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We had a weird Sunday and didn’t attend today. I just got off the phone with my mom and she told me about their Sacrament meeting. I thought it was such a beautiful event I’d share that one today. My mom said they have about 7 youth serving missions. Privately the Bishop contacted each one and asked them to write a letter to their Mom to be read for Sacrament meeting. They weren’t to tell their moms. They were just to send them to him. Once the letters arrived he called a family member or the dad to read the letter over the pulpit. I guess it was teary and tender as can be. Last of all the Bishop stood up. He set a box on the stand. It was a handmade, wooden shaped heart box. He explained that years ago the young men had made these boxes. He then held up the box and showed all the flaws. The rough edges, the misplaced pieces, so on. He then explained that it was easy to look at the flaws if you wanted to or like everyone did in the beginning, when the Bishop held up the box, could see the effort, the beauty, the success of the box. He said motherhood often feels like this box. It’s easy to sometimes see all the unfinished, flawed parts when in fact every Mom is beautiful, complete, and successful. Then someone in the ward had made enough boxes to pass out to each sister, and a chocolate was inside. To me that was the most beautiful Mother’s Day I’d heard of. Now I hear all of yours and I’m even more joyful. Thanks everyone for making my Mother’s Day.
Wow Cwald. I agree with MercynGrace this is a huge overstep. I also agree that of the things found – everyone of them can be matched by other iron-rod members. Tithing status, use of quotes, etc. and facebook is not an arm of the church. No one is obligated to put a religion – even if you put something else, it still isn’t a breach of LDSness. I have no words to offer, but I will pray for you. I always do pray for this paradigm struggle. I will also pray for your leaders that they also might have sight and understanding. Good Luck. I wish you genuine peace and truth.
Silent – I am going to try to answer this backwards using another religion as an example. It has been my privilege to closely associate with two other religions in my life. Because of that I have been able to see how human nature is a battle unto itself. Often times we all do, say, or act in ways we think are Godly, righteous, etc. We can even quote scripture to support the presentation. We even believe whole heartedly that we are right. It is not until the tables somehow turn on us that we get to glimpse the errors that masquerade in our actions. Both of the religions I am referencing also claim to be the only real/true religion. Yet one of them finds everyone else unworthy. They pray often, can recite entire books of scripture, write and sing some great pop Christ music. But a Catholic in their mist is unworthy. They believe in Grace. Huge amounts of Grace. But they struggle to give it to others in ways I wouldn’t have imagined.
The other religion is based deeply on Old Testament traditions. They too are very insolated. They preach Christ-like principles, and they too have hierarchies, cliques, snubbings so forth.
As an outsider looking in – and as a friend working side by side with them I have learned that humans are humans. We all espouse a higher way. We do it in our homes, in our neighborhoods etc. I think that is why the suggestion to “check the mote in thine own eye” is given. LDS people have the same hurts, personality flaws, hungers, needs for validation as everyone else. The only way that can change is when we as people work to change how we do our part. It’s not easy but from all the reading of human suffering I have done the real key to making this life succeed is forgiveness.
It sounds trite and Sunday School answering but more and more stories of people who have truly forgiven their offenders whether it’s in prison camps, holocaust victims, rapist or murders. Something happens. Something miraculous. The same stupid human responses still exist in the world – but they no longer hurt. Everytime the offender sincerely forgives another miracle takes place they share, radiate, teach, preach, plead with others to do the same. They reach out to others and find ways to lift them.
Albert Einstein is credited with saying, “A person truly begins to live when he lives outside himself.”
I think that is the key in church. Even though we are all trying to get to the Celestial Kingdom we get so wrapped up in our journey we totally stomp on others and don’t even see it. Most likely we silently pat ourselves on the back for having said or done something we thought was amazing.
I just don’t think we hold the corner on this. It exists in other religions, too.
katzpur- I love Peter Marshall. I didn’t read A Man Called Peter until I was an adult. I’m so glad his wife wrote it. Heber your verse is one of my childrens favorites. Even that it is written in marker on a paper hanging in her room. Quote:He revealeth the deep and secret things; he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth in him. Daniel 2:22
and
Quote:Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of a God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. Phillipians 2: 6&7
I can’t fully address the various Meyers-Briggs interpretations, but I have been an observer or experiencer of working with people who didn’t want input only obedience. We had a stake president who ruled with and iron fist. He loved to announce how much of our allotted budget money he’d sent back to Salt Lake. He took the idea of the stake center can be a temple idea to a new level. Silence in the foyer, seating you row by row (no milling around and selecting your seat – the high councilman seats you etc.) These are just 2 brief examples of how things worked. During that time many very sincere, devoted members of leadership had ideas that they had fasted over, prayed mightily on, even went to the temple for inspirations. Every time he shut them down. Worse still there were people in leadership who adored him, his style, etc. So then the other people really felt like they were a problem. After watching this I began to realize a couple of things. One the problem really was his. Second I decided for myself that when he and I disagreed and I felt I did have a good idea – I always left the interchange telling Heavenly Father – I tried. Then I would repeat the scripture, “Let the Lord judge between me and thee. And reward thee according to thy deeds.” All of that was sincere on my part. As hard as I can I try to serve Heavenly Father. Jesus also asked people to dispute less – so I dispute less, but I don’t hide, and I try hard to step back and see if insights come.
This may not help, I’m sorry for your struggle. Please know your not alone.
Our sacrament meeting was on obedience. The middle speaker was putting on his best GA imitation. Reading quotes about blind obedience, etc. My husband who often finds those irritating said, “Yeah then he’ll go sit in the foyer the next two meetings.” We both laughed at that because he was right. Relief Society was tithing and we too got into the details of what you pay. A couple of weeks ago I’d inputted alot on the Word of Wisdom, so I held back on commenting until another sister who owns a business was describing her tithing instructions, which set me up to be able to support her using D&C 119 and the words interest and surplus. I backed those up with Joseph Smith Translation about how Abraham paid on his spoils, after all his needs were met. I saw a few people bristle, but a couple of heads nodded in agreement including the gospel doctrine teacher.
I also had some wonderful time praying and talking to Heavenly Father. From them I gained courage, peace, and joy. I do it daily. Today was sunny and it just made heaven seem closer.
SamBee- I hope you don’t mind my asking, Why did you try or return to trying? If you are a convert and have no familial attachments what was it that drew you back.
If it’s too personal I understand, but maybe your decisions could lend all of us some insight.
If you can share would you – Thanks
My version of a council of gods is more like Hawkgirls. I hold up D&C 121:28 as my support scripture. Ray – when was Elder Hollands talk? I’d love to keep it tucked away as a reference for future use. I’m already embarrassed that I missed hearing him say it. Thanks for the reference.
Jackson – Yuck. I am sorry you got used. It stinks whenever it happens. It’s even harder in the church because we hear all the time about charity, ward family, etc. Then when it fails it really hurts. I’ve been in some stinking wards and some great wards. It really does come down to the people. The leadership included. My parents live in an exceptional ward. I love visiting it. My parents love being a part of it because it really has the light of Christ mentality. I’ve thought often they should write a book and teach others.
For the record though our family associates with evangelicals. We are part of a community with them. It has tons of volunteer hours, responsibility. It provides alot of good. It also has some stinking people who do stinking things to their own kind. Every one of them drives around with “Only God” bumper stickers. And constantly remind everyone to Matthew 18 each other. Then burn you at the stake.
In short what everyone said is true. It does happen where ever people exist. I wish you had been in my parents ward. They would have been there and provided the food – without request.
