tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post1185050066356979646..comments2023-11-02T07:25:45.884-05:00Comments on Mormanity - a blog for those interested in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Fake Religion: Thoughts Inspired by Fake WorkJeff Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08776493593387402607noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-35901737530415404692010-03-25T23:26:49.399-05:002010-03-25T23:26:49.399-05:00So...Where's Zarahemla again?
The 3 Nephites?...So...Where's Zarahemla again? <br />The 3 Nephites? <br />Where was the Spirit to tell the first Presidency they already had the Hoffman papers? <br />Why did the Spirit mislead Joseph Smith when translating an ancient funerary text into the words of Abraham?<br />Right. The Spirit will answer my prayers. Sure. Same way he's done to our Mormon Leaders.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-75029520790080010892009-07-26T10:15:31.259-05:002009-07-26T10:15:31.259-05:00Jeff, this is truly inspired. Thank you.Jeff, this is truly inspired. Thank you.Ben Tannerhttp://www.restoredtruth.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-69282383637684989632009-06-23T23:20:31.566-05:002009-06-23T23:20:31.566-05:00This brings to mind the caveat Joseph Smith gave a...This brings to mind the caveat Joseph Smith gave about seeking the plaudits of men or to gratify one's own vain ambition. Every time I turn around in the Church I come face to face with its simple yet profound truths.Mikehttp://www.cmichaeltrapp.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-15396213008841682562009-06-21T18:33:40.129-05:002009-06-21T18:33:40.129-05:00Halibut, Your rhetorical question answers itself, ...Halibut, Your rhetorical question answers itself, although I can sense the frustration in the question. To take the question to the next level, what is our responsibility when others are being "fake." One of the hardest things to do is to not allow others' actions to affect the reasons for why we do what we do. Yes, members of the church screw up, and I have to continually remind myself how much I screw up. Remembering, and admitting to, my own shortcomings gives me a little more patience with other's shortcomings. I'm still responsible for me, no matter what. And the church is still true, no matter what. <br /><br />[As a quick side note, when I moved to Utah two years ago I expected to find nothing but fake, but have been happily surprised to find many members who are not.]ALShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13167842067148469251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-15547712692866433682009-06-20T05:09:00.710-05:002009-06-20T05:09:00.710-05:00Is it considered "fake" when abusive lea...Is it considered "fake" when abusive leaders use their callings to intimidate and harm members?Halibuthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07131774369058978246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-53295082801515883502009-06-18T00:55:35.638-05:002009-06-18T00:55:35.638-05:00I’ve had a few more thoughts on this topic of “fak...I’ve had a few more thoughts on this topic of “fake religion,” especially since reading the comments, which has led me to study a little more on the process of mortal perfection.<br /><br />Anonymous @ 8:50 said, “I'd much rather have a sincere life in which I'm honest with myself than to join a religion and be ‘seen of men’.” For me, I don’t feel like the things I do from a religious standpoint are to be “seen of men” (i.e., “fake”), nor do I feel like in my imperfections I am being insincere, or even hypocritical. I’m as human as they come, dealing with challenges like everyone else. But, if I stop doing what I should be doing just because I don’t have the right attitude that day (or week or month), then I’m missing out. If I’m not pushing forward, then I’m sliding back; and -- trust me -- I’ve felt what it is to slide so far back that the snaggly surface of the slide nearly ripped the backside off of my britches. Yeeouch.<br /><br />Besides the thoughts and intents of our hearts, our Heavenly Father knows that we are imperfect, imperfectly striving to be perfect. Some things I do more perfectly than other things, but the point is that in that process, I am working out my own salvation. Somehow I have a hard time attributing “fakeness” to people who are trying, albeit imperfectly, to act on truths.<br />The Savior didn’t say, “Ye are perfect,” he said, “[Ye are therefore commanded to be] perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (JST Matt. 4:48). However, Elder Russell M. Nelson says that we shouldn’t become depressed when faced with our daunting imperfections, “We all need to remember: men are that they might have joy—not guilt trips!” He then admonishes us, “Let us do the best we can and try to improve each day. When our imperfections appear, we can keep trying to correct them. We can be more forgiving of flaws in ourselves and among those we love. We can be comforted and forbearing” (“Perfection Pending,” Ensign, Nov. 1995). Notably, he does not say that we are being fake when we are imperfect in our duties; rather, we bear chastisement, we repent, we improve, we become closer to God and therefore closer to perfection. What a wonderful joy!<br /> <br />Ooh, there’s so much stuff out there that is good and motivating! Thank you to Jeff for getting me thinking.Jennifernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-15862090400797656322009-06-16T15:54:55.700-05:002009-06-16T15:54:55.700-05:00Great post...my first visit. I've thought a bi...Great post...my first visit. I've thought a bit about this, and realize that much of my religious life consists of going through the motions. I strive to change, but in the meantime try to console myself that perfunctory service/worship is better than none, and that at least I'm putting myself in the right places. Hoping for more.