Hi. Well done on the great site. I’m an LDS and been in the church oficially since 2003 when I was baptised but investigated for a while on and off. Anyway my query is this. I have MS and have been struggling with alot and going to church of which Ive not been able to attend since a year and half ago. Anyway I wrote to my branch president explaining how Ive been feeling and saying I feel sad that Ive not had very much if any contact for a long time and how I felt maybe best thing for me to do was leave the church. Anyway since I sent him this letter nearly a month ago I still havnt heard any thing at all from him or others in the leadership. Id really like to hear from you or anyone to help with this. Thankyou as I doi not feel valued as a person or a member.
4 Responses to “Hi. Well done on the great site. I’m an LDS and been in the …”
Richard
2009-12-14 18:30:28
I'm sorry that your branch president has let you down. If you know your Stake President you can always contact him in order to get your issues addressed. If you can't get any contact from either just find you a missionary to talk tofor help.
You are a child of God and as such you have infinite worth to Him and the church at large. I've been told that if you were the only person in the world and you needed the life, atonement of Christ, death and His resurection, He would have gone through the whole thing just for your sake.
I can testify to you as well that the church is the correct place to be, and if you're feeling you need to leave I can tell you also that those feelings are temptations from the devil, who seeks nothing but your misery.
Do you see a doctor for your MS? I have brain damage and I have those days where life and even getting up in the morning is hard, but I do it because if I lie in bed all the time I am actually just killing myself slowly.
Read your scriptures daily, pray always, look toward the positive and to our Redeemer, Jesus and He will run to your aid in helping you. Remember the only people who lose in this life are those that through their own chose and will give up and stop wanting to progress forward. Everything else in this life will be forgiven through Jesus upon repentence and a simple desire to be and do better.
Chin up and know: "that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Webmaster
2009-12-19 05:49:06
Hi friend. I'm very sorry to hear that you have MS. I can't imagine what a challenge that must be for you. In an ideal world, you would have home teachers that could visit you regularly and help you feel connected with the church. In many of the larger congregations (wards), the home teaching program is well established. Unfortunately, in some of the smaller branches like yours, the leadership is very understaffed. I know a little bit about this because I'm also in a branch. My branch president does a wonderful job holding our little congregation together even though he must feel very overwhelmed at times, but we don't have much of a home teaching program either.
It may well be that your branch president is so overwhelmed that he hasn't had an opportunity to answer your letter yet. He probably feels guilty he hasn't been able to get to it. You might try scheduling a meeting with him through the branch secretary instead. Alternatively, you could try contacting the missionaries. There is no doubt in my mind that your branch president does not want you to feel unappreciated and undervalued.
As you know, it's very important to attend church regularly. In your case, however, you're not physically able; it seems you really are blameless. It sounds to me like you would attend church if you could; because of your unique circumstances, I think you can be a faithful Mormon even though you're unable to attend weekly. There's a scripture in the Book of Mormon that teaches us that God does not require us to run faster than we have strength. Simply do all you can do, and I'm certain God will accept your sacrifice.
There's no reason for you to resign your church membership; if anything, I think now, given your illness, you need to grow closer to God more than ever so you can feel His divine love and peace during trying times. Church attendance is very important, but in the end, being a member of the church is much, much more than just going to church every Sunday. Here are some ideas of things you can do to maintain your faith despite problems with mobility:
As you know, twice a year Mormons have their General Conference. All the sermons preached during these General Conferences are available online as well, in both written and audio formats.
The church also has a television and radio station. You might try watching and listening to these stations to maintain your connection with the church.
I have also published a number of Mormon songs on my webpage that might help you maintain this important connection with the Mormon community.
There's also a vibrant Mormon community on the Internet, including many Mormon blogs that talk about interesting theological topics. By Common Consent is one blog that I particularly enjoy.
Prayer is also crucial for spiritual development. I recommend praying at least twice daily.
I wish you the best of luck. I know this must be a very hard time in your life. Certainly, I encourage you to attend church on Sunday whenever you are up to it; the above activities can never substitute for frequent church attendence. Even though life's circumstances have forced you into church "inactivity," though, you can still keep your faith vibrant. You can still be a faithful member of the church.
