- This topic is empty.
-
Posts
-
Just wanted to say a big thank you to the regulars who have kept this site going for years. I am one of the many, I am sure, who have lurked for years, gained strength to face another day in the church, and didn’t post because I was afraid it would open the floodgates. My husband and I are both converts to the church. I joined as a young adult after much searching and attending many churches of other faiths. I brought my burning faith in Jesus Christ with me as I joined this church and haven’t lost it yet. My husband and I have both served in leadership positions at times and unfortunately, saw much of that side of things that was not faith promoting. At the same time, we feel we were able to do much good in those positions and any other callings we have held. I really believed President Hinckley when he said his calling was no more important than any other in the church. You may call me naive, but I feel every one of us is that important to serving the Lord and what He would have us do.
I have been processing for years after being exposed to a very ugly side of things. This forum in particular held me together many times in moments of despair. Now I am out of lurking and all of you will be exposed to some of my thoughts on things. Thank you for being here! Please know that there are many lurkers who are afraid of being identified if they share their personal stories and thoughts.
afterall, thank you for your introduction & welcome. I’m looking forward to hear from you in the future.
Your story is familiar to alot of us.
Mike from Milton.
Glad to see you,and thanks for joining the conversation. I think there are a lot of lurkers out there who benefit from reading, and that’s cool. But I also like when the conversation can become more rich with more voices. Welcome. afterall wrote:we feel we were able to do much good in those positions and any other callings we have held. I really believed President Hinckley when he said his calling was no more important than any other in the church. You may call me naive, but I feel every one of us is that important to serving the Lord and what He would have us do.
Well said. I agree with you and think callings are a good way to grow and learn and connect with others. Obviously, as we talk about a lot on this board and in other places, what you mean by “important” matters in the discussion. If by “important” we mean power, or influence, or status…there are some callings like a bishop that have more of that than say… a scout master. But if by “important” you mean of value to individuals or to God…I 100% agree that I don’t think callings differ in importance. And I don’t think it is naive to think that. Doing good things is what pure religion is about.
afterall wrote:I have been processing for years after being exposed to a very ugly side of things.
That seems to be what part makes things challenging for me too, although I see it as a good way to learn and deal with such things. It would be easier if God just made a perfect church we could find, and then have all truth. But He seems to work through imperfect people, who imperfectly understand it, and imperfectly convey it through imperfect communication, and imperfect people try to interpret and live it (imperfectly), it is just the way it is. So the choice is ours to stay and deal with it and look for the good we can get out of it in spite of the ugly…or if it isn’t worth it. Each person figures that out, I think.
Anyway, welcome to the forum, and I look forward to learning from your posts.
Thanks for your introduction, afterall. (I almost shortened it to AA, but I didn’t let my sense of humor get the best of me this time.) 
I really appreciate the mention of your years of lurking. Occasionally, it can start to sound like an echo chamber here, and it means a lot to know there are those who read and appreciate without ever commenting.
I echo having seen the ugly side of things myself…I realized there is far less supernaturality in our leaders as some of hte faith-promoting stories and talk about inspiration might have the less-experienced believing. And now, after going through the feelings of separation and disillusionment — I guess I’m OK with it. There is less pressure to put my hand up every time someone in authority gets an idea. I also realize the risks of posting here, but, well, I guess I am who I am with the Church now. It hasn’t affected their requests for me to teach lessons and do workshops at all…and in a good way…and how would they know I’m a six foot oriental who lives in Antartica, and works as a snow-removal expert for a living within the Antarctica Branch with five children and a wife named Jenny who was a beauty queen? As long as I don’t disclose that fact, I’m fine.
😆 …elite forces of the “Strengthening the Members” Committee have been deployed to Antarctica…they are on your trail, SD! Thank you for the welcomes! Love the sense of humor coming through! We all need more of that! Silent Dawning, I have been following your comments for quite some time and we do think alike about some things! I am so happy I finally quit lurking and started interacting! :wave: afterall’s new 2012 slogan: “I shall not a lurker be !” Yayyyyyyyyy !!! 😆 welcome Afterall. i look forward to hearing your thoughts. like silent dawning and yourself i have been one who saw things within the church that were not faith promoting and caused me to step back into becoming less active.
Mike
Welcome afterall! :wave: It’s wonderful to have a couple other people who have had similar experiences. One thing I have learned is that people’s reasons for distancing themselves are wide and varied, but there are some rough, general categories…and I believe we may be in the minority — but they exist — even up here in Antarctica. I just built an ice-block wall around my igloo in case the Strengthening the Member’s committee decides to come at me. We have spears. SilentDawning wrote:It’s wonderful to have a couple other people who have had similar experiences. One thing I have learned is that people’s reasons for distancing themselves are wide and varied, but there are some rough, general categories…and I believe we may be in the minority — but they exist — even up here in Antarctica. I just built an ice-block wall around my igloo in case the Strengthening the Member’s committee decides to come at me. We have spears.
I think we’re neighbors!:crazy: 😯 
AfterAll,
Welcome!
I look forward to hearing more from you!
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.