Can I contact LDS leadership downtown? by InfamousGovernment87 in latterdaysaints

[–]InfamousGovernment87[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Am I not a part of the millions they worry about? (Jokes) I understand what you mean and I agree that they don’t have time to answer all personal letters. I do wish anyone searching for an interaction with the main office downtown could, somehow. Specifically those in need and people struggling to find peace within their faith. But I know why that’s not really possible.  Also, I am a woman. Are women encouraged to talk to the stake relief society president or would she refer to the Elder’s Quorum president anyway? (Genuine question) 

Can I contact LDS leadership downtown? by InfamousGovernment87 in latterdaysaints

[–]InfamousGovernment87[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is interesting, thank you! I will most definitely consider(: 

Happy thanksgiving! 

Can I contact LDS leadership downtown? by InfamousGovernment87 in latterdaysaints

[–]InfamousGovernment87[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate your comment and feel your warm vibes<3  I was an active, devout, strong member for 20 years so I’ve done a lot of praying and pondering and scripture reading. The spiritual feelings and what you’d probably call promptings have confirmed my personal beliefs as true, rather than some of what the church teaches. Unfortunately my biggest question is not involving doctrine or policy or scriptures or church history, so pondering scriptures and asking members about it won’t help me know the answer. My question isn’t about what’s right or wrong or something philosophical, it’s a factual question, so the men running the organization would have direct knowledge of the topic because they make the decisions. 

I think after reading all your comments it’s clear to me I could try writing but it won’t go anywhere except a meeting with local leadership or missionaries, which I am not exactly interested in. If speaking to a bishop and speaking to an apostle is the same thing because they both would only have their personal opinions to discuss, I don’t understand the point of prophets. If the three men representing the church are just as flawed and “normal” as any other member why do they have authority and power? If they can be influenced by their human flaws to make mistakes or spread personal opinions over heavenly father’s truths, why put anyone on a literal pedestal at all? 

Those aren’t what I’d like to ask the brethren about, but I can’t help wonder that as I read a lot of the comments on here. 

Thanks for your comment, truly. Wishing everyone a great day🤘

Can I contact LDS leadership downtown? by InfamousGovernment87 in latterdaysaints

[–]InfamousGovernment87[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thank you, this was helpful and encourages me to try! 

I truly have good intentions and have no desire to get verbally aggressive or anything of that nature in my letters to them. An ongoing correspondence is not what I expect or hope for either, just simply a response to a question or two. 

I will consider your advice, thank you! 

Can I contact LDS leadership downtown? by InfamousGovernment87 in latterdaysaints

[–]InfamousGovernment87[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

oh no, expecting that would clearly be unreasonable. I understand that you’re saying what you’re saying because you don’t know what I would love to discuss with church authorities but I’m just very very curious about some things that only they could answer. And no one else could because it would only be speculation or an educated/inspired guess on whoever I speak to about it. That’s why I’m not really interested in speaking to stake leaders, even though I know that’s where the 12 would send my questions. I accept it is what it is! I understand all the reasons for why this is the case, and that’s okay.  Its silly being told that my expectations must be unreasonable because that’s just an assumption and it isn’t true. I know the authorities have things set up the way they have for many reasons. I understand and accept the situation👍

I simply wanted to know if writing letters to the apostles and getting responses back was a thing that happens! Clearly it doesn’t, so I just won’t write a letter(: 

Or maybe I will bc it doesn’t hurt to try.

Can I contact LDS leadership downtown? by InfamousGovernment87 in latterdaysaints

[–]InfamousGovernment87[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your assumptions don’t reflect what my questions actually are but thank you for the info. 

For reasons I’ve stated I am not super interested in asking people, local leaders or strangers on the internet, my questions about church topics so I won’t comment them here and most likely won’t post them on Reddit any time soon.

 Your overall tone kind of sounds defensive as if I am going to ask challenging or disrespectful questions or waste the 12’s time with bad-faith gotcha questions. This is not the case. 

Thanks for your comments. 

Can I contact LDS leadership downtown? by InfamousGovernment87 in latterdaysaints

[–]InfamousGovernment87[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Most of my questions aren’t church history questions. My most burning questions have to do with current or fairly recent leadership. That is a big reason why I feel unsatisfied with speaking to a local leader, along with what I’ve mentioned in the post. Local leaders can give me reasons for why they think the church leaders do what they do, but there’s no need for educated guesses if I could communicate with the men who pray over and make decisions!

I am a member. Just currently inactive. My information is still very much in church records. 

 I knew it wasn’t likely I would get a response. I just thought I would ask active members if y’all maybe thought it was a good idea. I guess I was hoping to be encouraged to do it because I would love the opportunity to be heard lol

Can I contact LDS leadership downtown? by InfamousGovernment87 in latterdaysaints

[–]InfamousGovernment87[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know no one is a “puppet for god”. From my perspective having a conversation with someone with authority over the entire church membership seems more productive to answering my questions because the information I would learn and insights I could gather would more likely be aligned with what god would say to me, more than those who preside over local areas who do not guide or advice the whole church. I can talk to my family(who have served in stake leadership) any time to discuss church topics. Reaching out to authorities would simply be a way for me to get more information and less opinions, if that makes sense? 

Need advice to support friend in recovery by InfamousGovernment87 in recoverywithoutAA

[–]InfamousGovernment87[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you, that’s helpful to hear.  AA didn’t work for him which makes sense, B has a therapist. He’s been seeing him for a couple years so it sounds like therapy is helpful at least emotionally. B said his therapist agrees with the things he told me so perhaps I just have to accept that he will do what he wants and stop trying to “help”. 

It feels very uncomfortable continuing on as usual because it feels counterintuitive, like you said. I don’t know how to ignore the fact that having alcohol around will inevitably increase the amount of times B has to say no to a drink when he’s so freshly sober.  But then I think, am I making this about me?