Pamela Dean
2009-12-19 14:19:33
Do not despair. The Lord knows you and the trials you are going through. Stay strong in your faith, and you will receive the courage you need to not only face your illness but to learn great lessons from your struggles.
In the meantime, having gone through a period of time myself when I did not feel connected to people in the church, here are some suggestions that helped me.
1. Do not give up. Who knows why your branch president has not responded? Whether it's something that you consider to be a good reason or not is irrelevant. So... Give him a gentle reminder. Call and leave a message on the chapel answering machine asking him if he's had a chance to read your letter.
2. Call your visiting teachers and home teachers. Don't have any? Or don't know who they are? Then call the relief society president and elders quorum president. Ask for their help. Tell them you are struggling because of your illness and you really need help.
3. Call the missionaries. Ask for visits for spiritual thoughts, family home evening lessons, help getting to church, service projects in your home, and blessings. Lots of blessings. And regularly! Invite your friends and family to come when the missionaries do so that you can receive the blessings that come from performing missionary work. Ask them over for supper - it doesn't have to be fancy. A can of soup and sandwich they make themselves is easy, cheap, and won't put undue stress on you, while still allowing you to do your part.
4. If you are a sister, have you been assigned sisters to visit teach? Ask the relief society president for some sisters names. You may not be able to actually visit their homes, but you can send a letter or an email or call them each month. Serving others will also help you forget your troubles for even a few short minutes. It also gives you the opportunity to make contact with the relief society each month as you report the completion of your visiting teaching.
5. Byutv.org has an online sacrament service, ldsliving.com has Sunday lesson helps, and lds.org has all the manuals and lessons for relief society, priesthood, and Sunday school. Take advantage of technology to stay connected.
6. After a suitable time, if you still have no success with receiving a response from the branch leadership, call the stake leadership and ask for their advice.
7. Ask your branch or stake leadership if you can see a counsellor at LDS family services. They can help make sure that you remain positive throughout your illness, and can help the leadership understand what you are going through so that they can help you better.
8. Work towards getting a temple recommend, and then go as often as you can. I knew a sister in Ontario in the last stages of MS, and she went to the temple every week. Was it hard? Absolutely! But the joy and peace she found there each week shone from her like a light, kept her positive, and reminded her that in the eternities she would receive a perfect body as long as she remained strong in her testimony.
Hope that helps, and blessings to you as you work through this.
Webmaster: Fantastic suggestions, Pamela!
Clarissa Reed
2009-12-18 02:19:34
I'm sorry you haven't heard anything. Your message may have been lost. Branch presidents are very busy and he may have forgotten. Sometimes, if you aren't very inolved with people in your ward, they won't know that you are sick. Some people aren't very outgoing and may be scared to bother you. They don't know how you'll react. So even if they like you, they won't move until you do. I think that you should slowly intergrate yourself back into the ward. Start with programs, specials, and sacrament, if your health will allow. Start telling people about your MS, they will understand. Talk with your bishop personally, or your hometeacher. That's what they are here for. I know what it's like, and believe me, this will help. Good luck
You are a child of God and as such you have infinite worth to Him and the church at large. I've been told that if you were the only person in the world and you needed the life, atonement of Christ, death and His resurection, He would have gone through the whole thing just for your sake.
I can testify to you as well that the church is the correct place to be, and if you're feeling you need to leave I can tell you also that those feelings are temptations from the devil, who seeks nothing but your misery.
Do you see a doctor for your MS? I have brain damage and I have those days where life and even getting up in the morning is hard, but I do it because if I lie in bed all the time I am actually just killing myself slowly.
Read your scriptures daily, pray always, look toward the positive and to our Redeemer, Jesus and He will run to your aid in helping you. Remember the only people who lose in this life are those that through their own chose and will give up and stop wanting to progress forward. Everything else in this life will be forgiven through Jesus upon repentence and a simple desire to be and do better.
Chin up and know: "that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
It may well be that your branch president is so overwhelmed that he hasn't had an opportunity to answer your letter yet. He probably feels guilty he hasn't been able to get to it. You might try scheduling a meeting with him through the branch secretary instead. Alternatively, you could try contacting the missionaries. There is no doubt in my mind that your branch president does not want you to feel unappreciated and undervalued.
