Mormon Psychologist

It strikes me that in any organization there are two facets which we must keep very clear as being very different and distinct.

A basic difference between doctrine and policy is that doctrine is...(continue)

The youth of the church are often referred to as a "Royal Generaltion" It is spoken that they were reserved to come forth in this latter time. My young men's group went on a campout over the Spring Break holiday. We traveled some distance, went to a working cattle ranch, and participated in activities there. I do not mean to complain, but from what I saw, about 80% of our youth were not a "Royal Generation," but a "Spoiled Generation." There was a strong tendency to be disrespectful, lazy, selfish, and complaining they were bored. Without their TV, video games, or music players these young men seemed unable to be satisfied. The activities offered included horse riding, hiking, quad riding, swimming in a hot spring, doing service projects, watching a calf be born, and the normal camping and cooking outdoors.

I thought back to when I was a boy, or even when my sons were in Scouts and the Aaronic Priesthood. I wondered what has happened. Boys will be boys! No question, but the respect and the ability to manage one's own life without direction seems to have slipped. I question what has happened. Why is life for these youth so different? I believe there are several contributing factors including....

It is puzzling why Utah has the highest per capital use of antidepressant and/or antianxiety agents of any state in the US. One wonders why that is when we Mormons have the true gospel which teaches us how to be really happy in God's way. Is it because the Mormon version of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not so good or not exactly correct? We Mormons think it is exactly correct. Is it because God really does not want us to be happy? Doubtful at best. Most Christian religions, including the Mormon Faith, believe that one of God's goals for us, his children, is to have eternal happiness. Is it because we do not want to be happy? Perhaps some people feel guilty being really happy so they beset themselves with torment. I believe the majority of humankind wants to be happy. Is it because the Lord's Gospel is too difficult to live and the attempt causes unhappiness? We tend not to believe the gospel too hard. After all, He said: "My yoke is easy."

I think the reason resides with several factors, one of which I offer below.....

You have been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for a while. You know the rules...or more correctly stated: The commandments. But I have a question: Why put up with Mormon Rules if you are going to wind up in the Terrestrial Kingdom? You ask: What am I talking about? You are not planning upon going to the Terrestrial Kingdom, you retort!

Well, stick with me for a minute....

The Catholic Church has abandoned the concept of Limbo as the place where unbaptized babies and fetuses go if they die before baptism. The change in belief is certain to be a comfort to thousands of Catholic parents who had children die prior to baptism. To us Mormons, the belief that a child, who has never lived long enough to nor been capable of sin, is sent anyplace but back to Father is unthinkable. Though devout Catholics believe the Church never changes, the present change has to be a great comfort to many believers.

A friend told me that.....Ice Cream equals Mormon Alcohol. He was referring to the weight of some of us Mormons. It got me to thinking. The world has lots of vices with which to play: Alcohol (the real stuff), tobacco, womanizing or manizing (is there such a word?!!!), gambling, using Sunday as for recreation, tea and coffee, and (in some circles) caffeine in any form. I am certain you can name many others.

P.S. On the humorous side, Jeff Foxworthy said: You Might Be A Mormon...if you pray that your food might "nourish and strengthen your body" before eating doughnuts..........

Here is fun little quiz from Chatterbean.

What kind of mom are you?

Enjoy...and do not get too paranoid if you do not like the result.

When my friend referred to ice cream as Mormon Alcohol, he was referring to the weight of some of us Mormons, but in a more general sense he was referring to use of food among some members to the point of being an excess or vice. The Word of Wisdom and other teachings preclude members from many of the typical vices of the word. So, we are left with food.