The members have been conditioned to follow the current prophet. The previous prophet is soon forgotten and all loyalty goes to the current one. Some pretty extreme and even stupid changes are accepted. I’m wondering how far and fast changes can be made without causing a mass exodus from the church. It seems that the members are more into following a prophet than critical thinking or following long standing doctrine.

One change that I hope they never make is losing the hanky waving chanting thing. That cracks me up every time I see it. Amen, amen, amen.

sunbeep Wrote:
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> One change that I hope they never make is losing
> the hanky waving chanting thing. That cracks me up
> every time I see it. Amen, amen, amen.

The church changes all the time. It is barely recognizable from back when I was baptized. The temple ceremony has been changed multiple times. The Book of Mormon has also been changed. So have the Doctrine and Covenants.

The church has changed a lot. That's why you need to be more specific in how you want it to change.

Talk about the narcissism of small differences.

The BoM has changed, what, 10 words total in the three most recent changes? "Pure and delightsome", "principle ancestors"

The Endowment Ceremony is still quite recognizably goofy Mormonism.

The biggest change I have seen is the rebranding of the name. Now "Mormon" makes baby Jesus cry. For better of for worse, Mormonism is still quite clearly recognizable as Mormonism, despite the various shades of lipstick that have been applied.

Self-censorship of critical thought is part of the pathology. It's why we exmos think, "How could I have been so stupid?".

It's not that you can't question, it's that you don't question. Because what would be the point? These men who spoke for God could do no wrong. We stuck by the church the way a battered wife sticks by her husband. "It was something I did", we said. God needed a doormat. "Use me", we said.

Well, as they say in Utah, fetch that.

With that mental facility turned off, and it has to be turned off for Mormonism to work, change occurs at a glacial pace.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/10/2024 02:00AM by bradley.

The current Cult of Change is a silly one. Rot is also a form of "change". Does anyone want that? Change for change's sake is stupid, as we have seen under Nelson. Change is not always improvement.

The church promotes this buzzword too. Bednar loves "change" too.

"If you don't like change, find another church." – David Bednar
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lcp4oOT-Bto

OK I watched a the bit where he said that about change, and a minute or two after. Clearly the only acceptable change is the one that he and his cohorts will guide you through, or put another way, learn the tricks that they will teach you.

My brother has copied Bednar's mannerisms to a tee. I cannot bear to be around him. He exhibits the same practiced smug fake humility and that "special voice" to signal his own superiority. It is sickening. So hard to believe this works on so many people.

What I found the most offensive was the directive at the beginning for everyone to remain seated at the conclusion until they arose and had left the room. They have a deep need to feed their supposed celebrity status in any way they can.

I am disgusted by "apostle worshipers" as much as I am disgusted by the likes of Bednar. Maybe more. Get some self esteem folks.

The church will only change when its members change.

The main job description of the "leaders" is to tell the members that they are doing everything right. That is the whole message of General Conference. If a leader were to ever try to tell the members that they needed to be different, he would be out on his ear in a nanosecond. To repeat: the church will only change when your brother-in-law changes.

"Change? We want more than your change. We want at least 10% of your money. Plus all your time and talents. Oh, and have you thought about leaving all your property to us in your will?"

I don't care what they change. I know there are changes they won't make.

They won't change into a truthful organization.
They won't change into an actual charity for the good of others.

Those are the only changes that would matter to me.

I skipped through and watched a bit more of Bednar where he talks about the "Covenant Path". All change he's talking about is for everyone else to change to follow the Church's directives and requirements. Bednar's examples of change are to be even more sycophantic to the church than the members already are.

He is using the word change in place of blind obedience as a way to make it sound like a positive. Like you thought of it yourself and are on the cutting edge instead of lagging behind a world of people who are actually striving to do better-- many of them.

They also won't change it being OK for family members using ChurchCo as a wedge between family members & friends.

It’s continuing revelation, dontcha know.

TG

Short answer: Not enough.

I think many church members like to see changes. Many members wonder what new thing will be announced at General Conference. It adds a little excitement. Changes are proof that there's continuing revelation.

End it.

Welcome back my friends, to the show that never ends
We're so glad you could attend, come inside, come inside

There behind the glass stands a real blade of grass. . .

((Stupid Is As Stupid Does))

Forrest Gump

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Rubicon Wrote:
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> It seems that the members are more into
> following a prophet than critical thinking or
> following long standing doctrine.

That's why it's a cult...

Whatever they need to maintain tax exemption status

Here is one change the Church will never make:
The Church will never make change on your tithing.