NOM

You know one thing that really bugs me about the Church? All of my life I was told if it didn't serve, it was on my head if I could have strengthened someone in the gospel and didn't. If I didn't serve a mission, some soul out there only I could touch would never join the Church. If I'm not listening to the spirit when I teach or counsel members, I might not be able to give them the inspiration they need. If it don't "magnify my calling" (whatever that means), those I serve might not be "strengthened in the gospel". If I'm not living worthily, I won't be able to exercise my priesthood and heaven forbid I have to give a blessing to a cancer patient or something (oddly enough, my worthiness doesn't seem to impact the efficacy of priesthood blessings for amputees). If I don't do my home teaching, some family might think no one cares about them and fall away from the Church. Hell, even my dead relatives can't get out of spirit prison without me doing their temple work. And on and on with all the heavy burdens of how my conduct impacts someone else's salvation negatively.

But when it comes to me, in the eyes of the Church my sins are my own. I don't get to pass responsibility for my sins to anyone else. If I fall away from the Church, I wasn't faithful enough. Culture and doctrine don't allow me to blame anyone but myself.

In the LDS Church, I am responsible for everyone else's salvation, but no one but me is responsible for mine.

Not Buying It wrote: ↑Wed Dec 20, 2017 6:21 am In the LDS Church, I am responsible for everyone else's salvation, but no one but me is responsible for mine.

I sympathize completely. The faithful response is that leadership from Joseph Smith and Thomas Monson all the say down to your bishop and home teachers are doing their best to ensure your salvation. But despite their very best efforts, you still insisted on drinking coffee. It's a non-response and a dodge of your central issue. Your inherent sense of guilt is a spear you are holding backwards in combat since your leaders insist that the pointy end stays aimed back at your own heart.

Great point! One might think it's all designed to maximize your efforts in propagating an ideology, rather than any effort towards a tangible salvation.

This is interesting. I have never thought about it in this way before. It seems like a cultural artifact that has been encouraged rather than discouraged.

FiveFingerMnemonic wrote: ↑Wed Dec 20, 2017 8:42 am Great point! One might think it's all designed to maximize your efforts in propagating an ideology, rather than any effort towards a tangible salvation.

It sure seems that way dont it?