I read some posts related to Latter Day Saints and I noticed some saying LDS life is hard. Do you agree? If the answer is yes, what do you say is hard - strict rules regarding your life style? Or why is it harder compared to other religions? Basically, I'd like to ask what are the restrictions that one could find hard.
Good questions, but I am sure the answer is one based on opinion and perspective rather than fact. For me, living an LDS lifestyle is choosing to live a Christ-like lifestyle which in itself means some sacrifice and changes in routine that may not seem 'normal' for those who are not devotee Christians. Let me give an example; I never had an interest in drugs, alcohol or smoking, so those things are not a temptation to me at all, so the fact that I can abstain from it really has no bearing on its difficulty to live an 'LDS' lifestyle based on that. For someone using these things all their life it may be difficult indeed. I have found that living a Christian lifestyle keeps your mind free and clear and it also seems to make life less of a burden than the ones who do not live such a lifestyle.
THe current leader of our Church, President Gordon B. Hinkley, has said on T.V. that a lot is expected of the members (paraphrase). I think this is why it may appear like LDS living is hard. However, I don't think it is really. I think it is demanding, but that is not the same as hard or difficult. Actually, I find it wonderful.
What may be conceived as difficult is the expectation that you not have sex outside of marriage, that you pay tithing (10% of your income) to the Church, that you not drink alcohol or coffee and tea. That you go to Church each week. That you perform a significant amount of unpaid (financial pay that is) service to the Church and its members.
However, I believe people who don't share the faith see these as restrictions. I see them as guidance provided by my loving Father in Heaven who wants me to live the best and happiest life possible. There are reasons for all of these requirements and I benefit greatly from obeying each and every one of them.
So, being a faithful member of the LDS Church is demanding, but not difficult, in my opinion.
Edited: funbikerchick on 14th Aug, 2005 - 10:59pm
It's been a while since I posted on the boards.
Getting an email from you encouraged me to post in this particular thread, mainly to ask one question: What are the benefits of living a LDS lifestyle for a person like me for example.
I'm what you could call a simple person, with a decent lifestyle, working 16 hours a day, a have quite a few skills, a couple in particular, I enjoy my work and I'm not guided in life be any faith or belief in a higher force. That could translate in not believing in God as most people put it, although I believe in an ultimate entity that created life all across the Universe.
Based on this I'd love a few answers.
QUOTE |
Lorandm: What are the benefits of living a LDS lifestyle for a person like me for example. |
I must say, that's a pretty straight forward answer and I thank you for that.
But apart from this, why is LDS better than ANY other Church out there? I could seek purpose if I needed to in a various locations, LDS being just one of the options.
Please don't consider this a wrongfully intended questions, but how can you can choose one of the options when everybody is offering pretty much the same?
You must understand me, I'm analysing this from my own loss/benefit point of view. After all, it all comes down to economics.
I think you are starting to stray from the subject of this thread, you need to start a new thread about it. Here is the subject of this thread:
I read some posts related to Latter Day Saints and I noticed some saying LDS life is hard. Do you agree? If the answer is yes, what do you say is hard - strict rules regarding your life style? Or why is it harder compared to other religions? Basically, I'd like to ask what are the restrictions that one could find hard.
lorandm, no offense intended, but I don't think matters of faith can come down to economics in any way. One must find the Truth for themselves.
I don't believe one should pick a religion like one would a pair of shoes. Let me just see which one fits me best. Which can I join and not change my lifestyle or maybe, which would be easiest for me to live. Seems to me, anyone seriously looking into religion or churches ought to be seeking to discover what God wants them to do and do it.
The answer I would give for why this Church over any other would be based upon my belief that it represents the Truth and Truth is absolute. To me, it is the Savior's only true Church on Earth today. However, someone who is Catholic is likely to tell you the same thing about the Catholic Church.
Now, lets get this thread back on topic. The question was not why should one join, but rather about how it is to live the lifestyle. Is it difficult and if so, what is difficult. If you want to discuss further why this Church over another or what benefit to you there would be in your being a member, please open a topic for it. Thanks.