I taught in church today

[DrumNFeather]

I don't get it. You don't think it has any relevance to the topic?

If I do present it, I would be careful to suggest that connecting the stat to LDS culture is a matter of conjecture. Utah also ranks near the bottom (worst) in suicide but I think there are other factors at play in that case. As for depression, I think there are elements of our culture that could exacerbate the problem. And here we have an LDS prophet saying that the demands of the gospel are so great that one couldn't possibly satisfy them without divine intervention. I don't know how one could accept that statement at face value and at the same time deny that we might have some problems with depression and feelings of inadequacy.

I heard a psychologist in Las Vegas speak on this exact subject once. One of his suggestions was that, we are a goal oriented people, but the problem is, many of our goals are not for this life (eternal marriage, celestial kingdom etc...) and so it is easy for us to quickly fall into the idea that not only are we failing in the short term, but the long term as well...and thus, the depression. It was an interesting take on it, I thought.

[creekster]

I'm leading the same topic in HPG this week. I'm sort of plannjng a different approach. But I love hearing the ideas here. Please post more!

[Jeff Lebowski]

I'm leading the same topic in HPG this week. I'm sort of plannjng a different approach. But I love hearing the ideas here. Please post more!

Come on. You can't be coy like that. What approach are you taking?

(I just got asked last night, so I am scrambling.)

[kccougar]

I don't get it. You don't think it has any relevance to the topic?

If I do present it, I would be careful to suggest that connecting the stat to LDS culture is a matter of conjecture. Utah also ranks near the bottom (worst) in suicide but I think there are other factors at play in that case. As for depression, I think there are elements of our culture that could exacerbate the problem. And here we have an LDS prophet saying that the demands of the gospel are so great that one couldn't possibly satisfy them without divine intervention. I don't know how one could accept that statement at face value and at the same time deny that we might have some problems with depression and feelings of inadequacy.

I just think you'd be hard-pressed to tie depression to LDS "busyness" with any significant degree of legitimacy, and therefore, you'd be better off not throwing out a lesson derailer like that. I'm not a fan of that kind of conjecture.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I just think you'd be hard-pressed to tie depression to LDS "busyness" with any significant degree of legitimacy, and therefore, you'd be better off not throwing out a lesson derailer like that. I'm not a fan of that kind of conjecture.

Ha. Yes, we wouldn't want to be making assertions at church that don't have a rock-solid empirical basis.

Found a few interesting articles about a recent local study. Uncle Ted linked one of these recently.

http://universe.byu.edu/2013/02/12/b...efore-perfect/

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865571984/UVU-professors-study-puts-focus-on-LDS-women-and-depression.html?pg=all

[kccougar]

Ha. Yes, we wouldn't want to be making assertions at church that don't have a rock-solid empirical basis.

Found a few interesting articles about a recent local study. Uncle Ted linked one of these recently.

http://universe.byu.edu/2013/02/12/b...efore-perfect/
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/8...on.html?pg=all

I'm certainly not saying it doesn't happen. I just don't like it when it does.

[Paperback Writer]

I don't get it. You don't think it has any relevance to the topic?

If I do present it, I would be careful to suggest that connecting the stat to LDS culture is a matter of conjecture. Utah also ranks near the bottom (worst) in suicide but I think there are other factors at play in that case. As for depression, I think there are elements of our culture that could exacerbate the problem. And here we have an LDS prophet saying that the demands of the gospel are so great that one couldn't possibly satisfy them without divine intervention. I don't know how one could accept that statement at face value and at the same time deny that we might have some problems with depression and feelings of inadequacy.

My $0.02:
Borrow a page from our Evangelical bretheran. As I understand it, they preach that none of us are adequate since we're all sinners and fall short. But that's where Jesus's grace enters in and "being saved".

Seriously, I would mention grace and the atonement and the unconditional nature of it. Too often LDS hear from the pulpit only about obedience, sacrifice, enduring to the end, etc. IMO, LDS don't need to hear more about perfection being so difficult that it can only be achieved with divine assistance. LDS need to hear that through Christ's atonement they will gain salvation if they have faith and repent. Since baptized LDS have already taken on his name and are his diciples, Christ will work good works through them; believers just need to have faith.