<br /><br /><a href="http://damselindisdress.wordpress.com" rel="nofollow">http://damselindisdress.wordpress.com</a>The Damsel In Dis Dresshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05208040949986947201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-19920727414765980182009-06-16T15:13:55.046-05:002009-06-16T15:13:55.046-05:00Perhaps we are working in different paradigms, but...Perhaps we are working in different paradigms, but I don't understand this idea of authenticity. Wouldn't it be better to suffer through a good act rather than refrain from doing anything at all? <br /><br />Is a good spirit more important than the act itself? Perhaps you could explain this further to me.Matt @ Rational Imperativehttp://www.rationalimperative.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-25099476258871322942009-06-16T12:31:37.631-05:002009-06-16T12:31:37.631-05:00Can anyone relate working in business inside a cor...Can anyone relate working in business inside a corporation, to spreading the Gospel that we as Christians have been commissioned to do (without preaching to work colleagues, that will probably end up with a contractual dismissal)?<br /><br />Shouldn't the Gospel be oozing from our every pore through the influence of the Holy Spirit so that we are alive with it's message and making it contagious for everyone that we come into contact with ?<br /><br />So Jeff is correct (to a certain extent) in this post; what are we doing with our lives persuing personal careers, goals, dreams, holidays and ambitions placing the Gospel Commission of Christ way down on our daily / weekly / annual list of 'things that I must do' ? Are we really listening to the Spirit's call ?Seeing through a glass, darklynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-28313889100019168942009-06-16T11:03:22.304-05:002009-06-16T11:03:22.304-05:00Jeff,
As you all know I am no longer a member of ...Jeff,<br /><br />As you all know I am no longer a member of the Church, don't believe in it, and often disagree with what you post here. But, I have to say that this post transcends faith differences and hits at the heart of the question: why we do what we do. This post is excellent from top to bottom, and you hit vital biblical principals that makes this post something that any faith group could benefit from. Thank you for the time you put into this post. I hope the result is that all of us go forth with the right motives to do what we do in the context of serving God. Blessings to you, Jeff.<br /><br />Peace and Grace!jackgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-30203532967681265312009-06-16T10:50:22.191-05:002009-06-16T10:50:22.191-05:00ROFLM*O! I've had my share of perfunctory home...ROFLM*O! I've had my share of perfunctory home teaching visits by leadership and they stick with me as examples of how not to do it. I have tried to embrace the late Elder Helvecio Martins (sp?) doctrine of lifetime home teacher. I'm no Celestial role model in all things, but strive to do the right things for right reasons. I would hope that your insights here would find it's way to quorum lessons and conference talks.Rick Snoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-2345945906482742612009-06-16T07:22:28.020-05:002009-06-16T07:22:28.020-05:00Fake Work is more than a leadership problem. Indiv...Fake Work is more than a leadership problem. Individuals throughout the corporation contribute to it or keep it alive by giving in to it, and strengthening the culture of fakeness by their own actions. Peterson and Nielson have a lot of advice to employees as well as leaders. WARNING: Some of the advice will get you fired. I'll clarify that in one of my next posts at <a href="http://InnovationFatigue.com" rel="nofollow">InnovationFatigue.com</a>.Jeff Lindsayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08776493593387402607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-10498270598141767082009-06-16T06:53:46.717-05:002009-06-16T06:53:46.717-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Halibuthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07131774369058978246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-39635164470931714992009-06-16T00:26:55.903-05:002009-06-16T00:26:55.903-05:00Oh, how I think we can all relatye to this: "...Oh, how I think we can all relatye to this: "When someone begins a talk with the words, 'I'm not sure how I'm going to fill the time,' that's when I'm tempted to head for the doors because the next 20 or so minutes will be 'fake.'"<br /><br />Somehow, we've missed the mark when our members don't understand that the purpose of a talk is to uplift and to edify. Surely with a little effort, the Lord will help us come up with material that will do that and not have to start with an apology. I hope nobody continues to folow that model that we have all seen too many times.<br /><br />BTW, I can relate to the intro about fake work in corporate America. But maybe that's a leadership failure - not getting the message of what really is the core business and what kind of work affects the bottom line all the way to the troops at the front.Tim Malonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11583763801445542972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-43526640050322754772009-06-15T22:32:47.381-05:002009-06-15T22:32:47.381-05:00Awesome Jeff! Where are HEART lies is important. ...Awesome Jeff! Where are HEART lies is important. This may not be word for word, but a scripture is coming to mind: "They draw near unto me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me".<br /><br />Is there a way to link your post on Facebook or do I just cut and paste the link from my search engine?Tracy Keeneynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-83627366048122979862009-06-15T20:50:28.210-05:002009-06-15T20:50:28.210-05:00Interesting view.
