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Rough weekend. Grumpy about church. Explained to God that a sign that going to church was the right thing would be useful. Pulled over by police for speeding (71 in a 55 zone in light mist). Explained we were going to church. Police Officer gave a citation for proof of insurance (manageable and not insurance premium rising). So neutral – got pulled over, but no speeding ticket.
Sacrament meeting– meh. We wound up in the nursery because someone had put too much perfume on. Provided peace between various family members. Gospel Doctrine (aka church history)– meh – I provided the most comments (we only had 4 members there), and most of my comments were church history details not in the book. The idea that Brigham Young’s faction was the minority at the time and that they (Joseph Smith and Brigham Young) had vastly different roles and purposes regarding the doctrines appeared to be foreign concepts. R.S. was amazing. Our R.S. president shared about how after a storm, you need to take measure of where you are before starting moving again (this is related to being on a boat), and how we can do that spiritually. She shared 2 key questions to ask: 1. Where am I?
2. Why am I here?
She shared how she has had some rough experiences lately, and wasn’t sure about these things and what she knew and answered the questions. Then she asked us to go around the room and answer #2 in just 1 minute or 2. I wish I had written down what she said, because I could have said it word for word. When it was my turn, I paraphrased Peter “Where else would I go?” and shared that I was there because I believe there are teachings and experiences there for me still.
AmyJ wrote:
1. Where am I?2. Why am I here?
Perhaps adding the question, “Who am I?” and you will have the big three.
Check out the quotes in my signature line. Particularly this one, “to give one courage, through faith, to go on in the face of questions he never finds the answer to.”
Used to love deep conversations like that. Now it’s about surviving in the church, while holding my nose at all the speculation. There is a certain liberation found in being agnostic and believing no one can really answer these questions. And that even when we die, it’s possible there will be continued confusion, divergence of opinion, and different religions competing for our belief at that time too. Right now, I want no part of it. I want to enjoy like and be happy with what I do know.
I am glad you were able to have an experience like that, Amy. It truly can be invigorating – and necessary. There is no need for me to dig deeper. It was a wonderful blessing – sign or not. We get to choose how we view things, so I hope you choose to see it as a sign.
AmyJ wrote:I wish I had written down what she said, because I could have said it word for word. When it was my turn, I paraphrased Peter “Where else would I go?” and shared that I was there because I believe there are teachings and experiences there for me still.
it’s kinda cool when you get that sense from people in the ward they think about similar things…we aren’t so out there or different.It’s also kinda cool you can answer openly and honestly…and practice how you phrase things so it is uplifting and helpful for others…while being honest.
It’s an ongoing week to week experience thing.
Few people know much about the succession crisis. For me BY was the best organized , Strang the closest to Smith and the RLDS had the most support from JS’ relatives. SilentDawning wrote:
Used to love deep conversations like that. Now it’s about surviving in the church, while holding my nose at all the speculation. There is a certain liberation found in being agnostic and believing no one can really answer these questions. And that even when we die, it’s possible there will be continued confusion, divergence of opinion, and different religions competing for our belief at that time too.Right now, I want no part of it. I want to enjoy like and be happy with what I do know.
Funnily enough, that’s kind of in our doctrine. We think the dead have missionaries… maybe other churches and religions have theirs by extension.
SamBee wrote:
Few people know much about the succession crisis. For me BY was the best organized , Strang the closest to Smith and the RLDS had the most support from JS’ relatives.
I commented about the crisis and got a few raised eyebrows and then the usual nods. The substitute teacher re-directed the class back to the account of BY speaking and sounding like JS. Maybe it was one of those awkward discussion situations – but it didn’t feel awkward to me and my husband didn’t comment about it.
Brigham Young definitely won out in several respects, he founded a state and a global church. I don’t think anyone since him has left such a stamp on the LDS.
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