Stir the water!

[Teancum1]

I just have to say how grateful I am to have found this group. I’ve been struggling to find others who see many things as I have seen them. We are in difficult times and they will continue to deteriorate but I encourage all of you and myself to keep standing for truth no matter the cost.
Jesus is my example and this short clip gives me courage and hope and faith in him.

https://youtu.be/V1Nq9wcb6-Q?si=2QaettzN077vKOqz

[Telavian]

Thank you. I would love to find a local community, however because of the remote place I live then that is not currently possible.
This group however has been a great thing for me also.

We do need to keep strong and continue in faith and courage. God is there and will help us as we seek him.

[Dusty Wanderer]

I understand the feeling, Teancum. I'm here in the center of Utah County and it seems like I'm on an island sometimes, with regards to Church stuff. But you can rest assured that I will not turn from the truth. I refuse to go back asleep, no matter how disconcerting being awake can be at times.

[honestseeker12]

I also understand how you feel. I feel isolated and alone, so this group has been a tremendous blessing!

[NowWhat]

You don't have to go through this alone. I gained strength from LDSFF and others.

[Peeps]

I just have to say how grateful I am to have found this group. I’ve been struggling to find others who see many things as I have seen them. We are in difficult times and they will continue to deteriorate but I encourage all of you and myself to keep standing for truth no matter the cost.
Jesus is my example and this short clip gives me courage and hope and faith in him.

https://youtu.be/V1Nq9wcb6-Q?si=2QaettzN077vKOqz

The clip imbedded/embedded:

And I just learned the meaning of embed vs. imbed making this post: "Imbed is simply an alternate spelling of embed. It has all of the same meanings and can be used in the same way as embed, but it’s much less commonly used."

Great clip, I love "The Chosen!"

[Nevervaxxed]

Amen and amen to all of you! This place keeps me sane... most of the time!

[honestseeker12]

If you are far from others, particularly others who see what you see, there are Zoom meetings every Sunday. You don't have to go through this alone.

What Zoom meetings are you referring to?

[BigFootCain]

I understand the feeling, Teancum. I'm here in the center of Utah County and it seems like I'm on an island sometimes, with regards to Church stuff. But you can rest assured that I will not turn from the truth. I refuse to go back asleep, no matter how disconcerting being awake can be at times.

Well said. I don't think it's possible to unsee all that has come to light over the past few years. Life was definitely a lot more comfortable not being awake to it all, but now that I have seen it, I can't unsee it.

[Reluctant Watchman]

I understand the feeling, Teancum. I'm here in the center of Utah County and it seems like I'm on an island sometimes, with regards to Church stuff. But you can rest assured that I will not turn from the truth. I refuse to go back asleep, no matter how disconcerting being awake can be at times.

Well said. I don't think it's possible to unsee all that has come to light over the past few years. Life was definitely a lot more comfortable not being awake to it all, but now that I have seen it, I can't unsee it.

I see these questions often after an awakening:

1) Are you happier?
2) Would you ever go back?

[Teancum1]

I understand the feeling, Teancum. I'm here in the center of Utah County and it seems like I'm on an island sometimes, with regards to Church stuff. But you can rest assured that I will not turn from the truth. I refuse to go back asleep, no matter how disconcerting being awake can be at times.

Well said. I don't think it's possible to unsee all that has come to light over the past few years. Life was definitely a lot more comfortable not being awake to it all, but now that I have seen it, I can't unsee it.

I see these questions often after an awakening:

1) Are you happier?
2) Would you ever go back?

1. I am happier.
2. The only church I want to belong to is the Church of the Firstborn or the Church of the Lamb. So no- I’m not going back!

[BigFootCain]

I understand the feeling, Teancum. I'm here in the center of Utah County and it seems like I'm on an island sometimes, with regards to Church stuff. But you can rest assured that I will not turn from the truth. I refuse to go back asleep, no matter how disconcerting being awake can be at times.

Well said. I don't think it's possible to unsee all that has come to light over the past few years. Life was definitely a lot more comfortable not being awake to it all, but now that I have seen it, I can't unsee it.

I see these questions often after an awakening:

1) Are you happier?
2) Would you ever go back?

I'm not happier, but I wasn't happy before either. Lots I could explain about that but that's for another time. I'm definitely in the pissed off phase at the moment though. Not trying to brag about callings at all because they are all just callings, but I have recently served in Stake and Area positions, then moved to another state where I had been serving in my ward bishopric up until just over a year ago. And after lots of local abuse of me and my family, on top of what was coming out of Church administration, I finally had enough and asked to be released. My mental health and sanity couldn't take it any more.

