Ok, if I see one more article or FB post about the Ordain Women movement or articles like this: New York Times, I am going to vomit. I just HAVE to shout out my two cents, and I don't want to do it on FB, because I don't want to add fuel to the fire. It's THAT ridiculous. But I am irked, and so to stop my irking, I must vent....and with my family, it seemed like the safest place to do it. =)
What is with these people? They profess to "love" the church and are "devastated" by the disciplinary actions proceeding against them, but that's a hard sell. They've spent a significant amount of their time and energy criticizing and fighting church doctrine, and now profess to be shocked by the actions the church has taken.
These people need to go read the biblical story of steadying the ark and refresh themselves on what that means. If they truly believe this is the Lord's church, as they claim, they should have a understanding that the Lord can and will steady His own Ark, or the church, when necessary. He does not need people organizing campaigns, protesting at the Priesthood session of conference, organizing LDS Gay pride parades (I've seen this on FB), or anything else. When the Ark needs to be steadied, that's His job.
And the Ark DOES get steadied from time to time. When the Priesthood was extended to all worthy males, He revealed it to His prophet. When the missionary age was lowered, He revealed it to His prophet. No campaigning by various groups, no protesting, no angry bloggers. He takes care of it. This is the pattern.
The internet provides such a tempting forum. The attention and number of hits these people's organizations and blogs have received is enormous. The people running these websites feel validated by the sheer number of people who are paying attention to them. And the media LOVES it. They are gobbling it up like turkey on Thanksgiving. Kinda hard to repent and change and recant your position when you are doing it in front of the world. No, much easier to advertise the discipline taken against you and shout even louder about the injustice you've received.
Some people (even many good members of the church) say we should be having these discussions. We should be questioning, we shouldn't be blind followers. And they are right. But the discussion is between one's self and the Lord- through prayer, going to the Temple, and following the commandments. Not by swirling up a firestorm of controversy around you. If these people have struggled with aspects of our faith, they should turn to the Lord in prayer. They should seek answers and peace privately and counsel with their Bishops if necessary. They should NOT organize groups, protest, march, and the like. The Church is not a government organization, it is not a political process.
If these people have such a problem with so many things in the church, why are they so 'grieved' by the possibility of being out of it? The doctrine is set by the Lord- so campaigning, etc., is futile. They are, in essence, campaigning and protesting and fighting the Lord.
So yes- when you discover that Joseph Smith had over 40 wives or that this or that happened in church history or you have a problem with having only one set of earrings,or whatever it is- go and pray about it. Have that discussion with the Lord. Read your scriptures. Find answers- privately, through the Spirit. The Church IS true, and the Lord is real and He will address yours, mine, and their concerns. He won't leave one's faith floundering. But how can the Spirit touch someone through a fiesty blog or angry protest?
Anyway, thanks for listening, family. =) It was either this, or keep shouting in my head at every FB post that's shown up on my feed about these topics. So thanks for letting me clear my head!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
I feel ya Carrie. Well said. I've had to stop myself from commenting on many posts. Clark and I have been talking about this a lot lately. I guess one good thing from all this, is that it gives us and all members of the church an opportunity to see a clear distinction between following the prophet and following popular politics. I made a comment in RS on Sunday on a semi-related topic, and I think it came out sounding a little too passionate, because all my thoughts related to this topic were coming up.
ps Carrie I did a blog post on my blog for you :)
well said Carrie! It's hard to know when it's time to stand up and fight back (like if you should post this on FB) or just to hang back until the time comes.
I think its important to let ppl know how we feel, the other side (the ordain women side) get to rant and rave and let their opinions be known, but as soon as were to post something like this or comment against them- we get so much flack for it.
It's definitely the last days!
It's amazing to me how similar this is to the 1838 times when many prominent leaders apostatized and left the church. Joseph Smith was, they said, a "fallen prophet", even though they still thought the church was true. In essence, it sounds the same to me as what many of these groups are saying, but much feistier, and with blogs and media. Definitely history repeating itself. So sad.
Amen Carrie! I just don't think these women have ever served in leadership positions in the church or as temple ordinance workers. If they did they would understand the great influence and authorized authority that women in the church actually have! When we are set apart in these callings we are authorized through the Priesthood to all the benefits and blessings needed to fulfill our callings. What more could we want? They just don't understand the doctrine of the Priesthood. Everyone needs to re-read, The Family Proclamation a few times!!!!
Well said Carrie. I guess this Kate Kelly lady lived in the Hood River ward for a while. Anyway, I dont understand why the OW ladies are wanting the priesthood so much so that they are willing to jeapordize their eternal salvation. What do they see the men get out of it thats so appealing? It's purpose is to minister to others. It's selfless. What's in it for these women? They've been entrapped with the wordly view of power and authority. And I hate the whole feministic (is that a word?) vibe that " to be equal to a man I have to be exactly like him" cmon, that's just pathetic! Women who acknowledge and embrace our complimentary differences are powerful! Not the ones in the corner crying that "its not fair, if HE can do that then I should get to."
Like Carrie said, with media these days, people and their causes can get an instant following which just creates a big firestorm, its just crazy.
Post a Comment