- This topic is empty.
-
Posts
-
Hey friends, Just wanted to introduce myself. I found the forum a few weeks ago and was instantly drawn to all the wonderful discussions that were going on. It was like the Sunday School I never had.
Just a little background on myself:
I was born and raised in a devout LDS family. I love my family and my extended family, but we have our faults. Maybe I’ll get into another time. We’re pretty much all very active in the Church. I majored in anthropology in college, which made my life and the truths I embraced infinitely more complex. Now the world is every shade of grey rather than the clear black and white I enjoyed as a child and teen. I love it and hate it at the same time. It irks me to no end to be around people who don’t see the same complexities and who don’t have the same dilemmas that I do, and yet sometimes I wish I could be that blissfully unaware person.
I married in the temple 5 years ago and have a beautiful daughter. My husband and I are like-minded people, which means we’re misfits together – which has strengthened our marriage – something I am really, really grateful for.
I believe in God. I believe He knows and loves me and is aware of me and I want so badly want to live unaffected (and unbound) by the cultural demands of being LDS and simply enjoy a personal relationship with God. I enjoy church for the meaningful relationships I’ve developed with some of the members, but my 18 mo makes it hard to pay attention to anything. Still, we are active and hold callings. We both have recommends, though we don’t live near a temple and can’t afford to go right now.
I think what want right now is to love others without judging them for not seeing things the way I do. Leaving the Church is not on the table for me. It’s not something I’m willing to consider. I just want to be in the Church the way I want to be in the Church, and have a place to talk out and examine my frustrations when they come, which is why I’m here.
I’m excited to be a participant now and get to know and learn from each of you. I’ve already learned so much, so thank you!
Hi ihilani! Welcome to the community. Glad to have you here with us, and look forward to hearing more of your views and opinions. It sounds like you have found your own balance and boundaries.
ihilani wrote:I think what want right now is to love others without judging them for not seeing things the way I do.
I think that is a fantastic goal. Not only is it practical in an LDS setting these days, but I think it can take us far out there in the world. To me, it is a great goal of spiritual confidence and mastery: to love others as they are, and not be threatened by other views. It helps us develop a great confidence.
ihilani wrote:Leaving the Church is not on the table for me. It’s not something I’m willing to consider. I just want to be in the Church the way I want to be in the Church, and have a place to talk out and examine my frustrations when they come, which is why I’m here.
Sounds like a good summary of why many of us are here
Welcome, ihilani Sounds like you will have much to offer this group. Thanks for joining.
ihilani wrote:I majored in anthropology in college, which made my life and the truths I embraced infinitely more complex.
Hi Ihilani,
I took two anthropology courses in college. The first was Anthropology 101 – Social Anthropology. I enjoyed it so much that I also signed up for Anthropology 102 – I only learned too late that this second class was the study of bones, homo erectus, brow ridges, etc.
😳 Although, I imagine that either branch of anthropology could throw some wrenches into your belief system. But anthropology can also help you to see the culture around you and appreciate it in a whole new light – take the following for example:https://www.sunstonemagazine.com/pdf/081-20-27.pdf It sounds like you have a rather positive approach and I look forward to your participation in the forums.
Welcome, ihilani Even though I only can say, “Ditto,” to what everyone else has said, it is a sincere, “Ditto.”
I really love the quotes Brian highlighted, btw.
Welcome to the discussions!!! Glad yer here :thumbup: Welcome, ihilani I’m rather new to this too.
I can relate to what you said:
Quote:I believe in God. I believe He knows and loves me and is aware of me and I want so badly want to live unaffected (and unbound) by the cultural demands of being LDS and simply enjoy a personal relationship with God. I don’t always believe what is said in church. Many times it feels like I’m wasting my time.
Also, there are times I’m inspired by people I meet in a random situation. It can be at a dog park or a community event, etc.
As time goes by, I may try to understand their life & what it means to be a Muslim, Catholic, Jew or Athiest. (I’m not thinking about “how do I introduce the gospel?) Maybe God is trying to reveal himself to me through their lives too.
I’m rambling. Time to say good night.
Life is very interesting, if I’m open to it.
Mike from Milton
Quote:I believe in God. I believe He knows and loves me and is aware of me and I want so badly want to live unaffected (and unbound) by the cultural demands of being LDS and simply enjoy a personal relationship with God.
This really resonated with me. I have found that this is precisely what happened — the Church and its demands eclipsed my relationship with God. So, it’s back to basics again. The Church is there to help the members achieve eternal life, not soley to further the interest of the Church — which can also become very temporal if you let it….
Welcome, sounds like you’ll fit right in here.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.