The Dangers of Gospel Hobbies
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Comments | Return to Story
Matt RellafordSeptember 27, 2017
I sought out an article like this after reading Elder Cook's October 2016 General Conference address. Admittedly, I had some concerns with how one of his statements was presented. Reading this article helped me better understand what Elder Cook meant and I'm grateful that he is making a statement on "gospel extremism". What I've learned is that there is an important distinction between having a hobby and getting carried away with your hobby to evangelize and promote it above other gospel principles. Although I'm much too parsimonious to even buy a gun, I see no problem with "preppers" amassing guns, expensive food storage items, etc. if that's what makes them happy and they aren't making others feel inferior because others aren't doing it. All of those guns and expensive items probably only come at a fraction of the cost for an expensive boat, boat house, or ice fishing house (can you tell I'm living in North Dakota?) - items commonly found in good, faithful members' possession. A hard lesson that I'm learning is to not judge others for how they use their money, time, and talents. It occurred to me this morning that more and more, we as members of the restored church will be tested on the concept of righteously judging. That's a challenge for me, as I would like to see more stringent (and sometimes more lenient) specifications to some of the gray areas in our commandments. Yet I realize, that what's most important is for me to look to the Lord and not get so worked up about how others are living their life, choosing their careers, dressing their kids, and using their money. As I grow in this short life, I'm hoping to find greater balance.
Dan LiddicottFebruary 28, 2017
More important than avoiding disputations is standing up for truth, and true doctrine. We need to take care that 'avoiding disputations' doesn't become one more 'gospel hobby', or become a reason to be silent on issues where we ought to speak up for truth and righteousness, or a reason to silence others who are speaking the truth. The word 'disputations' only appears in 9 verses in the whole of the Book of Mormon, after all. Where it does occur, in most cases it is to do with misunderstanding gospel truth such as Laman and Lemuel not understanding their father and failing to seek truth from God (1 Nephi 15), or the people failing to see or believe the signs of the Lord's coming (3 Nephi 8), or correct form of Baptism (3 Nephi 11 and Moroni 8), or who should take the sacrament (3 Nephi 18), or what they should call the Church (3 Nephi 27). The one time it says there were no disputations is when the people "were all converted unto the Lord" (4 Nephi 1). Our aim is to be converted unto the Lord. Disputations diminish when all are converted because they then become of one heart and one mind. But it is the conversion that comes first, and then the disputations diminish. Being silent about truth, merely for the sake of being agreeable and avoiding a dispute is not what the Book of Mormon teaches.
patFebruary 26, 2017
my visiting teaching partner and i were visiting teacing a sister and she went off on how the church has brought up so much land and is turning it into boyscout camps or such. She said its was because the church is really getting ready for the second coming. After her tanget, of 1/2 hour was over i told our sister we better be going. then after our visit she took me to the churches new boy scout camp and showed me thats where the 10 tribes are going to get to camp out when they come back. It was in Hurricane UT by the Virgin river. I knew then something was very wrong with this lady and sad. the D& C verses made perfect sense that who so ever is more or less of these is not of my gospel. I wish I could of told her those back then. thank you for such an interesting article
Christopher BoltonMay 15, 2013
Let me play Devil's Advocate - As long as someone doesn't neglect other gospel obligations - temple attendance, family history work, attending meetings, food storage, etc...I see NO harm in gospel hobbies as long as others are not condemned for not sharing your enthusiasm for YOUR hobby. Also, there is NOTHING wrong with the Church regarding culturally based norms - white shirts, dresses on women, beards, multiple ear piercings, etc... There is nothing wrong with disagreeing on policies such as the 1 year penalty before a couple can be sealed for LDS couples choosing to marry outside of the temple or the ban on infertile couples using a surrgate mother to carry a child. There is also nothing wrong with diagreeing with Church statements / positions if one has a scriptural justification. many, like myself, believe that supporting CA;s Prop. 8 violated scripture (1 Cor. 10:29, D&C 134:4). I look forward to a respectful discussion.
ndhMay 15, 2013
I appreciate Kathryn's comments. While we should not over emphasize & criticize others over particular things, we should also not judge others about what they choose to emphasize in their lives. We do not know what their missions are & what they need to accomplish. Perhaps their focus is exactly what the Lord wants them to do & maybe they are just not quite on target with how they are going about it. Let's be tolerant & forgiving & not judge.
