Silly question, but you both know STABLE is an unsupported development version, correct? I will admit, the name is misleading...Also, that bug is against CURRENT, not STABLE.
I do not get the spirit and the essence of your message... The problem started as a bug in HardenedBSD (which, in turn, is based on 12-STABLE).
The 'stable' in -STABLE refers to the stability of the API/ABI, not its general fitness or its ability to run without issues.
Handbook: 23.4.2. Using FreeBSD-STABLE
In other words, use a -RELEASE version. Once you have a good idea how FreeBSD works you can take a stab at running -STABLE.
Thank you very muchI would recommend this for the desktop: https://cooltrainer.org/a-freebsd-desktop-howto/ , it was written for 11 but still applies to 12. I found it exceptionally useful.