Wow! I was talking to my sister about her idea to write a guest post and realized it had been a couple months since I've written. School started, and we've been bombarded by problems that I won't bore you with, but despite all that I think it time I record the next chapter of my spiritual journey.
I joined a group on Facebook about divine dreams, and at first thought it would be just for fun, but the longer I was there the more I learned about my own gift for dreaming. I learned the meaning of a significant dream from my childhood and threw myself into seeking learning from God about the direction he wants for my life. Having found joy in service at a nondenominational church after a while it seemed I'd learned about what they had to offer. Then I started having dreams that gave me the impression it was time for me to move on somewhere that would offer more and deeper knowledge. I remembered a woman telling me about a Messianic Jewish Synagogue. I started feeling the desire to learn more about the Jewish roots of Christianity, after all Christ was himself a Jew and taught Judaism, and while the sacrifice of Christ fulfilled the Law of Moses so there was no more need to sacrifice animals, Jesus being the last "sacrificial lamb", there are other aspects of the law that can and likely should be kept. In my heart, I feel that learning more about these laws will inform me of more of the nature of God and His character. I decided to seek out and attend one of these Messianic Jewish Synagogues.
After attending a Friday night service I notified the people I served with at the Christian church I had found. The contrast between their reaction and the reaction I got from Mormons when I differed with them on some matters of doctrine was so stark it was truly astonishing to me. The reaction of Mormons had been to gossip, shun, or argue or some combination thereof. Here, they prayed for me and my family and our journey, told me they would miss me, hugged me, and reminded me I was always welcome. They accepted and validated my spiritual journey agreeing I had to follow what God had placed in my heart and I felt nothing but love from them. There was no judgment whatsoever. I almost couldn't believe it! Was this what it was like for normal Christians? They just do what feels right in their own spiritual journey, and allow others to do the same, and just love each other with the love Christ preached? What an idea! It was such a refreshing experience I almost rethought my decision. My kids had fun there, and I could do something more productive if the sermon wasn't a topic that would enrich me. Last week I couldn't get myself to go because I knew the topic was relating to how to decide who to vote for, and I've already decided and this not being a political blog I'll say no more about that, just that it wasn't how I wanted to spend a Sunday. Perhaps this next week, or perhaps not, either way I know I am welcome and loved there despite believing things that are not common held beliefs in the congregation. And with that example of Christlike love I don't think I've met a more Christian bunch of Christians anywhere else!
Showing posts with label Charity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Charity. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Thursday, April 7, 2016
The Truth about Relief Society Part 1: The Founding and Origional Organization
My experience that prompted this post
You never know how little authority women in the church have till you are called to a position in which you think you can do something meaningful, just to find out you can't even plan a single topic without permission from a man. We take such pride in saying Relief Society is the oldest women's organization in the world, but how is it a women's organization if we have to get permission from a man who isn't part of said organization to do anything within it? To me this doesn't make any sense at all. I wouldn't mind if women never get the priesthood, but can we at least get control over our own organization again? The High Priests, and Elders can organize their own activities, extend their own callings and fulfill their responsibilities all on their own. Why should the women need the oversight and supervision of the Bishop to do the same things? We are treated not like equals but like children. We don't want the priesthood so we can be Bishops, or Elders (at least most that I know of). Men can have those callings, we just want the freedom to do what we like within our own organization. In attempting to plan a gathering outside of normal Sunday services I have to get permission for the topic AND the teacher of the topic. Apparently this control over the women has been going on for well over 60 years.
So what was Relief Society when it was founded? Let's look at what Relief Society was when organized by Joseph Smith. With the Joseph Smith Papers we can go straight to the source and read about the organization of Relief Society straigh from their own meeting minutes:
"If any Officers are wanted to carry out the designs of the Institution, let them be appointed and set apart, as Deacons, Teachers, etc. are among us. . . .
You never know how little authority women in the church have till you are called to a position in which you think you can do something meaningful, just to find out you can't even plan a single topic without permission from a man. We take such pride in saying Relief Society is the oldest women's organization in the world, but how is it a women's organization if we have to get permission from a man who isn't part of said organization to do anything within it? To me this doesn't make any sense at all. I wouldn't mind if women never get the priesthood, but can we at least get control over our own organization again? The High Priests, and Elders can organize their own activities, extend their own callings and fulfill their responsibilities all on their own. Why should the women need the oversight and supervision of the Bishop to do the same things? We are treated not like equals but like children. We don't want the priesthood so we can be Bishops, or Elders (at least most that I know of). Men can have those callings, we just want the freedom to do what we like within our own organization. In attempting to plan a gathering outside of normal Sunday services I have to get permission for the topic AND the teacher of the topic. Apparently this control over the women has been going on for well over 60 years.
