Stone holm Posted January 24, 2015 Posted January 24, 2015 To what extent does the rising generation in America see the Church as relevant to solving our societal problems?
ERayR Posted January 24, 2015 Posted January 24, 2015 To what extent does the rising generation in America see the Church as relevant to solving our societal problems? Rising generation in general or in the Church?
bluebell Posted January 24, 2015 Posted January 24, 2015 Are there new societal problems you are thinking of or are you asking about trying to fix the same societal problems that have existed for hundreds of years?
Duncan Posted January 24, 2015 Posted January 24, 2015 I tell my almost 12 year old if you want to get out of problems then don't get into them in the first place, he listens but we'll see! he's a great kid
Avatar4321 Posted January 24, 2015 Posted January 24, 2015 I agree with needing more specifics. Rising generation in general or the ones in the church?
rongo Posted January 24, 2015 Posted January 24, 2015 I think the rising generation in the Church *in general* sees the teachings of the Church as relevant to solving societal problems, but only to the extent that society embraces them. There's the rub. The scriptures (particularly the Book of Mormon) have examples both of the larger society (for a time) embracing gospel principles and also rejecting them. If society were to hearken and apply them, then all societal ills would be solved. Given our place right now in end-times prophecy, I'm not sure how likely it is that society in our day is interested or receptive (in general).
JLHPROF Posted January 24, 2015 Posted January 24, 2015 To what extent does the rising generation in America see the Church as relevant to solving our societal problems? I don't think our "societal problems" are going to be solved. That is a misconception concerning the Church and the last days.We are to get more and more wicked as a society, not better and better, until the righteous completely separate from the wicked.
Avatar4321 Posted January 24, 2015 Posted January 24, 2015 I disagree. Our societal problems will be solved when we establish Zion. The rest of the world however
JLHPROF Posted January 24, 2015 Posted January 24, 2015 (edited) I disagree. Our societal problems will be solved when we establish Zion. The rest of the world however Scripture and prophecy show the world getting more wicked and the saints fleeing to Zion. The idea that the Saints are going to make the world (society) into Zion and turn it righteous is not scriptural (until the Millennium anyway). The righteous fleeing to Zion and leaving the world behind is what will lead up to the second coming and the Millennium. You are correct that we will establish Zion and Satan will be bound. However, this will be separate from "society" as a whole. We will not solve the problems of society as the OP put it. We will leave them behind. Edited January 24, 2015 by JLHPROF
Avatar4321 Posted January 24, 2015 Posted January 24, 2015 Like I said, our society will be, theirs will not.
Robert F. Smith Posted January 25, 2015 Posted January 25, 2015 To what extent does the rising generation in America see the Church as relevant to solving our societal problems?There is no unified rising generation in America, many kids opting for binge drinking and hard partying in American colleges, but others showing a lot of responsibility. Indeed, that same generation exhibits a very low crime rate and has better values over all than the immediately preceding generation. The Brethren have mentioned repeatedly in General Conference our building of temples worldwide has a very good, even profound effect for good on the surrounding populace. I take this to mean a powerful spiritual effect on people in general via the ordinances and prayers conducted in our temples. The Maharishi Mahesh Yogi used to similarly maintain that the more people who adopted Transcendental Meditation, the better the effect on society overall -- including those not practicing TM.
Stone holm Posted January 25, 2015 Author Posted January 25, 2015 I don't think our "societal problems" are going to be solved. That is a misconception concerning the Church and the last days.We are to get more and more wicked as a society, not better and better, until the righteous completely separate from the wicked.So do we just hunker down and wait or the Millenium, or do we strive to make the world a better place. If the former, then the Church is indeed irrelevant to social change, but I am wondering whether the rising generation sees it that way, or whether they feel it is better to strive to make the world a better place and whether they see the Church as relevant to doing so. As to the rising generation outside the Church, if the PEW report is correct they reject religion as relevant.
JLHPROF Posted January 25, 2015 Posted January 25, 2015 So do we just hunker down and wait or the Millenium, or do we strive to make the world a better place. If the former, then the Church is indeed irrelevant to social change, but I am wondering whether the rising generation sees it that way, or whether they feel it is better to strive to make the world a better place and whether they see the Church as relevant to doing so. As to the rising generation outside the Church, if the PEW report is correct they reject religion as relevant. Well Joseph was equally clear about what we should do:"“A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race." I just think it's a false goal to think we are going to fix the ills of society with our goodness. But we CAN help individuals to leave the world and come to ZIon.
