Howdy!

[Texas_Cody]

My name is Cody, and I was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church back in 2010. However, due to internal pressure from my family I caved and resigned from the Church.

I CAN'T STOP BELIEVING THE TRUTH! I know that the Gospel is true, and I know that the Church is the only true Church upon the face of the whole earth. I know that the Savior lives, and I know that President Monson is His living prophet for the entire world. I KNOW that all of these things are true!

I want to return to the church, but I am embarrassed about my departure, and not to mention in 2011 I made a half hearted attempt to return to the Church, but backed out when I thought about losing my family. (They have been very mean and cruel with this fact from the very beginning....) and I feel that as a young man of 30 years old I aught to have enough fortitude to direct my own life. I somehow feel like less than a man I guess..

I have recently become firm in my resolve to return to the Church when I saw a commercial from the Church and it made my heart "long for the courts of the living God".

Recently, I had a meeting with my entire immediate family. I was respectful, honest, and bared my heart and soul to my family (who believed me to be brainwashed and in fact wanting to belong to a "cult"). I let them know that I intended to repent of my transgression of leaving the Church and that I intended to be an active member of the Church with God's help.

They promised to not disown me, however, they made it clear that my decision was NOT supported and that they wouldn't welcome Missionaries, home teachers, or any other church officials into our home. (I am also a renter with my brother in one of my parent's rental properties)...so until I am able to be totally dependent from them I will have to respect their decisions. My mother actually made the comment that she felt she was just standing by and watching me march to hell.

Anyway....

I wanted to say "Hi" and that I could really use the support of friends, and those of you on this board.

I feel embarrassed because I truly want to live for God! I truly want to belong to the One, True Church upon the face of the whole earth, but I have been unwilling to persevere when faced with being disowned. Dear God, give me the resolve of our early pioneers who faced death for this glorious gospel!

Anyway, please pray for me as I muster the courage to go talk to the Bishop.

Blessings,

-Cody

[pam]

Welcome Cody and don't be embarrassed. Just do it.

[estradling75]

Welcome Cody...

It can be hard to do things without family support... The only advice I have there is continue to love them and respect them. Your determination to return is setting up in their minds you as an example of what it means to be a Mormon... So be a good one.

For the church... Its all about repentance and returning... So just go... Your guilt is just another thing for you to overcome.

Soon after your return you will want to talk to the bishop and he can set you on the path back to progressing forward.

Until then read the scriptures, pray and do what you know to be right.

[Texas_Cody]

Thank you so much for your warm welcome!

I'm going to Sacrament meeting this Sunday...I agree with you Pam! It's high time that I stopped feeling ashamed and just do it. The Church is a hospital for the sinner and I'm checking myself in!

estadling75 thank you for your advice as well! I'm trying every day to submerge myself in the Scriptures, because that is where I've found my most strength over the course of the years of my journey towards truth.

You know, it's interesting that you bring up the fact my returning to the Church is going to set up in their minds what it means to be a Mormon. I was just thinking about that on Sunday (the family and I had our "come to Jesus meeting" on this past Sunday afternoon). I was overjoyed when they promised that they would stop standing in the way and not hold family relationships over my head. There were tears and apologies...and I finally felt like I had made a break through. I wanted to shout when I left this meeting because I felt so free!

But the next thought that entered my mind on my drive back to my house was "wow, now they are looking to me..." my prayer is that not only can I return and live the Gospel, but that I can somehow lead my family to accept the truth as well.

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!

Thanks for the warm welcome!

[Windseeker]

I can't imagine how hard it is to join a church who's focus is on the family and have to, in some ways be estranged from your own family due to their intolerance in order to participate.

I've been thru periods of inactivity and have always been welcomed back with opened arms. There is no reason to be embarrased.

I wish you the best.