Mormon Church Meetings are Hell?

[_why me]

Is there no help for the widow's son?

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

Maybe the problem is with you and not with the meetings itself. This is what I have noticed with people existing the church: first, they question the doctrine and the history. Then, because their mind is drifting away, the find the meetings boring and begin to complain about them. But the actual problem is with the person with the bored feeling. We need to remember that you also can make meetings more interesting. You can raise your hand, make your comments and give vibrant talks. Why take it out on average people who are just trying to their best?

[_Lucifer]

Mormon church meetings are not hell. Hell is much more fun!

See ya around!
Lucie.

[_Drifting]

Mormon church meetings are not hell. Hell is much more fun!

See ya around!
Lucie.

Hello Planet Venus...

In Latin, from which the English word is derived, Lucifer (as a noun) means "light-bearer" (from the words lucem ferre). It was the name given to the Morning Star, i.e. the planet Venus when seen at dawn.

[_Buffalo]

Is there no help for the widow's son?

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

Maybe the problem is with you and not with the meetings itself. This is what I have noticed with people existing the church: first, they question the doctrine and the history. Then, because their mind is drifting away, the find the meetings boring and begin to complain about them. But the actual problem is with the person with the bored feeling. We need to remember that you also can make meetings more interesting. You can raise your hand, make your comments and give vibrant talks. Why take it out on average people who are just trying to their best?

Is this what compelled to you go inactive and finally turn anti-Mormon?

[_consiglieri]

Can you unpack this for me Consig, are you saying that because Church meetings never get passed milk for meat, progression is stopped?

What I mean is that going to church is, for many members, an exercise in hearing the same things they have heard a hundred times before. There is no learning; there is no growth; there is no progress.

The Church Correlation Committee enforces this type of presentation in church by numerous means. By doing so, I feel the LDS Church is intentionally limiting the growth and progress of its members.

And therefore LDS Church meetings seem to match the LDS definition of damnation.

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

[_consiglieri]

I would have to agree.

Stop the presses!

The problem though is how to liven it up without people hanging their testimonies on being entertained at Church?

Entertainment is essential to learning. People do not learn when they are bored. I am not talking about doing a soft shoe to Gary, Indiana in Gospel Doctrine class, but enthusiasm is key, as well as introducing new concepts or looking at old concepts in new and different ways.

For example, the art of magic has millions of tricks, but in actuality, they can be reduced to five basic types of effects (excluding mind-reading tricks, which are their own field). (1) Vanishing; (2) Appearing; (3) Transforming; (4) Penetration; and, (5) Levitation.

Every magic trick ever conceived falls into one of those categories (or sometimes a combination). I think that is the kind of thing we must do to make Church interesting and less hellish.

I have also recommended a "school of the prophets" (a discussion group) for "advanced" Gospel Doctrine students. No dice and I have the ear of some who are pretty high up in the Church.

Having gospel discussion groups outside the official church curriculum is discouraged in the CHI.

The problem is that there are too many people who like it this way.

Here I disagree. I think it is simply a vocal minority of those who abominate hearing anything new. They will frequently say they are thinking about new members in the class, when it is really their own sensibilities being offended.

To me, the Gospel ought to make one happy and energetic with a lively mind.

Here I agree with you! I think Mormonism is one of the most fascinating subjects on the planet, and it is disappointing to see such a great treasure being ignored and trivialized by the institution that is supposed to be promoting it.

The pearl of great price is supposed to be dug out of the field. Mormons seem intent on burying it.

There is nothing wrong with doing these things (feasts and discussion groups) outside the auspices of the Church and perhaps that is the way it should be. The Church provides the foundation, you do the works to make the gospel alive in your life.

Having gospel discussion groups outside the official church curriculum is discouraged in the CHI.

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

[_stemelbow]

I agree. But to be fair, most of the folks in my ward would probably not agree. I feel lonely in this respect. Feel a little trapped and stuck. I suppose if there are only a few of us, overall, then its probably best they stick with what's working for the masses. Is it?

[_consiglieri]

How can anything be good for your soul if you don't enjoy it?

A question for the ages, Hades.

I think the standard Mormon response would be that, if you don't enjoy it, the problem is with you. After all, "everybody else" is enjoying it.

This got brought up again last General Conference when some GA repeated the hackneyed story about President Kimball being asked how he handles boring sacrament meetings. "I don't know," he reportedly replied, "I've never been to one."

Leaving aside the fact this is a bald-faced lie, the subtext is clearly to put the blame on any person who finds any sacrament meeting boring.

On the other side of this equation, though, is President Eyring's story about how his Dad handled boring sacrament meetings (so, yes, they apparently do exist)--he would close his eyes and think of the sermon the speaker should be giving.

Hugh Nibley just took books to read.

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

[_consiglieri]

I agree. But to be fair, most of the folks in my ward would probably not agree. I feel lonely in this respect. Feel a little trapped and stuck. I suppose if there are only a few of us, overall, then its probably best they stick with what's working for the masses. Is it?

There are more people in your ward than you think who feel the same way you do. Only they are peer-pressured into acting as if they like the status quo.

This quote from the Old Testament is revelation from God to you this day:

Those who are with us are greater than those who are against us.

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

[_consiglieri]

I have a homework assignment for you. Are you ready? Attend catholic mass every sunday for one month. Let us know what you think. Then, attend the lutheran church service for one month, and let us know what you think.

This strikes me as a variation on blaming the member for church being boring.

Instead, we can blame other churches for being more boring.

I don't see how this addresses the situation in the LDS Church, though.

All the Best!

--Consiglieri