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

[_Buffalo]

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.

Let's not stereotype based on your small circle of friends. I'm liberal and I served. Of course, now look at me - an apostate!

Perhaps left-thinking people can't catch the spirit of groupthink. The Peace Corps is full of leftists, and they actually do some good in the world, unlike most LDS missionaries.

[_Buffalo]

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]

Amen!

[_Called2Serve]

Hindsight being 20/20 and all, don't you now think that liberalism and being Christian-LDS is hard to pull off?

[_moksha]

Hindsight being 20/20 and all, don't you now think that liberalism and being Christian-LDS is hard to pull off?

Hi, Called2Serve. Welcome to the Mormon Discussions Board.

In answer to your question, I would say it depends. Did Jesus actually say something about those who hoard their shekels and espouse the gospel of Ayn Rand being blessed or something? Otherwise, the attempt to railroad Christianity into the conservative box car seems foolish. In truth, the message of Jesus is for everybody and the kingdom of Heaven and Empire of Caesar remain separate in my opinion.

[_Called2Serve]

Hindsight being 20/20 and all, don't you now think that liberalism and being Christian-LDS is hard to pull off?

Hi, Called2Serve. Welcome to the Mormon Discussions Board.

In answer to your question, I would say it depends. Did Jesus actually say something about those who hoard their shekels and espouse the gospel of Ayn Rand being blessed or something? Otherwise, the attempt to railroad Christianity into the conservative box car seems foolish. In truth, the message of Jesus is for everybody and the kingdom of Heaven and Empire of Caesar remain separate in my opinion.

??
I will have to admit I don't know much about every American Christian denomination but the LDS religion produces political conservative values in about 85% of its members. I am willing to admit that those true political conservatives might just be drawn to the LDS religion and not vice-versa.

If the kingdom of heaven is out of the scope of politics, then why not a diverse group of LDS followers? I am just saying that there is a reason why Glen Beck is LDS and also a conservative.

[_Buffalo]

Hindsight being 20/20 and all, don't you now think that liberalism and being Christian-LDS is hard to pull off?

It's hard to say. It's easy to be liberal and buy into many of Joseph Smith's teachings. It's hard to be liberal and buy into Brigham Young's teachings. The current church leans more Young than Smith, so I suppose it's somewhat hard.

I don't think it's liberal politics that make it difficult to sustain belief - I think it's liberal personalities that do it. Liberals tend to be skeptical and self-reflective, and that doesn't work well with sustaining faith.

Liberals tend to like: law of consecration, the New Testament gospels, King Benjamin's comments on the poor

Conservatives tend to like: patriarchal organization, prejudice against gays, some of the church's more Pharisaical teachings such as WoW and tithing.

Really you can pick and choose. I still think it's personality more than politics.

[_Buffalo]

??
I will have to admit I don't know much about every American Christian denomination but the LDS religion produces political conservative values in about 85% of its members. I am willing to admit that those true political conservatives might just be drawn to the LDS religion and not vice-versa.

If the kingdom of heaven is out of the scope of politics, then why not a diverse group of LDS followers? I am just saying that there is a reason why Glen Beck is LDS and also a conservative.

If I were a conservative I wouldn't claim Beck as one of my own.

[_Called2Serve]

I can not be certain at what if any great role Glen Beck will have on the United States, World or the LDS church, but what I am saying is that I think it will be the likes of him and Romney that will probably step forth to change the government over someone like Harry Reid.

[_moksha]

... but what I am saying is that I think it will be the likes of him [BECK]and Romney that will probably step forth to change the government over someone like Harry Reid.

I suppose it might be possible to glue Beck onto the saddle of the White Horse, but once on it there is a distinct possibility the White Horse would feel the gravity of the situation (being saddled with Beck) and refuse any further cooperation.

Romney on the other hand would make a fine leader, even if he is no Gov. Jon Huntsman.

[_bcspace]

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?

No, but the gospel happens to manifest itself in conservatism. For example, we already know that in order for a United Order to work, it needs capitalism and the free market.