Last week I had the fantastic opportunity to visit several Greek Orthodox monasteries located in the central-Greek village of Meteora. It was a marvelous place, with monasteries perched high upon massive stone outcroppings along a small mountain range. As we stood on the porch of one of these magnificent structures, enjoying a breathtaking view, my brother Pete and I couldn’t help but feel a tinge of envy for the monks who spend their lives in such a beautiful place. We discussed how it would feel to spend out lives seeking greater understanding of God, the meaning of life, or any other higher form of wisdom. It would certainly seem to be an easier task from such a place.
As appealing as such a life seemed in the moment, I later gave more thought to how it would surely include much sacrifice as well. One who dedicates their life in such a way willfully sacrifices many of the aspects of life that seem normal or even inconsequential to the majority of us.
As I considered the life of a monk, comparing it with my own, I realized that Mormonism has its own type of “monastic order,” albeit quite different than that order which exists in other religions. Mormons even have a phrase which defines this order: “To live in the world, but not be of the world.” This phrase is designed to describe an expectation among church members pertaining to their way of life. In short, they are expected to be fully engaged in the secular affairs of the world, while at the same time remaining true to the faith and constantly seeking more spiritual wisdom, growth, and understanding. When it comes to the secular world and the religious world, Mormons are expected to find a balance between the two, so that they might participate in both 100%.
As it may seem, this indeed is no small task. Secular duties include employment, civic participation, commerce, rearing families, and other elements of our society which are not exclusively religious. Mormons are taught to be active participants in all of these duties. At the same time, church members volunteer their time to serve in various positions within the church leadership and protocol. To put it this way, a “Mormon monk” could be a lawyer, businessman, actress, janitor, pizza delivery person, politician, father, mother, etc., and at the same time serve as a Bishop, auxiliary president, Sunday School teacher, or in a myriad of other ecclesiastical positions. Truly, Mormons living in the world who are not of the world tend to have very busy schedules.
As wonderful as it would be to live high in the mountaintops and have each day to devote to study and meditation, I feel I would miss the satisfaction that comes from toiling in the secular world. Indeed, finding a balance between living in the world, while finding time for fostering personal spiritual growth can be challenging and takes daily effort. But I am convinced that it is possible.
For those of you who are church members, I am curious to know how you feel about this concept of living in the world yet not being of the world. What do you do in order to balance the two? What have been the greatest challenges for you?
For those of you who are not Mormons, I am curious to know how you feel about this concept. In your observations of Mormons, have you seen this? Do you have any good suggestions stemming from your knowledge of other religions or traditions?
Author’s Note: This comparison of the lifestyle of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to other religions which have a monastic order is not meant to critique. It is done to provide contrast, with great respect for those who dedicate their lives to their religion.
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I'm glad you posted something about this Nils. I feel that this balance is one of the hardest aspects of Mormonism. I've found it to also be one of the greatest differentiating factors between the LDS. I've seen many who choose to isolate themselves in their homes relying on only family and church for social support, values, and ideals. Such people are often closed minded, robots, who never compare their beliefs or ideals to other, more varied opinions. They end up getting married and moving away and finding themselves unable to keep the balance and lost in a "new world" where people don't think or believe as they do. I dare say this is an epidemic in places where predominate membership in the church exists. At the same time it's easy for the opposite to occur, where LDS try to mainstream their beliefs and belittle the lifestyle that is taught to them in order to be more socially acceptable to the secular world. The Savior spent most of his time around people who didn't think like him. They came from varying backgrounds and beliefs. He truly lived in the world but was no of it. It hurt me to see so many friends of other faiths discriminated against in high school. They were ostracized because my LDS peers deemed them less than good people. I don't feel this was done with a conscious effort but cliques were almost usually elusively LDS or vice versa. The youth couldn't have figured this out on all their own. It must have been taught some way at home. There is a strange polarization that exists in Utah and I feel that a failure to address this balance is partially to blame.
Thanks for writing about monasteries. I really enjoyed reading this. I agree with you that as christian mormons we are monks and nuns, but we live not in monasteries. Instead we live in our own homes. I wrote about this in my own blog in february 3 and april 11 (in swedish).
Tyson-
Thanks for your comments. You bring up a really good point, and one that often comes up in Mormonism. That is the value of experience "in the world" and how that affects the life of a Mormon, especially one who lives in an area that is predominantly comprised of church members.
Having grown up as a (somewhat) non-Mormon in Utah, I can relate to your feelings about non-Mormon friends in high school. I think any time somebody belongs to the dominant culture, it is easy to start feeling comfortable with being part of the majority, and this not only makes it potentially easier to discriminate against others, it can also lead to one taking their religion for granted.
So tell me, now that you have spent a year completely outside the "Book of Mormon belt," what has been the biggest challenge for you in living as a minority?
Mormonlady-
Thanks for your comment. It is truly an honor to have a fellow Swede here (though I guess I have been Americanized for a few generations, at least I still have a Swedish name). We'd love to hear some of your thoughts on this issue, if you wouldn't mind sharing some in English for the non-Swedish speakers.
I would say my biggest challenge living here is finding someone who shares my beliefs and standards to date who wasn't home schooled and isn't overweight. Haha. I've found that most people of other faiths out here have little or no experience with Mormonism. All my friends respect me and my beliefs/lifestyle. Two dental students even got baptized this year. I feel much less pressure to fit some expected mold of how an LDS person should act. Most of my friends aren't members of my faith and I love it. I've had opportunities to share my beliefs and hear their beliefs as well. Another challenge is that I've noticed that simple church protocol that made things run so smoothly while at home are lacking here. Not big things, just little things that have been hard for me to get used to. Finally, I've found that there is a huge discrimination against LDS from Utah while at church here. There are remarks constantly made about Utah Mormons this and Utah Mormons that. Are we really that horrible? I feel that such remarks go completely against the doctrine of unity that is taught by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Although made in humor, it shows the disdain for those who come from the so called motherland of Mormons.
