My current plan is to complete my Ph.D. in clinical/counseling psychology, and to spend the next 30 years helping people who struggle with the conflict between religion and mental health. I plan to continue Mormon Stories Podcast (as long as I am financially able to do so), and I hope to create/lead more projects in the coming years to help people navigate the nexus of religion and mental health.
I was once tempted to commit suicide because I did not think I could be me and be a member of the church. I did not feel I could live up to the Bishoprics rules for my life. I had a dream of a page in the Bible. I had to search for it and lo and behold it was St John 14. So I gave up listening to the church and talked directly with God. He has never let me down, the church on the other hand has severely judged me.
with God. God has not let me down, but the church as a religious group has.
You already know your future- clarity, focus, Fruits of the spirit.
Commitment to the Father’s Will- GOD BLESS
John,
Please do continue with this work. You have truly been a blessing to me in a very troubling and scary time. I’m married with a TBM spouse and many grand kids in the church. I feel I am between a rock and a hard place and your thoughts and podcasts give me strength and let me know I am not alone.
Maybe kind of unrelated, but I feel like a hypocrit continuing to wear garments. I have advised my Bishop of my concerns and that I do not want a calling at this time or to be assigned as a home teacher. We still have home teachers come though. I have been in two Bishoprics, sealed in temple etc. am I wrong to continue wearing garments when I no longer believe?. The only reason I do is due to my wife. I don’t want to hurt others, but I cannot in good conscience act like everything okay.