I only attend SM to keep peace in my family and to provide support for the kids. They want me there at that one meeting, if no other. But the stress has been getting to me so much that the psychiatrist told me to take another medicine to help me deal with the anxiety of the bulls.hit correlation I have to hear.

So this past Sunday, the first speaker was a youth. My DS leaned over to me and whispered how it was so funny this kid has just turned 12 and is already talking in SM when he's a teacher and yet has never been asked to talk. Well, hell, both he and his dad REFUSE to wear white shirts to every single meeting, good for them. I wasn't surprised by his observation.

But then the meeting descended into the Twilight Zone when the second speaker got to the podium. Perfect Molly Mormon in every way. She started off abourt how she was trying to be perfect in every way, but still needed guidance on how to be a better mom. Yea, guilt tripping herself to hell. Then she waid the bishop just happened to call her two weeks ago to give a talk about "Mothers Who Know . . . ."

Alarm bells rang masively in my head. OMFG, THAT TALK?

Smiling, this little Molly MKormon, whose husband is in the bishopric, cheerily announced, "Yes, I'm giving a rehash about this great talk by Julie Beck--"

OOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH SSSSSSSHHHHHHIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTT! My head started spinning, my stomach wanted to heave, I started seeing red and felt pure rage. I had to get OUT and FAST. Therefore, I proceeded to vote with my feet AND I LEFT THAT DAMN MEETING. I had to retreat to the very back of the building into an empty SS classroom to stop myself from shaking and settling down.

Thank goodness, I was chatting with my TBM DH on IM. he was very supportive and understanding of my need to leave the room. After I settled down and the intermediate hymn was sung, I went back to my seat. My son chuckled and said he didn't blame me for leaving.

Yea, real nice Sunday--NOT!

_________________
"I stand by all the misstatements that I've made.'
- George W Bush

"Forget everything that I have said . . . ." Bruce R. McConkie, August 18, 1978

Dang that sucks!!!!!!!!!!! I feel for you. I hope the pills help.

I looked up that talk on lds.org but couln't get through it all because I was getting high blood pressure. Its so offensive I don't know where to start. There was a statement about how some cultures today don't value children that much. WTF??? Some people value children so much that they get an education, career, and stable relationship before becoming parents. Squeezing out babies without any concern about how to provide for their needs shows that you don't value children that much.

Thanks for strengthening my testimony that the church isn't true.


Tumbo

I don't know how you go back week after week. It would drive me nuts.

Peace

_________________
I resigned from the Church of THE Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (Feb 2011)

"For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad." - Luke 8:17

This happens in church all the time. People get up and talk about things that they know will make alot of people uncomfortable, and many times they don't necessarily believe it themselves. They are more worried about giving a good talk than anything else.

I loved being in church and listening to words flow from somebody's mouth, when you could see their body language and in their eyes they didn't agree with a word they were saying.

Im not sure that this was one of those times, she sounds more like she actually believes being a priesthood slave and childbearer is more important than being an actual person.

They need to get their beyonce on, and listen to some independent women tunes LOL

I found a list of things more boring than talks in Mormon sacrament meeting.
Here they all are, in assending order:

Abinadi,
loved your list...LOL...

double post

Abinadi

hope you dont mind that I took a printed copy of your list... gunna pin it on the wall

Oh, Chone, you're nuttier than me!

"I only wrote it. You actually read it!"

You guys gave me a good laugh!!!

My cure for those skin-crawling, dribble-inducing, ear-ringing meetings are to not attend anymore. I'm no longer a 'member' but when I visit my TB daughter and her family in Lehi, Ut......she knows not to ask me to go with her anymore. The last sac mtg I attended with them (five yrs ago)was so noisy and chaotic between the potty breaks, kids crying, cheerios flying, I couldn't hear a thing so I count that as a blessing BUT a total waste of time.

Kind of breaks my heart that sac mtgs pass as spiritual food.

It might help if you could find techniques for zoning out during Sacrament Meeting. For years, I basically shut myself out during Sacrament Meeting without even realizing I was doing it. I would always bring a sketchbook with me and doodle or write. The anxiety of sitting in the audience and hearing such crazy things said over the pulpit was often so unbearable that drawing little cartoons was a great way to remove my focus.

I also only ever took "bathroom breaks" during classes. I would grant myself one "escape trip" per hour. So even though we had ten minutes between classes, I would still give myself five to ten minutes during classes to just stand outside and take deep breaths or get some quiet time. Again, I didn't even realize that this is what I was doing. I just thought I got tired of sitting for so long. But no, I was tired of sitting captive in church for so long.

Whole Sundays would go by where I didn't listen hardly at all. I was physically there, but mentally miles away. I got a lot of drawing done, wrote a lot of my thoughts and feelings. But my approach to church was the way you can drive home and not even remember how you got there. Instead of "highway hypnosis," I was just putting my consciousness in another place entirely--my little notebook.

I didn't realize this until my non-Mormon boyfriend started coming with me, and I tried to set a good example by listening and not drawing the whole time. Without the coping skill of my notebook, my church anxiety came rocketing back. Of course, I eventually stopped going. But when I do go to Mormon churches (rarely, and only for big things like a wedding), the anxiety is always there.


For what it's worth, I'm Alive!, even though you're only going for your family, I enjoy your Sacrament Meeting recaps. It's a nice reminder of how repetitive the church is. I like your perspective on the matter.

Good luck! I'm rooting for you.

Lavender.

_________________
"If Lions could think, their Gods would have a mane and roar." - Xenophanes

"Wow! So the Bible is really a trilogy, and the Book of Mormon is 'Return of the Jedi?' I'm interested!" - Elder Cunningham, The Book of Mormon