NOM

The house divided against itself metaphor is very appropriate for a church that declared “some truths are not useful.” Until the church can embrace a God of Truth instead of a god of corporate expediency it will remain divided.

Calvinism seems totally irrational to me. John Calvin was a product of his time, but I don’t understand why people still believe that stuff today.

Check out this retreat: mandalacenter.com- my wife and I had a great experience there for the summer solstice.

Parley Pratt took the BOM too seriously and tried to copy the Alma/Korihor encounter. Some time around 1837-38 he wrote a pamphlet in which he cursed LeRoy Sutherland, a BOM critic that he would be unable to write. It did not come to pass. I can’t remember the details but you can look it up. I was d...

That's a fascinating perspective John. About what year would you think that Mark was written?

Joseph Smith argues: " In the very beginning (Gen. 1:1)the Bible shows there is a plurality of Gods beyond the power of refutation. It is a great subject I am dwelling on. the word "eloheim" ought to be in the plural all the way through- Gods. The heads of the Gods appointed one God for us; and when...

What does everyone think the future of anti-Mormonism looks like? ... So what is next? More individual’s stepping up to agitate for change? What issues would they agitate for to change? I personally wouldn't be surprised to see some of the current crop of (podcast) agitators go by the wayside. A ta...

For voters in 1828: "A vote for Andrew Jackson is a vote for racism- vote for John Quincy Adams."

For southern slave owners and politicians: "You may either give up your slaves or your children will lose a war trying to keep them."

Behold thy brother hath said, What shall we do?—for we are cast out of our synagogues, that we cannot worship our God. Behold I say unto you, do ye suppose that ye cannot worship God save it be in your synagogues only? Right On! :D :lol: I could be wrong but I think when we get to the other side Go...

Your anecdotes point out what is still wrong with the Church's policies. Thanks for sharing.

I think it is likely that Joseph Smith had some kind of spiritual experience around 1820-21. I think the 1832(?) account coupled with D&C 20:5 is evidence that something happened. I also think the account of Enos's prayer in the BOM could be autobiographical- that it is a description of what Joseph ...

....And in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make.-- John Lennon (Who may not have been the best example of this, but he wrote some nice songs.)

Wow!

This is fascinating. Any idea who edited it, and who might have had to approve it? Surely it was done after McConkie died?

I might add that, according to Elder McConkie my "Divine Parable" is a satire that shows I have the intellect of an ant, and the understanding of a clod.

THE FIFTH DAY Cal: Hey friends, it’s almost the weekend. (wink) El: (whew) I’ll be glad when this week is over. My fifth day has been murder, literally. I not only had my Messiah die, I had thousands of my chosen children- Israel- die as well. Then Roman Empire leveled my Jerusalem temple- the only ...

A Divine Parable For theists a divine parable, or for atheists and agnostics- Science Fiction. (Or Something I Dreamed Last Night.) Written: 2/28/2020, 3/1/2020, 4/20/2020, 6/1/2020, 6/4/2020, and a few days in between. Is this the best of all possible worlds? Or could Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (164...

One of the things that led to my disaffection was how easily LDS teachers and authors dismissed and criticized centuries of Bible scholarship as the work of a bunch of lightweight morons or intentional deceivers, yet they were quick to embrace the most shallow conference talk or Ensign article as g...

wtfluff wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 03, 2020 3:40 pm

Egyptian Freemasons? Ha! (Like the Freemasons invented the compass and the square.)

Call me when they find some stringy Egyptian baker's hats, veils, and some fake green silk "aprons."

Yeah, this.

Interesting story. We are each unique. I have heard stories of artists from writers (Victor Hugo) to composers (George Handel)say things like “I don’t know where it- the idea or inspiration for the piece- came from; But it seemed to come from outside of the conscious mind.” When Russell Nelson or B...

Interesting story. We are each unique. I have heard stories of artists from writers (Victor Hugo) to composers (George Handel)say things like “I don’t know where it- the inspiration for the piece- came from. But it seemed to come from outside of the conscious mind.” When Russell Nelson or Boyd Ricks...

What does the unconscious have to do with creativity? I've been recently working on two creative projects that were both inspired by dreams. At least one of those dreams may have been triggered by a movie I watched the night before. Am I receiving revelation? Shades of Russell Nelson! Is my unconsci...