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So I’m not sure what to call how I feel, but it’s the opposite of a rant. I had a great day at Church yesterday. Nothing earth-shattering happened, but I just felt good throughout the meetings. During BYD I felt particularly inspired to share a couple of stories from my mission to make the point to the youth that the main purpose of a mission isn’t to please your parents, not to make your bishop happy and not even for the personal growth we all hear about – the true purpose to serve a mission is to teach people that there is a god, that he loves them, and that Christ atoned for their sins. Felt really good as I related this to them. I just felt light and airy after Church. Then came home and read several posts on NOM (I’ve been lurking there for a while) and realized that while belief-wise I’m definitely closer to a NOM than a TBM, I’m just a Mormon. That’s all there is to it. Did JS marry 14 year olds? Yes. Is the BoA a literal translation of egyptian papyri? No. Is the BoM historically accurate? Probably not. Do I care? Apparently I don’t. I just like how going to church and being around the Saints makes me feel. Probably a function of being in a great ward with good leadership. Thanks for letting me “rant” a bit on how appreciative I am to have the Gospel in my life, without being too syrupy or coming of as TBM’ish.
Quote:Probably a function of being in a great ward with good leadership.
Makes all the difference in the world.
I taught the HPG lesson today, and it was from Pres. Packer’s talk, “These Things I Believe”. I quoted a bit of the poem(s) he shared, about not trading age for youth due to the things he’s learned over the years, ignored completely the parts about the evils of the world and had the men in the group share, one-by-one, something they have learned over the years that they would share with their younger selves if they could.
It was a wonderful discussion, and the things they shared were profound, personal and moving.
There is nothing wrong with just going to Church and participating. I actually loved my calling and loved serving just as much as being taught. I haven’t read about NOM vs TBM but I think there are a lot of people that believe different things based on their point of view. That is how interesting discussions start in GD, WC and other meetings. I don’t believe that the early saints all agreed either. Keep going and keep serving. 
Good post kuma. Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
I’m jealous. Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
A paean? Thanks, cwald. I think Ray’s exactly right – good ward/good local leadership makes all the difference. I think the bishop has sniffed out my NOM’ish tendencies, but hasn’t said a word about it to me (and I’m one of his counsellors!). On the contrary, several members of the ward have come up to me privately and expressed their appreciation for my perspective in the way I preach at Sac mtg and the way I interview for TRs. I think there’s about 15-20% of the adults in my ward that are somewhat less than TBM or even NOM’ish. And Sam, I think you’re right. A paean.
I’m glad you posted this. I had a good one, too. I didn’t speak or anything (maybe that’s what made it good 😯 ). We have a new Bishopric, and I liked our old one, but Sacrament meetings were wearing on me. Partly because all 3 speakers used the same talk or assignment for each talk. It can get challenging to listen to it – on many levels.This week was different. 3 speakers, 3 different topics. That helped. The best part though was the choir. They sang a song I hadn’t heard since I was a teen. I had even totally forgotten it, until they began to sing. Emotions that express my faith swelled up inside me. I remembered personal promises I made to my heart because of this song.
On days like this eternity is just around the corner. And it looks real good.
English is a strange language. Many have a word for the opposite of a rant but in English we struggle. Haven’t been getting much out of church recently myself. But much respect to you!
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