How do you bring yourself back into the LDS church?

Question

Ive fallen away from the church in the past couple of months and I want to go back but am ashamed to b/c of some of the things I have done warrant excommunication. I know this church is true and but I dont know if i can face the church authorties or even the ward members. Please only honest answers and no Mormon bashing. Please be respectful of my question.

Answer 1

I, myself fell away for many years, yet as I returned and abstained from the thing that were not in accordance to the Gospel, I felt I was truly forgiven. I also had misstep and was put on probation for six months. I was not to partake of the sacrament, hold any callings, or wear the garments for that time period. If you hold a temple recommend and wear the garments, you know that it is incumbent that you do speak to your bishop. He will guide you in the right direction. It also depends how serious the sin is. It also depends on if you are truly contrite and sorrowful. You will also be asked if you truly still have a testimony of truthfulness of the church and its teachings. Also, no one will know of your sins except the bishop and if needed, the Stake President, since he is the leading holder of the higher priesthood in the stake. There are three levels of discipline; the above fore mentioned probation is the most lenient. Then there is disfellowship that actually can take up to a year and is the same as probation, you will still be a member of the church. Of course, excommunication is the harshest and usually takes a year or so. You will no longer be member of the church and if you hold any of the priesthoods (Aaronic or Melchezidek), they will be taken away. Remember, except for blasphemy of the Holy Ghost and murder, all other sins are forgivable and a person can be rebaptized and after a significant time and proof of worthiness, start holding the priesthood and then enter the temple being a member of good standing. Being excommunicated is not the end of the world for you spiritually. Just remember, only one individual in the history of the world escaped life sinless and he paid the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. Let the atonement happen.

Answer 2

Let's try This. Not only were younger and arranged marriages still conducted back when the church (and the country) was still young; it was Legal and many societies also still did the same. The biggest problem is that the laws have changed and the Main church has changed with them in accordance with the 12th article of faith. "We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law." The FLDS has not done this, so how can they be on the right path? Simple as that, as for the rest. 1.Partial exclaimed above, but it was not uncommon for other churches in the past to do exactly the same thing. But not only is it frowned upon in today's society, and certain acts are now illegal when they weren't before. the difference is the FLDS doesn't follow the law or society. 2. 50+ Wives is an exaggeration but as to why only certain men did and others didn't I can't say. But I can say that this is a practice done throughout the Bible and the original church thought (or was inspired to) do it. After a awhile not only did they want statehood, but they deemed it no longer necessary and it was against the law that they followed. Again, the FLDS didn't follow the law of the land. 3. This goes with the next answer, many churches preached this at when the LDS church was young. it really goes to let the prefect judge of god give judgment to those who need it. beyond that I'm sure what the differences are with the FLDS unless they still preach it. 4. Many religions in the past and through today that the only perfect government was Gods government. And at times the church was required to govern the law itself. Because they were their own community or even outside the official US. IT seems (I'm not 100% sure) that the FLDS still believe this to the point of secluding themselves, and to keep temptation away. But again, many churches preached this in the past, not just main LDS. However the main LDS, Although recognizing that the current governments are not perfect, are better then nothing. and as long as they generally do the right thing and protect the people there is no reason why members should be subject, or even help it.

Answer 3

Just remember that the people in your ward will be glad to see you again no matter what.

I would suggest seeing the bishop. You would be surprised at how few people are excommunicated. It is possible you may be to hard on yourself.

I was once in the situation you are in. I was inactive, and wasn't being very good. When I cam back I expected to be excommunicationed, but I wasn't. Now I am an assistant Stake Clerk, and have come to realize it doesn't happen that often (with the exception of those who choose to remove there own names, which is a form of self excommunication). In the 4 years I have worked with the Stake I have seen maby 6 disciplinary committees, which is a requirement for excommunication. In a stake with over 1500 people you would think that more the 6 people would qualify for excommunication. That being the case you may find yourself simply working with the bishop to overcome you problems..

Also remember that church displan is confidental. Unless you tell people, you wont have to face "the ward".

One last thing, you also need to remember excommunication is not a punishment., It is a chance to be re-baptized and to repent of your sins. Sometimes I wish I had been excommunicated. Then I would have had a clean slate to start from,

Answer 4

It sounds like you are a relatively new member. I think a repentant state of mind speaks volumes, no matter what you've done. If you are a new member, your case should be treated differently from if someone has been in the Church for 30 years or more. I knew someone once who had been away from the Church for over 15 years and had done things that I would have thought merited excommunication, but because he was sincere about repenting he was only disfellowshipped for about 4 months. It was so rewarding to watch him come all the way back into the Church and see the light in his eyes grow stronger and stronger. If anyone in the ward happens to say something about why you weren't taking the sacrament, you can say, "I'm working on applying Christ's Atonement to my life. How are you doing with it?" Everyone, and I mean everyone, in the world needs the Atonement of Jesus Christ. No one is going to make it back to God's presence without coming through Jesus Christ. Have a happy day, good luck, and I send you a gummy bear.

