filovirus Posted October 9, 2015 Posted October 9, 2015 As my ward's Ward Mission Leader much of my time is dedicated to re-activation of those who have not put a lot of effort into church attendance or activity. A few times as we've approached homes of these members, we get slammed doors in our faces, yelled at, and other derogatory comments. We make a note, wait half a year, then approach again, hoping there has been a change of heart.There are twotwo now ex-members who requested their names removed while I have been in my calling. I am deeply saddened each and every time I pass their homes, and I hope one day the missionaries will stumble into them and they will reaccept the Gospel.Eventually, when I am released, they will be completely forgotten about except for the few members who did interact with them.I have never witnessed a member who actively requested to have their names removed return to the church through re-baptism. I need a little spirituality to lift my spirits in regards to these types of people.If you have a story where someone has returned to the church, can you please share it? I know it happens, and even have a good example from the BOM with Alma and the sons of Mosiah. Are there any modern day examples of this?
Zakuska Posted October 9, 2015 Posted October 9, 2015 I had a buddy from Highschool who went in the Army drifted from the church. Got exed. But 5 years later came back got rebaptized got remarried went to the temple. So it does happen.
bluebell Posted October 9, 2015 Posted October 9, 2015 There's been a couple posters here who have I believe. The latest is Country Boy. Look for a thread titled " I am torn" in the social hall to read about his journey. 1
Jeanne Posted October 9, 2015 Posted October 9, 2015 Probably people here will respond with some uplifting stories that will help you. That being said, this is a difficult hope that may have if ex-members have requested no contact in their correspondence resigning. Feel better though okay? This is not a reflection on you or your faith, It is a choice that God gave all of us. Hugs,Jeanne 1
BTH&T Posted October 9, 2015 Posted October 9, 2015 It is sad, been in two wards in the past ten years and It is happening at an alarming rate.Both wards, two different areas and it is happening in both.In your ward calling, it is I'm sure difficult seeing the fight up close.More Members need to get involved and be more diligent in just being great examples.We really do need to let our lights shine!
Duncan Posted October 9, 2015 Posted October 9, 2015 I got lots of returns and lots and lots of people gone into inactivity. One friend of mine got baptized oh maybe 20 years now and a little while later read that Stephen Covey book. I still remember him calling me telling me he resigned his membership in the Church. I was disheartened obviously. Sometime later I was at a YSA activity and he came and acted like nothing happened. He later went on a mission and is now a Bishop in the Church and my dentist! 4
Popular Post Jeanne Posted October 9, 2015 Popular Post Posted October 9, 2015 (edited) May I suggest something..?? As one who is an ex-member, a big plus are church friends who are true blue friends. They don't talk church but they talk how you are doing and your kids..and laugh at your jokes..and just day to day stuff. Members or not, people can stay connected with genuine relationships, Just my thoughts, I have good friends and an entire family that has ignored me..and you know..I'm just still me. Edited October 9, 2015 by Jeanne 7
Zakuska Posted October 9, 2015 Posted October 9, 2015 I currently work with 2 disaffected ex-members who have had their records removed. On our morning walk the other day they where talking all about it and how they made sure to request 'no contact' after looking at how to resign online. I also teased out of them a few of the reasons why they felt the way they do and found it necessary to have their records removed. One of the issues one had is the way callings are given in the church. He said he didn't feel like its how it should work. I just sat and listened to him. I wanted to bring up some scriptures to show that we do callings the same way they did in the sciptures. But I thought better than that because religion is usually a no no at work.
Stargazer Posted October 10, 2015 Posted October 10, 2015 (edited) I've told a particular story here in other threads of a name-removal who came back within the time I was the ward clerk, and I will try to dig it up. I just don't feel like typing it all out, yet again. Stand by... let me get my shovel out...OK, I found it. Surprisingly quickly... There was an elderly couple in my ward that had been "on the books" for years and years, but they had never attended any meetings. Then suddenly out of the blue our bishop got a resignation letter from the sister. I happened to know about it because I was the ward clerk at the time. So she went through that brief process and was no longer a member. You would have thought, well, that's that, but oddly enough, her leaving prompted her husband to start attending meetings. So for about a year he attended our meetings, and was active (with a calling, etc), while she attended Mass every week, and was an active Catholic. Then suddenly she started attending our Church with him; she told the Bishop that she wanted back into the Church.Her story was that she had had what she called bad experiences with local Church leaders, and this explained the long-term inactivity, but then one after another her still-Catholic parents died, and she felt that she needed to honor them by leaving the LDS church and becoming Catholic again. But she found that although there was this pleasant familiarity about it, she never felt as spiritually in tune with God than she had previously felt in the LDS church. She gave it a year, but in the end decided that she had made a mistake.So she attended Church for the requisite year, was rebaptized, and then the year after that she and her husband went to the temple and were sealed together. And you never saw a happier nor a more active couple. Edited October 10, 2015 by Stargazer 4
carbon dioxide Posted October 10, 2015 Posted October 10, 2015 There is one member in my ward that left the Church for a time but came back and was rebaptized. He said in his meeting with I believe the stake council that he told his story and one of the men told him later he had a vision opened to him of seeing into the spirit world and seeing those on the other side doing everything they possibly could do without violating his agency in helping him return to the Church. He is a strong member with his family again.
