I put up with it because it was true

[_Runtu]

Not long ago I was talking to my brother-in-law, who told me that he finds church meetings "brutal" (he's in a bishopric) and that he would have abandoned the church long ago if it weren't true. I thought about my own experience, and I had to admit that many meetings were sort of a spiritual "Dementor's kiss" in that they seemed to suck the soul out of you. But other things in the church were inspiring and uplifting. I have to say that I've always enjoyed Thomas Monson about as much as getting my teeth scraped at the dentist, but I have been truly inspired by the words of many of the other church leaders. I've met wonderful leaders, and not-so-wonderful leaders, and been in good meetings and bad.

But in the end, I think I was a lot like my brother-in-law. Although I don't think I would ever have admitted it then, I found most of the meetings tedious and exhausting. And I felt guilty because it was my fault they were tedious and exhausting. But I kept at it because it was true.

Honestly, the best thing about the church for me was the service I was able to give to people and the friendship (dare I say "fellowship"?) I developed with people. But most of the meetings were, indeed, "brutal."

[_Some Schmo]

I totally remember growing up thinking, "God doesn't like people having fun." Everything god/religion related sucked ass, in my estimation.

Now that I think about it, not much has changed.

[_Bond...James Bond]

I totally remember growing up thinking, "God doesn't like people having fun."

I felt this way growing up in church.....all I wanted to do was get home and watch the basketball game (which came on at 12 noon) and yet I'd miss half the game cause of church. No wonder I get irritated at God.....his time is on the weekend (my time) and it cuts into my sports watching (double my time) and it's in the morning (triple my time....quadruple if I'm really tired and want that extra two hours sleep)......I retook my time....God can have the afterlife hours.

[_ozemc]

I totally remember growing up thinking, "God doesn't like people having fun."

I felt this way growing up in church.....all I wanted to do was get home and watch the basketball game (which came on at 12 noon) and yet I'd miss half the game cause of church. No wonder I get irritated at God.....his time is on the weekend (my time) and it cuts into my sports watching (double my time) and it's in the morning (triple my time....quadruple if I'm really tired and want that extra two hours sleep)......I retook my time....God can have the afterlife hours.

It's interesting that it's said that "we have to give our time to God."

But, if God if timeless, what does He care if we go to church, or walk in the woods, or just get an extra hour of sleep?

The time we spent would mean nothing to Him.

[_asbestosman]

I have to say that I've always enjoyed Thomas Monson about as much as getting my teeth scraped at the dentist, but I have been truly inspired by the words of many of the other church leaders.

Perhaps this is off topic, but what is it you dislike of President Monson, and what is it you like in the words of other church leaders? Was this so even as a member?

[_Runtu]

I have to say that I've always enjoyed Thomas Monson about as much as getting my teeth scraped at the dentist, but I have been truly inspired by the words of many of the other church leaders.

Perhaps this is off topic, but what is it you dislike of President Monson, and what is it you like in the words of other church leaders? Was this so even as a member?

It was a great relief to me to know that the rest of the editing staff at the COB felt the way about Monson that I did (and yes, he grated on my nerves when I was a believer, too). I guess what bugged me was the faux-grandfatherly persona, the sing-song voice, and the constant self-congratulation. Plus, the "passive triplet" offended my sensibilities as a writer and editor. What clinched it for me was finding out in non-conference settings that he is nothing like the persona he projects in conference.

There's a lot that I found inspirational in Mormon teachings, in the scriptures, and from the pulpit. I suppose those would be the same things that inspire members: the idea that humans are not separated from God by a wide gulf but rather are capable of being what He is; the emphasis on developing a relationship with God; the emphasis on family, service, kindness. I could go on all day. Too often the discussions here relate to what we don't like about the church, but there is much that I do like and admire.

[_Sethbag]

The "good" that is in the church is the result of the efforts of millions of well-meaning members, who genuinely want the church to be a force for good in peoples' lives. We think this church is the way it is now because of the way Joseph Smith founded it, but in fact the overall shape, today, of the church is the result of well-meaning church members since Joseph Smith's time. The church isn't going to be wholly awful anymore than the people who create it and shape it are wholly awful. Since they aren't wholly awful, it shouldn't surprise us that the church isn't either.

But it's still not true. It's just a manmade institution like the JWs and every other church out there. Ask a lot of formerly devout, ex-JWs and they can probably provide you a list of the things they really liked about the JW church, too.

[_asbestosman]

Plus, the "passive triplet" offended my sensibilities as a writer and editor.

Are you talking about things like:
Hearts were healed.
Bellies were filled.
People were edified.

I will try avoid passive voice. I believe I was told, however, in writing engineering reports to use passive voice instead of I. Maybe we can start up an off-topic thing with you and Shades to teach us, but I'm kinda curious about tenses in general ("I would like to" vs "I should like to", etc).

I don't really notice the self-congratulatory thing. Perhaps that is also why I don't think I'm arrogant but others do?

[_Scottie]

The thing about Sunday meetings is that it is the most visible form of devotion. I mean, you could be doing EVERYTHING, praying, reading scriptures, etc, but if you don't go to church, you are labeled as "inactive".

So, I think for many people, they go to church just so that the neighbors don't view them as inactive, and subsequently treat them as such.

[_Runtu]

Are you talking about things like:
Hearts were healed.
Bellies were filled.
People were edified.

Yup.

I will try avoid passive voice. I believe I was told, however, in writing engineering reports to use passive voice instead of I. Maybe we can start up an off-topic thing with you and Shades to teach us, but I'm kinda curious about tenses in general ("I would like to" vs "I should like to", etc).

I work with engineering reports all the time, and I wouldn't use passive voice unless it was absolutely necessary (and those times are rare).

I don't really notice the self-congratulatory thing. Perhaps that is also why I don't think I'm arrogant but others do?

Haven't you noticed how so many of his stories are about him and the wonderful service he provided to someone? I just find it annoying that someone would hold himself up as an example. I was taught by my parents never to do that.