I think that most organizations...Interesting view.<br /><br />I think that most organizations in life are composed of 60-80% fakery. Religion though ranks up near the top of the heap. It promotes being fake.<br /><br />Remember, the natural man is an enemy to God so it's better to be someone you are not rather than to incure the wrath of Jesus. <br /><br />Pascal's Wager is based on faking it till you make it.<br /><br />I'd much rather have a sincere life in which I'm honest with myself than to join a religion and be "seen of men".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-17801252073585787952009-06-15T17:48:07.431-05:002009-06-15T17:48:07.431-05:00Very honest and true. I think we tend to trivilize...Very honest and true. I think we tend to trivilize what is and is not required of us. We view certain aspects of how we ought to conduct ourselves more as a laborious task than something we are committed in doing.Timothy R. Bermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14291048893986898562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-54548364202325416892009-06-15T16:17:26.593-05:002009-06-15T16:17:26.593-05:00I haven't read such an honest post in a long t...I haven't read such an honest post in a long time. So profound and true. As a ward leader, I often feel that I'm putting out fires and smoothing ruffled feathers instead of ministering to those who are in need. <br /><br />May we all learn to practice true religion.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05819634430948387593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-69490503657606066672009-06-15T16:07:11.635-05:002009-06-15T16:07:11.635-05:00This is why _goals_ are so important.
From The Ga...This is why _goals_ are so important.<br /><br />From <i>The Game of Work — How to Enjoy Work As Much As Play</i> by Charles A. Coonradt:<br /><br />“In the absence of clearly defined goals, people are forced to concentrate on the activity and ultimately become enslaved by it."<br /><br />It goes on to say: "Most businesses pay for attendance when they need to be paying for performance and productivity … Most business people don’t keep score; they don’t measure performance as effectively as<br />they do in recreation.”Bookslingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15077778974473538408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-35966786156793762482009-06-15T15:33:27.388-05:002009-06-15T15:33:27.388-05:00I appreciate your caveat. In my experience, somet...I appreciate your caveat. In my experience, sometimes just being and doing what you should be doing....even with the wrong attitude, can be beneficial. Then hopefully as you realize your attitude is wrong you can make adjustments. <br /><br />Great Post, I enjoyed it.Aaronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07524215187064589235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-68883847165291742072009-06-15T15:08:50.226-05:002009-06-15T15:08:50.226-05:00Ian, as a youth I agree. One of the most important...Ian, as a youth I agree. One of the most important things to me is that I have felt the love and Spirit of those who teach me and the others and who lead. I know that I can rely on them whatever the case, and it is one of the biggest things that has strengthened me in the Church, besides my own testimony.<br /><br />Boy scouts can be good if we are really learning things that can benefit us in years to come and if we can feel a sense of teamwork and inclusion. Not everyone can do everything, but each can do something. Just my thoughts.<br /><br />Concerning home teaching, I have been blessed to have an older teaching companion who has a love and devotion to his calling and serving others, though I believe that more time should be spent on the spiritual and less on talking about other aspects of life, though it is nice to chat for a reasonable bit to see what is going on.Tonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03960519151863517265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-55269841955671411962009-06-15T14:46:47.781-05:002009-06-15T14:46:47.781-05:00Wonderful Post. As a new member to the church I re...Wonderful Post. As a new member to the church I really will strive to take these lessons to heart as I do my home teaching and other activities.symphonyofdissenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16431032360870774004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-33005751193456857732009-06-15T13:35:04.942-05:002009-06-15T13:35:04.942-05:00Great post.
Dave d,
I agree with you about the...Great post. <br /><br />Dave d, <br /><br />I agree with you about the youth. I have just recently been called as Young Men's president, and I have found already that it's really hard to avoid too many "fake" activities. In some ways, the Boy Scouts contribute to the fakeness. <br /><br />I was reading a pamphlet for training leaders and there was a study that found that the second most contributing factor that helped lead youth to missions was that they knew the leaders loved them. First was home life, but second was leaders. It never mentioned what sort of activities were had, but that leaders were there for them.<br /><br />So, I think we should avoid many fake things, but we should also realize that, sometimes those fake things can translate into real things. If you catch my meaning.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17109430531198187222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-68495342720186542642009-06-15T12:16:30.448-05:002009-06-15T12:16:30.448-05:00Thank you for this excellent post, for reminding m...Thank you for this excellent post, for reminding me of things that I need to work on. It brings to life the need to keep an eye single to the glory of God. I think it was Boyd K. Packer who said doing that was like our vision being one half of the binoculars and the Lord's vision being the other half, and when they come together, you can SEE, you are doing what you should be.Jennifernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-10769010358380679322009-06-15T12:03:02.020-05:002009-06-15T12:03:02.020-05:00"Home teaching is fake when its purpose is to..."Home teaching is fake when its purpose is to generate a statistic. An elder's quorum president once called on the last day of the month to tell me that his home teaching goal was in jeopardy because my home teacher hadn't visited me, and wanted to know if he could come over at 10 pm that night just for a minute or two so they could count me as home taught."<br /><br />How much better if he had called and said, "I see that your home teacher missed visiting you this month. I just wanted, as your quorum leaader, to check on you and your family. How are you doing? Is there anything we can do to help you? As you point out, the purpose of home teaching is service, not statistics.Jim Laytonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08245296546936520038noreply@blogger.com