I haven't technically left the church as far as records go. My family and I are still trying to figure that all out. I believe in the restoration, the BoM, the Plan of Salvation/Gospel, but can't wrap my head around how the church has basically turned it's back on the truth of the Gospel and Plan of Salvation. I would go back to participating in the Church if the Church would return to teaching the truths of the Gospel and Plan instead of the watered down platitudes we are fed now. I would also need confirmation from the Spirit that the Church was still endorsed by the Lord. I want a Prophet that will be a Prophet, boldly teach repentance despite the whims and desires of the world. I want an Abinadi, who will speak truth when it's unpopular. Sadly, if we had an Abinadi or Samuel the Lamanite appear now I believe the powers that be would force him to apologize, or discipline him.

Lots more I could share about my issues and experiences. But essentially I'm just still trying to figure out what to do now that I have seen how the truths of the Gospel have been forsaken by the current Church leadership and so many members. I still believe ordinances are part of the Gospel, but how do we deal with that when they are regulated by the infrastructure of a corrupt organization that is partnering with the secret combinations we have been warned of? Lots going on in my mind that I am trying to sift through and make sense of. It's like a core part of my being has been betrayed. I realize I'm all over the place in this message, just a lot to chew on and try to figure out and my mind is constantly running through it all.

[BigFootCain]

Well said. I don't think it's possible to unsee all that has come to light over the past few years. Life was definitely a lot more comfortable not being awake to it all, but now that I have seen it, I can't unsee it.

I see these questions often after an awakening:

1) Are you happier?
2) Would you ever go back?

1. I am happier.
2. The only church I want to belong to is the Church of the Firstborn or the Church of the Lamb. So no- I’m not going back!

Well said Teancum regarding the Church of the Firstborn.

That's the goal. I'm just still trying to figure out how to make that a reality. Especially as far as the ordinances go that are supposed to help us get there.

[Reluctant Watchman]

I see these questions often after an awakening:

1) Are you happier?
2) Would you ever go back?

1. I am happier.
2. The only church I want to belong to is the Church of the Firstborn or the Church of the Lamb. So no- I’m not going back!

Well said Teancum regarding the Church of the Firstborn.

That's the goal. I'm just still trying to figure out how to make that a reality. Especially as far as the ordinances go that are supposed to help us get there.

I believe the ordinances are a means to an end. If you were to study the various laws as found in scripture, I think you’ll find that anyone is fully capable of committing themselves to God.

[Reluctant Watchman]

Well said. I don't think it's possible to unsee all that has come to light over the past few years. Life was definitely a lot more comfortable not being awake to it all, but now that I have seen it, I can't unsee it.

I see these questions often after an awakening:

1) Are you happier?
2) Would you ever go back?

I'm not happier, but I wasn't happy before either. Lots I could explain about that but that's for another time. I'm definitely in the pissed off phase at the moment though. Not trying to brag about callings at all because they are all just callings, but I have recently served in Stake and Area positions, then moved to another state where I had been serving in my ward bishopric up until just over a year ago. And after lots of local abuse of me and my family, on top of what was coming out of Church administration, I finally had enough and asked to be released. My mental health and sanity couldn't take it any more.

I haven't technically left the church as far as records go. My family and I are still trying to figure that all out. I believe in the restoration, the BoM, the Plan of Salvation/Gospel, but can't wrap my head around how the church has basically turned it's back on the truth of the Gospel and Plan of Salvation. I would go back to participating in the Church if the Church would return to teaching the truths of the Gospel and Plan instead of the watered down platitudes we are fed now. I would also need confirmation from the Spirit that the Church was still endorsed by the Lord. I want a Prophet that will be a Prophet, boldly teach repentance despite the whims and desires of the world. I want an Abinadi, who will speak truth when it's unpopular. Sadly, if we had an Abinadi or Samuel the Lamanite appear now I believe the powers that be would force him to apologize, or discipline him.

Lots more I could share about my issues and experiences. But essentially I'm just still trying to figure out what to do now that I have seen how the truths of the Gospel have been forsaken by the current Church leadership and so many members. I still believe ordinances are part of the Gospel, but how do we deal with that when they are regulated by the infrastructure of a corrupt organization that is partnering with the secret combinations we have been warned of? Lots going on in my mind that I am trying to sift through and make sense of. It's like a core part of my being has been betrayed. I realize I'm all over the place in this message, just a lot to chew on and try to figure out and my mind is constantly running through it all.

Thanks for sharing.

For me, the happiness has come because I was able to see the contrast between what the church is/was doing and what Christ taught. Knowing more sound or sure doctrine and principles has brought immense joy to my life, hence why I’d never want to go back into the small box I was told to stay in.

[ransomme]

The trigger for me was studying Isaiah.

No wonder the Lord recommends studying Isaiah, and Church Inc all but ignores Isaiah.

[Being There]

The trigger for me was studying Isaiah.

No wonder the Lord recommends studying Isaiah, and Church Inc all but ignores Isaiah.

I completely agree !
Thank you.

