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New guy here. I just wanted to thank everyone for their insights in this thread. The main one that resonated with me was the message about realizing the value of change, of growth. I hope that the OP was able to work with his challenges in a positive way for him. I totally agree with you about wishing it was easier to be open at church. I originally joined the church when I was 15 because my dad had taken a missionary discussion and wanted to have the family as a whole listen to them. At first I thought he was nuts! I was a happy little Catholic and had no desire to change religions. As the missionaries taught us,though, I could see a belief system I could engage with. I saw a group of people I wanted to emulate. It wasn’t until I was on my mission some 4 years later that I really started to build my own testimony. Now, a good 40 years later I can stand with real faith/conviction that I know the restored Gospel is true and vibrant. Unfortunately, over the past 20 years or so I’ve seen how my feelings about the church as a whole has developed some cracks. Case in point, facial hair. I know it isn’t a big issue but it chaps my hide to see the bias against it. It isn’t a deal breaker at all but it bothers me so much that I’ve outright, and politely, told my stake president that I would never shave my beard. It is a part of my identity and since there is no doctrine, anywhere, that forbids it, I won’t shave just to be in a bishopric or serve in the temple.Blacks in the priesthood bothers me too but again, isn’t a deal breaker as I can see how personal biases, not God, created this fallacy. Now, when it comes to things like M in a married couple I once again flounder. When I tried to bring this up in a priesthood meeting once I was met with a lot of vitriol, folks saying that they couldn’t believe that a priesthood holder would even think such a thing.
I really appreciate all of you and the time you spend sharing your thoughts and ideas. I like being able to recognize that I’m not alone and that there are people that agree that it is ok for everyone to have their own opinions.
