The Long Road Home to Zion

[ZealouslyStriving]

Piggybacking off of the ex ex Latter-day Saints topic and Tacenda saying she'd like to hear my story- here goes. It's going to be sparing in specifics partly because of this dern phone and partly because some things are better remaining private:

About 4 years after my mission I began to struggle with some issues l had had as a youth. About the same time I came across some fundamentalist website. To two became conflated, I began to think of only l could believe correctly l would be cured. So thinking the FM's were correct l joined a small group (one you never heard of- good sincere people w/o the Jeffs et al issues). Well, lo and behold I wasn't magically cured. I studied more and more and ended up on the opposite side of things with the conservative RLDS people (the Restoration Branches). I would later marry my wife - who grew up in that movement. Fast forward...

In 2018 when Pres. Nelson became prophet something started to stir in me and I began having doubts about RLDSism. When COVID arrived in 2020, my wife was already in a long-term care facility and I was worried about losing her. That July as I was doing my daily BofM reading I read in Alma 32:17-20 and realized that was me. I was wanting to know, and it was impeding me. I determined that day to just hope and believe that eternal marriage was true. I figured if I lived like it was true and it wasn't, at least I will have lived a good life. The next week I was reading in D&C 128 and received an overwhelming witness of baptism for the dead. I was all in at that point.

My wife and I determined that I would be rebaptized and she baptized (when she was healthier) and then be sealed together. Unfortunately she passed away before we could make good on those plans while she was alive. Now, the entire focus of life is finishing what we started and living worthy of eternal life.

That is the very condensed Reader's Digest version. I refuse to spell check.

 

 

 

 

..

Edited February 29, 2024 by ZealouslyStriving

[ZealouslyStriving]

My user name comes from Mosiah 27:35, because I spoke a lot of foolishness during the last 20 years and I want to in some way make up for it like Alma and Mosiah's boys:

"And they traveled throughout all the land of Zarahemla, and among all the people who were under the reign of king Mosiah, zealously striving to repair all the injuries which they had done to the church, confessing all their sins, and publishing all the things which they had seen, and explaining the prophecies and the scriptures to all who desired to hear them."

[MustardSeed]

Sorry for your recent loss. 

[ZealouslyStriving]

The beginning of my Gospel Library. I got the autobiographies for $2.00 each at Desert Industries:

[MiserereNobis]

1 hour ago, ZealouslyStriving said:

So thinking the FM's were correct l joined a small group (one you never heard of- good sincere people w/o the Jeffs et al issues).

Try us. We’ve had all sorts here over the years. Strangites, RLDS, even Prophet Shiloh. 

[ZealouslyStriving]

4 minutes ago, MiserereNobis said:

Try us. We’ve had all sorts here over the years. Strangites, RLDS, even Prophet Shiloh. 

To respect their privacy I'll keep that to myself.

There are Strangites left?

[Tacenda]

I'm sorry for your loss, I can't imagine the pain. Thanks for enlightening us with your story. On this board, you will meet many from all walks of life, it's fascinating to think how we can do this from all over the world. The world can become so much smaller by way of actually getting to know of these people, which wouldn't happen without boards like this. 

I'm sadly the opposite of you and I'm a born in the covenant member who had a faith crisis of belief. This board keeps me in, or in the frame of mind that I could go back one day, because it's the only faith that I've felt comfortable in. 

I'm not good at scripture, and don't hold that they all come from God, mostly man, IMHO. So I distrust some that may steer a person wrong, but glad you found something in the D&C to change your life!

I'm a she...but no worries. God bless you! 

[ZealouslyStriving]

14 minutes ago, Tacenda said:

I'm sorry for your loss, I can't imagine the pain. Thanks for enlightening us with your story. On this board, you will meet many from all walks of life, it's fascinating to think how we can do this from all over the world. The world can become so much smaller by way of actually getting to know of these people, which wouldn't happen without boards like this. 

I'm sadly the opposite of you and I'm a born in the covenant member who had a faith crisis of belief. This board keeps me in, or in the frame of mind that I could go back one day, because it's the only faith that I've felt comfortable in. 

I'm not good at scripture, and don't hold that they all come from God, mostly man, IMHO. So I distrust some that may steer a person wrong, but glad you found something in the D&C to change your life!

I'm a she...but no worries. God bless you! 

One thing I've emphasized to several people over the last few years is that faith is a choice. We can choose to believe something that sounds beautiful even if we don't feel it. If being together with your family for eternity sounds wonderful- choose to believe it, live like it's true. What do you have to lose, really?

[Daniel2]

4 hours ago, ZealouslyStriving said:

One thing I've emphasized to several people over the last few years is that faith is a choice. We can choose to believe something that sounds beautiful even if we don't feel it. If being together with your family for eternity sounds wonderful- choose to believe it, live like it's true. What do you have to lose, really?

