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These are all really great. I’m going to have to go back and read some of these responses several times. It gives me great comfort to know some of you have been on this path for years now and have found things to get better, more enjoyable, and more meaningful along the way. I will try to think of myself as still an infant (or maybe a toddler) in my faith transition. The shockwaves of that transition are still cycling through and sometimes I feel hit by seemingly overwhelming waves of grief – similar to the feeling of the loss of a loved one. I am still waiting for the resurrection of a new and more glorious gospel perspective that so many of you seem to have found, but mostly I just feel a sense of loss. I find it funny how as a TBM, I often thought, “If I could just get them to see the church as I see it, they’d learn to love the gospel as I do.” And now, I find myself feeling similarly in that if I could just help them understand some of these problems as I do, they’d see that these things can’t possibly be literal. I’ve learned we cannot force others to shift their paradigms to adopt ours. There is beauty in the diversity of experience. But it is human nature to seek out a community of like-minded individuals, and I am finding it harder to feel a desire to fellowship with those whom I assume (perhaps incorrectly) would treat me differently if I revealed where my mind is at. This online community helps though.
Thanks for the deeply personal responses so far. I can certainly recognize that the church does good for certain people, empowers them to lead better lives, and truly makes them happy. However, I could say the same for most religions and schools of thought. It’s hard to find a level of meaning that is motivational for me when I don’t believe it the way it’s taught. If I have to deconstruct everything and reform it in an unorthodox framework in order to find meaning, wouldn’t I be better off finding a new philosophy that doesn’t require so much mental contortion? For now I am committed to continue to attend and I’d love for the process to be at least somewhat enjoyable, meaningful, and inspirational.
Thanks for all the great comments today. I couldn’t join in real time but I appreciate looking through these after the fact. What do people think about general themes that crop up in conference? Do you think it’s coincidence or that themes are intended? Overall a good conference. Lots of generic expected messages, some throw aways, but also some encouraging ones (Holland, Uchtdorf). This is my first conference with this forum and I must say, I enjoyed conference much more this time around. Thanks everyone!
Ydeve, I completely agree in regards to seeing others as projects and projecting what we think they should be onto them as the focus or motivation of our ministering. However, I maintain that we all have the potential to be more, whatever thay may mean for each individual. But the focus of our ministering should simply be to love others for who they are NOW and provide that nourishing environment that you mentioned so each of us can become our best version of ourselves. Trying to look past that distraction, I do like this message of seeing people for their potential. Although for me, that potential might mean a different thing. Call me a cynic, but Eyering’s emotional quivering voice is a bit too much for me. Doesn’t make it more meaningful or inspirational to me – it’s just a distraction. Yeah I’m resistant to the idea that missionaries are assigned to each specific place by prophecy and revelation. This talk is heartfelt but doesn’t resonate with me.
Wow. Pres Monson speaking first. I thought he might be too ill or weak to speak at all. I’m always happy with a message on charity. I like this part about doing a “private personal review” as we know ourselves best. Can this PPR permanently replace the PPI? Missing most of Ballard’s talk with crying 2 year old but I like the idea of how important goals are and striving to plan our actions towards achieving those goals. Even if some of my goals are different than the church’s, the concept still holds true. “The happiness of our spouse is more important than our own pleasure.” I like this. Good talk so far. Focusing on turning outward towards others. Simple loving others message.
