To go or Not to go???????????

[Roseslipper]

I know the feelings of not having children, I know the feelings of not ever being married, and your dreams for these righteous desires some might not happen in this life. And the reality of it hurts, its painful and yes and times you might cry, specially when Relief Society teaches u to be a good wife, a good mother, but it also teachers you to be a good person....a stronger woman...to stand up for truth and to bare your trails. And most important is the main goal for Relief SOciety is to help each sister grow closer to Heavenly Father. But its ok, if u cant push yourself to go right now. Take one step at a time....

[Bini]

Ugh. I'm inactive as well and it's hard enough trying to get myself (and hubby) to even step foot into a church building, let alone, sit for an hour in RS or Priesthood. I would just say to take your time and don't put so much pressure onto yourself that you get anxiety. I see no reason why you can't attend RS and just listen to the lessons without having to socialise with everyone. The times that I had attended church, I was never one to sit and just chit chat with the ladies. It's not a sin to keep to yourself in RS.

[Truegrits]

I do not know if I would like RS or not...I have never experienced it.
I go from Primary teacher to Nursery to YW to Primary presidency to YW pres. to Nursery...over and over...

[FairChild]

I can understand how hard it is to fit in. I miscarried a baby I desperatly wanted and made the mistake of going back the first time after it happened on Mother's Day. I was so hurt already and doing that made the pain even worse. I wish you well. Remember sometimes the best thing to do is take baby steps. You will still get there, just may take a little longer, that's all. FC

[mormonwifey]

I was inactive in the church for a long time,until I finally listened to my conscience and all.I have been back in the church actively for awhile now and was just baptized on May.01,2010.I was supposed to be in Relief Society last Sunday,but was hurting very badly (due to having Intersistial Cystitis- Bladder disease),so I came home.I am actually very,very nervous about Relief Society this coming Sunday,but I feel I need to be there.I want to really connect with the women of my congregation,they are wonderful,especially Sister Winters (missionary),Sister Wright (another missionary) and Sister White who over sees the Relief Society.These three ladies put me at ease so much. All we can do is what we feel is right for us,not what's right for everybody else.Ask our Lord what you should do and he will guide you

[clarissa]

Hey, I know how you feel! I was inactive for over three years at one point because I'd simply lost interest in the lessons and did not feel comfortable in Relief Society or Sunday School. I didn't mind Sacrament Meeting (although I sometimes felt like it was too long) but I hated showing up and then having people who never otherwise talked to me, coming up with smiles and asking why they hadn't seen me around. I hated feeling like I was the "project" in the ward to be showered with what I perceived as "fake love" when I came to meetings. so I just didn't go!
But looking back on it, I think I used my excuses as a crutch to avoid going so I didn't feel so guilty about it. I realized after three years that I was not as happy in life as I wanted to be, that I felt like I lacked purpose, and I just felt a void in my life. I wanted to regain the happiness I'd had back when I attended meetings faithfully and build my testimony back. I finally started doing morning and evening prayer again, reading my scriptures every day (DON'T let yourself get away with not doing it!), and asking Heavenly Father in my prayers to help me experience a change of heart so I could enjoy Church again.
And now, I love being at Church! It is such a blessing in my life and I love being there. I feel so much happier and I also feel like I get a lot more out of the lessons, too.
Another thing I would recommend is buying President Uchtdorf's book, "The Remarkable Soul of a Woman". It really helps your self-esteem, love of the Gospel, and makes you feel united with the other women of the Church.

[MiriamA]

I am new to the forum and I wish I would have been around here in April to comment. I Completely understand where you are coming from! I have always struggled in RS and I am not sure why "exactly." I even taught a few times in RS, but I have never felt a part of RS, or that I fit in or even welcomed there. I did the going for the lessons, but I guess there are just things that get under my skin. We bought a house in a different city about 4 years ago and I thought it would be good to get back into RS. I went and was involved with VTing and everything. But I tell you what, I guess my previous RS pres talked to my new RS pres and told her stuff about me I guess and pretty soon the RS sisters are being jerky to me and everything. I know how we are just supposed to go and blah blah blah... sorry but that is how I feel. I also refuse to have VTs but for now I accept the card that the sister over sending cards to whomever is sending.

I don't know if the person who started this thread is still here, but I want you to know I do REALLY understand.


On a side note I have had a few miscarriages and was never able to have children and we did not adopt. And yes, sometimes the looks and comments are more than I can take.

[laydeebugg]

I'm the RS pres in our ward and even I dont particulary love going. (Yes, I just admitted that!) I agree that being in Primary is a perfect solution. Anyone care to convince my bishop? ;-)

[Sunshine_Lily]

I can completely understand how you feel because I dread going to relief society. I'm slowly going back to church inactivity due to illness. I can handle sacrament meeting and sunday school - but nothing more. I'm young (24yrs) and have no children, so I constantly feel out of place in a room with women who constantly relate to each other, no matter what topic. I always feel like a weed among roses in relief society and have stopped going to relief society all together. Even when I get the bravery to go, I soon regreat going after 10 minutes in relief society. Just know, you aren't alone in your feelings. Even though relief society is a wonderful thing, all that's "really" important is you attend sacrament meeting.