So what was Relief Society when it was founded? Let's look at what Relief Society was when organized by Joseph Smith. With the Joseph Smith Papers we can go straight to the source and read about the organization of Relief Society straigh from their own meeting minutes:
"President Smith further remarked that an organization to show them how to go to work would be sufficient. He proposed that the Sisters choose a presiding officer to preside over them, and let the presiding officer choose two counselors to assist in the duties of her office -- that he would ordain them to preside over the Society -- and let them preside just as the Presidency presides over the church and if they need instruction -- ask him, he will give it from time to time." [emphasis added] (JSP Nauvoo Relief Society Minute Book p.7-8)
Notice the women choose the leader, and she chooses counselors, all Joseph did is propose the organization and ordain the women they chose to lead them. They can ask him for instruction but he did not mandate anything in the form of policies or anything else, a Constitution was all up to them to create for themselves.
"If any Officers are wanted to carry out the designs of the Institution, let them be appointed and set apart, as Deacons, Teachers, etc. are among us. . . .
"He then suggested the propriety of electing a Presidency to continue in office during good behavior, or so long as they shall continue to fill the office with dignity etc. like the first Presidency of the Church.
"Motioned by Sister Whitney and seconded by Sister Packard that Mrs. Emma Smith be chosen President -- Passed unanimously --" (ibid p.8)
The ONLY role of the priesthood in Relief Society was to ordain the women to offices within the Society, not even to propose or vote on who those sisters should be!!! Joseph Smith did not call Emma to be the first President of Relief Society, the sisters did by common consent. Relief Society had it's own funds, and it's own treasurer, and was not dependent on the Church for it's financial means to carry out it's purposes. Joseph Smith gave the first donation of $5, and after the minutes of each meeting a record was kept of donations including who gave and the amount. The men present for the initial organization and naming of the Society withdrew before the choice of secretaries and treasurer were made. (ibid p. 13)
Sisters who wanted to join the Female Relief Society of Navoo had to apply and their membership be voted on by common conent of those who already belonged (this is an action at the begining of each meeting, the sustaining of new members), just as men admitted to the priesthood are sustained by common consent then and still today. Every meeting (except one when Joseph Smith thought they were growing too fast) started with the sustaining of new members, and a list of those who were added to the Society. Early meetings talked about the importance of avoiding evil, and in the third meeting Joseph Smith said, "none should be received into the Society but those who were worthy -- proposed that the Society go into a close examination of every candidate." (ibid p. 22) Much of this responsibility fell to Emma.
What has Changed?
Today the men decide who will be in various positions in Relief Society and the men decide how much money from church funds can be used by the Relief Society, the men decide what topics we can teach and when and who can teach them. Voting on new members who wish to join has been done away now and any female member of the church over the age of 18 is automatically a member of Reilief Society. We don't make our own lessons, and we don't have our own funds to administer relief with. Really we don't do any administering relief any more. We do some service to those who need it from time to time, but most of our ability to give relief has been crippled by the church burocracy (speaking from my own experience and observation). We instead create our own new organizations (like the Liahona Children's Foundation) separate from the church when we find a need of relief because we can't give relief in Relief Society any more.
Continue to Part 2
Sisters who wanted to join the Female Relief Society of Navoo had to apply and their membership be voted on by common conent of those who already belonged (this is an action at the begining of each meeting, the sustaining of new members), just as men admitted to the priesthood are sustained by common consent then and still today. Every meeting (except one when Joseph Smith thought they were growing too fast) started with the sustaining of new members, and a list of those who were added to the Society. Early meetings talked about the importance of avoiding evil, and in the third meeting Joseph Smith said, "none should be received into the Society but those who were worthy -- proposed that the Society go into a close examination of every candidate." (ibid p. 22) Much of this responsibility fell to Emma.
What has Changed?
Today the men decide who will be in various positions in Relief Society and the men decide how much money from church funds can be used by the Relief Society, the men decide what topics we can teach and when and who can teach them. Voting on new members who wish to join has been done away now and any female member of the church over the age of 18 is automatically a member of Reilief Society. We don't make our own lessons, and we don't have our own funds to administer relief with. Really we don't do any administering relief any more. We do some service to those who need it from time to time, but most of our ability to give relief has been crippled by the church burocracy (speaking from my own experience and observation). We instead create our own new organizations (like the Liahona Children's Foundation) separate from the church when we find a need of relief because we can't give relief in Relief Society any more.
