I learned in church today

[OceanBlue]

JL, we had same thing. A member of the SP came and facilitated a conversation that was supposed to be aimed toward the youth but as usual all the old people started rambling on about how are the youth are going to live in this tough nasty world ?

One of our members who is a strong willed and loves the sound of her own voice had the microphone taken away while she was still talking. I found that humorous.

[grapevine]

If more Han one minute goes by without someone bearing there testimony that is time wasted. Bishop in last ward said that before split sent some people over our way. I don,t mind dead air myself not bad thing. And Bishops brother previous one in other Ward got up and said he actually didn,t mind time to meditate or quiet time. Boundary shifts brought him our way.

[Katy Lied]

In our ward they had a combined 3rd-hour meeting with all adults and youth over 12 years old. The bishop read the letter and then opened the floor for comments and questions. The first two people to grab the mic were a couple of old dudes (~80) who basically said that there is no need to have a discussion and anyone who says anything contrary to the prophet is out of order. One guy said that he helped build the church and by golly, if anyone says anything supporting gay marriage they would have to answer to him personally (aka, the Mark Atuaia strategy). But after that, 90% of the comments were people expressing a wish for kindness, love, and understanding for our gay and lesbian members. The bishop handled all of the questions superbly and did a great job guiding the discussion. I was expecting a disaster, but it went well. Proud of my ward.

Its a generational thing.


We had the 97 yo woman bear her testimony. She rambles terribly, and won't be silenced, but at least has interesting things to say. Today it was how she was laboring on her mission in Seattle when news that the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor was broadcast, and how worried she was since she had 3 brothers in the service, one even stationed at The Pearl. I suppose that I was glad that she didn't use the term "japs."

[ERCougar]

I just have a hard time understanding the concept that you can love and have empathy for homosexual individuals while at the same time firmly believing they are damned if they enter into a committed, legal relationship with someone they are sexually attracted to.

Yeah, I think this is one that sounds really good on paper and allows people to pat themselves on the back for being so Christian, but in reality, just doesn't work. It's not like they have a weakness for stealing or abusing drugs, things that are unequivocally bad. It's not even like someone who commits adultery. When you're "hating" a person's genuine, loving relationship because 1% of it includes an icky kind of sex...sorry, you're not really loving the person.

My MIL is one of the most loving and caring people I know. Her sister is a lesbian. There is a very different dynamic in the relationship between her and her sister and her other siblings.

[TripletDaddy]

We didn't read the letter in our Ward. There was no combined meeting either. I'm feeling ripped off.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

In our ward they had a combined 3rd-hour meeting with all adults and youth over 12 years old. The bishop read the letter and then opened the floor for comments and questions. The first two people to grab the mic were a couple of old dudes (~80) who basically said that there is no need to have a discussion and anyone who says anything contrary to the prophet is out of order. One guy said that he helped build the church and by golly, if anyone says anything supporting gay marriage they would have to answer to him personally (aka, the Mark Atuaia strategy). But after that, 90% of the comments were people expressing a wish for kindness, love, and understanding for our gay and lesbian members. The bishop handled all of the questions superbly and did a great job guiding the discussion. I was expecting a disaster, but it went well. Proud of my ward.

Man, that Dude must be a great bishop.

[Uncle Ted]

Learned today that the Three Nephites are on the back of the twenty dollar bill. I love open mic Sunday.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I just have a hard time understanding the concept that you can love and have empathy for homosexual individuals while at the same time firmly believing they are damned if they enter into a committed, legal relationship with someone they are sexually attracted to.

Yeah, I think this is one that sounds really good on paper and allows people to pat themselves on the back for being so Christian, but in reality, just doesn't work. It's not like they have a weakness for stealing or abusing drugs, things that are unequivocally bad. It's not even like someone who commits adultery. When you're "hating" a person's genuine, loving relationship because 1% of it includes an icky kind of sex...sorry, you're not really loving the person.

