From the one session I saw, they're mostly worried about:
1. Missionary Work: Specifically how the work won't accomplish much without the members getting involved. I see this as a sign that perhaps their "surge" so far hasn't produced the results they were hoping for.
2. Women: Specifically making sure women understand how "important" and "special" the role men tell them they're supposed to fill is.
3. Mental Illness: Apparently depression and suicide are big problems in Mormonism right now. So much for the gospel making people happy...
1. Whether it's 70,000 or 200,000, no one is interested and they have missionaries with nothing to do
2. You wimmens are free to do whatever you are told
3. Depression and mental illness have been big problems for a long time but more people are figuring out the source of that unhappiness is the teachings and the culture of mormonism
Back in the 1970s, I had a lesson in priesthood about mental illness, saying that mental illness was caused by sin. What is the current Mormon take on mental illness? Still a result of sin?
Wow! So sin is the cause of chemical imbalance! Didn't know that. I guess we left-handers (being sinister) were either sinful or else were not valiant in the pre-existance. And those of us who suffered depression because of blood sugar problems were sinning - some showing depression even before the age of eight. Christ stated of a man he healed that he had the problem not because of sinning by himself or his parents. TSCC struck out.
Not based on the one talk I saw. Jeffery Holland even admitted that he had experienced clinical depression before. I thought it was actually a surprisingly useful talk, very different from their normal pay, pray, obey drivel.
Have you noticed that the majority of the conference messages seem to be centered on the DEFENSE?
Defensiveness appears to be pushing out what should otherwise be a world of positive religious messages -- messages like these: Here's how we can help the poor better. Let's improve the world. How families can enjoy life to the fullest. Let's all celebrate, humans will live again after death!
Instead, it's things like "Stop worrying, we're winning -- Look at the numbers we are presenting. Don't listen to all those people who are leaving. We really DO have the answers, just trust us. We can get the trouble makers back. We need your tithing faster and stop being so depressed!"
What I found fun about it is that stupid quote going around saying, "Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith." TBMs are loving posting this stupid thing on FB. Now, a few of my exmos on my page are fighting back by posting it, saying things like, "How sad is it that you aren't even allowed to explore your own doubts?" ect, and the TBMs are getting pissed and flipping out that the exmos are taking it out of context. My friend replied with a great, "You were thrilled to post this, I just shared it from your page."
Yep, I think all of us exmormons can give ourselves pats on the back (or front or side) for moving the cause along! MormonInc. is stewing, as my late Mom would say! and I am LOVIN' it.
What they don't talk about is insightful, too. Any mention of famine, war and its refugees, people struggling in a crashed economy.....?
All topics are centered on the small Mormon bubble. Pretty small thinking for a world-wide church with all the answers led by a prophet who speaks for god.
nickname Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > 3. Mental Illness: Apparently depression and > suicide are big problems in Mormonism right now. > So much for the gospel making people happy...
Christ's true Gospel will make you happy and free your Heart.
The Mormon Mind F*ck will send you reeling and leave you in need of some heavy pharmacological help.
nickname Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > From the one session I saw, they're mostly worried > about: > > 1. Missionary Work: Specifically how the work > won't accomplish much without the members getting > involved. I see this as a sign that perhaps their > "surge" so far hasn't produced the results they > were hoping for. > > 2. Women: Specifically making sure women > understand how "important" and "special" the role > men tell them they're supposed to fill is. > > 3. Mental Illness: Apparently depression and > suicide are big problems in Mormonism right now. > So much for the gospel making people happy...
4. Money: Monson asked for more money for missionaries almost immediately. Bednar talked about tithing one hour into the conference. Pay tithing and repent! And sternly, "Do not delay the day of your repentance."
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/06/2013 10:13AM by No Mo.
Ever notice that the more you worry about something, the more it grows and gives you even MORE to worry about? Just sayin'..I think the Churches concerns are rolling down hill, out of control...YEAH, Where's the popcorn...?
Considering how the church HATES putting forth anything other than its happy, smiley face, then you know something like mental illness and suicide, then it's a problem so big it can't be ignored anymore. The official line used to be that no "real" Mormon was depressed or suicidal. "The high suicide rate amoung young males in Utah? Well, they aren't good, active Latter-day Saints! If they were, they wouldn't kill themselves. And the high rate of antidepressant use? Well, it's probably not Mormons and if it is, then it's because we're so diligent about healthcare. Yeah, that's it!"
When I realized how negative the church is I enjoyed the christian themed motivational speeches of joel osteen. Naturally that didn't last long as I dont have interest in any churches.
But at least olsteen followers get to feel good from an always positive message. The mormon speak and demeanor alone of "conference speak" isn't positive at all.