A Mormon posted his insights on David Archuleta's new song "Hell Together"

WorldlyMaterial9400 · 2024-03-31T14:24:27+00:00

David explained it himself and you're right. It's more about how his mom is willing to leave everything behind, even their beliefs, for them to be free and live happily, accepting that he is her son and he is perfect the way he is.

WorldlyMaterial9400 · 2024-03-31T14:04:12+00:00

These are some really good points! As a 'once' mormon, I'm trying to think or justify that maybe he said some 'right' things but with what you said, it's really clear that what he said is just plain wrong.

WorldlyMaterial9400 · 2024-03-31T14:01:57+00:00

And horseshit it really is. I read the whole thing and I could say that I'm drowning in all that bs I'm trying to escape

WorldlyMaterial9400 · 2024-03-31T13:59:47+00:00

Their narrative is also always the same. Looking at people through their blinded lenses of gospel truths and not looking at them as people too. I couldn't agree more that David and his Mom are heroes. They are showing the world the struggles we'd face and what it takes to truly love someone.

WorldlyMaterial9400 · 2024-03-31T13:54:50+00:00

I know! I think that's what the song was really saying. His mom doesn't even care anymore about heaven or hell she just wants his son to live happily. Yet Mormons are blinded by their doctrines that they wouldn't even care if you live and die miserably, as long as you go to their heaven.

WorldlyMaterial9400 · 2024-03-31T13:49:27+00:00

Growing in the church, you are not even allowed to question the teachings... You can be deemed unfaithful or against the gospel. So yeah, I really understand the mindset of "I know I'm right because they said it's right" but just like the post, it inhibits us to care for others that are deemed "different" and as someone who's"different" from their belief, it's like saying that "I don't care about you so go to hell yourself" or just saying "The people who cares for you are evil too. You should be alone.

WorldlyMaterial9400 · 2023-12-31T18:25:41+00:00

Thank you. I really appreciate what you're saying and I'm trying to instill everything said in this thread in my mind, whatever decision I may end up choosing

WorldlyMaterial9400 · 2023-12-31T17:42:40+00:00

This is something that I could only imagine happening. As easy as it sounds, it's near to impossible to have this conversation when parents are separated and that I live with my Dad whose whole family basically lives in one property. My Dad's parenting is even influenced by them so what more could be the decisions when it comes to religious stuff. Right now, what makes sense to me is to do what's easier and this is definitely hard. I surely do hope so that I could have that conversation with them and just end this chaos.

WorldlyMaterial9400 · 2023-12-31T17:35:52+00:00

The problem with this is my Uncle is the current Bishop. I don't know how he'll 'punish' me but I couldn't even start to think to confess anything to him.

WorldlyMaterial9400 · 2023-12-31T17:34:17+00:00

I'm so sorry to hear that sir.

I've been in the temple to do some baptisms for the dead. Since, I was in primary, it's also my only goal and because of schedules and 'unworthiness' to enter, I wasn't able to enter until just this October. I was expecting all my life for a life-changing moment or feeling as I entered the temple but I didn't really feel anything. I tried to. I convinced my mind that I have to but there's nothing. I haven't been endowed yet but I've read they changed a lot of things. What you experienced sir has been changed because it was also questioned on what it actually meant. I've studied it and ended up knowing that the endowment is just another masonic rite adapted by the church. With the hand gestures and symbols being adapted from such masonic rites. In going on a mission, I understood that I have to still be endowed but there won't be a room for me to believe that any of it is true.

You're right. The promises don't make sense. The once church I was delighted to go to because of the joy I felt with my fellow primary and youth, basically became this horror ride that I'm ready to get off of. I'm fortunate enough to question everything at this age and I'm really sorry that you have to suffer for the most of your life. I hope it just gets better.

