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My wife (TBM more or less now) and I talked about this topic this morning.

It's been 2 1/2 years since I asked the bishop to release me from my callings. One of my sons was on a mission at the time. We were regular ward temple attenders and the whole bit. The only people I spoke with about my concerns were the stake president, bishop and elders quorem president. I was questioning at the time, not rejecting. I was still working through the canned answers they had all given me. I have never shared my disbeliefs even with my two next door neighbors.

We have been in the ward for almost 10 years. I've held lots of callings. EQpresidency, Gospel doctrine, young mens, scouting for 7 years etc. I considered the ward was a place full of a lot of kind people. Friends would go out of their way to greet and enjoy each other's company. I looked forward to campouts with the aronic priesthood and their dads, other activities and even Sundays because it gave me a chance to enjoy the company of friends. We all had busy work schedules but this always seemed to work.

It's been 2 1/2 years now - There is not one ward member (or friend for that matter) that has even stopped by to say hello (other than the EQP - home teacher once a month).

Now, about shepherds. Shepherds seek out lost and straying sheep. They leave the 90 and 9.

It dawned on me that I must not be a sheep.

59 For what shepherd is there among you having many sheep doth not watch over them, that the wolves enter not and devour his flock? And behold, if a wolf enter his flock doth he not drive him out? Yea, and at the last, if he can, he will destroy him.
60 And now I say unto you that the good shepherd doth call after you; and if you will hearken unto his voice he will bring you into his fold, and ye are his sheep; and he commandeth you that ye suffer no ravenous wolf to enter among you, that ye may not be destroyed.

(Book of Mormon | Alma 5:59 - 60)

I suppose I get it.

What really gripes me is that I am disaffected because Joseph Smith was a wolf - a lying adulterer. My ideals have not changed at all. I don't see myself selling crack to my "friends" kids anytime soon.

Obviously on their part they could have visited you. I don't know how close they are to you nor do I know the entire situation.

But you can look at it from the perspective of them with their busy schedules. If they take their free time to associate at Church activities and campouts, they might be left with no free time to hang around outside of Church related activities. Is there something stopping you from associating with them at Church related activities, even though you do not attend meetings? To some extent a lot may feel as though you have turned your back on them as much as you feel they have turned their back on you. Especially if you stop going to the gatherings where you would normally associate with them. It can easily be seen as a sign that you do not want to be around them.

Like I said, though, I don't know the situation.

Are you really a lost sheep? Or do you stay away intentionally?

Inconceivable wrote:It's been 2 1/2 years now - There is not one ward member (or friend for that matter) that has even stopped by to say hello (other than the EQP - home teacher once a month).

That's more than for me. Hometeachers don't even come any more. Since the day I told the bishopric, they've never talked to me since (aside from a 'hi' when i go to SM or ward activities with my wife).

But hey, I can't complain. It's quite opposite from the stories you read about on RfM - where you read about the constant harassment.

Inconceivable wrote:My wife (TBM more or less now) and I talked about this topic this morning.

It's been 2 1/2 years since I asked the bishop to release me from my callings. One of my sons was on a mission at the time. We were regular ward temple attenders and the whole bit. The only people I spoke with about my concerns were the stake president, bishop and elders quorem president. I was questioning at the time, not rejecting. I was still working through the canned answers they had all given me. I have never shared my disbeliefs even with my two next door neighbors.

We have been in the ward for almost 10 years. I've held lots of callings. EQpresidency, Gospel doctrine, young mens, scouting for 7 years etc. I considered the ward was a place full of a lot of kind people. Friends would go out of their way to greet and enjoy each other's company. I looked forward to campouts with the aronic priesthood and their dads, other activities and even Sundays because it gave me a chance to enjoy the company of friends. We all had busy work schedules but this always seemed to work.

It's been 2 1/2 years now - There is not one ward member (or friend for that matter) that has even stopped by to say hello (other than the EQP - home teacher once a month).

Now, about shepherds. Shepherds seek out lost and straying sheep. They leave the 90 and 9.

It dawned on me that I must not be a sheep.

Sheep are followers, you did not stray, you chose not to follow. Therefore you chose not to be one of the sheep. So the sheperd will not come find you cause he knows where you are and that was your choice. Don't worry, be a sheperd.

:P

Pirate.

Inconceivable wrote:It dawned on me that I must not be a sheep.

Sometimes it's better to be a goat. ;)

But I want to be a pretty pony...

My situation is simlar... very unlike many stories I hear.

In all the years since my disbelief, I have only had one member who is a friend, begin to ask me about why I was not going to the temple. I told her it was because I do not believe in the truth claims of the church... she didn't want to know more. Other than this one time, I've never been asked, never had anyone attempt to contact me, call me, nothing.

I am TOTALLY fine with this of course but find it a little odd since I hear so many stories of continual contact.

~dancer~

Blixa wrote:But I want to be a pretty pony...

I want to be a T-Rex.

truth dancer wrote:My situation is simlar... very unlike many stories I hear.

In all the years since my disbelief, I have only had one member who is a friend, begin to ask me about why I was not going to the temple. I told her it was because I do not believe in the truth claims of the church... she didn't want to know more. Other than this one time, I've never been asked, never had anyone attempt to contact me, call me, nothing.

I am TOTALLY fine with this of course but find it a little odd since I hear so many stories of continual contact.

~dancer~

This has been my experience too. I'm like the "Cypher in the Snow," if you remember that fine movie. If I dropped down dead in the snow, people in the ward would wonder who the hell I was.