Kinda done with church

[The East Wind]

Today was one of the best experiences I have had in Elders quorum. We went over Elder Oaks talk about the spirit world. Talked of hell and outer darkness being different. Talked about purifying our sins so we can prepare ourselves to meet Christ Christ in this life.

Is this from April of last year? That was one amazing talk.

Just go to your bishop Arphys, ask to be the next speaker, and show people how it's done.

One of the problems in our culture, not just the church, is no one feels safe speaking about anything unless it is very bland.

It's awful. Somehow we need to make conversation great again.

October! Great talk.

[Juliet]

Today was one of the best experiences I have had in Elders quorum. We went over Elder Oaks talk about the spirit world. Talked of hell and outer darkness being different. Talked about purifying our sins so we can prepare ourselves to meet Christ Christ in this life.

Is this from April of last year? That was one amazing talk.

Just go to your bishop Arphys, ask to be the next speaker, and show people how it's done.

One of the problems in our culture, not just the church, is no one feels safe speaking about anything unless it is very bland.

It's awful. Somehow we need to make conversation great again.

October! Great talk.

His April talk also, he speaks quite a bit on the state of our souls after this life.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/stu ... s?lang=eng

[marc]

I believe I have reached my boredom breaking point at church. I know people will say "you get out what you put into it," but I am tired of the same pablum lesson for the umpteenth time. General Conference talks are just repeats and old quotes and are usually pretty lame. I am repeatedly told to pay my tithing but my chapel is falling apart and the roof is leaking today. So I asked myself "what am I getting out of the church that is worth my time and effort?" The only answer is "not much." I am separating the gospel and the church. I can sit at home and do my own studying and be much more content than sitting in an elders quorum where they spend the first 25 minutes yapping about some ghetto thug who can throw a ball in a hoop. I have put 40 plus years into the church and today I believe I am done.

I can relate, although I still attend because I want to:

1. Partake of the Sacrament, which for me is paramount.
2. Fellowship with my ward family.
3. Strengthen them; they still have a lot to learn and experience.

The last one sounds pretty presumptuous, but as long as they stick to the same old skim milk narrative, they will seldom grow beyond it. I tend to push the envelope when questions are asked in class, but I try not to go too deep. I sense their discomfort in truths they innately know, but are still not ready to accept and to live. I have honestly been bored out of my mind for years, but I love my neighbors. So for the last five years in my ward since I moved there, I have pushed the envelope in perceptible degrees. But they know a lot more today than five years ago through examples, which I have shown by living what I preach. This is not to say that without me, none of them would be where they are now.

[PickleRick]

I believe I have reached my boredom breaking point at church. I know people will say "you get out what you put into it," but I am tired of the same pablum lesson for the umpteenth time. General Conference talks are just repeats and old quotes and are usually pretty lame. I am repeatedly told to pay my tithing but my chapel is falling apart and the roof is leaking today. So I asked myself "what am I getting out of the church that is worth my time and effort?" The only answer is "not much." I am separating the gospel and the church. I can sit at home and do my own studying and be much more content than sitting in an elders quorum where they spend the first 25 minutes yapping about some ghetto thug who can throw a ball in a hoop. I have put 40 plus years into the church and today I believe I am done.

I can relate, although I still attend because I want to:

1. Partake of the Sacrament, which for me is paramount.
2. Fellowship with my ward family.
3. Strengthen them; they still have a lot to learn and experience.

The last one sounds pretty presumptuous, but as long as they stick to the same old skim milk narrative, they will seldom grow beyond it. I tend to push the envelope when questions are asked in class, but I try not to go too deep. I sense their discomfort in truths they innately know, but are still not ready to accept and to live. I have honestly been bored out of my mind for years, but I love my neighbors. So for the last five years in my ward since I moved there, I have pushed the envelope in perceptible degrees. But they know a lot more today than five years ago through examples, which I have shown by living what I preach. This is not to say that without me, none of them would be where they are now.

Sounds like me, except I pushed the envelope way too far, caused too much discomfort. I can be blunt, and often am.

[BeNotDeceived]

Today was one of the best experiences I have had in Elders quorum. We went over Elder Oaks talk about the spirit world. Talked of hell and outer darkness being different. Talked about purifying our sins so we can prepare ourselves to meet Christ Christ in this life.

Is this from April of last year? That was one amazing talk.

Just go to your bishop Arphys, ask to be the next speaker, and show people how it's done.

One of the problems in our culture, not just the church, is no one feels safe speaking about anything unless it is very bland.

