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Every six months, the LDS Church holds its semi-annual general conference in Salt Lake. Even though interpreted simultaneously into over 68 languages and broadcast around the world by satellite, faithful come from every corner of the globe to hear their leaders give messages of instruction, admonition, hope and good will.

Today I decided to take a break from listening on a live-stream at home and walk down to Temple Square (I only live about 2 blocks away) and take in some of the atmosphere. Unfortunately, conference is also an opportunity for "evangelists" to come and make the local population feel good about their choice of religion. Here's a sample of the kinds of things that you have to walk past to get to your meetings.





Today I made the error of allowing myself to be involved in a "discussion" with a few of these kindly Christian souls. How it warmed my heart to be told that I was worshipping a different Jesus, or that every time I opened my mouth, I was speaking for my father, the Devil. How decent of these people to come and shed a ray of sunshine on my otherwise miserable existence.

And I am strong in my faith... I think of the hundreds of kindly little ladies and soft-spoken gentlemen, tender youth and searching souls who are accosted by these evangelists, claiming to preach Christ, who bring with them a dark, abysmal spirit of contention and confusion.

It upset me, and I should not have let it do so. I have been taught not to roll in the mud with pigs, for I also get dirty... and the pig enjoys it. But the messages of the session were powerful and uplifting, and after the meeting was over, I joined a group of people lining the sidewalk in front of Temple Square, singing songs of faith - effectively drowning out the message of the detractors.



That felt much better, and I went home encouraged, and at peace... with just enough residual irritation to write this post. Now it's out of my system, and I can rest well.

Date: 2008-10-06 09:31 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] secoh.livejournal.com
There's always loopies sadly.

Date: 2008-10-06 03:06 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] r-caton.livejournal.com
What, no Westboro Baptist?

These fundamentalists are all mental and no fun.....

And furries are going to Hell anyway!!

Date: 2008-10-06 07:03 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ccdesan.livejournal.com
Oh! See you there, then. Image

But seriously, folks - I want to go to Hell on my own sayso, not someone else's...

Date: 2008-10-06 10:17 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] r-caton.livejournal.com
From (I believe) The Ballad of Sam Hall:

...and now I am in Hell, am in Hell...
Yes now I am in Hell,
and it's all a bl--ding sell,
For the parson's here as well,
D--n his eyes!

Hmm. Orange Crisp Cake Bites....
another tub gone, another tub gone, another tub bites the dust.....

Date: 2008-10-07 01:50 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ccdesan.livejournal.com
I'm not sick but I'm not well
And I'm so hot coz I'm in hell...
-American Pie

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