LDSpunkrocker Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 Hello, i just signed up on the board. my name is Sam and i have been inactive in the church since i was 18, i recently celebrated my 33rd birthday. Well i thought since i just signed up i would offer a bit of my background. I was born into the church and the majority of my family have been continuously active members apart from some other relatives myself and my two brothers. I have been rebellious ever since i can remember, i have always had a problem with authority etc etc. i found my way into the punk rock scene when i was around 12/13 years old and of course me being the rebel i was i loved the anti authoritarian attitude of the music. It wasnt long before i got involved with drugs, drinking and various criminal activities, short story, i had strayed far from the church but in the back of my head the principals i learned as a kid would always remind me of how i was living was wrong, sure i tried to deny the existence of god so i could justify my actions and yet i always knew i was doing wrong. fast forward to a few years ago, i had become involved with the occult, addicted to narcotic pain killers and in a deep depression, while reading through some occult publications i ran across an article talking about the book holy blood holy grail ( for those who are unaware of this book it talks about the same subject as the davinci code..id rather not go into detail because for me it invites an unholy spirit) after reading about these "conspiracy theories" on jesus and mary i decided to start researching the bible and eventualy the book of mormon again. i decided to go back to school and took some religious history classes and began to read the scriptures more and start praying again. i have left most of my previous practices and lifestyle behind now but i am still struggling with some word of wisdom problems. i still have not been to church in a long time but i am reading the scriptures and listening to material available on lds.org, i hope that soon i can get the courage to abandon fully my former life and become an active member again. sometimes i feel like i needed to go down that path to learn first hand the dangers but man i wish i would have just taken my parents word for it:lol:sorry for the rambling, im a bit scatterbrained at times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lbybug Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 welcome sam. nice to have you. we like rambling enjoy your stay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDSpunkrocker Posted September 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 welcome sam. nice to have you. we like rambling enjoy your stay.thank you very much, im good at rambling lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truegrits Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 :) Hello Sam...welcome to the site. We all need to find our own Testimony. Some travel a long, bumpy road, huh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Honor Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 Welcome - I'm glad you found this site. I've been an active member my whole life and sometimes I feel like I don't give it my all because I don't know what it's like to be without it. Definitely not a valid reason to stray from it - I know it would bring heartache in the end, but I still wonder. It's amazing where the path of life takes us and how no matter what things we may do wrong, our Heavenly Father isn't willing to let us go that easy. He'll always keep trying to bring us back. Glad to have you here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDSpunkrocker Posted September 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 :) Hello Sam...welcome to the site. We all need to find our own Testimony. Some travel a long, bumpy road, huh?so true. reminds me of the quote "i never said it would be easy" it sure hasnt been haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDSpunkrocker Posted September 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 Welcome - I'm glad you found this site. I've been an active member my whole life and sometimes I feel like I don't give it my all because I don't know what it's like to be without it. Definitely not a valid reason to stray from it - I know it would bring heartache in the end, but I still wonder. It's amazing where the path of life takes us and how no matter what things we may do wrong, our Heavenly Father isn't willing to let us go that easy. He'll always keep trying to bring us back. Glad to have you here!for me being without it had left a empty void in my soul that i tried to fill with all the wrong things. looking back heavenly father had still blessed me so much and even protected me a few times when i probably didnt deserve it. i am thankful for that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palerider Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 welcome back and welcome to the site....:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JHM-in-Bountiful Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 I'm glad you found this site and also visiting lds.org. Our stories, in general, are very similar. I left the church to pursue other interests. I eventually came back and am now happy. One avenue I pursued in returning was using the addiction recovery program offered by he church. It's a 12 step program and is based on other 12 step programs. I don't know if you need or would be interested in the program. It is avaliable in many church stakes and is confindental. Here is a link for more info. LDS Recovery There is a workbook you can download. It goes along with the program. It takes alot of courage to come back to the church. Many people do not do so because they feel they have been too unworthy. No one is ever too unworthy to come back. Heavenly Father and many others are pleased with your courage and conviction. Keep working at it!Sincerely, John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siouxz72 Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 Welcome, Sam! I like your hat. And your dog. I'm glad you shared part of your story with us and that you're slowly finding your way back. That's pretty sweet. Hope you enjoy it here! (I know I do) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john doe Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 Welcome to the site. I hope you find what you're looking for here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maya Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 Hi Sam. It is strange how you know deep inside you what is the truth when once introduced to it. I think some of us have the knowledge already from birth. Like me... I was brought up in a good lutheran home, I even was a sundayschool teacher for some 15 years for kids under school age. However every time I should tell them about something like that God is a spirit... I could not I just had to change the subject. Same as I once said to my teacher that I believe all kids are bad... yet I knew inside me that it was not truth, but I ahd to say it. I was found by two missionaries when I was 29, got babtised at 30, and never been sorry for joining. I been always a good kid... but stil with tremendous trials... Welcome to this forum. I hope you enjoy it. lds1.org has also some good answers and articles... good to read that too. My husband used sraw tobac when he should join... he had to start smoking to stop that ... it was easier to stop when smoking for him. You can manage to live the word of wishdom again I am sure! Take care Mailis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misshalfway Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 Hi. I loved reading your ramblings. :) I am glad you shared a little of your path with us. I feel some special humility in your words. Can't wait to get to know you better. I don't know if I understand all of what you have gone thru but I am glad to see you are reading the word again. There is such power in those words! My bishop challenged me to read the New Testament before the end of the year. I started yesterday. Last night as a I was reading, I started to remember some of my precious feelings of Christ....feelings I had lost or that had become confused along the way. I felt so much strength as I read!