NOM

I've heard a dozen or more talks/lessons about how pride led people out of the Church. Has anyone considered how pride might keep people in the Church? On my mission it was a combination of pride and fear that kept me from confronting the criticisms of the Church. Sure some of them were false, but i...

I've been reading a book about Steely Dan and it got me thinking about music since the 1960's. For me it has steadily been going downhill. :roll: Now this is a common reaction. People typically (My Mom and Dad- 1940's, and my Grandmas- 1920's are examples) love the music they grew up with, and I gre...

Unfortunately, Brigham Young and most of the Church will take a modern 'prophet' over an ancient Messiah.

This apologetic podcast mourns the demise of interesting youth programs. If you don't mind the apologetics, you can listen to TBM's lament the current programs of the Church and praise the good old days.
"The Spiral Of Silence is Killing the Church (feat. Greg Matsen)
MIDNIGHT MORMONS"

That's right Moksha. the thought occurred to me that those silly temple vows are kind of like what a mafia oath might be like. Google: Mafia oath of silence, or 'omerta' and you'll see a parallel. Or look up Gadianton Robbers. Or, look up "Do LDS give their Soul to the Church or Jesus" thread. :o :s...

I think Joseph was trying to get control, but he couldn't ask people to give their soul to Joseph. That would be too obvious. He couldn't ask people to give their soul to Jesus Christ. That would be too vague. So he tells people to give their soul to the Church. And Joseph ran the Church, at least h...

Pale's post above says it very clearly. When you come out of the temple they want you to think they own you body and soul, (and spirit if you want to get doctrinal). And they don't give you much warning either. :o :shock: :cry: The temple ceremony says "C___, C___, C___," all the way through. Joseph...

The "really Old Testament?" That cracks me up, cnsl1!

Growing up on a farm in Idaho, that parable didn't quite make sense. Gather up the tares? Maybe they have different weeds in Palestine. I know wheat and tares [oats, wild grass, etc.] look the same at first at, but when the heads come out you can tell the difference. But by then it's impossible to s...

Yes Blazerb, that is my broke-shelf, post-enlightenment take on it.

aye aye, Capt'n
Although I'd rather not be a septic.

Moses 3:21–23. Adam’s Rib President Spencer W. Kimball taught that Eve was not literally created from Adam’s rib. He said: “The story of the rib, of course, is figurative” (“The Blessings and Responsibilities of Womanhood,” Ensign, Mar. 1976, 71). “The story [of the rib,] of course, is figurative” W...

I never thought of Lot as a prophet, but he was visited by angels. That is hefty evidence.

The apostle Peter said Lot was righteous, and he should know, right?
2nd Peter 2:7 "and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless"

Do LDS give their Soul to the Church, or to Jesus? This is kind of a rhetorical question, but it shouldn't be. The temple answers this question for me, but there may be TBM's or even NOM's that might see things differently. Some TBM's might say that giving your soul to the Church is the same as givi...

I would submit that prophets as depicted in unique LDS scriptures (BOM, D&C, PofGP) rarely make mistakes. The 116 pages and Joseph Smith is a rare example. However in the Old Testament we see prophets makings plenty of mistakes. Jonah and the whale, and Moses not giving God credit for purifying the ...

What if every time, instead of going to the temple, each member donated the time and expense of temple attendance to a charity, or their community school, or senior center? That's what pure religion is. (James 1:27) What if someone gave a talk and said, "The keystone of our religion is, and then quo...

I think ancient religion was a likely very remunerative profession in most cultures. Priests were probably high in the power structures of most societies. Hmmm.... kind of like today. I'll bet there was an underclass of follower/believers who made the system go too.

Joseph Smith was devotee of secrecy. Accounts of his practice of it, from the refusal to disclose BOM translation particulars, to his infatuation with masonry, demonstrate this. This week we see in the financial foopah, more fruit from the the seed of secrecy. Perhaps Church leaders can be forgiven ...

I know, I know.... I'm the out-lier here but I love the Biblical scriptures. I've read the Old Testament at least 4 times and continue to study it frequently. The Old Testament aside from being a witness to Israel of the covenant from Jehovah, gives great meaning and understanding to the New Testam...

They are all funny but third one is the best.