Gospel Culture

[Moksha]

Originally Posted by puf_the_majic_dragon

beards.

A search on LDS.org turns up one article from 1971 from a speach by Dallin H Oaks when he first became president of BYU. This was regarding grooming standards for BYU and shaving and short hair were encouraged, not because beards and long hair are inherently wrong, but because they identified people with the hippie counter culture of the time. However this was specifically for BYU students about BYU rules.

I remember that period in time, when you could identify the male BYU students by the white side walls on their head. They seemed like a walking anachronism from the past back then. Now, longer hair seems anachronistic.

The point was made to those BYU students that they needed to learn conformity to the values of their elder authorities and not seek to be like the world around them.

[Hemidakota]

Originally Posted by pretty_in_pink

What do you think of gospel culture? What should we do about it?

*In my opinion, I believe that gospel culture should be practice. Old traditions should be taken away and replace with the reality of what we see and choose the right actions. We are in this new generation and we should live the way the Lord wants us to live our lives. Let's be aware of our old traditions. *

We live by example that is set before us - a living prophet or our mentor, the living Christ.

[Truegrits]

LolaBella:
I was sick every Sunday of people chasing me for numbers, paper, and having lessons based on how oh-so-righteous we are as LDS and how wicked the rest of the world are.

I am not sure what you mean by being chased for numbers, paper? Could you please explain that?
I have never been in a class or heard a lesson on the wickedness of other Churches. If I were to be in a class where someone was denigrating another Faith, I would object to it and/or leave the class.
That being said, a few "bad apples" will never be the cause of my denying my Church, my Faith.

[LolaBella]

For those of you that don't understand my point of view, fine, you obviously have great wards. That is great but please be open minded enough to realise that not everyone shares your view, and some of us have problems with our wards and beliefs, for whatever reason. That is surely not difficult to understand is it?

[richlittell]

Originally Posted by LolaBella

For those of you that don't understand my point of view, fine, you obviously have great wards. That is great but please be open minded enough to realise that not everyone shares your view, and some of us have problems with our wards and beliefs, for whatever reason. That is surely not difficult to understand is it?

I don't entirely disagree with you. I know that home teaching numbers and so forth can get old, but the leaders of the church have a job to do, and numbers is just one way of helping lost sheep or making sure sheep don't become lost. It is the work of Christ.

I second what others have said about lessons at church and I've been a member of wards all over the U.S. and the world. I am quite amazed at how much they are the same, although each ward might have a slightly distinct "personality."

I don't think anyone is not being open minded, just expressing our view, as you have expressed yours. We simply have a different testimony.

For me, I joined and remain involved in the church because it is Christ's, not because I like or dislike any leader or members or the administrative approach or the lessons or anything else. My salvation is mine, and not any other of the members of our church.

[LDSpunkrocker]

Originally Posted by pretty_in_pink

Well, we have different opinions. And we're all entitled to our own opinions. It's a message came from President Dallin Oaks. In our country we have so much cultures and traditions and one of Pres. Dallin Oaks message to us is about this topic "Gospel Culture". I myself believe that some of our cultures is not helping us to progress. I can say that its true we have to change good to better.

Hi pretty in pink, would you mind posting the quote or where we can find it? i think your question was a little misunderstood (or maybe i misread responses?) from what i gather you are talking about your personal cultural traditions, how would that compare to our american cultural traditions or other cultural traditions? looks like i have something to think about at work today

[FenderFan]

Originally Posted by checkerboy

Getting back to the whole facial hair thing, I once had an EQ Pres. that had a full beard. He commented that he told the Stake President that the only time he was gonna shave it off was if they added it as a requirement to be clean shaven to obtain a temple recommend.
I have heard of Stake Presidents challenging their members to not have facial hair which to me is hilarious. Something as trivial as facial hair shouldn't be a sign of whether or not you are faithful. That is just our lovely LDS "culture" rearing its ugly head. I think some people think I have a beard cause I wanna be rebelious. Pahlease. I simply look fabulous with a beard.

I've had a beard so long that if I did take it off no one would know who I was...

Got some really funny looks in the Salt Lake temple once. Couldn't work out why this one guy kept looking at me. A couple of days later our hosts worked out that it was probably the beard that confused him.

I used to wear my beard to be rebellious, now I wear it because it's me...

FF

[Moksha]

Originally Posted by FenderFan

Got some really funny looks in the Salt Lake temple once. Couldn't work out why this one guy kept looking at me. A couple of days later our hosts worked out that it was probably the beard that confused him.

FF

Perhaps he noticed a resemblance to LDS leaders who presided before hairlessness came into fashion.

[Hemidakota]

Originally Posted by LDSpunkrocker

Hi pretty in pink, would you mind posting the quote or where we can find it? i think your question was a little misunderstood (or maybe i misread responses?) from what i gather you are talking about your personal cultural traditions, how would that compare to our american cultural traditions or other cultural traditions? looks like i have something to think about at work today

Here is the link: LDS.org - Ensign Article - Repentance and Change