My MIL is one of the most loving and caring people I know. Her sister is a lesbian. There is a very different dynamic in the relationship between her and her sister and her other siblings.

To be fair, you have to consider the circumstances. These folks were rounded up and asked to listen while an unequivocal doctrinal statement was read following a multi-year unsuccessful effort by the church. Seemed like a prime scenario for people to rant about "hating the sin" or judicial overreach or how fellow members should get in line and stop supporting gay marriage on social media, etc. Instead, everyone (almost) got up and bore testimony of love and understanding and shared experiences with gay friends and family. If your only reaction to something like that is a flippant dismissal and condemnation then perhaps you have simply traded one form of rigid orthodoxy for another.

[ERCougar]

To be fair, you have to consider the circumstances. These folks were rounded up and asked to listen while an unequivocal doctrinal statement was read following a multi-year unsuccessful effort by the church. Seemed like a prime scenario for people to rant about "hating the sin" or judicial overreach or how fellow members should get in line and stop supporting gay marriage on social media, etc. Instead, everyone (almost) got up and bore testimony of love and understanding and shared experiences with gay friends and family. If your only reaction to something like that is a flippant dismissal and condemnation then perhaps you have simply traded one form of rigid orthodoxy for another.

Sorry. ..I wasn't referring to your congregation. I'm just pointing out that according to my experience (and rigid orthodoxy), I find that phrase a little too easily thrown out, and usually accompanied by far more statements of hatred for the sin than actual loving actions towards the sinner. I don't think it's particularly well thought out and fails in its real life effects.

Edit: actually, as I think about it, members usually surprise me in their sensitivity towards gay people. And those people generally don't say a thing about their hatred for the sin.

[Moliere]

The letter wasn't read in our Ward either and there were absolutely no references to the SCOTUS ruling or gay marriage. Church was, as usual, spiritually uplifting and enjoyable.

[Donuthole]

We didn't read the letter in our Ward. There was no combined meeting either. I'm feeling ripped off.

Dido. We intentionally arrived back from UCo in time for church so Mrs. D could teach her SS lesson. About 30 mins before we got home, she got a text from her team teacher saying she had the lesson covered and to take our time getting back (this is the same lady who had previously insisted that Mrs D teach the lesson today because, even though this lady is in town today, Mrs D will be gone two Sundays in late July and things apparently need to be perfectly even/fair. Anyway this "helpful" text was just the latest in a long line of passive aggression from this lady. I digress). With the lesson covered, Mrs D floated the idea of skipping church altogether to unpack and unwind. I actually suggested that we come, partly because I didn't want to miss Open Mic Sunday and partly because I was hoping for some juicy third-hour meeting. Well FT meeting was a dud, and there are no group meetings planned for the 3rd hour.

Lesson learned: skip church when you get the chance.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

Next week is the letter reading discussion in my ward, sadly I won't be there.

[CardiacCoug]

Next week is the letter reading discussion in my ward, sadly I won't be there.

Same.

Kind of bummed because it would be a good chance to casually mention that I support gay marriage and see some old people's heads explode.

[TripletDaddy]

How do you guys know what is going to happen next week? Does your Ward do sneak previews? That is a good idea actually.

[falafel]

Dido. We intentionally arrived back from UCo in time for church so Mrs. D could teach her SS lesson. About 30 mins before we got home, she got a text from her team teacher saying she had the lesson covered and to take our time getting back (this is the same lady who had previously insisted that Mrs D teach the lesson today because, even though this lady is in town today, Mrs D will be gone two Sundays in late July and things apparently need to be perfectly even/fair. Anyway this "helpful" text was just the latest in a long line of passive aggression from this lady. I digress). With the lesson covered, Mrs D floated the idea of skipping church altogether to unpack and unwind. I actually suggested that we come, partly because I didn't want to miss Open Mic Sunday and partly because I was hoping for some juicy third-hour meeting. Well FT meeting was a dud, and there are no group meetings planned for the 3rd hour.

Lesson learned: skip church when you get the chance.

Took you 36 years to learn this. smh