Robert F. Smith Posted January 25, 2015 Posted January 25, 2015 It is helpful to look at Social & Demographic Trends as reported in recent years from the Pew Research Center: 1. Extended families on rise (multi-generational living) – doubled since 1980 (July 17, 2014) http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2014/07/17/in-post-recession-era-young-adults-drive-continuing-rise-in-multi-generational-living/ . 2. The young may be underemployed, but are more optimistic (Feb 9, 2012) 3. The young have shed much more debt than their elders (Feb 11, 2013) 4. A gentler generation gap today than the one which existed years ago (Aug 12, 2009) 5. “American communities appear to have grown more politically and economically homogenous in recent decades.” (Dec 2, 2008) 6. Most Americans, old and young, had some very high moral views: condemning adultery (88%), cheating on taxes (79%), excessive alcohol (61%), abortion (52%). Half objected to marijuana, and homosexual behavior (50%). (Mar 28, 2006)
Stone holm Posted January 25, 2015 Author Posted January 25, 2015 It is helpful to look at Social & Demographic Trends as reported in recent years from the Pew Research Center: 1. Extended families on rise (multi-generational living) – doubled since 1980 (July 17, 2014) http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2014/07/17/in-post-recession-era-young-adults-drive-continuing-rise-in-multi-generational-living/ . 2. The young may be underemployed, but are more optimistic (Feb 9, 2012) 3. The young have shed much more debt than their elders (Feb 11, 2013) 4. A gentler generation gap today than the one which existed years ago (Aug 12, 2009) 5. “American communities appear to have grown more politically and economically homogenous in recent decades.” (Dec 2, 2008) 6. Most Americans, old and young, had some very high moral views: condemning adultery (88%), cheating on taxes (79%), excessive alcohol (61%), abortion (52%). Half objected to marijuana, and homosexual behavior (50%). (Mar 28, 2006)So religion is relevant to this?
rodheadlee Posted January 25, 2015 Posted January 25, 2015 (edited) The rising generation in the Church will help solve societal problems by living the gospel, house by house, home by home. The rising generation outside the Church thinks we're all nuts, an eccentric nuisance from the past. "You sort of expect conservative legislators in a place like, say, Idaho, to be sort of, you know, not all that bright. As in, unsure which blob is Europe, Jesus-was-American, don’t-eat-the-yellow-snow sort of OMG embarrassing." To quote a popular columnist Mark Morford. Edited January 25, 2015 by rodheadlee
Robert F. Smith Posted January 26, 2015 Posted January 26, 2015 So religion is relevant to this?You asked: "To what extent does the rising generation in America see the Church as relevant to solving our societal problems?" JLHPROF responded that "Scripture and prophecy show the world getting more wicked" and that "it's a false goal to think we are going to fix the ills of society with our goodness." If one's premise is that our American society is becoming progressively more wicked, it might be well to examine that proposition carefully rather than just taking it as a given. Perhaps you could define the "societal problems" which you see present. Do the facts support such a definition? And, if society has been improving, why is this so? Have Mormons had an effect on society here and elsewhere in the world? If so, how?
Robert F. Smith Posted January 26, 2015 Posted January 26, 2015 The rising generation in the Church will help solve societal problems by living the gospel, house by house, home by home. The rising generation outside the Church thinks we're all nuts, an eccentric nuisance from the past..............................................................Is that in fact how most Americans view Mormons? Do Americans generally admire the Amish, Hutterites, and the like? What are the actual percentages? My experience has been that Mormons are widely admired and respected. I have yet to meet someone who believes us to be "nuts, an eccentric nuisance from the past." The rising generation in America is simply not that judgmental.
Stone holm Posted January 28, 2015 Author Posted January 28, 2015 Or the rising generation might actually try to make heads or tails out of the recently hyped Church News Conference, as President Holland and Sister Marriot say one thing, and Elder Oaks then proceeds to gut everything they said. And after having scratched their head decide they have seen enough and look for the exit door.
Levi951 Posted February 7, 2015 Posted February 7, 2015 I tell my almost 12 year old if you want to get out of problems then don't get into them in the first place, he listens but we'll see! he's a great kid That's a great motto when I was a wrestler I would ask my coach things like, "whats the best way to get out of a cradle"? He would reply "Don't get into a cradle in the first place".
Tacenda Posted February 7, 2015 Posted February 7, 2015 Is that in fact how most Americans view Mormons? Do Americans generally admire the Amish, Hutterites, and the like? What are the actual percentages? My experience has been that Mormons are widely admired and respected. I have yet to meet someone who believes us to be "nuts, an eccentric nuisance from the past."The rising generation in America is simply not that judgmental.Touche!
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