Since sharing that I’ve left the Mormon church – I’ve realized what number of of you might be in related conditions. For me, one of many scariest ideas was what to do with the after life beliefs I had beforehand held.. And I wished to share a few of my ideas from the final 12 months or so with you in case it occurs to assist anybody or spark any new concepts for your self. It is a very weak matter and one which in actuality, nobody is “proper” about as a result of none of us really know for positive. We will all maintain beliefs and think about these however none of us can inform the opposite they’re fallacious, solely that they don’t share the identical perception.

As plenty of you already know, the mormon church believes that households might be collectively without end. I’d say it is without doubt one of the important pillars of the church is this concept of everlasting households. And if you depart mormonism you do type go, holy crap wait is it true or not? I feel what we imagine ought to actually simply be what brings us probably the most peace whereas on earth. Not in an insensitive method, however in a really literal method, none of us will care if what we believed wasn’t true as soon as we’re lifeless, as a result of… we shall be lifeless. So we simply have to have peace and luxury right here and now. I completely see how the thought of everlasting households is a incredible perception that may deliver a lot peace to those that have suffered loss. I really assume it’s a very wholesome perception to hold with you so long as folks don’t lean on it as a crutch when being there for others grieving (not permitting them to correctly grieve as a result of you’ll “see them once more” so why are you continue to so unhappy kind of factor) 

I additionally actually don’t imagine that you simply even have to essentially be non secular with a view to imagine that you will note family members once more in a heaven or in one other universe or no matter .. I feel that’s as believable as us ending up right here within the first place is. So I firstly don’t assume that perception must be thrown out when leaving faith if that perception nonetheless holds worth for you. There are not any guidelines in relation to these things, you are able to do it nevertheless you need. 

I used to assume it was unhappy when folks didn’t imagine in afterlife – I now don’t assume it’s unhappy in any respect, I feel it’s a really realist and sensible outlook and for some the consolation blanket of afterlife isn’t crucial. And I may also see how that may make folks actually absorb what we get to have right here on earth extra, embracing the finality as soon as it’s accomplished. I feel for me I’ve to cling onto one thing as a result of I feel if I ever misplaced a baby or David I don’t assume I may survive with out that thought.. whether or not or not it’s we soar to a different universe and proceed on with life however with a brand new storyline or we reincarnate or we’re up in heaven having a elaborate lil social gathering. 

Rosie just lately introduced up reincarnation and talked about how she actually likes that concept. And was increasing on the place she would ideally wish to go .. however she mentioned any animal or human simply not an fish 🙂 and I instructed her I feel when you have that request the universe could make that occur! I feel there are plenty of totally different choices for afterlife and no matter makes somebody really feel peaceable, wonderful. The primary factor for me when educating my children is simply to show them that nobody is “fallacious” .. we are able to all be open minded to different’s concepts and so long as they aren’t harming others we are able to respect these beliefs and share ours as nicely. Our beliefs may also shift and alter – as we take heed to others we’d hear one thing we actually love that we need to deliver into our personal perception system. Actually, nothing is everlasting. 

As plenty of , David’s brother handed away about 6 years in the past, after which shortly after his dad handed. After which only recently his mother. Now we have additionally had each of my grandpa’s die within the final decade or so. After which after all Chauncey :(. Now we have been lucky to be left with plenty of actually particular issues of theirs. I’ve so lots of my grandpa’s work and I preserve them on show within the residence and in addition in a room upstairs the place I paint now. I do know this may sound cooky however I’m 100% satisfied that the work maintain power that I merely can’t clarify in any method aside from to say I completely really feel it and really feel like I’ve weirdly gotten to know him extra or really feel near him by means of the work. I even have felt his power pushing me creatively the previous 12 months.. It has felt so palpable for me that it actually received me fascinated about power usually. We all know that power can’t be destroyed.. And we all know that we are able to *really feel* power each good and dangerous and the whole lot in between. We all know it’s there. I began to actually love the concept once we die we depart behind all of our power. Particularly in issues like artwork or something we put power into (journals, cook dinner books that had been used, clothes, and many others).. Perhaps for this reason artwork has such worth to sure folks and to not others. Perhaps we do have artwork/aesthetic preferences after all however possibly we additionally love the power that comes with it. 

I actually imagine that we not solely depart behind power however that folks can select to simply accept the power or not. For instance once we really feel dangerous power that doesn’t imply it mechanically begins seeping into us.. We both let it are available or not. So I began like a 12 months in the past actively attempting to “settle for” the power left behind by our family members who’ve left. Qualities about them that I actually liked and the eagerness they’d for the issues we now have in our houses and hoping to let a few of that zeal enter my realm. It would sound foolish however I really feel like I’ve began to have deeper relationships with them even after they’re gone – like I’m able to get to know them. Which for me has been actually pretty as a result of when David and I received married, his mother and pa had been on their mission in Costa Rica. Then once they received again, we had been dwelling in NYC they usually weren’t residence for lengthy earlier than leaving on a second mission to Patagonia. In Patagonia is the place David’s dad discovered he had a mind tumor, which he died from shortly after coming residence. I at all times really feel so emotional that I by no means received to get to know him extra, as a result of he actually simply appears so exceptional and so cool. Being open to this concept of accepting his power – the power he left behind in his movie digital camera that david now makes use of, the rocks he discovered whereas touring the world as a geologist, the books he learn, the pictures he took. He was so inventive and adventurous and free spirited and I like with the ability to soak all that up. And David’s mother was sooooo angelic and sort and affected person and artistic and such an incredible painter. I hope to get a few of her portray provides so I can use these and once more hopefully have a few of her loveliness rub off on me. Ehren David’s brother was at all times thrifting and being inventive and was so enthusiastic – he liked a superb thrifted discover and I’ve completely accepted all of his treasure looking power and love to take a look at the items he gave us that we have now on show in our residence… together with so many different issues from every particular person. So many wonderful qualities we are able to tackle from our family members who’ve left us it’s so particular. 

This has additionally made me notice the significance of simply placing power into issues that may be left behind for our family members. How wonderful to have power stuffed gadgets that they will then settle for all of our great qualities and use them all through their lives. 

Anyway, I really feel like that is ending considerably abruptly however these are simply my “work in progress” ideas in the intervening time. I’d love to listen to yours as nicely so be at liberty to share within the feedback and please be respectful to all! Xoxoxoxo