Need to beg to differ...
Ok. I am opening this up for discussion. Not pointing fingers or anything - but do not mind reading anyones input. To start - the other day a dear friend asked if I was inactive in the LDS church. The excuse for asking was that "She felt that something was missing."
Well, I am bringing it all up for public discussion.
To answer: I guess you can say that I am inactive in the church.
What do I believe in then? - I still believe in God and Jesus and much of the gospel. You do not have to be active to believe in that.
My question is - What is missing?
The reason for my asking this is because I don't feel like anything is missing.
~I love God and my Savior with all my heart!
~I love the morals and principals I have learned and implemented in our home.
~I love my children and husband with all my heart.
~I feel that God knows my heart and that of my husband.
~I know that Families CAN be Eternal - but I believe that is not done by a ceremony, but is earned. That is left to God. I cannot fathom that Nathan and I will not be together forever... nor my children and their families, if we all earn and strive for that goal. (Nor do I feel that other families would be denied it if they are not a part of the LDS church.)
~I love my family to the degree that I teach them good and bad, right and wrong... and things that are healthy for them.
~I believe in service and giving of myself to help others! And exemplifying it to my children.
~I believe in Forgiveness.
~I believe in Life after Death.
~I believe in Good and Bad spirits.
~I believe that God speaks to people. In and out of the church.
~I believe in blessings!!! (I just don't believe that that is a privilege to the church and its members.)
~I do believe that the LDS church is a Christian based church - and as in all churches, it has some who live it 100% and some who act very unChrist like as well.
~I know that the people are not the church or its gospel. But they do make living in the church a + or - experience for sure.
~I don't believe that the world was created in 6000 years. I believe the world was around for millions or billions of years.
~I don't believe that Joseph Smith involving polygamy and polyandry was a calling from God.
~Now understand... that does not mean I don't believe Joseph Smith was not inspired to start the church, because I do believe he was. I just think he gave way to some humanly desires that I strongly disbelieve in.
~I have no bitter feelings toward the church! That is for sure. I love the church! It helped to save my life and gave me so much to grow and learn from. I still attend when I can or need too because I still have much to learn!
I just felt some may want to know what I believe and don't believe.
As for my family - My youngest 2 children were given a name and blessings by their dad at home. It was a very spiritual and special experience for our entire family.
When we need a blessing of healing we still call on Nathan to do so for myself and our children. If I need to I can ask my Bishop and have.
How do we celebrate holidays such as Easter and such? (someone asked me this as well.) Well, we spend the time together as a family. Often Nathan will read the story and explain the reason we celebrate certain holidays - to our children. Family time is the most important time in our home! You don't have to be LDS to appreciate holidays and why they are celebrated.
My husband - if anyone has questions about his testimony and his belief, they are welcome to ask him.
Our children - We teach them to be good people and hope that they will make the best choices for themselves in their lives. We will be supportive of their decisions and not judge them.
I am not opposed to any questions or thoughts. I appreciate it when people are honest and feel comfortable enough to ask me what is on their mind rather than assuming or going off of rumors. So now the door is opened to any and all who want to ask me. Ask away! ;)
8 comments:
So, I'm staying out of the religion discussion.. but to answer your question, I got my background from PYZAM. It has TONS!!!I love your pic's though. They are always beautiful!
Cindy,
The Lord loves you and is aware of you and your family. This life is a continuation of the battle in heaven between right and wrong. There are good people and bad people in and out of the church. No one can judge anyone.
We love you.
Sharon and family
just checking the email box
I agree 100% that there are good people in and out of the church. :) The quest for me is to find out if the church is true. I know much of it is - but is it the 1 and only true church. I cannot say that.
;) Thank you. I have just had a lot of questions from many people... and just wanted to let it be known that if anyone has questions for me I am open to answering them.
I am so amazed and humbled at your willingness to search for truth! God says, "Prove all things, hold fast that which is good" (1 Thess. 5:21). He wants us to search for truth! If we believe all that we are told because it "feels" right, we can easily be misled. No matter where your journey of seeking for truth takes you, know that our loving Saviour is with you each
step of the way! Don't make the mistake of feeling as though you are sinning because you are looking at material that is not from the church. There is a lot out there that is historical and factual that comes from the church though not easy to find. One suggestion, always be in prayer during this time, it is amazing what prayer can do. I will also have those at Calvary Chapel be praying for you! God loves you and will show you the way :) Be patient and know that it takes a lot of time to understand some of the things you may learn. Know that Christ died for ALL of your sins, not just some! No ritual, good deed, ceremony, that we do is going to save us, only Christ can do that! We do good deeds because of our love of our Savior and wanting to bring Him
glory!
"Paul commended the Bereans for objectively investigating the things he taught them: "Now these were more noble-minded...for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11).
Love you!!
I have to agree with Sharon and Amberlee. Heavenly Father is aware of our needs and He will send us answers when we seek them. I know there are a lot of questions that I don't know the answers to and that I may never know the answers to until the day that I die. I guess what I am trying to do now, is show my obedience to the things we have been told to do.
I too believe with all my heart that there are many great people who do not belong to our church who are inspired and who will receive many of the blessings that I receive.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and feelings. There is definitely no judgments coming from me.
I think sometimes too, we need to do what we have to do to keep our families united. For me, my husband falling away and having nothing to do with the church was VERY hard. It still can be. But at least now, he is not threatening to remove our records from the church. I go to relief society and have visiting teachers.
You are right, that we will get our answers and our truths. The thing I feel is important is to be the best we can be and remain a family with as little contention as possible. ;) Of coarse we have our tiffs here and there, but we respect each others desire to find our own personal testimonies...
Hey Cindy! I am jujst browsing your blog from preg.org and it's obviously been a while since we've chatted online. (Sassy112704 from Utah - preg.org if you forgot). Anyway, I had no idea that anything had happened (your hubby etc.). The Lord knows your heart! Your family is beautiful!
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