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This Sunday and last were the first that I attended church after my “decision” that I was going to go Buffet Mormon. The experience so far has been great for me, and I wanted to share how it has gone. Last Sunday, Sacrament Meeting talks were on temples. I have taken a non-literal approach to the temple, so this didn’t bother me in the slightest. The only thing that did irk me a little was that the only time Jesus Christ was mentioned was in testimonies and “In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.” The SS topic last week was on the martyrdom of JS. When they started talking about JS being led to his death like a lamb to the slaughter within the first 5 min of the class, I quietly got up and left. I’m actually really glad that I did, b/c I then ran into someone who I could serve in a meaningful way. Rather than allowing myself to be angry, I chose to be Christ-like instead. RS was on Christ-like service, so that was great. (I’ve pretty much always had positive experiences with RS).
This Sunday, I missed most of the Sacrament meeting talks, since my DS was being a pill and we forgot toys for him
šÆ So, I was in the nursery room with him trying to pay attention over my son and the other kids who (naturally) found their way into the room as well. I did notice that two of the hymns that were sung I didn’t particularly feel comfortable singing. But that was fine – I just chose not to. SS was on Brigham Young, so I went to the Family History center instead. While I no longer necessarily believe that the temple is literally necessary for the salvation of my deceased, I think there is also a lot of good that comes from learning about ones ancestors and focusing on them. So, that was very uplifting. We had a combined PH/RS meeting since it was the 5th Sunday, and the topic was on how to apply the ward mission goals to our individual lives. My group was given “Strengthening New Members” as a topic, and I felt I had a fair amount to contribute, since I am also a convert. Even though I am taking a non-literal approach to the church, I still enjoy missionary work b/c I like the church and feel that it has so much to offer to the world. Its the best church I have ever been to, even with its faults! In missionary work, I just try not to focus on literalism and more of what I like. Its more sincere that way, anyhow.Anyway, I just wanted to share my uplifting experiences the last few Sundays. I really feel so much more comfortable and less angry with the church since deciding to “take what works, and leave the rest”!
Notes to self from MadamCurie: 1. I might need to actually commit, says the little guy on my right shoulder, but your free Sundays are so sweet says the little guy on my left.
2. Itās likely best to āhead for the bathroomā verses tempting myself with āsharingā.
3. The idea of being comfortable and less angry is appealing and seems remotely plausible.
4. Continue to monitor Mrs. Curieās experience!
Hi MadamC! Thanks for posting your positive experiences! Can I say I think youāre making āyourā way wonderfully in the church. I find it inspiring that you still enjoy missionary work. When Iām asked if I can go out with the Elders I want to say āI really donāt think you want me thereā (but I havenāt had to work hard for an excuse yet). Even though I enjoy church quite a bit now Iām still working on my comfort level in some situations. MadamCurie wrote:…I like the church and feel that it has so much to offer to the world. Its the best church I have ever been to, even with its faults! . . .
Anyway, I just wanted to share my uplifting experiences the last few Sundays. I really feel so much more comfortable and less angry with the church since deciding to “take what works, and leave the rest”!
Iām so glad youāre here with us to share these things!
Your post also reminded me of our lesson in GD this week. It was on the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum. I was quite pleasantly surprised to hear so many ārealā issues surrounding the turmoil being covered. The teacher talked about how polygamy was causing problems both inside and outside of the church. He also discussed how other Illinois residents probably felt threatened politically — and how Joseph had a lot of political and military power in addition to being prophet (which made non-Mormons uneasy). He made the point that people take freedom of the press seriously, so naturally they were upset when the Nauvoo Expositor press was destroyed.
Yes, there was an equal balance of āpositiveā things said about Joseph and his mission, but I was quite impressed at the lesson overall. To me it goes to show that the church continues to evolve ā slowly but surely.
Madame Curie I am very glad that you have framed the “buffet” so that it is possible for you to select what works for you, I think that is a tremendous step and in fact a very brave step. I think that walking when the lesson material is threatening to overwhelm you is a good idea which I have used a fair amount over the past two years but then they made me the Youth Gospel Doctrine teacher so I have to face up to some of it. I actually taught the Joseph and Hyrum martyrdom much as Orson described his experience since I think the “lamb to the slaughter” is hyperbole in the extreme, though I feel that Joseph was fundamentally an innocent person he was certainly “guilty” of using the Nauvoo charter laws and his own influence to destroy the Nauvoo Expositor which is what he was being put in jail for. Naturally that should not have resulted in death but it did and here we all are.
I love singing most of the hymns but I am helping in Primary as well in sharing time (two boys need someone to help them “model” better behavior
Wonderful. Thank you for sharing this post. It made my day. Wonderful post Madam! I hope you continue to enjoy your buffet.
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