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Silent Dawning: We have been doing that for years, even before this happened. Donating our time and money to great organizations outside of the church.
I can tell you all… I am not afraid, but do not feel comfortable sharing more… they lurk in places such as this.
:crazy: But the experienced has both opened my eyes for a clear vision of what the CHURCH really is in relation to the gospel itself.
They were so concerned about the OFFENDER, that it really shocked me in the fact that the local church leadership had NO DESIRE to talk to my wife or my daughter… It was almost as if they did not want to know the truth.
Anyway… I am consoled in the fact that I stood up for what was right. In the end I prevailed, the message got through to them loud and clear and all of the nonsense came to a grinding halt.
Despite the negative things and craziness of the ward and stake here, my family has blossomed and we have success and happiness in our personal growth and our friends outside of the church membership. We just have had to make a choice to go to church for what it is and keep the rest of that mess and those people out of our home.
I know it has been a while… but I want to follow up. In answer to your questions and your advise. His counselors at the time, well the 1st counselor was the Home Teacher and the 2nd counselor was not friendly. I did talk to the SP. Things got worse in the ward as a member started (i will just say) bothering my daughter and wife and making them very uncomfortable on top of everything else. I spoke with the Bishop and asked that he intervene and his response was, ” I gotta think about the best way to go about this”. Well whatever he did, it got worse. That bishop moved and the new bishop called that member to the Bishopric and then it really got worse. I wrote an email to the SP and the Bishop and basically when I met with the SP he told me that nothing would happen, I needed to have a talk with my wife and daughter as he did not feel that it was a big deal.
Well, it continued and I had to involve law enforcement. The SP is a powerful attorney with a very large corporation that is very politically connected. Also very connected in SLC.
SP asked me to meet again after that and basically really let me have it, I felt in a very threatening manner as to my status in the church. He never came right out and said excommunication or HC Court, but he sure hinted around that. At some point at about 45 minutes into this in his office I said, ” You need to stop…” ” I went to my bishop and simply asked that he, as the patriarch of the ward, put a stop to this man’s activity.” ” All I am asking is that he no longer have any contact with my family… ANYONE in my family.” ” Otherwise, I will take matters into my own hands no matter the cost.”
The SP just looked at me for like 30 seconds and then said, “We can do that.”
Ever since then, the SP, who is still the same guy, won’t even acknowledge me or my family. We have had two more bishops since that time, I have been recommended for leadership positions and the SP says, “No way”. LOL I am not complaining not to have the callings, they would have been time consuming. But as I search, read and ponder… why would I be denied the blessings when others were in the wrong. Is this a test of my faith? Wow…
So, I will tell you this, I am tired of hearing the leadership of the church say to me, “If I have done anything to offend you…” I know you are all human and just like any of the rest of us, but the holier than though aspect of our leadership needs to go. I was raised in the church and taught in the robotic mind shaping manner how to pray, teach, preach and act. Down to the testimony… Thank goodness I woke up! Think for myself and realize that callings by divine revelation is utter b.s. If you are worthy and stand up for what is truly right, a SP or Bishop is scared of you. If you do not teach in the manner that they are comfortable with, even if you are teaching the gospel to the letter they are scared of you and do not want the truth.
In all of this I have learned, There are ways that I can serve outside of the church that magnify my blessings for myself and my family even more than what I got from helping and serving in the church itself. Most of the members in our ward anyway want something for nothing. Finally, my children and my family are a shining beacon irregardless of our religion. Our faith and our belief is strong despite these self righteous pretenders who will ultimately get there just reward in the end.
There are some that doubt what I say… ha ha ha go ahead. I have nothing to gain by making this up… I just hope that you do not ever move into this town or this ward. I hope your wife is happy and that you treat her well. I hope your daughters are strong and not offended easily. Otherwise, you might find yourself in marriage discord or the same situation I was in, cause they are still here offending others in very very bad ways…
It is what it is… be careful… and oh, I do not trust ANY members of the church… I only trust myself and my family!
:crazy: This is a habit. Picked up from a long history of Testimonies and continues to this day. I am thankful for your post and I personally do not say this. I have a testimony of the restored gospel. I believe that the teachings of this gospel are true. Old habits die hard.
It is similar to the sustaining of members in callings and business from the pulpit. I recall a Stake High Councilor bringing a motion to move the church building 26 feet to the north. All of the adults raised their hands sustaining and no one opposed. Then he asked several people what he had just brought before them and they did not know even thought they had sustained…
Interesting food for thought…
