I’m sorry you’ve had such a terrible experience with imperfect people in the church. I can’t say I’ve had the same and feel the complete opposite. I feel completely valued and teach my daughter and 5 sons they are both valued equally while having different roles. I have met some jerks in the church and met jerks out. I was molested by a man who was NOT a member of the church and my sis was molested by our step dad who was an absolute creep and pathological liar who was a member. He was not protected by anyone! I’ve never met anyone in the church protected for being a pedo and was always told we have to report. Do they all…no? Because just being a member of a church, any church, doesn’t make a person perfect. The man who molested me got off…he abused both his daughters and he didn’t belong to any church. I’ve been a member my whole life, but inactive when I was in the military. We all have different experiences but I do not believe as an institution the church condones or protects pedos. No church authority is perfect, not a single one in any religion. I trust in God above all, I didn’t get the jab even thought the Prophet recommended it, he isn’t infallible and I think it was the wrong call but many did 🤷♀️
I've never understood the people who are more zealous in thier anti mormonism than they were in thier participation as a member. I grew up in it went on a mission the whole 9 yards. I'm not active anymore, I guess I just flamed out. I have nothing bad to say about the Mormon church or mormons as a whole. I have critiques but they would apply to most churches not just the LDS church. I don't know anyone personally in the church or out who has experienced the wild stuff I read about online. Yes I'm from Utah, and the church was everywhere. these post that occasionally occur about Mormons and abuse and child abuse I just scratch my head, it's definitely not my experience.
I’m from Arizona and could never live in Utah (nothing personal) I love my religion but there is something different when living near so many members so maybe that’s it. I had a hard time living in Mesa where everyone is a member. I’m in the Midwest so I have one neighbor in my Ward. My brother is like you, my 5 siblings are inactive and I understand why. For me I find more stability and peace in following it and giving my kids a good foundation. Teaching values and the importance of family is big for me. My grandfather was a convert and he always said “it’s either true or it’s not, either way it’s a good way of life”. That’s how I feel, when I left the church I drank and smoked and turned against all my values. I don’t ever judge anyone for leaving, or believing differently. For me it saved my life and I met my amazing husband. My kids can choose for themselves when they turn 18…my oldest is 17 and we are not sure if he will choose to serve a mission or not but it’s his choice not mine. I don’t believe in following blindly, I have no problem questioning my Bishop or Stake President if I think they are wrong and I have no problem calling out anyone who does something I think is wrong. I’ve got tons of stories and rubbed some people the wrong way in my current ward because of covid. We moved in the week church was shut down.
My brother and sister in laws live in Utah, rest of family is in Az and they love it I’ve only been once but after living in Mesa as an adult I knew I couldn’t live around that many members. I was never the stereotypical (if there really is one) member and had a difficult time fitting in as a young girl. Only member my age in my very small community Branch and the girls in the stake were mean to me…long story short I have my own issues and have loathed relief society for many reasons. After moving to my new state we had planned to try a bit harder but covid threw a wrench in that. I believe my religion but I struggle with some of the culture and always have. I just do my best and feel everyone else is doing the same so not to hold grudges or get offended. Midwest people are just so nice, I can’t tell if I’ve made friends or they just tolerate me because they are nice.
I’m sorry you’ve had such a terrible experience with imperfect people in the church. I can’t say I’ve had the same and feel the complete opposite. I feel completely valued and teach my daughter and 5 sons they are both valued equally while having different roles. I have met some jerks in the church and met jerks out. I was molested by a man who was NOT a member of the church and my sis was molested by our step dad who was an absolute creep and pathological liar who was a member. He was not protected by anyone! I’ve never met anyone in the church protected for being a pedo and was always told we have to report. Do they all…no? Because just being a member of a church, any church, doesn’t make a person perfect. The man who molested me got off…he abused both his daughters and he didn’t belong to any church. I’ve been a member my whole life, but inactive when I was in the military. We all have different experiences but I do not believe as an institution the church condones or protects pedos. No church authority is perfect, not a single one in any religion. I trust in God above all, I didn’t get the jab even thought the Prophet recommended it, he isn’t infallible and I think it was the wrong call but many did 🤷♀️
I've never understood the people who are more zealous in thier anti mormonism than they were in thier participation as a member. I grew up in it went on a mission the whole 9 yards. I'm not active anymore, I guess I just flamed out. I have nothing bad to say about the Mormon church or mormons as a whole. I have critiques but they would apply to most churches not just the LDS church. I don't know anyone personally in the church or out who has experienced the wild stuff I read about online. Yes I'm from Utah, and the church was everywhere. these post that occasionally occur about Mormons and abuse and child abuse I just scratch my head, it's definitely not my experience.
I’m from Arizona and could never live in Utah (nothing personal) I love my religion but there is something different when living near so many members so maybe that’s it. I had a hard time living in Mesa where everyone is a member. I’m in the Midwest so I have one neighbor in my Ward. My brother is like you, my 5 siblings are inactive and I understand why. For me I find more stability and peace in following it and giving my kids a good foundation. Teaching values and the importance of family is big for me. My grandfather was a convert and he always said “it’s either true or it’s not, either way it’s a good way of life”. That’s how I feel, when I left the church I drank and smoked and turned against all my values. I don’t ever judge anyone for leaving, or believing differently. For me it saved my life and I met my amazing husband. My kids can choose for themselves when they turn 18…my oldest is 17 and we are not sure if he will choose to serve a mission or not but it’s his choice not mine. I don’t believe in following blindly, I have no problem questioning my Bishop or Stake President if I think they are wrong and I have no problem calling out anyone who does something I think is wrong. I’ve got tons of stories and rubbed some people the wrong way in my current ward because of covid. We moved in the week church was shut down.
My wife's from Omaha. I lived there for 18 months till we got marred then moved back to Utah. Omaha was cool but I prefer Utah.
My brother and sister in laws live in Utah, rest of family is in Az and they love it I’ve only been once but after living in Mesa as an adult I knew I couldn’t live around that many members. I was never the stereotypical (if there really is one) member and had a difficult time fitting in as a young girl. Only member my age in my very small community Branch and the girls in the stake were mean to me…long story short I have my own issues and have loathed relief society for many reasons. After moving to my new state we had planned to try a bit harder but covid threw a wrench in that. I believe my religion but I struggle with some of the culture and always have. I just do my best and feel everyone else is doing the same so not to hold grudges or get offended. Midwest people are just so nice, I can’t tell if I’ve made friends or they just tolerate me because they are nice.