Where is the Joy in Mormonism?

[_Gazelam]

Moniker,

Can you post the Doxology for us?

[Guest]

Sure can!

I've been humming it ever since my post! :)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise Him all creatures here below, praise Him above ye heavenly host, praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

You jump up in unison when you hear it started to play.... EVERY Sunday. They're very Methodical. :)

I found the midi -- I like it a bit more up tempo. But, yanno sometimes there's an elderly lady that's about on her last breath at the piano and she may hold the notes a bit too long...

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/mid/o/l/d/old_100th.mid

KA, I'm so glad you found a Church that you and your family are comfortable with!

[_Gazelam]

hey ! Nice goin, thanks for sharing : )

[_skippy the dead]

Have you tried the Jello Kim? Its fabulous, and sometimes, if your lucky, they put fruit in it !

Or *shudder* a certain shredded vegetable.

[_Jason Bourne]

I think many Mormons -- particularly the ones BIC -- are as happy as they know. There is so much talk about "I am so happy to have the gospel in my life...," that they come to believe that is the only true happiness. I think Mormon happiness differs from others, but neither is really "better" than the other. It's all about expectations. Mormon "joy" is when one believes they should "be and do" a certain way, and then that happens. It deals in extremes, and drama. When "it" doesn't happen, there is much sadness and depression.

"Outsiders" live with less expectation, and are more able to tolerate differences. Without the high expectations, there are fewer disappointments. It is a more level and calm sort of happiness, in my opinion. I don't dis Mormon happiness, I just prefer the latter for me today.

My ward is made up of at least 50% converts. Those that are active seem quite happy and content and seem to enjoy their form of worship-music, talks, etc.

[Guest]

Hi, Gaz.

Yes, one can learn at a Methodist church. Our pastor has a Doctorate in Theology and is an excellent teacher, though he does get a bit long winded at times...

Also, Sunday School is important in Methodist churches. John Wesley felt it important to study the Bible regularly and with a "method", hence "Methodism". He may have even been the originator of the Sunday School class. I'm not sure. At any rate, my family attends Sunday School and I'm amazed at what my girls learn every week. But, like Moniker said, they have loads of fun, too, and beg to go to church.

I volunteer in the nursery during Sunday School and get my baby fix for the week. :)

Moniker is right, there is a method to our worship. We always recite the Apostles Creed:

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
the Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:

Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended into hell.

The third day He arose again from the dead.

He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy *catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.

Amen.

And, we sing a Doxology. We usually don't sing the one Moniker posted, though I like it a lot. We sing from the Gloria Patri:

"Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, amen, amen."

Then, we rock out. ;)

Our services are very lively. There is a choice of three services: Traditional (they sing nothing written in the last hundred years...but I like that); Contemporary (lots of worship hymns and jazzed up standards); and Modern (rock and roll Christian music). So, there's something for everyone. I like the Traditional service and the Contemporary, too, but the Rock and Roll is a bit much for me, though my kids LOVE it.

Here's some more signing:

Doxology

And the Doxology in Hawaiian (it's gorgeous!):

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

We sometimes have liturgical dancers, too. My daughters are involved in that.

KA

PS. The above creed was declared an abomination by Joseph Smith. What, according to Mormon theology, is so "abominable" about it? Just wondering...

[_The Nehor]

Talk after Sacrament Meeting was exuberant this week with many people saying they enjoyed the testimonies. At the end of the class I taught a girl came up teary-eyed (pretty sure they were happy tears) and hugged me and thanked me for the lesson.

Nope, not seeing this joylessness.

[_wenglund]

I have attended services at a broad variety of churches (christian and non-christian) and have experienced a wealth of joy at each--including, and particularly, at my own LDS congregation.

I wonder why that may happen for me, and not for others?

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[Guest]

And, we sing a Doxology. We usually don't sing the one Moniker posted, though I like it a lot. We sing from the Gloria Patri:

"Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, amen, amen."

Heh! I forgot that one! Yep, EVERY Sunday. Man, I really didn't pay attention. ;)

I'm glad you and your kids like it a lot, KA. I always felt the people were very genuine and kind at all the Methodist Churches I attended. I'm sure LOADS of people learn whatever from the Methodist Church -- I just didn't. But, then again, it wasn't what I was into. Sooo happy for you!

~~Edited to add~~

About 6 months ago I started reading some stuff from Wesley and found a lot of his thoughts on Christianity and LOVE very, very compelling. It's a very positive, tolerant message and it was appealing to me. I can understand why KA and her family enjoy it.

[_BishopRic]

I think many Mormons -- particularly the ones BIC -- are as happy as they know. There is so much talk about "I am so happy to have the gospel in my life...," that they come to believe that is the only true happiness. I think Mormon happiness differs from others, but neither is really "better" than the other. It's all about expectations. Mormon "joy" is when one believes they should "be and do" a certain way, and then that happens. It deals in extremes, and drama. When "it" doesn't happen, there is much sadness and depression.

"Outsiders" live with less expectation, and are more able to tolerate differences. Without the high expectations, there are fewer disappointments. It is a more level and calm sort of happiness, in my opinion. I don't dis Mormon happiness, I just prefer the latter for me today.

My ward is made up of at least 50% converts. Those that are active seem quite happy and content and seem to enjoy their form of worship-music, talks, etc.

Yes, this is my point. I think most are as happy as they know. It's not a matter of "true happiness" or unhappiness. Happiness and joy are quite subjective, and I agree that Mormons are happy -- as they understand the term. "We" may also be happy as we understand it. My only point is that they are different, and I think it is impossible to give a value judgment to it.