The book on the right, The Simeon Solution, was given to me by a friend in response to my questions about sexism within the Mormon Church. The author is a convert to the LDS religion, having been raised Methodist, but searching for something else and finding Mormonism after being impressed with the examples set by two men who are LDS.
I enjoyed the book, reading about others' experiences with religion usually fascinates me, and I was struck by Anne Osborn Poelman's thoroughness in research and studies of the Mormon Church. Regarding the issue with only men being allowed to hold the priesthood and give blessings, she puts it on her back burner and does not find it a significant problem. She points out the flaws of the people within the Mormon Church, the members, and I appreciate her candidness in relaying her experiences.
The thing that irked me throughout the book was the statement, "I know the Church is true." To me a church is an establishment created by humans. I understand the idea that the Church (meaning the LDS Church) was established by a man people believe was a prophet who received direct revelations from God, but it does not make sense that certain things have changed through the years in the Mormon religion and yet the Church has remained true. The big one, that is quite popular, is the issue regarding persons who are not caucasian being members of the Mormon Church. I don't want to harp on this issue, because it is widely discussed in many circles, but I will copy from the blacklds.org web site which states that in "1978: Revelation on Priesthood gives the priesthood to all worthy men regardless of color." This would mean that what was previously practiced was deemed, well, wrong and therefore, not true.
After The Simeon Solution I started reading the book on the left in the photo, Joyful Wisdom. In it, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche writes, "Unlike many of his contemporaries, however, the Buddha didn't try to convince people that the method through which he found release from suffering was the only true method." This quote has been attributed to the Buddha, "Don't believe anything I say because I say so. Try it out for yourselves." I had a "Yes!" moment when reading that.
I am very skeptical of any person or group who states to know the answers for all persons. In the religion which I was raised I heard, "The only way to salvation is through Jesus Christ" and yet I had friends whose families were not Christian and they were wonderful people, doing amazing things for others. It didn't make sense to me, and still doesn't that those people would not be saved, because they had not accepted Jesus as their savior, especially when I saw Christians doing horrific things.
I spent some time while living in San Antonio studying Buddhism and one of the things that really struck me was the Bodhisattva Vow, which is stated on the intrex.net web site as "The Bodhisattva vows, out of compassion, not to enter nirvana until all beings have entered nirvana. This means the Bodhisattva practices not for her or his enlightenment alone, but for the enlightenment of all beings. The Bodhisattva vows to remain in this world of ignorance and confusion, vows to be willing to experience whatever living beings experience, until all beings are liberated." There was a man at a workshop I attended who had taken this vow and I was in complete awe and what I remember is that for lunch he ate a ham and cheese sandwich. Wait, I thought, he's eating meat! I thought Buddhists weren't allowed to eat meat! Nobody said anything and I then decided this person was living his life the way he felt it was important at that time. My god, he was willing to come back to life as we know it over and over again, under any circumstances, until all people reached enlightenment. I've never heard before or since of anything so selfless.
I believe the members of the Mormon Church have their own version of this vow, through missionary work and their testimonies, they are trying to help others reach enlightenment. What I see as the major difference is that in Buddhism we are taught guidelines: meditation, mindfulness, compassion - these are ways to reach enlightment, but they are very broad and are not specified in how they are carried out. In Mormonism I see humans judging other humans on very specific acts: tithing, abstaining from sexual relations and alcohol, and not using illegal drugs (which I completely agree with, though I do not think a person who does use illegal drugs is not worthy in the eyes of an omnibenevolent god).
Perhaps the Buddha would say that those following the Mormon Church are just following their own path toward enlightenment, assuming they are compassionate toward others. If that is the case, then I need to just stop worrying about what the Mormons are doing and try to follow my own path (this path of mine seems full of detours, obstacles and misguided directions!). The thing is, conversion within the Mormon Church is such a major component, that I feel offended, because I see it as a statement that it is only through following the teachings of the Mormon Church that one can reach enlightenment. This would mean that all those other religions are wrong, all those other people living seemingly good lives are not going to reach enlightenment because they are not following a certain church. I just don't get it (and I don't limit these remarks to Mormonism, it has been my experience with Christianity and my very, very brief exploration into the Islamic religion).
