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Is All Well In Zion? - Page 2

I think you have hit the nail on the head here! I know that I personally see a lot of this. Members don't want to stand out as different, but rather, they like to focus on the similarities. I am always hearing people try to justify doctrine for example. Why justify. Why not just tell the world what the doctrine is? The can accept it or not? We want to be all things to all people and I don't think this is a wise position to be taking. Eventually even members forget what is unique and then when faced with a major difference, they don't have the testimony of the truth of whatever principal it is that they they should. I think this will play a larger role in the eventual split or falling away enmass that we are going to see in the last days than most people realize.

Zion Well Is

Exactly, and this praise is the one that we receive and give. I see in the eyes of the members when they are looking for you to recognized them in public, when they suddenly tell you from the pulpit that they love you just because they have a high position but before they never even shake hands with you, when they are your 'friend' because of what they can from you, from all these things we see the danger of pride.

Is All Well In Zion? Studies Doctrine Mormon

We live in a ward that takes in all of the student housing for one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Whenever people are introduced for various things, their educational degrees are almost always mentioned.

At the Relief Society anniversary party this year, two women were introduced to sing part of an opera. They both have incredible voices. But that isn't good enough for our ward. The MC had to make a big deal about the fact that both have recently finished their PhDs in voice. I still don't know what difference that makes.

Yes, the praise of the world is one of the worst problems that I see, as well.

Page 2 Zion Well Is

I think it is very sad Nighthawk and let me make an observation that I personally see it is not necessary. If you read the descriptions of General Authories in the Ensign or in the Church web site or when they are introduced to the congregation in a fireside, their university degrees are always mentioned. Now, I don't see that as necessary to be mentioned basically because I don't see the conection of the Spirituality of the person with to have a degree or not. I find it to be prideful, even if it is not intended too, specially if they go to a little country that is very poor and people have not even have decent shoes to wear, you know what I mean'?.
In the last District Relief Society Meeting, the Presidency actually counseled the sisters to go to college and earn their degrees! I was shocked to the point I wanted to laugh since here in Trinidad, some people in the Church can hardly read and write, they are single mothers or fathers, and you are telling them to go and earn a degree just because you are doing it?. They teach as doctrine what THEY think it is right just because they are doing it. False educational ideas, just like what Pres. Smith said will happen in the last days. Now, don't take me wrong, I don't see anything wrong about self-improvement but when it is done for the right reasons, not for flattery, not to show off, not because you may get a higher position in the Church, not to be recognized.

Zion Well Is

Even the most simple message can be understood so differently by different people. When Church leaders tell us to take advantage of education this seems to have the effect of turning some into education worshippers. It is all good and proper to seek degrees etc. so as to have good influence in the world, but we must not for one instant imagine that educators have a monopoly on truth, and - more to the point - that they cannot be corrupted.

I find the following view quite astounding: Why is it that most LDS would not accept that they would receive a very good understanding of the Plan of Salvation or of correct doctrines if they went to a non-LDS theology college, and yet would expect to have an understanding of the correct framework and/or correct principles of other subjects? Are these other subject magically protected from corruption? Would not God protect religion before secular subjects?

I realised, soon after joining the Church, that much of what I was taught formally was either blatantly false or at least very unbalanced. Science, history, economics, politics, "moral education", and so-called social sciences being among the most susceptible it would seem to false ideas.

No pancake is so thin it only has one side - but we live in an age of one-dimensional teaching, of choices and "sides of stories" that are often missing the interpretation the unadulterated evidence supports.

I would rather have a son or daughter beaten, bullied and mocked than have him or her exposed to the false educators that riddle our world and their fellowtravellers who believe their words without studying out for themselves; alas we find LDs in the latter group ;(

I cannot think of a crime much greater than purposefully leading astray the souls of men, and if parents do not fulfil their duty to make sure others are not doing that to their children - well, perhaps we ought to think about that.


Dubhdara.

Is All Well In Zion?

I must say that my studies here has given me greater light and knowledge concerning men's perceptions of spiritual things. Here is an example... a certain leader within the District wanted to talk to me today about the Priesthood so I obliged. In his rant he claimed that we need to get home teaching going so that we could become a Stake. I replied that I want to get home teaching going so that we can visit the sick and the weary since the love of the Lord was the underlying cause of this and not becoming a Stake. He did not like it too much, but people here are very power hungry, they want to become a Stake so bad... why? They won't have to listen to the Mission anymore, more power, more glory for themselves - sad. What does the D&C say...

D&C 121: 39
We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.

What is more sad is that the disposition to do 'the work of the Lord' is set in measure by numbers rather than names, eloquence rather than testimony and praise rather than Truth. Thus all is well in Zion while people rot inside.

Is Well Zion - Page 2

Ether 8:24:

Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you; or wo be unto it, because of the blood of them who have been slain; for they cry from the dust for vengeance upon it, and also upon those who built it up.

Moroni is speaking to us in the latter days about the awful situation we are in. So, I do not think we can say All is Well in Zion. Look at the issues going on today in the lives of latter Day Saints. We are adopting the ways of the world. We are not a peculiar people anymore. We are trying to obey God without offending the Devil. Divorce is way up among active LDS. So is financial bondage, ( Utah leads the nation in bankruptcies). Our hearts are set upon the things of the world..we focus on buying more things, getting a bigger house, nicer cars etc.

We place more emphasis and admire those with advanced degrees than one without a degree but who lives close to the Lord. I live in Mesa, Az where the church is very well established. Sometimes we are referred to as South Provo. Anyway, almost without exception, church leadership is made up of men who are upper level managers in their profession, and or with advanced degrees. Rarely do you see a Plumber on the High Council or a baker or a laborer. It's as if when choosing leadership, those making the decisions say, who in this stake who has acheived great wordly success would be a good Stake president, or Bishop etc. almost as if that is a prerequisite. Now don't get me wrong, I sustain my local leaders. My Bishop is a great man, as is my Stake president. But, you would think some leaders would be from less prestigious lines of work. When Jesus selected his Apostles, he chose ordinary men of little wealth and position. it appears we changed the program somewhere along the line.

I am of the opinion that the type of job a person has, or the amount of money in his bank account should not be a factor in choosing his position in God's kingdom.

Is Well Zion Mormon Doctrine Studies - Page 2

Good thoughts, we actually have a specific post about that same thing in the opposite perspective (leadership in the Church), go to: 'Lay Ministry'. The reason I share that thread is because I think members believe that things handled by the less 'educated' are not handled as efficiently. I would much rather an ignorant Bishop that I could count on rather than an intellectual Bishop that really does not care. Gaucho you are right, the scriptures are warning us, my only fear is, so few of us are heeding those warnings, I worry, that soon, the great divide may overcome a lot of us.