Hello from WA!

[Anonymous]

Hi, everybody. I’ve mostly been lurking here for a few weeks now, but figured I should go ahead and do an introduction.

I consider myself a faithful member with a pretty strong testimony. But this kind of forum is very useful as an outlet for me, as I like to have places to share ideas or thoughts on some issues, and can certainly sympathize with those who are struggling and hopefully offer a helpful perspective now and then.

I probably interpret things differently than many TBMs and I’m not in lock-step with the LDS “cultural doctrine,” and I take some things in scripture figuratively or as symbolic poetry. As a few examples of what I mean, I fully embrace evolution (to the point that I think we should consider it to be revealed truth/light/knowledge); I don’t agree that tithing on gross income is the appropriate method as a standard (though if anyone wants to pay that way, fine); I believe in a limited (not global) flood; I have a beard and often wear colored shirts to church; I believe the priesthood ban was an error, and possibly polygamy; I disagree with the idea that “the prophet will never lead the church astray,” etc. Sure, these and other things might be acceptable individualist issues on their own, but taken as a whole it does make me kind of an oddball or eccentric in the Church or even a heretic among some TBMs. And yet I know I belong where I am, regardless of being in the minority on these and other issues. So for me, “Stay LDS” has some resonance for me for the sake of belonging in the big tent that Pres. Uchtdorf talked about, and doing my small part to encourage those tent doors to open wider. I do think that for a church which is so desperate to gain new members, that we put up some unnecessary walls that discourage people from climbing over them, and then when they do climb over and join with us, we often say and do things with cultural policies and rigid ideas that chase them back over the walls. I feel it’s important for people to know that they can be faithful members and fully belong and serve and be blessed in the body of Christ that is His church even if they accept evolution, have a beard, disagree with some particulars of policy/history, etc.

I joined the church at age 20 from an agnostic background (though I had developed my own pseudo-Christian faith as a teenager). I went to the Palmyra pageant shortly after joining and was handed some critical pamphlets. The missionary who I was there with, rather than telling me to throw that garbage out, said let’s go through them. And even at that time, having just joined the church, I could tell that a lot of it was sensationalist and didn’t have good reasoning or describe what we really believe and practice, and could easily be answered. So I think that foundation stayed with me thereafter, to where I haven’t shied away from the criticism but do tend to look at things from a more faith-based perspective or bias. And I’ve generally felt that the apologist and scholarly writings and arguments in defense of our faith have done a reasonable enough job to keep plausibility in play for some things, to outright answer many things, or to be able to go forward in faith despite some genuine critical issues. And I fully admit there are some genuine critical issues… some I’ve struggled with and currently struggle with… but in many cases I think there are some faithful ways to look at those issues. For example, there is the CES letter, which seems to have caused a stir of sorts, but I think there are also some pretty solid responses to the CES letter. And there are some legitimate questions and concerns about the Book of Abraham and polygamy and other things, which may not even have good answers right now. But I guess I lean to the side of the faith, or give that the benefit of the doubt in the interest of continuing forward in faith.

In a personal sense, I’m a widower with two kids, and I’m a full-time children’s music entertainer (per the signature below). I live in the Northwest and travel a lot around the U.S.

[Anonymous]

Welcome, Grudunza. We need every type of respectful voice possible if we are to be the community we desire to be, so I am glad you are here.

As a side note, my oldest son served in the Everett, WA mission. He loved it there.

[Anonymous]

Old-Timer wrote:

Welcome, Grudunza. We need every type of respectful voice possible if we are to be the community we desire to be, so I am glad you are here.

As a side note, my oldest son served in the Everett, WA mission. He loved it there.

Ah yes, I’ve been to Everett many times to do shows, but I actually live across the state in what’s known as the “Tri-Cities,” though IMO it’s more like “tri-towns.”

[Anonymous]

Cool. Sounds like you’ll fit in well.

Welcome.

[Anonymous]

Welcome! I was thinking exactly what Ray wrote, I like to see a variety of voices, I think it helps to get a variety of perspectives.

I’m glad you found us!

[Anonymous]

Welcome. It seems like you actually might fit pretty well here. I hope you come back and share your perspectives with our community.

[Anonymous]

DarkJedi wrote:

Welcome. It seems like you actually might fit pretty well here. I hope you come back and share your perspectives with our community.

You will fit in well and glad to have you here. But your avitar picture actually has facial hair! So I am not so sure about you now that I think about it! Just trying to joke about a simple thing that some people make to serious. I have had a beard for more than half my life.

