The_Phoenix Posted April 10, 2011 Author Report Posted April 10, 2011 Fair enough. Now, what are you doing to help her gain a testimony of the gospel and its leaders?Showing kindness and understanding.
john doe Posted April 10, 2011 Report Posted April 10, 2011 How about being a good example by attending the meetings you know you are supposed to attend?
jayanna Posted April 12, 2011 Report Posted April 12, 2011 (edited) Oh, Pheonix, I feel so terrible that I did not read this thread earlier...I'm so sorry about your feelings, I think you should be sad...for as long as you need to be. It is hard to carry such a burden around. It is a big deal to have a ward change suddenly. Also, a calling change like that. When my hubby was EQP for about a year, I came to church as usual one Sunday. He was blessing the Sacrament so we weren't sitting together when they announced he was released. I was stunned. Then they announced his new calling as ward mission leader. I was stunned again. I had to grab the pew in front of me, I really thought I might pass out. I don't know why, but I started crying. I looked straight into the SP's face, and he knew he was in trouble. Did they decide it was none of my business or something? The SP leaned over and said something to his counselor and the bishop. After the meeting I found out he said, "We owe Sis. ______________ an apology." And he apologized. I don't know how ward splitting generally goes, but a word of kindness is necessary I think. Also, I think you should call and take that opportunity to be an usher at the temple! Someone with your knowledge and experience would be greatly appreciated at a temple open house! Also it is history in the making. I'll never forget when, as a new member dating a Baptist, we went on a date to a temple open house. It was amazing for me...I had never been to a temple, and it was a major stepping stone for my now husband to accept my religion and not judge it harshly. There were some questions and a little bit of fear at first, but it was handled so beautifully by those church members who were present at the temple grounds at every turn. They were so friendly and welcoming, it was wonderful, and made the trip a really inspiring one. Who knows, you could be that helpful smile, or that person that helps a little lady in a wheelchair that gives someone their first temple experience. What a wonderful chance to be a representative of Christ. I think you should take it, call them back, tell them you can do it after all. Maybe your wife can come by and see you working. I think it would be an amazing experience! One more thing, when the rains and thunder start howling, and the winds are blowing, it is not the time to let go of the iron rod...you need it now more than ever. Cling to it, as if you have a tornado bearing down on you, as if your very life and the life of your beloved wife are dependent on it. That is why it is made of iron. Edited April 12, 2011 by jayanna
Guest Posted April 12, 2011 Report Posted April 12, 2011 I reread this post... And I can't help but feel that you are using your wife as an excuse. I think you, yourself, don't want to go and may be hiding behind your wife's decision... because, it just doesn't make sense that instead of helping your wife deal with the situation, you are encouraging her to build that resentment. Of course, I don't know anything beyond what I get out of the posts. If it's not true, then I apologize. If it's true, maybe that's what you need to work on first. Trying to truly answer the question - Why don't I want to go without putting your wife in the mix. Just between you and God. Then compare that with, why I should go? And just tackle it head on. I still think you can benefit from working at the temple parking lot just to get some spiritual experiences.
Guest mormonmusic Posted April 12, 2011 Report Posted April 12, 2011 One more thing, when the rains and thunder start howling, and the winds are blowing, it is not the time to let go of the iron rod...you need it now more than ever. Cling to it, as if you have a tornado bearing down on you, as if your very life and the life of your beloved wife are dependent on it. That is why it is made of iron.As Jeffrey R Holland said when he came to our Stake a couple years ago, "When the stormy seas come, stay in the boat!!!".
pam Posted April 13, 2011 Report Posted April 13, 2011 Since this has now strayed from the OP, and these same points have been brought up on other threads, I'm closing.
The_Phoenix Posted April 16, 2011 Author Report Posted April 16, 2011 In all fairness to another thread concerning not being able to serve at the open house for the Temple because of facial hair; The Temple President spoke with my Stake President who made his aware of my condition. As a result I have been asked to fulfill my assignment at the Temple on April 19th which is the first day of Passover; that’s really cool. So I will serve as requested. None of you know me nor need and explanation, but since the thread received a number of replies, I just wanted to bring you up to speed. Now all I need to do is to get my wife to go to the new Ward. She said she will “try”, but not for two more weeks. This Sunday is Stake Conference and she works in a nursing home every other Sunday. Not sure if I want to go alone, since I no longer have a calling. So maybe semi-active up from inactive?
The_Phoenix Posted April 18, 2011 Author Report Posted April 18, 2011 (edited) I will be too busy at the Temple during my shift, but before and afterward what should I do or say to those protesting outside the Temple?UPDATE: I was a perfect gentleman; for once. Edited April 20, 2011 by The_Phoenix
Suzie Posted April 18, 2011 Report Posted April 18, 2011 Why should you do or say anything? Their right of protesting/freedom of speech is protected by the Constitution of the United States of America.
MarginOfError Posted April 18, 2011 Report Posted April 18, 2011 Smile and thank them. Try not to laugh at them, although it can be hard not to sometimes. I was at the Hill Cumorah pageant one year and there was a protester screaming through a bullhorn that the mormons would brainwash your children to wear mystical underwear. The absurdity of the notion that the most terrible thing mormons could do is to raise their children to wear extremely unflattering underwear made me burst out laughing. I don't think it helped build any bridges.
