Update: Excommunicated for joining another church

We officially resigned our entire family. I linked the original post from yesterday. To address a few commonly asked questions, the loss of membership was no real loss. It simply wasn't something we had bothered over. Having our peace violated and intruded upon while we just quietly lived our lives was admittedly rough. Feeling like the targets of a petty attack was hard. This bishop was once considered a friend. While we don't believe it, he truly believes he has the power and authority to revoke our salvation, exaltation, family bonds, and eternal access to God. And he thought that was the fitting response to serving in another church. This was a top priority for him, despite not interacting with us at all for years. Could I have been more diplomatic in my responses? Perhaps. I was admittedly emotional and reacted more than responded, which is out of character for me.

I feel a peace today I can barely describe. The last tiny bit of their perceived power over me is gone, we should have done this on our own years ago. It's like my life is two books, and the second, while influenced by the first, will be utterly it's own. And now the cover has finally been closed on the last page of the first. I've still, hopefully, got a lot of time left on this earth, and I will not spend it giving free rent to a cult in my mind. To quote the great Mary Oliver, "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" I'm off to love my husband, raise my children, take care of this beautiful planet, and have some wild adventures! There's even space for loving the many TBM's around me. l wish you all the best, thank you for the support when I needed it.