Continue to Part 2
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
"Verily I say unto you that all things unto me are spiritual..."
Today my sister sent me a text asking me to pray for her. She had hurt her back. She said she could not walk or sit up. We'd talked about chakras before and after praying for her I sent her a text saying to clear her lower three chakras that are along her back. After she texted back asking how to do that I decided to call her. When I
called to talk to her she said she had been very angry while doing
something in her kitchen. There was a portal in her kitchen, and she twisted her back while reaching down to pick up a shoe of her kids had left on the floor. As she picked it up she stepped in the portal, and strained her back. The back pain started when she bent over. She threw the shoe and then pushed it along the floor with her foot. Afterwards she thought stretching would help her back, so she did some pilates
that made it worse. She had been in so much
pain she could not sleep, walk, or sit. Her husband had to take off
work and she was lying in bed.
I talked to her about the event, what she had done since (she had gotten two preisthood blessings), and I talked to her about emotional and spiritual problems she was having. She had closed the portals in her home, but there were more on her property she hadn't had enough energy to do. She had cast out the associated spirits. She wasn't angry at her child any more, but was angry at some people in her fellowship group because of problems within the group. We talked a bit about the need for her to forgive and love them. She pointed out that she could only control her side of the relationship. I aknowledged this and emphaised the need for her to take control of her side. I instructed her first in prayer asking God to help her let go of the anger, forgive, and then have Charity for these people in her life. After the prayer I led her through a chakra healing meditation session, something I have never done before with anyone. With each chakra I instructed her to release things I knew specific to her and her situation. When it was over she said she physically was in less pain. By the end of our session she was relaxed enough and the pain was lessened enough to sleep. I wasn't sure I could actually help her. I only hoped that I could. When she told me how much better she felt I was so happy that I had been able to help her despite my huge lack of experience.
She found out later after seeing a chiropractor that she had a comptessed disk, and the associated pulled muscles, which he said is along the same level of pain as a broken rib. She has gotten through this without going to the hospital or being on pain medication, by using the meditation I taught her.
May God bless you to find whatever healing you need. If you don't have anyone you think you can ask for help feel free to contact me.
I talked to her about the event, what she had done since (she had gotten two preisthood blessings), and I talked to her about emotional and spiritual problems she was having. She had closed the portals in her home, but there were more on her property she hadn't had enough energy to do. She had cast out the associated spirits. She wasn't angry at her child any more, but was angry at some people in her fellowship group because of problems within the group. We talked a bit about the need for her to forgive and love them. She pointed out that she could only control her side of the relationship. I aknowledged this and emphaised the need for her to take control of her side. I instructed her first in prayer asking God to help her let go of the anger, forgive, and then have Charity for these people in her life. After the prayer I led her through a chakra healing meditation session, something I have never done before with anyone. With each chakra I instructed her to release things I knew specific to her and her situation. When it was over she said she physically was in less pain. By the end of our session she was relaxed enough and the pain was lessened enough to sleep. I wasn't sure I could actually help her. I only hoped that I could. When she told me how much better she felt I was so happy that I had been able to help her despite my huge lack of experience.
She found out later after seeing a chiropractor that she had a comptessed disk, and the associated pulled muscles, which he said is along the same level of pain as a broken rib. She has gotten through this without going to the hospital or being on pain medication, by using the meditation I taught her.
May God bless you to find whatever healing you need. If you don't have anyone you think you can ask for help feel free to contact me.
Friday, November 27, 2015
"In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, ye have done it unto me."
First I would like to make clear my reason for publishing this post. It is not to gain glory or praise but rather it is to help give others the courage to reach out in love to their fellow man. God has not led me into harms way, and I trust He will continue to do so. The world has many needs and until we unitedly work together to help one another there will always be someone in need of a helping hand, a warm meal, a place to sleep, or a feeling of love. I found one such today, and consider what I did for him to be a small simple thing, hardly worthy of notice, yet not many would do what I did today.
As I have been seeking to be closer to God, I have been praying for the opportunities to help my fellow man and use my gift of empathy and love to benefit others. Today there was an ice storm, and my husband forgot to bring his ice scraper to work with him. I offered, and brought it, found his car, and put it in for him so he'd be able to scrape his car off when he gets off work. On the way out of the parking lot I passed a homeless man with a sign asking for food. I felt like I needed to go back and help him. I found a safe place to park and flashed my lights at him. He came over and I offered to bring him to my home for dinner tonight since I was already planning on feeding company. He accepted and got in. He looked around at my four kids in the back of my van and asked if I was babysitting.
