You can leave the Church, but...

[_Drifting]

So, Brother Pace tells members and non members and ex members not to criticise and then goes on to say this:

The world is full of deteriorating churches who have succumbed to public opinion and have become more dedicated to tickling the ears of their members than obeying the laws of God.

Two-faced?

[_PrickKicker]

So, Brother Pace tells members and non members and ex members not to criticise and then goes on to say this:

The world is full of deteriorating churches who have succumbed to public opinion and have become more dedicated to tickling the ears of their members than obeying the laws of God.

Two-faced?

I didn't hilight the funniest part.... The Gold Mine!

(Now Edited!)

[_Stormy Waters]

Unyielding its how we operate

A satical response to the Meridian article.

[_Drifting]

Unyielding its how we operate

A satical response to the Meridian article.

Now that's funny

[_palerobber]

[...] If you hit hard times, we’ll help you find employment and assist you with food and commodities in the meantime. [...]

can anyone here speak with authority whether this is actually true or not?

in my experience sitting in on PEC meetings (Utah County in the 1990s) food assistence was withheld from needy members who were not actively attended church. but i don't know if our bishop was following policy or not.

[_palerobber]

From the comments.

As the author of this piece, I must remind those who accuse us of being controlling, and of being stalkers that there actually IS a way to end the continuous effort. You simply write a letter requesting that your name be taken off the records of the church and your bishop will respect your wishes. It isn't as if we pursue you in some kind of frenzy, even if you formally request to be removed. But that is the key-- a simple, formal request. Otherwise you're just complaining about the Lord's system of ministering. And isn't it interesting that, when pushed to this point, most will not write that letter. I believe it is because deep in their hearts, they know Joseph Smith was telling the truth, and they don't want to take that final, tragic step.

mine didn't. i eventually had to go over his head.

[_son of Ishmael]

[...] If you hit hard times, we’ll help you find employment and assist you with food and commodities in the meantime. [...]

can anyone here speak with authority whether this is actually true or not?

in my experience sitting in on PEC meetings (Utah County in the 1990s) food assistence was withheld from needy members who were not actively attended church. but i don't know if our bishop was following policy or not.

I served on several Bishoprics back in the day and we routinely helped out inactive needy families with fast offering money and food assistance from the Bishop’s storehouse. It was always done with the understanding that it was a temporary thing until they got back on their feet. I don’t really remember any instances where the ward or stake employment specialist actually helped anyone find a job though.

[_consiglieri]

In case anyone has missed it...
The title is a twist on Joseph Smiths statement: that once someone leaves the church they just can't leave it alone.

I had thought this turn of phrase to be of more recent vintage than Joseph Smith.

Did anybody provide a cite for this?

The Joseph Smith I remember encouraged those who left the church to leave it alone under penalty of denying the Holy Ghost and becoming a son of perdition.

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

[_PrickKicker]

In case anyone has missed it...
The title is a twist on Joseph Smiths statement: that once someone leaves the church they just can't leave it alone.

I had thought this turn of phrase to be of more recent vintage than Joseph Smith.

Did anybody provide a cite for this?

The Joseph Smith I remember encouraged those who left the church to leave it alone under penalty of denying the Holy Ghost and becoming a son of perdition.

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

You are right it is a 'turn of phrase' or 'paraphrase', but the 'recent vintage' is based on this...

When he was in Kirtland, Brother Behunin came to him and said,

"Brother Joseph, many of the brethren have left the Church, and not only have they left the Church, but they have turned against the Church and become some of our most bitter persecutors. I will never leave the Church, but if I do, I will move out in the country and buy a little farm somewhere, and I promise you that I will never turn against the Church."

Joseph said,

"Brother Behunin, you do not know what you will do. When you join the Church of Jesus Christ, you leave neutral ground forever behind."

Not many people speak like 'YODA' from starwars.


So the wording has changed but the meaning remains...

[_consiglieri]

Thanks for the reference, PK.

I do recall the story you reference about the "neutral ground," and can see how you would get the same type of meaning from it.

All the Best!

--Consiglieri