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Funny, the one earring thing was brought up yesterday in RS, and I made the sister who brought it up cry when I pointed out the three earrings in my left ear and said that I don’t think Heavenly Father cares much one way or the other. Full disclosure, she was crying because she thought she made me feel judged, and felt really bad. Consequently I felt really bad and apologized profusely for making HER feel bad.
After that I was tired and wondered (once again) if I actually belong in church.
I really love this- although I do agree that there can be quite a bit of overlap. I am squarely in stage 3: Quote:You no longer felt excited about the mission of the church, serving in a calling, and no longer feel part of the community. The status symbols of our religion no longer hold the same allure. You may continue to go to church, but do so out of obligation, and may even feel like an observer rather than a participant. Confusion sometimes accompanies this period as you no longer know what you believe about the church,
This describes me quite accurately right now. I attend church, and will continue to do so primarily because I don’t wanna rock the family boat, so to speak. I’ve allowed myself the freedom to let go of certain things for a while, and it has been good. That said, I’m feeling like my life is pretty chaotic, and like I need to perhaps re-engage in some of the personal practices that bring me peace.
I am sure some of you have experience with this- I feel like prayer helps me, primarily as a form of meditation and communion- and tithing can help me with self-discipline- although right now, I think if I start to pay it again, I’d kind of like to put it all toward fast offerings. Where I’m really torn is what to do with my kids…right now I feel like they participate largely for social reasons, and quite frankly, I feel like that may be doing them more harm than good, because it seems like so many of our youth believe that living the gospel means wearing long shorts…
Thanks all for taking the time to reply….it’s good to get other perspectives as I chew on these things…Roy, love the fact that our doctrine allows for a lot of uncertainty- but man, I sure wish that was acknowledged more often! And NewLight, yeah, the parenting thing is partially what brought me to where I am…when your kids don’t fit that traditional mold, and yet you still love them so much and think they are awesome people (nose rings and all), it kinda gives you a new take on the whole “god as the ultimate loving parent” thing. Anyhow, thanks for holding my (virtual) hand through the uncertainty!
Old-Timer wrote:President Monson’s talk is wonderful. I really love that man.
The sentence that is going to show up on Facebook and other online places is:
Quote:Walking
where(Jesus) walked is less important than walking AShe walked. Haha Ray! I saw it on my fb feed this morning!
Been working through this same thing in my mind! I’ve decided that one payment (like DJ said, with the intent to continue), that’s enough. Now I’m trying to work out the “intent to continue” part. I’m struggling to do this in the right spirit- in a spirit of sacrifice and gratitude rather than just paying the price of admission. Gah! Never thought I’d feel this way!!! Tithing used to be a no-brainer for me! :crazy: Let me throw this out there- should we feel obligated to disclose that we haven’t been paying?
Quote:4) Our temple theology makes it clear that there is NOTHING about this life that is objectively available to determine who will be exalted and who won’t be exalted, especially since we teach that the ordinances will be performed at some point for every person who has lived on the Earth. Everything is subjective – and while that drives so many members so nuts that they just can’t embrace it fully, it’s undeniable in the actual temple theology.
Ray, can you explain?^^^ what in the temple theology makes this clear? Haven, I hear you loud and clear. I feel like some if what I’ve always believed doesn’t totally square with a loving God. Idk. Personally, I’m not sure if I’m just tired (too tired to try anymore to do the checklist) and looking for justification, or if where I’m at is okay.
Use the clip when president monson talks about setting the fire when he was a kid. I don’t remember the point of the story, but it was very engaging, and really made the prophet seem relateable (is that a word?) 
I’ve at least twice heard “For the Strength of Youth” referred to as scripture. Most recently I heard this in sacrament meeting. I got up and left. Of course this is in a stake that once based an entire stake standards night on the “no flip-flops to church challenge” (they seriously had the girls sign a pledge). In German, the word for “to repent” is umkehren- which literally means to turn around. So I think you’re on to something there. You know, if you don’t spend much time here I could see how you might take away a bit of negative- maybe because it’s a safe place to vent. But what I LOVE is that people can do that (vent), and they are met here with compassion, love and understanding- and it heals! I shied away a bit at first because I didn’t want to dwell only on the negative I was feeling- but after feeling compelled to come back and read more, I have found so much here to uplift me, and actually strengthen my resolve to have faith, even when nothing feels certain. I feel like everyone here has a “desire to believe”- even if it’s not in exactly the same things. What a beautiful Zion community- and yeah, cwald- no dissing yourself- each different voice, when generally respectful (and we’re all allowed to have grouchy days)- adds something of value here. I don’t see how it can hurt, in most instances. I guess I look at it from the “first do no harm” perspective. I know this was discussed a bit in an introduction the other day- it can be very positive to participate in communal (especially family) rituals, even if you don’t believe they have any binding power. I certainly don’t believe Heavenly Father will withold blessings from the recipient of the ordinances based on your belief or lack thereof. Think of it in terms of Holland’s conf talk from a year or so ago, and focus on what you DO believe. Is there power in blessing your child, even if it doesn’t come from a divine source? You bet there is! There is power manifest in the love you have for that child, and there is the power of the shared experience. As far as ordinances like the sacrament, I believe there is nothing disingenuous about participating in the blessing and passing as a service to others- a way to support your community. To me it’s sort of like gift-giving: you don’t have to enjoy, understand, or see the value in the actual item you give- the gifts I enjoy giving most are the ones I know that the RECIPIENT will find joy in. My joy comes from the giving. Angel, I went through months and months of crying almost every time I went to church! I just want to say I get it, and reach out and give you virtual hugs! I go to Taco Bell during Sunday school. :thumbup: RS I can usually handle. Especially if I’m buoyed up by a chalupa and some caffeine!
