Sunday, October 12, 2014

Obstruction of Lesson

One of my callings in church is to teach the Elders Quorum on the 2nd Sunday of the month.  It is a great calling and I enjoy reviewing and preparing the material.  I enjoy the lesson itself for the most part and love to learn from the brothers in the quorum.  Today's material I thought was fantastic.  It was chapter 19 from the Teachings of Joseph Fielding Smith manual titled:  In the World but Not of The World.  I think that was the title though it may not be exact.  Anyway, we discussed some of the themes covered in conference last week.  Participation was great and we were getting to the point I was hoping for to transition into a life experience of President Smith that was shared in the lesson.  Then a comment by a late comer that just threw everything for a loop.  It was his philosophy on life and the world and was contrary to the doctrine we had just discussed for the prior 10 to 15 minutes.  To make it even better was the condescending tone with which it was shared.  I probably should have been a little bolder in quashing the matter but I try not to alienate members of the quorum and I don't want to discourage others from sharing by being a jerk to someone who does share.  Regardless, it sparked some feelings in some of the members and it lead to some, well, heated discussion.  It wasn't a burning heat but there was some tension I think.  To interject with my thoughts and my opinions would not have been kosher.  I went back to the doctrine and the words of the prophets.  The doctrine defends itself.  The truth is truth regardless of what mans opinion may be and all I hoped for coming out of there was that the truth was testified of by the Holy Ghost when it was taught.  I think there are those who obstruct just to get a rise out of people.  I don't really feel there is an appropriate time or place for such behavior.  I also do not believe it is appropriate to preach our own philosophies as if they are the doctrines of Christ.  It certainly was enlightening to see the very attitudes and complacency we have been warned about on display and being defended.  Perhaps enlightening is the wrong word, it was disturbing and sad.  Philosophies of men mingled with scripture, we've learned something about that.  It is subtle to be sure.     

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