I’m starting to really begin to dislike the church

Been there. I would hang on until school starts where you can make some new friends. Are you attending university in Mormonville, or are you going to be somehwere Mormons are not prevalent in the population?

Some personalities just to not fit or mold into the church culture. Mormon culture is a very narrow and restrictive. If you find it to much to try and fit in then I suggest you do not try. Either embrace your differences, and care little about what others think, or find a new life and outside of the culture that appeals to you.

Not sure how old you are, but sounds like you are fairly young and life is to short to try and force yourself into a paradigm that does not work for you.

Nothing against the doctrine, I’m just getting really tired of it. Basically, if you know me from before; I live in a very molly-Mormon/goody-good Mormon type area. Where the members may be faithful, but they’re those rich exclusive Mormons who think they’re better than others. I really don’t even fit in here.

Been there, done that, and didn’t like the T-shirt. But I didn’t crash until I got out of college. I found the university wards much more tolerant and accepting than the “adult” wards. I would suggest you check them out.

Also, if you live in the vicinity of SLC and enjoy the out of doors, I suggest you check out the Wasatch Mountain Club They’re into biking, boating, climbing, conservation, hiking, backpacking, skiing, and social. Cruise around their web site at http://www.wasatchmountainclub.org.

I was a member for many years while living there, and found them a great group. Few of them were LDS. I guessed that many Mormons were stuck in the valley, “doing” their religion, so didn’t have time or inclination for such diversions. I found that the the WMC were consistently good folks who enjoyed the great out of doors and were very tolerant of most any one’s idiosyncrasies, just as long as their actions didn’t threaten the safety of others.

If you don’t live in SLC or don’t like outdoor stuff, then you may find something you prefer on meetup.com. It lists a variety of local “special interest” group activities for most every city of any size.

I respectfully disagree. The amount of individuals in your age group who feel the same way is staggering. The Church has no idea just how broad the disinterest is. They are still trying to stop the dam from leaking in the older groups. I have two daughters in your age bracket, both raised in very strong traditional LDS homes, both of them are bored to tears. The love the idea of a Divine being guiding them, they love have a spirituality – they find they don’t get that at church.

That’s really interesting, and I can definitely see that now that you’ve pointed it out.

willb1993, I’ve felt much of the same. I do agree with the suggestions to test out the university wards, though. Sometimes being far away from your home ward and area can do good. Maybe you’ll find a community that you can feel like a part of, or maybe not. Either way, like mom3 said, this is your personal journey to make but one that many others are making as well. My only advice would be along the lines of the “How to Stay in the church” help article on the main site:

“Fix yourself, and make peace with your faith tradition before you ever consider abandoning it for something else.”

Whatever decisions you make, make them in peace, not in resentment. Otherwise, we’re here for you when and if you need us.

I’m going to say this directly, but I mean it with sincere love and concern for you – after reading a lot of what you’ve shared since you’ve been here:

You have to learn to be happy inside yourself, or you always are going to be in conflict with any culture in which you live. Leaving the LDS Church or an area dominated by the current LDS culture isn’t going to fix your life. Without coming to grips with yourself, you simply will be in conflict with the culture wherever you go – IF it has any sense of established, expected behavior.

Please, focus on yourself and setting proper boundaries for yourself – and getting the professional help you need. Once you begin to take ownership of your own faith, you will begin to find peace no matter where you are.

Please understand that I mean you know malice, Will. I read each of your posts but I don’t generally comment because I have felt I don’t have much to offer you. But since we’re being frank, I don’t think you’re giving the church a fair shake. It’s really not the church you’re having trouble with at all – it’s people in the church. Adding to that, much of what I see is your perception of those people. Perceptions are important and I don’t want to seem dismissive of your perceptions, BUT you are in serious need of gaining the ability to rise above what you think others think about you and what you think of them. I am not a psychologist or psychiatrist – but I recognize when people need help, and you do. Please get it.