NOM

When I was preparing for my mission and praying to get a testimony I recognized that I might NOT get an answer. I was open to the possibility that it may not be true. Now don't get me wrong. I thought it was true. I wanted it to be true. And I was praying as if it was true. But I remember thinking ...

I find this fascinating, Hagoth. Thanks for sharing. As I grew up I developed a "Grace/Mercy" relationship with my Mom, and a works/justice relationship with my Dad. I also read the New Testament and sensed a "Grace" aspect of the gospel that Mormonism didn't seem to address correctly. On my mission...

It's a Church thing that as I understand it, started with Joseph F. Smith around a hundred years ago. It's interesting that JFS testified to Congress that he didn't receive visions and revelations. I wonder what Pres. Nelson would say today if testifying before Congress. It's a Church thing not a Go...

My NOM journey began with a small step, but I'm not sure which step was first. Like wise, I am still subject to occasional TBM thoughts, but I also am still deciding what to be when I grow up, so...... My first NOM thought might have been when 9 year old me lost a baseball in our wheat field. Prayin...

The church needs a few people like Socrates to bring it back to reality. Sadly, people like Socrates sometimes get executed.The Church has the power to exclude and excommunicate, but (Thank God) not the power to execute those it judges. Unlike the Catholic Church, the LDS Church has not had that kin...

I'm striving to maintain a belief in Jesus as a/the messiah. Sometimes it's easier to believe than others. I strive to avoid blind faith. I believe faith should be directed toward my best, most honest evaluations of reality. The scriptures are 30% to 90% accurate- which is pretty good for a book wri...

One of the problems with LDS history and doctrine is words change meanings. I've been researching the period when Martin Harris lost the 116 pages. We also hear that Joseph lost (or the angel took them)the urim and thummim, except we still don't know if that means the breastplate and/or glasses, the...

I’m a backslider, but I will raise my Mountain Dew to Neil. Here’s to the memories.

I wish you the best through the whole ordeal. It sounds like it could drag on. I think your advice at the top about wills that stipulate a person's wishes is wise.

I am concerned that President Nelson might bring back a version of his "God's love is NOT unconditional" talk. I think he would be wrong, but he might think god wants him to bring it up, now that he's in charge.

My TBM mother would love 1 as she loves the taste tea and coffee. I would love 24 to be true, but can’t see how. Beyond celibacy and single life (which isn’t an option for me) I can’t see how you can include LGBTQI without a thus saith the Lord revelation. If one was to be released providing a doct...

If they give the pope a Book of Mormon, I recommend they remove 1st Nephi chapter 13 first.

I think your priorities are sound. I told my wife if my disaffection threatened our marriage I would adapt or discontinue it. Thankfully we have worked out accommodations for each other. Relationships are more important than institutions. If only the Church leaders could recognize this. You can be a...

If they want to go mainstream they need to drop the temple and the underwear. Not happening. The church is verifiably false. My time on earth is limited and I’m not waiting around for some changes that may or may not happen. Why am I supposed to hold out for some old guy to tell me it’s okay to wea...

So something as simple as a health code was given tons of latitude for decades, but something as radical as polygamy and polyandry had to be done “right now!” with minimal instruction under threat of an angel with a drawn sword? Apologists’ arguments only work in isolation. This is something that j...

Yeah, Mattson says the same in his new book. I just got it on my kindle.

Jim Bennett and the Church Essay on polygamy both emphasize that God commanded Joseph Smith to practice polygamy, but didn't tell him how. This would give Joseph the option that Shadrach, Mishak, and Abed-nego, and Daniel chose- that is- practice the doctrine without hiding, and without deception. W...

I didn’t realize Methodist’s had this hang-up. The Presbyterian Church I attend is proudly inclusive of LGBT’s.

I’ll add that I admire Bill Reel’s ability to avoid interrupting Jim Bennett’s comments. I am consistently saying to myself: “he must not know about X” or “he didn’t consider Y.” Jim’s observations remind me of thoughts I had 9 years ago, and still have occasionally. I just couldn’t make them fit re...

First, I applaud Jim Bennett for engaging in a discussion with Bill. There has been no such situation in all my encounters with TBM family and friends where such an extensive discussion has taken place. Second, I skimmed Jim Bennett's reaction to what Bill Reel had written about the discussion, and ...