Things I love about the LDS Church

[Quin]

APs post got me thinking about the many many years I spent around Mormons pre-conversion, and how no one ever, not once, tried to convert me. I played sports with their kids, came to 1001 FHE's (and didn't know it, because we had those at our secular house, sans prayers... Their kids came to ours, as well). Went home on Leave with LDS friends, made pancakes and played with their little bros & sisters in the park... Just lived life.

I'm sure I had a few invitations to church on Sunday, but as none stick out, that means no one tried to pressure me after a happy thanks, but no thanks!

I didn't convert until 15 (cough, 20) years later.

In all that time, I've been threatened with hellfire, called a slut/whore -even of Babylon a few times- & every other bad thing by many other religions. Fear mongering, hatefulness, and threats may be amusing, but all they otherwise do is warn me away. Okay. Check. Another group to avoid like the plague. Thank you for the heads up.

Even after converting, when I had to miss sacrament for work, the general assumption was that I must have a good reason.

I just love it.

The patience for the Spirit to work in his own time.

The general assumption of intelligence.

The respect shown others for their choices.

I love many many things about the church (cough gospel).

But APs post reminded me about all the times friends, and their families, had stayed their tongues (talking with them post conversion, it was a LOT), and just shared the gospel by living it.

Love that.

There are other things, too. But this was what jumped up in my heart and started dancing this morning.

How bout'chall?

What are some things you love about the church?

Q

[Bini]

I love the diversity.

Utah Mormon culture is a very real thing but outside of it, you will find that LDS come in all shapes and sizes, and backgrounds and upbringings, and financial statuses. It's awesome.

[Palerider]

Feeling the spirit and the peacefulness the gospel brings into my life.

[Backroads]

Now, I say this first thing with all due respect to our awesome and so-much-smarter-than-me non-LDS friends of this board but sometimes it seems, average Joe for average Joe, Mormons are so much smarter about religion than others.

I like the belief system. I like all the wonderful Primary answers, but I also love that the things I admire so much about other faiths, I can find inklings of them at the very least in the LDS faith.

[Guest]

I love how simple and how all-encompassing the Gospel is.

As for the Church as an organization, for all the complaints about the culture (and parts of it I hate, but seem to be dying out), I really love the people. I love the community. I love the programs. I love that we get opportunities to serve and grow in so many different places.

I love funeral potatoes and Hawaiian haystacks.

[classylady]

I love knowing that the Father has a plan. And families are eternal.

[EarlJibbs]

I know that almost wherever I go, I will have not only other Christians, but people that understand me. Understand that deep desire (although falling way short) to be a better person. Understand that desire to live with my family for the eternities.

[Guest]

I love that I know almost everybody personally in the entire room during Sacrament Meeting/Sunday School. And that when I miss church for more than 1 Sunday, a few people start texting me to find out what's going on with me...

[dahlia]

I love that I know almost everybody personally in the entire room during Sacrament Meeting/Sunday School. And that when I miss church for more than 1 Sunday, a few people start texting me to find out what's going on with me...

Yeah, but it still creeps me out when they do that. Maybe one day I'll be sprawled out at the bottom of the stairs and be glad someone looked in on me, but most of the time, I wonder why they bother. If I decide to leave the Church, I'm not going to go quietly. They don't have to worry if a miss a Sunday here and there.

I do like that I know most of the people at church. I like the friendship that I've been extended and extended myself as well.

I like that I've finally gotten used to all the little germy children and don't get sick from them any more. For awhile, I was getting a cold all the time, and I never get colds.

I love to see the Church growing and the announcements of new temples or new stakes, especially in Africa.

[Palerider]

I also love how the church encourages us to be involved and to vote but does not tell us who to vote for.

[Guest LiterateParakeet]

I love this thread. It reminds me of one of the things that first attracted me to the gospel--the three degrees of glory. Even as a child (I was ten) three degrees of glory made so much more sense to me than the heaven and hell I was taught about in other religions.

More recently, I would have to say Patriarchal blessings. :)