I love going to church

[LDSCubsFan]

It is so comforting to be around people who are generally selfless, compared to the selfishness usually encountered in everyday life. I must say that this sense of selflessness I get from fellow congregation is much stronger in the mormon church than it was in the other churches (Methodist and non-demoninational Christian) I attended before becoming mormon. At the other churches I've been too, it seemed like there was a preacher or minister standing up on a platform talking to a bunch of peons below. With LDS, I feel like I am actually part of the lessons and part of the mission to spread the gospel. Sadly, I also feel that many of the other churches are formed for the purpose of making money or obtaining power, and that some of the clergy who run them are crooked. There are some that are run with good intentions too. With LDS, I know there are no paid clergy. I also know the same lesson that was taught today (in this case, it was testimony Sunday) was the same lesson taught today in every other branch or ward no matter how big or small. My faith and commitment to the church continues to grow.

[Klein_Helmer]

It is so comforting to be around people who are generally selfless, compared to the selfishness usually encountered in everyday life. I must say that this sense of selflessness I get from fellow congregation is much stronger in the mormon church than it was in the other churches (Methodist and non-demoninational Christian) I attended before becoming mormon. At the other churches I've been too, it seemed like there was a preacher or minister standing up on a platform talking to a bunch of peons below. With LDS, I feel like I am actually part of the lessons and part of the mission to spread the gospel. Sadly, I also feel that many of the other churches are formed for the purpose of making money or obtaining power, and that some of the clergy who run them are crooked. There are some that are run with good intentions too. With LDS, I know there are no paid clergy. I also know the same lesson that was taught today (in this case, it was testimony Sunday) was the same lesson taught today in every other branch or ward no matter how big or small. My faith and commitment to the church continues to grow.

I have attended dozens of LDS services. The atmosphere was very positive, interactive, and seemed to foster a sense of unity that helped congregants maintain their standards.

On the other hand, I think you are slightly unfair in your treatment of other Christian denominations. While the problems you have mentioned certainly have, and do appear in non LDS churches, these missteps are in no way inherent to the faiths themselves. They are the failings of human beings. It is of course human beings also who are responsible for the administration of the LDS faith on earth, and they are no less prone to being led astray.

[Jamie123]

You talk about "paid clergy" and "making money", but none of the stipendiary ministers I've ever known have been especially rich, and for the most part they've been horribly overworked. Our last vicar (who presided over 2 parishes) left after suffering a nervous breakdown, and her successor is rumored to be headed the same way.

Of course, if you're talking about tele-Evangelists and the rich American mega-churches you may have a point, but "priestcraft" is not for the most part a road to riches.

[Backroads]

While I do admire the fact the LDS church does not have paid clergy, I've never had a problem with the concept. In fact, I think highly of those who choose for a life-long career (though I did work with a preacher-turned-4th-grade-teacher) serving God.

[pam]

It is so comforting to be around people who are generally selfless, compared to the selfishness usually encountered in everyday life. I must say that this sense of selflessness I get from fellow congregation is much stronger in the mormon church than it was in the other churches (Methodist and non-demoninational Christian) I attended before becoming mormon. At the other churches I've been too, it seemed like there was a preacher or minister standing up on a platform talking to a bunch of peons below. With LDS, I feel like I am actually part of the lessons and part of the mission to spread the gospel. Sadly, I also feel that many of the other churches are formed for the purpose of making money or obtaining power, and that some of the clergy who run them are crooked. There are some that are run with good intentions too. With LDS, I know there are no paid clergy. I also know the same lesson that was taught today (in this case, it was testimony Sunday) was the same lesson taught today in every other branch or ward no matter how big or small. My faith and commitment to the church continues to grow.

While some may be that way..I find most Christian churches that I've had any contact with really interested in bringing their members to Christ. As was mentioned, perhaps the mega churches you see on tv but overall, I don't see any pastors etc getting rich doing the work that they are doing.

[Guest]

prisonchaplain does have that souped-up Escalade and gold teeth. . .

[Vort]

You talk about "paid clergy" and "making money", but none of the stipendiary ministers I've ever known have been especially rich, and for the most part they've been horribly overworked. Our last vicar (who presided over 2 parishes) left after suffering a nervous breakdown, and her successor is rumored to be headed the same way.

Of course, if you're talking about tele-Evangelists and the rich American mega-churches you may have a point, but "priestcraft" is not for the most part a road to riches.

It might be worth pointing out that, even into the 20th century, LDS leaders often were paid for their services, even such things as giving patriarchal (or other) blessings. That was all done away with by the 1940s or so, but it was the way things were done among us, and that does not make our faith false. Even today, General Authorities and mission presidents are allowed to draw a (relatively small) living stipend, and many (not all) take advantage of this.

"Priestcraft" means someone setting himself up as a light to the world in order to get gain, either financial or political/social. In my opinion, a pastor drawing a small salary to care for his flock simply doesn't qualify as "priestcraft".

EDIT: I realize LDSCubsFan was not making this assertion. I am commenting generally, not answer his specific post.

Edited March 5, 2012 by Vort