It's awful. Somehow we need to make conversation great again.

October! Great talk.

Don’t forget to bring your own chalk.

100 billon and how many pieces of caulk go missing. Is somebody eating it

[BeNotDeceived]

Sports talk mostly sucks, with few exceptions.

Packers, being prime amongst them. There’s one true church, and there’s one true team, worthy of worship.

Ownership is one reason. On a recent northbound flight, I had the pleasure of chatting with one of the many owners. Most sports franchises are owned typically by one rich car dealer, whose business practices border on criminal.

[The East Wind]

Sports talk mostly sucks, with few exceptions.

Packers, being prime amongst them. There’s one true church, and there’s one true team, worthy of worship.

Ownership is one reason. On a recent northbound flight, I had the pleasure of chatting with one of the many owners. Most sports franchises are owned typically by one rich car dealer, whose business practices border on criminal.

It’s a shame that so many dairy companies are filing for bankruptcy Im sure the Packers will be soon.

[Elva1045]

I'd like to share an experience of mine.

There was a period of time when I used to get bored a lot. I ended up critiquing the speakers, the teachers, the leaders and members. I was very judgy. I really thought that I knew better than almost everyone there. I say almost because there were a few people who were wonderful, knowledgeable and I respected them. Everyone else, I didn't.

I was also caught up in some sins that were not helping me to progress, which is why I wasn't focused. I was caught up with worldly things and honestly, I didn't really understand the importance of being there. Although I had studied the doctrine quite a bit, not living it caused me problems. I certainly didn't feel the Spirit there or anywhere, but it wasn't because of anyone else's actions, it was because of my own.

When I had some severe trials caused by my own actions, I had no one to turn to, so I finally turned to Heavenly Father. Through fervent prayer, He helped me to see the error of my ways. He guided me to seek out the Atonement of Christ so that I could begin my own process of repentance. In doing so, I began to have a change of heart.

My heart softened. I learned the importance of partaking of the Sacrament worthily. Once I repented, I now had the Spirit with me and I began to see things so differently. I became a changed person!

I began to truly live the covenants I had entered into and to actually understand them. I know now I hadn't really understood them before. Just because I had studied a lot didn't mean I understood the doctrine. The Holy Ghost needed to accompany me to reveal and testify to me, with me listening and being receptive.

With a more humble heart, I stopped being bored. I began to participate in the classroom discussions, as prompted by the Holy Ghost. I began to prepare myself for the Sabbath and for partaking of the Sacrament and to renew my covenants with the Lord. I studied, with the Spirit, the lessons and started growing and progressing spiritually.

It was wonderful to not be stagnant anymore!

I began to understand what being a disciple of Jesus Christ means. The Lord revealed to me the importance of ministering like Jesus did. I began to reach out to others, to mourn with those who mourned, to feed the hungry, help the sick and afflicted, to visit those in jail and prison and to just help others in need.

Boy, did my life change and it gave me a different perspective on everything!

So now, I see things through "new" eyes. I also feel things so differently now. I'm not quick to take offense anymore and I am way less judgy. I actually feel love and compassion for others. I am quick to forgive and I no longer desire to hurt others' feelings.

I am nothing like I was before and I thank Heavenly Father and my Savior for Their love and mercy towards me. I'm certainly no where near where I'd like to be, but I'm grateful for being better than I was.

And I was bad. I was caught up with evil.

You see, I'm an ex gang leader from California, who was heavily involved in that lifestyle. I was vicious and cunning. I had always been gifted, with a high IQ, but I used it for evil. I was dumb though, to use drugs and I killed more than a few brain cells from it. That's a consequence of my actions. Thankfully the Lord didn't take away all my brain cells, like some people I used to know.

I'm grateful I didn't rot in prison and that I wasn't killed for being who I was. I'm also grateful I didn't take another's life, even though I wanted to many times. I hurt people and delighted in it. I won't go into all the gory details. Hopefully, this suffices to give you a better idea of how I initially was.

So, when I first repented of those things, I started going to Church and started studying and living the gospel and it felt wonderful. But then, I got comfortable and time passed. Before I knew it, I got bored and well, I became the person that I described at the beginning of this post. I was degenerating. But, as I shared, I turned to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for help.

Instead of being a criminal, I am now a warrior in these latter days. I now fight against evil. I fight the adversary and his followers and I do not give up. My faith in Jesus Christ is great. My testimony is powerful.

I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

He certainly provided the way for me and I am eternally grateful.

