Backed into a corner because of Church calling

[lostinwater]

19 hours ago, Scott said:

For the most part, no I do not think that many of them are literal stories of actually events (Garden of Eden, Noah's Ark, Tower of Babel, Jonah, Job, etc.).   I guess that was part of the problem, but the main part was the violence against peaceable non Hebrews or non-believers in the Old Testament.  Yes, I did study, search, ponder, and pray for many years on all of this and yes I did have the desire to believe.
 

I turned it down and said that I needed needed to work on some things, that I didn't have much of a testimony at this time, and that will be out of town on a work project for the next several months (all of which is true).   I told them if anyone ever needed help I am always willing.

When I didn't go back, my wife was asked a few questions by ward members, but I was sad to find out that our family was somewhat ostracized by some since we have a close knit and sometimes some gossipy ward members (in a very small town).    Only a few members are like that, but it sort of does bring things down.

Anyway, I decided to focus on charity instead of doctrine and I am helping out with several charities instead of attending church.  Along with our family, we decided on helping others in physical and emotional need as much as we could and I'll let my light shine that way, even if often anonymously.  

I know this isn't the conclusion to the story that some were looking for, but for me it was the only choice I could feel honest and comfortable with.  

I wish you all the best.

 

Thank-you @Scott for posting this, and for your goodness.

[Guest Scott]

As an update, I have been going back to Church and giving it another shot.  Just in case anyone is interested.

[zil]

44 minutes ago, Scott said:

As an update, I have been going back to Church and giving it another shot.  Just in case anyone is interested.

Glad to hear it, Scott.  I admire you for continuing to make the effort despite the difficulty.

[askandanswer]

I hoep you enjoy the experience and that a testimony begins to grow.

[Lost Boy]

4 hours ago, Scott said:

As an update, I have been going back to Church and giving it another shot.  Just in case anyone is interested.

I think for many members, they do the right thing all the time, lead a good life, have a great family and things start to get a bit stale.  You don't find anything new and refreshing.  It is the same stuff.  And maybe it takes a significant trial to remind you of how good you have it.  I recently had a very unwanted trial and it has got me energized again.  I don't recommend going to look for trials..

[Guest MormonGator]

3 hours ago, Lost Boy said:

I think for many members, they do the right thing all the time, lead a good life, have a great family and things start to get a bit stale.  You don't find anything new and refreshing.  It is the same stuff.  And maybe it takes a significant trial to remind you of how good you have it.  I recently had a very unwanted trial and it has got me energized again.  I don't recommend going to look for trials..

Well said 

[Sunday21]

8 hours ago, Scott said:

As an update, I have been going back to Church and giving it another shot.  Just in case anyone is interested.

Good on you! I know that it is tough to go back! 

[seashmore]

On 5/20/2018 at 4:25 PM, Lost Boy said:

I think for many members, they do the right thing all the time, lead a good life, have a great family and things start to get a bit stale.  You don't find anything new and refreshing.  It is the same stuff.  And maybe it takes a significant trial to remind you of how good you have it.  I recently had a very unwanted trial and it has got me energized again.  I don't recommend going to look for trials..

I always learn and grow from trials.  In 2013, I remember sitting in Gospel Doctrine as we were studying D&C 121, one of my favorite sections.  Before I could stop it, the thought crossed my mind, "You know, I always grow closer to the Lord through my trials, and it's been a while since I've had a good, hard trial."  Less than 24 hours later, I was called into my manager's office and fired.  It was actually hard not to laugh, knowing what had happened the day before at church.  (In fact, I did laugh when the security guard called me about lunch time to say I lost my badge in the lobby.  "I didn't lose my badge, I lost my job!" I said a little too cheerfully.  Like, he might have been wondering if I was going postal.)

[anatess2]

On 5/20/2018 at 1:00 PM, Scott said:

As an update, I have been going back to Church and giving it another shot.  Just in case anyone is interested.

We're always very interested!  We're here for you, brother and we will be here through good and bad. 

Let me take this opportunity to tell you about my current calling conundrum.  So, I'm currently attending this tiny branch in the Philippines.  When I arrived here, there was no pianist.  They have an electronic piano that holds 20 pre-recorded hymns.  So, if they want to sing something that is not in the list, they sing without accompaniment.  So, I just happened to mention that I used to play the piano for my church when I was a teen.  So the branch president called me to be the pianist!  I was so excited to accept the calling and so I picked the songs for next Sunday.  Friday comes along and I only have 1 hymn and the prelude mastered.  I was starting to panic... I'm not as good as I thought I was anymore...  I debated telling the branch president that I can't do it but then my husband gave me this awesome idea... my son is a crazy good pianist.  So he recorded my son playing all the hymns I picked.  I took my battery-powered bluetooth karaoke machine to church and played the recorded piano accompaniment over the machine.  I played the prelude music and the sacrament hymn - the only 2 I mastered and nobody realized it wasn't me playing the other songs until sacrament meeting was over and people came up to me thanking me for the wonderful piano playing and I had to tell them it was actually my son playing, hah hah.

[Overwatch]

Scotttie!

Hey bro, Love the post. I may not be the ideal person to write on this but I am glad that I see a fully devoted member feel how I did/do. I see these members buzzing around like bees. Working during the week and working on Sunday by prepping lessons and late night devotionals (which I thought was supposed to be a day of rest) I see the bright eyed people giving testimonies of The TRUE GOSPEL then seeing them during the week and they don't even say hi at the store or do very quickly and go. Volunteering to drive the missionaries around and feeding them and having them switch out again and again(yeah I get it, mission life. I served one for one of my churches and it sounded the same and just as long) My kids always getting sick at church (which honestly at one point I took as God telling me the church was wrong XD, no but seriously they still get sick going to church) When I was attending meetings the people looked so EXHAUSTED. As mentioned in another post the Men didn't even do activities together to strengthen brotherly/team bonds. I don't have sons so that throws me even more out of the loop. I honestly really didn't see the point of getting brought in by blood (hehe. I know water and fire)

I know the Church is true, I know The Book of Mormon is real. Just like my Holy Bible it IS real. I have read The Book of Mormon cover to cover many times. I am NOT stupid, it testifies of Christ and burns a hole in your soul if you read it alone.  That's what makes me so... depressed.  To find the truth and see everyone so miserable.  You know what the scary thing is?   I don't even want to go to any other church. WHY?  Because they have nothing to offer me. I didn't know Zion would be just as... crappy... as the world.  Where can I turn for peace?  What do you do if the salt has lost its savor? I talk to men and they march around with zeal on their tongues and coldness in their hearts. Having an appearance of Godliness but denying the power that leads them. Twice I have been given a blessing from priesthood holders that left me mortified (One I asked to be healed and instead he blessed me to go to the hospital to get treated ( It was a simple visit and left me in debt for years. I was young and no insurance. lol just married to my wife.  Another I got very ill and asked for a blessing. He blessed me that I would be able to transition smooth and teach people on the other side. Freaking jerk. I did talk with people on the other side and came right back. I have a wife and a ton of Daughters that need their Daddy. Took my butt right back to my body) sigh. Look, you don't need to convince me The Church is true. I already know it is. That's what scares me.

Anyway. Back to my patrol of giving people a boost. RIP, I must be tired.