"Nope, they're all mine."
He went on to talk about the fact that he's doing what he's doing for survival. I asked if he had a place to sleep tonight and said I could bring him there after dinner. He had a daughter but didn't want to ask her for help. He used to ridicule and judge the homeless. I mentioned the scripture judge not that ye be not judged. And we discussed it. He told me he's a Christian and talked a lot about thinking people shouldn't judge him. I talked about Christ teaching to care for the poor and the needy, and that that is why I decided to help him. He asked what sort of gathering I'm having for dinner tonight, and I happened to be signed up to feed the missionaries. He asked what church I belonged to and I told him, and then he asked hastily, "Is that the real time?"
"Yes, the clock is correct."
"I forgot I'm supposed to meet my sister." And he gave me directions to drop him off at a church. I think the prospect of dinner with missionaries scared him off, though it could be that he did in deed forget a meeting with his sister. Either way I felt good that he could warm his hands and that he had a place to go. I made it home with just enough time to cook dinner for the missionaries.
During dinner the sisters asked about my day and I told then about my trip out and helping the man with a sign, and his decision to forgo dinner with me when he learned of the missionaries being part of it. After dinner I had a discussion with the sisters about trying to be close to God and that His Spirit gives me the confidence to do things to help others in need. I never would have done something like this 3-4 months ago. But having a prayer in my heart as I go through the day I can have the confidence that if helping someone would jeopardize the safety of myself and my children God would warn me. But perfect love casteth out all fear, and as I love God more, and my fellow man more, I no longer fear what man can do. To quote the bishop in Les Miserables, "Have no fear of robbers or murderers. They are external dangers, petty dangers. We should fear ourselves. Prejudices are the real robbers; vices the real murderers. The great dangers are within us. Why worry about what threatens our heads or our purses? Let us think instead of what threatens our souls." Let us seek love and charity and if we are on the Lords errand he will protect us, but if not we will know that so too were the prophets of old persecuted and killed. The only real fear is for our souls.
As I have been seeking to be closer to God, I have been praying for the opportunities to help my fellow man and use my gift of empathy and love to benefit others. Today there was an ice storm, and my husband forgot to bring his ice scraper to work with him. I offered, and brought it, found his car, and put it in for him so he'd be able to scrape his car off when he gets off work. On the way out of the parking lot I passed a homeless man with a sign asking for food. I felt like I needed to go back and help him. I found a safe place to park and flashed my lights at him. He came over and I offered to bring him to my home for dinner tonight since I was already planning on feeding company. He accepted and got in. He looked around at my four kids in the back of my van and asked if I was babysitting.
"Nope, they're all mine."
He went on to talk about the fact that he's doing what he's doing for survival. I asked if he had a place to sleep tonight and said I could bring him there after dinner. He had a daughter but didn't want to ask her for help. He used to ridicule and judge the homeless. I mentioned the scripture judge not that ye be not judged. And we discussed it. He told me he's a Christian and talked a lot about thinking people shouldn't judge him. I talked about Christ teaching to care for the poor and the needy, and that that is why I decided to help him. He asked what sort of gathering I'm having for dinner tonight, and I happened to be signed up to feed the missionaries. He asked what church I belonged to and I told him, and then he asked hastily, "Is that the real time?"
"Yes, the clock is correct."
"I forgot I'm supposed to meet my sister." And he gave me directions to drop him off at a church. I think the prospect of dinner with missionaries scared him off, though it could be that he did in deed forget a meeting with his sister. Either way I felt good that he could warm his hands and that he had a place to go. I made it home with just enough time to cook dinner for the missionaries.
During dinner the sisters asked about my day and I told then about my trip out and helping the man with a sign, and his decision to forgo dinner with me when he learned of the missionaries being part of it. After dinner I had a discussion with the sisters about trying to be close to God and that His Spirit gives me the confidence to do things to help others in need. I never would have done something like this 3-4 months ago. But having a prayer in my heart as I go through the day I can have the confidence that if helping someone would jeopardize the safety of myself and my children God would warn me. But perfect love casteth out all fear, and as I love God more, and my fellow man more, I no longer fear what man can do. To quote the bishop in Les Miserables, "Have no fear of robbers or murderers. They are external dangers, petty dangers. We should fear ourselves. Prejudices are the real robbers; vices the real murderers. The great dangers are within us. Why worry about what threatens our heads or our purses? Let us think instead of what threatens our souls." Let us seek love and charity and if we are on the Lords errand he will protect us, but if not we will know that so too were the prophets of old persecuted and killed. The only real fear is for our souls.
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