I was part of the Mormon community when I was a child, but now I’m inactive. My father abandoned me. He divorced my mom. Today he has a calling in the church and is seen as an exemplar Mormon who cares about his family, but I don’t think the members of his ward realize what he’s done. Someone who abandons their child, who doesn’t care about their child’s health and life, doesn’t deserve to be an example to be followed. Especially not in this church, which never taught me the wrong path! The church always taught me the way to go back to my father in heaven. But ever since my father abandoned me, I haven’t gone to church, even though I still have a strong testimony. As luck would have it, I found this site and decided to ask what I should do. Thanks.
One Response to “I was part of the Mormon community when I was a child, but n…”
Jorge Santana
2010-02-13 07:13:52
Hi Ximena. I'm very sorry to hear that you had a bad experience with a member of the church. That experience must have been especially difficult because the member was your own father! You're right that the church expects fathers to take care of their children, even after divorce. Abandoning one's child is a very serious sin. In fact, one of the temple recommendation questions is related to child abandonment.
A statue of Jesus Christ at temple square in Salt Lake City.
It must be very difficult to feel such rejection from your own father. My wife actually had a similar experience growing up, though her father was never a member of our church. My wife made a decision that she was not going to let her father's foolish acts ruin her own life. Perhaps it's difficult now, but in time you'll be able to forgive him. The atonement of Jesus Christ can help you overcome these challenging feelings. Forgiving, of course, is not the same thing as forgetting. Our God is a just God, and if your father doesn't repent, he'll suffer the consequences of his decisions. However, by forgiving him, you'll eventually be able to overcome your own negative feelings. You'll be able to move on.
I'd like to invite you to come back to church. As you know, most members of the church are good people who are trying to follow Jesus Christ. Don't let your father's bad example keep you away from full participation in the Church of Jesus Christ. You deserve the blessings that come from gospel living.
I'd like to invite you to come back to church. As you know, most members of the church are good people who are trying to follow Jesus Christ. Don't let your father's bad example keep you away from full participation in the Church of Jesus Christ. You deserve the blessings that come from gospel living.
I recently wrote an article entitled "Are you an Inactive Member of the Church? Come Back!" that you may find useful. May God bless you and guide you on the right path.