- This topic is empty.
-
Posts
-
I want to follow up with my story. So here is what I posted: Today I gave a HC talk about Elder Holland’s talk entitled, Lord I believe. I thought it was a great talk and used it extensvessly in my remarks. I talked how I was very inspired by the talk but that there were other talks that I just couldn’t listen to so I went out to weed my garden. That part got me accused of not supporting the brethren. In Elder Holland’s talk he said that we don’t have to pretend to faith that we don’t have and I said very respectfully that I don’t believe that the earth is only 6000 years old and that there was no death before Adam. I also said the there was no righteous justification for the priesthood ban but if others disagreed that was fine with me. I was accused of teaching false doctrine. My talk was on loving and accepting others even if their believes were different. The branch president where I spoke said some of his branch was really upset. I was very kind in my talk but now this. I wonder why I bother some times. I spent a least 10 hours on that talk. I knew that it might get the members thinking but they did not get the message at all of love and kindness and tolerance and reaching out to those that struggle. I have been stewing over this all evening. I can see why people just throw in the towel some times. Maybe it’s time to tell th SP I am done. Yesterday I got a call requesting another meeting with the SP. It had been about 3 weeks sense this happened so I thought that things had blow over. IMUO this should not have even been an issue, but one the people that got up set called the SP direct and chewed him out. The SP call the BP and they talked. The BP kind had my back I was told and that made me feel good. I did bring a copy of the talk for the SP to read and he said he might but he say that he first just wanted to see how I was doing and to ask a few questions. He wanted to know how I liked the talk and i told him I felt pretty good about it but that I was embarrassed that so much time was be wasted. I might have sounded a little snippy because I told him that if isn’t the kind of talk he wants me to give them he should get some one else to take my place. He assured me that it is the message he wants me to give but maybe if I think how I could have softened it up. I said that I would think about it but that I wanted to get the members thinking. He assured that it did. He then asked if I had question that I wanted to ask him. I asked if he knew what some of issues were and he assured me that he did, because he meets with people every week ready to resign. He said that his answers weren’t very complete and lift many people very unsatisfied. I felt sorry for him. Anyway I thanked him for his support and he truly expressed his love and respect and I told him that he makes my calling possible. So I am still on the high council for now. I feel discouraged and like I won this battle but It really feels like I am loosing the war. It seems like there are people out there to get you. Thanks for letting me rant
Hey Church, sorry about the rough time with this. What pops into my mind when I hear “there are people out to get you” is that maybe they feel threatened by what they hear. I can imagine that if they don’t think there is enough room in the church for both their view and what they hear that challenges them – that they will go on the offensive to try to eliminate what they see as a threat. Maybe that’s what the SP was referring to when he asked about softening the language?
You did the right thing, and the message you gave has to be given. as the church moves toward the Middle, the hard-liners will fight tooth and nail to hold on to their ways. they obviously cannot question the brethren, but they can nail your butt if you quote what the brethren say that they don’t like. remember your are talking to those who are quietly suffering. they need to hear your voice, your strength, your hope.
I think, based on what you just wrote, that you won the first major battle in which you were involved and that you have a supportive Bishop and Stake President. I know it’s hard to have someone complain like that, but I can’t see what you described as anything but a victory – and a significant one, at that.
:clap: :thumbup: Sorry about the turmoil over your talk. Personally, I would hate to have to go speak with the Stake President. It’s sort of like getting called into the Principal’s office. Maybe the moral of the story is that we all should be careful with what we share at church. or that we will receive support in many cases, even when someone complains to our leader I know the result wouldn’t be the same in some places, but church0333’s talk was based on a talk by an apostle and grounded in truth. Rather than not give it out of “fear of man”, I am glad he gave it – and even more happy that both the Bishop and the Stake President supported him when someone complained.