"No wonder the Lord COMMANDS studying Isaiah."

3 Nephi 23:1- 4
1 "And now, behold, I say unto you,
that ye ought to search these things.
Yea, a commandment I give unto
you that ye search these things diligently;
for great are the words of Isaiah."

[Dusty Wanderer]

The trigger for me was studying Isaiah.

No wonder the Lord recommends studying Isaiah, and Church Inc all but ignores Isaiah.

Agreed. For me, it started with what was in the Book of Mormon -- both the Isaiah citations themselves in it, and then especially Nephi's prophecies at the end of 2Nephi, which I believe were inspired by Isaiah.

[Pathway2DaCross]

Many of us here on the forum I believe truly Love the GOSPEL of CHRIST. We don't need to wait for him. He's in all of of us. We are building The Church Of The Firstborn. We are the Abinadi. We are the Samuel the Laminate. We are the Isaiah. We are the Watchman on the tower. We come to the forum to warn and share truth and light. We may have some slight disagreeing points at times but we all Love the gospel. I noticed we all have one thing in common. And that is our eyes, heart, mind, and soul have open. The organization that is headquartered in SL can no longer fulfill our spiritual needs. We seek after further truth and light.
I have served in church well over sixty years. From Bishoprics, EQ, YM, Scouting, SS, Temple and built churches and Temple. I've had wonderful mentors most of which are gone now who taught me by example what is truly being Christlike. I've stopped attending my local ward now going over three years since the pandemic (plandemic) started. Most of the local membership with the exception of a few have ostracized me and my wife. They have gone as far as claiming we have apostatized and formed our own church at home. I don't know why. We still pray daily. We still study the gospel daily. We still do our ministry and visit our families. Just last week I assisted in blessing the sick. One of the members was shocked like he saw a ghost. I Never Left the Church. But I feel the church organization have left God. Or is it my eyes have opened more. Hopefully we here on the forum can share our comradery one with another.

[TwochurchesOnly]

I just have to say how grateful I am to have found this group. I’ve been struggling to find others who see many things as I have seen them. We are in difficult times and they will continue to deteriorate but I encourage all of you and myself to keep standing for truth no matter the cost.
Jesus is my example and this short clip gives me courage and hope and faith in him.

https://youtu.be/V1Nq9wcb6-Q?si=2QaettzN077vKOqz

thank you!
this clip led me to one from first season -- Christ and the woman at the well
TRUTH so simple, so profound -- wonderful
I have been very blessed here on this forum - fellowship

[Peeps]

I see these questions often after an awakening:

1) Are you happier?
2) Would you ever go back?

1. I am happier.
2. The only church I want to belong to is the Church of the Firstborn or the Church of the Lamb. So no- I’m not going back!

Well said Teancum regarding the Church of the Firstborn.

That's the goal. I'm just still trying to figure out how to make that a reality. Especially as far as the ordinances go that are supposed to help us get there.

I think Romans 10 has the answer you are seeking. Verse 3 is the trap the members of the LDS church often find themselves. There are no "ordinances" per se.

1 "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

Pursuing "exaltation" to become a "god" is an evil thing imo, it is what Lucifer was trying to do in Isaiah chapter 14.

[Teancum1]

Many of us here on the forum I believe truly Love the GOSPEL of CHRIST. We don't need to wait for him. He's in all of of us. We are building The Church Of The Firstborn. We are the Abinadi. We are the Samuel the Laminate. We are the Isaiah. We are the Watchman on the tower. We come to the forum to warn and share truth and light. We may have some slight disagreeing points at times but we all Love the gospel. I noticed we all have one thing in common. And that is our eyes, heart, mind, and soul have open. The organization that is headquartered in SL can no longer fulfill our spiritual needs. We seek after further truth and light.
I have served in church well over sixty years. From Bishoprics, EQ, YM, Scouting, SS, Temple and built churches and Temple. I've had wonderful mentors most of which are gone now who taught me by example what is truly being Christlike. I've stopped attending my local ward now going over three years since the pandemic (plandemic) started. Most of the local membership with the exception of a few have ostracized me and my wife. They have gone as far as claiming we have apostatized and formed our own church at home. I don't know why. We still pray daily. We still study the gospel daily. We still do our ministry and visit our families. Just last week I assisted in blessing the sick. One of the members was shocked like he saw a ghost. I Never Left the Church. But I feel the church organization have left God. Or is it my eyes have opened more. Hopefully we here on the forum can share our comradery one with another.

These few lines are a wonderful summation of where I feel we are now.
“ Many of us here on the forum I believe truly Love the GOSPEL of CHRIST. We don't need to wait for him. He's in all of of us. We are building The Church Of The Firstborn. We are the Abinadi. We are the Samuel the Laminate. We are the Isaiah. We are the Watchman on the tower.”!!!!

