Hi from the UK

[IAmTheWork]

Not sure where this will lead, but I've been thinking about church again after almost twenty years away from it, and ended up on Mormon Chat last night.

I don't do spiritual 'beliefs', but do have a lot of deep spiritual experience. I'm wondering if I'm just lonely(?) but have remained celibate through choice for some years, and am at the end of being bothered with alcohol. I don't feel 'lost', but guess it's time to perhaps explore the church again after it going nowhere before (and ending in divorce, loss of children, etc). What a cheery introduction! :) Anyway, I'll look around here, and maybe post if my thoughts might help or seem relevant to someone.

(If you don't know, the avatar is from one of my favourite kid films, The Last Mimzy. All about the magical universe explained by a rabbit from the future and past. Feels a lot like my life at times. The nickname is just because I can only work on me, not change anyone else. Seemingly obvious, but very important).

Edited December 30, 2010 by IAmTheWork
Added to.

[Bini]

Welcome! I've seen you around the site a bit. It's always refreshing to see new members join and contribute. I'm in the process of getting my life on track and re-investigating (for lack of a better word) the church again after about 10 years. My husband is right behind me now having a genuine interest in the gospel after about 25 years of inactivity. It's funny how I remember all the things that bothered or annoyed me when I was active, and forgot all the positives things that happened for me too. I guess that's how things generally work though. Hope you find what you're in search of. You're not alone.

[Backroads]

It doesn't hurt to check things out! It can at least give you some perspective with what you want to do.

I have yet to see the movie of the "The Last Mimzy" but I adore the short story.

[IAmTheWork]

@Bini; Yes, I too find it interesting that most of what annoyed me about the church just doesn't seem so important any more, and all the very good things, including doctrine which has been shown to be real by my own experiences, now seems much more obvious. While it would perhaps be somewhat irresponsible for me to say that years away from church isn't as bad as many think, it does seem to me that we need to grow in our own ways. Whatever we choose for ourselves, our father and mother, and all those who help us through eternity, never desert us.

[Backroads]

@Bini; Yes, I too find it interesting that most of what annoyed me about the church just doesn't seem so important any more, and all the very good things, including doctrine which has been shown to be real by my own experiences, now seems much more obvious. While it would perhaps be somewhat irresponsible for me to say that years away from church isn't as bad as many think, it does seem to me that we need to grow in our own ways. Whatever we choose for ourselves, our father and mother, and all those who help us through eternity, never desert us.

That's a fair thing to say. You can't get by on the church alone without having your own thoughts and experiences. Thanks for sharing.

[Bini]

While it would perhaps be somewhat irresponsible for me to say that years away from church isn't as bad as many think, it does seem to me that we need to grow in our own ways.

Yes, I agree to the extent of the shoes in which you walk in. The life I led away from church was an extremely destructive one, although I admit I have also learned many valuable life lessons as well. I can now say "been there, done that" with some actual knowledge from experience and not just an opinion from a sideline perspective.

Speaking of Mimzy.. I had a mimzy plushie once upon a time. Absolutely adorable :]

[IAmTheWork]

Argh! Just lost a posted reply. Anyway, it was along the lines of needing to have our own experiences. It's a bit of a knife-edge topic I suppose. As you say Backroads, we must have our own thoughts and experiences. And as you say Bini, even destructive experiences can provide very valuable life lessons.

I guess what church leaders (of any denomination) are warning against is that we may not survive such experiences, either physically or emotionally, so don't take the risk. That takes us into the subject of self-determination and free will, which we always have of course. Isn't existence a wonderful and weird paradox..?

Anyway, enough from me here I think, as it's meant to be a short intro thread only.

Edited December 30, 2010 by IAmTheWork
Moving out to other threads.

[Dr T]

Hello. Welcome to this site. :)