Hi Eddie,
A few misconceptions:
You don't have to be LDS to go to BYU in Provo. You just need an "ecclesiastical endorsement" from an ecclesiastical leader of some kind. You can go to some "we don't believe in organized religion" church, and the Pastor there can sign one for you.
Mormons don't really have many "rituals", other than the sacrament, and stuff that goes on in the temple.
Being LDS does not mean you are forced "to only live in areas with large mormon populations." (I live out in the middle of nowhere, Colorado, for example.)
Nobody suckers you into getting married for all eternity - it's something you chose to do with your eyes as open as you choose to make them. People who are married in the temple can still screw up and sin, and ruin their marriages, and whatnot. We don't believe in a God who just shrugs his shoulders and says dumb stuff like "well, sorry, you guys are stuck together". Of course divorce and re-marriage happens in this church.
Converting without believing, is a way of (in your case) lying to people so you can go to BYU. And yeah, we believe lying is wrong.
Happy choosing!
LM
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If I were rich, I'd have the time that I lack, to sit in the synagogue and pray.
And maybe have a seat by the Eastern wall.
And I'd discuss the holy books with the learned men, several hours every day.
That would be the sweetest thing of all.
Ohhh....
If I were a rich man...
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