RVaSydney

I think sports clothing are one of the few exceptions to LDS modesty rules focused on garment lines. If you google pictures of BYU athletes, you can see that the BYU cheerleaders wear skirts far above the garment line, track team wears very short spandex shorts like all the other runners, basketball players wear sleeveless shirts, etc. Basically, wear what is appropriate for the sport. Wrong athletic attire that is too loose or long can be dangerous. I don't actually like to wear short shorts while exercising, though I think they're fine. My workout outfit is spandex/lycra capris and a racerback tank. However, when it comes to a leisurely day on the beach, I always wear tankinis that cover my entire stomach and cute swim shorts or skirts. I'm also careful about choosing tankini tops that don't expose too much on top. My favorite store is Lime Ricki, they have very cute modest swimsuits.

I've been inactive for 3 years (like zuko725 said, it's not 13, but I understand a little) and I came on here as well before I attended my ward. The advice I got here was effectively to just go and act like I've always gone! It's really gone well for two weeks in a row. I was terribly nervous the first Sunday, but it was lovely. However, besides simply getting there, I would also suggest a couple other things. First, I scheduled an appointment with the Bishop to tell him a little about my history. This way, I've made myself known to the Bishop and he knows my history of inactivity, just in case I begin to slip away. I would suggest that you do the same as well. Bishops are called by revelation, so his counsel to you can be inspired. Which leads to my next piece of advice: fasting before you go to Church. I am going to fast before my appointment with the Bishop (it's this Sunday). My fast will be for the courage to actually go to the appointment (!) and also that my Bishop might have the Spirit with him to give me the guidance I need. Next, I cannot stress this enough, do the "ABCs" of LDS activity. This has helped me a lot. I go to all my meetings and also try to attend any extra ward activities. In making an effort to become known in my ward, I will build a support system that will keep me on the straight and narrow. Last, read your scriptures and pray daily. Of all the things, this one is probably what has made the biggest difference. I am rebuilding my relationship with Christ and nothing draws me closer to Him than reading the scriptures and praying. At times I don't feel anything, but I know that obedience sometimes precedes spiritual experiences. I hope that helps! I immediately related to your story since I listened to YouTube videos of hymns before signing onto this site as well! I would recommend BYU's "Come Thou Font" www DOT youtube DOT com/watch?v=mUhU0HgTq94

Though I can see where others would argue otherwise, I don't necessarily see sexual immorality as a form of pride. Particularly when it comes to behaviors that can lead to addictions like viewing pornography or masturbation. We have seen many people post on this forum who are genuinely broken in spirit and not prideful. Perhaps the initial sin had something to do with pride, but truly contrite individuals succumb to sexual immorality because of their weakness to an addiction. Though I wouldn't call sexual immorality a flea bite, I do think pride is potentially more dangerous because it prevents people from seeking out help. Because of pride, many people believe they do not need to see the Bishop (which is required for serious sins like sexual immorality) and instead think that they can do the repentance process on their own. Having to see the Bishop and confess definitely requires an abandonment of pride. From some of the stories I have read on here, letting pride prevent one from confessing to the Bishop often leads to a tragic struggle with guilt and shame, relapsing into destructive habits, and a stalling of spiritual growth. Whereas someone who has been sexually immoral, yet is able to abandon their pride and seek help, is able to readily confess and begin the repentance progress. It might take a year or so before they can have all the privileges in the Church (they might trip up and relapse if they have an addiction even while seeking help), but that is one year compared to the many years others choose to endure out of pride before finally confessing.

jerome1232, thank you for sharing. I've been worrying about how I'm going to get to Church as well because I work open to close every weekend. Since I'm a grad student, my hours are already limited, so I don't know how to break it to my boss that I'd like to take Sundays off. I know technically, employers are required to accommodate religion (when there's no undue burden, which there isn't in Sabbath keeping), but I still haven't told my boss yet. She won't be happy. I know that might seem dim in comparison to breaking the Sabbath, but I really need my job. FunkyTown -- thank you for the reminder that people want to help! I haven't told my family that I want to return because I have been a strong advocate against the Church for a few years now (militantly atheist you could say), so I'm embarrassed to tell them. That's really just my pride getting in the way though.

ztodd, I love this advice. It's something I never even considered doing, just jumping in and doing all the things an active member would do until I'm doing it all naturally. I guess this would be the "fake it, till you make it" approach

Hi everyone, I'm Sydney. I'm 22, raised in the church, but I've been inactive for almost three years. Not for the first time, I felt the urge to return, but I'm a bit apprehensive. I've considered myself an atheist for three years and I find it very hard to feel anything spiritually right now. It's going to be a long way back, I've got a lot of habits to break (nothing like smoking, but I've gone cold turkey on the coffee) and even more habits to reform. I've liked what I've seen on this forum though and I was hoping to find some good ideas for bringing the gospel back into my life. Sydney