Part 3: Everything is About Me!

So, how does this “me” emphasis all play out at church? Well, it depends if you are conducting, speaking, teaching, or just a class participant.

Conducting

Leaders have been told to limit the introductory matter they cover in meetings, especially the announcements. This stuff was taking up too much time that should be reserved for worship. Besides, there are better communication options for conveying announcements, especially digital ones.

Those conducting were often talking about themselves and their others. Gratefully, this is now very limited. However, I still see some abuses.

Much of it is simply extolling others. For example, a leader may praise a more senior leader in attendance and/or their spouse. Substantial time often gets expended in recognizing and honoring these guests. Acknowledging their presence is one thing. Extolling them at length is something else.

Only Heavenly Father knows what’s in their hearts and whether or not they are sincere. What I know is that this often takes up time and borders on flattery, or else it is flattery.

It takes up time that should be devoted to worship. We don’t need to pat each other on the back. Let’s just get to the gospel, as fast as we can.

If you are conducting, do it quickly and unobtrusively.

Those conducting aren't the only ones at fault for this. Speakers often resort to this recognition and acknowledgment of leaders and guests as well as flattery. It often takes the same form as the people conducting.

Speakers, Testimony Bearers, and Teachers

What I’m more concerned about is the tendency to read scriptures, quotes or other ideas and their having to inform the audience how they personally feel about every idea.

For example, someone might read a scripture and then remark, “Oh, I really like this scripture! It’s one of my favorites.” or “This really means a lot to me.”

Well, there is nothing really wrong with this unless it is taken to excess. Unfortunately, it is being taken to excess. This personal commentary seems to be tacked onto anything they refer to or quote and can often fill up considerable class time.

A better approach would be to limit these comments unless they explain exactly why they like it so much and share why it has meaning to them in a way that underscores the points they are making and the doctrines they are trying to emphasize.

If it can deepen our understanding and application of the gospel concepts, it is entirely appropriate! An endless litany of “Oh, I really like this” doesn’t really accomplish that.

Classroom Participants

People in classrooms are also guilty of trying to make everything being taught more about themselves instead of the concepts being taught.

Typically, they do this by incessant comments that are usually just commentary about how they feel about the gospel concepts under discussion with no real insights. It certainly draws class time onto themselves, which often seems to be their intent.

Comments from anyone are very appropriate if the comments and stories reflect the gospel principles being taught and can help others learn and apply them. But, so often, they just don’t. Unfortunately, the comments are just another form of self-aggrandizement.

Consider that we rarely relate stories that make us look bad. It’s mostly stories that make us look good. We could probably learn a lot from someone’s slip-ups as well as their successes. I’ve noted at least one of mine: A Simple Act of Selflessness


Spiritual Vaunting and the Perils of the Rameumptom Syndrome

“As teachers, we may speak with the tongues of angels; we may entertain, delight, amuse, astound. But if we have failed in keeping our focus on Jesus Christ, we have missed the mark and our teaching is only a shadow of what it ought to be. Always keep the focus on our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.” Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Teaching in the Savior’s Way with Elder Uchtdorf”. Address given June 12, 2022. Accessed June 12, 2022 from https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/broadcasts?lang=eng&video=19634698842979671470&mode=watch


Continue reading at the original source →