What does it mean?

 In my church, we believe that there are men called of God to speak for Him and share the things that He wants us to be doing.

I believe that these men truly are prophets.

During the last conference, one of those prophets gave a talk.  There have been talks given before that I didn't totally understand or agree with, but this talk was different.  I not only disagreed with it, but I believed that the things this good man was saying, were flat out wrong.

Elder Ballard talked about how the Lord EXPECTS every man to serve a full time mission.  He talked about how parents, bishops and YM leaders should try and CONVINCE all boys to serve a mission.  He talked about how serving a mission was the RIGHT choice and that it would bless their lives.

Here's my problem.

First, Michael is planning to go on a mission, so he can pat himself on the back for making the "right" choice.

However...

A few months ago, Michael wasn't planning on serving a mission.  How would he have felt listening to that talk?  I have no doubt that Elder Ballard's intent was to inspire people like Michael to change his mind.  But I highly doubt that a talk like that, would do much, if any, inspiring boys not wanting to go on a mission, to go.  I think it's much more likely that a talk like that would further alienate a boy that is already feeling like he's unsure if he belongs in this church.

My biggest problem with the talk is because of the situation I, and my kids, are now in.  Sam doesn't like the church.  His biggest issues come with the way it spends money.  It acts like a billion dollar corporation that is actively seeking to get richer and tries to disguise this reality with calling itself a church.  (His opinions.  Not mine.)  

Sam is a good dad, and a good man, and has decided to swallow his personal feelings and support Michael, both mentally and monetarily.  But what if he hadn't?  If Sam wasn't willing to pay for Michael to go ask people to join a church that Sam doesn't believe in, Michael wouldn't have been able to go.  How would he have felt listening to Elder Ballard's talk in that situation?  In a situation where he wanted to go and was being told that he needs to go to be be "worthy", but can't go because of family and financial circumstances.

So.  I didn't just not like Elder Ballard's talk.  I thought it was wrong.  The things he was saying were NOT reflective of how I believe the Savior feels.  Elder Ballard's remarks were discouraging and damaging to the people he was directing his remarks to.

I also believe that Elder Ballad is a prophet called of God and speaks for God.

I believe both of these things, but these things greatly contradict the other.  How does that work and where does that leave me?

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