Recently, I had to stop attending the church that I grew up in. The leaders in this church were very cruel to me. There isn't any way to describe the hurt I feel. Only that it feels like that they have taken my heart and just began to stab and crush it to pieces. All these years of being so faithful to this church is all a waste. I played an intricate part. I was a Sunday school teacher, apart of the praise team, and a youth leader. I was gone 5 nights out of the week to attend church or church functions. Now that I'm away from this church, I am feeling such a freedom within my life that I've never experienced before. The thought of going to church zaps my energy. I have no desire to step inside a church building again. Don't get me wrong, I love my Lord Jesus Christ with all my heart. I have to force myself to attend a church service. I only go out of obligation. Is this wrong? I have no desire to serve the church in any capacity. My desire is to just spread the light in the work place and with those who are in my path.

I grew up with the belief that anyone out of church is basically living in sin. I feel guilty for my lack of desire to be in church. What is your belief on this?

Let me share some of my thoughts on that subject. I am convinced that Jesus would not confuse his true followers by sanctioning alternative churches or teachings from his own. He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)

and he warned, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 7:21).

I believe that the place to learn truth is our Heavenly Father himself. From the Bible itself, He has promised that if you, "Ask, ... it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:" (Matthew 7:7) Also "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed." (James 1:5 - 6; see also 1 Corinthians 2:9-14).

I would like to invite to read the Book of Mormon. It is another testament of Jesus Christ written by prophets just like the Bible. These scriptural writings were from prophets who lived in Ancient America and they give an account of Christ appearing to those people soon after his resurrection. The promise is that as one reads The Book of Mormon and if they will pray to the Father with real intent and with great faith, the Holy Ghost will manifest the truth of it and of all things (Book of Mormon - Moroni 10:4).

Thank you again for your questions and for letting me offer some of my personal thoughts. I hope you will heal quickly from your hurt and continue to search for truth. If you have further questions, I hope you will feel free to ask, or if you would like, I can have some representatives drop in and give you more information to consider.

Please let me know.

Sincerely,

Donny Osmond


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