Please help me make a list of the things that I am supposed to be doing in Mormondom.. I keep hearing from the pulpit and TSCC prayers referto " what were supposed to be doing".. I am tired of the phrase. Can any one clarify it better for me - I need a list the, longer the better to give my spouse. They never pin down the actual problem but just roll it into " you know what you are supposed to be doing" The sheer complexity of this religion is mind boggling.
I'll start with the important obvious ones
Tithing Fast offer ( generous) Mission fund ( paid for 4 ) BofM fund Humanitarian Perpetual Ed fund
Quit!...do nothing more regarding the cult...stop paying them...start your life over again...and if you feel the need to contribute monetarily to help the needy, give to the Salvation Army....
Quilting, meals for whatever (dead family members/parties/dinners/ missionaries/etc.), boy scout fund, any boy scout canned food drive, OH, OH!, "Devote all of your everything to the COJCOLDS"
Write in your journal - Daily Scripture Study - Family Home Evening - Food Storage - Magnify your calling(s) - At least monthly temple attendance - Home teaching & visiting teaching - Attend church & all other meetings - Daily prayer - Missionary work - Family History work - Volunteer for whatever they ask for at church - Clean the building - Repent daily - Keep a clean home - house of order - Do anything told to do in general conference and/or by bishop - Keep sabbath holy
I'll let others help with the list. The list is sure to be VERY LONG. The point I want to make it is that of all the things we are "supposed to be doing" I don't enjoy a single one of them. And I certainly don't like being told what to do. Isn't the church supposed to be the only source of "true happiness"?
I feel so sorry for the teenagers. The list in endless. - Seminary - inadequate sleep for early morning-ers. - At least 3 meetings or activities a week. - Quorum/Class president functions - Watch those hormones - Wear only fuggly clothes - layers...ugh! - Collect fast offerings - Wear ugly jumpsuits doing temple baptisms - Youth conference - Girls (brainwashing) camp Along with all the normal pray, read scriptures, home teach, clean toilets, etc.
I find you're list quite offensive. I am a teenager and there is nothing like that list! Seminary is a blessing and oppurtunity. And, by the way, those 'ugly jumpsuits' is temple clothing. I have worn them, and I think they're kind of cute. It is a symbol of respect for the Lord, while we are doing His holy work here on earth.And, if I may, Have YOU ever worn one? And those layers, MODESTY! Layers are fun! I actually enjoy wearing them! Please, next time before you make an inappropiate list like that, if you're not Mormon, then you have no idea what you're talking about!
It's a nauseating song written by Janice Kapp perry.
I've done my best to forget the lyrics, but it's a list of crap you need to do.
The one about grow a garden, keep a journal, yada yada yada.
Then when you get older, there's the strength of youth pamphlet for you to read over and over. Endless lessons and faith promos to remind you of the things you should be doing. Then onto RS, and PH. You get endless guilt trips laid on you about all the things your failing to do. They will work you until you drop over dead. Then, they will use your cold dead body for a missionary moment.
I say hang around, learn to think for yourself and form your own opinions.
count yourself lucky that they changed the temple ritual so you as a believe don't have to pantomime your own death, or be touched by other people while you stand there naked in a open sided toga.
Personally I was as true believing as they come my young friend, but the sad fact is the church is all based on lies. If it makes you feel good and happy, by all means participate in the church. for me however it was promised that this is the only true one. turns out it was founded on lie after lie, I did years of research and no matter how hard I tried (baring shutting off my brain and not thinking) it was false. the premise, the promise, all of it.
Some of these are repeats, but this is SOME of what I recall as the things I felt I must do to be a good Mormon, and it is by no means comprehensive. Given time I could come up with more, but I refuse to spend any more time thinking about it!
Personal Priesthood interviews Pay tithing Contribute to fast offerings and other funds according to ability (Book of Mormon, Perpetual Education, etc etc) Personal prayer, at least morning and night Family prayer, at least morning and night Blessings on any food consumed Visit the sick Help people moving in or out of the ward Personal scripture study daily Family scripture study daily Work at the local cannery or bishops storehouse if there is one Obey the Word of Wisdom Avoid R rated movies, swearing, taking Lord's name in vain, etc Be NICE to Everyone in the world Avoid evil speaking of the Lord's anointed Wear special underwear at all times Don't do anything in the bedroom that might be considered fun Write to missionaries Raise children (if any, and boy there better be at least a few!) "in righteousness" Study "out of the best books words of wisdom" Give priesthood blessings when asked for health, healing or special occasions Attend and support all extra-curricular ward activities (parties and other social get-togethers, Father/Sons campouts, other scouting activities such as awards ceremonies, etc. Volunteer to work at Girls Camp, either during the camp or before/after to clean etc. Avoid any immodest clothing Stay chaste Wear short hair and avoid facial hair (for men) Wear only white shirt and ties to church, suit is even better Carry scriptures around at church and at least appear to use them Fast at least once a month on Fast Sunday, and at other times when requested for a "ward Fast" for sick individuals etc If you are "blessed" with material wealth, support a missionary or two
Then do it all over again the next day. It is the reason you were created and all those very important life giving things please God. :). Start early. Get up around 5 and go to bed around 10. No coffee help!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/01/2012 08:21AM by suckafoo.
Go to temple and do proxy work for folks found while doing family history research
Participate in all ward service projects, Boy Scout Eagle projects, and youth service projects
Invite a unsuspecting, innocent person for dinner so that you can feed the missionaries (gotta have that investigator present for the meal now adays)
Provide a meal for sick folks or folks who just lost a family member, when called upon to do so by the RS presidency
Attend tithing settlement at the end of the year
Go on a regular mission (young person) or a senior mission. Save money for serving a mission. IF you have any money left, then you might consider saving for a college education or for your own retirement, but you only do this after you have saved sufficient funds to pay for your (or your child/grandchild's) mission.
I guess people in my ward added "baptize holocaust victims" to their lists again.... a few weeks ago our bishop read a letter from the stake presidency reminding us not to (for the second or third time I believe)
Do whatever we (The Church) tell you to do…..give us all your money and deny yourself and family a stable financial future……feel guilty because no matter how much you do, no matter how much money you give you’re still falling short in some spec aspect of obtaining perfection and disappointing your Heavenly Father.
Don't forget to leave some or all of your estate to the LDS church in you trust or will.
I am with Mia......just get tired reading through and thinking of it all. And all this on top of your job, housework, yardwork, marketing, running errands, carpooling kids, meal preparation, getting car serviced, shopping, etc. Not to mention taking care of a sick or elderly family member. Add your church calling in there too.
Wait......forgot to mention spending time with children and husband, reading good literature, music appreciation, attending concerts and museums and volunteering in the community.