As you know, it's very important to attend church regularly. In your case, however, you're not physically able; it seems you really are blameless. It sounds to me like you would attend church if you could; because of your unique circumstances, I think you can be a faithful Mormon even though you're unable to attend weekly. There's a scripture in the Book of Mormon that teaches us that God does not require us to run faster than we have strength. Simply do all you can do, and I'm certain God will accept your sacrifice.
There's no reason for you to resign your church membership; if anything, I think now, given your illness, you need to grow closer to God more than ever so you can feel His divine love and peace during trying times. Church attendance is very important, but in the end, being a member of the church is much, much more than just going to church every Sunday. Here are some ideas of things you can do to maintain your faith despite problems with mobility:
- You can read the Scriptures daily. If you feel too tired to read, you can also listen to recordings of the scriptures.
- As you know, twice a year Mormons have their General Conference. All the sermons preached during these General Conferences are available online as well, in both written and audio formats.
- The church also has a television and radio station. You might try watching and listening to these stations to maintain your connection with the church.
- I have also published a number of Mormon songs on my webpage that might help you maintain this important connection with the Mormon community.
- There's also a vibrant Mormon community on the Internet, including many Mormon blogs that talk about interesting theological topics. By Common Consent is one blog that I particularly enjoy.
- You can also read church Sunday-school manuals online. These are the very manuals that are used in church every week.
- Prayer is also crucial for spiritual development. I recommend praying at least twice daily.
I wish you the best of luck. I know this must be a very hard time in your life. Certainly, I encourage you to attend church on Sunday whenever you are up to it; the above activities can never substitute for frequent church attendence. Even though life's circumstances have forced you into church "inactivity," though, you can still keep your faith vibrant. You can still be a faithful member of the church.In the meantime, having gone through a period of time myself when I did not feel connected to people in the church, here are some suggestions that helped me.
1. Do not give up. Who knows why your branch president has not responded? Whether it's something that you consider to be a good reason or not is irrelevant. So... Give him a gentle reminder. Call and leave a message on the chapel answering machine asking him if he's had a chance to read your letter.
2. Call your visiting teachers and home teachers. Don't have any? Or don't know who they are? Then call the relief society president and elders quorum president. Ask for their help. Tell them you are struggling because of your illness and you really need help.
3. Call the missionaries. Ask for visits for spiritual thoughts, family home evening lessons, help getting to church, service projects in your home, and blessings. Lots of blessings. And regularly! Invite your friends and family to come when the missionaries do so that you can receive the blessings that come from performing missionary work. Ask them over for supper - it doesn't have to be fancy. A can of soup and sandwich they make themselves is easy, cheap, and won't put undue stress on you, while still allowing you to do your part.
4. If you are a sister, have you been assigned sisters to visit teach? Ask the relief society president for some sisters names. You may not be able to actually visit their homes, but you can send a letter or an email or call them each month. Serving others will also help you forget your troubles for even a few short minutes. It also gives you the opportunity to make contact with the relief society each month as you report the completion of your visiting teaching.
5. Byutv.org has an online sacrament service, ldsliving.com has Sunday lesson helps, and lds.org has all the manuals and lessons for relief society, priesthood, and Sunday school. Take advantage of technology to stay connected.
6. After a suitable time, if you still have no success with receiving a response from the branch leadership, call the stake leadership and ask for their advice.
7. Ask your branch or stake leadership if you can see a counsellor at LDS family services. They can help make sure that you remain positive throughout your illness, and can help the leadership understand what you are going through so that they can help you better.
8. Work towards getting a temple recommend, and then go as often as you can. I knew a sister in Ontario in the last stages of MS, and she went to the temple every week. Was it hard? Absolutely! But the joy and peace she found there each week shone from her like a light, kept her positive, and reminded her that in the eternities she would receive a perfect body as long as she remained strong in her testimony.
Hope that helps, and blessings to you as you work through this.
Webmaster: Fantastic suggestions, Pamela!