When I first started going, and got baptized I was in my early to mid teens. I viewed them as gods like Found Sheep. Stick close to them and 'You'll go places kid !" Thats deserves a mega
They'd be sitting during the meeting and someone would come whisper something in their ear, and back then it seemed like it must have been something all important. They'd get up and it would be some elders and MS in the back having a pow wow. I was like wow....must be really important stuff.
When I was in my early 20's I changed congregations and well..I had an isssue with porn from my previous congregation. I was young...late teens, early 20's and raging hormones like a normal young guy. Well that was put in my letter to my new congregation. I saw the elder from my former hall at the convention that year. Well we were off to the side and he LAUGHS in my face and asks, "How'd you like what I put in that letter ,huh ?" He though it was funny. At the time I was really ashamed because I was really trying to reach out and knew I had messed up. This is the same brother who told me he smoked pot like crazy when studying himself when talking to me about my issue. By the time I got to 26,27 I thought most were full of s%$#.
One who I'd always go to about trying to reach out was always giving me advice. Despite doing everything he suggested......I never seemed to qualify for MS. One time he told me perhaps I should quit my job, or change careers. I love my job, and at that point I thought he and most others didn't know what they were talking about. This elder has a 4-year degree, and a pretty nice job with ExxonMobil.
By the time I left I viewed most as egotistic. Very much in love with titles. I would NEVER tell them anything, as they have some of the loosest lips around. I found out about a brothers issues througha sister in our hall. I didn't ask,but she told me she knew the information because she 'pressured' an elder about this certain young man.
I realized if they didn't like you, you could stand on your head with both hands out and they'd skip you for commenting. It was at that point that I just said who gives flying %%$#@ ! I just stopped commenting all together and the friends would wonder why I didn't comment...you comment so well.
I especially hated young elders. Dude you're 4-5 years older than me. Get over yourself.
I can think of 3 right now who I'd say really are good guys.........really try to help........but they'll never see the organization as flawed.