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strebor, thank you for your postings. This is an interesting situation. I wonder how I would handle it? I’m sure, not as diplomatically.
In this life, we don’t have the power to control how other people react to a specific situation (SP).
We only have the power how we will react.
This is the way I probably would react:
A.) I would consider having my Father in law do the Baptism. This assumes that you feel close to him.
When my youngest son was baptised, we were still active. I wanted my FIL to do it because he was a great example of a good member living a Christ like life. I also considered him the Patriach of our whole family. I felt closer to him then I did my own Father, in a lot of ways.
B.) Next I would write a letter to your Bishop & SP explaining your decision about the baptism. Then, basically bare your testimony, in a few brief paragraphs, explaining your core beliefs. Plus, throw something in regarding his position & your willingness to support his position. Assuming of course that you can do that. I wouldn’t include any buzz words that would give him more doubts about you.
C.) I would talk it over with your wife & family, explaining that we should do this as a family & we want to react to this situation in a Christ like manner, without anger.
This is easy for me to say & hard to do. I don’t know if I could do it.
I’m sure in the pre-existence, we were told that this life wasn’t going to be easy.
Best of luck. Keep us informed about your progress along the way.
We want to learn from your experience.
God Bless,
Mike from Milton.
This is easy to say & hard to do.
SilentDawning, I love your comments. Especially: Quote:I took the sacrament with my left hand yesterday, and sustained a new member with my left hand as well — because my right hand was busy restraining my son…in the end, I don’t think it really matters which hand you use for such things.
It made me smile. A great way to start the day.
Mike from Milton.
Welcome to the group! You have an interesting introduction. I’m looking forward to reading more of your postings.
Mike from Milton.
Ever since I’ve been coming to this site your quote (& AA saying), Quote:“…take what you need and leave the rest”
has been running through my mine on so many levels. On a spiritual or religious level, maybe God will reveal more when we’re ready to receive them or maybe they are not needed for our current state of development.This is a interesting place to come & share our thoughts, hopes & ideas.
Thanks everyone.
Mike from Milton.
I can answer Amen to what you both have said. Again, I’m sorry for your loss.
Sometimes it is better to give a hug & say nothing.
I believe that hugs are very important when you hurt.
You were right to ask for one.
Mike from Milton.
Iam new to this group. Iam amazed how quickly many of you can read a posting, digest the topic & respond with additional information that hits the spot or challenges me to consider my beliefs in a new & meaningful way. (I have to consider new information for an extended period of time before I can make a response that has any real meaning.) First, I have to thank Ray for the link you posted titled: “A Fresh View” of Repentance.
Repentance is a topic that I have been thinking a great deal about lately. Especially the process of Repentance. I must admit that for a number of years now, I thought repentance was something I need to do just before the sacrament was passed on Sunday morning. How foolish!
Second, as I stated in my posting of 11 Nov, Iam an Alcoholic for the past 21+ years. I will not go into alot of details.
Wayfarer stated it best on 11 Nov, “…anonymity is the spiritual foundation of AA — there are very good reasons behind keeping your program very personal.”
To comment on Ray’s posting, you need to know that my beliefs are filtered through the program of “AA”. Iam an Alcoholic first before anything else. Even my membership in the LDS church.
The “AA” program teaches me that Will Power (ALONE) has no place in my program of recovery. The older members told me the following: Don’t drink & work an (AA) Program on a daily basis.
As a result, in the beginning especially, we go to alot of meetings & talk to alot of people that have had similar experiences. Overtime, we realize that we are not unique or special. Others have have gone through this recovery process too & their lifes are better for it.
What I’m trying to say is: Repentance is very similar. It’s a process. Not a moment of contrition, then eat the bread & drink the water, go home & start over.
I hope this makes sense.
Mike from Milton.
I haven’t submitted any names for temple work yet. (I’m sorry to admit.) Are there any checks & balances when names are submitted for temple work?
The reason I mention this is: when I did research on relatives, I noticed that there were multiple baptisms, etc performed.
Is this common?
Or, is it just a mistake?
When I’m long gone, will there be additional ordinances performed for me?
Just curious.
Mike from Milton.
Your postings have given me alot to think about. In my Induction, I said the following:
Quote:It is my relationship with God that I have a hard time understanding.Iam like a spoilded child that when things don’t go the way I think they should, I throw a tantrom, stomp my feet & hold my breath until I turn blue
. This attitude seems to cover all of the spirtual understandings lately. Including my ideas about service, calls, etc.
