LDS Freedom Forum

While I have read all of the scriptures cover to cover, and the Book of Mormon numerous times...at least for me it denotes a checkbox mentality.
Try searching the scriptures. In order to search the scriptures, you need to be searching for something...


If you don't have any specific questions, that's a starting point.

Couple of thoughts for you. If you look at my other posts I've talked about things like this but just not in terms of your particular condition.

1) 1 Nephi 8...we read there is a mist of darkness on the world.

The mist of darkness is trying to confuse us. It makes it harder to see what's real and to see truth. That means harder to feel the spirit, more distractions also. Get rid of the distractions! If its your phone then downgrade that and try to stay off it. (Turn off the TV...)

Satan how he pulls people out of church is making them too tired to feel spiritual things. He'll get them so busy during the week that by the time Saturday night hits they are too tired to feel anything spiritual the next morning at church. This doesn't mean you did anything bad, it's just a 'wear them out' by making them too busy strategy put into play. This is how a lot of people get tricked because over time what happens it Satan is trying to make them feel that going to church or doing spiritual things is a drag. A lot of people have gotten pulled away this way.

#2 For some people though, I had a relative tell me once that he had a period in his life though where he was doing everything right and trying to enjoy it and he just felt like everything was monotonous and that he wasn't going anywhere. He kind of felt a little bored I think. But that's OK too. This was a bit different from the exhaustion method because he was just experiencing that he was like an umbrella for his family and they needed that stability to be there, but it just got boring sometimes.

#3 It also happens that sometimes priesthood holders get a break and a boring phase between callings to help rest their bodies and minds. This is really important, even when you feel let down after a calling release. But its necessary because our bodies are mortal and get worn out, if you are pushing it too hard on your body doing a full time family calling (job), and your putting in big church service hours then you can literally wear out. (Maybe you need a bit of a rest for a bit?) (Also taking a rest doesn't mean you stop going to church. You can also talk to your bishop about how you are feeling so he can help place you in areas that will help you feel stuff more. I knew a guy that I suspect he was put in the primary for this reason, even though he was this big macho tough guy.)

#4 I would try turning the TV off and Netflix etc. off and try listening to LDS primary hymns for a bit. For a lot of people when they are in a spot where it's hard to feel anything primary hymns are like the spirit is suddenly blasting them when they hear children sing about Jesus.

#5 You can try some things like maybe identifying if you are alone too much? For some people that are trying to feel the Lord and feel spiritual things it gets hard because they are spending so much time alone. And when you are alone other people aren't letting you feel the fruits of living the gospel. This was one I'd ran into myself for a bit and can be a big factor for a lot of people.

#6 Seek the love of Jesus personally in your scripture study and prayer. Rather than trying to research doctrine I would encourage this. Now I'm not saying to pray for the veil to be opened. But just pray for the love of heavenly father and Jesus to be felt everyday, or as often as you can. I think this is the real deal here. This one might help you the most. I think to some extent you are feeling this when you do service for others. And that's good.

#7 If service is how you normally feel the spirit that's good. Do what you normally do to feel the spirit.

Just like your physical body needs nutrition and exercise or it will get out of shape and sick, your spirit needs constant nourishment and exercise. Go back to the temple, you will be amazed by how much that can help you. Also you need to read from the Book of Mormon everyday. These two practices have blessed my live immensely.
You are not alone In your feelings. Don’t give up keep pressing forward.

I suggest poking through some of the discussions on here about the baptism of fire.

Dusty52 wrote: ↑July 3rd, 2018, 9:37 pm I go to church each week to fulfill my calling as Sunday school president, I look after and support my teachers, I enjoy the teacher council meetings each month, I look for opportunities to serve others but that is it. I haven't been to the temple since I was sealed to my wife some 30 years ago. I never bear my testimony. I feel lost!

Take some time to ponder this one verse:

Mosiah 14:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Mcox wrote: ↑July 4th, 2018, 5:18 pm Just like your physical body needs nutrition and exercise or it will get out of shape and sick, your spirit needs constant nourishment and exercise. Go back to the temple, you will be amazed by how much that can help you. Also you need to read from the Book of Mormon everyday. These two practices have blessed my live immensely.
You are not alone In your feelings. Don’t give up keep pressing forward.

Stay awake!