I really appreciate the support but I still felt like I was being singled out for sharing an opinion. I truly don’t think that I would have been called in had I shared a super conservative opinion based on a talk by president Benson, for example, women should not work out of the home unless it was a case of dire necessity. Also when I said that it feels like I am losing the war, I meant my personal war to make all this work. Being active at church has become at times so much like work. Not a lot of joy or feeling like I am getting a lot back. I have to be so careful with what I say and yet I feel very offended by the gay bashing, pay your fire insurance tithing statements, be loyal to JS under any circumstance and Oliver was an apostate because he wasn’t talk. I just feel that emotionally I am slipping away and I not sure if it is going to get better. Quote:I really appreciate the support but I still felt like I was being singled out for sharing an opinion. I truly don’t think that I would have been called in had I shared a super conservative opinion based on a talk by president Benson, for example.
You’re right; you were. So freaking what?! Embrace the chance to make a freaking difference. Not a lot of people get that kind of chance, so quit crying about it and man up.
Pardon my French and my bluntness, but how the Hell is what happened a bad thing? You were supported by your leaders in sharing that opinion, and the idiot(s) who complained weren’t. You took a stand, and you were supported for it. How is that bad? Would you rather the message you gave not be heard, especially by those who need to hear it, and let the opinionated jerks get exactly what they want?
If you want no opposition to anything you say, be a jellyfish and deliver whatever the most bigoted members want to hear (like the example you gave about Pres. Benson’s talk) – or at least nothing that will get their undies in a wad. If you start feeling sorry for yourself, think about Jesus and Gandhi and Dr. King and Peter and SO many others whose trials make yours look like a stroll along the beach and get your martyr complex straightened out. If you are silent, the ones who are like you, especially the ones who can’t do what you are able to do, will shut their mouths and take it from those who spiel the standard drivel – and your silence will add to their misconception that they are totally alone in their views. The members will end up hearing more of the talks you don’t want heard and not the ones you want to hear. Your silence will reinforce their isolation, while your talk, I guarantee, resonated deeply with numerous people. They just didn’t have the desire to go to a church leader and express thanks – so you didn’t hear about it like you did the concern of the sphincter-clencher who cried because his fragile feelings were hurt.
You have the potential to be a force for good where you live, as long as you continue to approach your responsibilities with meekness and compassion. Pick it up and run with it. They called you; you accepted the call; they got you; give them you.
Seriously, if you want to try to lead in some way that is meaningful, especially for the ones who need you the most, put on your armor and quit worrying about offending the piccolos. Play your instrument for the non-piccolos and let the piccolos pull their knickers out of their butts after their tantrums end.
I respect you deeply, church0333. I hope you understand I only responded the way I did because I respect you so much. Love you, friend.
jeeze ray… Church- I agree with Ray. This is a win. Embrace it. Take the feedback as support, use the feedback like an athlete uses a coach’s correction. Shape the delivery to an inspiring spin and you will be a positive force. I’ve seen it first hand with my mom. She loves the gospel, she is a convert, and she is smart. Over the years she has honed her ability to influence the direction in church. Like you she has delivered talks that raised eyebrows, even leaders. She gave one recently and used Pres. Benson comments that were sharp but accurate. Her largest moment came when the church changed to the block program, originally every mid week event was cancelled. At the time she was the Stake Young Women’s President and felt the midweek mutual program needed to stay. She publicly petitioned the General Young Women’s board. They said no. They stood behind the idea that the Prophet was inspired and the program change was immovable. She didn’t give up. Not everyone was comfortable with her stance, however, six months later, a letter came out stating that mid-week youth activities were back on.
So Church – You never know who you will help. Have faith, ask God to give you guidance and tools. You are doing good.
Thanks guys. My wife and I went to go see “The Internship”. I laughed out loud many times and when I got home I read Ray’s comment and it cracked me up. It does remind me that we can’t take every thing so seriously all the time. I guess the war ain’t over until some one surrenders or every one is dead. Thanks for reminding me.
I thought (and hoped) you’d like it. Now I can add a 
Stay. Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Mom3, thank you for the story about your mother. What a brave and noble women. All to often we as members think that when things come down from SLC then there is nothing we can do to change that and for the most part it should be that way but change does need to happen from the bottom up at times. I don’t think that I and my views would have been very well tolerated years ago but because of courageous people like your Mom it is possible now. To my Brother in Bend, I am trying to stay but as you know it isn’t always easy. It is easier becacause of the encouragement I get from my friends here. I know that we are small in numbers but what a difference it make in my life and the lives of those involved.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.