Growing up, my favorite literary series was "The Chronicles of Narnia" by well-known Christian author, C.S. Lewis.  The series strongly features Christian themes, including its leonine deity, Aslan, the literal Narnian incarnation of Jesus Christ. (I re-read the series seven times during my youth, and it remains one of my favorites to this day.  I also loved both the BBC and more recent film versions, and I can't wait for the upcoming Netflix adaptation, as well!). 

Your statement above is reminiscent of a character named Puddleglum, a somewhat pessimistic Marshwiggle, who, when confronted by a nefarious non-believer in Aslan, uncharacteristically rose above his usual fatalistic tendencies by declaring:

Quote

“One word, Ma’am,” he said, coming back from the fire; limping, because of the pain. “One word. All you’ve been saying is quite right, I shouldn’t wonder. I’m a chap who always liked to know the worst and then put the best face I can on it. So I won’t deny any of what you said."

"But there’s one more thing to be said, even so. Suppose we have only dreamed, or made up, all those things-trees and grass and sun and moon and stars and Aslan himself. Suppose we have. Then all I can say is that, in that case, the made-up things seem a good deal more important than the real ones.

"Suppose this black pit of a kingdom of yours is the only world. Well, it strikes me as a pretty poor one. And that’s a funny thing, when you come to think of it. We’re just babies making up a game, if you’re right. But four babies playing a game can make a play-world which licks your real world hollow."

"That’s why I’m going to stand by the play world. I’m on Aslan’s side even if there isn’t any Aslan to lead it. I’m going to live as like a Narnian as I can even if there isn’t any Narnia."

"So, thanking you kindly for our supper, if these two gentlemen and the young lady are ready, we’re leaving your court at once and setting out in the dark to spend our lives looking for Overland. Not that our lives will be very long, I should think; but that’s a small loss if the world’s as dull a place as you say.”

 

I always loved his response--it's tremendously hopeful and positive for he and his companions.  It's a sentiment echoed elsewhere in Christian literature, including a character named Thomas Wingfold in a work by George MacDonald, mentor of both C.S. Lewis and another famed fantasy author, Lewis Carroll:

Quote

Even if there be no hereafter, I would live my time believing in a grand thing that ought to be true if it is not. And if these be not truths, then is the loftiest part of our nature a waste?

Let me hold by the better than the actual, and fall into nothingness off the same precipice with Jesus and Paul and a thousand more, who were lovely in their lives, and with their death make even the nothingness into which they have passed like the garden of the Lord.

I will go further, and say I would rather die forevermore believing as Jesus believed, than live forevermore believing as those that deny Him.

While it may not work for everyone, I'm glad that choosing to believe works for you, ZealouslyStriving. I'm sorry for the loss of your wife--all the best to you and your family!

Edited February 29, 2024 by Daniel2

[ZealouslyStriving]

5 hours ago, Daniel2 said:

Growing up, my favorite literary series was "The Chronicles of Narnia" by well-known Christian author, C.S. Lewis.  The series strongly features Christian themes, including its leonine deity, Aslan, the literal Narnian incarnation of Jesus Christ. (I re-read the series seven times during my youth, and it remains one of my favorites to this day.  I also loved both the BBC and more recent film versions, and I can't wait for the upcoming Netflix adaptation, as well!). 

Your statement above is reminiscent of a character named Puddleglum, a somewhat pessimistic Marshwiggle, who, when confronted by a nefarious non-believer in Aslan, uncharacteristically rose above his usual fatalistic tendencies by declaring:

I always loved his response--it's tremendously hopeful and positive for he and his companions.  It's a sentiment echoed elsewhere in Christian literature, including a character named Thomas Wingfold in a work by George MacDonald, mentor of both C.S. Lewis and another famed fantasy author, Lewis Carroll:

While it may not work for everyone, I'm glad that choosing to believe works for you, ZealouslyStriving. I'm sorry for the loss of your wife--all the best to you and your family!

I heard the Puddlegum quote last Sunday during a Sacrament talk. Two witnesses.

[Stormin' Mormon]

Apropos of nothing other than the thread title putting this song into my head. 
 

Quote

"It seems that all my bridges have been burned

But, you say that's exactly how this grace thing works

It's not the long walk home that will change this heart

But the welcome I receive with the restart"

"Roll Away Your Stone," by Mumford and Sons. 

 

Welcome home, brother!

[MiserereNobis]

2 hours ago, Stormin' Mormon said:

Apropos of nothing other than the thread title putting this song into my head. 
 

Welcome home, brother!

I thought of "The Long and Winding Road" by the Beatles.

[pogi]

19 hours ago, ZealouslyStriving said:

ended up on the opposite side of things with the conservative RLDS people (the Restoration Branches)

Welcome, and so sorry for your loss.  
Just to clarify, you are talking about what is now called the Community of Christ, correct? 

