- This topic is empty.
-
Posts
-
Hi All I know its been a while but I had to take time away from it all
I felt a little overwhelmed and maybe thought that because I was trying so so hard to get things “right” I was only going to get it all wrong
Trying too hard syndrome
Well I have had a wierd month
A few weeks ago my wife and I had the Sister Missionarries over, missionarries being the only real contact we have had with the church, but we both felt we needed something
A sister told my wife and I – after we answered her questions surrounding our doubts and why we ahve them
“you are being wiked and must repent NOW!”
erm what?
well she got transferred out after we asked her to leave and got on the phone with the bishop
since then we have had a lovely paid of sister missionarries come over and were totally honest
they said that its fine to have doubts and ask questions if we have them
its human and a sign that we are not perfect
One of them last night said she thinks both my wife and I are headed for great things
because we are having so much thrown at us to keep us away
It may seem crazy but i really felt she was being sincere in what she said
right or not? thats not the point here
the point for me really is that she beleived what she was saying
well so here it is – this could go two ways – but lets see how it goes
any advice from anyone as to how to proceed from here?
My advice: Even sister missionaries are relatively inexperienced and often immature. They reflect the breadth of the Church, just like the elders do. Take EVERYTHING they say that is not related directly to their “calling” with a huge grain of salt – just like when apostles speak about scientific topics even though they aren’t called, ordained and sustained as scientists. I’m glad the first one was transferred, and I hope the MP had a LONG talk with her. There’s NO place for that type of statement from a missionary to a member – or almost anyone else, for that matter.
magicmusician wrote:well she got transferred out after we asked her to leave and got on the phone with the bishop
since then we have had a lovely paid of sister missionarries come over and were totally honest
they said that its fine to have doubts and ask questions if we have them
its human and a sign that we are not perfect
That gives me hope that there really are people in the church that understand. Frankly, there are ideas and things in the church that cause doubt. That’s because the church is learning piece by piece, line upon line. We can only learn what we’re ready to learn. I’m glad that other one was transferred. You should write a letter to the MP and let him know what happened and let him know about the good one as well. They like to get feedback on how their missionaries are doing.
magicmusician wrote:Hi All
A sister told my wife and I – after we answered her questions surrounding our doubts and why we ahve them
“you are being wiked and must repent NOW!”
First, Doubt does not equal Satan.The Church and members just can’t admit doubt can result from the actual History, Teachings and Practices of the Church itself..Satan aside.magicmusician wrote:One of them last night said she thinks both my wife and I are headed for great things
because we are having so much thrown at us to keep us away
It may seem crazy but i really felt she was being sincere in what she said
right or not? thats not the point here
the point for me really is that she beleived what she was saying
Don’t mean to burst any kind of bubble but .. That line might be the new standard line for those that doubt.My DH has talked to someone ( I think it was a bishop .. not sure ) in the Church about my doubts .. AND guess what they said?
My future in the Church AND my life will basically be amazing … ! B/C of my doubts right now.
In short, I don’t know if I like it .. Feels like they want me to be obedient no matter what my mind tells me and how crazy it makes me .. Or maybe they honestly don’t want me to give up hope b/c they think I will lovingly believe again. Tricky …
This is me trying to hard! Don’t get yourself down about trying too hard .. I’m guessing we all do that here!Is it just a new line or sincerity? I dont know.
But it is great they got someone new in the other missionarys place .. Unfortunately that is the thought process most people go by, disaffection=sin.
Maybe some are starting to realize that is always not the case, I hope.
oppisition in all things…meaning there must needs be doubt, IMO. Not doubt for skepticism sake but doubt for personal growth sake – honest, soul-searching doubt, not devil’s advocate doubt. LaLaLove, I work pretty closely with the missionaries in our stake, and, fwiw, I’ve never heard that used or taught as a “standard answer”. The idea that Satan works extra hard on the strongest, so if you are struggling it must mean you are extra strong, is one I’ve heard from various people all my life – so I would guess it’s just that folklore being repeated. I think it’s a generic cop-out, myself, but it is good old Mormon folklore. Old-Timer wrote:LaLaLove, I work pretty closely with the missionaries in our stake, and, fwiw, I’ve never heard that used or taught as a “standard answer”. The idea that Satan works extra hard on the strongest, so if you are struggling it must mean you are extra strong, is one I’ve heard from various people all my life – so I would guess it’s just that folklore being repeated. I think it’s a generic cop-out, myself, but it is good old Mormon folklore.
