The major times that I disenchanted with what
is said in conference is when disparaging remarks are made about people like me who have left or changed their mind about the church. I know that my children and grandchildren faithfully listen to conference and that they revere these men. So I feel it undermines my role as a father and grandfather when my decisions and beliefs are not respected. I really do try to be respectful of all opinions and it bothers me when church leaders disparage me and the decisions I have struggled with and made for the best reasons.
I’m talking about things like President Monson’s remarks at Priesthood session reported on the church website where he said that missionaries need to find those who have strayed. Nothing wrong with that. But then he goes on immediately to say, “Bad habits can be overcome, transgressions can be repented of”...implying that anyone who changes his or her mind about the church does so only because of bad habits and transgressions. Why not say, "some people after sincere study and investigation honestly arrive at different conclusions about religion. We respect them as they respect us." Is that really asking too much?
I’m talking about things like President Monson’s remarks at Priesthood session reported on the church website where he said that missionaries need to find those who have strayed. Nothing wrong with that. But then he goes on immediately to say, “Bad habits can be overcome, transgressions can be repented of”...implying that anyone who changes his or her mind about the church does so only because of bad habits and transgressions. Why not say, "some people after sincere study and investigation honestly arrive at different conclusions about religion. We respect them as they respect us." Is that really asking too much?
Elder Holland made another similarly disparaging statement at the
conclusion of his otherwise excellent talk about loving the Savior when he said something
about "those who snack on cultural Hor d'oeuvres at the smorgasbord of the Church are in
store for long sleepless nights." Actually, many of the people I
know who have changed their mind about the church sleep just fine because they
feel that they are basing their lives on what they now believe to be true
and factual.
From what I heard, though, this conference may have actually been more respectful of other's beliefs than in the past. So I see that as a positive. There were also a couple of talks I really liked, including the one by Linda Burton on Sunday morning. She talked about First Observe then Serve. It was a wonderful talk about loving and caring for people. Her talk made me feel like we would have a much kinder, gentler, more open and accepting church if women made policy instead of men.
From what I heard, though, this conference may have actually been more respectful of other's beliefs than in the past. So I see that as a positive. There were also a couple of talks I really liked, including the one by Linda Burton on Sunday morning. She talked about First Observe then Serve. It was a wonderful talk about loving and caring for people. Her talk made me feel like we would have a much kinder, gentler, more open and accepting church if women made policy instead of men.
