Does your family hold Family Counsel? If so, this might be an ideal time to break the news. Be prepared for anger, crying, disbelief, and things like that. Don't expect to get much sleep for a while. Have you decided if you are going to tell your wife first, then your family or bring her along and break the news all at once?
Let me just say that I disagree with your choice. But I am reminded of what a Branch President once told some friends regarding one of their sons decision to leave the church. Their son was raised in the church and sealed to them. When he left he, like you, was married and became an active member of a non-denominational church and was able to help many people who were just starting to find Christ. This Branch President said to the parents (in an effort to console them), that we (as members) don't know but that their son's leaving the church was part of God's Plan for him. Their son may have made promises in the pre-existance to help other people find their way to God, and that the only way to do that was to leave the church - for a while. He said that he felt sure that God's Plan was able to deal with those who leave the church - firm in their belief that it is wrong, but who go on to help other people firm up their testimonies of Christ, and eventually return to their own family who they have been sealed to. This was a GREAT comfort to my friends who had the ';wayward'; son. Perhaps it will be of comfort to your family as well, that is assuming that you do not want your name taken off the roles of the church, or have your family sealing voided. Even if you don't believe this anymore, I'm assuming that you still love your family and want their love too. So maybe you can handle still being sealed to them, even if you don't believe that's the way it will happen. My hope is you can. I can't say I wish you good luck, because I believe you are doing the wrong thing, but I hope that you and your family can handle this and that it won't destroy your relationship with them.Tonight I think I'm going to tell my family that I'm leaving the LDS Church. How should I do it? Some advice?
I think you are brave and seeking something else from God and only (1) God. My prayers are that you will find the peace through God you are looking for. There's a scripture in the Bible that talks about that, ';A Prophet is not known is his own country';. I went thru this with my family when I became a true Christian. They saw the old me and quoted on that quite often. especially when I slipped and messed up from being a Christian. It's very hard to have family support when you feel/go a different direction that they have believed. Look to God for all of your answers. He can change your families heart. It may take time to do that. You do what you feel that God is leading you to do. In the end of our life on earth, it only mattters what road to God that we have taken, not our families road and what they think we should do. Good luck and much prayers to you.Tonight I think I'm going to tell my family that I'm leaving the LDS Church. How should I do it? Some advice?
If you have a wife (assuming your a man which I think you are?) I would tell her first, then the rest of your family. Depending on them, my guess is that it their response won't be ';okay';
Sorry I just read someones respnse and it made me laugh, she said she was pushed to have a child 9 months after getting married. I just want people to know that Mormons do not force women to have a child, I was married and within three months it just happened, we were not planning on having kids for a very long time, women are not forced to have children early, if anyone told me that I would tell them to mind their own business.
say, ';this is wack yo... holla';
Well if you're just going to be non-denominational for a while, then tell them that, as that is VERY different from having your name full on taken from the records
- if you can give them an idea of how long ';a while'; is - weeks? months? years? do that. Can you share with them your spiritual plan in your time off? Will you be reading scriptures? Praying? or just nothing?
Also, tell your wife before you tell your parents - that would stink for her to have to hear that news from her mother-in-law.
Oooh, something that would be really great would be to ask your father for a blessing. If that's something you still even reomotely believe in, I think that would be extremely helpful in calming the waters in your family with this.
Best wishes
Don't tell them. Just sleep in on Sunday.
Do you have another place to sleep? I don't know how your family is, but if they are fanatical sorts, you'll probably be kicked out.
Prepare for fighting/arguing to happen.
Try to have a calm conversation with them. Explain to them why you are leaving the LDS. What are your disagreements with it.
**EDIT**
I assumed you were younger and living at home. My apologies.
In this case, come right out and say. If they have a problem with it, and it sounds like they will, be prepare to have no contact with them. They might take it that far as to threaten if you leave the LDS church, they won't ever speak to you again.
If this were to happen, it will be sad, but don't cave into it.
It will be difficult- no way around that. Be prepared for tears, anger, blame and attacks on your character. Stand firm. They will try to twist scripture to confuse you, so spend time in prayer and fasting first. Remember- resist the devil and he will flee from you!
This group, Concerned Christian can provide you with support, encouragement and sound Bible teaching during this time. You can email or call them. If you live near them you can attend one of their ex-Mormon groups.
They also have a sample letter of resignation. It is a good idea to use a letter that follows the same format. Otherwise, you will be faced with unwanted visits from church members and eventually slander. Rather than remove your name at your request the Mormon church will try to have a bishops court to excommunicate you based an slanderous lies.
