Thanks Christian, for that wonderful article and for your candidness. I’ve been unofficially dis-fellowshipped by two different bishops in two different stakes because of the lies of my husband (now an X) and the lies of a ward member. As hard as it is to go through those experiences, they have taught me that Father in Heaven will be with us when we ask for His help and also that none of us on this earth is perfect no matter what our church calling. It’ s a great opportunity to practice forgiveness and continue to strive and work toward our own exaltation and life with our Savior. Your article gave me courage to continue to hold on to the end.
JanetAugust 24, 2016
Thank you for this. It came at an important time in my life.
May I offer one possible explanation as to why you may have had to wait. It has been my experience that in the past church leaders rushed to get people sealed, not always taking the time necessary to determine if real repentance, if needed, had taken place or serious sin had been resolved.
I personally know of two cases of adulterous spouses who were sealed to the people whom they had sex with during their marriages. And yes, this was not hidden from the bishops. The sealing seemed to be the goal, as if having it would make everything else okay. This caused great pain to the former spouses and of course the marriages failed. These sealings hardly instilled faith in the children of the new marriages. So maybe this is a response to the pendulem having swung too far one direction.
I also realize how hard it can be to be misjudged by church leaders. I wish they realized what damage their careless comments have on members. I know I will never give them the automatic respect and support I once did. And maybe it was a mistake to give that kind of unquestioning support to anyone. We are all better if we counsel together.
Judith La MontagneAugust 24, 2016
Wow! What an impressive story. I am the richer in faith for having read it. My son had a similar experience involving ward/stake divisions as he prepared to marry in the temple. It proved very difficult because of new bishops and a new stake president. He persevered, also, with great patience until he was sealed in the temple. Sometimes I think bishops and stake presidents need to be more keenly aware of the feelings of those who are so anxious to receive these eternal blessings. Such blessings for others should beat the top of their list of priorities, I feel..I have heard of more than one story where receiving a temple recommend was made unnecessarily difficult, sometimes for years.Yes, even leaders are human. Good for you for hanging in there. This article will be an inspiration to many people, I'm certain.
KathleenAugust 23, 2016
What an incredible outcome from a most misfortunate experience. The light is brighter than the dark is black.
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JudyAugust 29, 2016
Thanks Christian, for that wonderful article and for your candidness. I’ve been unofficially dis-fellowshipped by two different bishops in two different stakes because of the lies of my husband (now an X) and the lies of a ward member. As hard as it is to go through those experiences, they have taught me that Father in Heaven will be with us when we ask for His help and also that none of us on this earth is perfect no matter what our church calling. It’ s a great opportunity to practice forgiveness and continue to strive and work toward our own exaltation and life with our Savior. Your article gave me courage to continue to hold on to the end.
JanetAugust 24, 2016
Thank you for this. It came at an important time in my life. May I offer one possible explanation as to why you may have had to wait. It has been my experience that in the past church leaders rushed to get people sealed, not always taking the time necessary to determine if real repentance, if needed, had taken place or serious sin had been resolved. I personally know of two cases of adulterous spouses who were sealed to the people whom they had sex with during their marriages. And yes, this was not hidden from the bishops. The sealing seemed to be the goal, as if having it would make everything else okay. This caused great pain to the former spouses and of course the marriages failed. These sealings hardly instilled faith in the children of the new marriages. So maybe this is a response to the pendulem having swung too far one direction. I also realize how hard it can be to be misjudged by church leaders. I wish they realized what damage their careless comments have on members. I know I will never give them the automatic respect and support I once did. And maybe it was a mistake to give that kind of unquestioning support to anyone. We are all better if we counsel together.
Judith La MontagneAugust 24, 2016
Wow! What an impressive story. I am the richer in faith for having read it. My son had a similar experience involving ward/stake divisions as he prepared to marry in the temple. It proved very difficult because of new bishops and a new stake president. He persevered, also, with great patience until he was sealed in the temple. Sometimes I think bishops and stake presidents need to be more keenly aware of the feelings of those who are so anxious to receive these eternal blessings. Such blessings for others should beat the top of their list of priorities, I feel..I have heard of more than one story where receiving a temple recommend was made unnecessarily difficult, sometimes for years.Yes, even leaders are human. Good for you for hanging in there. This article will be an inspiration to many people, I'm certain.
KathleenAugust 23, 2016
What an incredible outcome from a most misfortunate experience. The light is brighter than the dark is black.
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