Some might point a scornful finger at me, telling me not to judge and whatnot, but I think I am somewhat justified in this. I am not condemning them to the Telestial Kingdom or anything. I just feel personally disrespected when I know that a priesthood holder is dishonoring that power, or even taking it too lightly. I don't think that it is something I need to change about myself necessarily. I could probably try to not let it anger me so much, but really, its in everybody's best interest for the committer of the crime to change his ways.
Yes, getting a tattoo or piercing your ears doesn't keep you from getting a temple recommend, but where is your heart? If you aren't going to take this holy power as seriously as it should be taken, then don't pretend you are when Sunday rolls around. You may be fooling all the little old ladies and nursery kids, but your peers know what's up, and so does God. So really, what's the point? Thanks to agency, there is no mass solution to this problem. It is individual for each priesthood holder. But in the end, the girls like me who share this pet peeve, end up with the good men who honor their priesthood. Everyone gets their just desserts.
This is such a true statement! I don't think anyone would think that you are being judgmental. The truth is that this is a problem! It is so annoying to know that someone is not worthy to be doing what their doing and yet somehow they get to do it! You did an excellent job of communicating exactly how you felt. Obviously it touched me! So good job!
ReplyDeleteI 100% agree on this one. I'm from Dallas and it's crazy how I know of instances where people are out Saturday night partying, drinking, having sex, smoking, etc..and then they come to church 4 hours later and bless the sacrament? Thank goodness that the worthiness of the priesthood holder doesn't affect the sacrament.
ReplyDeleteAlso, even not MAGNIFYING the priesthood, as opposed to just HAVING it, irks me a bit. Thanks for writing about this, it was needed :)
This total disregard with the sacredness of the priesthood and the responsibilites that come with being a priesthood holder is also something that not only irritates me but makes me upset and sad. I also know some young men that live lifestyles that are not in accordance with the church standards. When I see them up on the stand blessing and passing the sacrament it really bothers me because they are performing a sacred ordance of which I am going to partake and they aren't even worthy. I know it's not our place to judge and the time will come that they will be judged according to their actions, but I feel like it is an insult to those taking the sacrament and to other priesthood holders that do honor the priesthood. Not only this, but it is an awful example for non-members. Our church isn't like most churches. It is more than just going to a service once a week for an hour, it is a lifestyle. If we want to enjoy the blessings of being a member of Christ's church then we need to live our lives in accordance with the church standards.
ReplyDeleteThis brings to mind when a guy in my priests quorum blesses the sacrament then later in the meeting gets up for his testimony and says "I don't really have a testimony of this church but I guess some of the stuff it does is good." That's one of those awkward moments that no one ever mentions again.
ReplyDeleteI do think that people need to be more forward about their lives. There is a lot of people who do bad things but just kind of go along. If you are doing things you shouldn't, don't lie in your interviews and say your not.
Although, on the other hand, it is kind of a personal thing that people have to decide for themselves. I know that I have labeled people to be dishonoring their priesthood then later found out they are as sincere and obedient as myself. Many times we don't know people very well and rumors can spread so just don't be to quick to label individual people and be quick to judge yourself.
Shaelynn, thanks for sharing thoughts on a somewhat difficult subject. I definitely think you raise some good points; particularly the idea of creating a lifestyle, not just something you do on Sundays. This raises some questions for me: in what other situations do we pretend to be someone we're not? Is this just as bad as the examples you've mentioned of dishonoring the priesthood? While your argument is toward a specific group, it's a good opportunity to reflect on our own lives. This is a great reminder for everyone to be honest and have integrity.
ReplyDeleteAlso, McKay makes a good point about it sometimes being personal and a person needs to decide for themselves; while there are certain acts we can probably all agree on that make a person unworthy to perform sacred ordinances, there are others that we may judge to be bad but they are being completely sincere and worthy in the eyes of Heavenly Father. Thanks for bringing this up and promoting some good thoughts/discussion.
You bring out such a great point, something that I have witnessed even here at Utah. I would see kids in the locker room just cussing out a storm and talking about inappropriate subjects, then the next second I see them up in seminary bearing their testimony and how they feel the spirit all the time. I find it very annoying when people seem to be living two lives rather than just showing who they truly are in both worlds. We are here to set high standards, so let's be consistent with it.
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