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I just got interviewed by someone on the Stake high council. They think I’m worthy and ready to be ordained as an Elder. They have absolutely no idea of the concerns and reservations that I have. They tell me that when I’m an Elder, I will be punished more severely if I commit any sins than as when I was an aaronic priesthood holder. This is scary. I’ve thought about telling my leaders about the things that bother me, but I’m afraid they’ll think less of me. They seem to be so cold and straightforward as they address the absolute necessity of living the commandments and magnifying callings.
alaskaboy, through all of this, take comfort that God understands what you are going through. Nothing else should matter.
Mike from Milton.
I hear your concerns. I don’t want to discourage you one way or the other…but what I’m hearing is again, the organizational-loyalty theme with no real addressing individual needs here. That disappoints me. They can be very business like which is a problem for me personally. The answer is yes, they tend to go harder on Melchizedek Priesthood holders when there is sin. And people in their early twenties, late teens do have greater risks (in my view) of sexual indiscretions. If you get called to a position of responsibility (like High Council, Branch Presidency maybe, Elder’s quorum president) then there is even less leeway given when you make a mistake. You will need to make sure your life is clean when you accept the priesthood.
On the other hand, the tendencies are for mercy now — moreso than in other generations I understand with excommunications happeneing more rarely, I understand..
On the other hand, with the priesthood, there are greater opportunities for leadership, and looking on the bright side, with all the corporate orientation of the Church, you’ll get to rub shoulders with usually talented men which can help you in your career. I actually got into a really good school as the result of recommendations from three corporate/business types I worked with in a Stake YM Presidency. IN a mission, you get leadership experience too in a safe environment because they won’t fire you for making typical administrative mistakes like in industry. The worst that happens is you get released, and it sounds like they are probably strapped for people in your area of the world, so you would likely be trained and given opportunities.
And I have to confess, I did feel something special when I went to the temple the first time. There was something to it and you need the Melch Priesthood for that. You can comfort people with blessings of healing and comfort. I do that all the time now even though I have a far more cynical and less idealistic view of the Church than I once did.
And I have to confess, the responsibility of the priesthood and the possible consequences of sexual immorality or other kinds of sin did help me stay clean all the way to marriage in my late twenties. I would rather not have punishment hanging over my head, but the possibility of that sure did temper my carnal desires when I had opportunities to express them.
Finally, I think you did well by keeping your concerns to yourself. You have full flexibility to do whatever you want at this point. You can go forward having dealt with your concerns in any way you see fit, or you can decide not to proceed. Both those options may not have been available to you if you had’ve spilled your concerns to the world.
You are “worthy” to have the Melchizedek Priesthood, based only on what you’ve shared here so far. That’s not a question, as far as I know. Quote:“With great power comes great responsibility.”
Being ordained to the MP really does bring great “power” in the LDS Church – at the very least, potential for great power. It makes sense to me that there would be added responsibility and accountability. It’s no different than becoming a manager of some sort in a corporation or a leader of some sort in a social network and having to accept the accompanying responsibilities and consequences of screwing up.
Iow, it’s an unavoidable part of life for those who want to “rise” in any organization in any real way.Therefore, imo, your question simply is how extensively you want to be able to participate and lead within the LDS Church – now and in the future. Unless you’re planning on breaking some serious foundational commandments / rules of the Church, therre really are no theoretical downsides to being ordained to the MP – especially since you always can turn down any callings that are offered in the future if you so desire. I think it’s coming across to you as much more intimidating than it really is. It sounds like the local leaders aren’t helping either. I’m not sure it makes that big a difference. Having doubts isn’t a sin. So that doesn’t matter either way. The only thing you can be disciplined formally for are
actsof sin. And there really aren’t that many of those that will get you disciplined formally that your priesthood even matters. 1. Serious sexual sins like adultery or sexual assault.
2. You are convicted of serious crimes.
3. You openly preach against the church (apostasy).
If you’re really, actually having problems with anything on that serious a level, you have way more to worry about than Aaronic vs. Melchizedek priesthood. You might not even care anymore.
I remember a family on my mission that was truly wonderful. I loved them so much that I felt justified to pry into why they hadn’t gone to the temple to be sealed. The reason that was given was that they were unsure that they could maintain the standard level expected for a “forever family.” Perhaps that was an oversimplification and perhaps they just made something up to get me to mind my own business, but at the time it didn’t make any sense to me. Why would a wonderful, loving, actively LDS family, living all of outward church standards have to fear from having those relationship bonds become eternal? I suppose I may take these types of commitments/ rites of passage too lightly – but from my perspective you may be taking it too hard. Let’s say that you have a GF and you succumb to your desires for her in a moment of passion. After confession to the bishop, will your repentance process be longer or more burdensome as a 17 and 3/4 yr old Priest or an 18 yr old Elder. I imagine that there are many variables in a situation like this (such as the details of the indiscretion, your state of remorse, and the Bishops personal style and approach), I just don’t see the Elder thing being the key determinant. For example, I imagine the “punishment” being greater for a 40 yr old Priest that has been a member of the church his entire life than it would be for the aforementioned 18 yr old Elder.
