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Ordinarily I quite like Elder Uchtdorf’s remarks, but I felt belittled tonight. The tirade against skeptical thinking was a real downer. Best line of the evening goes to Anderson for “Just give Joseph a break”. I don’t get it. Joseph and the book of Mormon are the cornerstone of the church, but no is supposed to look too closely? Thanks for your thoughts on Authenticity SilentDawning. I hadn’t really thought about the especially important role leaders play in creating an environment where others can be authentic. I think giving others the space to be authentic and being slow to react negatively to the things people say/do is the more common and greater work of authenticity we have. Just as you recognized that being authentic in that work meeting would have negative consequences, part of our ability to mesh in families, companies, and other social settings is being able to recognize what level of authenticity will be tolerated by the prevailing minds in that social setting. However, a willingness to be authentic and speak up, even when negative consequences will result, is important and can move the needle forward. In fact, it is probably the only way the needle gets moved when prevailing minds stand in opposition to authentic thought. For example, Kate Kelly is probably not as vocal in every setting or every issue as she has been about women in the church, and being authentic in that regard resulted in her ex-communication. We will probably never know, but I think the her’s and voices of other Mormon feminists influenced the Q15 to ask women to pray in general conference, and place women on two of the highest church committees.
We must choose our battles I suppose.
Thank you for posting that. I really needed it, I have felt very out of place in my family lately. His story struck a chord with me. Really liked Elder Holland’s talk too, very raw and from the heart. I agree with other’s comments about the JS talk as well. Really only caught Uchtdorf’s talk. I really liked it, he seems to be aware and thinking about those of us who struggle in their faith. I liked the analogy for absolute truth, but I wish all of us Latter-day Saints could accept we don’t have all the right tools to know absolute truth. We can choose to believe what we believe, and spiritual experiences can even bear witness to those beliefs, but just because we have those experiences doesn’t mean that is the standard by which all are to be judged. We may someday learn that belief in Christ and belief in Hinduism are not mutually exclusive, but they were both important parts to God’s truth. Transparency, no matter how problematic, is crucial. I believe the church does have a moral obligation to disclose the full truth (financially and historically) to its members and investigators. Each of us has the right to choose for ourself (agency), and any material misrepresentation or omission of facts removes a portion of our agency. Hi bridget_night, I’m sorry for the strained relationships you are experiencing. Based on how your brother has responded to your choices, I’m not sure “defending” yourself will promote peace and healing in your relationship. However, I definitely think you should establish boundaries. It might be as simple as letting him know you will be walking away from any conversations involving spirituality or the church that turn from uplifting to shaming. Good luck.
Thank you both nibbler and SunbeltRed. It’s nice knowing other people are experiencing similar challenges as I am. Quote:My previous faith had constraints, limits, rules. My new faith doesn’t have to have those things. I’m more free to believe what I believe without worrying whether it adheres to a locked down dogma.
I am beginning to experience some of this. Maybe not exactly the same (because I don’t yet see my faith as being stronger than it once was), but I find myself capable of much more compassion and understanding. A couple weeks ago a young man was ridiculed and made to feel guilty because he said he couldn’t help collect fast-offerings. A few years ago I might have joined them in an attempt get him to do the right thing. Instead I felt compassion for him and wondered what might be going on in his life that limited his desire to serve. The next week I tried to help the deacons have a better understanding of how we should treat and lead others (persuasion, long-suffering, etc.).
I think this experience also relates well to what SunbeltRed said:
Quote:Perhaps you might be able to bring relief and help to a suffering young man in his time of need and empathize in a way that someone else cannot.
