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kedmonson – I’m glad you are finding some of the peace you seek. I look forward to your continued participation! I am so happy that you are finding some peace. I have so enjoyed your DH’s comments on FacesEast. I look forward to hearing from you on this site. kedmondson wrote:
I am so happy. I am so content. I like and accept the church for the goodness it has and for how it aligns with some of my value system, and that is sufficient for me. I no longer have to feel guilty or at risk of eternal perdition anytime I question the prophet, or make decisions that are contrary to teachings of the church. I am a little sad that I will no longer be able to attend the temple – although I personally no longer view it as required for salvation, it was a religious ritual that was peaceful for me. However, this is such a small thing compared to the peace and insight I have gained.Thanks, everyone, for all of your help. Now that I have let go of my anger, I think I am more ready for this board.
Wow! This is the place we strive for…and you seem well on your way! There is so much wisdom in each of your words here, I hate to detract from them by commenting much. It IS all about acceptance, and learning that each person is doing the best they can with what they’ve been given — church leaders included.
Thanks for posting the update, and I look forward to hearing more from you!
I’m glad you have found peace – truly, deeply glad. I have to admit that I hope in the future you can find peace WITH a temple recommend, but right now I am ecstatic that you are at peace – and having peace at this moment is MUCH more important than having a recommend at this moment.
So, congratulations!! May peace continue with you, even amid your daily storms.
kedmondson wrote:
I am so happy. I am so content…. I think I am more ready for this board.That is wonderful! I am considering foregoing a recommend (though I am comfortable receiving one in all honesty from generous leaders), and think my dear wife in her wise way may have seen for a long time that this may be an important step for me as well.
Ray beat me to the punch. I’m glad you’re freed from your constraints, but I hope you can be free WITH a temple recommend in the future too. Perhaps eventually. At the moment, I am not feeling in any rush to do so. Its a long explanation, but essentially I needed to take a step back in order to look at this faith journey more objectively and to let go of my anger. Realizing and admitting that I had lost my testimony in a Restoration of the Gospel allowed me to do that. The mental acrobatics of apologetics were truly getting to me. I need a chance to learn and synthesize church history separate from me and my testimony. I suspect it is will take movement into Stage 5 before I can really be ready again for a TR. Which I fully anticipate taking years. I’m grateful to this board and John Dehlin for introducing me to Fowler’s Stages of Faith. I cannot express how helpful they have been in putting the church and its leaders and members into a proper perspective. They have also been helpful for my DH, who has only started his journey since my “decision”.
kedmondson wrote:I need a chance to learn and synthesize church history separate from me and my testimony. I suspect it is will take movement into Stage 5 before I can really be ready again for a TR. Which I fully anticipate taking years.
I think this is fantastic! Great example of “letting go and letting God”. There really is amazing peace and contentment in living this way.
Congrats and good luck!!
Once again I’m late to the party… Welcome Kedmondson! If I can jump way back to the beginning, Yes – I feel like I have also experienced what you have been going through. I’m so glad you’re finding peace. I remember clearly the days where I didn’t think I could honestly return to the temple – and then several months later things just sort of changed. I started to see the church as more inclusive than I had before.
Keep journeying! We gain new insights as we continue to explore.
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