I am certainly not a Buddhist - I do not know enough about Buddhism to be a Buddhist, but when I read that being kind and mindful are the tenets, I want to get onboard. When I read that it is up to each individual to find their own truth, I feel a strength within myself, a need to trust my own endeavors. Another thing I remember from a class Sophie took in Buddhism was when a child stated something about Jesus being an important man and the teacher said, "Yes, he was." He never implied that only Buddha held the key to the door of salvation. I feel with Buddhism there are many teachers and many paths - all are to be embraced and valued. I just don't see this with Mormonism (and again, other religions), which may value the teachings of others, but state there is only one path toward salvation with only one leader.
***As always, these are my interpretations of philosophies/religions. I hope if someone reads this and thinks I am WAY off (or even just a little off) they will write of their experience and understanding and I thank you for doing so!
8 comments:
I enjoyed this Heather. You know that we are pretty much on the same page so I won't comment on that. But, I was just thinking about your move. Have you ever been around Mormons outside of Utah? I had a lot of Mormon friends in California. They were very nice to me and it didn't feel like they were just trying to convert me. I had some really fun times and felt very comfortable joining in on church activities. I thought that things might have changed in Utah too and was actually looking forward to that when we moved back. I know for sure that it is partly my fault but I have been here about 5 years and I have been to 1 church activity. I really miss that sense of belonging to something and for me something I knew about too, having grown up in the Mormon church. Anyway, I'm probably babbling but just thought it would be interesting if you search out the Mormon church in Michigan if you end up with a different experience there. Of course the doctrine in the same everywhere. :)
It's funny you should suggest this, Linda, because when we moved to Michigan in 1999, one of the things we did was attend a Nativity Scene event at the local ward! I also ended up befriending a few Mormons in our neighborhood, one was from Logan, and I did feel a big difference from my experience in Utah.
This last stint in Utah has also felt different from my first time here, I've befriended Mormons and I don't feel pressure to conform (with some I did, so I limited my time with them).
I think Mormons outside of Utah understand what it's like to be in the minority and I've enjoyed discussions with my Mormon friends about what it's like to live in Utah - many in Michigan couldn't believe we lived here!
Good reminder Linda - to seek out new experiences...always!
WARNING: This comment is too long for blogger to accept it as a comment. So, there's going to be multiple comments by me. I try not to be long-winded, but I had a lot to say this time I guess.
"To me a church is an establishment created by humans."
As a Mormon, I think this is where you and I fundamentally (and respectfully) disagree.
To me, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is an establishment created by God.
I believe that in 1820, Joseph Smith wanted to join a church. He couldn't figure out what church to join, and so after reading James Chapter 1 verses 5 and 6, he asked God which church he should join.
As improbable as it might seem, on this occasion, God the Father chose to answer this prayer by visiting Joseph personally, along with His son Jesus Christ.
Joseph Smith was told that he was not to join any of the churches, that they were all wrong. Then, over the course of the next ten years and with the help of instruction from God the Father, Jesus Christ, and several angelic visitors, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was established.
Now, looking at the facts as I've just presented them, I freely admit that it could be successfully argued that Joseph Smith (a human) created the church. I choose to believe differently however. I choose to believe that God the Father created the church, using Joseph Smith as His instrument.
I realize that all sounds improbable, fantastic, and perhaps even delusional. I believe it though. I absolutely positively believe it one-hundred percent.
As to other religions/paths of belief:
I haven't done anything more than a cursory study of any other religion, probably because I haven't felt the need to do so. Not that it wouldn't be interesting and even helpful, but we all only have so much time, and it's not high on my priority list at the moment. That's probably because I'm a happy Mormon. I feel at peace in the Mormon church. I know that it's not a perfect church, and there are some aspects of it that don't make sense to me.
CONTINUED . . .
(continued from previous comment)
The issue of black men and the Priesthood is one of those aspects, and there are a few more. I can live with that though. I suppose it's because the things that I do understand and the peace that I do feel outweighs the areas where I have confusion and doubt.
As to judging and believing that only Mormons are going to reach enlightenment and/or salvation:
I suppose that technically, I do believe that. I mean, if I'm going to say that I believe that the LDS Church is God's church, and no other church is God's church, then I can't very well turn around and say that any other church/method/path has the power to bring about salvation now, can I?
So, do I believe that the LDS doctrines and ordinances are the only saving ordinances on earth at this time? Yes.
