[richalger]

There is some good advice here. Being a nice guy resonates with me. It reminds me of the amiable communication type as defined by Persogenics. I posted about it here here.

An amiable communicator should remember to speak up now, sooner is better than later. A amiable type may choose to avoid confrontation. This can be a pitfall. Be courageous and speak your peace (or truth).

[richalger]

amateurparent wrote:

DarkJedi: By our own theology, it is impossible for an 8 year old to truly repent either. They are considered without sin .. Just like that Catholic baby. We have them practice repentance, and practice taking the sacrament, but it is considered without real meaning.

But then they turn 8 and BOOM! Sin and accountability and repentance all kick in. Kinda sad really .. Seems like the innocence of childhood should last longer.

I see the age of 8 as a statistical average, the middle of the bell curve, for when humans begin to be accountable. I say begin because I believe that it is like a sunrise. We are generally, more accountable at 11 than we were at 8 the same at 17. If we are to progress, we must gain knowledge, not just information but things like. Oh, I can live at a new level of living. That is what God has designed us to become.

So I would posit that it is in the plan that we become more and more accountable throughout our lives, because we are willing and able to make higher and higher commitments to the revealed word of God in our lives.

Eight years old is generally old enough to make the commitment of baptism.

[richalger]

Thank you for your comments Heber13. I deeply desire to have us all to be One in Christ. I have traversed my own journey of faith transition. I love what I love in the church. I am also under no allusion that what I have retained in my testimony of the restored gospel is true and eternally so. I trust in the way the prophets are leading us because I choose to. I also trust that they will, according to the strength of the roots, trim out the most bitter branches of the tree of the church.

Listening ears and compassion are the salve requested. I answer in kind.

[richalger]

Quote:

If this policy be of God, God will help us through this. If this policy be not of God, God will help us through it.

I am taking this as my own FB post.

[richalger]

Quote:

We should remember that most typically revelations are “conclusions” and not “explanations.” When we receive revelation for ourselves, we discover what God would have us do. He rarely provides a reason for why we should do what was revealed. Rather, He trusts us to be obedient to the revelation He has given us. (Facebook post, David A. Bednar, 26 Oct 2015) https://www.facebook.com/lds.david.a.bednar/posts/1130763450284728?hc_location=ufi” class=”bbcode_url”>https://www.facebook.com/lds.david.a.bednar/posts/1130763450284728?hc_location=ufi

It is possible that the brethren do not know all the reasons this policy has changed the way it has. Is it also possible that they do not intend to share all the reasons why.

I can think of a lot of reasons. They are my speculation. I have detailed many of them in my post in an effort to sort through my own feelings and thoughts and so that I might be of help to those around me. There is a gulf between what the church says about gay sexual relations and what many in and around the church say. It seems to me that this is the source of the dissonance.

Many people do not see gay relations as sinful. To be honest, I see monogamous, committed gay, couples in a different light that I did even a couple years ago. The church teaches that these relations are not only a sin, but a grievous one. The policies really only puts a bright line on these differences. Whoever is closer to the Truth, I see this is the reason for the policy. The church is taking a stand for what it has stated in the past is its stand. To clarify to all bishops and stake presidents. To the membership. To the governments.

At the very least it will sort out what works and what does not work for Mormons, investigators and everyone else.

I am seeing the hurt affecting those I know online. I hope for a way forward in healing and connection.

[richalger]

I feel the need to defend the faith that I love. One thought that passes my mind is how quantum physics seems so not intuitive. That even though we don’t understand, it is how things work.

I believe that the 15 men in the leading councils are inspired. That they are men that speak up when they see something out of line. That they would not assent to a policy they do not feel is from God. I am thinking of the news conference when Pres Eyring was sustained. These men surely have thought and prayed and received confirmation that this policy is what is needed.

http://richalger.blogspot.com/2007/10/here-are-prophets-of-god-and-theyre.html

I choose to believe because I want to believe. I trust that things will work out.

I have collected my thoughts in these two posts. I would love some feedback.

http://richalger.blogspot.com/2015/11/lord-to-whom-shall-we-go.html

http://richalger.blogspot.com/2015/11/handbook-changes-affecting-same-sex.html

[richalger]

hawkgrrrl wrote:

Check back with me in three weeks. We will be at a very different place by then I hope.

What do you expect to be different in 3 weeks?

[richalger]

mackay11 wrote:

I just wanted to visit with you for a while. Job 2:13 style.

That is a great scripture.

[richalger]

Old-Timer wrote:

we have a responsibility to try to avoid hyperbole on the other side of the spectrum and try not to perpetuate emotional reactions that aren’t accurate. I have read some of those on Facebook and in this thread, and we just can’t make charges about this that aren’t accurate. It doesn’t help one bit, and it actually hinders any chance of reasonable discussion.

[richalger]

I appreciate your effort to reach out to all people in connection to faith crisis or faith transition. The CES letter for me did rattle me a bit when I first read it. Though I was already in the middle or towards the end of my transition. After I cleared away all my beliefs, all my history all my experience. I was left with nothing. It was a beautiful clearing in a forest.

From nothing, after considering everything, I choose to believe because I choose to believe. I hold dear the beauty and good fruit I have experienced in the church. I see the most bitter branches being cleared away according to the strength of the roots.

Thank you again.

[richalger]

Old-Timer wrote:

There is no clear, objective description, since many people who are wildly different in multiple ways are deeply believing, active Mormons.

I am a deeply believing, active Mormon. Some of my friends would call me TBM; others believe I am bordering on apostate (with a few believing I have crossed the line).

Agree

[richalger]

DarkJedi wrote:

I am, in fact, of the opinion that even the likes of Hitler, Stalin, and the 9/11 terrorists will bow their knees and confess that Jesus is the Christ and will obtain a degree of glory – and that many good Mormons will be shocked at that (but shouldn’t be).

:thumbup:

[richalger]

I have heard some talk about being pioneers in their families. Meanings the converts to the church in any generation are pioneers. My father and mother in Law are converts. I consider them to be pioneer ancestors for my children.

[richalger]

What is MMM?

[richalger]

:clap:

[Author]

Posts