The "Mormon Moment" part 2

Time after time, I find that the Book of Mormon, a text that was written about 1600 years ago, is amazing relevant for our day. In fact, time after time, it is very clear to me that, as President Ezra Taft Benson stated in 1986, this book was written for our day! (see, "The Book of Mormon--Keystone of our Religion," from the Ensign magazine, November 1986) Here's a relevant example of what I mean that deals with how Mormons react to people with opposing viewpoints.

A lesson from the Book of Mormon about how disciples of Christ should handle religious contention (Book of Mormon, Alma chapter 1: 19-25, highlighting added and comments in brackets [like this] added):

 19 But it came to pass that whosoever did not belong to the church of God began to persecute those that did belong to the church of God, and had taken upon them the name of Christ.

 20 Yea, they did persecute them, and afflict them with all manner of words. . . .

[so, the believers in Christ were persecuted by those who believed differently than they did.] 

 21 Now there was a strict law among the people of the church, that there should ^anot any man, belonging to the church, arise and persecute those that did not belong to the church, and that there should be no persecution among themselves.

[So, the law of the Church was that the members should never persecute those who were not members!]

 22 Nevertheless, there were many among them who began to be proud, and began to contend warmly with their adversaries, even unto blows; yea, they would smite one another with their ^afists.

[Evidently, Church members' tempers flared to the point of physical violence!]

 23 Now this was in the second year of the reign of Alma, and it was a cause of much affliction to the church; yea, it was the cause of much trial with the church.

 24 For the hearts of many were hardened, and their names were^ablotted out, that they were remembered no more among the people of God. And also many ^bwithdrew themselves from among them.

[sounds like people getting angry with detractors and reacting was a bad thing for the Church. And, interestingly, for some Church members, how they reacted to detractors ultimately led to their excommunication or voluntary withdrawal from the Church! To me that says, "take very good care how you react to detractors!"]

 25 Now this was a great trial to those that did stand fast in the faith; nevertheless, they were ^asteadfast and immovable in keeping the commandments of God, and they bore with ^bpatiencethe persecution which was heaped upon them.

[to me, this verse implies that if we want to follow Christ, we need to roll with the punches, regardless of how detractors and fellow members interact.] 

The "Mormon Moment"

16 January 2012

I read this article from the Washington Post the other day by Mormon Kathryn Skaggs. As often happens, within a few days comments both pro- and anti-Mormon began to cascade below the article. I weighed in with a few simple statements and suggestions. I'm new in the internet world, but what happened here looks to be a common phenomenon, at least when dealing with Mormonism.

The article touched off something of a firestorm of comments and counter-comments. I want to comment on how Mormons react to criticism.

Typically, faithful Mormons come to the defense of their religion, either in response to an article's content, or in response to another reader's comment.

What I find disappointing is that as often as not, Mormons respond to criticism in a tone that is less than civil. I think that is less that what Christ expects of us (see Matthew 5:43-47, for example). I think, if Mormons were kinder in their responses, much of the contention in these post-article discussions would dissipate. It takes two to tango. If we were content to civilly and respectfully defend our faith and then lay down our "weapons of war," I think we would find, like the anti-Nephi-Lehies of the Book of Mormon that some of those who are stirred up against us would be inclined to wonder what motivates us to be kind.

What's it like to live as a Non-Mormon in Utah?

I grew up in a small city in Utah County, Utah, USA (about 20,000 people). From the time I was young, Almost everyone I knew and interacted with was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often called Mormons). After my freshman year at BYU, I was a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ in Germany. Up until that time, I had resided in Utah County. The fact is, even now, I simply haven't had a lot of interaction with people who are not Mormons!

As an active Mormon, much of my social interaction is stems from the Church. Active Mormons attend church each Sunday--for three hours! about 2/3 of that time is fairly interactive. Also, as a Mormon man, I participate in the congregation as a lay priest--a priesthood holder. Essentially, my duties in the Church require me to interact with other church members (like visiting the homes of families in the congregation to teach, encourage, and offer care). So, typically somewhere around four hours of my week are spent either at Church, or interacting with members of the church by virtue of my lay priesthood responsibilities.

Currently, I live in Bountiful, Utah. Something that troubles me is this: when people outside the LDS (Latter-day Saint) faith land in a community that is predominantly Mormon, in many cases, they are terribly excluded. It's a negative situation, but I can understand how this happens. If most of the members of the community are engaged in the Mormon "lifestyle" as I'll call it, people who are not engaged in the lifestyle are excluded. People in the Mormon "zone," so to speak, I think are often oblivious to those who aren't in the circle.

As members of the majority community, we should reach out more often and more naturally. It is true we are a missionary church, but our interactions with friends of other faith should not end with an invitation to meet the missionaries! I, and many other Mormons in communities where Mormons represent the majority, could and should make a concerted effort to be kind and inclusive to all, not just Mormons. How can we do that? Our recent Utah windstorm has taught us some good lessons and brought some things to my awareness.

In the aftermath of the windstorm, there was a lot of clean-up. I was glad to see some of my Mormon neighbors help a friend of another faith who lost three large pines in the storm. But, in the ensuing days, when the Church mobilized to clean up debris before a second possible storm, I realized too late that our friend of another faith was left out of the loop and not invited to join the clean-up party!

It a simple matter. We just need to become cognizant of the fact that not everyone is a Mormon!

My pledge is to consider all of my neighbors, not just the Mormons.

[Bryce is a professional genealogist living Bountiful, Utah. You can also follow him at episodesfromthelifeofbryce.blogspot.com and www.briggsrogersfamilyhistory.com]

Teaching

I'm taking a class at BYU on how to teach German as a foreign language. The Instructor Dr. Randall Lund is having us read Parker J. Palmer's The Courage to Teach. I'm just getting into the book. Palmer argues that good teaching comes from who we are. He says that good teachers let themselves come through in their teaching.

