Don Bradley’s return to the church

[Anonymous]

Interesting story. Bro. Bradley left the church as he intellectually couldn’t overcome some difficult issues. He is well known in LDS intellectual circles. He eventually worked through some deep issues and discovered once again that he had a testimony. He rejoined the church and shared here his story. The link only takes you to part one, but there are four parts. All who have lost their faith or are in a faith crisis ought to listen to this interview. He begins to pick up 40 minutes into part one and is great till the end. The first 40 minutes is background on who he is and what he is working on.

http://www.fairblog.org/2012/11/28/keeping-the-faith-5a-don-bradley-seeing-with-an-eye-of-faith-pt-1/

The point is it is absolutely possible to change your perspective and expectations and in the end once again find the LDS Church to everything it claims to be.

Enjoy

[Anonymous]

This was an awesome interview. I think regardless of where any of us are at, it serves each of us well to realize it is perfectly normal to struggle in your faith, perfect understandable how bitter, angry, and frustrated it makes us. It is also crucial to see that while some have lost faith and see no path back that they realize it is absolutely possible to return to the church as a believer. Lastly a interview like this goes a long way to better help TBM’s better grasp this paradigm so they are less judgemental and more empathetic/sympathetic. It truly covers the whole spectrum even addressing ex-mormons who continue to criticize the church that they too will move onto a more peaceful phase.

[Anonymous]

I give Don Bradley (& others) for going through the process of coming back. I don’t know if I would have the strength to do it.

At one point, after being inactive for about 10 years, I wrote a letter to my Bishop saying I wanted my name removed.

He asked me to come in & talk with him first. After listening to me, he no. We’re not going to do that.

It was another 8 years before I felt confortable coming back.

I’m glad he said no.

[Anonymous]

Mike,

As Don Bradley pointed out in the interview, it is much harder to offcially leave and come back rather then just go inactive for a while as you sort things out. He wished he had never left

[Anonymous]

Thanks for this DB I will be sure to check it out.

I also can’t help but point out that “everything it claims to be” is a subjective view from the eyes of each beholder. To me it is helpful to consider what I think it claims to be — and not to worry about how others may interpret or project into the church’s claims.

[Anonymous]

Orson wrote:

Thanks for this DB I will be sure to check it out.

I also can’t help but point out that “everything it claims to be” is a subjective view from the eyes of each beholder. To me it is helpful to consider what I think it claims to be — and not to worry about how others may interpret or project into the church’s claims.

My words indicate a universal view but know that I realize it is my perception and paradigm. I will try and choose words better.

Have an awesome day

[Anonymous]

Does Don Bradley’s experience give you hope that your testimony might return full go again at some point?

Do you see his experience as genuine?

Does this cause you to reflect on your expectations of the church or your framework and look to adjust it at all?

I pose these questions as I am curious how seeing stories like this of people who are intelligent and think things out, leave the church in loss of faith and belief and then return later having rediscovered the “truth” of the restored gospel.

What does this impress upon you if anything?

Bill

[Anonymous]

Bill- I am not sure but I felt like I only heard half of the interview. I thought I listened to it fully but it ended at about the point where I thought he’d share his change of vision process. For instance, did he just wake up and see the resources from new eyes or did he have some step by step experience that led him to move into the “judging by spiritual guidelines”.

I also found him very soft spoken, maybe even dispassionate considering the extremes he has presumptively covered. I know every person is not high energy but I never sensed that he deeply struggled or that he enthusiastically returned. Which then makes me wonder how “real” his experience was. That’s where voice recordings can be hard.

In short though it is a nice thought that he found peace through a full return to the LDS faith and traditions, I’m not sure I see it as a validation that everyone can feel what he felt. For me I (at the present) sense that full dedication to the LDS faith is as Terry Given’s says – a choice. Yes we each get influenced or affected, but I see plenty of people who have discovered all the warts and really never crash or their crash doesn’t manifest the same way. (I’m not just talking about the Big guys like Bushman, etc.- I attended an Open Stories event and met many day to day’ers who do). I’ve also met people who really couldn’t care about the history warts but social or personal issues wreck them on the shores of LDSdom.

His story is hopeful to those who hope they can return or their family members can return, but I think it’s double edged. Once we see someone “who has” returned we get impatient with others. We point to Brother So and So. He came back – He knows more. You should to. I’m not sure that’s fair.

I really was glad to listen to it. Thanks for posting.

[Anonymous]

mom3 wrote:

Bill- I am not sure but I felt like I only heard half of the interview. I thought I listened to it fully but it ended at about the point where I thought he’d share his change of vision process. For instance, did he just wake up and see the resources from new eyes or did he have some step by step experience that led him to move into the “judging by spiritual guidelines”.

I also found him very soft spoken, maybe even dispassionate considering the extremes he has presumptively covered. I know every person is not high energy but I never sensed that he deeply struggled or that he enthusiastically returned. Which then makes me wonder how “real” his experience was. That’s where voice recordings can be hard.

