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Hi everyone. I’ve been an anonymous lurker for quite awhile now but finally decided to login and post. I enjoy the various opinions and feelings that are expressed here. More importantly, the fact that they can be and are expressed. Outwardly, I tend to go with the flow keeping up appearances. Inwardly, I’ve always felt like Hermey, the elf that goes off to the island of misfit toys. Most people that associate with me have no idea what goes through my head on a daily basis and where I really stand on things. I find it easier to just internalize and keep things to myself because the costs of handling it any differently are simply too great… such is living and working in Utah. The dream of someday escaping back to the east coast near the ocean keeps me going.
All the typical things apply… married in the temple, kids, held callings, etc. I served a mission to Vegas and that’s how I know God has a sense of humor. If he didn’t, I would have been sent somewhere else. My mission was a good experience and I’m glad I went. It had its ups and downs. What doesn’t? My guiding belief was that I was there to improve people’s lives, however that might be. It didn’t really matter to me whether or not we baptized everyone or anyone. I simply wanted to leave people better off than when I found them. To me, that was success.
I guess I still consider myself to be a TBM, just not an orthodox one. I am just finally losing the guilt over it. Some things I get, some I don’t. Some matter to me, some don’t. I believe everyone needs to find their happy place, wherever and however it is. Where I’m at right now works for me… There’s a gal in lingerie, a midget on a tricycle, and a slot machine. (I love that movie.)
Thanks for listening.
Now that yer no longer lurker, we can welcome you openly to the island of misfits! Glad to have you here. I look forward to learning from your posts!
Welcome, you sound like me except less wounded. I appear outwardly active to most people. I keep hearing about the challenges of being a bit unorthodox in Utah. You make me thankful I live outside of Mormonland where there is one less challenge….thanks for your post. You seem to have a really good attitude and the kind that can help a person survive when there is a network of Mormonism around you. Welcome! It’s good to have you de-lurk. 🙂 Quote:Some things I get, some I don’t. Some matter to me, some don’t. I believe everyone needs to find their happy place, wherever and however it is. Where I’m at right now works for me… There’s a gal in lingerie, a midget on a tricycle, and a slot machine. (I love that movie.)
Sounds like someone channeling their inner Brian.
:clap: Welcome ATV! I love your healthy attitude! I’m sure we’ll all benefit from your insights and way of making things work. I would love to have all the cool people stay LDS. We have to have enough cool people to keep the force in balance. Thanks for the warm welcome from each of you. It’s been an challenging week. Two weeks ago I had asked to be released from a position I’ve held for the last six months. The decision to make the request was not made lightly. It was what was deperately needed by my family and myself at this time. So, I met with the SP last Sunday. To say that that conversation didn’t go well was the understatement of the year. The SP’s response/reaction really took me by surprise and seemed to come from way out of left field. Initially I was very shocked/hurt/offended at the direction the meeting took. It’s taken me most of this week to find peace with the whole situation and I believe I finally have. Enough so that I was able to baptize & confirm my son this afternoon without harboring ill feelings towards anyone. It was nice. I have been doing a lot of searching this week trying to reconcile in my mind and my heart as to how I would or should deal with it. There were many little things that I have read here in various past posts that have helped me figure it out. So, thanks again everyone!! Welcome! I appreciate your humor & you suum like you have a good heart.
I especially like what you mentioned about helping people on your mission- less conditional & more Christlike.
Sorry to hear about the SP freakin’ out on you.
I’m glad baptizing your son went well. I like the symbolism & how special those getting baptized are made to feel.
Thanks for sharing how you were able to find peace despite it being difficult. You know, just this afternoon I was talking to my daughter who was a bit troubled after a talk with our bishop. As we talked through it, we were able to find peace by remembering the leaders have a job to do and do their best, but we don’t have to go through church leaders to access God. We respect our leaders, but our relationship with God is direct and personal.
Sorry I’m late to the party. Welcome to the forums! Having a bad encounter with a leader can throw a lot of folks for a loop. It
ISa volunteer organization after all, not the Marines. I bet you do a lot of good in your community, helping people in all sorts of ways. Why not just get a simple “thank you for serving, brother?” Who knows *shrug*. Plenty of people, even those in leadership, are learning lessons in their life, having their own crosses to bear. I’m glad to have as many level-headed and realistic people around in the Church as possible. It’s nice you were able to find peace enough to have a positive experience with your son’s baptism.
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