Need advice, may leave church

[the Ogre]

Originally Posted by Kenny

Thanks but it was not me reading anti stuff

Kenny, I apologize if I was implying you were. I was addressing BJW.

Sorry.

[Azriel]

33 For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies.
34 They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God.
35 And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord;
36 For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me;
37 And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father;
38 And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him.
39 And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood.
40 Therefore, all those who receive the priesthood, receive this oath and covenant of my Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved.
41 But whoso breaketh this covenant after he hath received it, and altogether turneth therefrom, shall not have forgiveness of sins in this world nor in the world to come.
42 And wo unto all those who come not unto this priesthood which ye have received, which I now confirm upon you who are present this day, by mine own voice out of the heavens; and even I have given the heavenly hosts and mine angels charge concerning you.
43 And I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves, to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life.
44 For you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.

[Kenny]

My point exactly

[Italics]

Originally Posted by bjw

I've had another situation come up at my ward, and the church in general, and wanted some advice. You guys really helped out last time. It seems that I'm having more problems at my ward with the EQ President and the church.

On Saturday I went to take the CSET Mathematics exam, its very hard and only has a 20% pass rate, and I had so much riding on passing it this time, since I had already paid a non-refundable $500 fee to take night classes starting in June while I intern as a high-school math teacher. Its going to really cost me since my salary would have tripled had I passed the exam, and I'm having a lot of financial trouble. Well, the EQ President called me right when I got back from the exam, and I know I failed it, and I was almost in tears while we talked. He asked me what was wrong and I explained to him the situation. He came across as being very insensitive and told me he wanted me to teach a lesson in Elder's Quorum the next day. I told him he reached me at a bad time and that I was having a lot of doubts about the church right now and needed to get things right in my life. He was persistent and said I was to do it anyway. I told him to find a substitute, maybe tell whoever was to do it next week and I would trade with him. He very rudely told me that it was my responsibility to find me a replacement, not his, and that I should get the ward directory and start calling people. I just said fine and hung up.

I was so angry after all the problems I've had with this guy already that I didn't even bother going to church today. 5 minutes before priesthood was to start I saw on my caller ID that he was calling me. I didn't even bother answering. I'm still very upset right now, and have been having a lot of doubts about the church as it is. I just found out a lot of things that have been causing me to have doubts about the truthfulness of this church, and this has been making me wonder if it wouldn't be better to just stay home. I can always read the Bible with my grandmother at home and worship Him on my own terms without mean people taking jabs at me all the time.

Even if this church turns its back on me, I know Jesus Christ will never turn his back on me. Even if the bad things I've been hearing about Joseph Smith or the early church are true, it still doesn't change Christ's love for me and I know no matter where I am I will still have Him.

I'm wondering, what will they probably do since I didn't show up to teach the EQ lesson? I am definitely going to ask to be released from all callings and excused from 3rd hour, but I'm not sure if they will try some sort of formal disciplinary proceedings or take my temple recommend.

The way the EQ President and the bishop have treated me and my grandmother, especially after the bishop yelled at my grandmother on the phone, I know these local leaders definitely do not emulate Jesus Christ. I know God will not hold it against me if they decide to ask me to leave the church. Right now I'm taking time off from it to do some soul searching, and to do more research on the church. I'm going to spend some time in prayer as well. I thought about quitting on my own, but I don't want to do anything in haste that I might regret later. I really want the church to be true, and I wish I could get along better with the people in my ward, but nothing I try seems to work. So, any advice you guys might have I would really appreciate it.

You should leave the church if you have no testimony, not if you don't like the members in your ward.

Not liking the people of your ward should not affect your testimony.

Use being unique as a reason to take pride in being a member.
I have long hair, listen to metal music, drink energy drinks, and hate attending church activities outside of actual church itself.
Do people misjudge me sometimes? ALL THE TIME!
Do I get a hard time for it sometimes. OF COURSE!

Well guess what, I still have a very strong testimony and hold a temple recommend. Why should I let it bother me? I take pride in being different. I don't do it on purpose... I don't do it to "rebel." I just am who I am.
If people don't like you for that, screw it.
I can guarantee you one thing, not attending church will NOT make you happier.

[bjw]

Originally Posted by Apostate

bjw...Others may weep and wail and beg you to rethink and stay...I on the other hand upon reading this bit of codswallop have no problem seeing you for what you are...a complete and total fraud.

I'm at a loss as to what motivates folks like you, truly and sincerely at a loss. So I'll just await the firestorm of indignation that I'm sure will come from you...ending with your I'm hasta thanks to a jerk like Apostate post....

I think that my past posts reveal my true intentions. If what you were saying is true I would not have bothered meeting with some posters in person that I have met online over the past several years, spent hundreds of dollars taking a vacation to Salt Lake City to see general conference in person, and even broke off ties with some close family members who completely turned their backs on me when I joined this church. Many people on here and MADB know my story and some even know me personally, so I'm sorry but what you are saying is simply not the case. I have been telling the truth with every post.

[bjw]

Originally Posted by the Ogre

Dude, you need to stop reading the anti stuff. It was designed to confuse and obfuscate and stretch (and sometimes just lie about) the truth. Ignore it. None of it is intended to uplift or edify, only destroy and ridicule. Next, ignore the apologists too, they might be trying to explain and defend the church, but most of the time they are merely showing off their recent Ph.Ds and enjoying the proceeds from their book sales.

Ogre,
Nothing I said on here came from anti stuff, I learned it all from pro-Mormon sources, mostly the Journal of Discources, fairwiki, MADB, official publications, and some books published by church owned publishers.

Most anti stuff I do not even bother with it because a lot of it lies so much you can never know when they are telling the truth.

[bjw]

I just want to thank everyone that has given me good advice and been praying for me. I am meeting with my bishop tonight and I will let you guys know how it goes. Thanks.

[Kenny]

Originally Posted by Italics

You should leave the church if you have no testimony, not if you don't like the members in your ward.

Not liking the people of your ward should not affect your testimony.

Use being unique as a reason to take pride in being a member.
I have long hair, listen to metal music, drink energy drinks, and hate attending church activities outside of actual church itself.
Do people misjudge me sometimes? ALL THE TIME!
Do I get a hard time for it sometimes. OF COURSE!

Well guess what, I still have a very strong testimony and hold a temple recommend. Why should I let it bother me? I take pride in being different. I don't do it on purpose... I don't do it to "rebel." I just am who I am.
If people don't like you for that, screw it.
I can guarantee you one thing, not attending church will NOT make you happier.

If you have not already done so can I recommend some books to read that helped me and might do the same for you.

The first is the 'Trial of the Stick of Joseph', and the others are the 'Work and Glory' series, in particular volume 7.

The first will take no more than an hour to read and why I recommend it first the others considerable longer.

All available from Deseret book stores

[Italics]

Originally Posted by Kenny

If you have not already done so can I recommend some books to read that helped me and might do the same for you.

The first is the 'Trial of the Stick of Joseph', and the others are the 'Work and Glory' series, in particular volume 7.

The first will take no more than an hour to read and why I recommend it first the others considerable longer.

All available from Deseret book stores

Are you talking to me, or the person who started this thread?

If me... why do you recommend these books? Care to share why you think I'd be interested?

[FunkyTown]

Originally Posted by apostate

bjw...others may weep and wail and beg you to rethink and stay...i on the other hand upon reading this bit of codswallop have no problem seeing you for what you are...a complete and total fraud.

I'm at a loss as to what motivates folks like you, truly and sincerely at a loss. So i'll just await the firestorm of indignation that i'm sure will come from you...ending with your i'm hasta thanks to a jerk like apostate post....

qft.