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Love it! She must be an awesome kid!

Thanks for sharing.

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I also teach a youth SS class and have found ways to teach the lessons that I can feel good about. For example, today, the lesson was about the mission of the church and focused heavily on being the only true church on the earth. I asked my students, “What if you don’t believe that?” We had a great discussion about differing gifts of the spirit and how doubting is part of the journey. We then moved to the three missions of the church, but I focused more on Pres. Monson’s recent pleas to care for the poor and the needy. We talked about ways to strengthen our neighborhood, our community, not just support each other as members. We also talked about the good things of being a member. I have found I can find parts of the lesson to get on board with, and I really like my students. I also get a sub when I need a break. I think it’s good for kids in the church to learn with a person like me – they get the standard stuff all the rest of the time, don’t they?

DH has been moving along this path for several years, so when I voiced my doubts, he was so relieved. That said, he’s ready to move along quickly down his path and I’m not there yet, or may never be. We’ve agreed that we don’t have to go at the same pace, that he can do things differently than I, but that we put our relationship and our children before anything else. So far, it’s going okay. Best wishes to you.

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It sounds like you are at the raw beginnings. So sorry, it’s hard to go through. I went through a few months of just wishing I could make it all like it had been, and then mourned that I couldn’t. Now I’m starting to enjoy some of the freedom my shifting in faith has given me. I can feel it getting easier in some ways – it’s not consuming my every thought anymore. I’m really lucky that I have my husband to talk to about things and also really grateful for the boards here.

At first I wanted to vomit all my issues out onto my dad, to my bishop, to a friend but I’m really glad I didn’t. I think I’ve saved some of my credibility that way and I was pretty emotional and more short-sighted at first. Keeping it to yourself sucks but the board here is a godsend for finding people to relate to.

Hugs to you!

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Thanks for your post, Ray. It’s amazing how one person in your youth can make such a difference. Reminded me of the teacher who did that for me.

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Old-Timer wrote:

I’ve seen major changes at the local level initiated and driven by advocacy from within

mercyngrace wrote:

I don’t think “being the change” inside the church is a fool’s errand.Have you see any Utah Pride parade photos from earlier today? They are turning up on facebook and providing members an opportunity to express their feelings of love and tolerance to other members. I see a lot of potential for increasing love, understanding, and mutual respect as faithful members push back against a culture that sometimes confuses high standards for judgmental intolerance.

Yes! This is what I hope for, that individual members can enact change. My family and I were lucky to be able to be in the Pride parade today and it was truly amazing. The support for it on my facebook page has been great and you never know who you might influence.

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Another way – let ourselves be seen deeply (be authentic!), love with our whole hearts, practice gratitute and learn joy, know I am enough.

I loved this one.

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Quote:

We couldn’t believe it, a traditional member had invoked Heavenly Mother on Mother’s Day. It was a bell ringer and well worth the previous hour to hear it.

Love it!

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doug wrote:

I agree with SD that there is no one “middle way”. To me, it means “I am Mormon on my own terms”, and my terms can be as different from yours as I am from you. I guess the one thing that is the same amongst those who claim to follow such a path (and the reason that sites such as this one are so valuable) is that there is a consensus of sorts that there is a viable alternative to the “all or nothing” life, and that “middle way” is a term that is both freeing and positive.

Yes. Love it.

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I miss her too! She was so inclusive and acknowledged the diversity of our membership instead of trying to put us all in the same categories.

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Aaron2,

My heart goes out to you, I am so sorry for what you’re going through. Second only to murder, really? You’re right, these are very unhealthy attitudes and the church has made people think it’s a big enough deal to break up families over it. Ugh. I don’t know what it’s like to feel addicted to these things but helping a child through some problems I learned that I don’t trust the church or LDS social services to deal with sex issues in a healthy way. “Porn is evil, porn is evil, porn is evil. Hey, why am I thinking about porn?”

I wish I could talk to your wife. I was pretty judgemental about my husband’s lack of enthusiasm for his Priesthood duties until I started reassessing my own faith. When I started to let go of my expectations for him in the church, I started seeing him as the husband and father that he is and I appreciate him much more. Keeping my marriage covenants are important to me no matter his testimony or his “worthiness”. I don’t know how I found a new lens to look through but it has strengthened our marriage to do so.

I don’t have any advice for you but wish you love and peace on your journey.

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Thank you for the welcome and the recommendations! I’d read that essay months ago but forgotten about the temple recommend interview and tithing parts. There are some ideas there that will be useful to me.

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Hi New Guy!

How I would love to have you in my SS class quoting Dante! We need members like you and I am so glad you’re here. I fervently hope and pray that the church’s evolving stance on SSA will eventually come to full acceptance of gay marriage, but I fear it will take time. (Okay, I know that’s a bit dreamy of me but I am determined to ride the tide of hope.) Still, I am hopeful and send my love and acceptance out to you. My DH and kids and I will be marching the the Salt Lake Pride Parade Sunday and I hope the gay community is getting the message that not all LDS people are behind things like Prop 8, that hearts and minds are changing, and that homosexuals are welcome in our communities.

I’m new here too and thankful for a place to interact with like-minded friends.

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