Storm Rider Posted February 3, 2012 Posted February 3, 2012 Bishops have more to worry about than you can even imagineBeen there done that. I can do more than imagine. We have the preach the gospel, redeem the dead, and strengthen the membership; two in one activity. I know of few things that help so many with so little.
LeSellers Posted February 3, 2012 Posted February 3, 2012 Been there done that. I can do more than imagine. We have the preach the gospel, redeem the dead, and strengthen the membership; two in one activity. I know of few things that help so many with so little.They're also the only time the brothers and sisters who serve in Primary and YM/YW get to see the other adults in their organizations/quorums.My Jacquie has served for nearly four years in Primary, and doesn't recognize more than half of the sisters currently attending Relief Society.Lehi
wenglund Posted February 3, 2012 Posted February 3, 2012 (edited) I think He will use any church that's "in the Ballpark" that will lead His children closer to HIm.Perhaps.However, given the heightened level of importance some people have placed on things like the sinlessness of homosexuality, the long out-dated notions of polygamy and priesthood ban, and other issues that certain members find troubling these days, I am not so sure how much it is Christ who is doing the leading. Sounds more to me like the sheep, to some extent, have taken it upon themselves to leading themselves, which may be why, from the perspective of the Church, they get lost.I am convinced that to the extent that the sheep are willing to follow Christ (the shepherd), they will return to the fold. To the extent that they are want to follow themeselves and their pet beliefs, they won't.Either way, we respect the right of all men to worship according to the dictates of their own conscious, and we wish them all the best in worshipping how, where, and what they may.Thanks, -Wade Englund- Edited February 3, 2012 by wenglund
Senator Posted February 3, 2012 Posted February 3, 2012 In my ward, we used to have a shared lunch of soup and bread every 5th Sunday. That meant that approximately four times a year there'd be people we never saw on any other day showing up to the "Snack and yack."That's a bad thing?Would it be better that you never saw those people?
Senator Posted February 3, 2012 Posted February 3, 2012 (edited) oops Edited February 3, 2012 by Senator
rodheadlee Posted February 3, 2012 Posted February 3, 2012 I'm surprised by the willful naivety reflected in many of the responses given here. I would love to see the church honestly address it's issues and cleanly acknowledge the 800lb gorilla that meets with the general authorities in their weekly temple get-together. They've been ignoring,avoiding,attempting to sweep it under the rug much too long.I could give full hearted service/membership back to the church if the following were implemented:1. Acknowledge that Joseph Smith and all of his successors although good men were not prophets of God in the Biblical sense of that word.2. Recognize that the Book of Mormon and Book of Abraham are not historical and they and all following "new scripture" are the work of man.3. Relinquish all claims to restored priesthood.This would obviously be disruptive to the body of the church, but wouldn't it be better to have an honest, rock solid platform from which to rebuild rather than a house built on sand?For me this would require denying all the work that all of the prophets from Nephi- Moroni and from Joesph Smith to President Monson have accomplished to bring the Word of the Lord Jesus Christ to me and my family. This would require denying the revelations that Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit have bestowed on me. Not to mention people died to bring these Words to us and their deaths would be in vain.. It would require for me to deny my Christ. I would be spiritually dead. There could be no Christ.
Mark Beesley Posted February 3, 2012 Posted February 3, 2012 (edited) I'm surprised by the willful naivety reflected in many of the responses given here. I would love to see the church honestly address it's issues and cleanly acknowledge the 800lb gorilla that meets with the general authorities in their weekly temple get-together. They've been ignoring,avoiding,attempting to sweep it under the rug much too long.I could give full hearted service/membership back to the church if the following were implemented:1. Acknowledge that Joseph Smith and all of his successors although good men were not prophets of God in the Biblical sense of that word.2. Recognize that the Book of Mormon and Book of Abraham are not historical and they and all following "new scripture" are the work of man.3. Relinquish all claims to restored priesthood.This would obviously be disruptive to the body of the church, but wouldn't it be better to have an honest, rock solid platform from which to rebuild rather than a house built on sand?To paraphrase, the only thing the Church has to do to lure Palerider back is: cease to exist.Thanks for the chuckle. Edited February 3, 2012 by Mark Beesley 3
Storm Rider Posted February 3, 2012 Posted February 3, 2012 Pale, just join any of the 36,000 Protestant churches of your choice and you will find exactly what you are looking for. The LDS Church is just not for you. You are much too smart for us.I got up this morning feeling really good. Now, I just want to bang my head against the wall reading this stuff. Guys, really. Pick any of them and go to church there. You will find exactly what you say you want.
