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I heard part of Elder Gong’s talk. I only caught part of it, but it showed me that the church has been designed for the kind of person who likes routine. I think people who love the military would appreciate it. He talked about how it provides a pattern of righteous living, a drum-beat, so to speak. I sat there thinking — Ah, now I understand another reason why, after I lost my commitment, I found it so hard to engage with the church. I find routines BORING. I work hard, accomplish much, but I do so without established routines. The only routines I have are taking medication at prescribed intervals (because if I don’t, I have pain), and putting chlorine tablets in my pool — and this because if I don’t, it costs me money to get the water back to normal. I have no other routines. I don’t go to bed at the same time, don’t get up at the same time, don’t do anything at the same time if i can help it. It drives me NUTS to be locked into a routine. It makes it almost like the movie Ground Hog day for me to have routines — boring.
How about you, do you like the programmed, routine-oriented approach to righteousness in our church? I’m sure some people do like it. And I’m not sure what the alternative is in a large worldwide church anyway, but I found Gong’s talk a tough one for me, for this reason.
I took his talk as painting a Christ-like life. He gave 5 tools to use to do so, but he also said “not limited to” the standard litany of answers.
But I did tune out the straight Obedience principles alot…
AmyJ wrote:
I took his talk as painting a Christ-like life.He gave 5 tools to use to do so, but he also said “not limited to” the standard litany of answers.
But I did tune out the straight Obedience principles alot…
I don’t disagree Amy, but those five things were all the “tried and true” principles that many of us here struggle with because we don’t find them helpful – they don’t answer our questions/doubts and bring us the peace we seek. I don’t use this term very often, but talks like that work for TBMs.
And I do like the military, SD, and don’t disagree with you either. That mindset was part of my own faith crisis. I do believe the majority of active members are “check the box” types, and again, this type of talk works for them.
Frankly, I was disappointed in this talk coming from someone I had some hopes for.
DarkJedi wrote:
AmyJ wrote:
I took his talk as painting a Christ-like life.He gave 5 tools to use to do so, but he also said “not limited to” the standard litany of answers.
But I did tune out the straight Obedience principles alot…
I don’t disagree Amy, but those five things were all the “tried and true” principles that many of us here struggle with because we don’t find them helpful – they don’t answer our questions/doubts and bring us the peace we seek. I don’t use this term very often, but talks like that work for TBMs.
I get that and can relate.
I guess for me, I mentally substitute what works for me for “tried and true principles” of the same vein. I don’t necessarily pray, but I do believe in meditation/quiet contemplation. Some of the “righteous rituals” I don’t practice or take as much stock in – but that doesn’t stop me from looking at my life and developing my own “righteous rituals” and family traditions. I also try to look at the purpose or motivation behind a specific preferred ritual that I don’t practice or intend to practice and see what my substitute would be.
Because Elder Gong’s talk was framed around completing a painting, I felt that there was greater liberty and acknowledgement that each path or “painting” is crafted by the individual, and of necessity will not look like or use the same colors as the original – but that there are some general artistic measures that contribute to a beautiful artwork or a beautiful life.
I stole the following quote from Curt’s signature line: Quote:Even if people view many things differently, the core Gospel principles (LOVE; belief in the unseen but hoped; self-reflective change; symbolic cleansing; striving to recognize the will of the divine; never giving up) are universal.
I’ll admit I was already grumpy and disappointed in prior talks before Gong spoke. I may need to listen to it again. I also tend to take things at face value – which is the reason I didn’t do so well in college lit class even though I like to read. I liked Renlund’s talk on Sunday.
There was a lot to be grumpy about… My family watched all conference sessions (5 for my 8.75 year old and myself, 4 for my husband). I wanted to hear what the amazing announcements would be firsthand. I wanted to support my husband. I went up to our branch building to be with my community and expose my daughter to the community. I wanted to be available in case revelation struck (It didn’t).
There were some beautiful talks – President Holland’s talk on peace was pure poetry. President Utchdorf came through as well:)
I teared up when President Eyring was describing his visits with his beloved wife – I couldn’t help it.
I also got family culture authorization to walk out of President Oak’s next talk:)
[Between his 2 talks on Saturday, I was the closest to walking away from the church I have ever been. It truly was impressive how many swipes against various lifestyle/cultural/generational groups he included.]
I don’t know that it is routine and repetition that people want, but rather milestones that reward people who remain all-in in spite of how hard it can be to do that. For example, I used to always enjoy going to the chapel for PM during GC and the communal event, as noted by AmyJ. That lasted many many years after my FC. I went to the chapel the first time that PM was broadcast to homes, and almost nobody was there. Those days and that experience are now gone permanently.
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