Going back to church

[tbirdcutie]

I have been inactive since I started college about 2 years ago. I still go to church when I am home with my mom but I don't know if I have a testimony anymore. I want to go back to church but I don't know where to start. I wish I could start over in primary where you learn the basics. Any advice?

[aishajor]

`the very basic is, start your personal prayer and scripture study. then you will feel the Spirit of the Lord. Gain and Light up that burning testimony again..

Good luck to that. I hope you will feel the burning feeling inside of you again and feel the Spirit of the Lord

[familydreamer77]

`I had a similar problem awhile ago. Going back to church is hard. I remember feeling like people were judging me and talking. That was in my head. I was judging me not everyone else. I still feel at a loss with church material a lot. I don't recall so much but now I teach primary and the kids don't care if I'm reading out of the manual AND I am learning as I go. For your testimony aishajor is right, praying and reading scriptures starts the process. I have had prayers answered so many times! What is odd is it takes a while to realize sometimes your prayer is answered through other people, situations, etc. Also, be patient...it's ok to develop your OWN testimony slowly. You must have one since you know it's right to go to church and you desire it! Now that I am active again I work hard to connect with people who struggle with being active or are inactive. I've been there but it's hard yet totally worth it!

[drewh (deleted)]

The very best advice that I can give you is based upon my own experience in staying active after straying. In my prayers I would speak as truthfully as I could about my intent. I would speak with faith. "Father in Heaven, there is so much I do not understand. I feel empty so often. I want to do what is right. I want to believe that you are there. Please help me recognize your presents in my life and your influence. I promise not to turn away if you will guide me through this journey.

I cannot tell you how many times that I went to church feeling alone but experimenting in a way to see when I would "feel" or be fed something. It never seemed to fail that somewhere in those three hours something would be said, or a thought would come to me, or someone would approach me and visit or say something I needed to hear. I could honestly say "there it is, that was it". I think that sometimes someone was prompted to talk to me. This helped strengthen my testimony that members can be guided and that I need to love them and accept them.

If I was feeling sluggish and did not want to pray or felt weak, I would pray and say that. "Father in Heaven please revive me and help me progress" or something like that. When I did my part and was willing, he always seemed to come through for me. I slowly have become stronger.