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Thanks for filling in some of the details. I’m not putting you into a “sinning box”. My very first post mentioned 2 categories of youth that sometimes leave the Church, from my experience in such issues. You fit into the #2 one. (they get bored with the Church and move on to something more exciting) I dare say #2 can be said about ANY religion, especially ones that limit behavior based upon moral codes.

What a terrible situation! And what a terrible thing, wither it was the Bishop of a Young Men leader that spread such filth. No wonder you were turned off. But you should know that this simply was not the way it is supposed to work. A Bishop (there are thousands and thousands throughout the world.) is not perfect and they all make mistakes. Expecting humanity is something we mortals need to realize. Sorry that this happened.

Now, that said, you mentioned that your testimony never grew despite praying for it. Let me ask a couple more questions...

Did you read the scriptures on a daily basis? Did you sincerely fast and pray for an answer based on that study? Did you do other faith based things like pay tithing, faithfully attend you meetings and other things that were expected?

To me it doesn’t sound like you didn’t like believe our faith, but rather you didn’t have faith. Does that make sense?

Faith can be a funny thing. Some get it pretty quickly, (like restornu) others have to work for it and prove to the Lord that they will do what it takes to get a dispensation from God.
Ether, a prophet in the BOM tell us that we receive no witness until AFTER the trial of our faith.

And Hebrew 11 (the whole chapter) is an excellent resource for why we do not receive the blessing of God until after we excercise mighty faith.

I wish you well on your journey, wherever that may be taking you. I’m sorry you had such dufases for leaders at a critical time of your life, but it’s certainly not the norm.

All the best!

You have indeed attempted to put me in a “box”.

I am offended.

You try to make it out that the prayer and all the other actions I participated in were somehow not “WORTHY ENOUGH” and that is why I didn’t receive a testimony!

You, by inference, disparage me.

You are wrong!

Go and repent for judging me.

I already described enough of my experiences in the Mormon Church. I was weeping tears as as I wrote.

I will not share any more of my soul with you.

It’s all I can do not to be VULGAR! And you have now lost the respect that had been growing in my heart for you.

Faith can be a funny thing. Some get it pretty quickly, (like restornu) others have to work for it and prove to the Lord that they will do what it takes to get a dispensation from God.

In reality it was not quick I had the Book for over a years, I search for almost 18 years.

And even when I had received a testiment of it truthfulness I still have to even today nurture and maintain my faith or it would wane.

The Lord will not be taken for granted!

D&C 6
1 BEHOLD, I say unto you, my son, that because you did not translate according to that which you desired of me, and did commence again to write for my servant, Joseph Smith, Jun., even so I would that ye should continue until you have finished this record, which I have entrusted unto him.
2 And then, behold, other records have I, that I will give unto you power that you may assist to translate.
3 Be patient, my son, for it is wisdom in me, and it is not expedient that you should translate at this present time.
4 Behold, the work which you are called to do is to write for my servant Joseph.
5 And, behold, it is because that you did not continue as you commenced, when you began to translate, that I have taken away this privilege from you.
6 Do not murmur, my son, for it is wisdom in me that I have dealt with you after this manner.
7 Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me.
8 But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.
9 But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me.
10 Now, if you had known this you could have translated; nevertheless, it is not expedient that you should translate now.
11 Behold, it was expedient when you commenced; but you feared, and the time is past, and it is not expedient now;
12 For, do you not behold that I have given unto my servant Joseph sufficient strength, whereby it is made up? And neither of you have I condemned.
13 Do this thing which I have commanded you, and you shall prosper. Be faithful, and yield to no temptation.
14 Stand fast in the work wherewith I have called you, and a hair of your head shall not be lost, and you shall be lifted up at the last day. Amen.