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I just found this place. I’m happy to see so many people going through the same things as me. I just want to introduce myself a bit. I’m a multi-generational member of the church on both sides of my family. I grew up very orthodox, attended meetings, studied, prayed, and tried to be good. I never questioned teachings or doctrine. I always tried to be good but I’ve had my share of failures in my personal life. In areas that I struggled or had questions or doubts I credited them to my own shortcomings and weaknesses.I no longer trust feelings alone as confirmation for or against a belief pray for God to teach me in a way I can understand and to help me make the right choices. Welcome to the site. I hope you enjoy it here! Welcome! I am glad you found us. I hope we can co tinue to help – and that we can learn from you.
Welcome aboard. We all have some similarities here and I’m sure many can relate to your experiences. I particularly relate to your last paragraph in that I don’t trust feelings alone any more and that I don’t feel much anyway. It’s so difficult to separate emotion from church teachings about what the Spirit feels like, but I have learned that most of what I feel is not the Spirit and is nothing more than emotion. I think I can identify the Spirit for myself now, and it has little to do with emotional type feelings. You make a very good point that we each have to figure it out for ourselves. We are all on the same path together, yet at the same time we’re all alone. A common concern expressed here is that often the spouse and/or other family members are not in the same spot, and navigating that can be difficult. What does your spouse know and what has been the reaction? Do other family members or friends know about your struggles? Either way, know that we’re always here for you.
Welcome. We’re glad you’re here. As I always say: Take what you can use & leave the rest. None of us get through this life living it with no flaws or doubts.
It’s ok to ask questions. I believe that God expects us to question.
That’s it for now. Keep coming back.
DarkJedi wrote:
[…]I particularly relate to your last paragraph in that I don’t trust feelings alone any more and that I don’t feel much anyway. It’s so difficult to separate emotion from church teachings about what the Spirit feels like, but I have learned that most of what I feel is not the Spirit and is nothing more than emotion. […]
I feel the same way. Unfortunately I believe most members’ testimony and conversion is based solely on good feelings and emotions. That is the same level of faith that is found in every belief system from paganism, to the Taliban, to Evangelicals.Welcome to the site Jabraso. I do not have a lot of time at the moment but wanted to get a few thoughts across. 1) You are not alone. What you are experiencing is totally normal and has nothing to do with satan.
2) I recommend against dumping everything on your spouse all at once. However, I would clue her in to some parts if only to not feel alone. For me, it became important that I could tell my wife and SHOW my wife what sorts of behaviors she could expect from me as her husband completely separate from the church. I think many fear that, without the church there is nothing to hold back outright debauchery, depravity, and abandonment of family responsibilities. Unfortunately, your brother’s example reinforces this idea. Also, your struggle with pornography will likely be seen as the character weakness that caused your downfall. It will not be an easy road. Nevertheless, for me it has been important for my spouse to see that I am a good partner with or without the church.
3) I recommend learning about LDS Relationship and Sexuality Counselor Dr. Finlayson-Fife. She is excellent in helping to navigate the relationships and sexuality with the unique overlay of LDS teachings and expectations.
Once again, welcome and I hope you find what you are searching for.
Roy wrote:
[…]1) You are not alone. What you are experiencing is totally normal and has nothing to do with satan.
Thanks. Its nice to be understood.Roy wrote:
2) I recommend against dumping everything on your spouse all at once. However, I would clue her in to some parts if only to not feel alone. For me, it became important that I could tell my wife and SHOW my wife what sorts of behaviors she could expect from me as her husband completely separate from the church. I think many fear that, without the church there is nothing to hold back outright debauchery, depravity, and abandonment of family responsibilities. Unfortunately, your brother’s example reinforces this idea. Also, your struggle with pornography will likely be seen as the character weakness that caused your downfall. It will not be an easy road. Nevertheless, for me it has been important for my spouse to see that I am a good partner with or without the church.
I don’t plan on dumping everything on her at once. It’s going to be a process and I’m not sure where things will end up myself. We’re actually at a good place right now; my wife and I have recently had some deep conversations about the whole situation and put things into better perspective.I think you have to decide whether to tell her anything at all. I find that when I share my church doubts, even my progress, with my wife, she gets upset. It’s not good for our marriage. So I am never talkative about the church with my wife. I do it here. After a while, I came to terms with everything and my family all accepted me as I am in the church. Not through my words, but through my actions. The not attending regularly, not paying tithing or wearing garments — all are visible things that everyone accepts in me. When they talk about the church I converse with them about it, but always from a neutral or supportive perspective — never negative, doubtful or critical.
That is where I landed and it’s a kind of comfortable place to be. I hope you will be able to find your comfortable place with yourself and your family at the same time.
Welcome. Faith is a journey. And is always under maintenance. It never hurts to be constantly evaluating your faith.
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