I want to break free of this spoiled child.
I visited my youngest son & his family a couple of weeks ago. My wife had to stay home.
My son, daughter-in-law & (2) grand children live in the Nauvoo Stake.
They took me to Nauvoo because the city was having a Halloween parade & party for the kids.
I haven’t been to Nauvoo since the ’70’s. (Before my sons were born.)
We went around the Temple. I just marveled at this building & the sculptures outside.
I know there are issues with Church history, doctrines, etc. I don’t care.
But, I want to be in a postion to go inside a temple again.
I feel a new years resolution coming on. (maybe)
You “guys” are generating alot of thoughts & emotions.
It’s time for bed. Good night.
Mike from Milton.
Ray, I’m saying that is his preference for now. He would like me to have a formal calling so it would be more permanent. Plus, He probably thinks that I would be more committed. My point was that we should be able to do service work without a formal calling. My preference is to be more anonymous when ever possible.
I hope that makes sense.
Mike from Milton.
Ray, thank you for your posting. You said,
Quote:1) I was able to give blessings to a couple of people who really needed to hear what was said to each of them in the blessings they received. Most of the blessings I have given in my life have ended up being basic blessings of comfort and general counsel, while a handful have been true, undeniable revelatory experiences.
Are you talking about “hands on” Priesthood blessing? Can you explain further?
I recently retired in Jan 2011. I’m trying to figure out what I could do with my time.
I’ve looked into a number organizations to do volunteer work. Nothing has really peaked my interest.
Plus, alot of organization would prefer money instead of another volunteer.
Friends who have already retired advise me to wait a year, then determine where you want to invest your time & effort.
I’m thinking of maybe volunteering more a Church. My problem is I want to do it anonymously.
I have told my Bishop that I don’t like the idea of going through an interview, go before the membership, having them sustain you, being set apart, etc. Can’t they just ask me to wash the windows in the chapel, etc & let me do it? The Bishop said no, that’s not the way we do it. I don’t want this to sound like I’m being critical.
I’m sure there are other opportunities too. Salvation Army, etc.
I hope I’m not off topic.
Mike from Milton.
Recently the Stake President came to our Ward. At the close of the meeting, he tried to give our Bishopric a complement by saying to the congregation: “These men are spiritual giants.”
I could almost see a nervous “cringe” on the Bishop’s face.
I’ll bet his appointment schedule increased significantly after that.
I know that our Bishop is a good man who tries very hard to magnify his calling. (Whatever that is.)
There is only so much a Bishop can do within a Ward.
I wouldn’t want his job.
(Assuming of course, I was qualified.)
To stay on topic: traditionally it has been said that the Bishop is the Father of the Ward. As a result many members feel that if they have a problem or even a question, go to the Bishop. I would rather go to my Home Teacher or a good friend. Even when I was active, I would rarely go to the Bishop with a question or problem.
Mike from Milton.
Hello “Ilovechrist77”, Welcome to the group.
I too don’t know much about your situation.
I would agree with Roy’s comments.
I am interested to hear more about your thoughts, feelings & experiences.
Mike from Milton.
Wayfarer, Thank you for your introduction & welcome to the group.
You wrote:
Quote:…unable to accept either the life of a member, nor the life of a drunkard, and I had to find another path, and I did. Perhaps it started with recovery, perhaps it was the concept of a spiritual awakening — ultimately, though, my spiritual path ends up being personally mine, and independent of any organization or teaching.
I believe that alot of us, in the church, have made similar choices, feel the same emotions & if we are lucky (or blessed), find recovery.
Do you use Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)? I have & believe it saved my life. It was in AA that I learned the difference between being Spiritual & being Religious.
I think very few people can experience both.
After a few years, I went back to see my Bishop & explained where I’ve been. I discovered how little he knew about recovery & the AA program.
At the end of our talk, he started to talk about some of the members. As I was leaving I wondered what he was going to say about me. That is one of the reasons that I am reluctant to talk about my experiences with members of the church.
Now I’m trying to find my way back. I’m going to do it on my own terms. (It sounds like your quote.)
Right now, I can get through Sacrament meetings but Sunday School & Priesthood I have difficulty. It feels like claustrophobia & I can’t leave fast enough.
As they say, One day (or meeting) at a time.
Thanks,
Mike from Milton.
When you can’t concentrate on the life & sacrific of Jesus Christ then, follow rules. Mike from Milton.
