I hear so many accounts of people leaving the LDS Church because they found more spiritual growth outside of the Church, rather than inside with its "boring meetings", "dreadful art", "horrid music" and lack of spiritual stimulation. Other people leave because they can't reconcile the divinity of the Church with its mundane, careless, insulting people. Others leave because the Church asks too much, or too little, or gives too little or not the right way.
I had an experience recently where I was sitting in the foyer of someone else's ward building, waiting for the sacrament to be brought out. I felt very alone and unwelcome.
As I was sitting and fretting about my place in the Church and what others thought of me in it, I had one of those rare unmistakable messages from divinity enter my mind.
"This is not their Church, it is mine. And I say you have a place here."
I had forgotten.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Why I Still Belong to the LDS Church
Spotlighting a post by SilverRain: Why I Still Belong to the LDS Church:
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10 comments:
You post is so very accurate. I dread the boring meetings (aka "revelatory experiences"). I abhor the dreadful art and the bland hymn singing. I can barely tolerate the mundane, careless and insulting people. And, as a gay convert, my acceptance in the Church has never been the most welcoming other than in a superficial, pitying kind of way.
However, when I feel all hope is lost and I am ready to return to my Catholic roots, I feel the beauty of the Holy Ghost and I hear the sweet whisperings of my Saviour telling me how much he loves me and I find myself deeply nourished by the words of the Book of Mormon and the revelations of the Prophet Joseph and I remember the incredible peace of the Celestial Room and I find the strength to survive another week of Church.
Thanks for this.
And Thanks Michael for that comment.
Michael, thank you. While it's not my post, I felt it was a beautiful reminder that we all have a place in Christ's church. It's tough when it seems like one has to work extra hard to carve out a place to feel welcome. I sympathize with you.
Part of me feels that there is a hidden message in the testimony of Terryl Givens directed towards "orthodox" members of the LDS Church themselves. He said:
"The church I love has invisible borders, and reminds me of what was written of Spinoza, that 'he rejected the orthodoxy of his day not because he believed less, but because he believed more.' Or as Joseph wrote, 'it feels so good not to be trammeled.'"
The full quote by Joseph Smith is "I want the liberty of thinking and believing as I please. It feels so good not to be trammeled". Unfortunately, sometimes members of the Church make others feel exactly that. I feel Given's was wisely speaking to both insiders and outsiders. Not only does it feel good to have the liberty Joseph spoke of within Mormonism--it feels good not to be trammeled by fellow members who feel like you must believe or act like this or that.
As for the "meetings" comment, you could probably guess from my last post that I can relate. However, I don't believe Elder Bednar was using "revelatory experiences" as a euphemism for the current status of our meetings. I think he was expressing an ideal that should challenge the staus quo. I would welcome such improvement.
The original post was wonderful, but I also want to thank Michael for his comment. I am going to excerpt and quote it on my own blog in the future.
I know, huh?
I love this:
"When I feel all hope is lost and I am ready to return to my Catholic roots, I feel the beauty of the Holy Ghost and I hear the sweet whisperings of my Saviour telling me how much he loves me and I find myself deeply nourished by the words of the Book of Mormon and the revelations of the Prophet Joseph and I remember the incredible peace of the Celestial Room and I find the strength to survive another week of Church."
I take inspiration from that.
Thank you.
Thanks for posting this, Clean Cut.
I read the original post on SilverRain's blog a couple of months ago and was trying to find it again, but couldn't remember which blog I had seen it on. I'm glad I was able to find it again thanks to you.
Glad I could help! :)
I was randomly drawn to your blog because I love your insights. I've been questioning my life lately and wondering the same things about the "boring meetings, etc." I've been drawn to explore other churches because I see their excitement for the Savior and have so many questions. I've been taught all my life to study my scriptures and pray but it's finally become a passion for me to truly find answers. I'm finding those answers but still don't see the excitement at church. This was something I needed to be reminded of. Thank you!
"it's finally become a passion for me to truly find answers"
That's awesome, Jamie. A great journey to be on. In my experience, though, I still have many more questions than there are answers for.
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