Question About Returning To The Church

[Guest returned rm]

I have a problem with getting back into the church. I have been inactive for several years now and would like to have it in my life again. Im not sure I can return with out major questions being asked. so what do I do? my biggest problem is that Im a returned missionary of about 15 years and feel away about 6 years ago. I have done some things I am not proud of. I have slept with a woman and searched out online live nude chat rooms. Im not proud of this but I dont know where else to turn. since I can share this openly with out criticism I would like to know what is my fate in returning to the church. thanks

[Ray]

I went through something similiar myself, once upon a time, and I hope you will simply "come back".

You will lose your right to exercise the priesthood for a while, but it's worth what it takes to "come back".

I was only active for 2 years, then inactive for 10 years, and then 5 years ago I "came back".

You know what you're missing, and you know what you'll miss, so if you really wnat to, "come back".

You know you'll never regret it.

COME BACK!!!

[Princess3dward]

I have a problem with getting back into the church. I have been inactive for several years now and would like to have it in my life again. Im not sure I can return with out major questions being asked. so what do I do? my biggest problem is that Im a returned missionary of about 15 years and feel away about 6 years ago. I have done some things I am not proud of. I have slept with a woman and searched out online live nude chat rooms. Im not proud of this but I dont know where else to turn. since I can share this openly with out criticism I would like to know what is my fate in returning to the church. thanks

We have had plenty people come back after being inactive for several years. They always bear their testimonies and say how happy they are that they were welcomed and how no one herassed them about it.

I am sure there is nothing to worry about!

[miztrniceguy]

i was inactive 15 yrs, and came back in 2000.......best thing i ever did

[Princess3dward]

i was inactive 15 yrs, and came back in 2000.......best thing i ever did

AWW! GLAD YOU CAME BACK!

[Guest returned rm]

the only problem I have is what will happen to me because of my adultrus ways. I was inactive but still knew what I was doing was wrong. I just dont see how I can come back from that after having been to the Temple.

[Guest ApostleKnight]

You won't be excommunicated unless you're unrepentant. If you recognize what you did was wrong, and feel godly sorrow about it, and have determined not to repeat that mistake, you'll likely be disfellowshipped for around a year. I'm sure you know that means you can't give talks in church, teach classes or pray in church. It's so you can have time to solidify your resolve, but your bishop and stake pres. would explain it far better than I can. Your story reminds me of a saying I heard:

It's not sinning that gets us into trouble; it's refusing to repent that gets us into trouble.

I had a relative who broke the law of chastity with two different women and he went on to receive a temple marriage and hold callings of priesthood responsibility, after he had repented and undergone church discipline and a period of disfellowship. He repented, hated what he did, and never repeated his mistake. When I was an Elder's quorum pres., my first counselor broke the law of chastity and also underwent a period of repentance and disfellowship. But after a year, he went to the temple and has since been married there too.

There's no reason you can't talk to your local bishop or stake pres. and have them help you back into full fellowship. You'll be glad you did! Don't let fears or guilt stand in your way. Those are Satan's tools. Feeling sorry for your mistakes is one thing...letting guilt keep you from repenting fully and returning to church is another. Come back bro.

[Ray]

the only problem I have is what will happen to me because of my adultrus ways. I was inactive but still knew what I was doing was wrong. I just dont see how I can come back from that after having been to the Temple.

I think those who have been forgiven of much have much more appreciation for forgiveness.

But as Paul once said, don't just keep sinning so that His grace may more fully abound.

The time to repent is always RIGHT NOW but sometimes we're a little too hard headed.

But as long as we eventually learn, and fully repent, our Lord will definitely forgive us.

Just keep trying to repent and keep asking for forgiveness while putting all your faith in our Lord.

There's a reason He is praised, and always will be praised, by those who know He has forgiven them.

:)

[Traveler]

the only problem I have is what will happen to me because of my adultrus ways. I was inactive but still knew what I was doing was wrong. I just dont see how I can come back from that after having been to the Temple.

I cannot speak for everybody but I can speak for myself. I have never gone through a period of inactivity and I am in my 60's. I would welcome you back and would personally do anything possible to help you repent. However, repetance is something you must do - the first step is the step back. If someone does not welcome you that is their problem - do not worry about them. Lets start building your house on a rock and forget the sand and those building there.

Take the first step and return. The prodical son had some issues with his brother but that was setteled between that son and the father.

Welcome home - where you belong.

The Traveler

[Brother Dorsey]

I have a problem with getting back into the church. I have been inactive for several years now and would like to have it in my life again. Im not sure I can return with out major questions being asked. so what do I do? my biggest problem is that Im a returned missionary of about 15 years and feel away about 6 years ago. I have done some things I am not proud of. I have slept with a woman and searched out online live nude chat rooms. Im not proud of this but I dont know where else to turn. since I can share this openly with out criticism I would like to know what is my fate in returning to the church. thanks

The Lord loves you so much and he knows what is in your heart....go to your Bishop...pour your heart out....pray for forgiveness and all will be well my brother. In regards to your fate...it depends...you have been to the Temple, you have broken the law of chastity.....however I doubt you'll be excommunicated....you might be disfellowshipped for a time....it all depends on your Bishop and his gift of discernment...if he feels you are truly repentant....the Spirit will direct him....just remember, the Bishop is there to help you back on the path and trust me I'm sure he'll embrace you for your decision to come back to the Kingdom of God. Welcome home....welcome home.

