Posted by:
Searcher
(
)
Date: February 28, 2015 06:56AM
I know that reflecting on my own mission experience, and those related by countless others,I have come to a couple of conclusions.
First is that common sense had little to do with any of it.
Since we had to "live and teach by the spirit" if anything
daily life could be "anti-common sense."
Second is that so much of the program is about blind obedience
to train up the next generation of tithe producing worker bees that it's hard to figure out what was going on even with the benefits of hindsight and much more knowledge.
For instance, just how were we to strictly follow the reams of mission rules and guidelines while still "living by the spirit" which might advise something different? Tell the Mission President that the third member of the Godhead pulled rank and demanded something different?! :-) I still can't figure that one out...
For all the "lengthen your stride" do it now" and "hastening the work" there was still plenty of deep realization that the church was seeing little if any real and sustainable growth in new, dedicated members.
Now it seems that it was mostly hurry up, go through the motions, appear busy and say how awesome it all is, especially to the folks back home!
I think I will now say that I "served" in the POTEMKIN VILLAGE MISSION.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potemkin_village