Elva1045

[farmerchick]

Elva 1045
I feel the force of your words like fire...…...wow......you can't know the sweet until you've tasted the bitter...…..peace to you!

[Elva1045]

Thanks farmerchick. I have tasted the bitter and it's awful. But the sweetness of the the gospel of Jesus Christ is truly amazing!

I feel it with every fiber of my being.

I have a lot to share and I'm hopeful that some of you are open to my own conversion process. I've had so many crazy experiences. I've seen the devil, too many times and have had vicious battles with him and his evil followers. I understand what it means to see the jaws of hell, gaping and ready to swallow me whole.

I've also had incredible spiritual experiences. I have experienced healing through Jesus Christ so many times. It's real and true.. I really do stand all amazed at the love Jesus has for me and you and all mankind.

Oh it is so wonderful! And that is why partaking of the Sacrament is sacred, beautiful and amazing because I can renew sacred covenants weekly. My covenants are everything to me!

I'm grateful that I am a new person because of Jesus Christ.Change is possible, no matter how hard it is and no matter all the hard work that needs to be done. It's worth it.

Elva1045

[Chip]

Today was one of the best experiences I have had in Elders quorum. We went over Elder Oaks talk about the spirit world. Talked of hell and outer darkness being different. Talked about purifying our sins so we can prepare ourselves to meet Christ Christ in this life.

Is this from April of last year? That was one amazing talk.

Just go to your bishop Arphys, ask to be the next speaker, and show people how it's done.

One of the problems in our culture, not just the church, is no one feels safe speaking about anything unless it is very bland.

It's like, everyone's originality has been taken out and replaced with a common core!

It's awful. Somehow we need to make conversation great again.

That's right. There's nary an individual around, anymore. God made us all unique, but we carefully supress ourselves in order to be a blameless component to a bland system. It's like the heat death of the universe, for society.

I've got to lead a discussion soon on favorite verses from The Book of Mormon, but everything that is interesting to me is likely to be too challenging and controversial for the audience. I don't think Heavenly Father wants a bunch of people triggered in his house. I don't know, maybe there's some other house where this is allowed, in the interest of Truth. This is always my conundrum with these kinds of assignments.

[Juliet]

Today was one of the best experiences I have had in Elders quorum. We went over Elder Oaks talk about the spirit world. Talked of hell and outer darkness being different. Talked about purifying our sins so we can prepare ourselves to meet Christ Christ in this life.

Is this from April of last year? That was one amazing talk.

Just go to your bishop Arphys, ask to be the next speaker, and show people how it's done.

One of the problems in our culture, not just the church, is no one feels safe speaking about anything unless it is very bland.

It's like, everyone's originality has been taken out and replaced with a common core!

It's awful. Somehow we need to make conversation great again.

That's right. There's nary an individual around, anymore. God made us all unique, but we carefully supress ourselves in order to be a blameless component to a bland system. It's like the heat death of the universe, for society.

I've got to lead a discussion soon on favorite verses from The Book of Mormon, but everything that is interesting to me is likely to be too challenging and controversial for the audience. I don't think Heavenly Father wants a bunch of people triggered in his house. I don't know, maybe there's some other house where this is allowed, in the interest of Truth. This is always my conundrum with these kinds of assignments.

As the facilitator of the discussion, maybe you can't bring up the deep topics, but you can't stop others from doing so! You have lots of power there, because usually it's the facilitator that shuts people down.

I have been relief society teacher in almost every ward I have been in and have really enjoyed getting to that point where the people in the room are teaching the lesson. It sometimes happens where they are saying the very things written in the lesson, without any prompting from my part. That is when I could say, had this been a double blind study, there would be proof that the Holy Spirit exists and is speaking through people. Because we all know they didn't read the lesson before hand!

The key is to remember they don't remember what you say, they remember what they say. I have also noted this when stake conference comes around and the visiting elder usually has other people get up and bear their testimony. I have found myself thinking, here we have been waiting so long to hear this person, and he is having the members get up and speak! But maybe it is because he knows it isn't about him. It's about letting other people feel the holy spirit. And when you are speaking in front of people, the holy spirit is easier to identify, as he has a will too, and letting people feel that experience is powerful in waking them up.

[Phantom]

I don't understand this at all. If you're really separating "the Church from the Gospel" then attendance wouldn't be an issue at all. You're not going to be entertained, are you? Do you really know anything about true worship? What about your covenants?

[LDS Physician]

I'm curious about those who don't attend but who say they have a testimony of the restoration, the priesthood, etc. How do you renew your covenants as commanded by way of the sacrament? Temple ordinances?