The_Phoenix Posted April 18, 2011 Author Report Posted April 18, 2011 Why should you do or say anything? Their right of protesting/freedom of speech is protected by the Constitution of the United States of America.The same applies to us as well.
Blackmarch Posted April 18, 2011 Report Posted April 18, 2011 (edited) I will be too busy at the Temple during my shift, but before and afterward what should I do or say to those protesting outside the Temple?if they don't come on the grounds, or no threat of violence to those entering and leaving, nothing. Otherwise you may have to call the police. Edited April 18, 2011 by Blackmarch
Wingnut Posted April 18, 2011 Report Posted April 18, 2011 I will be too busy at the Temple during my shift, but before and afterward what should I do or say to those protesting outside the Temple?Absolutely nothing. Any reaction gives them greater satisfaction.
Guest Posted April 18, 2011 Report Posted April 18, 2011 The same applies to us as well.Right. But you are not there to argue with people. You are there to serve God. Jesus did not spend his time in his ministry arguing with the pharisees. He avoided confrontation as much as he could.Here's a story from my own personal experience:1986 - The Filipino People Revolution that ousted Ferdinand Marcos. On one side is the military supporting the administration. On the other side is the unarmed Filipino People (one of the first thing Marcos did when he declared Martial Law in 1972 is to ban firearms from civilians). The international news headlines declared that the revolution was "a revolultion that surprised the world" because of its peaceful execution.Here are pictures to show you how the Filipino People was able to pull off a peaceful revolution against the very corrupt, at times merciless, dictator Marcos:Follow that example in your temple work...
Dravin Posted April 18, 2011 Report Posted April 18, 2011 (edited) Smile and thank them. Try not to laugh at them, although it can be hard not to sometimes.Sometimes the counter protesters make it hard not to laugh as well. I remember one costume when someone dressed up in a devil suit complete with pitchfork and had a sandwich board with an arrow and the words, "He's with me." He'd then go stand next to random protesters. I had to bite back a chuckle as I walked past the pair (protester and counter-protester). Edited April 19, 2011 by Dravin
Gwen Posted April 18, 2011 Report Posted April 18, 2011 I'm glad you have decided to participate at the temple. Given your current struggles (unless something was resolved and I missed it while I was away) I would not talk to the protesters at all. Take the time to make it all about you and serving the people that want to celebrate the beauty of the occasion. When your assignment gives you nothing to do then sit and seek the spirit and make the moment all about you. Forget that they even showed up.
The_Phoenix Posted April 18, 2011 Author Report Posted April 18, 2011 (edited) Right. But you are not there to argue with people. You are there to serve God. Jesus did not spend his time in his ministry arguing with the pharisees. He avoided confrontation as much as he could.He (Jesus) nor John the Baptist avoided confrontation. The truth is always confrontational. Edited April 18, 2011 by The_Phoenix
The_Phoenix Posted April 18, 2011 Author Report Posted April 18, 2011 I'm glad you have decided to participate at the temple. Given your current struggles (unless something was resolved and I missed it while I was away) I would not talk to the protesters at all. Take the time to make it all about you and serving the people that want to celebrate the beauty of the occasion. When your assignment gives you nothing to do then sit and seek the spirit and make the moment all about you. Forget that they even showed up.Good advice. Thank you.
Wingnut Posted April 18, 2011 Report Posted April 18, 2011 He (Jesus) nor John the Baptist avoided confrontation. The truth is always confrontational.But protesters are not confrontational. They are contentious. Neither Christ nor John the Baptist contended. In fact, Christ told the Nephites, "For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another."
The_Phoenix Posted April 18, 2011 Author Report Posted April 18, 2011 But protesters are not confrontational. They are contentious. Neither Christ nor John the Baptist contended. In fact, Christ told the Nephites, "For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another."Thank you for reminding me of this scripture.
rameumptom Posted April 18, 2011 Report Posted April 18, 2011 Set a righteous example. Be kind to them. Pray for them. And then let them alone.
Jennarator Posted April 18, 2011 Report Posted April 18, 2011 In fact we sometimes brought them water or a snack.
Backroads Posted April 18, 2011 Report Posted April 18, 2011 I say just ignore them. The thing is, they think they're doing good out there. They think they're helping. There is no way you are going to convince them that what they are doing is mean-spirited. I remember going to conference a few years ago. I saw some girls out there with their protestor father--they looked humiliated and bored just being there. Many of them save up in order to travel to these things. I say, let them have their fun. A few yeras back, my brother and his friends decided to do a Free Hugs counter-protest. When it was posted on You Tube, anti-Mormons were furious.
Guest Posted April 18, 2011 Report Posted April 18, 2011 He (Jesus) nor John the Baptist avoided confrontation. The truth is always confrontational.I apologize. I used the wrong word. I meant to say Jesus Christ avoided contention.It is very evident in the scriptures that Jesus Christ uses the "trick questions" to his advantage to teach without contention and even uses parables or lower laws to promote understanding even going so far as saying, "Thou art not far from the kingdom of God" if the person did not quite understand the full lesson but is close enough to it instead of correcting him some more.Those protesters around temple grounds are not there to try to understand you. They are there to promote a contentious spirit and try to lead you away.
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