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Yes, from my understanding it’s supposed to be driven by the Sunday School presidency and of course backed up by the bishopric and WC. I know that’s not much help if you have the traditional SS presidency that looks at their callings as bell ringers. Our ward holds the teacher council once a month 2nd and 3rd hours on Fast Sunday. It’s been well attended and the SS presidency is running it. I would tell your bishopric to put up or you’re out. It’s not your job to get people there. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
My mission president specifically had Coke and Pepsi available with our lunches at Zone conferences to make the point that they weren’t forbidden in the WoW. He didn’t want us teaching it especially. That was back in the early 80’s before energy drinks were even thought of. I’ve heard that Yerba Mate, a popular hot drink in South American containing caffeine, isn’t off limits for members of the church. I know a few RM’s who continue to drink it when they get home.
I decided a long time ago that anything in excess wasn’t good for me. Soft drinks have always made me feel bloated, so I avoid them. I’ll have an occasional Coke to help keep me awake on long drives. Chocolate is my vice, especially dark chocolate!
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Yes DarkJedi, I’m trying to leave that ingrained dogma behind, but It’s been a part of my thinking for so long and now I’m just cynical about it. I’m trying to reframe my idea God. It takes time. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I’m a bit cynical about the idea of our heavenly mother/mothers, so if we accept the idea of God having multiple wives, which one is my heavenly mother and why is she hanging out with this polygamist? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I want to thank everyone for your kindness and support! Thanks for sharing your experience and wisdom. I feel strength from you and I feel hope in dealing with what I’m going through. Today I conducted Fast and Testimony meeting. I was helped by all the suggestions you gave me in my introductory post a couple weeks ago. I didn’t use any of the usual TBM phraseology like “I know “. I began with quoting Alma 32:21 “Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things “. I expressed the value of belief, hope and faith, that it was okay not to know. It all felt a bit awkward though, probably because it was so different from all my testimonies in the past. The Stake President was there and it made me a bit more nervous than I already was. Before the meeting he asked if we could meet directly afterward. When we met he expressed how much he appreciated my honest heartfelt testimony, that it would be a help to those who struggle with not knowing. So I guess I did okay. He extended a release from my calling in the bishopric and said they would make the change next Sunday. I feel relief and hope with this happening. My scrupulous self tells me I should be feeling guilt, but I’m feeling confident in taking charge of my life and being my own authority as to what’s best for me. My bishop has been very understanding and supports my decision.
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Wow! Thanks everyone, for the warm welcome and wonderful advice! I was very reluctant to bear my soul here, but I feel comforted that I made the right move. I will take it slow as many of you have suggested, that’s sound advice. I like the idea of making a list of all the positive things I see in the church. I’m scheduled to conduct meetings for the month of November and I’ve been feeling a lot of angst about bearing my testimony on Fast Sunday. The list will help sooth my anxieties and clarify what I can say with authenticity.
I also appreciate your input on the importance of my relationships, especially with my wife. I’ve wished that I had someone to talk to about this and I’ve attempted to talk to her, but she doesn’t want to hear anymore. I can appreciate that, so I’ve kept to myself. I did contact Bill Reel a few weeks ago and had a long conversation with him and his friend Chris. It was very helpful, he emailed me a list of links that would be helpful in my journey.
Ann, I am very interested in reading the two biographies by Greg Prince that you mentioned, there are so many books I’m interested in reading right now and so little time to do it. I would like to read the book by Thomas Worthily McConkie as well. I’m currently reading “Planted”, by Patrick Q. Mason. I started Rough Stone Rolling last month, but I had to put it down for now, it only aggravated my angst towards Joseph Smith. I’ll pick it up again.
Thank you all for inviting me to work out my struggles in this forum. I am grateful for your kindness and the time you took to answer me.
