The Departed

[Snowcat]

Originally Posted by Adam

We gain greater amounts of secret confession. We lose Zion, the ability to mourn with those that mourn and the blessing of comforting those who stand in need of comfort. Do we really value the former greater than the latter?

Interesting thought. Most people are not ready for Zion at this level and are would not be willing to air their problems in front of the ward. Why, lack of trust. By keeping things confidentisl, at least members can open up to a Bishop who can mourn and comfort. Why, because members have more trust with the Bishop. If the Bishop violates this confidentiality he would lose this trust.

[Tex]

Originally Posted by Adam

This guy needs a serious beating. He actually lists on his CV that he was a district leader on his mission.

Does that count as a "CV"? He also put his marriage and four kids down.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by Adam

I don't blame my bishop, I blame the system. I agree that there are good reasons for confidentiality--mainly to encourage people to unburden themselves via a secret confession they wouldn't make publicly.

But you trade the secret confessions for Zion IMHO. A community can't be of one heart and one mind while keeping struggles secret from everyone but the bishop.

Isn't this price too high? Obviously the current church hierarchy doesn't think so.

I disagree.

A person struggles first privately before he burdens another. It is one's moral duty to anguish before sharing the anguish. And to anguish as few persons as possible.

So in a way, it is more noble NOT to share and to retain the confidentiality.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by Adam

This is a cultural mindset and not part of the gospel. Suffer in silence and don't burden others. Am I missing the scriptural mandate for this moral duty?

It stands in direct juxtaposition to Zion IMHO. One heart and one mind. Mourn and comfort together. And so forth.

So when did you become a proof texter? You rely solely upon your unique interpretation of the scriptures?

It's part of studying it out in my mind, before I take it to somebody else. I interpret the provisions of being of one heart to have a common purpose in serving God and man, but that doesn't mean our hearts must share all anguish.