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I just finished the small book of collected essays all on “why I stay”. I can’t say I found what I was looking for. I listened to Robert Rees and was very impressed with his perspectives and willingness to stay even when he disagrees with some significant things within the church. Hearing him made me want to read the book. I do like his section. I did like this quote
Quote:I sincerely believe the Lard wants his Church to be better than it is, and I have the hope that I may play some small part in making it so. I believe he is not please when Church members see blacks, homosexuals, intellectual, or any whom in the majority consider “other” as unworthy to sit at this table. I don’t believe God is pleased when dissent and open dialogue are discourage, quashed, or especially punished. I don’t believe he is please when women are relegated to second-class citizenship. I don’t believe he looks kindly on our abandonment of gospel principles in support of partisan political positions.
There were others I liked, such as Gregory Prince and his desire to use the scientific method to parts of church.
Many of the other authors came across to me as saying “I am Mormon by heritage” (such as I go back X generations of Mormons). As a child born about the time my parents converted, that does not resonate much with me as a significant reason to stay. I don’t discount or look down on them for saying this as part of the reason they stay, but it does not feel to me like it applies to me.
I did come away feeling a bit more like staying in and fighting the fight from within.
Why I Stay: The Challenges of Discipleship for Contemporary Mormons, Robert A Rees, Editor
Signature books 2011
I own that one. I got it for similar reasons. For me what I came to like most was the various ways people had reformatted their staying. I’m almost done with the David O. McKay biograhy, and will be getting this one next. Hope it is in Kindle format. Makes it a lot easier when I can read on the train. 
Started it yesterday. It will be a fast read I think. I can’t wait to read this book after reading the comments posted here. I am really excited about it because I have comitted to staying and fight the fight from within !!!! I agree some things in the church need to change and God is NOT well pleased, the church could be better !!! I pray I can make a difference from within expressing my not so humble perspectives !!!!!!!!!! The church is primed for change as the leadership is on the cusp of change to a younger more open minded set of leaders, change seems to be at hand we can make it happen through our prayers and thoughtful caring implementation of new policies and doctrines. I will be finished with the book, probably today. I’ve begun to generate a new reading list from references in that book. I want to read the article in Dialogue from Lavina Fielding Anderson; I want to read something posted by D. Michael Quinn that had a fascinating quote from Boyd K. Packer that actually sounded like a religious justification to suppress history because it was felt knowing the truth would actually injure faith, and so forth. I’ve also signed up for Dialogue and found they are doing pod-casts out there on that site. I think, with my subscription, I also have access to past issues.
I’m on a quest….full on. I want to know the truth,..and I don’t care if it is injurious (or perceived to be such)…I want to know. I will also be looking at that article from Lester Bush about the blacks, want to read the book by Juanita Brooks. Also going to look at the first book Greg Prince published about priesthood….
I’ve got a LOT of study laid out for myself….
The general consensus of most writers was that being inside the church as opposed to outside gave more power to affect change. At the same time, most writers felt the church had something to offer them, despite the differences and problems they encountered. A high degree of tolerance was exhibited by those who remain, and most were highly educated. Not a single person who wrote in this book was ignorant of problems that go on–the race and priesthood was a common item mentioned, as was the LGBT. The book was more contemporary than I had originally supposed it would be–which was pleasant to realize.
I was impressed by the academic achievement, the general scholarship of those who wrote. These were some of the creme of the crop. And they hit the topics hard and with articulation. I recommend the book.
It did NOT answer some of my questions–and I am forced to accept this is because there are currently no answers, outside of speculation, available. We know a lot in the church about the WHAT–as in WHAT do we do in this situation; we have that spelled out, even when we don’t like it (as in the LGBTQ situation). What is lacking is the WHY–as in WHY are we doing this? Those are where the big holes lie. The authors wrestled with those. The book was more about trying to show faith in the mess, as opposed to dealing with the hard questions.
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