[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Awoken

Yeah, agreed. I went to the elder I was closest to about my own personal struggle with sin on multiple occasions and he basically brushed aside all of my questions/requests for help and told me in so many words that my problem was that I was too focused on my own selfish issues and not on "the building", never mind that that particular issue more or less made it impossible for me to be an effective builder of others. His solution was to suggest that I move into a brothers' house (nearest one being an hour away from the city where I work and attend school).

On top of that, I once sent him an email asking if he would be willing to be an accountability partner and he completely ignored it - no response whatsoever. I remember trying to figure out what the heck this was supposed to communicate to me. I had to assume it meant I was not 'in my spirit' and so I was only good for being ignored, which sadly I think actually was the intended effect. I would be lying if I said I don't feel bitter about this, although I don't hold it against the elder personally. Ron Kangas also ignored me blatantly in like manner once so I think this kind of 'teaching' must come from the top down.

Brother Awoken, I first met the saints in May of 1973, just after my freshman year of college. I am now 60 years old. I have literally watched hundreds of precious caring brothers come and go because of abuses in the leadership. Our Heavenly Father used to bring some of His newborns to the LC to be cared for, but that rarely happens anymore. For many years, those who cared for people first have been purged out of the program and replaced by those loyal to the leadership. This forum is littered with these stories.

The "elder" you were in contact with really didn't know what to do with you. Call on the Lord, live in the brothers' house, read the ministry books, and go to trainings -- all that was supposed to "fix" you.