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So if you’re not sick of hearing about my life, here is a new situation I need help with. I’ve been writing with my mother-in-law about my decision to stay with the church. She has left and does not have many happy feelings toward the LDS church. She first wrote and explained her concerns such as saying “it’s the only true church” and “I know it’s true”. She also mentioned that she felt that Christ needed to be at the center of the religion. I totally agree with her on all those topics and wrote saying that I love other church and love to hear their ideas and incorporate them into my life. I also said that the LDS church is what worked best for me and where I felt I needed to be. She just wrote back saying she understood my attachment to the church and asked if the church really was what worked best for me or if it was just “convenient”. She also brought up one of her main ideas of why she thought the church was wrong and that was because she hated how some people are considered better than others because they are a bishop or stake president.
I was thinking about writing back saying that I don’t believe that they are better for being bishops or stake presidents. My dad was a bishop and I know he is not a perfect person but he did his best. There definitely are people in the church that feel that way but I think many realize that they are just people too. As for the being convenient I feel like it can be convenient and where I am supposed to be at the same time. I just haven’t found all of the things I am looking for in a religion in any others.
Does this sound alright? Any advice on what I might add?
So what if the LDS Church is convenient? Is that bad? I like convenience 
I grew up in the LDS Church. I know it frontwards and backwards, inside and out. I know the lingo. I know how the system works. I know the culture. I know the good stuff I like, and the bad stuff I have to keep an eye on. That makes it convenient for me.
I will be a part of an organized religion. It is important. I could join another church, sure. I attend other churches now and then. It’s cool to see something different. I could trade in all the problems that I already have figured out for a fresh batch of new ones. That isn’t very convenient. The LDS Church isn’t perfect by any stretch, but it’s mine
Some members think they are better for their callings. So what? They are wrong if they think that. I am pretty sure that situation exists in most other churches. Imam’s are revered in Islam. Priests are special in the Catholic Church. The pastor and church staff also have social status in their communities within the general protestant denominations. Titles alone don’t make a person righteous. I’m pretty Jesus would back you up on that
Could the LDS Church focus more on Christ? Yeah. It’s a valid criticism sometimes. People can sometimes get into a rut of talking too much about mormon-centric stuff. If all the people who notice this quit, who will be left in Church? Yeah … the people that are missing the boat. It won’t change if we don’t stay and be a force for good. We are the ones building the Kingdom of God on earth, one small step at a time. It won’t happen by magic powers.
I think your mother-in-law’s concerns are silly. By that I don’t mean they shouldn’t be important to her – or that they are not valid to her – or anything else other than . . . silly. As valoel said, those things could be said about any religion or denomination – and probably be even more accurate than they are about Mormonism.
In my ward, for example, the Bishop is well aware of his shortcomings and would laugh at the idea that he is any better than other members; the RS President was floored by her calling, as she is a shy, somewhat insecure introvert (and an absolutely wonderful, sincere, humble, funny person); the EQ President is a Star Wars fanatic nutcase (and an absolutely wonderful, sincere, zany person); the HPG Leader is a corporate President who played the prelude music then turned over the organ to the much more accomplished 14-year-old young man for the regular hymns; etc. The idea that leaders are better than average members simply doesn’t fly in my ward. I know it does in some, but it doesn’t in just as many, ime.
Now, I wouldn’t tell your mother-in-law they are silly, but between you and I . . . they are silly.
I guess for me I dont think that the “best” people are called for any particular role I mean If you take a mother of 4 kids with the patience of a saint (no pun intended)
and put her into teaching primary – it would make some logical sense
she has raised kids knows a bit about how to deal with them and probably has 2 or even 3 kids in the primary class
All sorted! nice one! done!
But that isnt – in my experience – how it works
The person called to be in that role will most likely have no children – or maybe one
The callings we get are there to IMPROVE us
Same with assignments
I got an assignment to teach every other week in the Elders Quorum when I moved into a new branch
So there I was in a new area as a convert of 2 years or so
with a bunch of people I didnt know all of whom had either been born into the church – or had been in for a LOT longer than I had
And I had to teach these guys! I didnt relish this at all
Thought I was totally wrong for it
But i faced it head on with a song in my heart and a smile on my face
And yes it improved me
It brought me closer to those people I was with in the new ward
That said I think that it is in our nature to look up to people in general be in in work lives church lives or just generally
How many young girls dance round singing into a hairbrush thinking they could be the next beyonce or Madonna
how many boys kick a football trying to “bend it like beckham”
How many Priesthood Holders have said they are “only an elder”?
Its going to happen
They Bishop may not be “perfect” but he is in a position of authority ( for want of a better word)
He has certain “keys” and (for me) the Bishop is a good man – not perfect by his own admission but a very good man (and is a good freind)
I dont think its wrong to look up to him – I do even now and did before he became the Bishop
He had characteristics that I wanted to have – not talents but characteristics
Patience being one that I need work on
Sorry that went on a bit but thought it might give some insight
lol
I have to say it is so nice to talk to others who feel the same I do. It’s good to hear from others points of view and challenge your own but lately I feel like I am crazy. I know the LDS church has its share of crazies who constantly talk about how righteous they are but most people just roll their eyes and realize that they are full of it. I just haven’t seen any different from any other group, religious or otherwise. I really appreciate all the help. I’m starting to feel like a normal person again.
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