Your wife being inactive may be key here. I was married to a woman who was all appearances and our marriage was dead. She loved going to church to look like a happy family without investing any time, effort, or love below the surface.

I felt numb at church, but I felt angry over time. I had hoped for a loving, celestial marriage in my youth and was so bitterly disappointed. I couldn't fake it at church and pretend I was happy.

This obviously isn't a 1 for 1 exact scenario for you but the marriage element may be a common denominator.

This may be what you must confront and overcome.

I had to confront and overcome. It wasn't easy but it was worth it.

Dusty52 wrote: ↑July 3rd, 2018, 9:37 pm I go to church each week to fulfill my calling as Sunday school president, I look after and support my teachers, I enjoy the teacher council meetings each month, I look for opportunities to serve others but that is it. I haven't been to the temple since I was sealed to my wife some 30 years ago. I never bear my testimony. I feel lost!

I hate church. There. I said it. I've always just wished I could be somewhere else. But I go out of obedience, hoping that someday I will like it. That's a sour attitude, yep. I did begin to enjoy a ward once but we only lived there about 9 months and I only began to like it about month 8 and then we moved.

I don't have an answer for you. I don't feel anything at church, either. But my testimony is not based on the church. It is based on the gospel and I study the gospel most every day in some form or other.

I guess I will add that I go to church hoping to be able to serve because I need to give back. That's a better attitude.

Bottom line...perhaps you need to humble yourself and get on your knees and beg, implore, beseech, entreat, call upon, and supplicate with a broken heart and contrite spirit, having real intent, full purpose of heart, humility of sackcloth and ashes, asking God what you can do to increase spirituality and get more out of attending church meetings.
Sometimes it isn't the outward activities that is the problem, it could be what goes on in the inside of us that drags us down.

Matthew 11:28
28 ¶ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

3 Nephi 12:3-4
3 Yea, blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Can God guide you to a better emotional place? Will he do it if you don't ask?

Church is about remembering the greatest sacrifice ever given on behalf of man and paying our devotion the most high. I don’t understand how people “hate” or “dislike” an opportunity to do that?

drtanner wrote: ↑July 5th, 2018, 1:10 pm Church is about remembering the greatest sacrifice ever given on behalf of man and paying our devotion the most high. I don’t understand how people “hate” or “dislike” an opportunity to do that?

Oh, social anxiety, feelings of rejection by most people in the ward. I have complexes and other issues. At least, that is my excuse. I know I should initiate relationships and that would go a long way. I feel incapable emotionally of doing what I mentally know I should do.

I don't get much out of the sacrament because I'm mostly trying to watch my kids and keep them quiet. I mean, I could go on and on with excuses. I love my Savior and my Father. I seek times to connect with them. It's just never at church and never has been.

The Airbender wrote: ↑July 5th, 2018, 10:27 pm

drtanner wrote: ↑July 5th, 2018, 1:10 pm Church is about remembering the greatest sacrifice ever given on behalf of man and paying our devotion the most high. I don’t understand how people “hate” or “dislike” an opportunity to do that?

Oh, social anxiety, feelings of rejection by most people in the ward. I have complexes and other issues. At least, that is my excuse. I know I should initiate relationships and that would go a long way. I feel incapable emotionally of doing what I mentally know I should do.

I don't get much out of the sacrament because I'm mostly trying to watch my kids and keep them quiet. I mean, I could go on and on with excuses. I love my Savior and my Father. I seek times to connect with them. It's just never at church and never has been.

I can relate to the kids having wrangled a bunch of em during church at different stages? I am sorry you have have felt rejection by “most” in the ward

Dusty52,
You have seemed to hit a chord among many.
It is just awesome how this community has offered hope and suggestions in such a loving manner to help you regain the spark with your faith.

My wife and I are having similar feelings eventho we participate fully in the Temple, church and supporting a son on a mission. By all accounts we are doing what's suggested, yet there is still a certain malaise in our life.

We've kind of narrowed it down to the generational progression (for lack of a better description). Younger families, with little kids have flooded our ward, taken all the leadership callings, and focus almost all efforts toward young families. Us longtime members, almost empty nesters, are not regarded in any way, nor asked to help, counsel or advise. (except in Scouts... which will be ending in a few more months anyway...).

So it's like the mainstream church program is geared to raising kids, and when that portion of life is completed, then we get to sail off into the sunset. I was ok for the longest time hanging with the High Priests, but now that is gone, and we're back in the Elder's Quorum with young guys running it.