[Palerider]

as for what happens to you......thats between you and the Lord and your Bishop.....no one here can speak for them and tell you what will happen......and if you do come back...WELCOME BACK!!!!!!..... :)

[Gwen]

I just wanted to add my two cents here. the fears and doubts about being worthy to come back or worry of being accepted back are satan trying to convince you what you alrady seem to know you should do. that is return to and start keeping the covenants you've made. you are not the first rm to make some foolish mistakes, you will not be the last, but i know many who have come back and repented and you would never know of their past if you met them today. it is not impossible. that is the beauty of the gospel. it's not just rm's that struggle either the young women also go through such struggles. we had a ysa here that made some foolish mistakes in high school, that she new better. she expressed concern that even though she was trying to repent and she wanted to marry a rm, what rm would want her after the things she had done. rm's get put on a pedistal sometimes that hurts when when they fall off, the problem is that pedistal is not real, but the pain of that preceived pedistal is, i think all rm's struggle with getting off of it as some point. i try to get the yw to understand that rm's are not perfect either and we have all repented, and just keep trying. this yw never got that testamony for herself, ended up going inactive and marrying outside of the chruch. i have not seen her in a long time so if she is happy or not i don't know, but i hope she is. you are not alone and your efforts and desires will be accepted by our Heavenly Father, but you must open the door. as far as what disciplinary action, i have no idea what the bishop will tell you. but i do have a testamony that if you follow his councel, no mater how long, hard, or unfair it may seem at the time; all will work out, you will be in the temple again, and your life will be more blessed for it.

good luck and God bless you on this difficult journey if you choose to accept it. your fate? if you repent and continue trying your best will be that of the fate of all of us who try our best, to return to our Heavenly Father with a clear concious and promises of eternal life.

[miztrniceguy]

i echo ray's comments, as well as all the others. i am not an rm, as i was inactive from 12th grade until i was over 30 yrs old. I came back,repented, became an Elder, went to the temple, and found my hunnibunni, and married her in the Nauvoo temple.

my point is that you can be forgiven. and the part ray said about appreciating it more can be true. I think many members don't understand the blessing of the sacrament, until you can't partake.

go see your bishop...the best thing you can do.

good luck, and welcome

[Dr T]

Sorry, missed it. What is an "rm"?

THanks,

Dr. T

[EricM]

Sorry, missed it. What is an "rm"?

THanks,

Dr. T

A returned missionary.

[Dr T]

Thank you Eric :)

[BrotherHinds]

RM, I am very glad you have made the decision to return. I too know how difficult it can be to return, due to the influence of the adversary. I spent much time prior to my return from inactivity and even apostacy, but I too have returned.

I spent 3 and a half years preaching against what I knew in my heart of hearts to be true. I suffered great pains of my soul that humbled me to the point of falling on my knees in humble supplication before my God.

The bishop of the ward I was in welcomed me back as will yours. You will not be condemned by your brothers and sisters within the church. We welcome you back with open arms our brother. Come unto Christ, ye who are heavy laden.

If the Lord can accept a one time apostate back into the fold, he can accept you.

[Snow]

I have a problem with getting back into the church. I have been inactive for several years now and would like to have it in my life again. Im not sure I can return with out major questions being asked. so what do I do? my biggest problem is that Im a returned missionary of about 15 years and feel away about 6 years ago. I have done some things I am not proud of. I have slept with a woman and searched out online live nude chat rooms. Im not proud of this but I dont know where else to turn. since I can share this openly with out criticism I would like to know what is my fate in returning to the church. thanks

Lighten up dude.

If you want to "come back" then just come back and start engaging. If you like it and it feels a need in you --- then you can decide how much "back" you really want to come... like spilling your guts to the bishop. But, you don't have to spill your guts just to get your foot back in the door. You can come back no questions asked - and if someone does ask you, tell em to back off.

I'm not saying that one should postpone the day of one's repentance but you can take baby steps and worry about the giant steps when it's time.

[to_tall]

first off welcome back :). your not the only one who has a hole to get out of,i was inactive for 4 years, i have been addicted to porn for over 9 years , its hard to get back but it is possable, takes time, Patience, love. there were serveral talks last conference just a couple weeks ago that dealt with repentance and the lords love, and how we are never to far gone to come back, the lord is waitng for you with open arms you jsut got to take the first step into them. "The Great and Wonderful Love" by Elder Anthony D. Perkins http://www.lds.org/conference/talk/display...-646-28,00.html

This talk really hit me. most of the repentance process is not to hard i dont think but bein able to forgive yourself will probley be the hardest thing you will have to do, this is the part that i struggle with everyday, but it will eat you up if you let it.

lindy who is another member on this site has an amazing story that im sure she would be glad to share with you if you ask her nice.

just start goin again thats where its all gunna start, start reading and praying again also, and when you can get the nerve up talk to the bishop, hes there to help you through this.

GL to ya and dont give up.

ps

sorry if this is negitive sounding and kind of scatterbrain got to much goin on upstairs

[Dr T]

"Pron" as in the same word but in a different sequence of letters, Sir?

Thanks,

Dr. T

[to_tall]

ya i miss spelled it

[Latter Days Guy]

I'm also in the process of returning to the church after a period of inactivity and would echo all that has been said by the other posters. I've had nothing but support from the missionaries and the other members that I have met. I've also gotten a great sence of belonging here aswell. Thanks you guys and gals for being such great people to a returning member.

[Marsha]

........ or pray in church. It's so you can have time to solidify your resolve, but your bishop and stake pres. would explain it far better than I can. Your story reminds me of a saying I heard:

I Know about the giving talks, holding callings, withholding being able to give blessings, but Not be able to PRAY in Church?

Whats up with that? Why can't you pray in Church? That is one of the place I would think you can. Do you mean GIVE prayers in Church?

Marsha

[miztrniceguy]

cannot give prayers in sacrament,sunday school, etc...any meetings

of course you can always pray yourself and while others do

[Princess3dward]

You can't pray in sacrament??

Woops!

I do... and I think I'll do it again!!!