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So I know I already introduced myself a while back but thought I’d update you (for anyone interested) about where I am with Church right now. I met the year mark recently for the “Restoration of Blessings” process. I have been attending Church faithfully and while, as expected, I still don’t have a full testimony of all the Church offers, I do have a testimony of more now than I did even a year ago. I have found that even though I don’t always enjoy going, and that sometimes listening to some of the things spoken in Church just about kills me from time to time, I have enjoyed the fellowship that comes from activity in the Church. I enjoy the good, thought-provoking conversations that take place one in a while during Sunday School/Priesthood. More than anything else, though, I love the closeness it has brought to my relationships with my immediate and extended family.
At this point, all the appropriate actions have been taken to get this done and am waiting on word from the First Presidency.
I wish I had been more active in this forum when I first found it. I’ve been posting more lately and am looking forward to being a part of this community. What a support it has been!
It’s good having you be a part of the discussions, glad you’re here, and glad you stay involved. Come and go as you need to as you deal with real life unplugged. It sounds like your testimony has grown. Can I ask….what things about church are you finding most beneficial as you get involved in again? What things are you glad to have in your life, despite the other things about church that bug you?
Pretty much exactly what Heber said – especially the questions. :thumbup: Thanks for asking! I’ll elaborate a little more on what I have already mentioned and also talk about what other things I enjoy.. As I mentioned before, I have found the general fellowship among the Saints to be beneficial. It gives me an opportunity to associate with (mostly) like-minded individuals that i don’t get in most other places. There are few Mormons, and fewer active, in my workplace and I am the only member in my family. My wife’s side are, I believe, all LDS. There are some who have lost their way, or found it, depending on how you want to look at it. So being there provides me with an occasion to talk and connect with others on a level I may not be able to with others.
Another thing I have enjoyed is the conversation that sometimes happen during Sunday School/Priesthood. Occasionally people do say things that are quite profound, even among the mind-numbing and sometimes ignorant things that are said. I guess that happens everywhere but I could definitely do without the ridiculous things I sometimes hear in my Church experience.
My wife, son and I are closer now than we were before. We attend meetings and I now take the steps that are necessary to make sure things like FHE, prayer, scriptures, etc. are getting done and that seems to have made a big difference in the way we relate to each other and the love and intimacy my wife and I share. Maybe it is all psychological or a placebo, but even if that is the case, I welcome it with open arms.
I guess those are the three things I have found to be most beneficial. I still enjoy opportunities to serve in the Church and elsewhere, whether I am asked to as part of my duty to others or not. Doing things for others is something I’ve always liked to do. I don’t know, my wife says that I am very service-oriented and I never thought of it being that way until she said it. I just always
didthose things. Also, even though attending sometimes feels like spiritual suicide, Sacrament service does help me to feel the Spirit, and ultimately, feel closer to the Lord. I second Heber in supporting you to whatever degree you find helpful. When it comes down to it, I seek the strength to ask in prayer to help me forgive one last time, to be kind one last time, to serve one last time. When I can’t see beyond the horizon, it is enough to focus on one last time. Roy wrote:I second Heber in supporting you to whatever degree you find helpful. When it comes down to it, I seek the strength to ask in prayer to help me forgive one last time, to be kind one last time, to serve one last time. When I can’t see beyond the horizon, it is enough to focus on one last time.
Afterwards it dawned on me that the phrase “one more time” would be more in line with what I was trying to express than “one last time.”
doubtingthomas, It sounds like you’re reaping some wonderful benefits for staying LDS. I’m happy for you.
MnG
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