Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Centralization gives allows for greater instutitional consistency and frees up time of those at the local level to focus on different and presumably more important duties. Decentralization gives local leaders more autonomy (this can be good or bad- leader roullette) and may lay more menial, tedious tasks on local leaders to perform which would dilute their focus from the more important things.
It’s a mixed bag.
Quote:That is simply inaccurate. It also isn’t what Elder Holland said in his talk.
Three things:
1) The LDS Church gives more in humanitarian aid than ANY other Christian denomination in the world except the Catholic Church. It’s not close. Seriously, actual comparisons in terms of total dollar amount, total aid in dollar equivalency (in all forms) and total dollar equivalency per member all show that the LDS Church gives FAR more than other denominations.
What is your source on this?
I challenge anyone to ask their bishop if they have received this letter. 90% of the answers will be “No”, because it wasn’t a letter that was mailed out. It was put on the “official communications” board where a leader can find it…if they’re looking. This letter will remain unseen by the majority just like the essays unless people bring attention to it. There is always a possibility that these issues will be brought up in conference but I’m not holding my breath. That leaves the heavy lifting to local leaders and teachers.
TFOT is meant to be conference talks but are these essays not also TFOT?
church0333 wrote:Why don’t we just read and discuss them in PH and RS and let the chips lie where they fall.
These would make great Teachings of our Time lesson subjects. I think I’ll suggest that to my Bishop
Quote:PS. I’m thinking about resigning. I’m looking for opinions of how mormon family members would interpret that action…why I would resign.
CWald, I think they would view it as you turning your back on them. They would take it as an offense, as a rejection. It would make them more defensive IMO.
Quote:Unless it’s very short, kissing is a form of foreplay.
So is gazing into someones eyes, holding hands, short kisses, talking etc.
A leader should express love and understanding. They can offer guidance and advice as they are asked. A leader’s primary role is to express love not judgement.
Quote:I do not like the way your family is lobbying you for a move. I would prefer this to be a decision between husband and wife (taking into consideration the needs of each family member) and then Mom & Dad jointly explain the decision to the kids. That is not “Dictatorship” – that is parenting.
:clap: I agree. It seems that this should be a decision made between husband and wife. A family is not a democracy but if your wife is using the kids to manipulate you that is a different, bigger problem.
Quote:I have a different take. The guy calling the SP and asking him where his family is most needed? Sounds like someone brown nosing the SP. Sounds like it worked. Of course that says a lot more about me than it does about the person that called the SP, it’s good to know that about myself.
I agree. Furthermore, the guy asking where he is most needed sounds very arrogant to me. He assumes his family will be the strength of the new ward to help lead them out of the desert of bumpkinery.
My understanding is that the papyrus with the Book of Joseph still exists and is in the possession of the church. Aparently this papyrus was as described well enough to identify it. The church has displayed this papyrus in the past. Any ideas about why it has not been translated, either by LDS prophet? Academics would also be able to translate the writing now and since there are images of the hyroglyphs, I’m wondering why it hasn’t been translated.
We pray morning and night as a family and a couple but I seldom pray personally for the same reasons you stated. We also pray at meals. I see prayer as a valuable social interaction in the family as it is a time where love can consistently be expressed to a captive audience.
I’ve never enjoyed praying in church. It’s probably because I’m slow of speach and my mind often goes blank if I’m not well prepared with material and it just seems wrong to “prepare” for a prayer. It’s supposed to be directed by the spirit after all, but I seldom have experienced anything like that.
Quote:As far as the second anointing goes it’s just an extension and completion of the endowment. Next time you go to the temple listen closely and you’ll see how it fits in. If you’re not interested, just let the church know when they send you a letter to come in to the temple to have it done.
GBSmith, this seems like a stretch. Yes, it is an extension but one that is intended for the next life and final judgement. As far as being invited in to the temple to receive the 2A. I find this extremely unlikely.
Someone mentioned earlier that they knew a few people who had received the 2A. I’m curious how you know as they are given strict instructions not to share the fact that they received the 2A with anyone. Did they break their promise? Even if they did, the 2A covers them and it is not a sin that would be held against them.
Quote:Conceptually, the belief in essentially irrevocable salvation is like the 2nd Anointing – minus any ordinance, of course, but, conceptually, the same idea.
Wow! I don’t know how I missed that before. Thank you for sharing. The 2A is simply the LDS version of “being saved”.
Quote:The more pressing topic remains unaddressed. Explain how the 2A does not run counter to faith and repentance. Core Christ centered beliefs. (Maybe you did, I didn’t read everything). Explain why 2A is not just an archaic pioneer belief in need of being abandoned like the game of horseshoes as the preferred recreation of many pioneer leaders. Explain to me how 2A demonstrates the centrality of Christ while displacing the need for His atoning work. This seems pretty basic to me. Sin, estrangement from God and reconciliation through a change of heart and lifelong attempts of improvement of behavior. Explain the 2A and what it speaks to the Laws of Justice and Mercy.
The connection between LDS problems with Christ–centeredness and the 2A is a logical leap, but one I wish I did not feel compelled to make after many years of consideration. If church leaders want me to follow them in religious matters, then they need to unequivocally follow Christ. This 2A business is a major distraction for me and probably many others. It needs to go. No excuses.
Agreed. I started this topic supposing that someone may have a deeper understanding about why the 2A has value and shouldn’t be viewed as a major problem. I haven’t seen anyone express that. The consensus I’ve seen is that the 2A is presumptuous at least and replaces the need for Christ at worst. I see no value here except for those rare few who feel good about having their salvation guaranteed.
It’s too bad when different faiths are unable to come together for something simple like service. It sounds like it had been a really productive project in the past. I’ve run into this many times myself in my community. Other faiths want nothing to do with us. Plain and simple. I’ve had them tell me directly that we’re not christian and therefore they will not corrupt their people by encouraging them to associate with us. They would not pray with us. They would not serve with us. They would not join our activities and would not allow us to join theirs. It’s sad to see that kind of Christlike love exhibited by other Christians. Our church has its problems too, but this always irritates me.