Scott Lloyd Posted February 3, 2012 Posted February 3, 2012 (edited) Sometimes I think it is almost as if our bishops don't have a clue about what fellowship means to the members and to sharing the gospel. I would make it mandatory for every ward in the Church to have these activities at a minimum of four times a year, if not every month. It may be a problem in Utah, but it is the life blood of a ward outside of Utah.I wish the Lord did not have to work so hard to move his kingdom forward in spite of his Church's leadership organizations and membership.The only experience I have had with the "linger-longer," I found it to be chaotic, loud, irreverent, unseemly and not at all in keeping with the sabbath day, especially at the meetinghouse immediately after the worship service and at a time when many people are eager to get home and relax after three solid hours of meetings. I was grateful that was the last and only time our ward held that event. I certainly wouldn't have attended had they had been continued.I'm not opposed to ward socials and dinners or using them as a missionary tool if it can be done effectively. But propriety of time and setting needs to be considered. Edited February 8, 2012 by Scott Lloyd
Palerider Posted February 3, 2012 Posted February 3, 2012 (edited) Perhaps.However, given the heightened level of importance some people have placed on things like the sinlessness of homosexuality, the long out-dated notions of polygamy and priesthood ban, and other issues that certain members find troubling these days, I am not so sure how much it is Christ who is doing the leading. Sounds more to me like the sheep, to some extent, have taken it upon themselves to leading themselves, which may be why, from the perspective of the Church, they get lost.I am convinced that to the extent that the sheep are willing to follow Christ (the shepherd), they will return to the fold. To the extent that they are want to follow themeselves and their pet beliefs, they won't.Either way, we respect the right of all men to worship according to the dictates of their own conscious, and we wish them all the best in worshipping how, where, and what they may.Thanks, -Wade Englund-I'm probably in agreement with most of what you say. "the fold" however does not reside in any one organization it appears to me. To paraphrase Paul, "not all Israel is of Israel".I would recommend a careful reading of Matt. 13: 24-30.The Lord expressley forbids any attempt to restore the field to its purity once the initial planting is accomplished. Better to allow those who will seek God and his Son to do so and those who will not, to follow their own path. Those who hunger and thirst will make the effort. Edited February 3, 2012 by Palerider 1
Palerider Posted February 3, 2012 Posted February 3, 2012 For me this would require denying all the work that all of the prophets from Nephi- Moroni and from Joesph Smith to President Monson have accomplished to bring the Word of the Lord Jesus Christ to me and my family. This would require denying the revelations that Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit have bestowed on me. Not to mention people died to bring these Words to us and their deaths would be in vain.. It would require for me to deny my Christ. I would be spiritually dead. There could be no Christ.Don't paint such a dreary picture!Can you be sure that if you had sought God in as determined way without the LDS faith that He would have refused to reveal His will to you for your life? Maybe the church is just one of a number of vehicles available for people to draw near to Christ.Would Heavenly Father refuse your sincere petition just because Joseph misrepresented himself?
The Nehor Posted February 3, 2012 Posted February 3, 2012 I would recommend a careful reading of Matt. 13: 24-30.The Lord expressley forbids any attempt to restore the field to its purity once the initial planting is accomplished. Better to allow those who will seek God and his Son to do so and those who will not, to follow their own path. Those who hunger and thirst will make the effort.So why do you want to purify Mormonism then?
Palerider Posted February 3, 2012 Posted February 3, 2012 Pale, just join any of the 36,000 Protestant churches of your choice and you will find exactly what you are looking for. The LDS Church is just not for you. You are much too smart for us.I got up this morning feeling really good. Now, I just want to bang my head against the wall reading this stuff. Guys, really. Pick any of them and go to church there. You will find exactly what you say you want.Yes, and you just go on eating the pablum and drinking the whitewash. Keep on rationalizing the peepstones, the polyandry, the Masonic rituals, etc. etc.We'll both be happy.........
