toto Posted August 12, 2004 Report Posted August 12, 2004 My Mother and I joined the church about 8 months ago and we are the only members in our entire family. My parents got divorced about 5 years ago. Both of my parents got remarried and the funny thing is that my step-dad is an ex- Mormon. Anyway, my family is seperated. Right after the divorce, I went to go live with my dad in Austin. Things have changed since then, and now my brother is the only one that lives with my Dad. I go over there every once in a while. I live in San Antonio with my Mom now and have been for about a year or two. When my Dad found out that I had joined the church he was furious. When I asked him why he was so mad he just said that he didn't want his own daughter to be known as one of those "Mormons". He said that it was ludacris that I couldn't drink tea, drink coffee, etc. Pretty much he hated the whole idea. He blamed it on my Mom, like he does everything else. I really wanted to show him that it wasn't what he thought it was. So, I emailed one of the missionaries that I knew from San Antonio, that was down in Austin for the weekend. She answered and told me she would come by. I was excited but anxious of what my dad would say. I didn't tell my Dad that they were coming over because I wanted him to have to let them in. When they rang the doorbell it was the prettiest sound I had ever heard. My dad might not have wanted to speak to them, but for some reason I think I made an impact. One of my friends were over and it gave me a chance to show her what I was doing with my life since I left. Before I left Austin to go back home, I gave her a Book of Mormon. Inside the cover I wrote this long note telling how much I appreciated her as a friend. The next week after giving it to her I recieved a letter from her and her Mom thanking me for my kindness and telling me that they are also glad to know me as much as I am to know them. I was delighted to hear this from them. I had touched them somehow. Nanoo and her family have always seemed like family to me, but at that moment I felt closer to them. I might not have done the same for my Dad, but it gave me hope that someday I would be able to do the same for the rest of my family. The way I see it everyone is just on a long long road back to the truth, and I hope to be the one that guides them back.
Franken Posted August 12, 2004 Report Posted August 12, 2004 Is there a certain question you are addressing here? If so, I can't find it...
Guest estump Posted August 13, 2004 Report Posted August 13, 2004 Give your dad time...he'll adjust. Eventually he will see this is what you want for your life and it was your choice. It's hard on families when they aren't sure now, how they can act around you. W/ anything it takes time.
toto Posted August 13, 2004 Author Report Posted August 13, 2004 Originally I was going to ask a question but I think I got so caught up talking about my friend that I forgot what I was going to say in the first place. :) I guess it turned into a testimony. But if you want a question to answer here's one: What are some things I could tell my Dad to show him that the Mormon church isn't what he might think it be? Sorry for the confusion guys. I get a little carried away sometimes. Seriously though, I would definetly appreciate some advice or maybe an answer from someone who is going through the same thing as me. :) Thanks
toto Posted August 13, 2004 Author Report Posted August 13, 2004 Thanks alot estump. I have read some of your other post and you truly care. You are a good person. :) Thanks again. I love this forum. You guys really help me put things into a better perspective.
Franken Posted August 14, 2004 Report Posted August 14, 2004 Originally posted by toto@Aug 13 2004, 03:53 PM Originally I was going to ask a question but I think I got so caught up talking about my friend that I forgot what I was going to say in the first place.:) I guess it turned into a testimony.But if you want a question to answer here's one:What are some things I could tell my Dad to show him that the Mormon church isn't what he might think it be?Sorry for the confusion guys. I get a little carried away sometimes.Seriously though, I would definetly appreciate some advice or maybe an answer from someone who is going through the same thing as me. :) Thanks Lol it's ok, testimonies are super cool too.Now, about your dad... I suppose I'm not really going through anything like that, but I do have a couple of friends that are in the same kind of situation.For your dad, just show him the kinds of things that would make us out to be every day, ordinary people just like him. A lot of people get the image of us "Mormons" as being fanatical religiousists who are going to shove green jello down your throat until you join. THAT IS NOT THE WAY TO GO. Maybe if you found out someone he knew was LDS, but he didn't know that, then you could tell him that. That way, he already knows the person. Anyways... that's about all I can think of right now, just present us being normal people that's all.
toto Posted August 17, 2004 Author Report Posted August 17, 2004 Thanks Very Much Franken! :) Great Advice. I will try to show my Dad that we are all the same in some way. Good idea about the friends thing. I truly appreciate it. :)
Lindy Posted August 19, 2004 Report Posted August 19, 2004 toto~ I really don't know how old you are, but you seem to have a pretty good head on your shoulders :) You might tell your dad that how you feel being a "mormon" doesn't really have much to do with the coffee - tea thing. You have a testimony girl, share it with your dad. Let him know the YW values that you like, and let him see the part of your life that shines with the light of Christ. I think that he will understand somethings of what you will share with him. Sorry, too tired to think of anything else for you, good luck!
Faerie Posted August 19, 2004 Report Posted August 19, 2004 one of the best testimonies is how you live your life...
juliet Posted September 4, 2004 Report Posted September 4, 2004 Im 16 and the only mormon member of my family. Ive recently realized that the best way to show my family the gospel is to do what it tells me to. when i was baptized, I took upon the name of Christ, menaing that I should always be dedicated to following in his footsteps and living my life the way he wants me to. part of that is to hnor thy mother and thy father. SO, I figure that the better I behave, the more convinced my parents will be. good luck!
Matt Posted September 5, 2004 Report Posted September 5, 2004 A lot of people get the image of us "Mormons" as being fanatical religiousists who are going to shove green jello down your throat until you joinsigh! Sadly, this describes my family. They have more religious icons in their homes than a bevvy of Catholics. But they don't cal lthem religios icons, naturally) And they ram Mormonism down the throat of any poor soul daft enough to visit them.
toto Posted September 6, 2004 Author Report Posted September 6, 2004 Hey Matt I'm sure your parents mean well. They probably just don't realize when they've gone a little too far. Everybody does it sometimes. Try not to think of it as a bad thing. Yeah, sure, it gets a little annoying sometimes but its just one of those things you have to laugh about. Mormons are a strange species. lol :)
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