Wow there is a lot of core material here when i read the part about the letter i also remembered why my mom cant attent church any more because of another letter that was put out about wereing perfumes and cologns to the chapel , my mom has a severe sensitivity as many elderly people are developing.... back to the topic on hand
i have always believed that some peoples testimonies are ment to be silent and sustain the spirit in the room during the testimony meeting by not letting those whose misuse of the pulpit offend the spirit remove the spirit from the room. i have seen a bishop or stake president get up at the end of a meeting and correct some of the things said. which means that occationally the spirit and the congregation have been so offended that someone had to do something
i think that testimony meeting is great in some wards and very sad in others. i went to one ward when the pulpit was open to bear testimonies the entire congregation got up. my testimony was weak so i sat and basked in the wealth of love and great testimonies. the meeting ended nearly an hour after it was supposed to and the bishop and other members of council each had to get up and comment on the spirit the bishop said he couldnt bear to stop the meeting .... i had never seen such a thing all growing up i had been in wards were there was long silent moments between speakers. all of the testimonies there were simple doctrinal beliefs.... by contrast there are times when i have sat and couldnt hear the words of those speaking over the loud and confessing words of my own testimony confessing to myself. since i have recovered from my near mortal experience i cant hardly sit in my seat for ten minuets of the sacrament meeting without thanking the lord for his love in my life for the power of repentance and the calling of such great people to share in the gospel with.
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