Search found 10 matches

by Finallyfree
Thu Jan 16, 2020 9:23 pm
Forum: Support
Topic: The core of my mormon trauma
Replies: 19
Views: 10464

Re: The core of my mormon trauma

Thank you all so very much. I think I have always had cognitive dissonance, and that's why I tried to prove to myself and others that I could rectify my dissonance by being good, but not fitting the mold. It was my way of coping with the dissonance. I have been trying to convince myself for 40 years...
by Finallyfree
Wed Jan 15, 2020 7:38 pm
Forum: Support
Topic: The core of my mormon trauma
Replies: 19
Views: 10464

The core of my mormon trauma

I just really need to share something that has eaten at me for a long time. I didn’t know it was really that related to church until just recently, in fact in the last few days it donned on me. I have always been the person that was trying to break the mold of appearances and Mormon behavior. Starti...
by Finallyfree
Tue Jan 14, 2020 12:53 pm
Forum: Doctrinal Discussion
Topic: One hour church
Replies: 23
Views: 14330

Re: One hour church

I go to church where Jesus went, outside in the hills. Amen!!! Amen!!!! And Amen!!!!! I was seeing an LDS therapist several years ago that had a more open viewpoint and I expressed my struggle with the fact that I have always felt closer to God out in the mountains amongst the trees than I have eve...
by Finallyfree
Tue Jan 14, 2020 11:39 am
Forum: Introductions
Topic: Finally found my testimony after 40 years
Replies: 11
Views: 22524

Re: Finally found my testimony after 40 years

I would also like to add that I have the utmost respect for the level of privacy that anyone on this forum desires to have. What I mean by that is that anyone who wishes their "faith questioning" status to remain private can trust that I will not reveal who they are, or how they feel to anyone...per...
by Finallyfree
Tue Jan 14, 2020 11:20 am
Forum: Introductions
Topic: Finally found my testimony after 40 years
Replies: 11
Views: 22524

Re: Finally found my testimony after 40 years

May we carefully ask where you live? If you are in the Phoenix area there is a group of NOM folks that meet for lunch on occasion. Utah and other locations have similar groups. We are happy to provide any support we can on this forum, but meeting people in real life will be extremely helpful to you...
by Finallyfree
Mon Jan 13, 2020 1:14 pm
Forum: Support
Topic: Do You Love the Lord?
Replies: 15
Views: 9444

Re: Do You Love the Lord?

The first part of his talk went over the moral choices in your life that you should counsel with the bishop about. He listed the things in the handbook 1, like vasectomies. This one has always sent me over the edge even before I figured out what I really thought. I had a vasectomy several years ago...
by Finallyfree
Mon Jan 13, 2020 1:03 pm
Forum: Support
Topic: It's not even wrong
Replies: 19
Views: 9910

Re: It's not even wrong

I decided several years ago that the purpose of this life was not to obtain perfect obedience, but rather to gain as much understanding as possible. The saying "The glory of God is intelligence" says it all. It doesn't say "The glory of God is obedience" When I think about what separates who I am fr...
by Finallyfree
Sun Jan 12, 2020 10:26 am
Forum: Introductions
Topic: Finally found my testimony after 40 years
Replies: 11
Views: 22524

Re: Finally found my testimony after 40 years

My situation is a little different. I have 4 kids and the oldest is 16. The older 2 have significant issues with the church, and seem to gravitate towards my point of view in coping with the dissonance. They seem to have seen my example of acknowledging my dissonance as a valid way of thinking (I th...
by Finallyfree
Thu Jan 09, 2020 7:23 pm
Forum: Support
Topic: On losing your temple recommend
Replies: 41
Views: 22535

Re: On losing your temple recommend

I'm new, and I posted in the introduction forum, but I wanted to comment on TR issue. The beginning of my "coming out" to family and friends was when I got called in because it was time to renew my temple recommend. I am the type of person that likes to face things head on, and I am not afraid to sa...
by Finallyfree
Thu Jan 09, 2020 3:11 pm
Forum: Introductions
Topic: Finally found my testimony after 40 years
Replies: 11
Views: 22524

Finally found my testimony after 40 years

Hi all, I was born and raised in the church, did all the usual things, served a mission, held callings into pretty high leadership positions, married in the temple, and on and on. I am now 48 years and about 3 years ago my shelf started coming down. The thing is, I always kind of knew it would in a ...