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MormonTimes.com: Church leaders use sense in humor

There's a sense of humor, and then there's good humor. I agree that it is a gift to have either, and rare to have both.

I've always felt uplifted by the humor and advice of church leaders, especially George Durrant who says "I've always wished I was smarter (but)I was smart enough ... but I found out that you can't be both handsome and smart.

Neal A. Maxwell joking that the light from his cranium brought illumination to the pulpit after loosing his hair from cancer treatments was an inspiration for anyone facing hard times.

J. Golden Kimball, when asked his opinion about women wearing cosmetics said "Well, a little paint never hurt any old barn."

Also, one of the reasons young missionaries are successfull is their humor.

Always think highly of yourself, but don't take yourself too seriously. Remember I'm not laughing with you, I'm laughing at you.

Using a sense of humor--that is special.

I don't remember the last time I heard anything funny out of those guys.
I thought laughter was a bad thing.

Ernie, you thought wrong.

"My dear mothers cooking was so poorly received that father used to refer to saying grace before a meal, as "delaying the inedible..."

(Muffled chuckles of thousands...)

LDS church, sense of humor- in the same sentence?? That is humerous!

I feel really sorry for all you Professional Mormon Haters. It must be a real burden to have to be so full of hate and sarcasm all the time.

Of course, if you actually had any idea what you were talking about you would know that the LDS Church is famous for jokes and laughter during Church services.

Another thing you can get in Church is illumination and joy in your heart. Why don't you try it sometime. You will be able to find truth and meaning in your life. It also might lift this terrible burden you are carrying around. Truly. Come and learn of Christ for his "Yoke is easy and his burden is light."

There is not one example of Jesus using humor in any scripture.

He is the ultimate example. We should show kindness, humility, generosity and sympathy to our fellowman, but not humor. It is not in the Gospel.

We all need a sense of humor. I see it in church, at general conference. It has place. Whenever I meet a person with no sense of humor I know that the person is or will be "suffering". Life is hard and laughter helps us get through the difficult times. Laughing at ourselves is actually a sign of humility. Many people take themselves to seriously. Lighten up! You'll live better if not longer.

We came here to learn to be like our Father in Heaven, and He has a sense of humor; how else does one explain the Chicago Cubs?
His best joke will be at the resurection when we are all restored to our perfect frame and all you tall, skinny people find yourselves short and chubby!

I served my mission in Jacksonville Florida and my sense of humor made me many friends both LDS and non LDS alike but a word of warning for future missionaries when an angry redneck asks you to leave his property or he will do something unmentionable with your bike .. keep the funny comment to yourself at that time however amusing it is he means every word and will chase you and you will learn just how fast you can actually run then pedal been there, done that because of my big mouth and bad choice regarding sense of humor also to my friends in Jacksonville, be careful regarding tropical storm Fay you're in my prayers

Ernest, having read your comments on this website for a long time, methinks you haven't ever listened to an LDS church leader ever.

Boyd K. Packer always cracks me up with his witty stories.
Spencer W. Kimball put me on the floor a number of times.
Harold B. Lee was hysterical.
Go figure.

I'm not into dry humor. It bores me.

Quite a number of the jokes cited were offensive in some way or another. There was sexism, sarcasm, and just plain rudeness. I've heard funny comments by leaders during talks, but these examples, by and large, were not the best examples to be used.

Anybody who saw Pres Monson wiggle his ears at last April's priesthood session knows he has a fantastic sense of humor. Man, that brought the house down!

To My2Cents: Jesus did not wear trousers, a belt or suspenders, drive a car, use underarm deoderant, shave with an electric razor, or ride in an airplane or train. He didn't speak English in the Bible. I assume Christians are allowed to do those things nevertheless. Some are even good for you. I am personally confident that Jesus has a sense of humor, since he offers to save even dour people like yourself.

Humor used by LDS leaders generally makes themselves, or their fellow Church members as a body, the butt of the joke. It is generally a gentle humor, not a bitter humor that ridicules others.

To the author: How about a book of humorous stories told by LDS leaders in church meetings? It could be titled "Faith Promoting Humor".

There's probably no specific example of Jesus' humor because it was likely so pervasive in all he said. He was Jewish. Every Jew I've ever met had a well-developed sense of humor often expressed in self-deprecating and sarcastic ways.

Fish? You got fish? I'll give you fish. And don't even get me started about the bread.

:o)

Please read more carefully, the scriptures are full of instances in which the Lord clearly demonstrated a sense of humour.
Matthew 21,Mark 11 and Luke 20 all relate the same instance in which the Chief Priests and Elders of the temple question the source of the Lord's authority. They knew that asking this question would trap the Lord. No matter how He answered, they would be able to manipulate it into damaging His character.
Nonplussed as always, The Lord calmy asks them a similarly designed question concerning John the Baptist's authority. When the Elders recognize that they have been caught in their own snare, they reply to the Lord, "We cannot tell" (Matt 21:27). They knew the answer, but knew it would make them look foolish!

The Lord's reply to this admission of unwillingness is hilarious. He says to them, in effect; Then I am not going to answer you either.

And THAT surely sent the assembled crowd into laughter. It was deemed funny enough that 3 of the four gospel writers included it in their brief accounts of the Savior's Ministry. Why is that?

He told us to be "as a little child"
Who laughs more than children?

To my2cents: The scriptures are very limited records on everything the Savior has said and done. These accounts are very brief. We don't have any idea what kind of sense of humor he has just from reading the scriptures. His representatives on earth have a lot of humor. We can take that as a sign that the Lord does too.