Hmmpff.

[Anonymous]

This isn’t a full crisis issue, just one of those little catches in your heart. I have been working to be a Grown Up With God. I have days when I feel stage 5, or at least not chained to stage 4. I also have whole spaces of my spirit that can let something be said in church, and just let it go, or look for the good. Then out of the blue some small thing, pops up, and I am wrestling a smidgen.

Today it was a facebook post. Nothing nasty. A ward friend posted a prepared post – I believe by the church or an LDS. org thing. The picture is an aged book floating in the sky above the standard picture of Christ in America. The caption below it reads – “Shortly after Christ’s resurrection he visited the people here in the American Continent. Read about this amazing experience in the Book of Mormom”.

For some reason today that just choked me. I know the woman, she loves humanitarian giving as much as I do, she isn’t foaming at the mouth religious, she was just sharing something she loved. But it hurt.

I know why it hurt – it’s the pain of perpetuating something that may not have happened as we have perpetuated it. I love 3rd Nephi, whether it happened in America or in some other location. I love it even if it was never an event. But I weary of the assurance we keep stating. The assurance doesn’t bring us closer to God or Christ. Loving the book doesn’t bring us closer to God or Christ. Living the passages that may help. But if he never showed up anywhere else but in Jerusalem, shouldn’t those teachings and experiences be enough?

Okay rant over. Thank you one and all for this safe place to blow off some steam. I wish you a good day.

[Anonymous]

This is a good place to have a vent and/or controlled rant. I very much relate to what you said – I’m pretty good at floating along now and letting most things go by but every once in a while something on another day I might let slip by gets me. And I too have trouble with some of the myths that are perpetuated by members of the church. I’ve said this before and I’ll put it out here – that’s what keeps me from going to church. I have practiced with general conference and in other situations and I know I can ignore things most of the time – but I fear the one that gets through the defense shields and my jedi senses don’t see coming. I don’t know how to overcome that.

[Anonymous]

mom3,

Perhaps this was your friend’s subtle way of announcing that she no longer believes… “Look everyone, I believe in the Book of Mormon… April Fools!…”

Seriously, though, I don’t begrudge anyone’s religious belief, but I don’t want to see it on facebook.

[Anonymous]

I’ve got a friend on FB that perhaps could be best described as militant orthodox LDS. They usually only post angry rants about why some group or other is wrong in their beliefs and how the church and the prophet are in the right. The majority of their status updates are highly dogmatic posts fueled by a persecution complex and they pass extreme judgment on others. Unfortunately this person appears to be caught up in only seeing the negative side of everything non-church, which is really sad.

I debated for the longest time whether or not to delete them as a friend, their posts had become offensive to me, I was afraid I was going to leave a nasty reply to one of their posts one day. In the end I decided not to delete them. I want to get to a place where I can look past the posts and still love the person unconditionally, that’s the goal anyway. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll find a way to respond to some of the posts in a way that might help steer them towards finding good things in life and being more tolerant of differing opinions. In small, helpful steps. Line upon line if you will.

[Anonymous]

Mom3, I am glad you found a safe way to vent. I have decided that I need to stay off of FB for the next 2 weeks while GC blows over. I am also trying not to be harsh on myself because of this. I feel guilty that I can’t just let things go sometimes because, like you, sometimes I can and sometimes I can’t. I have been pretty annoyed/grumpy with most things church related for the past few weeks. So my heart goes out to you, it isn’t a fun place to be. Sending you peaceful/happy vibes.

Quote:

Dark Jedi wrote: I fear the one that gets through the defense shields and my jedi senses don’t see coming.

made me smile. Love the Jedi Senses.

Quote:

Nibbler wrote: I debated for the longest time whether or not to delete them as a friend, their posts had become offensive to me, I was afraid I was going to leave a nasty reply to one of their posts one day. In the end I decided not to delete them. I want to get to a place where I can look past the posts and still love the person unconditionally, that’s the goal anyway. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll find a way to respond to some of the posts in a way that might help steer them towards finding good things in life and being more tolerant of differing opinions. In small, helpful steps. Line upon line if you will.[/quote

This is my desire too. I have “hid” several of my friends, I get annoyed with myself that I can’t be where I want sometimes. But I love your reminder of small, helpful steps. I want to accept myself where I am and that helps me to let go of judgement of others. Thanks for the reminder.

[Anonymous]

mom3 wrote:

But if he never showed up anywhere else but in Jerusalem, shouldn’t those teachings and experiences be enough?

Hi, mom3 – Rant away. It’s going to be interesting going forward to see how or if church culture and curriculum will allow open non-literal believers to participate.

Watching the royal wedding a couple years ago I was struck by the beautiful hymn, “Jerusalem,” and how the idea that Christ was already here, feet on this very ground, motivates people to better their society and prepare for his return.

And did those feet in ancient time

Walk upon England’s mountains green:

And was the holy Lamb of God,

On England’s pleasant pastures seen!

And did the Countenance Divine,

Shine forth upon our clouded hills?

And was Jerusalem builded here,

Among these dark Satanic Mills?

Bring me my Bow of burning gold;

Bring me my Arrows of desire:

Bring me my Spear: O clouds unfold!

Bring me my Chariot of fire!

I will not cease from Mental Fight,

Nor shall my Sword sleep in my hand:

Till we have built Jerusalem,

In England’s green & pleasant Land

[Anonymous]

I understand, and I feel your pain. At times like that I just try to remind myself that particular view is important to someone for some reason.

[Author]

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