I wasted two years of my life

[_Jason Bourne]

Hey Merc

Sorry you have such a bad view of your two years? Given where you are at I understand though. I still think a mission, at least for me, was a great experience. As noted else where, it boosted my confidence, taught me people skills, taught me to do something for a cause I believed in, taught me to work hard. Many of the skills I have used for success in other areas come from those two years. Could I have been doing other stuff? Sure? Would those things have been as positive for me, just looking at what it did for me only...maybe and maybe not.


Was there nothing that you gained that was a plus for you in the two years?

[_Yoda]

Was there nothing that you gained that was a plus for you in the two years?

I would be interested in hearing a response to this question as well.

I'm sorry that you feel you wasted that amount of time. I do understand, to a degree. I regret going to BYU. It was not a great school for studying music, and I had an opportunity for a full ride scholarship to UOP (University of Pacific) in Stockton, which is a prestigious music conservatory on the West Coast.

I went to BYU because that was where I thought I should go. All the Mormon girls went to BYU.

Although my experience there was not great, I did meet my husband there, so I guess all things happen for a reason. ;)

You certainly are entitled to feel the way you do. I'm not trying to tell you how to feel. However, as a process of your healing, it might do you some good to think for a moment about any positive moments you had on your mission, and any life skills that you did obtain based on your mission experience.

It might help put things in perspective.

:)

Hope you had a great holiday, Merc, and are on the road to a great New Year!

*HUGS*

Liz

[_Jason Bourne]

Chicken behavior there, mercury.

Charity, you have a lot of nerve and a whole lot of self-righteousness.

Mercury, was just doing what you have advised me and about everyone else here to do and that is to keep-on-keeping-on, pray, pay, and obey, borrow someone else's testimony until you get your own, keep the faith, don't give up, fake it until you make it, just go through the motions, and etc.

Mercury did, I did, until the paint fell off the wall and the wall fell down.

And you want to call that chicken behavior? You're the chicken. Mercury shows more strength, courage and integrity that you can imagine. Leaving the church ain't for chickens, it takes guts. Go put on your chicken blinders back on and hide behind them and spout some more of your self-righteous sputum.

well you see this is how charity and her ilk work. If you pray and do not have a testimony yet, or have doubts, just keep acting like you do. Merc did this apparently. But then when you say "Boy was I a fool for doing this" then you are weak and should have stood up for your non belief.

The simpple mindedness of this is just stark. You are at fault no matter what you do. It is never the Church, never the culture it is just you.

Come on Charity. Why don't you have a little of that pure love. Do you not really see you want it both ways?

[_Jason Bourne]

An eighteen year old young man is getting ready to serve a mission.

He is struggling with his testimony and unsure if he should go.

His Bishop gives him a blessing and in it, he states that his testimony will grow strong as he serves, that he will bless the lives of others, that he is doing God's will. He states that Christ is asking him to help spread the truth upon the earth.

The young man prays and puts his faith in his inspired leaders. He decides to go and later regrets it.

Response? You are a chicken. Stupid and weak.

He decides not to go and no longer believes in the LDS church.

Response? He didn't follow the council of his priesthood leaders. He didn't have enough faith. He didn't pray with enough intent. He didn't work hard enough.

(sigh)

~dancer~

Yes TD you put succiscntly what I was pointing out. Damned if you do, damned if you don'.

[_Tori]

I did read it. That has got to be one of the most uninsightful responses I've ever read on a board and I've been around for a good long while. I see no indication in Mercury's OP that he harbored "anti-belief", if you disagree, I'd like to see what it is that you interpret as "anti-belief" in his statement. He stated that he was on his way out. What does that suggest to you? That he had already lost his belief or was in a process of losing his testimony?

On his way out of the Church. Not just being inactive. ON HIS WAY OUT. What he said. We can only go by what a person says about his attitude.

As anyone with reading comprehension skills can see, he stated that he returned from his mission and continued to try to remain true to the church. [/qoute]

No, check your reading comprehension. He said he was trying to be a "good RM." And kicking himself for doing it. That says nothing about remaining true to the Church. In fact, it says just the opposite.

Again, what is it in his comments that suggest to you that he harbored "anti-belief"?

"On the way out" and "kicking myself" while marrying in the temple. So, when he was getting his temple recommend, he wasn't telling the truth in the interview if he was on the way out and kicking himself.

I'm betting he's looking at this whole thing "hind-sight". Being "on the way out", isn't always conscience. Often, it isn't realized until a person steps back and really looks at his/her life and beliefs. Then they will understand what those feelings were. I know that when I answered my Temple questions, I wanted it all to be true so badly. I truly tried and was sincere at the time. Hind-sight, I can see how much of it was unsettling.....to me.

I've heard many stories that RM/EXMO's tell about how they hated their mission. "The Best Two Years", isn't always that.

I also know of RM/EXMO's that really liked their missions. They learn a lot about other cultures. They learn to be independant, have responsibility and one EXMO/RM that is a Medical Doctor told me he probably wouldn't have made it through Medical school if he hadn't had his mission experience.

I don't think Mercury was lying. I think he was doing the best he could. Trying to gain that elusive testimony. Trying to learn. Wanting to be loved/admired/respected by his family, neighbors, ward members. Plus....that's how you get a cute girl in Mormondom....go on a mission. ;-)

[_The Nehor]

Yes TD you put succiscntly what I was pointing out. Damned if you do, damned if you don'.

Well, then you might as well choose your favorite form of damnation.

[_Jason Bourne]

Yes TD you put succiscntly what I was pointing out. Damned if you do, damned if you don'.

Well, then you might as well choose your favorite form of damnation.

Nehor


YOu used to be a nice poster. Your little quips are boring and you really are not funny at all though you try to be.

[_The Nehor]

Yes TD you put succiscntly what I was pointing out. Damned if you do, damned if you don'.

Well, then you might as well choose your favorite form of damnation.

Nehor


YOu used to be a nice poster. Your little quips are boring and you really are not funny at all though you try to be.

Yeah, I get that a lot, particularly right after I disagree with someone. Coincidence? ;)

[_Yoda]

Yeah, I get that a lot, particularly right after I disagree with someone. Coincidence? ;)

You're a smartass, Nehor. A lovable smartass, but a smartass nonetheless. ;)

Happy New Year!

LOL

[_The Nehor]

Yeah, I get that a lot, particularly right after I disagree with someone. Coincidence? ;)

You're a smartass, Nehor. A lovable smartass, but a smartass nonetheless. ;)

Happy New Year!

LOL

Better than being a dumbass I guess. Happy New Year to you too. :)