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The followup podcast to the original one that discussed all stages. John and I were two of the panelists on this one. This episode focuses on the different panelists’ views on Stage 5 Mormonism and relationship to the Church. I think it turned out very good. Brian, I finally got around to listening to this podcast. I thought it was great. It seemed a little towards the end to be veering off to what kind of movement can help the church accept Stage 5 members (podcasts, documents, etc)…and less about how Stage 5 members resolve issues with their experience in the church. But I still found it interesting, as it seemed to express how Stage 5-ers view things and talk about things.
I thought it was interesting that it was suggested that the top leaders of the church are probably more open minded than we think, and that it seems the mid to ward level leadership is defining things very literal and very Stage 3 (“only correct church”), as they apply what is taught from higher leadership.
I’m not sure I sense that from Elder Packer, but certainly from most of the Q12 and 1st Presidency. I don’t know those guys and what they really believe to know how they really feel, but certainly more love than judgment is felt by their messages.
The comparison to the Jewish faith was also interesting.
For me, what I got out of it was ok for Mormon to be a personal “way” for individual situations. For me, once things broke and I was kicked out of Stage 3 it took effort to work through Stage 4 and my emotions there, not lack of faith and desire to apostatize. Now, whether I’m at stage 5 or just endlessly in pursuit of stage 5, it becomes a very personal and unique journey. I can’t look towards the church anymore for the meaning of doctrine or scripture I was taught my whole life, nor ask them to conform to my views of how I think things should be in the church…but I’m on a personal path led by my relationship with God, and others can’t really understand that until they walk in my shoes and go through what I went through. And so family and church members may misinterpret my intentions, but God knows my heart and if He is leading me on this path, I have no fear about where I’m going, I just enjoy the ride….even if I don’t exactly fit in with how other ward members view things. At the same time, I have no worthiness issues that I must divorce myself from the church either. I just approach it “my way”.
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