Am I LDS or not?

[Anonymous]

I ask this question because I am no longer a member of record, yet if I am asked to identify my religion, my response is “LDS.” I consider myself “LDS” because my DH is LDS (semi-active) and most of my religious beliefs are in line with the Church.

Can anyone here relate to what I have written? Did you leave the Church, but still consider yourself LDS?

I was once asked on another message board why I associated with LDS women since I am no longer a member of the Church. I often respond with “you can take yourself out of the Church, but you can’t take the Church out of you.” I’ve tried not to be offended by that question, yet I cannot help but feel I’m not welcome to associate with members of the Church.

I hope I am welcome here.

[Anonymous]

I think you are LDS if you self-indentify as such, and you feel there is value in the beliefs and practices on some level (that definition is personal). That is my opinion. So I don’t personally have a problem with you calling yourself LDS. More conservative members may not agree. You might have to clarify that you are not a member of record in certain situations.

The way people (members of the Church) react to you will vary based on the person I think. Some are deathly afraid of someone who left the Church. That is more a comment on their own security than a judgment about you in particular. I didn’t leave the Church, so I am not in the exact same situation as you. Unorthodox “mormons” don’t bother me though.

You are certainly welcome here if you want to explore and discuss the positive aspects of trying to integrate back into the LDS Church. That is the main purpose of the site — how to stay. We are comfortable and familiar with the problems and flaws. Some of us are more reconciled than others. That’s ok. The burning questions is how to make it work now?

We have another thread here with a great discussion about self-identifying as LDS. Feel free to look at that one or continue a new discussion here. It is a grea topic.

Question:

If you like socializing with LDS women (or others members), your personal beliefs match up pretty good with the LDS Church, you have family that are LDS, why not be a member? It would be great to hear more about your story, if you are comfortable sharing more.

[Anonymous]

seedtender is a former member looking at possibly being baptized again.

Tom

[Anonymous]

Valoel wrote:

Question:

If you like socializing with LDS women (or others members), your personal beliefs match up pretty good with the LDS Church, you have family that are LDS, why not be a member? It would be great to hear more about your story, if you are comfortable sharing more.

I just read through the very helpful thread “Decisions” by seedtender. I would not pass the interview for re-baptism because I would, in all honesty, respond “No” to some questions. I have some “issues” I have to work through.

I so much appreciated your statement (in the “Decisions” thread) that “You don’t have to believe it all to participate or enjoy.” I have been told by some members that my “participation” would be extremely limited. What would frustrate me the most is not being permitted to share my thoughts in meetings (Gospel Doctrine, Relief Society). I’m not one to create controversy, but I’m also not one to just nod and say yes at the appropriate time. I like to encourage people to think about a topic or to share their interpretation of a scripture.

I am so thankful that I have found StayLDS (by way of NOM). I am also extremely thankful for my supportive DH who helps answer my many questions. We recently had an enlightening discussion of 1 Corinthians 7. I highly recommend reading it.

As a bit of background, I was christened in the Lutheran church. I was active in the Lutheran church until my mid-teens. My DH introduced me to the LDS church. He baptized me before we married. No one on my side of the family is, or ever has been, LDS. DH and I had our names removed from the Church membership rolls while we lived in SLC. DH was rebaptized several years ago. I have more to share, but this is a start.

[Anonymous]

I understand better now Kalola. That makes sense. Thanks for sharing. You sound like you fit our group, so don’t worry about those questions here

[Anonymous]

Kalola wrote:

What would frustrate me the most is not being permitted to share my thoughts in meetings (Gospel Doctrine, Relief Society).

Thanks for sharing more. Yes. This can be the hardest part, with our convictions every bit as strong as ever, with a (“a”) burning testimony in our hearts, it’s scary to know how to participate. What I think we all hope to be able to do here at StayLDS is get to the point that we are able to be at peace enough to know when it’s okay to share our thoughts and relate positively. I would even dare hope we might be salt in some way. I know that for myself, it seems to be getting a little better. For about a year I was petrified to say anything that might come out wayyyy wrong.

Tom

[Anonymous]

This is turning into an interesting tangent. I will start a new topic on “When to speak up and when to be quiet.”

[Anonymous]

Kalola, I am ecstatic to have you here. I LOVE your comments and your writing.

I also would celebrate having you in my ward.

(Papa D)

[Anonymous]

Old-Timer wrote:

Kalola, I am ecstatic to have you here. I LOVE your comments and your writing.

I also would celebrate having you in my ward.

(Papa D)

Papa D!! Now I know I was inspired to join StayLDS.

[Author]

Posts