I guess its just looking at the other side of the coin. Instead of being overwhelmed with the difficulties of life and becoming perfect - look at it already being saved or at least having become a disciple one is entitled to Christ's atonement and its associated grace.

OK, maye that's $0.04

[jay santos]

I don't really like the premise "With God, all things are possible" in this context. Because in the end, we just simply can't do everything.

I don't like it either. Because it turns it into a works message when really it's a grace message. I like the concept that we are asked even commanded to do so many things and be so worthy even "be ye therefore perfect" that it becomes impossible, which causes man to fall short and leaves him coming to God to make up the difference. I think it's OK we feel inadequate. Our natural way we want to do things is to focus internally and try to gut it up and pull up our bootstraps and be better and this forces us to admit we can't do it and look externally to God and need him and ask him for help. See the parable of the 99 sheep which was not a lesson on finding the one but a lesson to show the Pharisees and everyone else that we are all the 1 and there is no such thing as the 99. Note the sarcastic use of "need no repentance" in "7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance".

I think we as LDS really miss the boat when we come across grace lessons in the scriptures and turn them into works lessons. We do it all the time.

[Katy Lied]

This post is woefully prosaic: If your ward has those new flatscreen tvs with the USB thumbdrive input, you can download pretty much any video off LDS.org (2013 and newer) onto your thumbdrive, and plug it directly into the tv. No more cables and complicated hookups with laptops or messing with the overhead projector. Just plug and play.

I played this message on Sunday:

https://www.lds.org/training/wwlt/2013/hastening/special-broadcast?lang=eng#media=16902107223790014226-eng

I liked this video because it has no voiceover, just a day in the life. It didn't feel like a heavy message. You can get a lot out of it or nothing at all, depending upon how closely you pay attention. Some in the class were very interested, some never looked at it at all.

Also on Sunday, I arranged for several guest speakers, discussing what they thought would be, or were, their most difficult obstacles on their mission:

A 16 year old preparing to serve
An elder 2 weeks away from going to the MTC
A missionary out for 10 weeks
A missionary 2 months from returning
A recent RM
A sister from a couple missionary returned 1 month ago
A brother who has served several missions (speaking globally)

I was looking for universal themes, to link back up with early mission calls to the saints in Kirkland. I thought it was going to be fabulous, but the class seemed very underwhelmed. Oh well. The senior missionaries were brutally honest about how much it would cost to go on a senior mission; start saving your pennies.

[Jeff Lebowski]

This post is woefully prosaic: If your ward has those new flatscreen tvs with the USB thumbdrive input, you can download pretty much any video off LDS.org (2013 and newer) onto your thumbdrive, and plug it directly into the tv. No more cables and complicated hookups with laptops or messing with the overhead projector. Just plug and play.

Hey that is cool and great to know. I will definitely check it out as I would like to play a video clip to wrap things up on a high note. Thanks.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I'm certainly not saying it doesn't happen. I just don't like it when it does.

You missed my (admittedly sarcastic) point. It happens every week in every lesson. It is religion, not science.

As for the depression issue, we have a psychiatrist and two professional therapists in our group. I would be interested in getting their take, but will be careful to not let it go too long.

[eldiente]

I like the SR Covey concept of quadrants (important - not important - urgent - not urgent). Might look for a way to throw that in.

This is actually the Eisenhower matrix as advocated by Dwight D.

[creekster]

I teach GD and HPG in my ward (every other week GD and once a month HPG). I never use videos. Ever.

[Indy Coug]

I get to do the lesson on the Relief Society. I will borrow liberally from the writings of Margaret Toscano, mingled with the philosophies of men.

[Uncle Ted]

I teach GD and HPG in my ward (every other week GD and once a month HPG). I never use videos. Ever.

I teach the young men now and then on Sunday... (not to mention, about every week for scouts). They love Johnny Lingo.