-- and that was only the first few chapters of Matthew. :) I hope you feel that strength too as you fight your demons and slay the dragons of your past. I hope you will stick around and rub shoulders with us. I for one, would love to get to know you. MHW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hemidakota Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 Welcome to the forum Sam and thanks for sharing your 'rambling moments'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanilla Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 Welcome to the site. Darn those parents for knowing what they were talking about! :-)Everyone here comes from different paths, but there are some of us that understand the paths that you have taken, and can testify that while it really isn't easy, it is certainly worth it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDSpunkrocker Posted September 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 I'm glad you found this site and also visiting lds.org. Our stories, in general, are very similar. I left the church to pursue other interests. I eventually came back and am now happy. One avenue I pursued in returning was using the addiction recovery program offered by he church. It's a 12 step program and is based on other 12 step programs. I don't know if you need or would be interested in the program. It is avaliable in many church stakes and is confindental. Here is a link for more info. LDS Recovery There is a workbook you can download. It goes along with the program. It takes alot of courage to come back to the church. Many people do not do so because they feel they have been too unworthy. No one is ever too unworthy to come back. Heavenly Father and many others are pleased with your courage and conviction. Keep working at it!Sincerely, Johnthanks so much for that link, at one point in my life i went to AA meeting but found too many angry people, it did help though, i have almost no desire to drink alcohol anymore but it has been a slow progress. my biggest problem is with tobacco, i used smoking as a crutch when i was in rehab but that just ended up another addiction, almost 2 years ago i quit smoking and decided to have my gums start earning their keep, give my lungs a break lol ( people with asthma should never smoke:p ). i think chewing may be harder to give up than cigarettes were but i have faith that i will overcome my addictions, with help of course;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDSpunkrocker Posted September 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 Welcome, Sam! I like your hat. And your dog. I'm glad you shared part of your story with us and that you're slowly finding your way back. That's pretty sweet. Hope you enjoy it here! (I know I do)thank you. the dog doesn't care too much for me though haha although over the last month she seems to be a little more at ease with me, maybe she can sense the change in me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDSpunkrocker Posted October 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 Hi Sam. It is strange how you know deep inside you what is the truth when once introduced to it. I think some of us have the knowledge already from birth. Like me... I was brought up in a good lutheran home, I even was a sundayschool teacher for some 15 years for kids under school age. However every time I should tell them about something like that God is a spirit... I could not I just had to change the subject. Same as I once said to my teacher that I believe all kids are bad... yet I knew inside me that it was not truth, but I ahd to say it.I was found by two missionaries when I was 29, got babtised at 30, and never been sorry for joining. I been always a good kid... but stil with tremendous trials...Welcome to this forum. I hope you enjoy it. lds1.org has also some good answers and articles... good to read that too. My husband used sraw tobac when he should join... he had to start smoking to stop that ... it was easier to stop when smoking for him. You can manage to live the word of wishdom again I am sure! Take care Mailislooking back i really feel like a fool, i knew yet i tried to deny it to myself. i guess we are our own worst enemy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDSpunkrocker Posted October 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 Hi. I loved reading your ramblings. :) I am glad you shared a little of your path with us. I feel some special humility in your words. Can't wait to get to know you better.I don't know if I understand all of what you have gone thru but I am glad to see you are reading the word again. There is such power in those words! My bishop challenged me to read the New Testament before the end of the year. I started yesterday. Last night as a I was reading, I started to remember some of my precious feelings of Christ....feelings I had lost or that had become confused along the way. I felt so much strength as I read!-- and that was only the first few chapters of Matthew. :) I hope you feel that strength too as you fight your demons and slay the dragons of your past. I hope you will stick around and rub shoulders with us. I for one, would love to get to know you.MHWThank You:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDSpunkrocker Posted October 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 thank you all for the warm welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nibowaka Posted October 1, 2008 Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 Hi, Sam Welcome. I too am working my way back. Hang in there. It only gets....harder, at times. Satan likes to set up roadblocks. But with faith, prayer, fasting, reading scriptures, the Lord will help us around the roadblocks...or through them...or over them. But with our Father's help, we can succeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maya Posted October 1, 2008 Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 So you might try the same as my hubby start smoking it is esier to stop that way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindy Posted October 1, 2008 Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 .....but in the back of my head the principals i learned as a kid would always remind me ....... began to read the scriptures more and start praying again.....but i am reading the scriptures and listening to material available on lds.org.... i am still struggling with some word of wisdom problems..... i hope that soon i can get the courage to abandon fully my former life and become an active member again. sometimes i feel like i needed to go down that path to learn first hand the dangers but man i wish i would have just taken my parents word for it OH LDSpunkrocker... WELCOME to the board!Just a snipet of lines that jumped out at me in your intro. You are on the right track...I think you have remarkable courage to do what you have so far. As for the struggling with some word of wisdom problems... there are a lot more who struggle than people think. I have heard that what does'nt kill us will only make us stronger. And I fully believe that God has a special place in His heart for those who stray and struggle to find there way back. And I KNOW that those who have to work to find their way back, learn more, understand more and feel closer to the Spirit than a lot in the Church who just do just enough to slide by.lol.... I too think we all in afterthought wished we had listened to our parents in some instances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimuk Posted October 1, 2008 Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 Hi Sam and welcome, there are people here that are so full of the spirit that will make you feel welcome, dont be afraid to ask anything here, nobody is going to judge you mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
workofart2 Posted October 2, 2008 Report Share Posted October 2, 2008 welcome to the site Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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