Things I wish people wouldn’t say in church

[hummingbird]

Inspired by this blog post, I've decided to start my own thread on the subject. This blog post mentions:

‘We have 6 children, and all of them served missions and/or married in the temple.’

One of mine is:

"Just pray harder."

What are yours?

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by beckysoup61

Inspired by this blog post, I've decided to start my own thread on the subject. This blog post mentions:

One of mine is:

"Just pray harder."

What are yours?

We have 6 children, and all of them served missions and/or married in the temple.

[Aiyizo]

Since coming to Utah, I've noticed that this is a common self-introduction in sacrament meeting. Even at the start of the university devotionals, Samuelson usually cheerfully introduces the speaker by saying "Such-and-such has *number near 6* children and *number near 20* grandchildren (and sometimes '*number near 6 again* grandchildren')." While I'm not surprised given the culture here, I don't think it's right to use number of children and grandchildren as a status symbol.

As for the question... perhaps the people who turn fast and testimony meeting into "what I did last week?"

[hummingbird]

"If you just have more faith, the Lord will bless you"

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by Aiyizo

While I'm not surprised given the culture here, I don't think it's right to use number of children and grandchildren as a status symbol.

It absolutely is a status symbol. No matter what a speaker's background or accomplishments, the number of kids he has seems to be the most important thing that can be said about him.

As for the question... perhaps the people who turn fast and testimony meeting into "what I did last week?"

I used to hate Testimony Meeting in my own ward. Now that my husband and I are attended a Hispanic branch as part of our new calling, I am hearing actual testimonies for the first time in years. It's incredibly refreshing.

[Aiyizo]

Originally Posted by Katzpur

It absolutely is a status symbol. No matter what a speaker's background or accomplishments, the number of kids he has seems to be the most important thing that can be said about him.

While I'm not opposed to parents bragging about their kids (my parents do this a lot about me and my sister, and I suppose it's a natural thing to do), it's when it becomes said in a way to indirectly mean "I'm better than you" or "I'm a better parent because my children are better" that I become opposed to it.

It all depends on the context, I guess.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by Aiyizo

While I'm not opposed to parents bragging about their kids (my parents do this a lot about me and my sister, and I suppose it's a natural thing to do), it's when it becomes said in a way to indirectly mean "I'm better than you" or "I'm a better parent because my children are better" that I become opposed to it.

It all depends on the context, I guess.

I suppose it depends on context, but most of the times I can recall hearing statements like the one I mentioned, it is clearly implied that "good parents raise good children." At least once a year there is also a lesson in Relief Society along those same lines. I have seen women get up and walk out of the room in tears as soon as they realized what the topic of the lesson was going to be.

The other thing I hate to hear is how someone's child was protected in the face of some catastrophy because he was "righteous." The clear implication is that God takes care of kids who are "good," and doesn't let them get killed in car accidents, etc. I know that pretty much anybody I know would agree that that's absurd, and yet many of the same people who would agree with me are the guilty parties.

Seriously, if there is any character trait I have a real hard time with, it's people who are self-righteous. I simply have no tolerance for that kind of behavior.

[Rasta]

Seriously, if there is any character trait I have a real hard time with, it's people who are self-righteous. I simply have no tolerance for that kind of behavior.

Amen.