Hi,
I need some advice please about my church membership. I have been inactive for 10years but recently returned.
It seems my name has been removed from the Church list. I vaguely remember writing to the bishop to request that. I went to another religion after that. (My life has been complicated).
My point is, now my current bishop says I need to be baptised again, and then have my other blessings restored to me (ie temple sealing). I understood that , and do not have a problem if that is what is needed. BUt now I am confused. After my meeting with the bishop I read Elder Ballards article ..which explains that even if a member requests his/her names to be removed and goes to another church, and then returns to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints then it is to be considered as an administrative issue. I never denied the truthfulness of the Gospel, nor denied the Holy SPirit, nor said the Book of Mormon is untrue, nor said Joseph Smith was not a prophet, so this means I did not apostatize? In fact I always defended the CHurch whilst away.
I returned to the church about 2months back, my youngest son (13yrs)who lives with his dad then came along and has now been baptised and my ex-husband has also returned to the CHurch.
I am really happy for them both, and I want to see my son progress. THe bishop said I can think about baptism and take the steps to do that...to which I replied that I want to be with my son every step of his progression.
So I am just a bit confused here. My bishop is now away for several weeks. Maybe the Stake President will see me next Sunday when I go...but I am wondering if anyone here with the right authority can help me understand a little better?