I am wondering if we are thinking about the same thing because I have attended at the Salt Lake branch and definitely wouldn’t consider them “conservative”, unless you were part of some conservative branch of that church.

Are you in Utah?

[Buckeye]

18 hours ago, ZealouslyStriving said:

The beginning of my Gospel Library. I got the autobiographies for $2.00 each at Desert Industries:

How much did the bookends cost? They’re awesome. 

[Buckeye]

18 hours ago, ZealouslyStriving said:

To respect their privacy I'll keep that to myself.

There are Strangites left?

About 10 years ago when I lived in Ohio I planned out a YM high adventure to beaver island Michigan. Work commitments kept me from joining but the youth confirmed there’s still people on the island. 
 

If I had the resources and inclination to build an end-of-times zombie apocalypse bunker, beaver island would be a good choice. 

Edited February 29, 2024 by Buckeye

[ZealouslyStriving]

37 minutes ago, pogi said:

Just to clarify, you are talking about what is now called the Community of Christ, correct? 

No. I'm speaking of the roughly 1/2 the membership that left in the late 80's and started independent "Restoration Branches".

I'm not in Utah.

 

Edited February 29, 2024 by ZealouslyStriving

[ZealouslyStriving]

14 minutes ago, Buckeye said:

How much did the bookends cost? They’re awesome. 

Thanks! 👍

[Calm]

23 minutes ago, ZealouslyStriving said:

No. I'm speaking of the roughly 1/2 the membership that left in the late 80's and started independent "Restoration Branches".

I'm not in Utah.

 

Do you mind if I guess your old board name?  I won’t if you prefer to start fresh.  It’s a test of my memory and search skills, but also it gives depth to who you are, which I like, but don’t need obviously.

Edited February 29, 2024 by Calm

[ZealouslyStriving]

2 minutes ago, Calm said:

Do you mind if I guess your old board name?  I won’t if you prefer to start fresh.  It’s a test of my memory and search skills, but also it gives depth to who you are, which I like, but don’t need obviously.

Sure... It will show how far I've come.

[pogi]

32 minutes ago, ZealouslyStriving said:

No. I'm speaking of the roughly 1/2 the membership that left in the late 80's and started independent "Restoration Branches".

I'm not in Utah.

 

I see.  I’m not as familiar with RLDS history.  I didn’t realize the split was that big in the 1980’s.  Are there any of those conservative branches in Utah that you are aware of?  Just curious

[ZealouslyStriving]

16 minutes ago, pogi said:

I see.  I’m not as familiar with RLDS history.  I didn’t realize the split was that big in the 1980’s.  Are there any of those conservative branches in Utah that you are aware of?  Just curious

Not that I'm aware of.

[MiserereNobis]

20 hours ago, ZealouslyStriving said:

To respect their privacy I'll keep that to myself.

There are Strangites left?

There was one who posted here. His avatar picture was of the Voree plates. I can't remember his name... (help, anyone? @Calm?)

[MiserereNobis]

3 minutes ago, MiserereNobis said:

There was one who posted here. His avatar picture was of the Voree plates. I can't remember his name... (help, anyone? @Calm?)

Found it thanks to google:

@Rajah Manchou

[Teancum]

21 hours ago, ZealouslyStriving said:

Piggybacking off of the ex ex Latter-day Saints topic and Tacenda saying she'd like to hear my story- here goes. It's going to be sparing in specifics partly because of this dern phone and partly because some things are better remaining private:

About 4 years after my mission I began to struggle with some issues l had had as a youth. About the same time I came across some fundamentalist website. To two became conflated, I began to think of only l could believe correctly l would be cured. So thinking the FM's were correct l joined a small group (one you never heard of- good sincere people w/o the Jeffs et al issues). Well, lo and behold I wasn't magically cured. I studied more and more and ended up on the opposite side of things with the conservative RLDS people (the Restoration Branches). I would later marry my wife - who grew up in that movement. Fast forward...

In 2018 when Pres. Nelson became prophet something started to stir in me and I began having doubts about RLDSism. When COVID arrived in 2020, my wife was already in a long-term care facility and I was worried about losing her. That July as I was doing my daily BofM reading I read in Alma 32:17-20 and realized that was me. I was wanting to know, and it was impeding me. I determined that day to just hope and believe that eternal marriage was true. I figured if I lived like it was true and it wasn't, at least I will have lived a good life. The next week I was reading in D&C 128 and received an overwhelming witness of baptism for the dead. I was all in at that point.

My wife and I determined that I would be rebaptized and she baptized (when she was healthier) and then be sealed together. Unfortunately she passed away before we could make good on those plans while she was alive. Now, the entire focus of life is finishing what we started and living worthy of eternal life.

That is the very condensed Reader's Digest version. I refuse to spell check.

 

 

 

 

..

My most sincere condolences for the loss of your wife.  I hope you are finding comfort and happiness in the path you have chosen.

[rpn]

Welcome home.