After reading this brief account related by Camille Fronk Olson, consider sharing your thoughts.
Do you feel this young lady had a point?
How do you feel about her decision?
What would you have said to her?
I had been teaching released-time seminary for about five years when a student I had taught when she was a sophomore came back to visit me when she was a senior in high school. After a few pleasantries, she informed me that she was no longer attending The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; she told me she now attended a Protestant church in the area. I felt as though she wanted me to react with alarm when she made this announcement, so I remained calm and simply said, “Oh, that is interesting, what led you to that decision?” Her answer shook me from my calm demeanor because it was not at all what I expected. She said, “When I attended my LDS ward, we talked about being honest, the importance of reading scriptures and getting married in the Temple, and the importance of a living prophet, but I never heard much about Jesus Christ. In this new church I attend, Jesus is the heart and soul of all their sermons.”
My first reaction was denial. In my thoughts I was arguing that she wasn’t listening when she had attended the LDS Church because certainly the Savior is at the heart of all that we believe and understand. In an attempt to validate these assumptions, I asked all of the students in my five classes the next day what they thought of this girl’s observations about her ward. To my amazement, the great majority in every class agreed with her, concluding that we didn’t speak, teach, or mention much about the Savior other than in our hymns and at the end of prayers and talks.
I made a silent vow that day that I would never teach a lesson or give a talk without making a connection between the topic or scripture block and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. My motivation in the beginning was to prove to my students that we did indeed teach of Christ and rejoice in Christ. That reason, however, changed rather quickly. In seeking to find connections to the Savior and His Atonement to present in class, I discovered a deeper, more meaningful scripture study experience. Instead of looking first for ways that the passage applied to me, I sought to understand what it taught about the Redeemer. Students responded to our class discussions differently after I consistently made connections to the Atonement. There was a feeling of reverence in the room. After class, students often reported that the scriptures we had explored that day were the very ones that they needed in their personal challenges. Perhaps most dramatic, I noticed a change that was occurring in me. My reverence for the Redeemer increased beyond anything I had previously known. I also found a new sense of confidence that motivated me to action. I wanted to do and say whatever the Lord wanted me to do and say and felt an added energy to actually do it. Too often before this experience, I had “looked beyond the mark,” or the target upon which to focus. Looking beyond the Savior, I stumbled trying to explain tangents and ancillary principles, getting caught up in faddish topics scintillating stories instead of remembering the foundation of faith in Christ and repentance through the Atonement.
Joseph Smith Lecture Given at Brigham Young University–Hawaii
November 10, 2009
Camille Fronk Olson
Associate Professor of Ancient Scripture , Brigham Young University
I like what Prof Olson says about the transformation that occurred in *her*. Individual members and/or church leaders can take the approach of trying to change the selected words or content in talks and lessons, but the underlying message will be the same if the persons teaching aren’t truly Christ-centered.
Boyd K. Packer discussed some related ideas in an article or talk that I have not been able to locate on the web. He discussed how an individual without a firm testimony will still convey his underlying doubts or vacillation even if he says all the right words in his talk/lesson.
To know the breadth and depth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, one should read the twenty-seventh chapter of third Nephi. Contained therein is the fulness of the gospel. In my opinion, there is no better source for knowledge and understanding of what place Christ should hold in our lives. Paul told the Galatians that “If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” We have received the restoration of the gospel through the Book of Mormon.
In D&C 10:67-68, Christ tells us that His church is made up of those who repent and come unto Him, no more no less. I can see why the young woman would find comfort in the message of the protestant church relative to Christ. We, Mormons, in an effort to demonstrate our wisdom and knowledge, have moved away from the core message of the restoration.
Spektator–
I agree we, Mormons can do better. The questions becomes: how do you and I help?
Help with what?
Trying to convince the church that “all we like sheep have gone astray” does not yield may listeners.
Asking the question: ‘is all well in Zion?” is met with confused stares and silence.
Speaking of the baptism of fire is like speaking a foreign language to most members.
We, each, must seek to understand what the Lord wants us to do, not the desires of some men who claim to be prophets.
“14 They wear stiff necks and high heads; yea, and because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men.” 2 Nephi 28:14
Spektator–
President Eyring wrote the First Presidency Message in September’s Ensign. He said, referring to the Book of Mormon:
“The book makes plain that we must receive the Holy Ghost as a baptism of fire to help us stay on the strait and narrow path.”
Jared,
And I would respond that Eyring twisted the scriptures. The actual scripture from 2nd Nephi 31 tells us that the baptism of fire is the GATE to the strait and narrow way. It is the entry point to the path to eternal life. Mosiah chapter 5 tells us what he must do to ‘retain a remission of our sins’ and keep on that path once we have received that gift.
Big difference.
Spektator–
I guess Elder Eyring’s thoughts can be viewed in different ways. When I read it I understand it to say we must experience the Holy Ghost as fire to enter the gate and to stay on the path.
Either way, as you once said, we can agree to disagree. That said, I always enjoy our exchanges, and reading your blog.
Wow. It is so cool finding this. I think the emphasis put on our savior really depends on the people who make up the ward. We used to attend meeting where it seemed everyone focused on how we are the “chosen” ones. I would joke with my husband that someone could recite the rameumptom prayer and people would say amen! We moved about 4 years ago to a ward where a significant number of members have received a remission of sins, whose testimonies are so amazing. Christ is at the center of EVERY meeting here. We all understand that He is the center of EVERYTHING and worlds without end we can never repay Him for what He has done for us. The least we can do is give Him His proper place at the center of our church.
Kim,
Thanks for your thoughtful comment. The church needs more church members like you have in your ward. You’re are blessed.