Mola Ram Suda Ram Posted February 3, 2012 Posted February 3, 2012 Yes, and you just go on eating the pablum and drinking the whitewash. Keep on rationalizing the peepstones, the polyandry, the Masonic rituals, etc. etc.We'll both be happy.........That is your rebuttal? Lol
Mola Ram Suda Ram Posted February 3, 2012 Posted February 3, 2012 I'm probably in agreement with most of what you say. "the fold" however does not reside in any one organization it appears to me. To paraphrase Paul, "not all Israel is of Israel".I would recommend a careful reading of Matt. 13: 24-30.The Lord expressley forbids any attempt to restore the field to its purity once the initial planting is accomplished. Better to allow those who will seek God and his Son to do so and those who will not, to follow their own path. Those who hunger and thirst will make the effort.I too, would recommend a careful reading of said passages. What is being planted in those verses? Something tells me that those passages are not talking about God's church or a restoration of God's church.
The Nehor Posted February 3, 2012 Posted February 3, 2012 Yes, and you just go on eating the pablum and drinking the whitewash. Keep on rationalizing the peepstones, the polyandry, the Masonic rituals, etc. etc.We'll both be happy.........Well, sounds like an agreement has been reached that will benefit both parties. Goodbye and good luck in your new faith.
Calm Posted February 3, 2012 Posted February 3, 2012 (edited) Sometimes I think it is almost as if our bishops don't have a clue about what fellowship means to the members and to sharing the gospel. I would make it mandatory for every ward in the Church to have these activities at a minimum of four times a year, if not every month. It may be a problem in Utah, but it is the life blood of a ward outside of Utah.I was under the impression that it was SLC that sent out instructions that after meetings food fests were on the 'not to be encouraged' list. Edited February 3, 2012 by calmoriah
Palerider Posted February 3, 2012 Posted February 3, 2012 So why do you want to purify Mormonism then?In the parable the angels are given the injunction to allow the field to remain as it is. We however as Heavenly Father's children are directed to "seek and knock" after truth so that we may be free from the world and the doctrines of men. As you recall the OP asked what "the church could do" to bring back "apostates".I'm not attempting to change the church. I'm rejecting falsehood where I see it and hoping that the church will take the initiative to change itself.I approach other religious organizations the same way. I recently told one that came to my door that I thought their doctrine regarding the disapproval of blood transfusions was an incorrect interpretation of scripture. I didn't try to change them. I just stated that I couldn't support an organization that upheld such a doctrine.Do you think I was incorrect?
Calm Posted February 3, 2012 Posted February 3, 2012 They're also the only time the brothers and sisters who serve in Primary and YM/YW get to see the other adults in their organizations/quorums.My Jacquie has served for nearly four years in Primary, and doesn't recognize more than half of the sisters currently attending Relief Society.LehiMaybe on Sundays, but surely they can visit with them at other ward activities and RS and Priesthood nonSunday get-togethers, such as Enrichment Nights or whatever they are called now.
Scott Lloyd Posted February 3, 2012 Posted February 3, 2012 I was under the impression that it was SLC that sent out instructions that after meetings food fests were on the 'not to be encouraged' list.I hope that's true. I love it when Church policy sustains my already-held view.However, the closest thing I can find on it in the handbook is this:Where possible, leaders should avoid scheduling Sunday meetings other than those in the standard three-hour schedule, leadership meetings inthe early mornings, and occasional meetings in the evenings.Can you cite anything that relates more directly?
Peppermint Patty Posted February 3, 2012 Posted February 3, 2012 What Could The Lds Church Do Now To Attract Apostates Back Into The Fold?Maybe start selling indulgences?
Calm Posted February 3, 2012 Posted February 3, 2012 I hope that's true. I love it when Church policy sustains my already-held view.However, the closest thing I can find on it in the handbook is this:Can you cite anything that relates more directly?Just from memory...I'll try and remember where I heard or read it.
sethpayne Posted February 4, 2012 Posted February 4, 2012 Just from memory...I'll try and remember where I heard or read it.What's the concern? The consumption of more Sunday family time? Personally one of the best things I like about Sunday is the chance to be in the company of my fellow Latter-day Saints -- both in worship and socially. The more opportunities to do that seem like a pretty good thing to me.
Calm Posted February 4, 2012 Posted February 4, 2012 What's the concern? The consumption of more Sunday family time?Personally one of the best things I like about Sunday is the chance to be in the company of my fellow Latter-day Saints -- both in worship and socially. The more opportunities to do that seem like a pretty good thing to me.I would also think the potential for being disruptive to others' meetings would be an issue as well as what Scott referred to.
sethpayne Posted February 4, 2012 Posted February 4, 2012 I would also think the potential for being disruptive to others' meetings would be an issue as well as what Scott referred to.Hmmmm.... what if you are the only, or last ward to use a building?Seems like this would be a local matter in places like Utah, Idaho, and Arizona.
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