In short though it is a nice thought that he found peace through a full return to the LDS faith and traditions, I’m not sure I see it as a validation that everyone can feel what he felt. For me I (at the present) sense that full dedication to the LDS faith is as Terry Given’s says – a choice. Yes we each get influenced or affected, but I see plenty of people who have discovered all the warts and really never crash or their crash doesn’t manifest the same way. (I’m not just talking about the Big guys like Bushman, etc.- I attended an Open Stories event and met many day to day’ers who do). I’ve also met people who really couldn’t care about the history warts but social or personal issues wreck them on the shores of LDSdom.

His story is hopeful to those who hope they can return or their family members can return, but I think it’s double edged. Once we see someone “who has” returned we get impatient with others. We point to Brother So and So. He came back – He knows more. You should to. I’m not sure that’s fair.

I really was glad to listen to it. Thanks for posting.

There were 4 parts so if you go to fairblog.org you can listen to the ones you missed.

Alos we have to realize his journey to return took years and we can’t expect all to return nor to return quickly, but it does give hope that you can leave having no faith and maybe, just maybe you will find yourself in ten years believing again

[Anonymous]

Bill-

Thanks for the clarification on the recordings. That alone may help. As to the idea of someone leaving and coming back. I completely know that people can do it. My daughter had a BYU religion professor who did, I have an uncle who left in the 1970’s over “science vs. religion”, his wife divorced him, etc. He came back remarried, sealed the works. Maxine Hanks made the choice and so did others.

So yes it happens – My concern though is still with spouses or believing friends and family who hear this and don’t realize it was many years and painful hours in the making before he returned. As I read, meet, and talk with family members who have “lost” members they want an immediate return to the way things were. They want an instant Alma the Younger or Road to Damascus moment. I worry that this will present the idea that these wishes can happen.

However hopefully traditional believers might listen to the podcast and maybe find some support for their family member and that might help. I hope it does because for most people this a long road with little guidance for the outsiders.

[Anonymous]

mom3 wrote:

Bill-

Thanks for the clarification on the recordings. That alone may help. As to the idea of someone leaving and coming back. I completely know that people can do it. My daughter had a BYU religion professor who did, I have an uncle who left in the 1970’s over “science vs. religion”, his wife divorced him, etc. He came back remarried, sealed the works. Maxine Hanks made the choice and so did others.

So yes it happens – My concern though is still with spouses or believing friends and family who hear this and don’t realize it was many years and painful hours in the making before he returned. As I read, meet, and talk with family members who have “lost” members they want an immediate return to the way things were. They want an instant Alma the Younger or Road to Damascus moment. I worry that this will present the idea that these wishes can happen.

However hopefully traditional believers might listen to the podcast and maybe find some support for their family member and that might help. I hope it does because for most people this a long road with little guidance for the outsiders.

We see so much finality with every choice but fail to realize God is in the background giving soft subtle tugs on our hearts placing opportunities for growth in our path. If there is room in one’s heart for truth they will have plenty of opportunities to discover and wrap their arms around it.

I also hope the ability of our members to move from a naive childlike view of the gospel and the church, and this naive view causing them to being susceptible to “major” faith Crisis and also to judgement of others of their differences, and begun to move towards a more mature view allowing “smaller” faith crisis that have less risk and still opportunities for growth. I am fed up with people leaving the church and losing faith over things that, if we approach correctly, don’t have to be giant obstacles.

I think as we do this, and yes it is coming (better approaches), people will have more understanding and allowance for those who struggle to do so within the confines of a supportive and understanding church family. I think this occurs already way more then many of you give credit. I see the Church and it’s leaders as much better equipped and supportive of these things today then 10 years ago…. giant progression…. but yes still a ways to go. We will get there!!!!

[Anonymous]

Bishop Bill –

I too see much progress in this matter. I also tend to have impatient moments. I want a Berlin Wall moment. When the wall was first opened, it was just that, opened. People could now walk, bike and pass through – but the Wall – the symbol of separation still existed and it’s effects were still felt. Then one day – the actual wall was struck, people climbed up it, over it, pulled friends over it. The holes grew and eventually – well you know the rest.

The other day when I read your request for feed back I had had one of those Sundays where I saw the pain of traditional members judgments on others with less than “Ensign Cover Families”. That really ires me. I felt that the podcast (just part 1) didn’t do much for either side of the wall in the moment. All of that collided in my response. I ache for both sides of this experience. I also know – not believe that there is a mighty, heavenly purpose in this. As an active participating member of the church – I see my goal as 3rd Nephi 18 22- 26 person. I have always been an 11th article of faith supporter, and I think it gets overlooked, too much. All of these things set me off.

I guess for me that impatience is the stumbling block or blinder. It’s not that I want a world that is flawless, I don’t expect that. I just yearn to help people find their fullest healing and potential. I believe deeply in spirituality that changes lives. I see the principles in the Book of Mormon having that capacity. I’d love to see the old negative traditions wiped away.

Anyway – thanks for reading and responding to my novel length posts. I’ve really enjoyed it. Good luck with your efforts.

[Anonymous]

your welcome

[Author]

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