Journey Back Into the Fold Update

[slamjet]

My hearing date is set! The Church disciplinary action to consider reinstatement will convene on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at 7:00 pm. 7 years, almost to the day. I figured something was going to happen soon because I've been getting pounded by the Adversary pretty hard lately. So if there is anyone who has been through this, on either side, please tell me what's going to happen, what can I expect and please, feel free to give me plenty of advice.

[rameumptom]

Having sat in on many disciplinary councils, including several for reinstatement, let me say congrats!

It can be one of the most spiritual meetings ever. Although each stake president may do it slightly differently, here's the usual:

The stake president may first sit with you for a few minutes of instruction. Meanwhile, the high council will be instructed on the procedures. The stake president will then explain the situation to the high council. You will then be brought in. The stake president will preside and conduct. The stake presidency, and perhaps some members of the high council will ask you questions regarding your repentance process. They will ask, for example, if you have followed the council originally given you by the original disciplinary council.

After questions, you will be taken to another room to wait. The stake presidency and high council will discuss for a few minutes. Then the stake presidency will excuse themselves to another room to pray and determine the decision. They will return to the high council room, where they will ask the high council to sustain the decision. They will also discuss any further instructions you may need for the future to continue on a proper path. They will then invite you in and discuss with you the decision and any counsel that goes with it.

I pray it will go well for you.

[Backroads]

YAY!!!!!!!!

No advice, but I'll pray for you. Good luck!

[KrazyKay]

The only advice I have it to say a private prayer before you leave your house for the hearing. Ask Heavenly Father to help guide you as well as the stake president and high council in the way of wisdom and that the stake president and high council will do what is best and in God's will.

Congratulations :)

[slamjet]

Thanks for that. I guess I'm hunting for info because I don't want to have to go through the whole third degree about my sins again. Well, if I have to I will, I just hope not.

But I hope to be able in a month to post that I'm part of the team again.

[classylady]

This is wonderful, Slamjet! I'll keep you in my prayers. I'll pray that you may overcome whatever the adversary may throw your way. He does not want you to return to the "fold". Hold tight to the iron rod.

[applepansy]

I am happy for you slamjet. I don't have much to offer except prayers.

Have you considered putting everyone's names on the temple prayer roll?

[Blocky]

Exciting! I went exactly 7 years without being able to take the sacrament. I remember sitting in church, being excited to take the sacrament again. All of a sudden in my head popped the exact time I'd last taken the sacrament and I realized it was 7 years exactly (first Sunday of March). I'm glad it was a fast and testimony Sunday:D

I had two disciplinary councils. The second one, to get off of 'probation' (not sure if it was formal or not) and was given the ok for the sacrament was a little less intense than the first, it focused more on what I'd been doing since the last council, but there was a rehash on a few things. They were particularly interested in my thought process before, during and after the time of my life I was making major bad choices.

An interesting thing for me, I was giving the ok to partake of the sacrament before I felt I had received forgiveness for my sins. It wasn't until a few months later that everything really wrapped up for me. So, I suppose I don't equate the being taken off of probation as meaning I was forgiven by Heavenly Father. Looking back it really was everything I needed at the time I needed to progress though.

Best of luck (not that luck has much to do with it.)

[MarginOfError]

My hearing date is set! The Church disciplinary action to consider reinstatement will convene on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at 7:00 pm. 7 years, almost to the day. I figured something was going to happen soon because I've been getting pounded by the Adversary pretty hard lately. So if there is anyone who has been through this, on either side, please tell me what's going to happen, what can I expect and please, feel free to give me plenty of advice.

You mean we're going to have one more thing in common? Aw nuts!

[slamjet]

You mean we're going to have one more thing in common? Aw nuts!

And after my Baptism, I'll be more righteous than you at least for a few hours.

BTW, we had something in common?

[slamjet]

Have you considered putting everyone's names on the temple prayer roll?

Prayer roll? As in the whole High Counsel?

[Kindan]

Slamjet:

Congrats!

My stepfather was ex'd when I was 12 - It was very difficult for me because I really loved him and didn't understand at the time what was going on. Your posts here have a high degree of credibility in my heart.

"And Admiral, All my hopes." --Uhura in the movie, "Search for Spock"

[dahlia]

And after my Baptism, I'll be more righteous than you at least for a few hours.

