I have been LDS my entire life. I served a Two Year Mission and am married in the temple. After years of study, prayer, contemplation and seeking counsel, I have decided for myself that the church isn't true. I DO NOT harbor any ill feelings towards the church. I just don't want to be a part of it. I am NOT angry or bitter. It just seems obvious to me that it is not true, therefore, I am leaving. I do not wish to provoke anyone on this forum by asking this question.
Thank you in advance for your insights, comments, and support.
2007-11-14 08:01:46 · 44 answers · asked by The Ponderer 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think your attitude is healthy on this matter. This must be an agonizing and unsettling issue for you, yet you have admirably set your thoughts and graduated to this juncture. Good for you - not in that any group has been rejected, but in that you have shown personal growth and resoluteness in personal choice.
In hopes of helping a friend settle and calm, I would offer reminder that the world is saturated with untruth (no judgment passed on LDS herein), and that we are all born into it. Your plight is shared by one and all - the search for truth.
May God heal you for any pains suffered in this most ardous internal battle, and may he light for you a bejeweled path forward.
Cheers!
2007-11-14 23:33:53 · answer #1 · answered by Pluto C. Rat 5 · 6⤊ 0⤋
No matter how hard you try to get out of taking responsibility for your own actions - you are ultimately the one who is responsible for them. You can blame it on guilt, or ignorance (oh wait. "He even stressed that people don't have to make these covenants."), or I only had milk - it's your fault I never got the meat.......you are still the one who chooses. It's too bad if you have felt that you personally had no choices, but there is always a choice. It might not be one you like, but it will be a choice. Phrog is right on this one - it's all about making the choice and owning it. edit: Oh Please. God has always taught in parables. The whole bible is one big parable - nobody understands it all perfectly until they are ready to look at things a certain way - and the precepts build upon each other until a fuller truth is revealed than the one first noticed. That IS milk and meat. Just because you didn't understand that with the LDS church - and didn't stick around and figure it out is no-one's fault but your own. In the temple - they want YOU to be sure that you understand what you are doing and that it is what you want to do. Mormons GET free agency. That's exactly what I'm saying - we are each responsible for our own actions according to our current understanding. And we each need to re-evaluate often.
2016-05-23 04:12:03 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not a fan of any Christian type religion for lots of reasons but I have to tell you that the Mormon church and it's followers were as close to living the way the Christian God wants his people to live as any I have seen. Every Mormon I ever met was helpful and loving and had a great support system within the church and their own families. Will you lose your family if you make this decision? Do you have a support system out in the world? You are making a huge decision and while I applaud that and do not blame you at all because I could never dedicate the time and energy required to be a part of that faith I would think that leaving all you have ever known would be pretty horrible. Maybe you should put steps in place to assure your independence before officially leaving the church? Good luck sweetie.
2007-11-14 08:12:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 12⤊ 2⤋
I personally have to applaud you for seeking what is true and right for you. Many people do not question what they are raised with, and it's a good thing to look at other beliefs, even if you eventually decide to stick with what you already know.
That said, you may well have a long and bumpy road before you find what fits you. I wish you well on whatever path you choose. Blessed be.
2007-11-14 08:19:19 · answer #4 · answered by A believer 1 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I left the Mormon church many years ago. Most of my family was supportive.
I have never regretted leaving. I went through some rough times trying to find God and truth.
You cannot imagine the wonderful things that happened to me during the time I was lost and confused.
Stay close to God and he'll help you.
Thank you for sharing this very good news with us.
2007-11-14 12:39:49 · answer #5 · answered by Ruth 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I am sorry that hear that you've left us. The big question though...
Are you going to go all anti-LDS or are you just leaving it there? Many leave the Church but refuse to leave it alone.
I will pray that you find happiness in whatever path you choose.
2007-11-15 01:20:45 · answer #6 · answered by Bangbangbangbang 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your decision is a difficult one; I made a similar decision myself. Although I didn't technically "leave" the church, I stopped believing in it entirely because it's not true. I am not afraid to voice my opinion, and I don't hate the Church or its members.
I do sometimes comment on doctrines, history, etc and give the "alternate viewpoint" of the Church's history (and use sources to do so), but I continue to attend with my family and participate in a calling, etc.
I admire your resolve; you are definitely not alone. If you live in Utah, feel free to contact me and maybe we could meet up for lunch and expostulate or something:
chuckroundhousekick@yahoo.com
Even if you don't live in Utah, feel free to contact me for any reason. I have chosen liberal nondenominational Christianity as my basis for beliefs and morals, but don't ascribe to a particular dogma that must be eternally true. My beliefs are fluid, and I enjoy living life for life's sake (and humanity's sake) rather than worrying about the carrot and the stick.
You, like anyone making a difficult transition, have my support anytime you need it.
Good luck and God bless,
Will
2007-11-14 08:17:44 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 4⤋
You are right to "leave" if you no longer believe. Perhaps, though, you should make a study of other theologies and philosophies to determine which might assist you in determining for yourself what the best answer for you is.
Just don't make any permanent decision concerning personal theology based solely upon what people on this forum have to say...
2007-11-14 08:06:46 · answer #8 · answered by Blackacre 7 · 11⤊ 0⤋
It is your choice... Send a letter to the main offices
50 E North Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84150
In your letter explain your reasons and whether or not you wish to refrain from them contacting you at all (You can ask them to send confirmation of removal from the rolls only)...
2007-11-14 08:18:22 · answer #9 · answered by Diane (PFLAG) 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
You have your free agency. I guess I don't see your point in tell us this. I hate to see you leave the church, and hope you've talked with your family and Bishop about this. I'm sorry you feel this way. I hope one day you change your mind.
2007-11-15 02:16:39 · answer #10 · answered by Tonya in TX - Duck 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