I'm kinda feeling like it doesn't matter to anyone in the ward if I show up anymore... its a weird feeling... Not addressed by HQ that I can see. I'm not retired and will be a working stiff for another ten to twelve years (till I'm 75). So that is a really long row to hoe at the ward level without being fed meat in the lessons and being able to contribute.

Guess I'll have to figure it out on my own, and not wait for permission to solve this particular problem I feel in myself.

JK4Woods wrote: ↑July 6th, 2018, 1:10 pm Dusty52,
You have seemed to hit a chord among many.
It is just awesome how this community has offered hope and suggestions in such a loving manner to help you regain the spark with your faith.

My wife and I are having similar feelings eventho we participate fully in the Temple, church and supporting a son on a mission. By all accounts we are doing what's suggested, yet there is still a certain malaise in our life.

We've kind of narrowed it down to the generational progression (for lack of a better description). Younger families, with little kids have flooded our ward, taken all the leadership callings, and focus almost all efforts toward young families. Us longtime members, almost empty nesters, are not regarded in any way, nor asked to help, counsel or advise. (except in Scouts... which will be ending in a few more months anyway...).

So it's like the mainstream church program is geared to raising kids, and when that portion of life is completed, then we get to sail off into the sunset. I was ok for the longest time hanging with the High Priests, but now that is gone, and we're back in the Elder's Quorum with young guys running it.

I'm kinda feeling like it doesn't matter to anyone in the ward if I show up anymore... its a weird feeling... Not addressed by HQ that I can see. I'm not retired and will be a working stiff for another fifteen to eighteen years (till I'm 70). So that is a really long row to hoe at the ward level without being fed meat in the lessons and being able to contribute.

Guess I'll have to figure it out on my own, and not wait for permission to solve this particular problem I feel in myself.

Suggestion. Why not learn all you can about the Constitution as meant to be understood by our Founding Fathers and then be a squeaky wheel. Then every one around you would remain on high alert when you are around.

drtanner wrote: ↑July 5th, 2018, 11:23 pm

The Airbender wrote: ↑July 5th, 2018, 10:27 pm

drtanner wrote: ↑July 5th, 2018, 1:10 pm Church is about remembering the greatest sacrifice ever given on behalf of man and paying our devotion the most high. I don’t understand how people “hate” or “dislike” an opportunity to do that?

Oh, social anxiety, feelings of rejection by most people in the ward. I have complexes and other issues. At least, that is my excuse. I know I should initiate relationships and that would go a long way. I feel incapable emotionally of doing what I mentally know I should do.

I don't get much out of the sacrament because I'm mostly trying to watch my kids and keep them quiet. I mean, I could go on and on with excuses. I love my Savior and my Father. I seek times to connect with them. It's just never at church and never has been.

I can relate to the kids having wrangled a bunch of em during church at different stages? I am sorry you have have felt rejection by “most” in the ward

I find it interesting. I believe it is mostly me putting off an air of "I don't want to be approached." I'm serious. I mean, I have had actual issues with people being rude and such, but for the most part I believe it is born internally. I have to be the one to make the change. It'll be alright. Thank you, though.

Dusty52 wrote: ↑July 3rd, 2018, 9:37 pm I go to church each week to fulfill my calling as Sunday school president, I look after and support my teachers, I enjoy the teacher council meetings each month, I look for opportunities to serve others but that is it. I haven't been to the temple since I was sealed to my wife some 30 years ago. I never bear my testimony. I feel lost!

Dusty, I think you answered your own question: You feel better when you are doing things for others. You can perform your calling, or you can serve others through your calling. God fills us up on proportion to how much we give to others. Luke 6:38 describes it best to me: "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."

If you are feeling empty, it is usually because you are not giving enough or with the right intent. I don't mean that critically at all. But, it is a call to refinement in your approach.

By the way, one of the best ways to give and to give in the most pure way is in the Temple. It is the center of where conversion happens, and it is where God's Kingdom is built. Please give more of yourself in Temple worship, and you will feel different inside. Set a goal, like once a week, and be in the Temple regularly. After a short time of sacrifice for others, you will begin to feel different, unless there is something you are doing that is blocking the Spirit. Then, you have to take care of that, or at least begin to take care of it. Blessings to you.