Hello. I hope I can get some help from you on somthing that is troubling me. My life is very complicated and ill start as best I can…
I recently had my name removed from the church records and sadly no longer a latterday saint. I struggled for years without the love and support I begged my branch pres for in letters. I was suicidal and I also have MS so have a psyisical disability.
Im married to a non believer also so that was always ( and still is hard)
I used to have a temple recommend and go to the temple when I could which wasnt very offten as its over 4-5 hours away and I cant drive.
I feel very neglected and alone and did before I had my name removed from the records. I live an hour from church which was always hard for me to go to church as it was a long day as I didnt get home before 3pm from 8am and I get so tired and feel very ill by time I got home.
I wrote to the branch pres who never got back to me over 2-3 years and this hurt me deeply as I so needed his love and council.
I never really felt apart of the church and in the end just felt like a name on a list. I felt so sad over the whole situation but never really wanted to leave the church just have real friendships and fellowship which I never had. I asked if the missionaries could teach me the lessons sopmetimes and asked for sacrament to be in my home as I hadnt taken it in years.
I dont feel I was treated right at all. All that aside how do I come back to the church? Thankyou x caz
One Response to “Helloi hope I can get some help from you on somthing tha…”
Miguel Castro
2012-04-16 01:50:34
Hi Caz. I'm sorry to hear about all your heath troubles. I can't really defend or criticize your branch president one way or the other because I don't know the whole story, but one thing for certain is that when we're having health struggles, we really need God in our lives, and I'm sorry the church wasn't able to provide you with the spiritual comfort you needed. I think it likely has something to do with the fact that you live so far away from your chapel. Wards and branches that are geographically large can be very difficult to properly administer.
I have some health concerns of my own, though not as serious as yours. Nevertheless, I know enough about the challenges that come with poor health to recognize the need for God. Through my relationship with Jesus Christ, I've found a lot of peace in difficult times. Faith in Christ hasn't fixed all my problems, but it's given me spiritual strength to face them. Your idea to return to the church is an excellent one. You need the peace that comes from Christ's restored gospel.
It may well be that your branch president will struggle to meet your spiritual needs even after you return to the church. I encourage you to go to sacrament meeting as often as you can to benefit from the community of saints there. However, it may be that your MS understandably limits your ability to attend every week, and living an hour away from the chapel will likely make it difficult for you to be home-taught and visited regularly. Fortunately, it is possible to develop your own spirituality even if you do live far away from other members of the Church. Things like regular scripture study and prayer are obviously very important. Additionally, here are some links that you might find helpful:
I particularly enjoy the Mormon music page. There's something about sacred music, regardless of the style, that really helps me connect with God. Perhaps it could help you as well. The official church manuals might also be very helpful. You could perhaps even hold a little Sunday school in your house to help feel connected to the rest of the Church. I know your wife is a non-believer, but perhaps she could participate just because she knows it's important to you. If I'm not mistaken, BYUTV also broadcasts a sacrament meeting every Sunday for those who are unable to attend church regularly.
I don't know what the procedure would be to have your name put back on the records of the Church. Why don't you chat with the missionaries online to get some more information? I'm certain they'd be happy to help you.
I have some health concerns of my own, though not as serious as yours. Nevertheless, I know enough about the challenges that come with poor health to recognize the need for God. Through my relationship with Jesus Christ, I've found a lot of peace in difficult times. Faith in Christ hasn't fixed all my problems, but it's given me spiritual strength to face them. Your idea to return to the church is an excellent one. You need the peace that comes from Christ's restored gospel.
It may well be that your branch president will struggle to meet your spiritual needs even after you return to the church. I encourage you to go to sacrament meeting as often as you can to benefit from the community of saints there. However, it may be that your MS understandably limits your ability to attend every week, and living an hour away from the chapel will likely make it difficult for you to be home-taught and visited regularly. Fortunately, it is possible to develop your own spirituality even if you do live far away from other members of the Church. Things like regular scripture study and prayer are obviously very important. Additionally, here are some links that you might find helpful:
I particularly enjoy the Mormon music page. There's something about sacred music, regardless of the style, that really helps me connect with God. Perhaps it could help you as well. The official church manuals might also be very helpful. You could perhaps even hold a little Sunday school in your house to help feel connected to the rest of the Church. I know your wife is a non-believer, but perhaps she could participate just because she knows it's important to you. If I'm not mistaken, BYUTV also broadcasts a sacrament meeting every Sunday for those who are unable to attend church regularly.
I don't know what the procedure would be to have your name put back on the records of the Church. Why don't you chat with the missionaries online to get some more information? I'm certain they'd be happy to help you.
I hope this answer helps, Caz.