Popular Post DonBradley Posted July 12, 2012 Popular Post Posted July 12, 2012 Dear Friends,The day that is just ending for me is the two-year anniversary of my rebaptism into the Church.After two years I continue to be amazed at how my life has unfolded and at how warmly I have been embraced by both the Church institutionally and by my fellow Saints.When I posted about my return here two years ago, the outpouring of something like 150-200 "welcome back" messages left me just overwhelmed.I had long thought that I could never come back--never reembrace my faith and return to the Church. Then, even when I realized my mistake in abandoning my faith and leaving the Church, I was afraid I might have barred the door behind me. I had written some harsh things in my resignation letter, and had littered the Internet with evidence of my disaffection. This fear was, of course, unreasonable. As the bishop who helped me back said to me in our first meeting, "If the Church couldn't forgive, it wouldn't be Christ's church." My final fear, though, was that I was not be truly accepted--that it would also be to some people in the Church as if I was tarnished, or as if I had emblazoned on my chest a scarlet letter "A" for "apostate."What has amazed me is not merely that these fears never materialized, but things have gone better than I could possibly have hoped. When I returned to the Church, I had no doubt that this was what God wanted of me and that the Church and the restored Gospel could lead me to Him. But there were some important issues of doctrine and faith that were question marks in my mind. As time has passed, I have continued to find myself firmer and firmer in the faith. I have a testimony of things I once "knew" I could never believe again. My testimony is purer and stronger for the refiner's fire it has passed through. And it is still growing.Last fall I received a restoration of blessings--an incredibly beautiful experience that restored my priesthood and temple blessings. In it, I was told that the Lord would remember my sins no more. And once this restoration is done, the member's local church record shows all his or her original ordinance dates: all evidence that he or she had ever been out of the Church is simply wiped away.Not only have I been accepted again by the Church and my fellow Saints, I have been embraced--and put to work. Only five months after my rebaptism, the Church Historical Department--knowing full well about my years outside the Church--invited me to do a full-time half-year internship at the Joseph Smith Papers. Soon after that I presented at the FAIR Conference on the Kinderhook plates. And this year, I'll be presenting again, on the lost 116 pages.No one--not at the CHD, not here, not my wards, not among the Church members I meet all over--seems to hold it against me that I at one time left the Church and spent nearly five years as a sometimes critical and occasionally irreverent nonbeliever. No one.When I consider what a huge thing it is for someone to leave the Church, I find it absolutely astonishing and overwhelming to find that completely forgiven. It is as if it never happened. This has been and continues to be one of the most profoundly moving experiences of my life, and I cannot begin to express what it means to me and how grateful I am to be counted among such good, good people as the Latter-day Saints.Thank you,Don 38
Calm Posted July 12, 2012 Posted July 12, 2012 I cannot express how happy reading of your experience makes me, Don.
why me Posted July 12, 2012 Posted July 12, 2012 I welcome you back into the fold with a huge hug and congratulate you on your second anniversary. You are doing wonderful things for the church, especially for the doubters and for the members at large. I still think that the lds church should send you on the road, telling your story and re-baptism. You have much experience when you left the church and you have even a greater experience inside the church once more. More need to hear this story and experience.Keep Smiling, brother Don.
Bernard Gui Posted July 12, 2012 Posted July 12, 2012 “Dear Brother Phelps: I must say that it is with no ordinary feelings I endeavor to write a few lines to you in answer to your [letter]; at the same time I am rejoiced at the privilege granted me. … It is true, that we have suffered much in consequence of your behavior—the cup of gall, already full enough for mortals to drink, was indeed filled to overflowing when you turned against us. … However, the cup has been drunk, the will of the Father has been done, and we are yet alive, for which we thank the Lord. And having been delivered from the hands of wicked men by the mercy of our God, we say it is your privilege to be delivered from the powers of the adversary. … Believing your confession to be real, and your repentance genuine, I shall be happy to give you the right hand of fellowship, and rejoice over the returning prodigal. … ‘Come on, dear brother, since the war is past, For friends at first, are friends again at last.’“Yours as ever, Joseph Smith, Jun.” 1
Kevin Christensen Posted July 12, 2012 Posted July 12, 2012 I'm glad things have been working together for your good, and will be excited to read your work.Best,Kevin ChristensenPittsburgh, PA 1
DBMormon Posted July 12, 2012 Posted July 12, 2012 beautiful....... Keep pressing forward with steadfastness....your an example to me and many others
why me Posted July 12, 2012 Posted July 12, 2012 “Dear Brother Phelps: I must say that it is with no ordinary feelings I endeavor to write a few lines to you in answer to your [letter]; at the same time I am rejoiced at the privilege granted me. … It is true, that we have suffered much in consequence of your behavior—the cup of gall, already full enough for mortals to drink, was indeed filled to overflowing when you turned against us. … However, the cup has been drunk, the will of the Father has been done, and we are yet alive, for which we thank the Lord. And having been delivered from the hands of wicked men by the mercy of our God, we say it is your privilege to be delivered from the powers of the adversary. … Believing your confession to be real, and your repentance genuine, I shall be happy to give you the right hand of fellowship, and rejoice over the returning prodigal. … ‘Come on, dear brother, since the war is past, For friends at first, are friends again at last.’“Yours as ever, Joseph Smith, Jun.”On 5 March 1850, the day Oliver Cowdery died at the Peter Whitmer Sr. home, he was surrounded by his wife, their only daughter Maria Louise, his brother-in-law David Whitmer, Hiram Page (his nurse), others of the Whitmer family, his half-sister Lucy and her husband Phineas Young. Oliver asked to be raised so he could speak. As he had done hundreds of times before, he bore a resolute testimony of the Book of Mormon. Phineas reported that Oliver, on his deathbed, confided in him, "There was no Salvation but in the valley and through the priesthood there." 103 Thus ended the mortal life of the Second Elder of Mormonism.http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/publications/transcripts/?id=50He also was warmly accepted back into the church. But for oliver to bear his testimony in front of his wife and daughter and also with the Whitmers right before he died tells us all something.