You explained it better! Sorry, I didn’t grow up in the Church and this is the only time I’ve heard it -With two different people that have doubts. I agree with your last line. I’m sure it works out for some , but everyone knows even the strongest of us have doubts and really end up leaving-idk I just really don’t like that folklore one bit!The worst would have to be someone telling me I must have never had a testimony! ( With my strong doubts ) – That one really kills me. Even worse than the sin accusations!
OP I wish I could give you good advice. When my doubting process began I never took a brake from Church! In fact I’ve gone more now than I ever have in the past four years I’ve been a member! ( B/C I live next to my MIL now! ) I would say take it slow, know that you have control, and set some boundaries. It is so good to have healthy boundaries and balance with EVERYTHING and that includes Church. ( Although I don’t believe the Church really wants you to have them )
Right now I do not VT, I do not have a calling, I don’t bear testimony ( never have ), I don’t speak in Church. These things make me uncomfortable, therefore I do not do them. I go to the full block every Sunday and a lott of things really bother me BUT I am trying to find the good! I roll my eyes a lott – but I get through it!
Maybe start slow by attending just SM .. once a month, just a suggestion. Remember the Important relationship is between YOU and GOD .. not YOU and an Organiaztion ( or man, Church whatever you want to call it ). Don’t fear not living up to ward, bishop,or missionary expectations-live for you, your family and God..and gradually ( IF you want, if you feel comfortable, if it feels right ) let Church into your life – Hope something I said helped.
Quote:The idea that Satan works extra hard on the strongest, so if you are struggling it must mean you are extra strong, is one I’ve heard from various people all my life – so I would guess it’s just that folklore being repeated. I think it’s a generic cop-out, myself, but it is good old Mormon folklore.
This is a great point. There are many members who superstitiously see the hand of God or Satan in everything. That has a few effects:
– makes people feel important and super special
– makes everything we encounter to be at one polar end or the other, from God or from Satan, and therefore, our choices and direction should be easy to determine
– absolves us of responsibility for our actions in some cases, and sometimes reframes the consequences of our own or others’ actions as having a divine or supernatural origin
– makes the spiritual more “real” than the actual world in which we live (
I just don’t think it’s as useful as assuming we’re personally accountable for ourselves all the time.
Good thoughts everyone. Let me add a quote from President Obama. He spoke at commencement at Notre Dame last week. He said
Quote:But remember too that the
ultimate irony of faith is that it necessarily admits doubt. It is the belief in things not seen. It is beyond our capacity as human beings to know with certainty what God has planned for us or what He asks of us, and those of us who believe must trust that His wisdom is greater than our own. This doubt should not push us away from our faith. But it should humble us. It should temper our passions, and cause us to be wary of self-righteousness. It should compel us to remain open, and curious, and eager to continue the moral and spiritual debate that began for so many of you within the walls of Notre Dame. And within our vast democracy, this doubt should remind us to persuade through reason, through an appeal whenever we can to universal rather than parochial principles, and most of all through an abiding example of good works, charity, kindness, and service that moves hearts and minds.
I personally think he is at least as prophetic in this counsel as our current leaders/prophets. This kind of thing reaffirms to me the idea that everyone is/can be a prophet.jmb275 wrote:Good thoughts everyone. Let me add a quote from President Obama. He spoke at commencement at Notre Dame last week. He said
Quote:But remember too that the
ultimate irony of faith is that it necessarily admits doubt. It is the belief in things not seen. It is beyond our capacity as human beings to know with certainty what God has planned for us or what He asks of us, and those of us who believe must trust that His wisdom is greater than our own. This doubt should not push us away from our faith. But it should humble us. It should temper our passions, and cause us to be wary of self-righteousness. It should compel us to remain open, and curious, and eager to continue the moral and spiritual debate that began for so many of you within the walls of Notre Dame. And within our vast democracy, this doubt should remind us to persuade through reason, through an appeal whenever we can to universal rather than parochial principles, and most of all through an abiding example of good works, charity, kindness, and service that moves hearts and minds.
I personally think he is at least as prophetic in this counsel as our current leaders/prophets. This kind of thing reaffirms to me the idea that everyone is/can be a prophet.
I new I liked him for a reason! I didn’t vote b/c I had a baby a few days before the election. So he is cute and has common sense.
jmb, that is a great quote. Thanks for sharing it. That is a good quote. Any time the “most powerful man in the world” talks about humility, it is refreshing. And it is a profound thought. Doubt does show humility because one who thinks they know everything can have a false sense of security.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.