William Schryver wrote: Are you under the mistaken impression that the questions on the temple recommend interview serve to winnow out the "perfected" from all others?
Mmmmm ........... that's quite a novel take on the issue. And if this is any indication of your relative grasp of the concepts of the gospel, I suppose I can understand why you struggle to believe.
Struggle to believe? Hardly. I struggle to understand why I ever believed is more like it.
I actually do remember the TR questions from my days as a Mormon convert who wanted to go to the temple, and did, many times. Obviously I know that you would not be weeded out no matter how poorly you treated others or how badly you represented Mormonism as the questions are apparently not designed to elicit that information.
William Schryver wrote: Either that or you're just another in the long string of dissembling hypocrites who gather on these message boards to congratulate one another on having grown too wise to fall for any of that "Mormon crap" anymore.
Obviously, your reputation has preceded you to me way more than mine has to you. One thing I am not is a hypocrite. I have also never, ever, referred to Mormon beliefs as "crap". I did not ask enough questions prior to baptism (or didn't receive enough answers, take your pick). In that way I am "wise" now in terms of decreasing the assumptions I make, upping the number and depth of questions I ask, and not taking things so much at face value any more.
When I had an exit interview (so to speak) with the bishop in the ward I attended and he knew my mind was made up that I was leaving (I wouldn't make such a big and final decision unless I was sure it was the right one for me) he said, "I know you are a Christian woman", which I took as a compliment and a respectful, peaceable farewell. I believe we can find common ground with fellow believers, even if our denominations vary. I regret not seeing more of that in the interactions on the LDS-related boards.
The TR question that always struck my heart was the one that asks "Are you worthy to receive a TR?" Apart from disliking that whole concept of worthiness ("there is none who is worthy..." [except Jesus], if you believe that scriptural insight) I would wonder whether I was if I interacted with people in hurtful and contentious ways.
But that's just me.
And what about that whole "light of Christ" thing? Isn't it supposed to make a member of the Mormon Church
better?
Unless this is you, being better. Yow. Scary thought.