JanetMay 15, 2013
I do agree with almost all you have said - and it was beautifully put - because I have had much experience with people who think they are better than others and "know" more than the humble followers of Christ, and have seen many fall away into strange paths, but I have to agree also with John and Kathryn, that so few are following the counsel to store food and other supplies, in the face of coming catastrophes, that those who are storing more than they themselves need are being wise and kind to those who are heedlessly ignoring the counsel of the brethren to do so. But I agree that to preach nothing but that can become a gospel hobby. I have recently experienced the darkness that can come upon one if we let it become all-consuming, and have had to turn away from that to find more balance and joy in the gospel along the way. (While still preparing, as we have been counseled over and over, because bad times will come.) Thank you for all your work, it is greatly appreciated.
Atalie Van DamMay 15, 2013
Thank you! Wonderful article and reminder!
Peggy KayneApril 19, 2013
Thank you Larry. We get confused because we get answers for our personal trek through life and expect that this should be everyone else's answer. We want to look sideways to see that everyone is doing 'the same.' We don't feel comfortable trusting that the Lord might be giving 'different' inspiration, job opportunities, and living situations or dress styles to other people. We like to feel special and turn away from the Lord to magnify our specialness by creating something great (in the eyes of the world) for others to 'obviously' follow. We need to keep working on trusting the Lord, listening to Him and keeping ourselves at one with the spirit. It is a lonely task very often. If in our excitement to tell everyone about our 'revelation' or new skill and people don't agree, with the Lord we must accept it as their right answer or be, as you have said, promoters of a gospel hobby. Often this means we will be unhappy because we didn't 'get our way'. Following the Lord is true a narrow path with few 'groupies.' Blessing to you.
Noah TaalApril 17, 2013
Hobbies, such as living fully in a Mormon culture that is inundated with false traditions while ignoring the greater questions of the gospel that are repeatedly taught both by the scriptures and modern prophets? If we view the iron rod (the word of God) as a handrail, then the scriptures and words of the prophets are merely the upright posts. The Holy Ghost and the Spirit of Christ are the actual rod to which we should be holding. If we do not follow the Spirit, we can inadvertently help destroy others' good works. Be careful. What you are calling a "gospel hobby" could very well be the fore-ordained calling of some people to bring joy, light, and knowledge to those who are seeking highly specific answers to some very tough questions--answers which the GA's fully expect us to get through inspiration on our own. Above all, remember this: judge not unrighteously, for the judgment you use to judge will be used to judge you.
PaulApril 4, 2013
Counsel to wear a white shirt comes from the Brethren. There is no set of dress standards, but white shirts are recommended. Having served as a bishop for many years, all the Aaronic Priesthood has decided to wear white shirts and have no issues with it and feel very confortable with this standard. They call it "missionary dress". Dressing your best when giving a blessing is a good idea. Giving a blessing in jeans in an emergency is fine. But, proper attire is a show of respect for the office and the Lord when performing priesthood duties. The Temple is a type of how we should dress properly and strive to reflect the pureness and holiness required by our dressl
RuthApril 2, 2013
Perhaps some members who appear to have divisive hobbies are actually suffering from mental illness and would respond to treatment. Obsessive and compulsive behaviors can be serious medical symptoms. I have known people whose excessive focus on gospel-related behaviors improved dramatically after diagnosis and treatment.
MarieApril 2, 2013
I have to ask - who is the woman who "can't stand her children?" Is the author the husband who felt imposed upon that his wife spent an hour or so at the genealogy library after the babies were asleep, thus preventing him from joining the nightly basketball game with his friends?
Camille AlexanderApril 2, 2013
Your article approached a sensitive topic with diplomacy. Sharing it with many friends and family members. I have been guilty of "over zealous" behavior in my past. Through the Book of Mormon I came to understand "over zealous behavior," no matter how well intended, causes harm. Thank you for addressing this issue in plainness so all can understand.