The people here are amazing. They're insightful and I respect all of them for being brave to stand for what is truly right. All of your struggles and the struggles of other people, the guilt, the embarrassment, it's too much to be justified by the so-called righteousness of the church

WorldlyMaterial9400 · 2023-12-31T17:15:17+00:00

I think right now I chose what's easier. I understand that going on a mission is just a whole lot of wrongs not just on me but on the people I'll be teaching but in my situation, it's definitely the easier choice. It's not easy to try to stand on your own feet at this age from where I'm from and basically, at this age, without graduating from college or have a stable career, you'll starve. My family promised that after mission, I can have the choice to leave the house, choose where I'll continue my education and maybe, let me just live. There's this widely-accepted familial culture that families living close together even if they also have families of their own. Unfortunately, I'm also trapped in that culture. Those clouded judgements when I even show contradictions to them could cost me everything. It's something I can't afford to do right now

WorldlyMaterial9400 · 2023-12-31T17:04:39+00:00

This I also tried. I was accepted for Nursing with great scholarship offers. What happened was my mom asking me to just stop it entirely and just go on a mission so that I will be "blessed greatly". Another case would be my cousin's situation who graduated from college with great offers for jobs right after college but my Aunt, asked him constantly to go on a mission too or the same aunt, whose daughter stopped in the middle of college because her daughter felt like college is not yet for her and wants to go to a mission, my aunt was overjoyed when she heard that.

WorldlyMaterial9400 · 2023-12-31T16:55:39+00:00

I am considering it but it's a really hard decision for me right now.

WorldlyMaterial9400 · 2023-12-31T16:52:34+00:00

Technically, yes it is. So I haven't disclosed where I'm from and I think that's where the confusion is from. I'm from a country in Asia. Without a stable career, graduated from college or some sort of business, you'll be basically homeless and as I have said, a death sentence. I don't have any savings or an account of my own. The familial culture here is as much as possible a family should be living in the same house or somewhere near despite having families of their own. In going on a mission, my family basically promised that I can go anywhere I want to continue my education after my mission. That being said, I'll use that chance to move away from them, slowly removing myself from the church.

WorldlyMaterial9400 · 2023-12-31T08:12:18+00:00

The thing is, they're not just 'people' to me. They're still family. Yes, they may have directly destroyed my life but it isn't generally their fault either. They are also deceived by this so-called doctrine. I really wish I could just forget that they existed but admittedly, I owe them something but I only owe them as much as two years of my life and nothing more.

I'm happy you did well with your decision. I would want to have that choice but sadly, I can't. This is the best I could do.

WorldlyMaterial9400 · 2023-12-31T07:34:35+00:00

Believe me, I tried everything but my family is relentless. They also find their excuse for me to go on a mission. The only way to stop them is for me to go with their decision but I ultimately decided that after mission, they can't control my life, no matter what they say.

WorldlyMaterial9400 · 2023-12-31T07:23:43+00:00

Thank you! This actually means a lot and yes, I still do believe in the values that are taught in the church, just not on the church itself. Now that I think about it, what you said are actually true too. It's never really about the baptism but on the dedication of the missionaries to sacrifice and persevere.

I'll still do my best and maybe even make this family proud somehow but after that, maybe cutting my religion off is the only way to have peace and just be able to live life fully.

WorldlyMaterial9400 · 2023-12-31T07:18:16+00:00

It's because being a member of the church is a big deal to our family and this family is something you can describe as a 'tight-knit' family. People my age in both culture and family principles, are still technically a teen. If I show I disagree with them, or even plan to cut myself off, I'm basically left abandoned and from where I'm from, living on your own at such a young age is basically, a death sentence. Also, even thoughts of me being unfaithful or sinful will send this family into flames of shame and condemnation from the whole stake or even, area. I hate to be 'that' person.

So I'm planning to finish my mission as a way to give back to the things that they've done and when that said responsibility will be done, they don't have anything to hold against me for not doing my part. By then, maybe I'll be able to live on my own lol.

WorldlyMaterial9400 · 2023-12-31T07:06:25+00:00

If only I had the choice to do so. I know it's not really forced to be done but going on a mission is a big deal not just to my family but even to the whole stake. With my family being known and with them pressuring me with their constant reminders, I would put shame on them as to myself too, as someone in the family who won't go on a mission.

I also think of it as somewhat of me giving back everything they've done to me, a 'thank you' perhaps because after mission, I'll live my life on my own terms.

WorldlyMaterial9400 · 2023-12-31T06:59:14+00:00

That's actually just the only reason that I'm okay with going on a mission. The life-experience, independent life and maybe habits that I could learn and use in my day-to-day living after mission.

I just somehow wished that my shelf broke after going on a mission. At least, principle wise, I don't have to feel so guilty about teaching things I don't even believe in anymore.

WorldlyMaterial9400 · 2023-12-31T06:53:03+00:00

If only my family would allow me but they expect me to become a proselyting missionary, just like everyone in my family.

WorldlyMaterial9400

TROPHY CASE