[takebreath]

Quote:

Well, the conversation was a bit more complicated than that, but that’s the general feeling I got.

I went into the meeting with him with only one main question: is someone who thinks the way I do and believes the way I do really welcome in this ward and in this church?

I asked him that question directly and he gave a response similar to the email above. He laughed out loud (I mean, literally threw his head back laughing) and said “Don’t be ridiculous.”

jhp33

Posts: 34

Joined: 06 Jan 2014, 11:09

I don’t want to dismiss your feelings, because to you they are very real, but my take on the conversation you just shared with your bishop about whether or not you were really welcome in your ward, was that he was laughing like that was a ludicrous question. OF COURSE someone like you is welcome in the ward. I think maybe you’re being way too hard on yourself. :angel:

[takebreath]

This is my first day on staylds.com, but I was deeply moved by the feelings of “It’s probably time.” I am a convert to the Church, converted when I was 12, but my parents wouldn’t let me be baptized until I was 16. I went to BYU, got married, had kids, went to the temple, then my husband left me (while I was pregnant with my second son.) I tried so hard to raise them in the Church – our little FHE’s, which is difficult with two toddlers 18 months apart. It finally got to the point that they refused to go. I continued going until about 19 years ago, when I left the Church for personal reasons. Ironically I kept searching all these other churches, but none of them believed the LDS doctrine! 🙄 I was naive enough to believe that all the churches at least believed some of the doctrine. About 6 or 7 years ago I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and I’ll admit it: I was angry at God. I finally turned to my mother’s family’s faith, Quakerism, and attended for about a year. It was lovely and peaceful, wonderful people; but it really seemed to be missing something. Not to put them down, but as they were trying to “make-up” a blessing ritual for a newborn, one they found from 200 years ago (Quakers traditionally do not practice ANY of the sacraments, so that confused me.) I found myself remembering the power of the LDS Priesthood and that we knew exactly what to do to bless these babies. I realized I missed the LDS Church and the next Sunday (four years ago), there I was. My only regret was waiting so long.

But back to your concerns – I totally understand how difficult it is when your child/children leave the Church (mine did.) I hope and pray, and it is a matter of contention between us because they like to give me a really hard time about it. They’ll argue and sometimes it’s difficult not to get drawn in (especially when one of my sons wants me to smoke pot (not legal here in Texas) for my MS. There is some ambivalence. If I left the Church, my family (all of them, not just my sons) would relate more to me; but I also feel that it’s my duty/privilege to be this family bridge into eternity. I hope my example will somehow influence them, and I am also very diligent in my family history and temple work – like I want to at least build this eternal family that will be waiting for me when I die.

I’m probably not helping you at all. Just keep the faith. We all have doubts; that’s a fact of life (and free agency!) Please don’t discontinue your membership, just wait a while. Does going to the temple help at all? I find so much peace and many answers there, so that’s just a thought. We care about you here, and we’re glad you reached out to us. Remember the three witnesses of the Book of Mormon – they left the Church, one or two came back, but none of them ever denied (even on their death beds) the truth of this Book.

Please take care and God bless

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