Popular Post sethpayne Posted April 23, 2011 Popular Post Share Posted April 23, 2011 (edited) Along with several other families in my ward, it is my privilege to home teach the Bishop’s family. My Bishop is a kind and wonderful man and has had this calling for just about 6 months now. As most of you know I am agnostic-to-“probably not” on most of the Church’s specific truth claims. Regardless, I enjoy and embrace my fellowship with my fellow brothers and sisters and will always be a Latter-day Saint. In any case, I wanted to share a little about the experience I had home teaching the Bishop’s family this week as we approach Easter.This past Thursday I, along with a substitute companion (my regular companion is traveling on business), visited the Bishop’s family to share a message about Easter, Jesus’ ministry, and ultimate sacrifice as described in the Book of John. We focused our discussion on John 17 where Jesus’ pleads with the Father to sanctify his disciples as well as those who believe their words. Jesus also asks that the collective of believers be made “one” as a sign of their Christian discipleship and as a sign that the Father did, indeed, send Jesus into the world.When I asked the Bishop what he thought it meant that all disciples become “one” he immediately cited 3rd Nephi where Jesus gives the command that there should be no contention amongst the disciples (in this particular case regarding the manner of baptism). The Bishop then relayed how there are many times when he has discussed various topics, both in the Church setting and in day-to-day life, where there has been disagreement between participants in the conversation. He then relayed how different the experience is when participants choose to avoid contention and seek commonalities compared to the unproductive and ego-driven discussion where contention abounds. He said that becoming “one” as disciples means avoiding contention and approaching disagreements in love and with great charity. I was very inspired by my Bishop’s insight and his words very much pushed me to write this blog post on the subject of John 17: http://www.sethpayne.com/?p=979Disagreement and discussion can be uplifting and inspiring as it is through non-contentious discourse that we all learn from each other and, in my view, have an opportunity to gain significant wisdom. Conversely, contentious disagreement where rather than engage in substantive discourse we resort to rhetorical jabs; while not without short-term entertainment value, is ultimately hurtful and unproductive. I know this, of course, because I have often been a participant in dishing out and receiving these rhetorical jabs.In any case, I thought I would share my thoughts on the subject given the renewed discussion both here, and elsewhere on the role of liberal, agnostic, ex-, and “total believing” Latter-day Saints within the Church. Edited April 23, 2011 by sethpayne 8 Link to comment
mercyngrace Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 Sounds like you have a wise bishop, Seth. Thanks for sharing this.(Heading over to your blog now...) Link to comment
Libs Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 Wow, that blog post was awesome, Seth!Very well said! Link to comment
sethpayne Posted April 25, 2011 Author Share Posted April 25, 2011 Wow, that blog post was awesome, Seth!Very well said!Thanks Libs!Jwhitlock, mercyandgrace, and Libs -- thanks for your comments. I hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend. Link to comment
emeliza Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 I will read your blog tonight, but I enjoyed your post here. Thanks Link to comment
Libs Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 Thanks Libs!Jwhitlock, mercyandgrace, and Libs -- thanks for your comments. I hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend.You're welcome. Thank you so much for sharing that. Hope you had a wonderful Easter, as well. Link to comment
Messenger Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 (edited) I agree 100%. Its my belief, and probably yours, that discussion of controversial things is good, as long as the spirit of contention is kept at bay. We can look at someones experience or view typed in a post and we have a choice: Either participate in discovery of that experience or view, ignore it altogether, or attack the person posting it. It doesnt seem to me that attacking the person posting it isnt very Christlike. I home teach a couple that is in thier 90's. They served several missions, and he served as a mission president in Africa when Specer W Kimball made big changes. Everytime I go over there I am amazed at where the discussion goes and how much I learn. Edited April 26, 2011 by Messenger 1 Link to comment
ACW Posted May 8, 2011 Share Posted May 8, 2011 How many calories does a slice of "Humble pie" have? It doesn't matter if you have to eat it anyway. Sounds like your bishop is a born diplomat. I hate him already. I have been working on getting to such a place for the last couple of years and have eaten my fair share of "humble pies". Bitter and hard to swallow with wonderful results. Politics, Religion, and Racism are difficult topics to discuss without contention; but I have learned over time with patients, understanding and checking the ego discussing hot button topics without contention is possible. Thanks for your post. Link to comment
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