[richalger]

SunbeltRed wrote:

Whatever my kids ask me I will be open with them, will also tell them this is how the church sees it, this is how your mom sees it. You will have to come to your own conclusion, and I love you no matter what your conclusion is as that is secondary to you being my child.

I like this too. I have children from 19 to 6. I try and ask open ended questions and let them try and sort it out. There are a few people they have know personally that have had faith transitions. I am one of them. I try to keep it age appropriate and according to what they ask. Though there are times that I do ask questions to see where they are. And ask more questions to challenge their conceptions.

One of the best things you can do as a parent is to have regular talks with your kids. Let them ask you whatever. Ask them about their lives. It gives you a natural way to work in questions about sex, faith and anything else that is difficult to navigate.

[richalger]

I don’t know why I had not consciously thought of the endowment as a participatory play. It really is though it is not meant for entertainment as a commercial play is. I think there is something about joining a story being presented that is compelling.

[richalger]

Quote:

And it came to pass that Adam, being tempted of the devil—for, behold, the devil was before Adam, for he rebelled against me, saying, Give me thine honor, which is my power; and also a third part of the hosts of heaven turned he away from me because of their agency; ( D&C 29:36)

Why is the honor of God the power of God? I see it as His power because he is all good. He always keeps his word. He is perfectly charitable. When he asks the elements to organize, they do because they honor him.

I see the same in D&C 121. If we follow the principles in that section, we not only are called to leadership but are chosen. Not only do we have authority but we have power in our leadership. Because the people we lead respect us. From this honor they are more likely to follow their leader.

[richalger]

Old-Timer wrote:

I also want a heaven, so I choose to believe in it.

I also want a heaven on Earth, so I choose to try to create it within my own sphere of influence.

:thumbup:

[richalger]

What a great poem and cartoon. I had to make note of it so I could find it again.

http://richalger.blogspot.com/2015/03/imagine-if-you-find-map.html

[richalger]

DarkJedi wrote:

Old-Timer wrote:

The Church doesn’t claim to have all truth.

I agree, Ray, but you have to really pay attention to know that. It would be interesting to poll the average member to see what the majority believes about this issue. My guess is most (especially those who live in the Corridor) believe the church does have all the truth and that is what is specifically wrong with other churches – they don’t have all the truth. Recently my missionary son wrote home about an interesting thing his MP said – that the church doesn’t have a monopoly on the truth. We did have some discussion about it, but most noteworthy to me was that I thought he understood that already – and he didn’t. Granted he is more orthodox than I am, nevertheless I would not put him in a category with the most orthodox.

Here are some quotes on how the church doesn’t claim to have all truth or goodness.

http://richalger.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-lds-church-doesnt-claim-to-have-all.html

[richalger]

metalrain wrote:

What are everyones thoughts on the temple?

I find meaning in the repeating of the covenants. That I am to covenant with God to improve myself. To cast off unhealthy practices. And to find my life in helping others to find healthier practices.

I find comfort in the blessings of the initiatory.

I find meaning in the connection I have to my ancestors and to my descendents. And to all the human family.

On the practical side. It is a quiet place to pause from the business of life and let God soak in. I sometimes find myself renewed in resolution to solve the issues with the relationships around me.

I like that it is a voluntary worship. I must of myself get myself to the temple.

[richalger]

DarkJedi wrote:

Quote:

…there are so many “shoulds” and “should nots” that merely keeping track of them can be a challenge. Sometimes, well-meaning amplifications of divine principles—many coming from uninspired sources—complicate matters further, diluting the purity of divine truth with man-made addenda. One person’s good idea—something that may work for him or her—takes root and becomes an expectation. And gradually, eternal principles can get lost within the labyrinth of “good ideas.”

This was one of the Savior’s criticisms of the religious “experts” of His day, whom He chastised for attending to the hundreds of minor details of the law while neglecting the weightier matters.

