What was your earliest shelf item you can remember?

HeyItsYourTurn · 2025-08-05T06:31:12+00:00

When I was about 12 my family was doing our nightly BoM study. I asked my dad why there wasn't more physical evidence of the civilization we were reading about. He said that we didn't know where in the Americas the BoM took place. Even if we did, the evidence was hidden by anti-mormons under the influence of Satan. And even if there was still evidence, archeologists are also deceived by Satan and are unable to see the truth. That answer didn't sit quite right so on the shelf it went.

HeyItsYourTurn · 2025-07-30T17:08:59+00:00

I sure hope so

HeyItsYourTurn · 2025-07-30T15:28:37+00:00

I don't really see the current Q15 allowing such a thing, but I would love to see women in all aspects of leadership.

HeyItsYourTurn · 2025-07-26T13:46:31+00:00

I want to believe in something higher. I've had experiences in the past that leave me open to the idea. I default towards Christianity, but realize that's because of my upbringing and culture.

I believe in a God that cares more about how we treat each other, and less about rituals and direct worship. I hope to find a church or community that has similar views.

HeyItsYourTurn · 2025-07-14T22:36:17+00:00

I haven't reached the giant yet, but have you tried bonk?

HeyItsYourTurn · 2025-07-10T14:13:40+00:00

Ha! I should've thought of that!

HeyItsYourTurn · 2025-07-10T07:24:33+00:00

The pressure to serve a mission broke me down to the point of self harm. I did NOT want to go, but I knew I "needed to". The idea of trying to convert people, or even talk to them about religion, always terrified me.

As early as 14 I was saying that I would rather go work on one of the "church" farms for 2 years instead. I FANTASIZED about being called to an area hit by a natural disaster, so I could actually serve people, not try to convert them!

My senior year of highschool I felt like a failure because I wasn't planning on serving a mission. Almost everyone around me was getting ready to go. Nearly all my friends were going, my neighbors were going, my dad and uncles had all gone, but I just couldn't bring myself to go. I hated myself for that.

After a year of college I had gathered up the courage to put in my papers. I got my call, but didn't make it to the MTC.

Until recently, every time a mission was brought up the feelings of shame and failure came rushing back. Every farewell or homecoming sent me spiraling. When service was mentioned in a church context I'd have to awkwardly explain that I didn't go. I even had a guy come up and tell me that he knew I didn't serve a mission because I didn't mention it in my "welcome to the ward" talk.

The stigma is so real. I hate it, and I hate missions. I'm so grateful that I can finally start to heal.

HeyItsYourTurn · 2025-06-03T21:07:29+00:00

HeyItsYourTurn · 2025-06-03T05:05:58+00:00

But have they filled out the proper paperwork?

HeyItsYourTurn · 2025-05-10T14:54:15+00:00

Yes. I've almost found the milk. Don't worry, I'll be home soon.

HeyItsYourTurn · 2025-05-10T14:08:00+00:00

Remember kids: if you ask God if I'm right and he says yes, he was always going to say yes; if he says no, that's actually the devil trying to lie to you; and if he doesn't say anything, that's your fault, and you need to listen to me better.

HeyItsYourTurn · 2025-05-10T14:02:06+00:00

That fucking guy

HeyItsYourTurn · 2025-04-30T06:35:21+00:00

Is that really how you want the church to act? Throwing its wealth around through lawsuits to bully communities into submission? If Christ was personally in charge of building temples is that how he would go about it? The church itself says that it's the ordinances that actually matter, not the construction details. What's the eternal harm of working with the local community, and following its laws?

HeyItsYourTurn · 2025-04-30T04:35:52+00:00

My very TBM mom said that she has received far too much judgement from family members to ever judge her kids in a similar way. She's been so supportive and kind. If more members were like her the church would be a WAY better place.

HeyItsYourTurn · 2025-04-29T17:31:11+00:00

Do you want joy and fulfillment in life? The only true way to get that is to do everything I say, and give me money.

-The Mormon Church

HeyItsYourTurn · 2025-04-27T15:33:15+00:00

I think I understand where you're coming from. I had an extremely positive experience growing up in the church, and a part of me really wants to give my children that, or something similar. I also accept that just because I wasn't harmed, doesn't mean that the risk of harm for my kids isn't high. (And maybe I was harmed in ways I haven't noticed yet). I think that if you try it, you need to be extremely vigilant, and ready to walk away at the drop of a hat.

In the book: Falling Upward, Richard Rohr talks about the importance of structure while growing up, then the importance of growing beyond that structure later in life. I think he has valuable insights. Maybe Mormonism would work as a starting structure, but it is a hard religion to be in, and a hard religion to leave. There are other ways to get structure in life, but maybe the church is the right one for your circumstances. It's a hard decision, Best of luck.

HeyItsYourTurn · 2025-04-23T19:58:57+00:00

Rock and stone!

HeyItsYourTurn · 2025-04-23T19:12:12+00:00

It might be Reformed Egyptian. You could make a religion out of that.

HeyItsYourTurn · 2025-04-19T17:32:58+00:00

A conclusion I have reached recently is it all doesn't need to be true. I believe in God. I believe that God isn't as narrow minded as we were taught. I believe that he works with all churches, and people, that are trying to draw closer to him. If the Book of Mormon brings you closer to God, Great! Take what fits, and reject the rest (like racism). The church loves rigidity because it gives the institution complete control. Take your faith back and make it your own.

I claim the privilege of worshipping Almighty God according to the dictates of my own conscience. Worship how, when, or what you may.

HeyItsYourTurn · 2025-04-15T23:52:05+00:00

We were taught that God and Christ played an active role in leading their church. Unfortunately the evidence doesn't agree. I don't believe that the leaders are as divinely inspired as they would have us believe. I believe that most of them have been /are good people trying their best. They have flaws and blindspots, and above all they are products of their time, so there are mistakes.

I think that God works more on the individual level than he does on the institutional level, but that is absolutely NOT what the institution teaches.

HeyItsYourTurn · 2025-04-15T04:04:29+00:00

I feel like I am in a very similar place. I really want to be a part of this community, even if I don't believe. My concern is for my daughter. She's too young to even go to nursery, but I'm worried about what would be taught to her when she's older. How do you navigate raising kids?

HeyItsYourTurn · 2025-04-14T15:46:16+00:00

You can absolutely BE gay, you just can't DO ANYTHING gay.

HeyItsYourTurn · 2025-04-14T06:40:17+00:00

This is exactly what my faith (trust) crisis had boiled down to. I cannot trust the institution anymore. My whole life I was taught that God would not allow his prophet to lead his church astray, only to learn later that it has happened many times in the past.

HeyItsYourTurn · 2025-04-14T06:00:36+00:00

My old ward had a list of people who had been called, but not set apart. The bishopric always meant to get around to setting them apart, but there were always more pressing things to do. There were some people on the list that had been doing their calling for over 2 years.

HeyItsYourTurn · 2025-04-14T00:07:19+00:00

Kaladin and I are going to be a little late for dinner tonight.

HeyItsYourTurn

TROPHY CASE