The problem with the LDS Church

Boyd K Pecker Mar 2014

Let's forget about whitewashed history and bogus doctrines for a minute.

After reading many postings over several months, maybe the biggest problem with the Church is that the members solely exist to benefit the Church but the Church does very little to benefit the members. I

t is truly a one-way relationship. Who wants that?

Once the rank and file member realizes this, he may re-assess his participation in LDS Inc.

CA girl
Re: The problem with the LDS Church

My kids and I were talking about this last night - the idea that the church may not end with a bang but with a whimper because of a) the internet and b) the leadership class of members being tired of being treated like slaves. The sort of people the church needs to keep it running, pay tithing, hold callings etc. do not appreciate being used, overworked, taken advantage of and getting nothing in return. No one does, really, but people who are "take charge" like the church needs do not usually allow themselves to be kicked around like victims like the church does. At some point, if they are getting nothing in return, that one fact is going to make them start thinking.

Count Chocula
Re: The problem with the LDS Church

A good example of what you are talking about is the annual tithing settlement shakedown and guilt trip.

Even though I don't donate a penny to LDS Inc., they still call me every year so that I can sit down with the bishop and declare my tithing status. He already knows what my status is, of course -- I pay nothing. In addition to trying to get me to pay tens of thousands of dollars for the entire year, the bishop then starts asking personal questions and trying to make me feel guilty.

As a result, I simply made up my mind that I wasn't going to be bullied anymore. So, for several years now, I simply refuse to attend tithing settlement. They still call every year, though.

Brother Of Jerry
Re: The problem with the LDS Church

Two thirds of the rank and file already realize that. That is why they left.

All Mormonism gives is grief for not doing enough. Some deal, eh?

redpill
Re: The problem with the LDS Church

Near the end of my attending church, I too came to realize that I was there for the benefit of the church also. They continued to make demands that pulled me away from my growing family without any regards for our needs.

I remember one year where I had taken a week for scout camp and then they asked my wife to go to girls camp and I would need to take my other week vacation to watch the children. I was only getting two weeks vacation a year at the time.

The only regret I have of leaving is that I didn't see it sooner.

sincere9
Re: The problem with the LDS Church

I was active until a couple months ago but I haven't signed up for tithing settlement in years and was never called to make an appointment in any of my wards. I always thought if was a waste of everyone's time. I had to answer yes or no at my TR interview and I felt that was enough.

Brethren,adieu
Re: The problem with the LDS Church

But, but, but, wait...
The church gave you the secret handshakes to get into heaven! How can you not be grateful for that??!!
and you get warm fuzzy feelings every Sunday from the holy speert!!

QWE
Re: The problem with the LDS Church

The church does give something back to its members in a way. The promise of Heaven. If the Celestial Kingdom actually existed, I'd be willing to have 70 years of misery and boredom (i.e. a lifetime) to get there, since it would be worth it for infinite happiness. But when life is all you have, mormonism is one of the worst ways to use it. However, for those people that genuinely believe the Celestial Kingdom exists, I can see why they stick to it.

Another thing the church gives back to its high-ranking members is power. I'd say there's lots of callings where you can get a high level of power. If you're on the Relief Society Presidency you get it, also anybody on the Bishopric gets a lot of power as well. Stake Presidency even more. And once you get to Mission President level it becomes more than power, the average members start to worship you.

Some people love this level of power, they love people listening to them and doing what they say, they love that people won't question them, they love being in secret meetings and discussing others, they love the power to punish those they don't like, they love being told people's personal information and hearing all the gossip first. There's some power-hungry people that I do think get things back from the church. There's others who haven't had a significant leadership position yet, but they keep going to church because they know they could be on the Bishopric one day and get all that power.

It's difficult to get this kind of power in any other walks of life. Even if you're a high-ranking politician you still get lots of opposition and people not trusting you. Same with being in a high rank at your work. In mormonism if you're a leader people follow you without questioning. They treat you as if you speak to God.

QWE
Re: The problem with the LDS Church

To add to this, this is why I think there's a million callings in the church. Being librarian or primary school teacher or activities director isn't much, but you still get a small taste of that power.

outsider
Re: The problem with the LDS Church

The biggest sense of loss after leaving the Morg is having to look for those damn keys all by myself.

want2bx
Re: The problem with the LDS Church

The church makes no apologies for this one-way relationship either. I can't count how many times I heard that if you felt exhausted in your calling or weren't feeling spiritually edified at church that you needed to repent. The message was always about changing your attitude, praying more or fasting more so that you could get something out of church or temple worship. It's just one of the ways the church controls its members and in many cases it works.

Chicken N. Backpacks
Re: The problem with the LDS Church
GUY walks into a store. He looks to be straight out of 'The Sopranos'

GUY: "Hey, we're doing you a *favor* here--and for only 10%. You wanna give up Eternity? You wanna get on the bad side of Heavenly Father? Hey, no skin off my back, I'm just telling you. I mean, I can't guarantee that certain...things...may happen if you don't follow the Prophet: the First Rule of Heaven is Obedience, right? --it's just...business, capisce?"

aurelius
Re: The problem with the LDS Church

Heaven and the Heavenly Father are monetized like the time value of money--the present value of a future sum.

koriwhoremonger
I think TBMs have a different perspective.

Back when I was in that category I would have disagreed. After moving to a new state it was awfully nice to have instant friends after attending suckrament meeting only once. Sure those "friendships" are usually only an inch deep but it's something.

Sense of community? A place to go?

I agree completely that "THE CHURCH" doesn't care one bit about the individual members. Once you cease to be a contributor you'll find out pretty quick that the church can't help you out with much. Definitely a one way relationship but there are some intangible benefits IF you fit the mold.

corwin
Re: The problem with the LDS Church

"if the Celestial Kingdom actually existed, I'd be willing to have 70 years of misery and boredom (i.e. a lifetime) to get there, since it would be worth it for infinite happiness. But when life is all you have, mormonism is one of the worst ways to use it."

This is the best answer I've ever seen to TBM's questions of why I gave up on TSCC, why I didn't give TSCC [this so called church] another chance.

TSCC teaches that we only have one chance to accept the Gospel in this life -- if we reject it here, we don't get a second chance in the afterlife. Well I gave TSCC 36 years of chances, and it blew it in every conceivable way. Whatever few years I have left, are mine.

"Recovery from Mormonism - www.exmormon.org"