StuggliesWife

Funny, I was just reading in Esther this morning. I was following the cross reference links and ended up learning about "submissiveness".... a whole other post. But what I got from the book, Esther was "submissive" to the King.... she showed him respect and love and in turn his heart was softened to not destroy the Jews (please, anyone correct me if I have misinterpreted the scriptures). I think Esther is a fine name and one any daughter could be proud to have.

As of last year, I would have to say no. I was in Louisiana with the Red Cross at a shelter in a town called Opelousas. Religion was somewhat discussed and I believe the term used was "those damn mormons". I didn't say anything then but after that I made it VERY CLEAR what religion I belonged to and was definitely given the cold shoulder by some of the local staff. It didn't help I was in a Cursillo Center. Apparently my mormonism somehow tainted their center. But before I left, I gave away a Book of Mormon to one of the clients in the shelter.

I liked hearing what you said, and just so you know, I don't think you can ever be behind. Sometimes I'll even dig up an old thread we've talked about while hoping that someone else will share some of their own thoughts. Thank you very much for sharing yours. But how do you know if or when what you've been taught is not what you should keep on thinking? I think that relates to the topic, of being openminded and judmental. Is that a good thing, or a bad thing, and do you do it? And how do you know when you've done it enough? Sometimes there is more we don't think of. I don't think it is possible to be too rationalizing... in the sense that they can do that too much. But along with rationalizing, we also need... something else. More faith... more hope... more love... more patience... and/or more of something else... to know the truth. And btw, it has occured to me that many times it is an AND, instead of an OR, I should be thinking of as I think. All truth is like a chain that fits together when it's complete... when every link is put together to make it whole. And sometimes we do have every link of a strand... so we should then take that and keep on adding. Well Ray, the correct principles would be those in our manuals. You know, those books that we are supposed to read each week before our lesson's but usually don't. That's how I know what is being taught is correct and how I should be thinking and conducting my life. It came from the mouth of a prophet. And by too much rationalizing... that would be people making excuses for their actions and not taking enough accountability or deciding the "word" doesn't exactly apply to their situation. I recall a YW lesson I gave once about rationalizations being the #1 tool of satan. We often times excuse and rationalize our behavior away. It's in the manual. Manual 3 I think... I don't recall it's been about 10 years since I've served in YW. So in that vein... I don't think LDS people are too judgmental and close minded. I think they're being obedient. Isn't that what we're supposed to do? Don't we find more happiness in obedience? I have learned that I do. No more rationalizing the tank top and sunbathing topless (yes, I did that as late as my mid-20's being married with 2 children!) No more worrying about what Joe Jones down the street is doing. We've been given our standards and our correct principles. It's up to each individual to figure it out from there. From what I read through this thread... there was an awful lot of rationalization of behaviors going on and the finger being pointed to close minded/judgmental members for not agreeing with them.

Former Nursery Leader here... All I can say is we are not built in babysitters. If your child is crying and otherwise upset, it's up to the parent to stay in the nursery and help the child adapt.

Having just joined this site, I am about 4 months behind on this topic but I will say my peace anyway. Joseph Smith said, "I teach them correct principles and they govern themselves". It can't be any more simple than that. If you have the correct principles, govern yourselves according to what you've been taught. Bryan, while you think people in the church are closed minded and judgmental, I think most are too rationalizing in their behaviors.