Posted by Dinah on January 6, 2004, at 17:49:06
In reply to Re: Ray, I miss my Mormon roots, posted by rayww on January 6, 2004, at 15:53:39
I guess it made a big impression because my grandpa travelled from Utah to baptize me. I hadn't seen much of him since I left the farm at age 4, except when we visited summers. It made me realize what a momentous thing it was that my grandpa would make that journey. (He had dozens of grandkids). I don't recall my confirmation really, but I do remember the spiritual way I felt after and how I really wanted to give my testimony.
I didn't leave because I wanted to escape my past. I had always identified myself pretty closely as a Mormon. I was more or less told by my bishop that I couldn't decide what doctrines I believed, which was perfectly understandable. It is a religion based on divine revelation, and if there are parts that you can't make the leap of faith to believe, you really can't decide to just believe the rest. And it wasn't in me to lie and say I believed it all. So my only alternative was to join a church that allows me to agree to disagree. I don't know if it's in me to believe all the tenets of any one church. Or so my husband says. :)
I'm not sure which handcart companies my family came over with. A couple of the families have written books, and I think I'll try to find out. My mother might know the others. Both of my great great??? (I might be missing a great) grandmothers were second wives, so my mother's family was Mormon way back, and I'm not sure how many families are involved.
I really miss the church, and wish I could make that leap of faith. I have so many warm memories of the people and the lifestyle. I wish my son could grow up with it.
poster:Dinah
thread:296991
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20030908/msgs/297312.html