Were you an 'iron rodder'?????

[miss taken]

A saying I often heard in the church was about different types of members from liberals to fundamentals. The fundamentals were the 'iron rodders'. No flexibility, all black and white. They also tended to be the ones, who seemed to espouse that same view of the church, i.e. that 'man was made for the church', and not 'the church was made for man'.

I found these people vexations to the spirit, and I avoided them like the plague!!!!

So I guess I was always pretty flexible and liberal in my thinking.

What were you like!!!!!!!, and what are you like now!!!!

Mary

[silverfox]

A saying I often heard in the church was about different types of members from liberals to fundamentals. The fundamentals were the 'iron rodders'. No flexibility, all black and white. They also tended to be the ones, who seemed to espouse that same view of the church, i.e. that 'man was made for the church', and not 'the church was made for man'.

I found these people vexations to the spirit, and I avoided them like the plague!!!!

So I guess I was always pretty flexible and liberal in my thinking.

What were you like!!!!!!!, and what are you like now!!!!

Mary

I have always been pretty liberal in my thinking and also somewhat vocal. However, I always felt as a TBM I was wrong for being like that....for questioning, for being outspoken against some of the doctrine. Yet, my conscious and my integrity wouldn't allow me to leave those questions alone! So I was always getting into trouble with fellow members or teachers or leaders. And always being told I wasn't praying enough or reading enough scriptures. My testimony was always in question until I was asked to bear it. Which I did strongly and wholeheartedly. I would be worn down (I used to think it was the spirit) by my leaders and fellow members into admitting that I was targeted by Satan and by questioning I was doing his work.

%$#@ Nearly 30 years of this.

Now I am still liberal minded, outspoken against what I feel are injustices,etc but NOW I don't feel guilt or grief. I finally know there is nothing wrong with ME. I had every right and RESPONSIBILITY to myself and my family to question. Why is that so wrong? Satan is NOT my pal. I am NOT doing his work. Anyone who knows me including church members can tell you that. I give to my community, and am raising a loving responsible family.

I am pretty proud of who I am these days. I have my intergrity. I am at peace. I never felt true peace as a TBM. Ever.

[silverfox]

For some reason, Miss Taken, when I was reading your post I started humming in my head....

"Take this rod and shove it, I ain't comin' here no more"

to the tune of "Take This Job and Shove It"

Where did that come from? I don't even listen to country music but found this quite amusing. (I must be working too hard - someone help me please)

I hope this isn't stuck in my head ALL day. :)

[miss taken]

For some reason, Miss Taken, when I was reading your post I started humming in my head....

"Take this rod and shove it, I ain't comin' here no more"

to the tune of "Take This Job and Shove It"

Where did that come from? I don't even listen to country music but found this quite amusing. (I must be working too hard - someone help me please)

I hope this isn't stuck in my head ALL day. :)

Thanks Silverfox, that's been the best laugh I have had for ages!!!! Good one!!!! :D

[Born Free]

A saying I often heard in the church was about different types of members from liberals to fundamentals. The fundamentals were the 'iron rodders'. No flexibility, all black and white. They also tended to be the ones, who seemed to espouse that same view of the church, i.e. that 'man was made for the church', and not 'the church was made for man'.

I found these people vexations to the spirit, and I avoided them like the plague!!!!

So I guess I was always pretty flexible and liberal in my thinking.

What were you like!!!!!!!, and what are you like now!!!!

Mary
Mary,

I recently heard of a study done in a US high school which looked at the relationship between student's capacity for uncertainity and intelligence levels. Surprise, surprise..... the kids with the lowest IQs were the ones who held most rigidly to their belief systems and those beliefs were least well researched or thought out.

On a lighter note, I do recall being a randy teenager once, and there was a lot more 'iron rod' to hold firmly to, than there has been since turning 50! Oh! That is why I was in so much trouble!

On "Iron Rod Thinking" (IRT), I always had a problem with IRT, and the accompanying fear-based, rigid thinking, that would prefer a poor fitting 'answer' to living with uncertainity. In adult years, I came across this wonderful quote by Nathaniel Branden, that well summarises where I now am at:

"Don't deny or disown what you see or experience merely because you can't explain it, justify it, or fit it into some familiar frame-of-reference. Allow a large space in your psyche to accommodate ambiguity and uncertainty. Don't invent explanations prematurely just so you can tell yourself you have the universe all tied up in one neat package. Keep your eyes open, keep observing, and be confident that sooner or later the truth will appear to you, providing, of course, you live long enough. And if you don't, well, hasn't it been an interesting adventure anyway?"