Popular Post Kenngo1969 Posted October 10, 2015 Popular Post Posted October 10, 2015 Don Bradley didn't have his name removed; he was excommunicated, then rebaptized. He has perhaps the most fascinating such story here on this Board. Two thoughts: (1) Not all who wander are lost; and (2) Christ died for the free agency of whomever makes that choice, even if we disagree with it; how can we argue with that. 5
VideoGameJunkie Posted October 10, 2015 Posted October 10, 2015 I could never leave the church. I'd have to buy all new undergarments. I don't feel comfortable when I'm not wearing my temple garments.
Dgal Posted October 10, 2015 Posted October 10, 2015 There's been a couple posters here who have I believe. The latest is Country Boy. Look for a thread titled " I am torn" in the social hall to read about his journey. Where has he been? I have thought about him, especially during conference.
filovirus Posted October 10, 2015 Author Posted October 10, 2015 Just read through the thread suggested by bluebell. Thank you for directing me to it. His whole process was amazing. I'm glad it is documented for others to read. 1
Garden Girl Posted October 10, 2015 Posted October 10, 2015 (edited) Where has he been? I have thought about him, especially during conference. Hello Dgal... and filovirus...Two wonderful stories have been mentioned here... in Post #3, Bluebell mentions CountryBoy... and in post #11, Kenngo mentions Don Bradley...In regard to CountryBoy, and in answer to Dgal... He and his wife are now living in Salt Lake City (her job transferred her to SLC and he followed her last July and they love it). His faith is strong. He is active, has spoken in Sac Mtg, bears his testimony... NOTE to filovirus... CountryBoy's story has some wonderful twists and turns to it, including what to me are miracles... like how he and I found out through personal messages here that we are actually cousins. I do believe that I was placed in his life path on this board four years ago when he first posted as "stevedallas"... then he didn't post again and eventually forgot about it... until last year when, still struggliing, he posted here once again but under the name CountryBoy. Once again I sent him a personal message and we started messaging and finally when I thought there was nothing more I could say to encourage him, I wished him well and hoped he would find the peace he was seeking... he asked if I would share my phone number with him as he wanted a one-time conversation (something neither of us would normally do, but we talked). We were about to hang up, but the last thing he mentioned was how his best friends were LDS, and that he had a relative out at BYU... Dean Jessee... I said: Wait a minute Steve, did you just tell me you're related to Dean Jessee?... Steve: Yes.... Me: Well, I'M related to Dean Jessee... Dean and I are cousins...So CountryBoy and I started trading family info and we share the same 4th Great Grandfather... his and Dean's direct line comes through one of the sons, and my direct line comes through another son, making us cousins... absolutely incredible how that and several other things all came out...Anyway, as you know from his "I'm So Torn" thread, he was rebaptized... and continues faithful... In the years I've been posting here, there have been several that have reactivated and/or rejoined... it does happen... it happened to ME... I was inactive for 34 years... When my mom died, it spun me around and I returned to Church... that was 20 years ago, and I'm stronger than ever... true blue... through and through.... GG Edited October 10, 2015 by Garden Girl 3
halconero Posted October 10, 2015 Posted October 10, 2015 I could never leave the church. I'd have to buy all new undergarments. I don't feel comfortable when I'm not wearing my temple garments.Not all of our reasons for staying are or need to be intensely spiritual. Practicality is as good of a reason as any. Bravo.
VideoGameJunkie Posted October 10, 2015 Posted October 10, 2015 Haha halconero I was trying to be funny.
hagoth7 Posted October 10, 2015 Posted October 10, 2015 ...I have never witnessed a member who actively requested to have their names removed return to the church through re-baptism. I need a little spirituality to lift my spirits in regards to these types of people.If you have a story where someone has returned to the church, can you please share it? I know it happens, and even have a good example from the BOM with Alma and the sons of Mosiah. Are there any modern day examples of this?http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/lifestyle/54790798-80/bradley-mormon-faith-smith.html.csp
Stargazer Posted October 13, 2015 Posted October 13, 2015 Don Bradley didn't have his name removed; he was excommunicated, then rebaptized. He has perhaps the most fascinating such story here on this Board. Two thoughts: (1) Not all who wander are lost; and (2) Christ died for the free agency of whomever makes that choice, even if we disagree with it; how can we argue with that. Well, then why does the article in the Trib say he resigned his membership? On Pioneer Day 2005, Bradley delivered a letter to his LDS bishop, resigning his membership with such strong language that he believed it would be impossible for him to return.
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