Questions about returning member experience.

[odinartwerks]

Sooo... Hi. I'm just returning to the church after having been inactive for... hang on, lemme get the calculator... (mumbling numbers) about 10 years or so. Mostly after I left home until now. I'm just wondering what the experience has been for others that have been in similar situations. Were members welcoming and understanding? Did going to a different ward help? Got any tips other than meeting with the bishop? (Doing that already tomorrow/today)

Anything would be helpful, and I can answer whatever if it helps get good info. Not sure what those would be, but I didn't want to write a novel about my life. (Yet.)

Thanks in advance!

[Roseslipper]

welcome back :)

[Guest mormonmusic]

My advice -- stick with it. A number of times people have come back to Church, announced in Sacrament meeting they are getting active again, or in other meetings, and then they disappear again.

I say, get involved in service projects, volunteer for things and work hard at your spirituality such as prayer, scripture reading, and service to others. Volunteer for compassionate service and make sure you attend Gospel Essentials class to learn the basic. Read the book Gospel Principles as well to ge the basics under your belt again.

Stick with it -- that's my advice.

And by the way, everyone will be glad to have you back again. I always fell over myself to make people feel welcome when they started coming back to Church. On the other hand, make a commitment to be fully active again no matter how people treat you when you come back.

[not_ashamed]

I was inactive for about 15 years and when I went back to church I found everyone to be very welcoming. I had to commit myself to it though and it wasn't always easy. During the time I was inactive I picked up really bad habits but for me all of them were easily laid aside once I decided I wanted to go back to the church. I joined at 15, left home and went inactive at 16, then went back when I was 29. Almost 4 years now. Good luck, I think the best advice was given by mormonmusic. Give of yourself, your time, and your energy. Serve callings when asked and volunteer when possible. I think you will find your ward to be very happy to have you back.