So for my money, IRT is synonymous with ignorance, laziness, and frequently low intelligence. I hope I am not those things.

Daryl

PS: To Silverfox - that song you can't get out of your head is addictive, and does float up from the unconscious when I am feeling frustrated. Very creative leap from 'job' to 'rod' though.

[lsands]

You probably think I'm joking, but here's the link: http://deseretbook.com/store/browse-category?category_id=383 I think it's intended to be put on your scripture cover-zipper, but you COULD get creative with it! ;)

Seriously, I wasn't a black-and-white Mormon (also known as Nazi Mormon), but I was devout. I did my very best to live Church teachings as I understood them. I have found that most exmo's had a similar level of commitment. That's why we feel so disillusioned and deceived---we took it so seriously.

[Born Free]

You probably think I'm joking, but here's the link: http://deseretbook.com/store/browse-category?category_id=383 I think it's intended to be put on your scripture cover-zipper, but you COULD get creative with it! ;)

Seriously, I wasn't a black-and-white Mormon (also known as Nazi Mormon), but I was devout. I did my very best to live Church teachings as I understood them. I have found that most exmo's had a similar level of commitment. That's why we feel so disillusioned and deceived---we took it so seriously.
lsands

I went and had a look at that link, and I laughed out loud at the "Hold to the Rod" zip pull. Now that IS a good representation of the MoRod. It is a circle! That's right, it goes nowhere except around in circles. Now is that TrueMo or what?

Daryl

[mutleydog]

I was always liberal minded and pretty outspoken about most things. I never felt too much guilt about it,but did get quite alot of disaproving looks and comments. I think many members just put it down to my adult-conversion or the fact that I was associating too much with non-member colleagues and friends. Most understood where I was coming from and some just thought I would say things to put a spanner in the works and play the part of the adversary - most of the time I meant what I said!! It was hard though and found myself living a double life so to speak, so when I eventually made my decision to leave, I found my integrity again, something I seemed to have lost throughout my church life. I am outspoken, but I also consider myself as understanding and try to fully respect others opinions/feelings etc. I may not agree, but will always try and consider anothers persons outlook on something. There are some things though that I would whole-heartedly defend and am passionate about and certainly wouldn't let someone tell me any different - the truth of the church is one them!!

[pokatator]

lsands

I went and had a look at that link, and I laughed out loud at the "Hold to the Rod" zip pull. Now that IS a good representation of the MoRod. It is a circle! That's right, it goes nowhere except around in circles. Now is that TrueMo or what?

Daryl
Wow.....2...Fuuuunnnnnyyyyyyy!! I wonder how the Mo's would react to a "Hold the Rod" zipper pull on all the little boys jeans. Then it could be used for training the little girls too.

Randy

PS Oh, and Yes, I was a randy teenager, too!!

[peter_mary]

You probably think I'm joking, but here's the link: http://deseretbook.com/store/browse-category?category_id=383 I think it's intended to be put on your scripture cover-zipper, but you COULD get creative with it! ;)

Seriously, I wasn't a black-and-white Mormon (also known as Nazi Mormon), but I was devout. I did my very best to live Church teachings as I understood them. I have found that most exmo's had a similar level of commitment. That's why we feel so disillusioned and deceived---we took it so seriously.

We SO need a photograph of this zipper pull on the fly of a pair of jeans to appear in the Peep Stone, don't you think? I don't even know what it would be for, but the image with a caption that says somthing like, "Helping young people grab hold of the rod since 1830," just makes me all happy inside!

I have an evil mind... :D helped along with a little prompting from Laraine!

Paul

[miss taken]

We SO need a photograph of this zipper pull on the fly of a pair of jeans to appear in the Peep Stone, don't you think? I don't even know what it would be for, but the image with a caption that says somthing like, "Helping young people grab hold of the rod since 1830," just makes me all happy inside!

I have an evil mind... :D helped along with a little prompting from Laraine!

Paul


You guys are TERRIBLE!

[lsands]

Glad I could be of help, Paul. ;)

[gracie]

Seriously, I wasn't a black-and-white Mormon (also known as Nazi Mormon), but I was devout. I did my very best to live Church teachings as I understood them. I have found that most exmo's had a similar level of commitment. That's why we feel so disillusioned and deceived---we took it so seriously.

I am with you, I was very devout and did my best. I look back now that I realize I was duped and feel a little foolish sometimes (mostly just plain mad though!) I think our level of devotion makes the betrayal that much more painful-----if you know my story, my obedience and gullibility as a kid caused me many years of excruciating pain and am only now healing from all that "righteousness"! :Puking ....am loving this little puking guy!
Gracie