I so concur with these words. I too have served in every capacity in the church. 3 bishoprics and one of those as a bishop. , high council, EQP, young men pres, etc. As I read everyone’s responses and comments I can see the earnestness and sincerity, the sadness and anger, the brilliance and insight, the study and prayer, and the desire of so many here to follow the Living God, Jesus Christ! It has given me hope that Jesus is moving us, stirring us up to stand with conviction against the combination of evil that we have seen.

My one desire is to have Jesus dwell in me and to be a light for truth seekers. I do not want any recognition or to build a following or a church. What I want is for people to rely wholly on Jesus Christ for salvation- as He is the way and is Mighty to save. I am reading His words in the New Testament like never before. And I believe that by knowing His words we will not be deceived.

I pray sincerely that the Lords blessings rest upon each of you and that He comes to you and dwells in you.

[honestseeker12]

Before I awoke, I was blissfully ignorant of our awful situation, and I assumed that all I had to do was to stay in Good Ship Zion and somehow we would sail into the millenium and Zion. I did not know that I had not automatically received the Holy Ghost and the baptism of fire when I was baptized in water at age 8. I did not know that I had not truly been born again. It is sad that we don't address this in Church. Everyone thinks that they have the Holy Ghost and baptism of fire, and so it is so normal NOT to be baptized with fire that we simply don't know what we don't have. Because we don't know that we don't have it, and we think that we do (collectively speaking), we don't even realize how awful our situation is because notwithstanding having the gospel restored, etc. we still have to be born again of fire and until we are, we are not "saved."

I would not want to go back to when I was asleep because now I am working toward that goal of baptism of fire. The scriptures have taken on new meaning to me now. In fact, I liken the scriptures to myself and realize that whatever blessings people in the scriptures received are equally available to me including having personal visitations or manifestations of Christ Himself (not saying that has happened yet, but I have faith that it will at some point in my progression). In fact, unless they have changed this in the endowment, we were all asked to "arise" and receive things up to and including conversing with the Lord through the veil and then entering His presence. Most people think of this happening after we die, but I think this refers to more like the Brother of Jared and having faith to part the veil during this life. Anyway, I never thought any of these things could be possible for a little peon like me who is nobody of any importance until I came out of my deep sleep. Now I see that with faith truly all things all possible, even for someone such as myself.

[Peeps]

Many of us here on the forum I believe truly Love the GOSPEL of CHRIST. We don't need to wait for him. He's in all of of us. We are building The Church Of The Firstborn. We are the Abinadi. We are the Samuel the Laminate. We are the Isaiah. We are the Watchman on the tower. We come to the forum to warn and share truth and light. We may have some slight disagreeing points at times but we all Love the gospel. I noticed we all have one thing in common. And that is our eyes, heart, mind, and soul have open. The organization that is headquartered in SL can no longer fulfill our spiritual needs. We seek after further truth and light.
I have served in church well over sixty years. From Bishoprics, EQ, YM, Scouting, SS, Temple and built churches and Temple. I've had wonderful mentors most of which are gone now who taught me by example what is truly being Christlike. I've stopped attending my local ward now going over three years since the pandemic (plandemic) started. Most of the local membership with the exception of a few have ostracized me and my wife. They have gone as far as claiming we have apostatized and formed our own church at home. I don't know why. We still pray daily. We still study the gospel daily. We still do our ministry and visit our families. Just last week I assisted in blessing the sick. One of the members was shocked like he saw a ghost. I Never Left the Church. But I feel the church organization have left God. Or is it my eyes have opened more. Hopefully we here on the forum can share our comradery one with another.

These few lines are a wonderful summation of where I feel we are now.
“ Many of us here on the forum I believe truly Love the GOSPEL of CHRIST. We don't need to wait for him. He's in all of of us. We are building The Church Of The Firstborn. We are the Abinadi. We are the Samuel the Laminate. We are the Isaiah. We are the Watchman on the tower.”!!!!

I so concur with these words. I too have served in every capacity in the church. 3 bishoprics and one of those as a bishop. , high council, EQP, young men pres, etc. As I read everyone’s responses and comments I can see the earnestness and sincerity, the sadness and anger, the brilliance and insight, the study and prayer, and the desire of so many here to follow the Living God, Jesus Christ! It has given me hope that Jesus is moving us, stirring us up to stand with conviction against the combination of evil that we have seen.

My one desire is to have Jesus dwell in me and to be a light for truth seekers. I do not want any recognition or to build a following or a church. What I want is for people to rely wholly on Jesus Christ for salvation- as He is the way and is Mighty to save. I am reading His words in the New Testament like never before. And I believe that by knowing His words we will not be deceived.

I pray sincerely that the Lords blessings rest upon each of you and that He comes to you and dwells in you.

"Unveiling Grace" is really happening...