What is your status re the LDS church?

[_moksha]

Well yes, I think the best way to solve this problem is to excommunicate those who haven't attended Church in say, a year, and all those who don't hold a current temple recommend and are not actively working on one, or who actively work on one but it's been more than a year. I would implement slowly, say have each ward do six per year.

Whittling away six families a year may work in the Branches, but what about more urban Wards? Perhaps you might consider upping the number in those locales. When that goal has been achieved, the next step toward complete political purity can commence. Then the tanks can roll into Evanston and the Star Valley for growing room. Take back that rightful corner of Utah that would make us Oblong as is our destiny!!!

[_drdrfor]

nevermos who frequent Mormon-related boards. Just wondering how many of us are here, and decided to also take a look at closet nonbelievers, and Jack-mos who are beginning to explore the negative aspects of their cultural heritage..

I submitted my "X" to the poll as a long-time exmo....but come to think of it, I've never been officially kicked out. I asked my bishop to take my name off the records but nothing ever happened. I've learned later that it takes a fair bit of effort to be actually removed from church membership.

I eavesdrop here once in a while, mostly to refuel my BS detectors. It's fun to take a peek in on all the crap I used to swallow whole. It gives me a perspective on the radical right and the revolutionary left, on the zealous islamist and the holier-than-thou christians. It's not that I will ever go out and blow something up but I did spend 2 1/2 years as a missionary. That's almost as bad.

[_NauvooSaint]

I'm an RLDS Restorationist or conservative. (not Community of Christ) My wife is inactive LDS/Mormon.

[_gramps]

Started getting out in '81.

Fully out in '88.

Formally resigned in 2006 (or was it in 2007?) after Mom passed away.

Have always been happy to be out. I've never questioned my decision to leave and I would never want my kids to be raised in the church. I'm pretty sure there is no chance of that, thank god.

[_signal2noise]

Had doubts regarding God and religion in gerneral by about 7 (I remember not wanting to get baptized, but wasn't about to tell my dad that). Oscillated between complete non-belief and trying to find the spirit and was to explain away the problem I saw for the next ten year. Finally stopped going to church when I moved away from home. Completely accepted that I was atheistic/agnostic and liked it by 19. Didn't try to have my name removed until last year (age 39). Got my pamphlet letting me know just what I was giving up and giving me 30 days to change my mind. Never got any kind of confimation that my name is off, but am looking into how I can check on that.

[_drdrfor]

Formally resigned in 2006 (or was it in 2007?) after Mom passed away.

I think I understand where you're coming from. I started being truly verbal in my opposition to the church following the death of my Mom. She made it clear that my anti-church stance hurt her, so I avoided the confrontation while she was alive.

[_keithb]

It might be easier to excommunicate everyone and just let the ones that really want to back in :).

Isn't this what Brigham Young informally imposed upon Emma Smith in order for her to remain with his busted off knob of the Mormon church? If I recall, she objected to being rebaptised arguing that she already received the ordinance from her husband, the actual prophet.

Let's talk real numbers wishing to get rebaptised (minus 6-8 year olds). I'd speculate maybe 1.2 million? Is that number much too high?

Nah -- it's probably about 1/4 - 1/3 of the church that is active enough to want back in. So, I'd say 3-4 million probably.

[_Malcolm]

Been ExMo for 7 years or more now, I cannot remember exactly when I stopped believing, but there was no U Turn on the road to Damascus. No flashing lights,
they suddenly dimmed and finally went out.

In discussion with my Bishop, I was told that many members do not believe all that is taught in church, but believe what you can and grapple through prayer with the rest.
Certainly in the last couple of years or so, I have chatted with members who see themselves as Nominal members or even New Age members, believing what they can and putting up with the rest for a quiet life, but once I read books and found some previously unwritten truths on the Internet, I feel happier on the outside looking in, yet still learning.

I am content to attend my local parish church, here in the village where I live, and there are comparisons with my old LDS routine. The church here has a cultural centre with village hall, scouting, midweek meets, and life goes on.

[_rytmormon]

My family was converted to LDS or Mormon when I was 4 years old. However, I made my own exploration on this church. I read their books and prayed about their beliefs. I am happy that I am still a member of this church.