NOM

I had a long, drawn out faith crisis over more than a decade. It was so painful. So, I wrote a letter to myself. I wrote the things I wish someone had been able to say to me when I really began doubting. I hope it's useful to someone now.

https://briansthoughtmirror.wordpress.c ... er-myself/

Cheers!
Brian

That's an excellent letter. If you do have access to the mailbox time machine, please send a copy to me also. Any time in early 2007 would be great.

Corsair wrote: ↑Tue Sep 05, 2017 12:21 pm If you do have access to the mailbox time machine, please send a copy to me also. Any time in early 2007 would be great.

Haha, I wish! I'd be a much more well adjusted human by now.

Thanks for sharing that, Brian. The link to the personal story of the guy leaving the Armstrong community certainly rang true in a lot of ways.

Hagoth wrote: ↑Tue Sep 05, 2017 1:19 pm Thanks for sharing that, Brian. The link to the personal story of the guy leaving the Armstrong community certainly rang true in a lot of ways.

Glad you appreciated it! Did you end up reading his story? I felt like I could relate to a lot more of it than I quoted, too.

BriansThoughtMirror wrote: ↑Tue Sep 05, 2017 2:23 pm

Hagoth wrote: ↑Tue Sep 05, 2017 1:19 pm Thanks for sharing that, Brian. The link to the personal story of the guy leaving the Armstrong community certainly rang true in a lot of ways.

Glad you appreciated it! Did you end up reading his story? I felt like I could relate to a lot more of it than I quoted, too.

Yes, I did read it. It made me wonder just how many people out there are captives of a "one true church."

There are a lot, I think. Many have very similar experiences. I'm thinking of writing something about Jehovah's Witnesses next.

Yes, very well done. I especially liked the parts about it not mattering what other people think you should believe, even if those people love you. I let my family set my beliefs for far too long.

Enoch Witty wrote: ↑Wed Sep 06, 2017 10:33 am Yes, very well done. I especially liked the parts about it not mattering what other people think you should believe, even if those people love you. I let my family set my beliefs for far too long.

Me too. Waaaay too long.

This is well done, well written, and well delivered. Tha la for taking the time. It will help many!

BriansThoughtMirror wrote: ↑Tue Sep 05, 2017 11:46 am I had a long, drawn out faith crisis over more than a decade. It was so painful. So, I wrote a letter to myself. I wrote the things I wish someone had been able to say to me when I really began doubting. I hope it's useful to someone now.

https://briansthoughtmirror.wordpress.c ... er-myself/

Cheers!
Brian

Thanks for sharing. This is beautiful! If I could say one thing to anyone questioning and struggling it would be what you wrote towards the end:

In the end, though, only you can be responsible for your beliefs. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks that you should believe, even though many of those people love you. That has no bearing on what is actually true. Each person must seek out truth for themselves, and it is your job to decide how to do that. You need to find out what you really believe, and live according to it. By doing that, you can find peace.

This was hardest for me. I spent a life time (left at age 63) being that good little Mormon girl doing what the church expected me to do. The cost of learning that it didn't matter what anyone else thought and living an authentic life was high but in the end was the road I needed to take to find peace. I would change nothing.

SeeNoEvil - Thank you! It means a lot! I'm still trying to teach myself that lesson, really. That's partly why I wish I could write myself this letter.

BriansThoughtMirror wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2017 7:45 am SeeNoEvil - Thank you! It means a lot! I'm still trying to teach myself that lesson, really. That's partly why I wish I could write myself this letter.

I think we all can relate to your story as it has many similarities to our own. Our stories about why we left the church are not about how easy it is or what lazy, sinning people do, but a story of a painful journey to simply be at peace and find truth. Leaving the church was one of the most painful things I have ever done. A journey that landed at my feet without warning, giving me no choice but to follow. It is not an easy road and for the most part traveled alone. I've saved your letter to pass on as I know it will be useful to someone starting this journey and do just as you intended.

Thank you, Brian. Thank you. I wish I could express myself as well as you have in your letter. Much of what you wrote mirrors my own sentiments.
And, I've spent (too) much of my life worrying about what others think me. Why? I don't know - maybe to fit in, for validation. Hope to break that habit one day.

Thank you back! I'm really glad it resonated with you! It felt really good to write it. It also made me feel a little closer to forgiving myself for all of those years. Made me view myself a bit more compassionately.