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Greetings all! I found StayLDS about 2 weeks ago and I’m loving it. Just a quick intro. I’m a life-long member from a half-active family: my mom is a convert and was very faithful and devout; my dad was born in the church but was a backslider until my early teens, when he came back to full activity. I had a typical Utah/Mormon upbringing: excellent youth leaders, good family support, etc. I served a mission at 19, then came home and started at Ricks College. I’ve gone on to finish college and a law degree. I met and married my wife. I’ve got a wonderful family. I feel like I’ve been blessed by the Lord in almost every way that He can bless someone. I’m happy.
I was a TBM until about age 30, when my inquisitive nature led me to ask some of the uncomfortable questions that many of us as Mormons confront. I felt myself becoming unmoored from the church, although I remained a faithful attender (most of the time) and fulfilled my callings. I wondered if I fit in, what my questions and doubts meant about my level of faith, and how committed I could/should be to The Church.
I was having a hard time reconciling some of my very personal but very powerful spiritual manifestations with some of the things I was learning and questioning and doubting. Finally, at the point where I was really wondering if there was a place in the church for someone who had the questions I had, a good friend (whom I think could sense my angst) emailed me a copy of the talk that changed my life: Brother Poll’s “What the Church Means to People Like Me.” It was a revelation. I had no idea there were other Liahonas like me – I guess I had figured there were TBMs/Iron Rodders on the one hand, and then there were apostates and Jacks on the other. The idea that the gospel could provide enough answers to enough of the big questions in my life, without answering every little question and query, and that this was okay, made me feel like I could keep on keepin’ on.
This isn’t to say that I haven’t continued to struggle with various doctrines of the church (as opposed to doctrines of the gospel) and my own feelings and interpretations of various aspects of Mormon history. For instance, I’m fairly convinced the Lord doesn’t care much whether a Mormon drinks a beer or not. I purposefully don’t wear white shirts to church (although a recent calling has put a crimp in my style). I skip Sunday meetings on occasion to go for a hike, and feel great about it. I’ve just decided that no matter how many talks the GAs give at conference telling me to wear a white shirt, or equating spirituality with the number of hours you sit in the chapel on Sunday, I’m not going to let that dictate how I interact with the church. I guess I’ve come to believe that for me, the only thing worse than going to church on Sunday is not going to church. As boring as it is most times (is there some petition somewhere I can sign to lobby the brethren to scrap the 3-hour block?), it just feels right and good for me to go. Despite the 3-hour block’s attempt to stifle all fellowshipping among the saints, I still love the interactions with the other members of my church. And that’s why I Stay LDS.
Welcome. I think this website is for you.
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Welcome to the site! Sounds like a terrific fit! Welcome, I liked your introduction. Very honest. Mike from Milton.
Welcome. Thanks for sharing your story. Welcome! Glad to have you! Thanks, all. This site really is a breath of fresh air. Kumahito wrote:Despite the 3-hour block’s attempt to stifle all fellowshipping among the saints, I still love the interactions with the other members of my church. And that’s why I Stay LDS.
I feel the same way really — on many counts. Your comment above resonates. For a Church with a lot of organizational and policy warts, we sure do have good people.
The other thing that got me was how you recognize you’ve had spiritual manifestations but still have concerns, which describes me perfectly. I can’t go on the spiritual manifestations alone though.
Sounds like you are on the right track to me. Interesting how when we put the church in the backseat so to speak and take control how much better we feel. Welcome. I appreciate your introduction and look forward to talking with you more – despite my bluntness on the other thread. 
Welcome! I am fairly new to this site also, but it has been amazing for me so far. I am so glad I came on here! Kumahito wrote:I was having a hard time reconciling some of my very personal but very powerful spiritual manifestations with some of the things I was learning and questioning and doubting. Finally, at the point where I was really wondering if there was a place in the church for someone who had the questions I had, a good friend (whom I think could sense my angst) emailed me a copy of the talk that changed my life: Brother Poll’s “What the Church Means to People Like Me.” It was a revelation. I had no idea there were other Liahonas like me – I guess I had figured there were TBMs/Iron Rodders on the one hand, and then there were apostates and Jacks on the other. The idea that the gospel could provide enough answers to enough of the big questions in my life, without answering every little question and query, and that this was okay, made me feel like I could keep on keepin’ on.
This isn’t to say that I haven’t continued to struggle with various doctrines of the church (as opposed to doctrines of the gospel) and my own feelings and interpretations of various aspects of Mormon history. For instance, I’m fairly convinced the Lord doesn’t care much whether a Mormon drinks a beer or not.
Welcome…glad you are here.I think the Liahona/Iron Rod model does help a lot.
on your last point that i quotes above, cwald is somewhat an expert witness…
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