tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post4651521894126157154..comments2024-02-17T06:39:55.875-08:00Comments on Ben There, Done That: The Time I Almost Left the ChurchBenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04151204932376899998noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-6206135848238759912017-06-21T22:14:33.458-07:002017-06-21T22:14:33.458-07:00Beautiful testimony!Beautiful testimony!Nataliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01858229045775557012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-25890263193218973622017-06-20T21:09:53.519-07:002017-06-20T21:09:53.519-07:00So many people out there need you! I have no doubt...So many people out there need you! I have no doubt that you have been given a very special mission by God. Reading your posts is the very first time I feel like I finally "get it". I can now understand how hard it must be for those who struggle with same gender attraction and I want nothing more than to love them and show them the same love and support that you have received. I have probably been wrongfully judgmental at times but you have shown me a much better and more Christ like perspective that I will always be grateful for. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16022069437561996818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-11720093518371006482016-02-14T16:19:47.650-08:002016-02-14T16:19:47.650-08:00i love this post, thank you.
i love this post, thank you. <br />Holly Deckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15736229630337808144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-53614254028873021982016-01-10T22:02:40.465-08:002016-01-10T22:02:40.465-08:00My feelings exactly, Blair!!!
I love this song!! I...My feelings exactly, Blair!!!<br />I love this song!! It got me through a lot rough times growing up. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02920052757010926029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-24093649656553092522016-01-10T21:59:39.284-08:002016-01-10T21:59:39.284-08:00I don't know you, and the chances of us meetin...I don't know you, and the chances of us meeting on earth are slim to none, but I want to thank you for sharing something so personal and revealing. I love the song you quoted at the end. I remember this song from my childhood, and it helped me through a lot of lonely times. I never fit in...anywhere, but I always knew I fit in with our Heavenly Father and Christ. Thank you, again. God be with you'til we meet again!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02920052757010926029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-88248954110869428262015-10-21T17:49:43.137-07:002015-10-21T17:49:43.137-07:00I had a similar experience recently...for the firs...I had a similar experience recently...for the first time in a long time I felt like if I wanted to, I could have kissed a girl I have been seeing. But, I decided not to. At first I thought I was afraid...but after reading your post I realize that I made a clear choice not to do it, because it is not what I really wanted. And after reading, I am beginning to realize that that is OK. Thank you for sharing your feelings...I was beginning to be confused about the experience I had and now I have more clarity.EThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15201134402779576691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-61903934481541813992015-10-14T17:03:13.047-07:002015-10-14T17:03:13.047-07:00Ben, you are a spokesman for many, and you have so...Ben, you are a spokesman for many, and you have so many wonderful gifts and strengths. If you DIDN'T have this challenge your life might be practically perfect (and who has that?). Thank you for your candor, and for being at our daughter Allison's wedding. It meant a great deal for her and Kevin, and us, to have you there. You have been a terrific friend and blessing to us all. I especially appreciate your sharing about your very personal and tender experience at their wedding, at which I was all in tears as well. We have just completed working in the temple for two years, and have upped for two more. We have learned that all those wonderful temple-worker friends we have made have had MAJOR challenges in their lives as well; I would trade places with none of them. Despite their significant and on-going trials, each one of them has served faithfully in the temple, some for MANY years, and my goal is to be like them when I grow up. I look forward to your being in the temple again with our family any time you can. Its blessings in my life have been immeasurable on so many levels. Will you please join us for Allison's birthday party at our house next Sunday evening if you are free?peggysmith847https://www.blogger.com/profile/03475835779934202195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-32382648724142188062015-10-11T22:19:28.953-07:002015-10-11T22:19:28.953-07:00Thank you for sharing your testimony. It helped m...Thank you for sharing your testimony. It helped me today!debbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11152404010568943839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-55484002183914181722015-10-11T15:26:43.833-07:002015-10-11T15:26:43.833-07:00Oh my gosh I agree with everything you said and my...Oh my gosh I agree with everything you said and my heart goes out to you! Keep up your hard work and I hope you continue to always have the love and support you deserve. Thanks for your honesty and sharing so much of your deeply personal feelings.Elisa Beckmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04965505804137543184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-4333395230986039062015-10-10T23:14:06.207-07:002015-10-10T23:14:06.207-07:00I'll admit, sometimes I wonder why I keep goin...I'll admit, sometimes I wonder why I keep going to church when I feel like it's just boring. But then, I remind myself that I have just been going to say I went, without my heart in it. Or I remind myself that I believe in the temple and want to always be worthy of going there because it is heaven on earth. <br /><br />You're not alone, Ben. Thank you for sharing!Arielnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-43063275567861060492015-10-10T23:13:42.637-07:002015-10-10T23:13:42.637-07:00I'll admit, sometimes I wonder why I keep goin...I'll admit, sometimes I wonder why I keep going to church when I feel like it's just boring. But then, I remind myself that I have just been going to say I went, without my heart in it. Or I remind myself that I believe in the temple and want to always be worthy of going there because