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I had a thought while reading responses to another post that I think is critical to state in a forum like this: In a very real way, the LDS Church is going through an institutional faith transition. I’m not talking about the number of members but rather the institution itself. I have seen SO many changes in my lifetime, and that has accelerated greatly in the last few years.
Those here who know what it’s like to face a personal faith crisis / transition ought to be at the forefront of charity toward the same kind of thing when it happens at the institutional level – and for the difficultly leaders face who are trying to steer a course that will harm as few members as possible. I recognize and respect the pain each person feels who experiences such a thing, but, knowing personally the pain involved, we ought to treat the institution, as much as possible, the way we want it to treat us. No matter how much we feel we can engage actively, we ought to strive to understand and develop charity – and to see the very real difficulty inherent in an institutional faith transition.
After all, if we seek to understand and treat well only those who understand and treat us well, what reward do we have? Even the worst people tend to do that.
I agree the church is transitioning Ray, and I know it’s hard for the top leadership to balance what they think is right and what people expect. For instance, I advocate shortening the three hour block (which was a change in and of itself at one time) and I am certain there is top level support for doing so. The problem is, what to cut without harming the membership or causing them to question. The real issue with the church’s transition, as I see it, is that most members aren’t seeing the changes for whatever reason – they’re there, but seem to go unnoticed sometimes. I further agree that we should be charitable toward the church, the top church leadership, and even the members who don’t see and/or resist the change. Good reminder. I need it. I think the hard thing, especially online, when we say the church – do we mean The Church top leadership, or the local lay leadership, or the general culture of the church. At times it is all 3. Here becomes the struggle are the changes or hoped for changes or Mormonism faith crisis – a top leadership, lay leadership or cultural change. This multiplex problem creates its own problem. When we write, chat, etc – we may not always be selecting the right words to place in our responses. I am certain I am guilty of this. I have lived in this church for 50 years, fully active and participatory, I assume I will continue that way. I could write pages of changes that have happened over the course of just those 50 years -the changes are staggering. I’ve seen the upheaval those changes make, as well as the relief and joy. No institution big or small can make changes – divine or otherwise – with out there being collateral emotions. In these past years I have wondered how the growth that will eventually occur will affect everyone. My Chrystal ball shows nothing.
All I can come back to is following the golden rule, and hoping a few others will follow it, too.
For me the frustration comes from what I perceive are less than good choices. The Church has had and still has leaders that teach, exemplify, and inspire the best in the organization and individuals. The Chieko Okazaki’s, David O. McKays, Howard W. Hunters, Hugh B. Browns, and of course the Silver Fox Dieter F. Uchtdorf. Each of these has tried to light our best natures – but they are the exceptions. This institutional transition may not have needed to happen had we allowed their words, and actions to enlighten our lives and practices. The first 4 are nearly forgotten, only we weird faith crisis/fringe groups seem to remember them. The final member of this elite group has his words edited by PR people which circumvents the meaning and keeps the barriers up. On this board, I believe for the most part I am patient, supportive and hopeful. In my life I am the same way, but there are times, and the last few weeks have been that way for me, when I wonder is the institution actually having a Faith Transition or not?
I have said 3 times today I hold out hope and I do. I am also fully willing to accept that what I wish for won’t happen. But I can’t deny the pain the institution is causing, when remedies were available and not selected. Acknowledging that pain is a part of growing up. Even Christ wants us to reflect, acknowledge when we have offended another, leave our gift beside the alter and find the person we have “ought against” make restitution, then return and bring our gift to the alter.
And that is my struggle.
I agree that we should do that, Ray. I do find it hard though….when you feel someone has wronged you, usually there some kind of end to it. You are able to withdraw, and then work on forgiving. People like me take a long time. And it is difficult when you experience similar “wrongs” as you continue to engage.
Sometimes, the best solution is to minimize the role of the church in your life so you can look at it from a distance. In those cases, I think it’s easier to forgive and also be charitable.
I see and agree with the points all 3 of you are making. I have other situations in life that are draining me and taking tremendous emotional energy. I so wish I could feel the church is a safe harbor that I can depend on for rest and strengthening. I do look to Christ for that, but I don’t feel “safe” in Church like I once did, for many reasons that evolved over the years. There is so much good in the Church. I see it, I really do and I love it. But it’s just like in your own family circles, you see the good, the bad and the ugly. I was unfortunately exposed to the bad and ugly on a very personal level due to local personalities and priesthood roulette. I have actually been praying for more charity for the church as a whole in my heart. It’s interesting you posted this, Ray. Maybe it is more for me than for anyone else.
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