Since my wife Ann has confided in several people and for other reasons (maybe things I've said or posted), rumors are beginning to swirl around about my abandonment of Mormonism. I'm not one to let speculation continue in regards to my personal beliefs. I've never liked one-sided stories, whether they are told by the liberal media, or whether told by individuals, my wife included. I love her and she's doing what she needs to do to find comfort and commiseration. I fully understand those feelings. However, there are always two sides to every story.
The truth is, I have left the LDS faith. Some of you reading this right now just had your collective jaws hit the floor, because you haven't heard of any of this. Some of you will never comprehend why I've left. I fully expect this revelation will cause several of you to drop me as a friend, possibly on Facebook, possibly in real life. I hope you don't feel that way, but I fully understand how you might think and feel about it, especially based upon one of the temple recommend questions. But let me offer you my experience of what happened the last time I went in for a recommend interview, in the fall of 2014. When asked if I associated, affiliated with, or agreed with anyone who's teachings were contrary to the church I told them that I had friends who I associated with who believed and taught things contrary to the church. The counselor in the stake presidency kind of chuckled and said, "we all do".
I have written a paper, originally intended for Ann, that explains in detail my reasoning. You can find it here: clickety-click. The paper can come across as a little bit harsh and sarcastic in parts of it. Please realize that I originally wrote it after being severely criticized for my choice and that I was trying to defend my reasoning. I mean it as no personal attack against anyone. Then again, when I was a member, I used to think even slight accusations or condemnations of the Church were all-out anti-Mormon rants. I'll let you know without reading it that I still believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, and as the Lord God omnipotent, come to earth in the flesh. The paper also includes my current beliefs and witness. Needless to say, in order for me to go through the ordeal it is to leave the church (especially within my own family and circle of friends), I must believe I'm right.
I hope we can all remain friends and that I can continue to associate with you whom I love. My love for you has not diminished, though you may no longer know what to do with me and I may wonder what you're thinking. So be it. A man has to do what he believes is right. Here's a very good article, by the way, on how to respond to one of your friends who is leaving the church: check it out.
May our gracious God bless you all.
2 comments:
I have an LDS friend who refused to listen to a song I like because one line in the lyrics expresses a sentiment the church doesn't believe. I find that kind of mandatory "head-in-the-sand" mentality one of the key flaws of the Church.
There is a lot of truth to that, Richard. When people ask why I left and I try to explain, they just don't want to hear, or if they listen at all, they don't want to even think about my answers.
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