[Anonymous]

Grudunza wrote:

“Stay LDS” has some resonance for me for the sake of belonging in the big tent that Pres. Uchtdorf talked about, and doing my small part to encourage those tent doors to open wider.

Thanks and welcome!

I think this part you expressed is becoming more common in the church. The ship turns slowly, but I think more people see the charitable way to approach others…and that some of the issues aren’t just Anti mormon lies…there are some real issues…it is just how one decides to process it and have faith. So the issues are real. Sometimes that is the best first step in the big tent…validating differences…not shunning.

Thanks for joining. I look forward to learning from your posts.

[Anonymous]

Welcome Grudunza!

I saw you in concert at the Pendleton Round up/Main Street Cowboys and definately enjoyed the show. Even at that time I picked up on certain markers of your LDSness.

For whatever it is worth I was also impressed with your daughters. I didn’t interact with them outside the context of the show but from what I did see they seemed much more confident and self assured than is typical for kids of that age. Parenting even under the best of circumstances can be a challenge – keep fighting the good fight!

I know Round Up can be a madhouse. Please let me know if I can ever help with accommodations or provide you with a home cooked meal in the Pendleton area. (I’ll send you a PM)

I am glad that you found us and hope that you feel comfortable contributing to the discussion.

[Anonymous]

Grudunza wrote:

So for me, “Stay LDS” has some resonance for me for the sake of belonging in the big tent that Pres. Uchtdorf talked about, and doing my small part to encourage those tent doors to open wider. I do think that for a church which is so desperate to gain new members, that we put up some unnecessary walls that discourage people from climbing over them, and then when they do climb over and join with us, we often say and do things with cultural policies and rigid ideas that chase them back over the walls. I feel it’s important for people to know that they can be faithful members and fully belong and serve and be blessed in the body of Christ that is His church even if they accept evolution, have a beard, disagree with some particulars of policy/history, etc.

Hi, Grudunza – Glad you’re here, and I really enjoyed looking at your site. It’s good that you’re comfortable being the “real you” in your ward; I’m sure you’ll help some of the rest of us out when we’re feeling discouraged.

[Anonymous]

Welcome to the forums, Grudunza! It’s always lovely seeing more viewpoints around.

[Anonymous]

Hello, Grudunza. I’m not a regular contributor here, but I’m a faithful lurker. I especially love reading the intros and learning the different stories. They help me feel less alone. I haven’t commented in a while but yours really spoke to me and I wanted to say hi and welcome.

Quote:

I feel it’s important for people to know that they can be faithful members and fully belong and serve and be blessed in the body of Christ that is His church even if they accept evolution, have a beard, disagree with some particulars of policy/history, etc.

I couldn’t agree more, and I couldn’t have said it better. I think the perception of what is “acceptable” in the church is often skewed, and some people seem to think standing out or having a different opinion on anything is wrong and needs to be corrected. I consider myself a TBM, but I’m there with you on nudging the tent doors a little wider.

And I had to laugh at your beard and colored shirts setting you apart from the rest of the flock. It reminded me how, as a YW, I always kind of had a thing for the YM with the colored shirts at church. Especially with suspenders. Not sure now if I liked the colors, the boys, or just the fact that they stood out from everyone else. Funny that I married a white-shirt-and-tie guy who has since stopped believing, and as far as I know, those other boys I liked are still happily wearing their colored shirts to church. (Not at all sad I married DH, but the very idea of judging TBM-ness by shirt color…… 😆 )

[Anonymous]

StoneGypsy wrote:

I’m a faithful lurker.

I like that term.

StoneGypsy wrote:

…as a YW, I always kind of had a thing for the YM with the colored shirts at church. Especially with suspenders. Not sure now if I liked the colors, the boys, or just the fact that they stood out from everyone else. Funny that I married a white-shirt-and-tie guy who has since stopped believing, and as far as I know, those other boys I liked are still happily wearing their colored shirts to church. (Not at all sad I married DH, but the very idea of judging TBM-ness by shirt color…… 😆 )

How ironic!

[Anonymous]

StoneGypsy wrote:

…as far as I know, those other boys I liked are still happily wearing their colored shirts to church. (Not at all sad I married DH, but the very idea of judging TBM-ness by shirt color…… 😆 )

I think an interesting point has been made in the past that those who are comfortable wearing colored shirts to church may be better equipped to weather the storms of historical issues. The point being they are used to interacting with the church on their own terms, they don’t get too stuck on fine points. I think it is an area worth exploring, maybe even for a gospel topic .

[Anonymous]

Hi and welcome, I resonate with much of what you said, although in honesty, I am all over the place.

[Author]

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