Church as purely a political entity???!!!

[_moksha]

But when you think about it, God can only have one set of acceptable politics.......

I've understood that the realms of God and Caesar are entirely separate. Are saying that God tunes in to The Glenn Beck Show?

[_Wisdom Seeker]

I know that the church does not push a political agenda either right or left but it seems as if the single issue of abortion has clearly defined what political party 85% - 90% of LDS follow.

And while there was no real political agenda spoken of in Sacrament meetings, it becomes clear as some comments are made in Sunday School and Priesthood what political party is the favorite. The only other major clue was the announcments in Priesthood meetings of where the Utah Republican caucus meetings were being held while the Democrat caucus meetings were either not mentioned or mentioned with no clue to where they are being held.

[_The Nehor]

But when you think about it, God can only have one set of acceptable politics.......

Yes, but I would define as submission to God as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

[_Dr. Shades]

But when you think about it, God can only have one set of acceptable politics.......

Yes, . . . an infinitely strict commitment to the principle of Free Agency (otherwise He would cease to be God).

When you think about it, God is the ultimate Libertarian.

[_Called2Serve]

My friends who are older than me who also leaned left or Liberal also have decided to not go on a mission. It seems as if left thinking people can not catch the spirit of service. The church does not make this decision for people, it just so happens that Conservative values are aligned with Christian and Mormon values.

[_TAO]

I'm rather left leaning on most (non-religiously concerned) issues... but yah...

[_floatingboy]

My friends who are older than me who also leaned left or Liberal also have decided to not go on a mission. It seems as if left thinking people can not catch the spirit of service. The church does not make this decision for people, it just so happens that Conservative values are aligned with Christian and Mormon values.

I have to disagree with you on this for two reasons. One is that I know quite a number of liberals who are very concerned about social issues to the point of dedicating time. And of course I know many conservatives that also fit this description. It simply does not divide neatly down that line, in my experience. Hopefully you'll come to learn how mistaken you are sooner rather than later.

The second problem I have with what you said is that you think a Mormon mission is about service. In hindsight (having served one), I think it is largely an incredible opportunity for service that is squandered on trying to convince people that they are wrong and should get baptized in the LDS Church. It sounds like you're pre-mission, right? I am not at all trying to deflate you. Rather I'd say to you that you have an opportunity to actually make your mission count for more than numbers. Forget about baptisms now. Most of the people you baptize won't stay active anyway. When your leaders tell you to teach a certain number of discussions or place a certain number of BOMs, just smile and nod and then go make a difference. Never go tracting. It's a waste of time, even from a numbers standpoint. Go volunteer. Get your hands dirty. Checking off the required "service hours" is such a sad joke. I wish we had spent all of our time actually addressing people's needs instead of telling them they have a need they didn't even know about. Maybe they do, but you can't just barge in and tell people that. It's rude and it's ineffective. Finally, be obedient to the rules but favor bending or breaking rules to help people over always keeping the rules. I still kick myself over this one.

[/rant]

[_Called2Serve]

I have to disagree with you on this for two reasons. One is that I know quite a number of liberals who are very concerned about social issues to the point of dedicating time.............

The second problem I have with what you said is that you think a Mormon mission is about service. In hindsight (having served one), I think it is largely an incredible opportunity for service that is squandered on trying to convince people that they are wrong and should get baptized in the LDS Church. It sounds like you're pre-mission, right?........................

I wish we had spent all of our time actually addressing people's needs instead of telling them they have a need they didn't even know about...............

I have not met any younger liberals who fit what you said. I am sure some older liberal types can find time to think of others besides themselves.

I am a fairly green missionary sent home because of an accident. I will be stuck in bed for a few months and going through physical thearapy to gain strength before I fly back and provide service on my mission. I might not be able to provide much physical service for a while, but giving those who will accept the gift of the true church and of Jesus is greater than filling sand bags full of sand.

[_floatingboy]

Sorry to hear about your injury. However, I'm not referring to physical service specifically. I did say "get your hands dirty", but I meant it more figuratively. I'm talking about being there for people and not being there for numbers. You will definitely forget the numbers.

...giving those who will accept the gift of the true church and of Jesus is greater than filling sand bags full of sand.

I'm not sure how tracting works these days, but if you want to give the gift of Jesus, please forget about cramming a first discussion down their throat or whatever formulated contact strategy is now in place. That was the whole point I was hoping to make before. Be there for people. Don't rush them to get baptized. That will go a lot further toward the goals you are pursuing than repeated formulaic contacting. And it will also save your sanity in the process.

[_Called2Serve]

We are free to be flexible in our lessons as told to us in our "Preach My Gospel" manual.

Our main purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and his Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. (This is from the manual, which I read along with my scriptures every day)

We are to give investigators as much time as they need to make the decision to either accept or reject. If we push to hard they might just reject it when they might accept it had we not been so impatient. So I plan on giving people as much time as they need.

I know we kind of moved away from the political discussion from this discussion, and I know I will meet people who do not believe in my traditional LDS conservative ways, and I will try and not be prejudice against those who are liberal. But I do think that as people begin to accept the gospel they will also learn to embrace a more conservative political attitude.