it is heaven on earth. <br /><br />You're not alone, Ben. Thank you for sharing!Arielnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-16831058738425693932015-10-10T14:58:54.604-07:002015-10-10T14:58:54.604-07:00I was good, reading this... until the end. Tears o...I was good, reading this... until the end. Tears of gratitude & joy are flowing. That primary song has many meanings for me. Thank you for sharing your experiences. Beth Blairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11318506551967913628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-28441383084642632602015-10-10T09:48:55.887-07:002015-10-10T09:48:55.887-07:00I had a moment of clarity after years and years of...I had a moment of clarity after years and years of praying for my best friend to "not be gay." He loves the Church, and he loves his husband. They've been together longer than my husband and me. Besides a very personal revelation after years of personal soul searching and prayer, a moment came to me clearly one time in the temple. My best friend and his husband will have this opportunity some day. There is no reason why that shouldn't happen.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05720230357747461161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-44042894344679358242015-10-09T21:10:19.734-07:002015-10-09T21:10:19.734-07:00Todos luchamos quizas con diferentes Goliat's....Todos luchamos quizas con diferentes Goliat's... Gracias por tu valentia, no solo al expresarte en este post, no solo al dar tantas explicaciones en tus intentos de querer enamorarte de una manera "normal" . Como sabes, hasta la fecha estoy soltera, me encantan los hombres!! pero he tenido que lidiar con otro tipo de emociones que han entorpecido el encuentro de un compañero eterno... sin embargo, mi alma a sido pulida, al tener esos momentos de desolacion que mencionas, me han echo tener mas empatia hacia los que pasan por ese tipo de situaciones.. me hatocado ver omo es que te preocupas por los demas. Igual que tu, tuve una experiencia similar a la tuya en un sellamiento... SE PERFECTO QUE NUESTRO PADRE CELESTIAL esta al pendiente de ti y de mi, de nuestros pesares y sueños. Deseo y oro porque siempre el te sotenga y fianlmente pueda saciar tus angustias y tristezas. Si tu no existieras y vivieras como lo haces, que seria de toda esa gente que necesita de tu amor y comprension? Animo Ben, las mejores bendiciones para tu vida!!<br />Aidee Solteronoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-20265792703670273652015-10-09T20:12:22.977-07:002015-10-09T20:12:22.977-07:00God bless you for sharing your testimony! I really...God bless you for sharing your testimony! I really needed to hear tonight what you said. Thank you! I think we all need to refresh our testimonies regularly and your story has inspired me to renew mine. tebazelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08552176869159336575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-54497927439696559082015-10-09T16:22:04.067-07:002015-10-09T16:22:04.067-07:00BeautifulBeautifulTom Montgomeryhttp://www.nomorestrangers.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-15741214140199411172015-10-09T08:14:30.914-07:002015-10-09T08:14:30.914-07:00Thanks Ben, you don't know me but your family ...Thanks Ben, you don't know me but your family does and we have mutual friends who posted the link to this post on Facebook. I was actually visiting my brother's ward a couple of months ago and your father spoke. Anyway, I appreciate your perspective. Especially the part about happy endings, or the lack thereof. I like to read books and watch movies that don't always have a happy ending. I'm chastised for this a little bit when my friends say the story stunk and why wasn't I bothered by the ending? Quite frankly, I get a little annoyed when things work out too perfectly. That's not life. Ever. It's mostly our attitudes that make beginnings, middles and endings happy. <br /><br />While your road ahead will surely include more crisis in faith, know that you're not alone. I have them, too. Just for different reasons. May God continue to bless you.Bridgethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17064616370181183885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-79278332786949001372015-10-09T00:12:48.635-07:002015-10-09T00:12:48.635-07:00Ben, you write with an honesty and humility that a...Ben, you write with an honesty and humility that are so inspiring. I deeply appreciate your point of view and your reflections on life and all the struggles it holds. You've helped me see things more clearly than I would have otherwise and you do it in such a gentle, inviting way. You are an excellent teacher! Thank you<br />Davidnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-48262040568974292712015-10-08T20:42:23.468-07:002015-10-08T20:42:23.468-07:00You're so brave and awesome Ben! I think you&#...You're so brave and awesome Ben! I think you're a good example to so many people or having faith and a positive attitude even when it would be easier not to. Keep on my friend!erinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05962405262181773751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-45965021083203999912015-10-08T20:17:21.749-07:002015-10-08T20:17:21.749-07:00I love reading your blogs. They are helping me be ...I love reading your blogs. They are helping me be more understanding of others. And I love that song! And Elder Holland's talk too! He knows how to say it like it is. I love how you said that it's not a complete succcess story. No one's life really is until it's over. It made me think of a man we met this week who was an active member of the church his entire life, and then suddenly, after over 35 years of marriage, it ended in a very painful divorce, and he is currently inactive because of all the heartache and problems that came from it. You could have called his life a "success story" up until then, but now it's a little shaky. I hope it eventually becomes a success story again. Our job is to love each other and be supportive. So true. Zinahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10596024711937887421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-20425213828215361962015-10-08T19:55:08.545-07:002015-10-08T19:55:08.545-07:00Ben, I've always thought you were such a great...Ben, I've always thought you were such a great guy with a solid testimony. I love your blog. Your faith inspires me. Thanks for letting me feel the spirit as I read this. You're awesome!Steve and Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11268659026143780326noreply@blogger.com