Captive Audience
I have mixed feelings about the events of this blog. I walked away divided within myself.
Last week, I had the opportunity of participating in day trip to Houston. It was an informative and eventful day. I shared time with some great people. I learned a great deal. It was a long day, but worth it.
Most of us returned that evening on the same flight. In fact, we were all seated in the same general area if not right next together. Please note, we were flying from Houston to Salt Lake City. I know that we have all heard several talks about being member missionaries. We have been instructed to share our testimonies when possible. I understand this and do. I probably do more.
As the door of the airplane was closed, I heard about 4 rows back say, "So are you from Salt Lake? .... Are you Mormon? ....Are you a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?.... Do you know about this church?... Do you believe in Jesus Christ?.... Do you believe he was resurrected?... What does resurrection mean, let me explain it to you...."
That is where the conversation started. I have no idea what the other person was saying, because I could not hear them. I could only hear the one side of the conversation. This passenger started with the Passover, birth, ministry, death, resurrection of our Saviour. They then continued to explain the Great Apostasy, the restoration, the need for prophets, what the priesthood is, how the church is organized today, what a area, region, stake, district, ward, and branch were. How they were led by laymen. Then continued to talk about missionaries and how both missionaries and local leaders were not paid for their service. There were explanations of temples, chapels, and random meeting places.
This continued for the entire flight. From start to finish. As we started our decent into the valley, the teacher began to apologize. "I am really not sure how it works? I don't know if I explained that correctly? I never thought about how the General Authories are supported? Do you have faith? Do you know what faith is? Um...Well, we just have faith. Here is my card. I would love to give you a tour of the valley this weekend. Call me. Or better yet, tell me where you are staying and come pick you up."
My feelings towards the lesson are really mixed. Yes, it was loud. About every 30 minutes or so, the person behind me would kick my seat and ask me to stand up and announce the closing hymn, start the closing prayer, or to just go and tell the passenger to shut up. At first, I just ignored the lesson. Then when the person behind me leaned forward and said " Did they really say what I think they said?" "I am not a participating member of your beliefs, but I know that is not correct." "Are you just going to sit there and let them say that?"
I suddenly became mixed. Some of the people in my group could tell that I was not as bothered by the conversation several rows back as I was with the conversation directly behind me.
On one side, I admired the passenger for their boldness and direct approach. It was not how I would have started, but they had a lot to share in 3 hours.
The other side cringed each time they said something that was incorrect or apologized for not knowing for sure.
In the end, I guess I would say, it is important to know what you are testifying of. Know what your testimony is. If you aren't sure, study it until you do, and then share it, but don't cause more confusion by bluffing your way through it.
Know your neighbor, be a friend, and share with power.
What do you think?
Last week, I had the opportunity of participating in day trip to Houston. It was an informative and eventful day. I shared time with some great people. I learned a great deal. It was a long day, but worth it.
Most of us returned that evening on the same flight. In fact, we were all seated in the same general area if not right next together. Please note, we were flying from Houston to Salt Lake City. I know that we have all heard several talks about being member missionaries. We have been instructed to share our testimonies when possible. I understand this and do. I probably do more.
As the door of the airplane was closed, I heard about 4 rows back say, "So are you from Salt Lake? .... Are you Mormon? ....Are you a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?.... Do you know about this church?... Do you believe in Jesus Christ?.... Do you believe he was resurrected?... What does resurrection mean, let me explain it to you...."
That is where the conversation started. I have no idea what the other person was saying, because I could not hear them. I could only hear the one side of the conversation. This passenger started with the Passover, birth, ministry, death, resurrection of our Saviour. They then continued to explain the Great Apostasy, the restoration, the need for prophets, what the priesthood is, how the church is organized today, what a area, region, stake, district, ward, and branch were. How they were led by laymen. Then continued to talk about missionaries and how both missionaries and local leaders were not paid for their service. There were explanations of temples, chapels, and random meeting places.
This continued for the entire flight. From start to finish. As we started our decent into the valley, the teacher began to apologize. "I am really not sure how it works? I don't know if I explained that correctly? I never thought about how the General Authories are supported? Do you have faith? Do you know what faith is? Um...Well, we just have faith. Here is my card. I would love to give you a tour of the valley this weekend. Call me. Or better yet, tell me where you are staying and come pick you up."
My feelings towards the lesson are really mixed. Yes, it was loud. About every 30 minutes or so, the person behind me would kick my seat and ask me to stand up and announce the closing hymn, start the closing prayer, or to just go and tell the passenger to shut up. At first, I just ignored the lesson. Then when the person behind me leaned forward and said " Did they really say what I think they said?" "I am not a participating member of your beliefs, but I know that is not correct." "Are you just going to sit there and let them say that?"
I suddenly became mixed. Some of the people in my group could tell that I was not as bothered by the conversation several rows back as I was with the conversation directly behind me.
On one side, I admired the passenger for their boldness and direct approach. It was not how I would have started, but they had a lot to share in 3 hours.
The other side cringed each time they said something that was incorrect or apologized for not knowing for sure.
In the end, I guess I would say, it is important to know what you are testifying of. Know what your testimony is. If you aren't sure, study it until you do, and then share it, but don't cause more confusion by bluffing your way through it.
Know your neighbor, be a friend, and share with power.
What do you think?
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