tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018387523779914474.post6315396680504505611..comments2023-12-31T05:01:58.031-06:00Comments on Young Stranger: What Kind of Tears Are These?John Gustav-Wrathallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03557940681381951271noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018387523779914474.post-43087530017768247262007-09-10T08:28:00.000-05:002007-09-10T08:28:00.000-05:00Is it that something is dead, and will not return?...Is it that something is dead, and will not return? On Saturday I was also crying tears of longing, separation, understanding and gratitude, as I reflected on my brother's birthday. I have faith in the plan, but that does not change the current reality of things. Sometimes these feelings just surge up, and I let them loose and enjoy the moment of feeling them.GeckoManhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04846438788253129899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018387523779914474.post-14831481389395502007-09-10T00:36:00.000-05:002007-09-10T00:36:00.000-05:00thank you. i missed church today because of work ...thank you. i missed church today because of work schedule, but i suspect nothing i would have heard their would have been as thought-provoking as your post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018387523779914474.post-50636675632288028202007-09-09T17:11:00.000-05:002007-09-09T17:11:00.000-05:00Elbow - Thanks, I appreciate it.It's odd... After...Elbow - Thanks, I appreciate it.<BR/><BR/>It's odd... After eighteen years away from the Church, I find myself coming back, while you seem to be distancing yourself from it now, maybe even questioning your belief in God.<BR/><BR/>For eighteen years I tested the hypothesis that the Church was not true. Now I find my testimony is stronger than ever, and this means everything to me. <BR/><BR/>I had a religion professor at BYU. In one a class I had posed some particularly difficult, painful questions. He sensed that I was struggling. He took me aside, and he said, "John, keep asking these questions. But don't satisfy yourself with half answers. pursue the truth all the way. Don't give up until you've found it." I don't remember a single thing any of my religion professors said to me at BYU <I>except</I> that. I'm still on that road.<BR/><BR/>I've been reading your blog, and I love what you've shared. And I want you to know that if you ultimately choose to leave the Church, I hope you will find the greatest possible happiness. So long as you are honest and loving and you honor yourself and others, and you commit to taking the road of truth as far as you can go, the journey will take you where you need to go.John Gustav-Wrathallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03557940681381951271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018387523779914474.post-55334818225667121952007-09-09T03:41:00.000-05:002007-09-09T03:41:00.000-05:00"I feel longing and unrequited love..."I'm really ..."I feel longing and unrequited love..."<BR/><BR/>I'm really glad you posted this. I think it's so interesting. The connection we use to have with the Church in terms of Bishops, callings and rituals speaks so much to our desire to be connected to our inate spirituality.<BR/><BR/>The layers behind your tears and the many thoughts and longing you've felt in relation to your lack of spiritual community is I'm sure as much of a blessing as it is a trial. You're looking back at your life and you've accomplished so much. You've found a very happy and sweet place, and a HUGE part of your journey has been your involvement and uninvolvement with the Church. And for that, of course you are feeling feelings that would evoke tears of joy, of loss and longing.<BR/><BR/>I have a feeling that you going to Church and involving yourself in the community of saints once again may prove to be harder than once thought, but the rewards for you and especially the members of your ward will be without number.elbowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07742457647216774548noreply@blogger.com