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Just for kicks and giggles, I wonder how many of those that have signed on to stay LDS, those that know the issues, have been able to stay active let alone keep believing. Maybe it is not the information itself that makes a difference but the personality of each person. I will play. But I will point out the the JS papers might be out there along with the essays but 95% of the members have no clue about them. I also know for a fact that the essays have caused some to leave the church. I think if the situation was as you described 90% would have a FC and 70% would leave. I think many who stay just because of their family would be out the door and I think a new form of Mormonism would emerge. I think the only way to keep believing is to keep putting things on your shelf and when it get full just add another shelf. Most leaders and members that I have talked to about some of the issues just don’t want to think about them or study them out. Most of those who truly study the issues end up like us. I have never had anyone give me a satisfying answer, just their testimony and it has never helped. I am happy that this man took the time to meet with you but I doubt it will help in the long run. I hope I am wrong. I don’t know if you can put the Jennie back in the bottle but maybe that is not your goal. It is becoming a quit the hot topic in our ward. We share our building with a ward and a branch in a different stake and there is a lot of finger pointing of which unit is showing up and who isn’t. I go when I am assigned but I hate it because I pay tithing and think that they should hire it out. I would like to hire someone to come and deep clean my house but I don’t even though I could maybe afford it. I don’t expect it to be done for free. I agree that church use to be fun but now most of the activities are pretty lame. We have a few dinners a year and that is about it. I don’t know if it is because of lack of funds which I know a tight or just lack of enthusiasm on the part of the ward members. I shared this on Facebook because I thought it was a good article and it also is pretty safe considering the source. I would given the same circumstances, but I could go back 42 years with what I know today, I think the answer would be no. The church was what I needed and wanted at the time of my baptism. Six months ago I was released from the HC because there were a few complaints about some of my talks. The SP told me to say only those things that I was comfortable with and he was aware of many of my issues. At first he was okay with it but after a few members called him at home he called me in and told me I was going to be released. He said the comment that was the deciding issue was when I quoted BY about not following the leaders unless the spirit confirmed what they were saying or something close to that. I was ready to be released because there was just too internal strife and mental gymnastics. I wish you luck and please let us know how it goes. I think that it is a combination of nerves and true emotion 95% of the time. I tear up when speaking but I don’t like to do it so I know that it is not something I do for show. I like that people are allowed to tear up in public when they are truly touched but I will admit that there are a few that get weepy when they talk about going out to the mailbox, or turn on the TV and some times it gets on my nerves but to each their own. I loved my mission but knowing what I know today I would not serve another. I would be happy to dig wells, teach school or anything else but not under the name of the church. Bless you in all that you do and I wish happiness for you in your quest for the man you are meant to be. I think JD is spot on. I have seen it happen and have heard it from local leaders. They tell the HT to go after the low hanging fruit. At leadership meetings the focus is get people back to church and to the temple. There isn’t much interest in having people at church unless they will pull their own weight. Well so far I have managed to sleep through most of both sessions, and I am taking my slightly red neck son to the monster truck jam tonight. to is going better them I thought. Thanks for the up date. I was wondering if the results would be posted. I fit right in with what you found. I am waiting anxiously to hear what is said this go around. Part of me hopes that they talk about the essays and address some of the issue but the disappointment I will feel when they don’t discuss those things important to me will be hard for me. It really is a love/hate relationship for me right now. I personally believe that things will be just like always. Really what else can they do? Welcome brother. It is a tough spot that you are in. I have seen it happen time after time and all that you can do is be honest with yourself. If your life at church feels like a lie then to continue in your calling will only make you feel sicker and more stressed. I tried to for over a year and I would stress every Saturday night and was really loosing a lot of sleep. I tried to do my calling in a way that was comfortable for me but too many people complained and I was called into the SP office too many times and was released. I was mad but also relieved. StayLDS was a big help for me and there are many who understand where you are at. I don’t post as often as I used to because after a while the pain decreases and the confidence in my new thinking has increased. Please keep us updated.
