For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ
Romans 1:16
Therefore, in spite of what some of my readers may think about the following information, I choose to share with you about my faith.
I was born and raised a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, also referred to as LDS or Mormon.
There are a lot of misconceptions about the religion, and I hope that those who visit my blog will be able to see a more truthful perspective. Like any organized group, Mormons have some of their own lingo. I have usually tried to link things when I post about them, but if you ever feel lost, feel free to ask.
I grew up with a very literalistic belief in all the teachings of the church, though I also spent some time learning about other religions. I have become more unorthodox in my own beliefs now, though Mormonism is still my heritage and culture and I try to be very knowledgeable about it. If you ever have any questions, please feel free to ask me!
Here is a short bulleted list with A Few Facts about my Faith. You might also like to check out my "I'm a Mormon" profile.
I've written a number of posts about a few specific topics relating to faith in general, or to LDS doctrine or practice in specific. (These posts are all pretty orthodox.)
- Why Bad things happen to Good people
- Prepare Every Needful Thing (food storage and other mormon habits)
- Fear and Faith
- Finding the Way
- Christ Conquers
- Being an Instrument [in the hands of the Lord]
- Thoughts on Hope
- Thoughts on Grace
- Thinking about Eve
- Speak the Name [of God]
- Why big families?
- Why Mormons build Temples
- Motherhood, an eternal partnership with God
- Why mothers belong at home
- Relief Society (women's organization) theme, and associated posts
Talks and Lessons I've given (these tend to be progressive/inclusive)~
- The plan of salvation (RS lesson Feb 2014)
- Loving God more than we love the world (RS lesson Nov 2013)
- Faith (sacrament meeting talk Mar 2013)
- Conversion (Sacrament meeting talk Jan 2013)
- Discipleship (sacrament meeting talk Sep 2011)
2010 and onward~
At this point I want to state that my faith is a process. My journey was within Mormonism for the first five years (though not always on the mainstream LDS path) but it has now ventured elsewhere. Some of the things I share about my journey be be troubling to some (given the fact that it ultimately led me away from the original faith). However, in the interest of honesty and authenticity, because I believe that it is important for the world (including Mormons) to realize that there is not just one kind of Mormon, and also because I know that I am not the only one on this journey, I choose to share it with you. (These posts are sequential, though you don't necessarily have to read them that way, they might make more sense if you do.)
Blessed Be.
- Oh Say What is Truth
- An Integrated Path (melding mormonism with paganism)
- The Dance of the Dissident Daughter (book review)
- I can't just turn off my brain
- Going to the Temple (seeking answers, and finding some)
- Myth and Truth (the validity of non-literal belief in scripture)
- Thoughts on spiritual transitions
- Finding the Feminine Divine
- In Defense of Orthopraxy in times of Doubt
- Lights in the Sky
- I'm a Universalist
- I'm a Big Tent Mormon
- "...or whether I speak of myself" (deciphering what is gospel and what is opinion)
- Embracing Faith Transition
- Everything is Holy Now
- Of Iron Rods and Liahonas (the letter of the law and the spirit of the law)
- In which I worry people...again
- I believe...help thou my unbelief
- One Eternal Round
- Finding the Way
- Agency and Obedience
- God Hath Not Given Us the Spirit of Fear (#pants2012)
- I Claim You (#pants2013)
- Finding My Place (including #pants2015) (my wholehearted attempt to make it as a Mormon)
- Choosing my Peace (my decision to quit the LDS church and forge my own path)
