An LDS Funeral.

[_Jason Bourne]

Why is it that so much I hear about the church in terms of family hardship comes off so cold and institutional?

Sometimes I think of the LDS church as a church with no heart, though I can think of single instances where that is not the case.

Honesly because most of the people you interact with and bitter or out of the Church for one reason or another at least on this board. You are going to get a variety of flavor. We all can skew things. I can tell you that the the funerals I have been too and involved in are in all ways kind, loving and focus on a number of things. The families grief, the person who died, the savior and his gift of resurrection and yes some doctrinal discussions about the LDS view of pre earth life, earth life and the life beyond. All these are appropriate topics in the LDS setting. I know Elder Packer is often derided on his guidance about funerals. Many take it beyond what I believe he meant both on the critical side and sometimes LDS bishops. But all in all mostly I see caring and kindness when someone dies.at least in the LDS circles I run in when .

[_Jason Bourne]

You've got Boyd KKK Packer to thank for that.

Yep, funerals are no longer about the deceased. They are now proselytizing sessions.

Talk about tithing or talk about Joseph Smith, but don't mention the dead person.

It amazes me how much Mormons use funerals as proselytizing sessions. The attitudes are “isn't it wonderful that we're not depressed at funerals because we know so much about the afterlife.” They go on and on about how wonderful the gospel is because they have the “One and True Church” and that the “Plan of Salvation” was so wonderful.

Mormonism. Isn't it marvelous and yet pathetic at the same time.

How many LDS funerals have you attended, spoke at, or presided over? My guess is very few and this is another stick for you to beat the Church with.

[_Jason Bourne]

It’s sad that the quest for total control will extend itself into the grieving process of the family. Instead of honoring a loved one, celebrating her life and getting some closure, the church turns it into a recruiting session. Their insensitivity sickens me.

If this was the way it is and always is you would have a valid gripe. Since it is really not reality in most cases your using this as an ax to grind sickens me. What is being portrayed here is mostly not the case.

[_Infymus]

You've got Boyd KKK Packer to thank for that.

Yep, funerals are no longer about the deceased. They are now proselytizing sessions.

Talk about tithing or talk about Joseph Smith, but don't mention the dead person.

It amazes me how much Mormons use funerals as proselytizing sessions. The attitudes are “isn't it wonderful that we're not depressed at funerals because we know so much about the afterlife.” They go on and on about how wonderful the gospel is because they have the “One and True Church” and that the “Plan of Salvation” was so wonderful.

Mormonism. Isn't it marvelous and yet pathetic at the same time.

How many LDS funerals have you attended, spoke at, or presided over? My guess is very few and this is another stick for you to beat the Church with.

Ah yes, Bourne, lapdog for the Cult, ready to defend it at any cost.

Go away, a$$hole, go back to your Cult and suck their Sacrament.

[_Jersey Girl]

Why is it that so much I hear about the church in terms of family hardship comes off so cold and institutional?

Sometimes I think of the LDS church as a church with no heart, though I can think of single instances where that is not the case.

Honesly because most of the people you interact with and bitter or out of the Church for one reason or another at least on this board. You are going to get a variety of flavor. We all can skew things. I can tell you that the the funerals I have been too and involved in are in all ways kind, loving and focus on a number of things. The families grief, the person who died, the savior and his gift of resurrection and yes some doctrinal discussions about the LDS view of pre earth life, earth life and the life beyond. All these are appropriate topics in the LDS setting. I know Elder Packer is often derided on his guidance about funerals. Many take it beyond what I believe he meant both on the critical side and sometimes LDS bishops. But all in all mostly I see caring and kindness when someone dies.at least in the LDS circles I run in when .

No, Jason. When I wrote the above, I was thinking in terms of remarks by TBM's on the boards and in real life, not ex-LDS. I did offer the example of a memorial service (in real life) that was far different and heartfelt than the one described by Bryan. I believe you when you describe your own experiences which are, for obvious reasons, far more in regularity than are my own.

Jason, on boards I witness instance after instance of TBM's lack of compassion. A most recent example that we might both have witnessed are many of the posts made by charity on this board. I do not claim this is the case for every single TBM that exists for I know LDS in real life, have witnessed acts of compassion on their part and shared those experiences with them.

