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Who wants to talk w/ Dave? Story below. ===
If that is OK. John I’m sorry if this is a burden to you but I listen to you everyday as I drive to work and have come to know you, Gregory Prince, Darron Smith Richard Bushman etc. (Even though you do not know me)
I had already come into contact with this stuff before I listened to you. I read Grant Palmer’s book, Simon Southerton, Linda Newell, Gary Bergera Donna Hill and Van Wagoner.
I thought I was the only one! Until I listened to you, so I thank you.
I no longer believe the chuch is ‘true’, whatever true means. As I said earlier the concept of a true church is a non issue for me. I try and I try to reconcile things but find it so hard.
I have no problem with imperfect prophets. In fact I like the idea of an imperfect prophet because it resonates. If they can make it then there is hope for me.
The problem comes when prophets turn their own predjudice into church practice and policy. Where was the Lord when Brigham Young decided that people of black origin could not hold the priesthood? What about the idea that the Lord will not allow his prophets to lead the Saints astray? Well this was policy for more than 100 years. The entire black race was disenfranchised by the true church of God? What does it mean to be true?
I still have testimony (for want of a better word) of heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I no longer attend church only because I don’t think people want me around. They know of my reservations and are very uncomfortable with that.
If I had committed adultery or broken the word of wisdom (which I still keep). I yhing members of my ward would have preferred that because they would know what to say and how to deal with it. They feel so uncomfortable with this because they do not know how to deal with it and it calls into question their own faith and I think it frightens them. So I think they are glad that I have gone away.
However, I still want to worship God and I cannot do that in my ward because I don;t feel welcome. I would call myself an honest seeker of truth, members probably call me somrething else. I’m not militant nor aggressive in my approach (regardless of the way I appear in my photo) quite the opposite I try to be sensitive and conciliatory.
My mother is English but my father was from the Indian subcontinent and I would describe him as a Hindu agnostic. He never joinrd the church but retained remnants of his own culture up until his death last November.
Next month my family are going to the temple to be sealed. It was longed for, for many years. I used to long for it so deeply. I am in the middle of seven children. I will not be going to the temple. It is heartbreaking, because even though I’m not sure we really need a sealing. This thing is very important to my mormon culture and is a huge deal to my family.
Sometimes I wonder whether I’m wrong. But even if I am, the Lord knows where I am coming from. Of course John, there is nothing you can do personally about it, but I live in England. There are very few people I can talk about this to. So I listen to you everyday and look for hope.
Loved the podcast on 6 stages of faith. Made me realise that I haven’t lost my faith, it has just moved on.
Long message I know for a man as busy as yourself. Feel free to podcast more.
I don’t think I will ever move away from Mormonism totally. I’m waiting for this stuff to absorb into Mormonism more fully. Maybe then I can rejoin the community.
It is that community I miss. On Sunday, I’m going to an Evangelical church. I need a community where I can worship. i have jumped of the bus and I need to get on another one because right now I’m going no where.
This time, I’m going to look at the sign on the bus because I want to see where it is going. That is one of the keys. It isn’t the church or the bus that is true but rather, we need to ask where is the bus headed for?
Thanks John,
Dave
John, I would like to talk with Dave.
Given that he’s in England, would it make sense to have him talk to some OpenMos on the phone like Stephen or James?
Wow, I think we all would. What a shame he feels like his ward doesn’t want him around.
I’m not sure I’m the best one to help him with this, since his issues aren’t really mine . . . I would, but since others have already piped up, I’ll sit this one out. Heather
Even if we don’t all become mentors and call him, would it be ok to just send him a nice email note? Just to say something along the lines of “Hi, I read your story and you are not alone! Everything will be ok.” I asked him to join OpenMo. I also gave John his contact info. I sent him an email along those lines, Brian. I’ll let you know about his reply when I get it, and how everyone can best help. Thanks!
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