Keep reading the Bible everyday, pray and seek solid Bible teaching from a ';sola scriptura'; (Bible preaching only) church.
Do it at dinner. Like a band aid. It hurts less if you do it fast. Keep being true to yourself. Who cares what your family has to say, it's not their choice. It's yours. And you can do whatever you want.
come right with it and wait for the jumping
Sometimes when people do this they also reject the Lord.. I would hope that isn't your idea. If it isn't you could tell them you have found a better way for you than the church... Jim
well whatever happens, I hope you know what you're doing.
gw
here is a really good site that discusses your very situation. read it carefully. I think you will find what you are looking for here.
http://home.teleport.com/~packham/leavin鈥?/a>
Please know what you are doing is both brave and difficult, I know. You need to prepare yourself for the worst and hope for the best and go on with your life.
Bless you.
Calmly, and resolutely. Speak your truth quietly and clearly.
Be understanding of their concerns, but if your decision is firm, stand by it. Be strong.
Remember always that your family's love for you and your love for your family is bigger and more important than any religious affiliation.
I've known of a few Latter-Day Saints that may have shunned someone who renounced their denomination, but as Christians, I don't see them holding too much of a grudge. They are your family, after all, and it's not like you're letting go of your faith...simply your denomination.
Just be sure to reiterate the fact that you will still retain your Christian faith, and even if they are upset by your decision, they'll eventually get over it and learn to forgive. And even though you'd prefer to remain non-denominational for a while, I'd recommend still trying to attend church, at least periodically. There are plenty of non-denominational churches out there whose sole purpose applies to folks like you, and attempts to keep the scriptures in your life. I'm sure your family would sleep easier knowing that you'll still be attending a church of some sort.
Good luck tonight. Your family loves you, just as God does, and it will all work itself out in the end. Just have faith!
God bless.
Grab your bullet-proof vest and run for the hills...
You're going to have to protect yourself from all those ';kind, loving, and gentle'; christians...
Keep your head down, and RUN!
just tell them you have seen the truths about that cult they are in and your choosing now to step out of that and face the truth of the One True God of the Bible...
Sorry to hear you have arrived at this decision. May God bless you in you efforts to serve him. Talk to your closed family memers first. Letthem know your love for them. Accept that it may be very hard for some family and friends to accept you decision. That is human nature. But if you prepare for it ahead of time, it will be a little less hard to bare.
Best wishes.
Just don't do it at a picnic at Mountain Meadows.
tell them the church does not have the answers you are looking for........................
Honesty and acceptance. If your family is your family they will love you unconditionally. At least I hope so. There is nothing my children could do that would make me love them less. Be dissapointed yes, but never stop loving them. Stay calm, answer thier questions and respect thier decision even if they don't respect yours. I wish you luck.
I still remember the night I told my family.....
I would be totally honest to them and yourself but just tell them. My sister-in-law e-mail a copy of the letter she wrote to her bishop to tell the family. Then I few years later, I called my family one by one and told them. My mom and dad tried to talk me out of it but they think the it is the only true church. If you want to can e-mail me and we can talk more about it. good luck but make sure you are 100% before you leave.
*****Edit*****
I was raised Mormon and went on a mission. I married a non-member which upset my family to start. Then after 3 years for marriage I started wondering why I was not happy. I founld that I was not happy with the church. I did not like being pushed into a cookie cutter. I did not get married at 18 and I did not start having kids 9 months after I was married. I am a strong women how thinks for herself and I will not feel sorry for doing the things that I feel I need to.
The night I called my parents to tell them was Monday night so I knew they would be home. Got to love FHE anyway... They were both every upset by the news. My Dad just kept sayd will either it is true or it is not. My Mom just cried, however she still does not talk about it to this day. We just don't talk about my faith anymore. My brother and his wife were very supportive and understood where I was coming from. My other brother was upset and started blaiming himself. I guess he thought it was becaues he is gay and ex that I was leaving but it really had nothing to do with it. I don't have any one younger then me so I don't know how they will react but they might surpize you. Good luck
Blessed Be )O(
Just tell them. If they aren't understanding and don't accept your decision then they shouldn't call themselves religious.
Just walk into the light....it is waiting for you there.
Since you are basically just trying to hurt your family by rejecting their religion right to their faces, make it spectacular. Use swear words and desecrate something Church related. LOL!
Just stop going to church, it's less agony for all involved.
No comments:
Post a Comment