Dear brethren of the Aaronic Priesthood, God has a work for you to do... It probably won’t be to translate ancient records on gold plates—rather, it will be something that fits your unique talents and circumstances.
********** Young men of the Aaronic Priesthood, the purpose of Fulfilling My Duty to God is to help you experience the power, authority, and divine mandate you received when the priesthood was conferred upon you.
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Duty to God also helps you establish spiritual habits that will bless your life. For example, you develop plans to pray regularly and to study the scriptures. Through Duty to God, you learn how to teach doctrines and make plans to share what you have learned with others now and as a full-time missionary in the future.
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“The young women are looking for guys like you. You’re the first people we’re going to date when we turn 16.”
“Boys who keep the standards, treat girls with respect, and uphold their Aaronic Priesthood are the ones most young women look for. Plus they’re the most handsome.”
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We have seen the marvelous good you are doing as priesthood men. We testify that the priesthood is God’s power. He shares it with you because He loves you—and because He loves the people you serve.
Serge Lutens make-up for Dior, 1975. Photographer unknown.
Oh for shame, how the mortals put the blame on us gods, for they say evils come from us, but it is they, rather, who by their own recklessness win sorrow beyond what is given... Zeus (1178 BC)
I made spaghetti and meatballs for dinner tonight and used broken bread for the meatballs. While breaking the bread, I couldn't help but think that my kids may never break bread at church. They will never feel like the child in the image of the OP, where adults take them for a strange ride into the circus of the priesthood.
Indeed, this was no small realization. Expression of such thoughts presents many challenges to a once homogenous marriage. Sigh...
Oh for shame, how the mortals put the blame on us gods, for they say evils come from us, but it is they, rather, who by their own recklessness win sorrow beyond what is given... Zeus (1178 BC)
I was once where are you are now. I had to make the decision to stay or leave. I knew that leaving would not only profoundly change my life, but that of my wife and my children. Being a parent is sometimes scary.
One thing that I have learned is that children are more resilient than most of us give them credit for.
Last edited by kyōhaku on Sat Feb 16, 2013 5:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
zeezrom wrote:I made spaghetti and meatballs for dinner tonight and used broken bread for the meatballs. While breaking the bread, I couldn't help but think that my kids may never break bread at church. They will never feel like the child in the image of the OP, where adults take them for a strange ride into the circus of the priesthood.
Indeed, this was no small realization. Expression of such thoughts presents many challenges to a once homogenous marriage. Sigh...
Well on a brighter note, if you have any daughters they won't feel the hurt of being excluded from the ride simply because they're girls.
sunstoned wrote:I was once where are you are now. I had to make the decision to stay or leave. I knew that leaving would not only profoundly change my life, but that of my wife and my children. Being a parent is sometimes scary.
One thing that I have learned is that children are more resilient than most of us give them credit for.
Thanks, SS.
I'm still waiting for my life to change profoundly, sort of hoping it doesn't. Well, unless you consider more free time profound. Is it a profound change for my kids? That is a good question. So far, they seem fairly normal.
Oh for shame, how the mortals put the blame on us gods, for they say evils come from us, but it is they, rather, who by their own recklessness win sorrow beyond what is given... Zeus (1178 BC)
zeezrom wrote:I made spaghetti and meatballs for dinner tonight and used broken bread for the meatballs. While breaking the bread, I couldn't help but think that my kids may never break bread at church. They will never feel like the child in the image of the OP, where adults take them for a strange ride into the circus of the priesthood.
Indeed, this was no small realization. Expression of such thoughts presents many challenges to a once homogenous marriage. Sigh...
Well on a brighter note, if you have any daughters they won't feel the hurt of being excluded from the ride simply because they're girls.
True, unless girls get included in the priesthood soon. I have an illusion (like a dream) that it will happen soon, given it's okay to wear pants to church now.
Oh for shame, how the mortals put the blame on us gods, for they say evils come from us, but it is they, rather, who by their own recklessness win sorrow beyond what is given... Zeus (1178 BC)
zeezrom wrote:I made spaghetti and meatballs for dinner tonight and used broken bread for the meatballs. While breaking the bread, I couldn't help but think that my kids may never break bread at church. They will never feel like the child in the image of the OP, where adults take them for a strange ride into the circus of the priesthood.
Indeed, this was no small realization. Expression of such thoughts presents many challenges to a once homogenous marriage. Sigh...
Zeezrom, your post made me reflect upon what in my memory of LDS experience is still sacred to me. Your mention of breaking bread made me think that as my most sacred memory. Sifting my memory I might add learning to polka at new years eve dance and being introduced to backpacking and mountains reached by foot.
King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.) 1 Timothy, 3:12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
Don't worry about the girls. I doubt they would qualify to become Deacons, or would really want to.
“If paying tithing means that you can’t pay for water or electricity, pay tithing. If paying tithing means that you can’t pay your rent, pay tithing. Even if paying tithing means that you don’t have enough money to feed your family, pay tithing." Ensign/2012/12
zeezrom wrote:I made spaghetti and meatballs for dinner tonight and used broken bread for the meatballs. While breaking the bread, I couldn't help but think that my kids may never break bread at church. They will never feel like the child in the image of the OP, where adults take them for a strange ride into the circus of the priesthood.
Indeed, this was no small realization. Expression of such thoughts presents many challenges to a once homogenous marriage. Sigh...
I never broke bread in sacrament. I passed the sacrament but never broke bread. My parents were converts. We went along for the ride. I left at approximately 15 until I was 23. I have now left again some years later, although I checked out two or three years ago. I feel mentally better. As a deacon I hated the smell of stale/cheap sacrament bread in the morning. I hated sitting next to most of the others on that pew. I always dashed for the car when Church was over. I could not wait to get back to my school friends. Hell there was only two other male Mormons in my high school. I always just denied I was Mormon. I feel more mentally whole right now, less anxious to have all the answers.
sunstoned wrote:I was once where are you are now. I had to make the decision to stay or leave. I knew that leaving would not only profoundly change my life, but that of my wife and my children. Being a parent is sometimes scary.
One thing that I have learned is that children are more resilient than most of us give them credit for.
I lay awake at night pondering these changes that will impact my children. Most tell me to rip the bandaid off, but most do not understand the shunning my children will receive from their grandparents and other relatives. It is not easy to make a decision to walk away from the faith indefinitely when our kids will likely be cut off to some extent. Sad that I still desire to maintain relationships with those that may cut us off so easily.