KathrynApril 2, 2013
I agree that gospel hobbies can be dangerous, but it's also important to be careful of accusing others of having gospel hobbies. As I understand it, a gospel hobby is a preoccupation with something that goes beyond the gospel, including truth as revealed by the prophets and apostles. So I don't think the woman who abandoned her children for family history or the woman in testimony meeting are people with gospel hobbies; it sounds more like they're people struggling with balance, relationships, and making sense of life. As for food storage, I agree with John. So few people are preparing that putting extra away for others would seem to be a wise thing. I think the real problem with gospel hobbies is pride--we think we have some "inside knowledge" or advantage over others. (Goes along with President Benson saying that pride is essentially competitive). Pride is something I constantly need to guard against in my own life--I think that's the case for all of us.
SusieApril 1, 2013
Out here in 'The Mission Field' (outside of Utah) I don't notice these problems you mentioned in your article so much. Hmmmm ....the church is growing strong out here. My sister recently moved to Utah and she has seen stuff like you mentioned happening, that she didn't see back 'home'. I'm sure that this stuff should be called attention to the local bishops, and council given to these people with direction from above on how to redirect them in a positive way. Some folks get off track.... Course correction with live from their bishops or Stake Pesidents would be the right thing to do. The rest of us.... Our job is to be kind and love them and not gossip behind their backs.
MaryannApril 1, 2013
I think one of the greatest dangers of "gospel hobbies" is that the people who perpetuate them look down upon those who don't join in their "cause." Engaging in gospel hobbies leads to feelings of superiority and a feverish attempt to "save" others who don't share the same over-zealous attitudes.
JohnApril 1, 2013
Many of those hobbyiest's who are storing too much food are doing it in order that they might have a surplus to help those who failed to prepare. Some of their critics might be the very ones to benefit from their "hobby"
jkcookMarch 31, 2013
Thanks for a well-written article. This is the stance I often take in classes where people try to stray or with teenagers who are full of questions. My stock answers, "What difference does it make" and "We'll find out when we get there."
DGMarch 31, 2013
Green Smoothie Girl. Lots of End of Timers. Feminists galore! Great article.
Naomi gMarch 30, 2013
I knew a convert couple who , once they were sealed, spent every Saturday at the temple doing as many sessions as possible. Including the 2 hour drive there and back, by the time Sunday came, they were just too tired to go to church.
Philip MoodyMarch 29, 2013
This is a great article, it has given me something to think about.
John GrierMarch 29, 2013
Most excellent. My experience has been with the food storage and survivalists. I have had to firmly tell some --- "Enough!"
JohnMarch 28, 2013
Would "gospel hobbies" include church members who insist that the Sacrament MUST be blessed and passed by Priesthood members who wear white shirts and those who wear colored shirts should not participate? I can't tell you how many conversations I've had with members of the church here in Salt Lake City about this. And also giving priesthood blessings to the sick while ONLY wearing a shirt and tie - not regular jeans and t-shirt. Any comments would be appreciated.
Wally BairdMarch 28, 2013
Thank you for this timely and well documented article. I am reasonably certain most of us have encountered a "hobbiest" or two. This article gives good reason to dismiss such activists.
JoeMarch 28, 2013
Brother Barkdull, You and Brother Goddard never fail to uplift me with your messages. As a convert I have had to endure this problem of members (and some leaders) inflicting upon me their particular hobbies. When I have questioned what I feel is extreme, I have been told that theirs is the "better" way and that we need to be "obedient" to the Prophet, or worse, that I am on the road to apostasy. For years this treatment damaged my personal relationship to my Heavenly Father. My stake patriarch explained to me after my blessing that well-meaning people will try to lead me astray, and I believe this is what he was talking about. It breaks my heart when I see Satan using members to destroy the testimony of converts. Dave, I hope you get to read this.
Kellie SteinerMarch 28, 2013
Great article! Although I'm suprised by no mention of politics.
Melissa MillsMarch 28, 2013
WONDERFUL, thought provoking article. We should all look at ourselves and make sure we have not been, at least in a small measure, quilty of this.
Luana WellsMarch 28, 2013
Wonderful article, right on point. Thank YOU! This one will be printed and shared with others. Timely! lpw.
Paul S.March 28, 2013
I was once told to be kind. That is was very important to be kind. Hopefully I am remembering to be just that. This article has given me new insight on just how important it is. Thank you. BTW, I guess I need to make sure I don't turn being kind into a hobby :-)
Bob PowelsonMarch 28, 2013
A goodly number of years ago while attending BYU, I took a course called Essentials in Church History. Professor A would go on at great length exapnding upon the various revelations. Many of the students called the class The Essentials in Church Mysteries, where professor A would go into great detail on things the Lord didn't say much about.
