[Bear]

Once I started viewing stuff as non literal truth (like Bom is just as holy as narnia or whatever, and realizing that JS was just another religious nut – with som good and bad sides), my church commitment drop to where *I* want it to be. I don’t pay tithing. We are really struggling financially and always have (my wife can’t work due to mental health issues). So now, instead of hoping to be financially blessed for paying thithing, I now KNOW that I will be financially blessed for NOT paying tithing. I am being blessed by receiving the amount of money, every month, that I would normally pay to the church.

I now go when I want to and don’t go when I don’t want to.

I truly feel a sense of peace that I have never felt before in my life.

I am much less judgement all.

Much more accepting and loving. And more “me”.

I’m angry when I’m angry. I’m sad when I’m sad. I’m burned out when I’m burned out. Instead of always trying to put on a smile and go on.

I’m just more “me” when I’m not orthodox.

Being a non literal believer also makes me able to not do all the mental gymnastics with apologetics etc. all that is just (annoying) stuff.

Again, this change didn’t come over night. It took me years, but it has truly been an inspiring spiritual journey. I truly feel like my eyes and heart have been opened.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bear]

Thanks:)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bear]

Confused Molly, I don’t if my view will make any difference but here goes:

I used to believe it all. Then about 7 years ago stuff started crumbling.

The more I have investigated about JS the more I am convinced that he was a man that might have had a connection with the divine (wether that happened or not in real life, I don’t know, but I believe he believed it).

I believe he was a man with a very vivid imagination. He was brought up in a family of religious people who had visions etc. mix that with folk magic of the day and a good dose of being charismatic, and you have Joseph. He seemed to be a sponge to religious ideas and somehow wove that into his own religion. He took ideas from everyone and everywhere (freemasons, and the King James Bible etc) and turned it into his own religion.

I don’t think he was a “bad” person. But he definitely did very bad things toward the end of his life (polygamy and other things).

I think he imagined things and at the same time saw signs everywhere (Zelph etc). We still have those religious people today. Those who see ufos, spiritual beings, whatever – today. I believe he was one of those types of people. And as he gained followers he had delusions of grandeur (wouldn’t we all).

I don’t believe tbom tboa and other books are factually true in any sense. They contain spiritual and universal truths.

I go to church (it’s my tribe and all that) but I am a non literal believer of that makes sense.

It took me a while to get to where I am. But here I am.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bear]

Thanks:)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bear]

It’s me again:)

Giving lesson 13 about temples.

What would your angle be on this lesson? I guess mine will be the symbolism thing. That it the temple rituals have changed so many times that we have to conclude that it’s not the actual rituals etc that are important but that we are doing something that points towards God/makes us holy.

A good question could be: what difference could it make in our lives that we se ourselves as holy? (Becoming like God etc).

I could make a positive list and a negative list.

These are just some thought from the top of my head here, but any suggestions?

This could be a very hard lesson to do for me since I am not a traditional literal believer. I’ll have to navigate the mine field, but I think I could turn it around and make it more symbolic and meaningful.

Thanks:)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bear]

Haha:) like they will ever post that story in the ensign!!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bear]

Thanks to all of you:) it’s really nice to read your comments/thoughts. Thanks! I’m also contemplating not paying tithing at all. Just because I feel so isolated in church. No one seems to understand where I’m coming from. And giving lessons keeps getting harder because I’m slowly acknowledging how I truly feel about many church topics. And I just don’t agree on too much anymore.

Thanks everyone. I’ll get back to you and write more later.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bear]

Really????

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bear]

Hehe. Thanks!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bear]

Thanks everyone:)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bear]

Sure:) I have been doing a little the past couple of years. And I’m in no way angry worth the church so I hope no will feel like I’m attacking the church. Thanks for the comment! It’s great hearing all your perspectives:)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bear]

Thanks for all your comments:) keep them coming. Currently I think I am mustering up courage to tell my close family/relatives how I feel about church and all its truth claims. But that might take a while;)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bear]

Like!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bear]

Wow. That cannot feel nice in any way for you! I really couldn’t image anyone being ok with that today.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bear]

Yes!!!!!!!! Thanks!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Author]

Posts