Reaching out to new user Galileo

This is a new user that just registered today. Everyone has an interesting story, but this one just cried out to me as someone who could use our help, and our help making a huge huge difference in someone’s life who could go on to help many others. If you feel so inclined, please reach out to this brother personally. I will be doing so.

I am a lifelong member of the Church. I served a mission in Paris, France.

I was married in the Oakland Temple. I have served in two Bishoprics and

as High Priest Group Leader and Stake Young Men’s President. I am not a

BYU grad, but rather went to Stanford. My journey to where I am now is a

long and tortured one. Stuart Matis, the gay man who shot himself on the

steps of the Los Altos Stake Center back in 2000, was a friend of mine. He

and I grew up in the same ward and were in the same priestdhood quorums.

His death was the first crack in my faith. 2 years later, my daughter who

was only six at the time died. Around the same time, I was confronted by

several families asking me about the Book of Abraham and problems with the

translation. I was completely unaware of the issue, but brushed off their

concerns as coming from an “Anti” source and placed the issue on the shelf.

One of those families had their records removed and metnioned me (I was in

the Bishopric at the time) as being unable to answer their concerns in

their letter of resignation. Another family ended in divorce and suicide.

Another family is in the midst of deep struggles. I decided that I had

to confront the issues. I was stunned to realize that their concerns were

valid questions and found a world of questions and concerns regarding the

Church of which I was totally unaware. I was ashamed that I so minimized

the concerns of my friends as Anti. I have learned much and my testimony

has changed. I find myself spiritually in the midst of a tug of war with

the Church…one side wanting to leave the church and minimize

participation, the other side yearining for the “old days” where I was

devoted and strong committed without any doubts and serving with zeal. I

am here to help me Stay LDS. To hear how others are able to maintain

their testimonies and strength in the face of all of the questions,

history, and personal experiences pulling us away.