42 replies to this topic

[Bsix]

Ensign Peak has been on my mind the last few weeks. I can't explain why. It has been many, many years since I trekked there. I haven't given the spot a thought since. But, there it was in my thoughts.

Whenever I'd drive into Salt Lake City, I would glance over and look for the historic monument that sits at the top of this small peak overlooking the Salt Lake Valley. It looks like hardly more than a dot from the I-15 freeway. More than once, I recounted the history of Ensign Peak and told my family that we needed to visit.

Ensign Peak is a small bluff overlooking the Salt Lake Valley. It is just over a mile high in elevation. Two days after the Pioneers arrived in the Valley; it was climbed by Brigham Young and others to scout out the valley. Moved at the view, the Peak fulfilled prophetic vision and meaning. In years to come, it is said to be a place of temple endowments, visions, and a symbol of the refuge of the Lord. At the valley floor base of this mountain the Saints erected the Salt Lake Temple. Read more: "A Banner is Unfurled: Mormonism's Ensign Peak."
Dialogue, Journal of Mormon Thought.

Imagine my surprise when this week, Ensign Peak was in the news. It was the location of one of those semi-regular 'mass resignations' from the LDS Church organized by those disillusioned and critical of the LDS Church.

Salt Lake Tribune:Mormon group quits LDS Church en masse


The mass resignation was attended by all the usual antiMormon fanfare and media hype. Reportedly, about 120 people attended the event with small group actually delivering their letters of resignation. They carried protest signs, talked the LDS Church down, and declared their "freedom."

Good for them. I don't think anyone should be a member of the Church that doesn't agree with the doctrines and policies. If they aren't happy, I think it is great that they continue their journey somewhere else. I wish these folks peace and happiness. I hope they can deal with whatever angst and hatred many seem to harbor.

The coincidence of Ensign Peak touching my heart lately and it being the place of antiMormon protest struck me as an opportunity to take care of something that I have been pondering lately.

I am incredibly happy in the Church. I converted over 35 years ago. Today, more than ever, I feel the blessings of the Lord in my life. I am blessed to have the Spirit guiding me. I feel the hand of the Lord in helping me through challenges. In short, I am the complete opposite of the group of protesters who visited Ensign Peak to denounce the Lord's Church.

So this morning, I made my own trek up Ensign Peak. I didn't go to resign my membership. Rather, I went to personally, and privately 're-sign' my membership in the Church. I took the trek up to the peak to recommit to the Lord and his Church.

I was surprised. I thought that on a weekday morning, I'd be alone. But there were dozens of people climbing the peak. Most, if not all appeared to be happy Latter Day Saints. At the Peak, some were singing LDS hymns from hymnals. It seems the Peak is an active place of faithful affirmation.

While it seems that the mass resignation is an event that does represent the frustration of some...it seemed overshadowed by the unpublicized acts of faith commitment of countless happy Mormons.

As I walked down the hill, it occurred to me that the message of Ensign Peak for me...is that there have always be those who are discontented in the Gospel. The community of Latter Day Saints will face challenges from within and without. But the faithful will always answer the call of the Lord.

Ensign Peak, still a standard to the nations.

[yootaw]

Well written. Thank you for sharing!

[Pa Pa]

Bsix, on 06 July 2012 - 04:12 PM, said:

Ensign Peak has been on my mind the last few weeks. I can't explain why. It has been many, many years since I trekked there. I haven't given the spot a thought since. But, there it was in my thoughts.

Whenever I'd drive into Salt Lake City, I would glance over and look for the historic monument that sits at the top of this small peak overlooking the Salt Lake Valley. It looks like hardly more than a dot from the I-15 freeway. More than once, I recounted the history of Ensign Peak and told my family that we needed to visit.

Ensign Peak is a small bluff overlooking the Salt Lake Valley. It is just over a mile high in elevation. Two days after the Pioneers arrived in the Valley; it was climbed by Brigham Young and others to scout out the valley. Moved at the view, the Peak fulfilled prophetic vision and meaning. In years to come, it is said to be a place of temple endowments, visions, and a symbol of the refuge of the Lord. At the valley floor base of this mountain the Saints erected the Salt Lake Temple. Read more: "A Banner is Unfurled: Mormonism's Ensign Peak."
Dialogue, Journal of Mormon Thought.

Imagine my surprise when this week, Ensign Peak was in the news. It was the location of one of those semi-regular 'mass resignations' from the LDS Church organized by those disillusioned and critical of the LDS Church.

Salt Lake Tribune:Mormon group quits LDS Church en masse


The mass resignation was attended by all the usual antiMormon fanfare and media hype. Reportedly, about 120 people attended the event with small group actually delivering their letters of resignation. They carried protest signs, talked the LDS Church down, and declared their "freedom."

Good for them. I don't think anyone should be a member of the Church that doesn't agree with the doctrines and policies. If they aren't happy, I think it is great that they continue their journey somewhere else. I wish these folks peace and happiness. I hope they can deal with whatever angst and hatred many seem to harbor.

The coincidence of Ensign Peak touching my heart lately and it being the place of antiMormon protest struck me as an opportunity to take care of something that I have been pondering lately.

I am incredibly happy in the Church. I converted over 35 years ago. Today, more than ever, I feel the blessings of the Lord in my life. I am blessed to have the Spirit guiding me. I feel the hand of the Lord in helping me through challenges. In short, I am the complete opposite of the group of protesters who visited Ensign Peak to denounce the Lord's Church.

So this morning, I made my own trek up Ensign Peak. I didn't go to resign my membership. Rather, I went to personally, and privately 're-sign' my membership in the Church. I took the trek up to the peak to recommit to the Lord and his Church.