My comments had little or nothing to do with ex-LDS.

[_Jersey Girl]

You've got Boyd KKK Packer to thank for that.

Yep, funerals are no longer about the deceased. They are now proselytizing sessions.

Talk about tithing or talk about Joseph Smith, but don't mention the dead person.

It amazes me how much Mormons use funerals as proselytizing sessions. The attitudes are “isn't it wonderful that we're not depressed at funerals because we know so much about the afterlife.” They go on and on about how wonderful the gospel is because they have the “One and True Church” and that the “Plan of Salvation” was so wonderful.

Mormonism. Isn't it marvelous and yet pathetic at the same time.

How many LDS funerals have you attended, spoke at, or presided over? My guess is very few and this is another stick for you to beat the Church with.

Ah yes, Bourne, lapdog for the Cult, ready to defend it at any cost.

Go away, a$$hole, go back to your Cult and suck their Sacrament.

I feel compelled to post in defense of Jason. His comments on this board are almost never akin to what one might expect from a "lapdog for the Cult" nor does he "defend it at any cost". His posts, infact, are often critical of certain aspects of the church. Two examples that come immediately to mind are his comments regarding financial disclosure and the doctrine of plural marriage.

People aren't all black and white, Infymus. Well, maybe some are, but Jason is not one of those. I remember once a long time ago when you characterized me as a "Mormon sympathizer". Sometimes I do sympathize with Mormons however, I am far more apt to criticize the LDS church and especially Joseph Smith than I am to comment in support of either of those.

I remember when I thought you were a total and complete jerk and then I read something you wrote online about your family. You are a multifaceted person--and so is Jason.

[_Jason Bourne]

Ah yes, Bourne, lapdog for the Cult, ready to defend it at any cost.

Ah yes Infintus. I typical IQ 0f 2 non response.

You really do lack intelligence don't you.

Go away, a$$hole, go back to your Cult and suck their Sacrament.

I will take your nasty non response as a concession that I am right and you do not know what the hell you are talking about.

[_Jersey Girl]

Ah yes, Bourne, lapdog for the Cult, ready to defend it at any cost.

Ah yes Infintus. I typical IQ 0f 2 non response.

You really do lack intelligence don't you.

Go away, a$$hole, go back to your Cult and suck their Sacrament.

I will take your nasty non response as a concession that I am right and you do not know what the hell you are talking about.

See Infymus? He swears like a real person, not a lap dog.

:-D

[_Jason Bourne]

No, Jason. When I wrote the above, I was thinking in terms of remarks by TBM's on the boards and in real life, not ex-LDS. I did offer the example of a memorial service (in real life) that was far different and heartfelt than the one described by Bryan. I believe you when you describe your own experiences which are, for obvious reasons, far more in regularity than are my own

.


And I can give literally dozens of examples of deaths and funerals that are met with compassion, love, kindness and care and thousands of other examples of Christ like service and care for those in needs. I would suggest that interaction with so called TBMs on message boards give a skewed perception of the reality of what really happens in the lives and events in a persons ward and stake.,

Jason, on boards I witness instance after instance of TBM's lack of compassion. A most recent example that we might both have witnessed are many of the posts made by charity on this board. I do not claim this is the case for every single TBM that exists for I know LDS in real life, have witnessed acts of compassion on their part and shared those experiences with them.

There are jerks in all walks of life. There are ex LDS here that are frankly A--H---les. There are wonderful ex LDS here. There are active LDS here that can be jerks. My guess that for Charity you see the worst in her and my guess is she is quite a nice person in real life. But maybe not. I think her style in posting here is frankly and embarrassment to the LDS Church. Same for some on other boards. Some are wonderful as well. It is a mixed bag.

My comments had little or nothing to do with ex-LDS.

I do not know how much interacting you have had with LDS in real life. I would suggest that before you conclude that LDS largely lack compassion and caring you may need a broader experience than you get on internet message boards.


Edit to add:

Jersey

I must have missed this remark of your in your response: "I believe you when you describe your own experiences which are, for obvious reasons, far more in regularity than are my own" and I want to tell you I appreciate that remark. Thanks

[_The Dude]

Hi Bryan,

So how did your friend feel about all this? I mean, if he was cool with it, then why should you get all worked up?