DiscussMormonism.com

I was thinking about the NOM life and how I might get there. I have a really big hurdle. All my life, I stayed involved in LDS because I believed in it not because I enjoyed it. I know there are some people who really enjoyed aspects of it. Some people that leave might feel like they are missing out on something. I am not like that. I feel much better being out.

I've thought and thought about how I might motivate myself to go back and I just can't find a way. Now, if I could believe in it, I could do it. So, what if you find yourself in a hard position with those whom you love because you aren't getting back into it?

The only thing I can think to do is to make believe. Everyone can find enjoyment in sitting next to the window and day dreaming, right? I could do that at church, I suppose. I could glue pages of Odyssey onto the pages of my Bible and take that to church with me. I could pray to a different God in Sacrament meeting.

...sigh...

You are overthinking this stuff. For all practical purposes you simply have to show allegiance. That's all. Not so hard. Wear a suit to church once a week, and leave it alone the other 165 hours.

You don't need to fake or make-believe anything to show up to church with your family.

H.

zeezrom wrote:I was thinking about the NOM life and how I might get there. I have a really big hurdle. All my life, I stayed involved in LDS because I believed in it not because I enjoyed it. I know there are some people who really enjoyed aspects of it. Some people that leave might feel like they are missing out on something. I am not like that. I feel much better being out.

I've thought and thought about how I might motivate myself to go back and I just can't find a way. Now, if I could believe in it, I could do it. So, what if you find yourself in a hard position with those whom you love because you aren't getting back into it?

The only thing I can think to do is to make believe. Everyone can find enjoyment in sitting next to the window and day dreaming, right? I could do that at church, I suppose. I could glue pages of Odyssey onto the pages of my Bible and take that to church with me. I could pray to a different God in Sacrament meeting.

...sigh...

Are you and your wife going to live your life for others who are pressuring you to live life the way they have chosen for themselves? Would you be happier on the whole doing that than living life pursuant to your own thinking and desires? What kind of example does that set for your children?

Keep in mind, those that are pressuring you are not being respectful of your individuality, your ability to make appropriate decisions for yourself, etc. They are assuming that the decisions that they have made for their lives are so much superior to what you could make for yourself, that they will pressure you to act (if not also believe) as they do.

You on the other hand are demonstrating a respect for them and their ability to make decisions for their lives when you do not pressure them to stop their LDS activity.

Who between you, on the one hand, and those pressuring you to return to LDS activity, is showing more respect for the other?

LDST,

I know, right? But alas, I don't know. All of my kids despise going. In order to mobilize the crew, my heart and soul must be in.

SP,

If it were simply a matter of my extended family applying pressure, I would not see a problem.

For different reasons than you I'd also like to be a part of Mormonism. There's a lot about the religion that I'm fond of. I think that in many ways Mormonism could offer a nice spiritual scaffolding as a sort of praxis, or spiritual way of life. The problem is that I can't participate in the Mormon way of life in the way I'd like unless I assent to certain beliefs. There's a very serious emphasis on orthodoxy, and if you don't adhere to the right dogma, then you can't fully participate in the Mormon praxis. That's fine, I guess. I'm not petitioning the Church to change. I'm just saying, that's why I don't participate, because, if I'm honest, then I can't participate in the ways I'd like - the ways most spiritually useful to me.

Well, Zee, if you have no choice in the matter and you have to keep the peace, then answer this:

What do you like about church?

H.

And maybe this will sting a bit, so I apologize in advance, but what does my wife feel about your activities on this board:

1. Redesigning the temple garment
2. Praying to female gods
3. Making your own religious text
4. Exploring Greek mythology as a system of belief

I mean, not exactly LDS material, right? Do you share this world with her? And how does she ask you to stop "believing" these things?

H.

Hey Zee,

Of all the many people I have had the pleasure of getting to know on these boards, you (and the personal journey that you have shared with me/us on these boards) is one of the most interesting ones that I have read. In addition to that (And what I find to be much more important) is that I consider you a friend. (I thank you for your part in making that a possible outcome from the time we spend on these boards)

My personal view, for what it's worth.

To consider a return to the Mormon Church is obviously a very personal choice (It is your choice). As is often the case in life, these choices can be very tough, they can/do/will impact many other people, and they will be judged by others no matter what choice you make.

To some, your choice will make a huge difference to them.

To some, your choice will make some difference to them.

To some, your choice will make little difference to them.

To some (Ceeboo is in this category), your choice will make no difference to them.

Good luck and peace, friend. :)

Ceeboo

LDSToronto wrote:What do you like about church?

H.

Doing it!

1. That the Mormon God is part of a pantheon (allows for more freedom in worship), is not infinite, and has a partner equal in power (his wife or ex-wife, depending on your belief)
2. There are people my age in our ward

That's it so far. I'll keep thinking while we fly a kite.