DispensatorMysteriorum Posted July 12, 2012 Posted July 12, 2012 What a fabulous life story! I hope any who may be considering coming back may draw strength from your story
Matthew J. Tandy Posted July 12, 2012 Posted July 12, 2012 Don,I loved your story two years ago, I love it now. I would love you as a brother in or out of the church, but I rejoice at your return and the great blessings the Lord has blessed you with in these last two years. Thank you for sharing. 1
Anijen Posted July 12, 2012 Posted July 12, 2012 Very heart warming. Thank you so much for your testimony. I can relate with you literally. I look forward to your presentation and all your future contributions.
Garden Girl Posted July 12, 2012 Posted July 12, 2012 Hello Don Bradley...Thank you so much for sharing your story... I do believe it will give hope and strength to those who may be wanting to come back... as well as those who may be dealing with challenges to their faith. I will always remember how I felt when I walked into my ward chapel for the first time after being inactive for over 30 years... I was a stranger, and didn't know what to expect. It was a fast Sunday... people were going up to the podium to bear their testimonies, but when I had last attended church we would just stand up wherever we were sitting. So that's what I did... I simply stood up, and it surprised everyone. They all turned and looked at me, and I briefly told them my story and bore my testimony (which I had never completely lost). I, too, experienced the love of my fellow saints as they embraced me and welcomed me into the ward... that was 17 years ago. I'm widowed now, and "alone," but never feel lonely because of the love and caring by my ward family.from the beach on a misty morning... the morning sun trying to break through the high overcast...GG 3
Tacenda Posted July 12, 2012 Posted July 12, 2012 I don't know if your story (coming back after a loss of faith) is rare or somewhat common. But if you ever write a book about it and give advice on getting the full faith back again, I'd be first in line to buy that book. The comment from many disillusioned people is that you can't put the toothpaste back in the tube once it's out. So in your journey, did you do that?
volgadon Posted July 12, 2012 Posted July 12, 2012 Post of the decade!Thanks for sharing, Don.What Joey said. 1
wenglund Posted July 12, 2012 Posted July 12, 2012 This is just horrible. I can't think of anything worse that could have happen to such a nice guy. LOLThanks, -Wade Englund-
Bill “Papa” Lee Posted July 12, 2012 Posted July 12, 2012 Homecomings are the best...Your BrotherPA PA...Bill Lee
KevinG Posted July 12, 2012 Posted July 12, 2012 Thanks for sharing. I just renewed my Temple recommend after two years of not holding one. I wept as the Bishop asked me to say a prayer and I felt the love and approval of my Father in Heaven. I didn't know what I was missing until I got it back. 4
Scott Lloyd Posted July 12, 2012 Posted July 12, 2012 It was a great day, Don, when you announced your return. Our joy on that occasion has been deepened by the contributions you have made since then.
ERayR Posted July 12, 2012 Posted July 12, 2012 It is good to celebrate this anniversary with you. God opens the way but we must choose to follow.
J Green Posted July 12, 2012 Posted July 12, 2012 (edited) Thanks for sharing. I just renewed my Temple recommend after two years of not holding one. I wept as the Bishop asked me to say a prayer and I felt the love and approval of my Father in Heaven. I didn't know what I was missing until I got it back.Congrats, KevinG. For all our discussion in this or any other venue, this is what it's all about. Edited July 12, 2012 by J Green 1
volgadon Posted July 12, 2012 Posted July 12, 2012 Don, had you not made a single historical contribution after your return, it would still have been worth it. That you have, icing on the cake. 1
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