[JohnnyL]

It can be hard, even when you really try. Pray, pray, pray; pour out your soul to God in private, praying out loud. If you keep going, there's always hope. If you stop, hope fades.

[pho·to·syn·the·sis]

Ask the Elders Quorum president, "who could I visit? who needs help?" By this, you will bed edified, and so will the EQ president.

[winterquarters]

None of us is too good for church.

[Zathura]

I'm curious about those who don't attend but who say they have a testimony of the restoration, the priesthood, etc. How do you renew your covenants as commanded by way of the sacrament? Temple ordinances?

Where do the scriptures say that partaking of the sacrament “renews your covenants”? Where is it “commanded to renew your covenants”?

[DesertWonderer2]

I believe I have reached my boredom breaking point at church. I know people will say "you get out what you put into it," but I am tired of the same pablum lesson for the umpteenth time. General Conference talks are just repeats and old quotes and are usually pretty lame. I am repeatedly told to pay my tithing but my chapel is falling apart and the roof is leaking today. So I asked myself "what am I getting out of the church that is worth my time and effort?" The only answer is "not much." I am separating the gospel and the church. I can sit at home and do my own studying and be much more content than sitting in an elders quorum where they spend the first 25 minutes yapping about some ghetto thug who can throw a ball in a hoop. I have put 40 plus years into the church and today I believe I am done.

Food for thought:

You referred to yourself 18 times in that post...18 times.

Could that possibly say something about your own level of maturity or development???

[SempiternalHarbinger]

I'm curious about those who don't attend but who say they have a testimony of the restoration, the priesthood, etc. How do you renew your covenants as commanded by way of the sacrament? Temple ordinances?

Where do the scriptures say that partaking of the sacrament “renews your covenants”? Where is it “commanded to renew your covenants”?

The scriptures don't say anything of the sort but the brethren have taught this over the years and it has now found its way into the correlation department. I had a nephew and niece baptized two months ago and in both settings, this was mentioned a number of times including a bishop. You know the saying, the living over the dead. I wish I knew who and when it started because it cannot be supported by scriptures.

[TIFI]

Brother, Don't give up!

[Zathura]

I'm curious about those who don't attend but who say they have a testimony of the restoration, the priesthood, etc. How do you renew your covenants as commanded by way of the sacrament? Temple ordinances?

Where do the scriptures say that partaking of the sacrament “renews your covenants”? Where is it “commanded to renew your covenants”?

The scriptures don't say anything of the sort but the brethren have taught this over the years and it has now found its way into the correlation department. I had a nephew and niece baptized two months ago and in both settings, this was mentioned a number of times including a bishop. You know the saying, the living over the dead. I wish I knew who and when it started because it cannot be supported by scriptures.

Which is exactly why LDS Physician won’t respond to me. I’m just an anti-Mormon kicking at the pricks for asking him a question he can’t answer.

[SPIRIT]

so am I "done with church". going to church won't save anyone.
Jesus Christ is THE ONLY ONE who can save you.
Knowing Him personally, and having His spirit live in you; and you don't need to go to church to have that.
So many members that go to church, listen to church leaders,
keep the commandments, and yet they are still lost and don't know it. WHY ?
Because they still don't know Jesus Christ. They are deceived thinking that in going to church they are doing all they need to do.
Once a week churchianity IS NOT spirituality. You need to seek out the Lord and know Him.
Unless you know and can hear that still small voice - having His spirit with you,
to teach and guide every step you take, and protect you, you will not survive what's coming - WHAT'S HERE !

[The Airbender]

I don't understand this at all. If you're really separating "the Church from the Gospel" then attendance wouldn't be an issue at all. You're not going to be entertained, are you? Do you really know anything about true worship? What about your covenants?

Which covenants, specifically?

[SPIRIT]

I'm curious about those who don't attend but who say they have a testimony of the restoration, the priesthood, etc. How do you renew your covenants as commanded by way of the sacrament? Temple ordinances?

I'm curious,
do you really think that the thousands of faithful Christians out there; just ordinary people like you and me,
that don't attend church, and that really love the Lord,; yes, they really do, and serve Him, are completely lost just because they don't attend a church, and are not Mormons ?
so I guess then that everyone that believes in Jesus Christ, but that's not Mormon, is completely lost ?
And to know Jesus Christ, I have to become a Mormon first.
I don't think so.
which is better -
to be a member of the church, but not know Jesus Christ.
or know Jesus Christ, not being a member of the church.