Sunday, October 3, 2010

Follow us... or die!

I guess I'm officially a cynic. For anyone watching the LDS General Conference... Is it just me, or is there a lot of emphasis this time on trusting God and his authorized servants? I've been listening with half an ear, and it seems like I've heard at least a few speakers say this exact thing. Eyring said it about half a dozen times. Oaks's talk seemed to be all about how you can only find God and happiness through the LDS church, and anything else is Satan leading you astray. I guess I should be used to it by now, but somehow I'm still surprised by the blatant self-aggrandizing of the "LDS church versus Satan for your eternal soul" story that is recited continuously from the pulpit. Are we really supposed to believe the world is that simple, and the white guys in suits have the miracle cure?

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Do you think that maybe this is a reflection of the current polarized political climate? It seems to me (as a very outside observer) that several years ago the message was about tolerance.

Saganist said...

That's an interesting idea; I hadn't thought of that. I think the increasing polarization between the in/out groups in the LDS church may be related to the increasing polarization in the political sphere, but I'm not sure how they are related.

They might both be phenomena of the same underlying fears. Many people, within the LDS church and without, seem to think our country and the world are falling apart. This extreme resistance to change may be manifesting itself via the increasingly divisive rhetoric in both politics and religion.

Michael Carpenter said...

Seems like this is right in line with the controversial BYU Daily Universe opinion that was pulled. That message was basically that we need to own up to the fact that "we" (well, not me) voted yes on Prop. 8 because the prophet said so.

Follow the prophet, follow the prophet, follow the prophet, don't go astray.

Clay said...

The very little of conference that I caught was indeed wrought with hell-fire, damnation, and you better listen to us or you will regret it.

How are you Saganist? I have been absent from the boards for quite sometime and am finding increasing peace. I hope that you and your family are also doing well.

All the best (Shadow of Doubt)

Saganist said...

Hi Clay, I'm sorry it's taken me a while to respond. Things here are going pretty well. I have some church experiences I should probably post about, but nothing too awful except for General Conference. I'm glad to hear that things are going well for you!