It has just been announced that archaeologists believe they have found the tomb of St Philip, one of the first apostles of Christ, in modern day Turkey. He died around 80 AD, possibly by beheading or upside down crucifixion. It is expected to become a major pilgrimage site.
http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/07/27/tomb-st-philip-apostle-discovered-in-turkey/
Meanwhile Mormons have made pilgrimages twice a year for more than a century to visit General Conference, where they can not only see the grave of a dead apostle, but see and hear living apostles speak. Of course, the lazy ones can make the pilgrimage over the Internet. I wonder how many of us Mormons still have an awe when we think of how lucky we are to having several St Philips in our midst.
I’d like to focus on how lazy the Mormons are that don’t attend GC in person in these comments if we may.
Yep, all 12 million need to get off their lazy bones and head to SLC at once. We can call it the Mormonhaj…
What about the Lazy mormons who don’t think about what is said, don’t challenge it, or agree with it? Those who just lazily “absorb” it instead of letting it become important. Anything unchallenged is probably unimportant, at least to the individual.
Well, if it were like the Haj, we’d all have to attend at least once in a lifetime. That said, would we still accept a visit to the GC in the Tabernacle as still counting?
As for Psycho’s concern about thinking about the stuff said, you are throwing this important discussion waaaayyyy off track. We’re talking about the importance of attendance in person, rather than just listening over the Internet. Anyone can listen and think about these things from their recliner. Only the really dedicated take the little train downtown to experience it!
Some of us who live here are dedicated enough to the Savior to exercise charity in allowing others the opportunity to attend most of the time. 😉
This makes me feel happy in a way I never had before that the Salt Lake Tabernacle was no longer sufficient for General Conference. It’s good that the number of non-lazy saints is now a five digit figure. Just think of all they get done throughout the year guided by semi-annual teachings and admonitions.
More seriously, a fellow missionary a quarter century back once described his father’s conference practice of driving east across Nevada from his home in Carson City until he was within range of a KSL repeater where he would check into a motel to watch conference on television.
I’m uncomfortable with the idea of a “pilgrimage” to General Conference to see “St. Philip,” even if he is alive and well in our midst, for he is not the object of our worship. Why should attendance in person at GC be regarded as a distinction with a difference if our true object of worship can never be approached in person? While not denying the potential value in worshiping together, such outward communion is neither a necessary nor sufficient condition for the establishment and development of the personal relationship we must have with our Savior. As Christ taught, “when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”
Ah! But have you done the pilgrimage at least once in your lifetime? If not, then so sad for you….
John M, obviously your friend’s father was only Terrestrial in his efforts back then. Good, but not valiant enough to make the entire trek.
Peter LLC, yes we must all focus on our Savior. But God’s children have long made pilgrimages. Every Passover or Rosh Hoshana, Jews from all over would gather to the temple. Today, we make trips to the temple as pilgrimages. General Conference is important enough that it has long been placed in the Ensign/Liahona for people to read and ponder afterwards. Now it is available from the main web page of the Church. Back when there were few temples, members would gather for pilgrimages to the nearest temple, and spend days working there. This was also true in the early days of the Church before radio, Internet, etc. Do you feel you could equally and fully worship Christ without attending the temple or hearing General Conference? Personally, I do not.
As for the fun we’re having here concerning “lazy Mormons” just watching over the Internet, it does comically veneer over the point of where our testimonies and efforts are placed in the gospel.
Personally, I think the members living within easy driving range of conference are the lazy ones. Seriously, can it really be considered a trek if you’re only driving a few of hours or less? Likewise, those who live within an hour of the temple are lazy bums. Traveling 30 minutes to the temple requires no real dedication. Time driving should exceed the time it takes to do one session.
You are right, Tim. Perhaps those who live within an hour of the Conference Center or a temple should either walk, or if really spiritual, they should go all the way on their knees.
On my mission in Bolivia, I saw many faithful Catholics crawl on their knees for miles to the pilgrimages to their shrines.
Pardon the rant if I misunderstood, BUT:
How can one call another lazy if they attend conference over the internet? What if that is their only option? What if the only way someone can access GC is through an Ensign, or a borrowed Ensign if they can’t afford a subscription? I can only assume you live in Utah near the Conference Center and are referring to your neighbors; but, even then, how can you call them lazy also? I’ve never had the opportunity to attend GC at the Conference Center and don’t think I will in the near future due to money (or lack thereof); personally, I think one can feel the Spirit with the message regardless when, where, or how it is put out. If the only way one could feel affirmation of Truth is in person, as you imply, then there is no reason for faith and hope.
Did I understand you correctly?
Ram, after re-rereading your post and comments “…only the real dedicated take the train downtown…” I realize I did understand you correctly in the first place. Never mind.
My mother had the radio tuned to all conference sessions. Did we have conference on Fridays once upon a time? It seems so. What wonderful comfort that example was. We have a family of fifty who get together for conference viewing. I don’t think those at the conference center would like thirty five children in attendance with us. Kind of a poignant note: do you remember President Hinckley’ s gratitude that the conference center had such crowds? He said he wondered if they had made a mistake in building such a large building. I sure love this Church.
I just want to know if there is going to be a meet and greet after the MormonHaj is all, and should I bring a dish? 🙂
Just so long as it is one of the following:
1) funeral potatoes
2) jello salad, or
3) pulled pork.
Is pulled pork kosher for a Mormon Haj???
Pulled pork is Kosher for any and all church activites…that’s what gets us thru…dead pig.