Answer 5

I also went through a similar thing. I fell away from the church for a while, quit wearing my garments, got into some things there weren't in line with the covenants I made. After about six months, I decided that way of life wasn't working for me, and decided that I needed to come back to the church. I talked to my bishop, and started the repentance process. I never did anything that would warrant excommunication. I don't know what the whole process would be, but that really would be up to your bishop.

The best thing you can do is go to your bishop. Talk to him. Let me tell you, no matter what the outcome, getting things off your chest and understanding that things can be made right again will be the best thing you ever did!!! There is also a book that is really good. It's called The miracle of forgiveness by Pres. Kimball. It's very good, and will help you in your process.

Good luck to you!! I hope things work out for you the way you want them to!! Welcome back brother!!!

Answer 6

Wow, you've got some really great answers so far. I agree with those who say you need to set up a meeting with your Bishop first. Confess what you've done and go from there. Unless you tell people no one else will know what you've done, they will just be happy to see you back. If it comes down to you not being able to take the sacrament for a while, know that it's done out of love for you. And know that you can still be a good example to those at church. If someone asks why you didn't take the sacrament or if they say something like "I noticed you didn't take the sacrament." Just be honest and forthright with them by saying something like, "Yeah, I can't take it right now, but I'm working really hard on being able to take it again." Then maybe even go so far as to bear your testimony of how much of a priviledge it is to take the sacrament. While I've never been asked not to take the sacrament, I've noticed that when people ask questions that could be considered none of their business, or ask them in such a way that it seems like they're being nosey, the best policy is to shock them with a blunt, honest answer.

Answer 7

Just head on back. Call up the bishop, set up an appointment, confess what you've done. He has the authority to forgive you as far as the church goes. He can even defer discipline if you don't need it.

Start getting back into the habit of attending church weekly first. That will be difficult but it won't be too much trouble. Make sure your testimony is strong!

In the end though, the tribulation and stuff we go through really will be but a small moment. Don't worry about what people think and stuff. Most of my family is less-active and I know hoe you feel. It should be bettween you and The Savior.

Stay strong! Never give up...
Study, Pray, PONDER...

Answer 8

You can always come back. The people here don't understand us, or understand our ways.

I want you to know what excommunication means, because a lot of people really don't know. It does NOT mean you are not permitted ever to set foot inside a church. Our mission is to bring men to Christ, and something like this doesn't fit that description. Do not ever think that. What it means is that God has released you from your covenents. You are no longer coveted to follow his commandments.

I also want you to know that the church does not seek to excommunicate. From what I understand is that often times the church excommunicates if someone is unwilling to repent. You might face disfellowshipping instead. Which again, is something peope often don't understand.

How to come back. Get into contact with your bishop first and formost. Do not wait. Make sure the executive secretary knows it's urgent. Make an appointment and go. Do not speak to any of the other members. First off, it's not their business. And the last thing you need is rumors flying around and people making things more difficult than they already are. And believe me, its better the bishop hears it from you, than it is if he hears it second or third hand. So get into contact with him. He will guide you through repentance. DO NOT WAIT.

If you face an addiction, you can get into contact with LDS family services. The bishop can tell you how to get into contact with a local chapter. Or you can contact them directly.

Answer 9

i do not understand how it feels to fall away from the church like that. i do know that the church leaders are very accepting of all members of the ward. they are not judgmental. the only person that can judge you is the Lord. The biggest thing is that you need to make sure you want to do it. if you want to do it you can do anything. This may be a Little Base because i am you wife and know what you can do. there will be ward members that may think badly if they know what is going on. the ones that matter are the ones that are important to you and they will not judge you. they will be supportive of you in all things. I love you babe. good question. i hope you figure it out.

Answer 10

I don't understand what you are concerned about... either you believe or you don't believe.

If you are truly a believer, go back to church and practice your believing. If you are not, decide to do something else. If the church won't take you back, that shouldn't matter because God will always take you back if you are a true believer and He should be the only one that really matters.

Though I suppose if you are an LDS then you believe that church and God are very similar with making decisions and accepting people. You need to think about this for a moment here because you need to understand what this is really about for you - If this is about simply being around people you enjoy then I suppose you might need to find a loop hole or something to save your appearance with the church. However, if this is about salvation then I suggest you not worry about getting back with the church and instead continue to pursue the Truth and build your personal relationship with Him.

Do you think that God is with you right now? You should pray for wisdom and opportunity to find out the Truth of this matter. If God really is everywhere and loves everyone, He will hear you and answer your prayer. And if you love God and truly seek Him out, then you will be able to hear the answer and understand it.