I was surprised. I thought that on a weekday morning, I'd be alone. But there were dozens of people climbing the peak. Most, if not all appeared to be happy Latter Day Saints. At the Peak, some were singing LDS hymns from hymnals. It seems the Peak is an active place of faithful affirmation.

While it seems that the mass resignation is an event that does represent the frustration of some...it seemed overshadowed by the unpublicized acts of faith commitment of countless happy Mormons.

As I walked down the hill, it occurred to me that the message of Ensign Peak for me...is that there have always be those who are discontented in the Gospel. The community of Latter Day Saints will face challenges from within and without. But the faithful will always answer the call of the Lord.

Ensign Peak, still a standard to the nations.

Thanks for sharing that...it is odd that in "Proclaiming one's freedom", they feel the need to defame the sacred. Again as in most cases those who leave the Church can't leave the Church alone. When I left the church I grew up in...I left it alone.

[Garden Girl]

Hello Bsix...
I'm glad you made the climb... perhaps those that were there had also seen the article/news about the resignation and felt the need to reaffirm their commitment just as you did.

GG

[halconero]

The Spirit was felt, my testimony strengthend. Thank you.

[cwald]

Pa Pa, on 06 July 2012 - 04:32 PM, said:

Thanks for sharing that...it is odd that in "Proclaiming one's freedom", they feel the need to defame the sacred. Again as in most cases those who leave the Church can't leave the Church alone. When I left the church I grew up in...I left it alone.

Let me ask a question.  Will the church leave alone those who choose to leave?  Does it work both ways?

[calmoriah]

Quote

Will the church leave alone those who choose to leave?

Once it is official sure....at least the official Church.  Some members may still hold on to hope and be persistent. Hopefully they will figure out what is acceptable boundaries and what aren't for the individual.

[ERayR]

cwald, on 06 July 2012 - 07:26 PM, said:

Let me ask a question.  Will the church leave alone those who choose to leave?  Does it work both ways?

Depends on what they did with the resignation letters.

[Freedom]

with 50% home teaching in most wards it is clear that we are having a difficult enough time keeping in touch with those who want home teachers. Anybody who promulgates the idea that those who want to leave are harassed has got to be delusional.

[Storm Rider]

cwald, on 06 July 2012 - 07:26 PM, said:

Let me ask a question.  Will the church leave alone those who choose to leave?  Does it work both ways?

Once their names are off the records of the the Church they will not be having any contact from members. However, if they live in an area that has missionaries they will undoubtedly hear their knock on the door at times. Other than that, they have left the Church and it is as if they had never been members.

[why me]

cwald, on 06 July 2012 - 07:26 PM, said:

Let me ask a question.  Will the church leave alone those who choose to leave?  Does it work both ways?

If the bishop is following instructions, then yes, the church will leave you alone. However, your family is a different matter. They may still bother you and make requests on your behalf. But officially, yes, the church will leave you alone.

[why me]

This was a nice story by Bsix. I think that there should be an organized event of faithful members 'resigning' their membership. However, I also understand that grandstanding may not be the best idea.

[Sleeper Cell]

why me, on 07 July 2012 - 06:08 AM, said:

This was a nice story by Bsix. I think that there should be an organized event of faithful members 'resigning' their membership.

Perhaps the Church could conduct such an event during Sacrament meeting.

Quote

However, I also understand that grandstanding may not be the best idea.

Not to worry. Even if far more members  "re-signed" than resigned,  it probably wouldn’t be considered very newsworthy.

[rodheadlee]

Thanks for posting that Bsix.

[sjdawg]

A good story and I thought pretty respectful to both sides of the equation.    

Also,   Regarding other comments.   I have been outside the Church (but not off the rolls) for about 4 years.   For the most part the LDS church has been very respectful of my boundaries.   (my mother is another story)

[Garden Girl]

sjdawg, on 07 July 2012 - 08:40 PM, said:

A good story and I thought pretty respectful to both sides of the equation.

Also,   Regarding other comments.   I have been outside the Church (but not off the rolls) for about 4 years.   For the most part the LDS church has been very respectful of my boundaries.   (my mother is another story)

This made me chuckle, sjdawg... during my inactive years, I moved several times.  Shortly after being resettled, I'd get a call/note from visiting teachers and I knew my mom had seen that my records had been forwarded to my new ward.  How she wore out her knees in prayer on my behalf.  She did not live to see me reactivate 17 years ago, or my becoming stronger than ever, even TBM.  And here I am today...

GG

Edited by Garden Girl, 08 July 2012 - 12:20 AM.

[why me]

sjdawg, on 07 July 2012 - 08:40 PM, said:

A good story and I thought pretty respectful to both sides of the equation.

Also,   Regarding other comments.   I have been outside the Church (but not off the rolls) for about 4 years.   For the most part the LDS church has been very respectful of my boundaries.   (my mother is another story)

And this is the problem: when inactives or exmormons confuse the church with their family. The church leaves most people alone. But the immediate family is another matter. However, many exmembers consider this to be an invasion of privacy. But they can also consider it acts of love and concern.

[happy]

I saw this mass of 150 people declared their "independence". Independence from what? Is there something in Utah if you are not active, the Church increases your state taxes or enforces some special rules on you?

[calmoriah]

They have to wear an A upon their chests for Apostate......

[happy]

The girl who was part of the event is from Lehi. She has a Facebook page with her photo and location. Her posted resignation letter has a list of overblown or outright false antimormon talking points. She seems to want attention more than anything.