Now, I don’t ever foresee any “punishment” getting lighter for someone who holds the MP or has gone to the temple or holds a leadership calling. It’s just that I see these things as markers for less easily quantified factors (such as length of time in the church, commitment level, and relative public profile) rather than different sections in the disciplinary chart.
IOW –
Brian Johnston wrote:I’m not sure it makes that big a difference. Having doubts isn’t a sin. So that doesn’t matter either way. The only thing you can be disciplined formally for are acts of sin. And there really aren’t that many of those that will get you disciplined formally that your priesthood even matters.
Just what Brian said!
:thumbup: alaskaboy19 wrote:They tell me that when I’m an Elder, I will be punished more severely if I commit any sins than as when I was an aaronic priesthood holder. This is scary.
The way this was communicated to me by my leaders, was that I would be punished more severely directly by Heavenly Father for any type of sin. Harsher discipline as an Elder being inflicted by the bishop for confessed sins like infractions of the law of chastity, is not specifically what I’m worried about.
I’m worried about what they told me (perhaps I misunderstood) about supposedly how God himself would directly punish me more severelly for common simple sins like pride and dishonesty.
They tell me I’m being accepted into a higher order, no turning back, were any infractions are considered a mocking of God. And he (the stake high council representative) never asked me If I personally wanted to go through with it.
Quote:The way this was communicated to me by my leaders, was that I would be punished more severely directly by Heavenly Father for any type of sin.
Bullocks, imo.
:shh: God looks upon the heart and redeems all who are sincerely trying to follow the dictates of their own consciences. Repentance is repentance, and forgiveness is forgiveness. God will forgive whom God will forgive – and I personally believe he will be much more merciful in the end than many people assume.I say that largely because we tend to project our own views onto God – and I’m fine with that, largely, since that’s what makes the most sense to us as individuals. I know my own view is influences primarily by my own personality and grace-orientation, if you will.
They are telling you what they sincerely believe, and I respect that in a very real way. I just don’t agree.
Having said that, I also believe we are our own punishers – that the Law of the Harvest is real and powerful – that we are accountable to the consequences of our actions more than to God’s direct actions. In that way, they might be right – since you might punish yourself and might be punished by external consequences more with a higher level of commitment than with a lower level. I just don’t see it as God standing there throwing lightning bolts at you.
alaskaboy19 wrote:I’m worried about what they told me (perhaps I misunderstood) about supposedly how God himself would directly punish me more severely for common simple sins like pride and dishonesty.
I sorta understand this concept from a certain point of view. Each of the steps would be like ratcheting up the expected level of perfection (like when you expect more from an older child than you would from a younger). But the same concept places an increasing pressure on the individual to either make it, fake it, or be rejected by the group (and presumably by the family of God).
This is not consistent with my personal relationship with my HF. He does not see me as a priesthood holder or a member of his church. He does not distinguish me by my income bracket or my political affiliation. 2 Nephi 26:33 states: “black and white, bond and free, male and female…and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.”
Perhaps he knows me as Roy, perhaps he calls me by a name given in pre-mortality, perhaps he just attunes to my essence or “intelligence” – However it may work, I know that he knows me.
Quote:Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Cor. 13:12
Someone once said that the punishment God inflicts will be the least he MUST give, and the blessings he bestows are the most he can give. This was a general conference talk at one point. It made sense to me –I personally love my kids and never want to punishm them the most I can…only as much as I need to in order to maintain order. And I want them to have the most I can give short of spoiling them or doing harm. The scriptures say that in the end, we will all acknowledge that God’s judgments are just.
“He who is without sin…” Got news for you. You’re not going to be perfect. Get over it. Neither are your leaders or anyone who’s “counseling” you on this topic, even all of US here on this board. You will do your best (which you are) and you will trust that Christ makes up the difference. That’s all there is to it. Regardless of what priesthood you hold or don’t hold.
Just my $0.02.
baldzach wrote:Got news for you. You’re not going to be perfect. Get over it. Neither are your leaders or anyone who’s “counseling” you on this topic, even all of US here on this board. You will do your best (which you are) and you will trust that Christ makes up the difference. That’s all there is to it. Regardless of what priesthood you hold or don’t hold.
I agree!
“Successful perfectionist” is an oxymoron. Beware of disappointment, guilt, and self loathing that may accompany you down this path. Perspective is everything!
+1, baldzach. Well said.
baldzach wrote:Got news for you. You’re not going to be perfect. Get over it. Neither are your leaders or anyone who’s “counseling” you on this topic, even all of US here on this board. You will do your best (which you are) and you will trust that Christ makes up the difference. That’s all there is to it. Regardless of what priesthood you hold or don’t hold.
AMEN! Bro. Baldzach. +1
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