Hi

I’m not sure where to begin either. There are many aspects of the LDS church that I love & believe some of the teachings (with all of the shame involved) saved my life, which I’m grateful for. Since I was a teenager, I’ve questioned religions & went in & out of activity until I got married & have stayed active.

A few years ago, when on pregnancy bed-rest, I read all of the scriptures cover to cover. (Why do people have such a hard time with the BofM & don’t blink an eye about all that crazy stuff in the Old Testament?) I decided I really wanted to have a strong testimony of the gospel & of Jesus Christ so that if I were asked to give my life for it, I would. Researching about the temple & a few “anti-mormon” comments by a “nonmember” got me thinking. Last November, I found “New Order Mormon” forum & loved it. I met some great people there, but after a while I realized it was time to move on. Later, I checked on there & a few of you mentioned this forum, so I thought, I’d check it out. My husband is very strong in the church so I need to find a way to make peace with being a “buffet Mormon” (a term I learned from NOM).

Hearing doctrine that seems to be counter to my spiritual perspective now, causes me to get a little defensive or maybe it’s that I’m trying to figure out what I believe. But I’m starting to realize that almost anything can be seen as an anology of truths, if viewed from certain perspectives. While it’s good to hear different perspectives & learn from each other, it’s also nice to have peace! Live & let live. We’re all at different spiritual, intellectual & emotional stages. People don’t have to think as I do…& I don’t have to think like others. (I keep reminding myself this. )

I was raised LDS in CA & now live in UT. I moved a lot, until I moved here. Part of the island fever I feel is being a full-time mom & part of it is living in UT (Ut is an island in a way ) Anyway, I really enjoy discussing different topics, especially spirituality! I look forward to getting to know more of you (I’ve already seen some familiar names!)!