We are not so many LDS members here in Sweden. Most people in Sweden get all their information about our church from anti-mormons. It's a problem. Church leaders from all denominations here are extremely negative toward us.
The idea to describe our church as a monastery with monks and nuns, living at home, could perhaps help people understand us better. They don't like our rules, our clothes, the way we behave etc., but accept monasteries as something normal.
Sweden is the most secular country in the world, and very few native swedes are religious, mostly immigrant and refugees. Now when sweden are becomming more pluralistic, and people have many different kinds of faiths, I think it will become more and more easy for people to accept LDS, because we are just one of all the other religions.
The problem is to balance our lives as members. It works only if we give ourselves completely to our Lord. It's easier to do it if we go to church each sunday. And it's easier for me to live this life when I think of myself as a nun. I've done that my whole life, even if I haven't been a LDS member for more than 5,5 years.
That is one of the reasons why I joined LDS. I wanted to become a nun when I was younger, but I couldn't find a church that had a theology that I could accept, not until I really studied LDS theology a lot, so I could understand it and not listen to all anti-mormons.
Thanks for this.
The Monk
http://mormonmonastery.org
Perhaps the better comparison is not with cloistered monks, but with the preaching orders, or orders like the Jesuits?
Tyson-
Interesting how there seems to be the disdain for "Utah Mormons" among members where you are. I have attended many different branches and wards throughout different parts of the USA and the world. Especially in the USA, a huge number of people had Utah roots, probably at least 50% of each congregation if not more. Often it seems that the Utah transplants are the ones who make the jokes about Utah Mormons. Perhaps it is their way of coping with being in their "new world" where Mormons are no longer the majority? What do you think?
P.S. My wife was home-schooled so I owe you a punch in the face next time we meet.
Mormonlady-
Thanks for your thoughts. I think it is interesting to see what aspects of our church lead people to think that Mormons are "normal." Since Mormonism is such a "secular" church, in the sense that I described in my post, I wonder if it will see a surge of acceptance in countries that have secularized. I also live in Europe, albeit in a country far less secular than Sweden, but I recognize the great secularization that has taken place in Europe and is taking place currently in America. Many church members see this as a bad thing, but I think there are many advantages to this as well.
Monk-
My pleasure. Thanks for your research!
Anonymous-
Good point. I agree that cloistered monks don't represent the same type of life that Mormons do. There are many comparisons that could be made. My main point was to demonstrate the concept of Mormons living 100% within the secular world, while remaining 100% committed to their religion. I am not aware of many other religious groups where this is the case, but there could be some that fit the description.
I guess my comment would be that I don't really feel much like a monk, and I'm pretty sure my wife isn't very nun like either.
I can see that many of your entries try to draw parallels between Mormonism and other religions in a "can't we call just get along" type of sentiment, but I think it's also important to recognize Mormonism's place in the genealogy of religion.
Aren't we part of a post Enlightenment tradition that rejects asceticism and introduces the laity to spiritual experience directly and equally? We're taught to have or try to have a family, and to be or try to be productive members of society.
There's a certain amount of relevance lost as ideas progress over hundreds of years and stay static; i.e. the concept of the (Catholic/Orthodox/Christian) monk and monastery become something of a tourist attraction, like the B&O railway station in Ellicott City, MD.
Also, let's set the record straight, Em was only partly homeschooled, so I think the punch in the face should be reduced to nerf football at the face.
Tobyo-
You certainly don't remind me of a monk. Then again, you would look good in a beard.
Also, I will take your peaceful advice and downgrade the punch to a nerf football. Thank you for your skills of reason and diplomacy.
They purpose of the post wasn't necessarily to try and make Mormonism seem friendlier through comparison to some of the older and more traditionalist Christian religious groups. It was in fact, just as you said, to demonstrate how Mormonism seeks to "introduce... the laity to spiritual experience directly and equally." I find the concept rather difficult to fully comprehend and even harder to fully implement as a church member.
Have you too found it challenging?
I think I was juxtaposing the archaic religion which reserved spirituality for a select group, and the more modern approach to religion that does not see a huge separation between the laity and the clergy, being somewhat interchangeable through the process of 'extending callings.'
I highly doubt that you find direct spiritual experience difficult to understand, because, well, I assume you've received answers to prayer, given blessings, taught gospel lessons, and received heavenly confirmations of eternal truths. These, and other experiences are all spiritual in nature, which were at one time out of reach of the common people.
Take a look at the ordination of Thai Buddhist monks. There is a closer correspondence with the LDS mission experience than with the Orthodox model of monasticism.
I would really like to see what you think about abortion. You talk a lot about Mormon democracy, and yes it is true we do a great deal of humanitarian work, but what are your thoughts on the constitution, separation of church and state and abortion? ( not saying I'm pro choice at all)
Cynthia,
Thanks for your request. Since this is a religious-based blog, I try to keep political issues out of the question. However, last October I did write an article touching on the subject of abortion if you want to go back through the archives. I would also direct you to my political blog, www.moderate-thinking.blogspot.com, where more political issues are being/will be addressed. All of those requests you made will be discussed in the near future.
tried to find it, but I couldn't. Really curious to see your thoughts on it
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