Do I believe that it is only through membership in the LDS church that one can come closer to God, gain understanding of Him, have peace, live a meaningful life, and assure that you won't be in Hell when you die?
Absolutely positively not, no way, whatsoever.
As long as I'm talking about Hell, do I believe that once a person dies, that they are immediately taken to Heaven or Hell based on their decisions and actions and what church they did or did not belong to while they were on earth?
Again, no. Not by a long shot. I believe that if a person doesn't have the opportunity to receive the saving ordinances of the Gospel of Jesus Christ while they are here on earth, that they will have that opportunity after they die to do so. And just to be clear, I personally don't think that living by a Mormon and/or being vaguely aware of the practices of the Mormon church qualify as "having an opportunity to receive the ordinances of the Gospel of Jesus Christ."
So, I don't worry about my friends that aren't LDS. Heck, I try not to worry about my friends that are LDS! I (try really hard to) leave the judging to God, and I let Him worry about what is in the hearts of His children.
And who knows, maybe I'll die and get up to Heaven and I'll find out that the Mormons are wrong, and we were all supposed to be Jehovah's Witnesses, or Taoists, or Methodists, or that it didn't matter what we were in the least. (To be honest, I don't think there is the smallest chance that that will happen). If that happens, I'll deal with that at that point and hope for the best.
(However, if that happens, I AM going to be extremely ticked that I missed out on a whole life of not trying those delicious-looking iced coffees!)
:)
Heather, you sure keep me thinking! Thanks. When can we walk again?
Charlotte -
First, let's go walking next week, will that work for you? Thursday?
I admire your dedication to your religion and I certainly sense a calmness and certainty when I'm around you - you are such a nice person, which is a great testament to your beliefs.
As I've explored various religions, I've been pleasingly surprised by how similar they are, which leads me to believe that it won't matter what religion we were, but if we lived compassionately - something I strive for, and struggle with, every single day.
So Charlotte, my question to you would be, what if you did explore another religion and felt the same peacefulness you've felt with Mormonism? Do you ever wonder if you follow the Mormon religion because of the family you were born into and the societal acceptance of it? What if you were born in Israel or Africa and what about those who are Jewish and feel a peacefulness from their religion? From where does that peacefulness really come?
Great post Heather. I forgot you weren't taking the challenge and missed you...
You make a good point Heather. What if the peace I feel from the LDS faith is more about comfort and familiarity than anything else?
To answer your question though, if I were to explore another religion and found that it fit me better, felt more right, and most importantly, if I gained a witness or testimony of its truthfulness that was stronger than the testimony I have of the LDS faith, then I think I would have no choice but the leave the LDS church and join myself with the other one.
So far, I've attended Catholic, Episcopal, Presbyterian, and 7th Day Adventist Services, and I've done a little exploring of the Hindu beliefs--mainly in connection with a hatha yoga practice. I've found good things in all those places, and I'm glad for the experiences I've had there.
I do think that every second-(or more) generation Mormon should at some point take a long hard look at what they believe and whether they believe it on their own two feet or whether they believe it out of convenience or habit. For me, that happened the summer after I turned 16, and then again, to a lesser degree when I was in the Missionary Training Center at age 22. I don't have time to describe my experience right now, but I'll try to write a post on my own blog sometime this week with that story.
Good post Heather! It's interesting that I read this this morning. Kiah (18 and as you know going to BYU-I in the fall) came into my room upset last night. She had been watching some clips on YouTube (not sure why) about people discrediting the LDS church and saying it's a cult and so forth. She was upset because she didn't like the way it made her feel she said. That maybe she wasn't sure if the LDS church is the right church for her. She loves to come talk to me about this kind of stuff around midnight so I was a bit out of it. I had to kind of jump for joy a little inside because Kiah has never once questioned anything and in questioning you learn. Not that she hasn't learned but she does need to wonder and question things and her religion should be one of them. We talked for awhile and life is good. I want her to read some books that I've read that opened my eyes a lot. I also suggested a religions of the world for when she goes to school. It's a great class and very informative.
This is long, I'm sorry. I had to say something about African American men receiving the priesthood. That's always been an issue with me, even before adopting Sofia and Miles (both AA). I'm already raising them in this predominantly Caucasian religion but then on top of that they will learn more as they grow up about this issue. I don't know how to explain it to them without sounding like I'm just making something up. Any suggestions?
Ok, I'm done.
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