OK: So I took my nap today first. I deserved it.
I stumbled upon a nice article on “What do Mormon’s Believe” a non-church-sanctioned blog that attempts to answer questions about the church. They do a pretty good job Today’s post, written by Jan, explores the dichotomy of the “inspired” part of the church vs. the “human” part of the church. (Did you like how I slipped that *$5 word in there – dichotomy?)
Here is her link.
Here is my comment:
Jan:
Thank you for the well thought-out distinction between the “human” and “inspired” parts of the church. Having served as a bishop, I understand how much more “fun” and “social” a congregation could be if it were your paying job that you had been doing for 20 years – with no Handbook. I imagine you could get to a point where it is a pretty well-oiled machine.
This by no means absolves we members when we exhibit less than Christ-like behavior to each other.
At the end of the day, what really matters is what we are really seeking when we attend church. Peter said it best when Christ asked the Twelve “Will ye also go away?”Peter responded with “Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” (John 6:67-68)
There are tens of thousands of churches that can offer a wonderful social experience. Only one has the saving ordinances and the fullness of the gospel. Where else would we go?
* “Don’t use a five-dollar word, when a fifty cent word will do.” Mark Twain.
Of course, this has very little application today, because in the 1800’s 50¢ could by a heckuva word. The relative value of 50¢ by todays standards would be around $15. In 2011, a 50¢ word will probably only get you 12 points on Scrabble.
.
Nice. Great response. I bet you were the best Bishop (aside from mine, of course).