Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
We had a presentation of mostly music with some narration thrown in. It was great! The choir director had obviously gone to a lot of effort to put it together. Hats off to her for thinking outside the box a little. The program had a few congregational hymns, quite a few numbers by the choir, a song by the primary, a duet (English/Spanish song) by two sisters who both did their missions in Spain, a song by a women’s ensemble and a solo by a ten your old kid who hit it out of the park. She also had two very talented young men accompany a bunch of the songs on the violin and cello. It was one of the best Sacrament Meetings I have ever attended.
I didn’t even mind that it ran almost 1/2 hour long.
:clap: I just posted out of curiosity. I personally don’t have a real issue with it and have done myself it from time to time. It came up in a quorum meeting recently and I was shocked at how heated the discussion became. I am always amazed at how passionate people get about their interpretation of “keeping the Sabbath day holy.” My DW who is pretty reasonable about TBM-type things used to be dead set against it but has since softened her stance on the matter. I should have mentioned it in the OP that when he made the comment it was done in one of those “I am joking, but not really” tones. You could tell he was joking on the surface but his demeanor betrayed at least some of what he really thinks. *UPDATE* So after the non-event of attending HC meeting with a beard, I was attending the ward Christmas Party and one of the other HCs in attendance told me that I wasn’t really invited to attend the party because it was an event for “clean shaven” people only. I just ignored him for obvious reasons but I do think it was indicative of his feelings about the beard. I hindsight, I probably should have told him in no uncertain terms to mind his own business but I decided on the more peaceful course of action. I have a feeling that the opportunity to “chat” with him about the subject will probably present itself in the future. As far as I know he didn’t say the same thing to anyone else with facial hair in attendance especially the several less active and non-member folks there.
Well it ended up being a non-event. The SP looked and one of his counselors looked at with slightly chagrined looks but that was the extent of the feedback. Not a word was said. Guess I will keep the beard. 
Thanks for all of the help. I ended up giving a talk about how tithing is a very personal thing and that it is between you and the Lord to determine how that should work and that it is about the sacrifice and not the money. No one but you can make the determination as to whether or not you are a full tithe payer. I think it was well received. A lot of folks thanked me afterward for making it clear that it is no one else’s business about how much you should pay. Some even told me stories about wards that would get into heated discussions about how the amount of tithing should be determined (net v gross etc). I like it better when I can choose the topics…
I am often faced with the same issue when I give talks during HC visits. I definitely want to stay true to myself but want to ensure that I give a talk that is good for the congregation. I find myself talking about things like Charity, Gratitude, Kindness and Grace a lot. I have found though that my talks are generally well received and I think they are helpful to at least some in the congregation. You may not have the same flexibility because the lessons are usually assigned but I hope you find the same with your lessons. Good luck. Thoreau, I guess I used the term ‘Gospel’ a little too generically. What I should have said is that I became disillusioned with what some of the things I learned about the Church. You are right. The Gospel is pretty simple and and the verses quoted are great. It is sometimes tough to seperate the Gospel from the Church.
I have issues with members treating every word that the President of the Church says as scripture. When Pres Hinckley made the comment about ear rings the uproar was huge in our ward. But if you listen to it I am pretty sure he made it sound like his opinion and nothing else. Yet it is now a “Gospel Truth” to many in the Church. The same with white shirts, facial hair etc… I guess in this regard my problem is more with the people and not the Gospel. I have trouble believing that God would exclude anyone because you wear two ear rings in each ear or have a beard.
I have concerns about some aspects of Church History like polygamy, the Priesthood for all and some of the things BY did and said. I also have problem with the black and white of things. Sometimes it just isn’t that simple and I feel like many in leadership positions don’t understand or allow for that.
Finally, I have some concerns about things like the Church’s handling of Prop 8 (and related issues) and some of its financial dealings.
I guess what it boils down to is that I have a problem with the imperfect human aspects of the Church and not the true Gospel part as you pointed out. Thanks for helping me differentiate things.
Ghostman
Heber, In answer to your question I would say that while I have always been fairly good about not judging others, my views have really changed the way I look at others in the last year. I am a fairly new on the HC so I haven’t had to deal with members too much yet. In the few talks I have given I have definitely tried to allow my current testimony show through a little but I feel the need to temper how I really feel for fear of causing problems. The Stake Presidency are all great men but a little traditional. I am going out on assignment this week and am not sure what I will talk about yet. I do want make sure that whatever it is that it will appeal to and help all members no matter where they are on the spirituality scale.
To all,
Thanks for the warm welcome and thanks for allowing me to be part of your great community. Glad to be here.
Ghostman
