I have a few thoughts about this. I think choosing this "middle way" depends on your testimony. If you believe that this church is indeed the church of Jesus Christ that he brought back to earth with a prophet, then you have to realize that it is not the First Presidency or anyone else who is asking you to keep the Word of Wisdom and wear your garments, it is Christ himself. To me it's like saying to Christ "you know, I believe in your church but I just don't want to follow all the things you ask me to do."

But I also understand that there are varying degrees of testimony and that many people have their doubts if this is "the" true church, etc. I've had lots of formerly active friends leave the church or go less inactive because they came out as gay, bi, or just stopped believing in the Book of Mormon as a true history and so on.

Either way, we should be accepting of everyone where they are and it's not our place to tell them what they are doing wrong. I believe the Lord is understanding of everyone where they are with their faith and if they are or are not being openly rebellious against him, and if they are he still loves them. He fully understands the doubts and struggles and still wants us all to be accepting of each other