Two 8/4 Sunstone Workshops: Navigating LDS Faith Crises and Marital Struggles
Some of you may know that I’m planning a two-part, all day workshop on 8/4 during the Sunstone Symposium.
- The Morning Workshop: Navigating an LDS crisis of faith (in or out of the church)
- The Afternoon Workshop: Navigating a marriage when a spouse loses their testimony
I plan on sharing the content from the two workshops with Mormon Stories monthly subscribers/donors who are unable to attend (this is how I’m paying my way through graduate school).
Thus, if you are attending, or if you are an MS monthly donor, please respond via comments below with topics that you would like to be sure I cover. If you are not an MS donor, please consider signing up for a monthly donation today…and I will make sure you get the recordings of the workshops.
To register in advance for the workshop(s) (seating is actually filling up fast, and is limited), go here:
https://www.sunstonemagazine.com/shop/products/event-registration/
You can register for: a) the morning workshop, b) the afternoon workshop or c) both workshops (you get a small discount).
- For morning only, look for: 2010 SLC Symposium Single AM Workshop
- For afternoon only, look for: 2010 SLC Symposium Single PM Workshop
- For both, look for: 2010 SLC Symposium Double Workshop
Hope to see you there (if it works for you)!!!!
John
P.S. Please let me know if you have any trouble registering.
Thanks, John, for the opportunity to comment and request topics.
I feel like you have done quite a bit on mixed faith marriages, but I have yet to hear how to manage a relationship with a believing spouse and an atheist spouse.
I am an atheist, but am not anti-religious. This makes things difficult especially when it comes to dealing with our children. My kids are young, but I become increasingly worried about how to discuss both perspectives as they become older. I do not want to limit what my wife teaches our kids, but I also want to create a safe place where it is ok not to believe in God.
Anyway, I would enjoy a discussion on how to make atheism a viable and discussable view within the home.
What Clay said. Any advice on raising kids when the parents have conflicting belief systems is always helpful.
Also I would like some dialogue on maintaining church activity without a testimony. I told my bishop I would not be able to serve in teaching callings because I don’t believe the doctrine. This raises several issues–does the bishop “out” me to other auxiliaries where my name comes up on a regular basis to serve? Should I serve anyway, and teach only that which I am comfortable with–a dicey proposition at best? Is it possible to serve in a leadership position when I have to constantly dance around questionable doctrine? If I am only willing to serve in scouting positions or nursery or whatever, can I truly serve my church community– or do I become a sorry part-timer that everyone disdains because I’m not willing or not believing enough to pull my weight?
John,
It would be helpful in the “Navigating an LDS crisis of faith (in or out of the church)” session to have a few ideas on how to help friends understand people who are having a crisis of faith or who have left because of a crisis.
Also, how to talk (or not) to family members who are watching you have a crisis of faith.
Lisa
Hi John,
What Dawn said – “maintaining church activity without a testimony”. I teach early morning seminary and am very conflicted about teaching D&C next year. The main reason I haven’t asked to be release from my calling is because my 15 year old son is in seminary and I want to have control over what he is taught.
Also, I would like suggestions on how to deal with my 3 daughters ages 21 to 26. I would like to see them marry inside the church but isn’t it hypocritical of me to want this?
Thanks for all you do! Wish I could be at sunstone but time and money are in short supply…..
I know you have done a lot of podcasts on the issues that arise in a marriage when one spouse’s beliefs about the church change, and they have been wonderful. My question is: How do I share my faith journey with my spouse when he is not open to listening at this point in time. Is there a productive way to deal with the isolation and lack of communication that arises? I know I can’t change what he does, but how can I change to make it easier for him?
Also, as far as staying in the church I, too, would like advice on how to navigate callings. I’m currently in the primary presidency and am often told to teach doctrines that I no longer believe and in some instances disagree with.
Thank you for all you do. Your podcasts have provided me with a lot of comfort as I travel this difficult road.
John,
I look forward to seeing you at the session. The podcasts and recommended readings have been very helpful.
I would like to hear your thoughts on personality types that tend to stay vs leave. It seems that after counseling with so many people in crisis you can probably make a pretty good guess early-on if someone is going to stay or leave. What would those indicators be? And are you noticing any trends since you started this project.
The main reason I am coming is to hear what the most successful strategies are for those who want to stay. I’m a cultural Mormon and I believe that for me church can provide meaningful connections to others. However, the literalistic discussions of biblical minutia are meaningless to me and make me want to pull my hair out.
I am dreading the day that I have to speak to my parents (who are having severe health problems)about my loss of belief. So far I have written a few blogs about religion that were a little unorthodox and now the information is slowly leaking back to my In-laws who are starting to show signs of concern. I am certain that they will never be able to put themselves in my shoes and empathize with my situation. They have mentioned that I need to give back to God for my blessings (because my doubting is obviously a sign of pride right?). It seems clear that my real beliefs are starting to become unveiled and I have no idea how to face my, or my spouses family. Do you have any advice on how one goes about this? Is it even any of their business?
What do I do if my MIL teaches my children something that I disagree with? In fact any advice about how to deal with the In-laws would be appreciated:)
I would like to see some discussion on
1: How to establish respectful boundaries between those who are believers and those who are now hold non-traditional beliefs. I value my relationships over telling why I am no longer a traditional believer.
2: What to do, if another family member or friend also has a crisis of faith and you are then scapegoated for their nontraditional beliefs.