriptures that support the doctrine of Christ in the Bible, most famously the Book of Mormon (which is where our nickname comes from).
339557 Btw as a side note, I love your work. It's what sorta inspired me to create mine. I left references of your stories. And by that, I meant all your stories.
339557
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..... Respect
Have fun!
Be sure to grab souvenirs for they make great items to remember the culture and experience by.
Oh. That's what that was all about? Now it makes sense, in a weird yet crafty way.
I'm happy that you are going to be doing that, Ponky. You sound like you are really looking forward to it, and I'm assuming you are. Didn't know you were a Morman, not that that's a bad thing. But yeah.
I wish that I was better at putting thoughts into words so that I could make this more emotional, but then again you aren't leaving for a while, so I'll save that for then.
Lazily,
~Plyxe
OMG an excuse to use this picture. Huzzah!
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On a side note, have fun in Italy. Sure, it's not exactly going to be a vacation, but I've always been of the opinion that religious experiences for religious people aren't all that bad.
Never understood the religious intolerance attitude all over the interweb. I suppose it's just the power of anonymity and an easy trolling target.
339577 Are you serious?
Which story of yours? I see you have three. I'll read all of them eventually, but
because I'm a selfish pigI want to read the one that references any of my works first.339599
Octavia's slow clap is killing me.
339657 I can't believe you didn't sign off your comment on 42.
339660 AWWWW YEEEEAAHH! Best picture ever!
So I might have over reacted a little bit.... Okay, a lot.
You just caught me off guard there. I'll get over it, but in the mean time we have some work to do... so get writing you!
Spread the word!
I must admit this comes as something of a surprise, and I confess that due to a staunchly secular upbringing I have always found strong religious convictions somewhat mystifying (though that hasn't stopped me from learning a great deal about various churches, doctrines and faiths), but it would be rude to say the least for me to sip on Hater-ade after your constant praise and support of my writing.
So, if this is what brings you peace of mind and direction in life, I won't be a dink about it. That's childish.
I will, however, put forward what I consider an important question that I would feel remiss in omitting, asked from a position of respect and care:
What do you believe, and, more importantly, why?
You really, truly, don't have to answer that here. It's fairly personal, it might only make sense to you yourself, and honestly the answer is of the most use to YOU, not us.
But if I was going to sacrifice 2.5% of my functional lifespan to something in a solid block, I know I would want to be sure - absolutely, logically, rationally, and well-supportedly SURE - that I was doing it for good reasons.
If a satisfactory answer comes to you easily, well, more power to you.
And either way, please accept an early but sincere buon viaggio e buona fortuna.
Just curious but what is Mormonism exactly? I understand that it's a religion of some sort, but what do Mormons actually believe?
Ohmygoodness! I am so envious of you. I'm waiting...hold on...about three and a half years until I can serve a mission too.
Yes I am LDS and a sister of the Church. And darned proud too. I'm soo happy for you Elder! Wait, you've got four months... oh well, get used to it! lol I do hope we get to see some more work (or a neat blog) before you leave.
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In response to our beliefs, I think the first Article of Faith will clear up a lot for many readers (though more detailed questions should be asked in a pm or contact your local missionaries ;D)
We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
This means we're Christian. And concerning scripture:
We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
- Eighth Article of Faith
I'll end it there. Feel free to ask but I refuse to start some nonsense debate over religion on this site.
Well, you gotta do it so you gotta do it. Let's just hope that Chatoyance doesn't find out. She kinda has a thing about you guys.
339519 *ahem*
Two years in Italy. Two freaking years.
I'm jealous.
At lesat you'll have 2 seasons of pony to look forward to when you come back :3
Nietzsche was full of it, and nihilists are no better. This show alone is proof of that.
I have to say, I'm both jealous and worried - the former because you get to spend two years in exotic Italy, which I sadly never had the chance to visit, preaching the ultimate doctrine of love and tolerance, and the latter because...well, it's two whole years away, and I really don't want to see you hurt. I pray that I'm worried for nothing and you'll be back safe and sound at the end of your mission. Please don't prove that hope wrong.
For what it's worth, I used to be an atheist - then I came to my senses and realized how much God has to offer. Mind you, I'm not part of any specific church or denomination - I try to find Him my own way - but hey, more power to anybody who goes that route. Those who troll us Judeo-Christians (and yes, buddy, that includes you for sure) do themselves no favors - it says a lot more about them than it does about us. Heck, my best online friend is Jewish - who knows enduring cruel taunts and petty condemnations better than them? To be able to prosper despite all that is downright admirable - I know our beloved ponies would agree.
Whew, two years? Hope you manage to stay safe.
Can't rightly say I know anything at all about mormons (I'm so uneducated
), so I won't bother addressing that. Not that it needs addressing, anyway. And I'm sure the fandom will still be around. Perhaps, once I know your real name, I can pull some sort of secret agent thing and track you down wherever you may be, seek you out, and inform you of the developments in the fandom. That would be fun! 
You're a Mormon?
Cool! I get to make some fun of you every now and then.
Like I do with all my Mormon friends.
Don't sweat it, you're still cool.
Elder Ponky's adventures in Italy with no internet?! Man, I think I'd go insane.
I'm sorry that you feel the need to somehow justify yourself in this blog -- I mean, saying stuff like "Go ahead, haters. Slander me, "Stop Watching", tell me that my way of living is completely crazy and that Nietzsche had it right all along," and whatever. From the sounds of it I take it you get a lot of flack for being a Mormon, and if that is indeed the case then again I'm very sorry you have to put up with that rubbish. Just from the few dealings I've had with you, it's very obvious that you're completely sound and a thoroughly decent person. And four months? I guess this means I've gotta catch up with The Sisters Doo, and fast! (I would've finished it by now except I've more or less dropped off the face of the internet these past few weeks. I haven't even been on facebook chat
).
Myself, I'm not particularly religious, yet at the same time I know a lot of people who are (my Grandmother is always reminding me that she says a prayer for me every single day, which warms my heart every time I hear it
). I'm always extremely curious about how different religions work so a mission blog is definitely something I'd be interested in reading... I mean, you already mentioned in an earlier blogpost that you were going on this mission but until just now I didn't know that it was something you had to do once you turned 19. You learn something new every day. 
... Also, 'Ponkynouncment'? Hah!
You don't happen to live at BYU or know any BYU bronies, do you?
...preach ponies too? idfk lol why not?
340029 I KNOW, RIGHT!? I can hardly believe it.
342335 Yes to both.
341712 I look forward to it. I love a good jab at Mormons.
One of my favorite songs.
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342325 Lucky! Good to "see" you back. The internet hiatus will be hard but, in my mind, worth it. And it'll really make me appreciate it when I come back.
Also, thanks for the kind words, and I'm so glad you used 
as a "happy/sad" face! I've always thought she was smiling a little bit. 
342914
I'll be totally honest, I keep accidentally dropping the third 'm' those "I'm a Mormon" advertisements. It's totally not on purpose, but it's still funny
342914
The only overseas involvement that I've ever had was 2 weeks in Germany. It was beautiful. Hope Italy's as good an experience for you as Germany was for me.
and hopefully you won't eat as much me because my god I musta put on 20 pounds and food poisoning
oh, yeah, and have fun in Italy! I've wanted to go there for a long time, but I don't I'll ever get the money to unless I win the lottery.
342914 You're definitely a stronger man than I to be willing to take on an utter dearth of Internet for two whole years.
Oh, and if I'm not mistaken, this is the 43rd comment for the 43rd entry in your blog.
What can I say? I like numbers. 