I was a missionary in Southern Germany from 1998-2000 for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 2005, while on an Internship in Europe, I returned to some of the congregations I'd served in as a missionary. I was struck by that fact that some people, though I'd been in their homes, did not remember me. For me, my mission was a defining experience. I can still remember the people, places and experiences vividly. The feelings I felt are still close to my heart. I believe one reason I remembered the people better than they remembered me is because I was being molded by the intensity of my experiences. The mission was hard for me. I thought of my mission when Palmer told of two disparate teachers in his first chapters. I think that in many respects, I was like the teacher who was never comfortable in his own skin. Eric was ashamed of his past. He did his best to hide it. The conflict of his divided identity manifest itself in his teaching. I agree with Palmer. Good teaching is what we are. I want to be that teacher.

Dr. Lund asked the question today, "what are you afraid of?" Apparently, our fears dictate how we teach. I feel I'm less prepared that I should be. I struggle to measure up to what I think I should be, or where I want to be academically. I haven't dedicated as much time as I would like to academics. I want to learn languages, and cultures. I want to be well-prepared to do the work that God has called me to do.

Doctrine and Covenants 88:78-80

78 Teach ye diligently and my ^agrace shall attend you, that you may be ^binstructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand;

79 Of things both in ^aheaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must ^bshortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the ^cnations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a ^dknowledge also of countries and of kingdoms—

80 That ye may be prepared in all things when I shall send you again to ^amagnify the calling whereunto I have called you, and the ^bmission with which I have commissioned you.

I want to teach. Do I have what it takes? It demands preparation, and perfect love.

Foundations of my Faith: Youth

I mentioned before in this blog, that I grew up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My parents took us to church every Sunday. Church attendance was a given. So, that's where I've spent three hours of my week for as long as I can remember. I learned a lot more growing up than I may have realized. I learned that God has a plan for us, His children. He loves us. He wants us to become like Him. Jesus came to earth to suffer for our sins. He also took upon Him death. Unlike any before, on the third day, He rose, never to die again. Because He rose, all mankind will rise and stand before God the Father to be judged. This is what I learned as a child, week in and week out. I know it is true. I learned of God's dealings of mankind, as recorded in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. I learned of God's dealings with man in modern times in the Doctrine and Covenants. I learned of the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith. I learned of his visits from Angels, and from The Father and the Son in a grove near his upstate New York home. I learned all of this and I knew it was true.

In the Church of Jesus Christ, children are baptized at eight years old. Baptism is a covenant between God and man. We promise to repent and keep God's commandments. God promises to forgive our sins through the power of His Son.

I knew that baptism was the right thing to do. I wanted to follow Jesus. So, when I was eight years old, I was baptized and received the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. These ordinances were performed by my father. He received the authority by being called in the proper manner, by those holding authority. That's the way God's authority works. God calls a prophet. The prophet is give authority to act in God's name. Others are called of God by His mouthpiece, the prophet, and a portion of the authority is distributed, by the laying on of hands. Always there is order. Always there is a head in the church. Always there are those in authority, those holding keys, by whose permission we perform the ordinances of salvation. And so it was that my father was given authority and permitted to baptize and confirm me a member of the Church under the direction of those who held the keys of these ordinances.

What a great blessing. God has directed that all men in the Church live worthy. If they do so, they may receive and exercise priesthood. They can bless their wives and their children. We can be sealed together in holy Temples. God has made it all possible because he loves us. By His authority and keys, husbands and wives can be sealed together for eternity, with their children. God has given us the power, through His Son, to become like Him. I know it is true.

The title of the post is "Youth". These are the things I learned in my youth. I was sealed to my parents in October 1985 in the Provo, Utah Temple. I was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by my Father on 1 August 1987 in Spanish Fork, Utah.

I thank God for the faith I learned in my youth.

More foundations of my Faith

I have a testimony of the Book of Mormon. I first read the Book of Mormon when I was sixteen. I learned that it was true. I know that it is true. As much as anything else in my life, the Book of Mormon has inspired me to have faith in Jesus Christ. I know that Jesus Christ lives. He died for my sins. He was resurrected on the third day. He appeared to many after his death.

I also know that Joseph Smith is a prophet. It's a strange thing to say, but I know it is true. I know that God chose him to be His mouthpiece. Like Adam, Abraham, and Moses, Joseph Smith saw God and spoke with Him. I know it is true. Joseph Smith testified of Jesus Christ. I know that his testimony is true. In his lifetime of about thirty-nine years, Joseph translated the Book of Mormon, which in itself is an amazing feat. I know that the book is true.

Foundations of my Faith: My Parents and Ancestors

As I stated in my first blog, I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My parents are both members of the church. Their parents are all members of the church. I understand that all of my father's ancestors were Mormon Pioneers. My mother's ancestors are about 25% Mormon pioneer.

I grew up in the church. I never remember not going to church. In fact, I only ever missed Sunday meetings if I was sick. The faith of my parents is one of the fundamental building blocks of my own faith. They taught me by the way they lived their daily lives that honesty, prayer, faith, and hard work are principles to base your life on. My father spent 23 years of his life in a steel mill. My mother has primarily been a homemaker. They've been married for going on 34 years this November. I don't think the road has been easy for them, but they've continued in faith. I am grateful for them. From them, I learned to speak to God in prayer. From them, I learned the importance and necessity of consistent hard work. I'm still learning from them. They are generous to a fault. I love them. I thank God for them. I am grateful that I was born to the family I was. I can't say how my life might have been different I didn't have the family I have.