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Hello, For the last 7 years I have wrestled with my “rock solid testimony”. It has not been fun or easy and at times I have asked God to take me from the planet because I just couldnt handle being so confused when it came to my beliefs. The main reason being I was teaching my kids to believe these things and now I was doubting them?! It’s a horrible feeling. Anyway without going into every detail I will sum things up by saying that over my many years in the church; (I am a convert) there have been some spiritual experiences that I have had that do not fit in with mormonism. What they do “gel” with is reincarnation/multiple mortal probations. It took YEARS before I could admit to myself that this may be true. Let’s pretend it is (play along for a min). If it is true (which I now believe it is) what does that mean for the temple work we do? What if I am doing work for my former self. What if I want to be sealed to my other husband instead? And what about alllll the children I probably have had??? I am at a point where its becoming hard to fit in. I have been the RS president for a while now. I was asked to come in to renew my temple recommend and I just couldn’t…I just dont know how to reconcile everything and am at a point where something needs to change as this has been going on for too long. Thanks in advance for any info or advice you may have. xo
Thanks for joining and nice to meet you. I think an argument can be made that your ideas do not really conflict with gospel teachings, of one eternal round and eternal progression. I can see it fits some things.
JenBen5 wrote:I am at a point where its becoming hard to fit in.
Perhaps that is part of your journey and next steps. You can learn to be you, make it your religion, and find some peace in being yourself. If you find peace, even if no validation from others on your beliefs, but you still find joy and love for others, you can fit in by having common ground on 70% of stuff at church, and be comfortable with the 30% you don’t…or whatever the percentages are…some overlap, but some unique identity that makes you special and makes you who you are.
There is a point where fitting in is limiting. Maybe you let go of that, and focus on church being a church of love, love of differences, not a church of fear.
Since many things in the temple are symbolic, and many gospel teachings are allegorical…you could pursue your ideas and see how the symbols compliment those meanings.
Thanks for posting.
Welcome to our Island of Misfit Toys. 🙂 If I didn’t love the concept of a Savior and Redeemer so much (at least, as I view it), I probably would be Buddhist. Mormonism’s view of eternal life is as close to reincarnation as it gets, conceptually, within Chrisitanity.
You might want to check out the following threads in our archives:
http://forum.staylds.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=69&p=467&hilit=Reincarnation#p467 http://forum.staylds.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=6323&hilit=Reincarnation http://forum.staylds.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=720&start=10&hilit=Reincarnation JenBen5 wrote:Anyway without going into every detail I will sum things up by saying that over my many years in the church; (I am a convert) there have been some spiritual experiences that I have had that do not fit in with mormonism. What they do “gel” with is reincarnation/multiple mortal probations. It took YEARS before I could admit to myself that this may be true.
Oh, so MMP doesn’t mean medical marijuana program.
I’d say enjoy your time exploring those ideas but it sounds like you already do.
:thumbup: JenBen5 wrote:Let’s pretend it is (play along for a min). If it is true (which I now believe it is) what does that mean for the temple work we do? What if I am doing work for my former self. What if I want to be sealed to my other husband instead? And what about alllll the children I probably have had???
You could view temple work as the link that bridges the reincarnated generations. Through contemporary sealings eventually we’ll reach a point where all people will be sealed to one another. That can fit whether we’re talking reincarnated spirits or the traditional LDS concept of spirits.
JenBen5 wrote:I am at a point where its becoming hard to fit in.
I’m
wellpast that point. Welcome to StayLDS. If they found a place for me to fit I’m sure there’s more than enough room for you.
JenBen5 wrote:I am at a point where its becoming hard to fit in. I have been the RS president for a while now. I was asked to come in to renew my temple recommend and I just couldn’t…I just dont know how to reconcile everything and am at a point where something needs to change as this has been going on for too long. Thanks in advance for any info or advice you may have. xo
Hi, JenBen – Glad you’re here and hope it helps.On one of my bad “Dust in the Wind” days, I would be very cheered to think we endure in
anyform at all, but I’m usually inclined toward a more orthodox view of the afterlife. This probably isn’t ideal, but I don’t give much thought to renewing my recommend. I know my “yes” doesn’t mean the same as my husband’s or the next person’s. But what I’m appreciating now is that it never did. We’re each on a journey, or in a wrestle. If you have an attachment to the temple and a desire to attend on whatever the terms, that seems reason enough to go through the procedure.
I also understand your anguish about teaching your children. Mine are older now. They’re resilient, forgiving, independent people, and the most important thing should
alwayshave been showing love and creating memories. I say just expand their horizons. They’ll know what Mormons believe, but I wish I’d taught mine more of the wisdom of the ages. As I’ve tried to say in other posts, I have come to the following conclusions about this life. They are: – This life was meant to be difficult.
– In spite of that, I was eager to come here.
– From birth, I have been a skeptical person.
– I ask a lot of questions.
– I don’t always receive answers to my questions. So, I ask more questions.
– I’m not perfect & will never be perfect.
– I don’t expect the Church to be perfect either.
– I use resources inside & outside of the Church. I have a diverse group of friends.
– For the most part, this life has been an adventure.
– When this life is over, I expect there will be many surprises on the other side for all of us.
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