(Uchtdorf, October 2009)

Thanks so much for that quote. I did not remember he said that.

[richalger]

dash1730 wrote:

metalrain, Let me make 4 suggestions.

The first is in your studies. Read something that feeds your soul in addition to your compulsive study of issues. …

Second, I suggest you take a broad view. What is the net result? …

Third, take a broad view of the Church’s effect on your life. …

Fourth, If you like to read and think, I suggest Terryl Givens books. I have read and reread “The God Who Weeps”. For me, It answers questions that make being Mormon worthwhile: Why God cares, given all the crap in mortality, What is faith and how it is different from testimony, & the critical importance of free agency. What may be more relevant to you now is his book “The Crucible of Doubt”. …

I have not read the Terryl Givens books, but I do like the couple of talks I have heard of his. I second this post of dash1730.

[richalger]

DarkJedi wrote:

So, despite that I know JS didn’t sit at a table with the plates but rather stuck his head in a hat with a stone in it, can I believe he translated the Book of Mormon by the “gift and power of God?” Sure, it really makes no difference if he did it in the way depicted in the movies and countless Sunday School and Primary classes or with is head in the hat. The real decision is whether or not he did it.

I see Joseph as a flawed man. And I do take solace that such a flawed man could be chosen to do the work of God. I also see him as a prophet.

For me, the turning point was the question, “what do I know for sure?” It took me a while to dig down. For me, the lowest answer came, that I know that my parents loved me. And that they do now. I believed what they taught me. As I grew, I came to know some things for myself. I had experiences in my freshman year of High School reading the Book of Mormon for the first time on my own. Alma the younger, King Benjamin’s sermon. They were strong, emotional experiences for me. I also had a logical connection with 2 Nephi 2, agency, the 2nd article of Faith.

I treasure some of the teachings of the Abraham and Moses. The first few verses of Abraham connect with me. The clarity about our pre-mortal life, etc

I cannot see how all this came to be without divine help.

How do I reconcile this with the other, hard-history that I have found out? It has been helpful to relate to what I know first hand. I know our bishop if a good man. I know he is a flawed man. The same can be said for my parents who I knew well. We all see through a glass darkly.

I see the covenant making part of church as so inspired. I love this scripture:

“Art thou a brother or brethren? I salute you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, in token or remembrance of the everlasting covenant, in which covenant I receive you to fellowship, in a determination that is fixed, immovable, and unchangeable, to be your friend and brother through the grace of God in the bonds of love, to walk in all the commandments of God blameless, in thanksgiving, forever and ever. Amen.” D&C 88:133

https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/88.133?lang=eng#132

Why would I now want to be a part of an organization that has this as its core? Do I not want to embrace the life God has? Do I not want the help and fellowship of others who seek the same?

I also like the response of my father-in-law. Even if it weren’t true, were else would I go to live a the best life? There may be many other good options. But I have not found any that match the real-life support and the doctrines that enlighten my mind.

[richalger]

SilentDawning wrote:

Quote:

I also think God cares less about the truth than we think. I think he cares more about the impact your beliefs have on your personal growth and character.

This makes sense to me.

[richalger]

Old-Timer wrote:

Relatively little.

I believe God knows my heart and won’t hold me to a higher standard than is possible for me.

:thumbup:

[richalger]

Several years ago, a friend in my ward became very upset about what they learned on the Internet about Mormonism.

http://richalger.blogspot.com/2011/02/truth-will-prevail.html

It triggered me to look closer than I had before. I was able to process through it. This site was part of that. I knew Ray from elsewhere and his influence soothed my sensibilities. I felt safe here. I see myself as a TBM. What I truly believe in has shrunk but I hold it more dearly.

[richalger]

Thanks for all the replies. It is good to get many perspectives, especially on controversy.

[richalger]

Is this an accurate accounting?

http://mormonvoices.org/3280/excommunication-of-john-dehlin

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