“Mormon-Lite” Anyone?

It’s 9:00 am and the High Priest Group Leader asks for volunteers to take the Sacrament to the Shut-ins after sacrament meeting. About 25 High Priests, many of which have been in bishoprics, stake presidencies, and have served on the high council were present. No hands went up.  Next, in Gospel Doctrine class the teacher asks if anyone read the assignment for today’s lesson. Again no hands were raised. Finally, it was time for sacrament meeting. The chapel and the overflow were full. Several members snuck in having missed the earlier meetings in order to take the Sacrament. They crossed paths with others who were sneaking out just after taking the sacrament.  In Sacrament meeting , the Bishop spoke on improving a very low home and visiting teaching percentage.

Some may think there’s nothing wrong or immoral about being a nominal 3-Hour Mormon. Seems like if you got baptized, married in the temple, and go to Church three hours on Sunday, you’re OK.  But …

The New Mormon Lite … with less “Spiritual Calories”

The Mormon-Lite crowd is a tough bunch for me to understand.

The Apostle Paul expressed an eternal law-“The Law of the Harvest” when he declared that “whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Gal. 6:7.) The analogy of sowing and reaping is one that is popular with the prophets of old and with the Lord himself.  (See, for example, Job 4:8; Prov. 22:8; D&C 6:33.)  This “law of the harvest” connects behavior and its consequences together in an unbreakable relationship that has direct impact on every aspect of our lives,” (Lawrence M. Barry, “Marriage and the Law of the Harvest,” Ensign, Feb. 1986).

Like the flowers, fruits, and vegetables we grow in our gardens, our spirit and body reflect the nature of the seeds we have planted.

You’re Going To Die!

If you’re taking in only 500 “spiritual calories,” but require 20,000 to successfully deal with your upcoming week’s stress, by Tuesday you’ll be spiritually hungry and weak.

“If one fails to eat and drink, his body becomes emaciated and dies. Likewise if he fails to nourish his spirit and mind, his spirit shrivels and his mind darkens.” (President Spencer W. Kimball, Miracle of Forgiveness,  pg 93)

Simply said, if your spirit consumes only 3 hours of spiritual calories by attending church, you can’t expect a 40 hour spiritual pay check.

As a Mormon psychologist, I believe today’s society is suffering from an epidemic far worse than the “swine flu” or any other disease. What’s the disease?

“Spiritual Anorexia”

Just like your body requires calories to burn so does your spirit!

Our weight conscious society, knows exactly how many “calories for the body” they should eat to lose weight or maintain a healthy energy level, but have no clue about the minimum required calories for the survival of your spirit!

Calorie Counter

Burger King Whopper, 628 each; French fries, 1 serving  227; Vanilla milkshake, regular  321.

Attending all Sunday Meetings, 516; Reading the lesson, 321; Listening to the speaker 198.

How many spiritual calories did you take in last week?

Spiritual Empty Diet

Putting your spirit on a diet jeopardizes your eternity.

“The law of the harvest is simply that you don’t get something for nothing in life,” (Robert D. Hales, “Channeling Your Creativity,” New Era, Feb. 2004).

There is no substitute for taking time to immerse one’s self into God’s word and prayer. There are no supplements, no Cliff notes, no short cuts – for actually getting the Gospel into our hearts and minds.

“Conversion is a spiritual and moral change. Converted implies not merely mental acceptance of Jesus and his teachings but also a motivating faith in him and his gospel. A faith which works a transformation, an actual change in one’s understanding of life’s meaning and in his allegiance to God in interest, in thought, and in conduct. In one who is really wholly converted, desire for things contrary to the gospel of Jesus Christ has actually died. And substituted therefore is a love of God, with a fixed and controlling determination to keep his commandments… Membership in the Church and conversion are not necessarily synonymous,” (President Marion G. Romney, In Conference Report, Guatemala Area Conference 1977).

Culture has changed, but how to maintain a healthy spirit has not!

“Your happiness now and forever is conditioned on your degree of conversion and the transformation that it brings to your life,” (Richard G. Scott, “Full Conversion Brings Happiness,” Ensign, May 2002).

Our Mormon culture accepts and even encourages Mormon-Lite behavior that result in spiritual anorexia. 

Gospel Principle:

“The peril of this century is spiritual apathy. As the body requires the sunlight, good food, proper exercise, and rest, so the spirit of man requires the sunlight of the Holy Spirit; proper exercise of the spiritual functions; avoiding of evils that affect spiritual health, which are more ravaging in their effects than typhoid fever, pneumonia, or other diseases that attack the body,” (David O. McKay, Miracle of Forgiveness, pg.94).

Additional Information:

D. Todd Christofferson, “When Thou Art Converted,” Ensign, May 2004.

For – 638 “Burger King Whopper Spiritual Calories” watch all of President Monson’s YouTube video “Prayer”.