Matt PMarch 28, 2013
Somewhat tongue in cheek: "Is any subject, no matter how intriguing, worth the price of contention and disputation?" What about the subject of contention and disputation which, one could say, you just "contended" to be so evil. ;-) A little more sincere now, how do we differentiate standing up for what we believe in and contention. How oft have we heard that evil wins when the righteous do nothing. And how can we "fight" against evil without contending? That, perhaps, is a slightly different context than gospel hobbies, but I think many who preach their gospel hobbies do not think there is any difference.
Darrell StoddardMarch 28, 2013
I'm a goose (Loved your pictures of the geese). Do you mean I can't get rich with mufti-level marketing and spend the rest of my life working in the temple and doing missionary work?
Ross BartlettMarch 28, 2013
I couldn't disagree more. I came into the Church through "Gospel hobbies". I studied. I compared. I read the scriptures for the first time in my life. I've continued to study Gospel Doctrine lessons in depth. I still read the anti-Mormon literature that brought me INTO the Church, not out of it. I would have to read and re-read this to make sense of it. I don't really understand what a Gospel hobby is, but I must be guilty, and I'm so glad I am. I think people who are under the illusion that they have the "inside" information, or the "right" insight, are probably few, and probably weak in the Gospel to begin with.
Darrell StoddardMarch 28, 2013
Larry, Now I'm going to have to come down from my Rameumtom tower. I thought I could get on the internet and speak with the voice of an angel crying repentance to the whole world. Drat! the view was so lofty from up there on the tower.
JoAnn BairMarch 28, 2013
Thank you for this insightful and highly relevant article.
PaulaMarch 28, 2013
Thank you for your article. It is very insightful and right on the mark. I would add, from a sister's point of view, that the opposite of contention is Christ's pure love, which if we have in the last day, "it will be well" with us. Again, thank you for writing an accurate and helpful article :)
joyceMarch 28, 2013
Do you think women who are striving to change policy by wanting to be ordained or pray in General Conference or wear pants to church, and other such things as feminists and progressives are doing, fit into this category in this article?
LeahMarch 28, 2013
Excellent article. Immediately, I saw myself. Sadly, when I was young, my gospel hobby was having lots of children. I thought good Mormons didn't use birth control. I kept going even when I was too exhausted to function. It put a wedge between my husband and I. I thought he and my priesthood leaders were misguided, lacking faith. I was more spiritual than everyone else - - so I had no need to accept counsel!!! Annoying to realize I was just as foolish as that early apostle who left the church over cream from some cows and a couple cows fighting over it!! Oh, well, thank the Savior we have the privilege of repentance, right?!!
Carol S. HatchMarch 28, 2013
Excellent article! Such an important reminder. Eugene England, my BYU professor at the time, responded to my compliment about an article he'd written by saying he appreciated the positive feedback--that sometimes he wondered if all the late night hours made a difference. So thank you for spending those long hours writing. You make a huge difference in the lives of your readers.
Thomas WehrmeisterMarch 28, 2013
Thank you for a great and informative article. Another sad point is many of those alluded to do not even recognize what they are doing!
Albert SchindlerMarch 28, 2013
What a timely article! When I first joined our Church, some 35 years ago, I was, naturally, always interested in learning more about our Gospel and often fell victim to these 'contenders' in the process of acquiring a deeper understanding of our Gospel. Mind you, having been introduced at an early stage to these 'contenders' while yearning for more understanding of the Gospel, also helped me in being better able to separate the seed from the chaff, so they served a good purpose. The trick, of course, lies in one's ability to recognize the learning influence that the negatives in our lives can provide for us. I have a saying: God provides nothing in our lives--including disasters--save it be for our advantage: the trick is to find the *positive* in these *negatives*!
Janie AxelsonMarch 28, 2013
Love this article! I have witnessed this in my own ward, as I'm sure many have. It's great put in print, thank you!
Karen BensonMarch 28, 2013
Thank you for the insightful reminder. This is not an article that I can read just once either. Thank you.
Susan Gail ParkerMarch 28, 2013
Larry, Amen and glory hallelujah. That is one of the best articles ever. Thru the years you've done some great work. But you've not done any other piece of work any better that this article. Thanks. Susan Gail Parker
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