Mormonism as an extension of its Members

[_moksha]

We as a Mormon people are frequently defined by our leaders. They give us direction and tell us what we should be doing. We are a tail that needs to be wagged to a harmonious beat.

But what direction do the Mormon people have in defining the Church? I am wondering about the goodness of the Mormon people being infused into the Church from the membership upward. Is this impossible since all Authority comes from the top on down by mandated definition?

Can the truth of the Church ever become manifest from its flock?*





*So what if this sounds a bit like Reformed Judaism already.

[_Yoda]

Yes, it can, and it already has.

The core gospel has not changed, but the form of its delivery has. Take a look at the differences in the way Relief Society meetings are organized today. There used to be Homemaking Meetings once a week. Later, that changed to once a month. Now, it is called Enrichment Night, and is once a quarter. The main cause for change is the fact that a majority of women today work outside the home, and no longer have the time they used to have.

Another example is the use of email as a replacement of unnecessary meetings. When I was on the Stake Activities Committee, we only literally had one meeting where we were all in the same room. All of us on the committee worked full-time, so we communicated and organized activities primarily through email.

[_LDS truthseeker]

Use of electronic devices in church - ipad, powerpoint presentations, etc.. I doubt a lot of the oldsters are really thrilled with it but the new generation has embraced it in church - at least in my ward.

[_Fence Sitter]

Use of electronic devices in church - ipad, powerpoint presentations, etc.. I doubt a lot of the oldsters are really thrilled with it but the new generation has embraced it in church - at least in my ward.

I will be really interested to see the long term effects of electronic devices in Church meetings, especially in the classroom setting. Instant internet access during a lesson may make correlation change its approach. For example a lesson in seminary on the 1st vision might actually have to discuss the differences in versions and why we accept one over the other. A more sophisticated student is going to require more flexible teaching.

[_Quasimodo]

Can the truth of the Church ever become manifest from its flock?

I've never been a Mormon, so my viewpoint may not be germane. I have notice, though, that the leadership of organised religions are not particularly interested in having democratic institutions.

Good and faithful church members are seen as the ones who faithfully follow the dictates of church authorities (this is true in most religions, not just the LDS).

Those that rise in the church hierarchy are the ones with the most deference to authority and will expect that deference from those below them.

Maybe that's way it's called a "flock".

[_LDS truthseeker]

I will be really interested to see the long term effects of electronic devices in Church meetings, especially in the classroom setting. Instant internet access during a lesson may make correlation change its approach. For example a lesson in seminary on the 1st vision might actually have to discuss the differences in versions and why we accept one over the other. A more sophisticated student is going to require more flexible teaching.

Good point. Rather than he said/she said when trying to prove some point, someone can just google it and case closed.