Jman4201

As I can't attend meetings on Sunday I'm only going on what my wife tells me and yes it still happens. I think it depends largely on what type of ward you are in. The first ward I was a member of had a HUGE primary group and children 'bearing their testimony' took up nearly half the meeting time during Fast Sundays. (I'll let you know S I believe I'm going to be attending church Sunday...I'm off from work for 3 weeks since we just had our 4 child, a boy.)

The problem with testimonies and actually the problem with having unpaid clergy and using the congregation to speak the weekly messages is that honestly some people just aren't good public speakers. A person steps up to the pulpit with every intention of speaking his or her heartfelt testimony, looks out on his/her peers and......FREEZES!!!!!!! Lol. C'mon you know it's happened. ;-) so what happens? They fall back on the tried and true, 'I know the scripture are true, that Joseph Smith is/was a true prophet...' They wrap it up and high tail it back to their seats to hide behind someone...anyone. I do agree with the children thing though. I can't stand when a child goes up and has their parents whispering in their ear. They're not learning a thing and that sort of thing should be done in primary to start and work up to bearing their testimony when they're teens and more capable of forming their words, thoughts, and opinion. Just my .02 worth.

It completely and totally freaked me OUT!!!!! Hated it, to be honest. I haven't been back. I'd like to possibly attend again as the first time was nearly 15 years ago and I've grown up and changed. However, due to a lack of regular attendance to my Sunday meetings the likelihood of getting a temple recommend is slim and none. (I'm a Park Ranger and work every single Sunday).

Why did I leave the church? I'm not entirely sure that I did. I took a job, it was a job that I was well suited for, one of the only jobs in my 40 years that I've enjoyed. Sadly, however, I work on Sundays. With this church more than any other if you don't go to church on Sunday you pretty much don't exist. Other than a few vacation days on Sundays I don't EVER see anyone from our ward. My wife attends every Sunday and takes our 3 kids but effectively I don't exist to the church. It's sad but it's the reality of not living the 'ideal' version of church life. There are things I could do I'm sure and I'm also sure you will be full of ideas. I've tried a few but in the end I can't go on Sundays. No sacrament, no brotherhood, it's like sitting outside a fancy restaurant and looking through the window wishing you could be inside but knowing there's no way you could afford the meal. Lol. I'm not bitter really, just sort of sad.