Regaining Faith

[NikiB]

Hi everyone :)

I am absolutly new to this however i am excited that i have come across such a wonderful website.

I am an inactive member of the church and have been for alomost 12 years. i used to have a strong testimony of the teachings of the chuch and the word of the book of mormon, however, personal experiances i had with church members and at home led me to try to find "happiness" else where. Believing i iknew it all (as you do in your mid teens) i believed i had everything under control. moved away from my family and from my faith and to cut a long story short, here i am now almost 27 and finding my feet with faith again.

I have no church friends because i havnt met anyone yet and the family i have that are members live a long distance away. i am very aware that any progress i make in the church i will have to make on my own, so finding a website dedicated to the beliefs of the church that encourages and supports everyone in whatever possitions in life they are in, i know will benifit me greatly. its what i am looking for... a feeling of belonging to a community with strength and support as i go back to church and regain my testimony.

I know god is real. I know the plans he has for us and i love him for it no matter how hard it may be at times. I love the words of the book of mormon and cant wait to study it and gain great depths of knowledge. The respect i have for Joseph Smith out weighs any i have for any living person i know today. Just as Jesus did, he also sacrificed his life for us and endured to the end. If he can do it so can i. I will be going to church for the first time for a longtime on sunday and cant wait for my new life to begin. thank you for taking time to read this. i apreciate it very much

love to all,

NikiB xx

[Toby]

Hi Niki,

I just recently went back to church after being gone for just as many years. If you don't know anyone in the ward look for the missionaries and sit with them, the church has Sacrament every Sunday now. Also since I was away for so long I attend the Gospel Principles class. After being gone for so long I need a refresher and this class fits the bill. Ask the teacher if you can keep your book so you can study it at home. After that you'll go to Relief Society and that is very enjoyable. At some point you will want to introduce yourself to the Bishop. Don't be scared he will be glad to meet you. Welcome home Niki.

[ZionsRodeVos]

Hi NikiB,

I was not inactive as long as you were, only for about 2 or 3 years and I've been back now for 24 years. I still remember things about when I returned and one of the things that stands out is I remember being surprised at how much I had forgotten and then being surprised at how fast aspects of the gospel I had been taught came back to me and fit into place. The first calling I remember getting after returning was membership clerk and I enjoyed it.

When you talk to the bishop you should ask for a calling. It will help you feel more apart of the ward and give you the opportunity to serve.

[NikiB]

Thank you so much much for taking the time to reply such supportive messages. its always good to be prepared instead of going in blind to anything. im doing that to a point however your words have brought me comfort. i didnt know there was a gospel principle class at all so that good to know and as for a calling? maybe one day :)

[FunkyTown]

Hey! Congratulations on going back to church. Everyone will be happy to see you back.

Get in there, girl, and talk to the bishop. Sooner than you know it, the ward'll be like a family again.

Don't let nervousness or worry get in your way. You aren't alone. Everyone wants you to succeed.

You're amazing. :) Let us know if there's anything we can do. We've got a bunch of UK members on here. Heck - I happen to live at the exact opposite end of the island you're on. We're here to bear each other's burdens, so never feel that you have to do it by yourself.

[NikiB]

Awwww thank you so much. that made me smile... im looking forward to whats to come and prepared to do what it takes to feel the full love of god again. its good to know theres folk out there willing to offer support and will definatly take up that offer... :)

[Heber13]

I hope you find some nice people in your ward right away. I think the social connections we get at church are so helpful in supporting us and giving us service opportunities. There are blessings when we can connect with others.

I wish you the best this Sunday. Let us know how you feel when you go.

[NikiB]

the social aspect is what scares me the most. that was on the the reasons i left in the first place. the folk in the church i grew up in were so very judgmental towards me when i was doing good and non judgmental to the ones who weren't... i am asking god every day for his support on Sunday and keep on reminding myself that its not the people but the religion i am going back for. im sure i will be fine i just cant help the butterflies. i will definitely let you all know how i get on. thanx for your support :)

[happy_boy777]

I was inactive from 15 to 22 I fell into a terrible path. However, as I found life was too difficult without my heavenly father I chose to regain connection with him through daily prayer and scripture study then when I went to church I understood better the doctrine and the spirit too. Also it's a great idea to meet with and get a blessing from your bishop. Life is too daunting to do it without the priesthood

[NikiB]

thanx happy boy i went to church today and had a great experience and knew i was doing the right thing! i also found it easier to understand and to focus! i got a blessing from the 1st councilor in the bishopric and felt overwhelmed by the spirit. i have some things i need to work through but it will all be worth it. the one thing in the whole world im looking forward to is being able to take the sacrament again! i hated passing it by.. i have so much respect for your courage to go back as i know how hard the first steps are. :)