BTW, we had something in common?

I know this is a serious topic for you, slamjet, but maybe you and MarginOfError wouldn't mind a little humor:

.

[slamjet]

I know this is a serious topic for you, slamjet, but maybe you and MarginOfError wouldn't mind a little humor:

.

Your choice of song is impeccable Something for MOE to work for

[ruthiechan]

You're in my prayers Slamjet!

[pam]

I know this is a serious topic for you, slamjet, but maybe you and MarginOfError wouldn't mind a little humor:

.

I LIKE this song.

[slamjet]

I was forced by my children to sit and watch that movie. Oh my, I've never seen so many white-boys and girls squeezed onto the TV screen!

[KellyLC]

Hi, Slamjet! I'm a newbie to the group, but I wanted to stop by and leave you a message:

You're in my prayers. And congratulations!

[slamjet]

I just told my Bishop about the date for my hearing.

His comment: "Good, we need the help!"

Me: "Excuse me?"

Him: "We need help."

Me: "What you are telling me is that even though I'll be only baptized, not having my blessings restored, meaning, I will not be holding the Priesthood, you are going to put me to wor..."

Him: "What do you mean? We're a small Ward, we have members with 2 and 3 callings. We need all the help we can get!"

Me: "Even though I have a Stake calling, your still going to give me Ward callings?"

Him: "Yes."

Me: "OK."

Him: "You know you're still going to have to check in weekly with me."

Me: "Really? Not that I mind but..."

Him: "You're going to be on parole."

Me: "Parole or probation? Parole has less freedom than probation."

Him: "Ok, it's parole."

Me: "Wow."

So even though (if it happens) I'll be freshly back into the Church, I will not be allowed to let dust settle on my newly spiritually-born self. I'm almost becoming afraid. But, where much is given, much is expected. And I was given a whole lot of forgiveness so I shouldn't be surprised. Thus, TALLYHO!

And less you should wonder, my Bishop not only works in the entertainment industry (theater stage head honcho) he is also quite comedic. So we mess with each other thus the less-than-formal give and take. But he is also a straight shooter. Once he put his finger just about in my face and said "you were being a *** (one's hind end)." Yes, he got my attention. I really love the guy, and that's no joke.

[beefche]

Huh? You get re-baptized, but you are on parole? What does that even mean? To be re-baptized means you have declared your worthiness and found to be worthy. You are essentially becoming clean again. For your bishop to say you are on parole after baptism doesn't make sense.

Perhaps he is thinking that you are simply being re-baptized and not receiving the restoration of the blessings of the temple yet?

[slamjet]

Huh? You get re-baptized, but you are on parole? What does that even mean? To be re-baptized means you have declared your worthiness and found to be worthy. You are essentially becoming clean again. For your bishop to say you are on parole after baptism doesn't make sense.

That is exactly what is curious to me. But I do know that he is worried that if and when I get baptized, I'll get comfy and not keep my spirituality (so to speak) up to snuff. So he want's to keep an eye on me and make sure I'm not going to fall away after my baptism. I guess he's seen this before.

But I'm not going to worry to much about it. I'm concentrating on getting to the hearing and then we'll see what comes next.

[Sali]

Huh? You get re-baptized, but you are on parole? What does that even mean? To be re-baptized means you have declared your worthiness and found to be worthy. You are essentially becoming clean again. For your bishop to say you are on parole after baptism doesn't make sense.

Perhaps he is thinking that you are simply being re-baptized and not receiving the restoration of the blessings of the temple yet?

This got to me too. Makes no sense whatsoever, keeping a check on you is fine, but to name it parole/probation doesn't sit right with me.

[slamjet]

I'm not going to read a whole lot into it. Remember, the High Counsel or the GA's can still say "No." So let me get to that point, then I'll deal with it.

[pam]

Perhaps he just wants to keep you on a level and working towards getting your Priesthood blessings back. That would make sense to me. Plus I think there was a bit of humor in there as well.

[slamjet]

He does want me to keep working towards getting to the Temple. But he is worried that I'll get complacent after my baptism. It's something I'm working quite diligently to not happen. While I don't doubt a bit of humor, he was quite serious. He likes me and doesn't want me to fall after working so hard, loosing so much, and progressing this far in the Gospel.