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I am a lurker here, I introduced my self months ago and posted a few times and have checked back weekly ever since. My husband is inactive, my faith is on the rocks and going to church alone with 3 little kids when Church was hurting me wasn’t working…so I took a little break. Today was our first day back at church since before Thanksgiving. My husband came to sacrament to help with the kids and because he has been my biggest support as I try to rebuild my faith and staylds. Two High Councilmen were speaking today and I admit I gave my husband a look…I was just going to have to endure or tune out. The first talk was o.k . The second talk was amazing…truly I was caught off guard by his authenticity and forward yet faithful way of speaking. He grabbed my attention when he spoke of grace, and how it is sufficient. He even said ‘If Satan were here, he would be in a white shirt and tie, quoting what he has heard from other and telling us all the things we need to do to be saved…we don’t do things to be saved because we have already been bought with a price’ He said we spend a lot of our time teaching our kids works..that we forget to teach them to love Christ, and when we love Christ, we want to follow his example and we will naturally be more charitable, forgiving etc.. I turned to my husband and he said ” This is the best talk I have ever heard”. After sacrament I saw my husband search out this man and shake his hand. I haven’t felt uplifted and hopeful after Sacrament in a very long time, it was rejuvenating. I had been skipping gospel doctrine for a while before I took my little break. I would opt to sit in the foyer and immerse my self in the bloggernacle where I felt I had more kindred spirits. But today I went. During a portion of the lesson the teacher asked about funerals and experiences with attending lds vs non lds funerals. After a few comments that weren’t particularly offensive the same High Councilman made a comment…about eternal progression. He said ” It’s comforting to know that we will have the opportunity to continue to progressive in the next life, it’s not just one and done. I have found that this was particularly comforting to parents who lost children who were caught up in drugs or had committed suicide” Not just one and done! I wanted to stand and clap and give a hallelujah! But I am a flaming introvert so I decided that instead I would muster up the courage to tell him how thankful I am, for his talk focused on Christ and grace, for speaking about my favorite but kind of hidden Mormon doctrine of eternal progression. So I did, and he gave me a grandfatherly wink and thanked me for thanking him. I’m only bummed that he was only visiting and not actually in my ward… I freaking loved him. I saw somewhere a while back a thread about sharing positive church experiences…I don’t know where that thread is but I really wanted to share my happy day at church. pentium3 wrote:He even said ‘If Satan were here, he would be in a white shirt and tie, quoting what he has heard from other and telling us all the things we need to do to be saved…we don’t do things to be saved because we have already been bought with a price’ He said we spend a lot of our time teaching our kids works..that we forget to teach them to love Christ, and when we love Christ, we want to follow his example and we will naturally be more charitable, forgiving etc..
Amen! (And, this is EXACTLY why I almost never wear white shirts anymore to church!) Seriously, what a great message. I don’t do things to be saved, I do things because I am saved — or at least that’s the hope of my faith, such as it is.
pentium3 wrote:flaming introvert
Me, too. Awesome phrase — can I steal it? Should we start a club?
LDSThomas
pentium3 wrote:Iwhen we love Christ, we want to follow his example and we will naturally be more charitable, forgiving etc..
This! This! A thousand times, this!
We had ward conference today, and our SP said “We need to be obedient so the Atonement can work in our lives” or something to that effect. I had to bite my tongue! People, if you are obedient, you don’t NEED the Atonement to work in your life! The doctor came for the sick, the whole need no physician. Too many people, I think, are of the opinion that because they come to church, obey the WoW, pay tithing, etc., they’re “whole”. “If ye love me, keep my commandments,” not “If ye keep my commandments, then I know you love me.” Love Him first, and obedience (to Him, but that’s another can of worms entirely) will follow!
Experiences like this are wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
Curtis wrote:Experiences like this are wonderful.
Thanks for sharing.
Yeah.
I don’t go to church very often. But when I do, and I hear a good talk….I will always search out the person and thank them and give them a handshake.
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I love to hear experiences like this. Thanks for sharing. pentium3 wrote:
I turned to my husband and he said ” This is the best talk I have ever heard”. After sacrament I saw my husband search out this man and shake his hand. I haven’t felt uplifted and hopeful after Sacrament in a very long time, it was rejuvenating.Thanks for sharing – great scene.
Just another thank you for sharing. It’s nice to know that some of our leaders really do get it. Made me really smile. Especially after sitting through the concluding speaker in our branch conference where the stake leader berated us (and the rest of Europe) for not having the faith to do the “4 things” that President Hinkley had taught would lead to Europe doubling in membership. I’ve no idea what those 4 things were and the leader didn’t tell us either. I spent the time writing my blog instead (the post I shared here about my outburst in priesthood).
I come to this forum in part so I can express frustrations and support those who share them, while also knowing that there will be some positive voice to help me find balance. Thank you for bringing a positive experience for us this week.
I’m glad I could add a positive note since I know most of us have to make a real effort to search it out. LDSthomas go ahead and use the phrase “flaming introvert” to your hearts content. I’m trying to embrace the fact that I’m not going to outgrow being painfully shy ( I really had to work up my courage to go up to this man that I didn’t know and thank him, I even felt a little shaky afterwards…I could totally do without those kind of introvert side effects.) I sometimes wonder if being an introvert has an affect on activity for those struggling with their faith. I have thought at times that I would rather not deal with having to do the things necessary to live the gospel on my own terms right now, like turn down callings or decline being asked to speak in Sacrament. I’m a people pleaser, so saying no and maybe even not giving a reason intimidates me…I’d rather stay home and read a book than put myself in a position like that. .. I wonder how many inactives are introverts? I’m a flaming introvert too. Have you heard of Susan Cain? Her book Quiet totally changed the way I look at myself. I highly recommend it to all introverts and anyone who knows an introvert (basically everyone). pentium3 wrote:I’d rather stay home and read a book than put myself in a position like that. .. I wonder how many inactives are introverts?
Amen. It’s easier to skip RS since when I show up, I make it on the radar and end up with calls, emails, and texts filled with opportunities I must have forgotten to sign up for. My introverted self gets anxious at the idea of hosting missionary lessons for strangers in my home, trying to find food the missionaries will eat even though my husband and I eat a particular restricted diet, and a list of other things which all involve people coming into my space or me having to be awkwardly social.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. It was lovely and encouraging.
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