Search found 414 matches
- Tue Feb 14, 2023 11:19 am
- Forum: Support
- Topic: Analogies: Radio Vs. Shelf
- Replies: 9
- Views: 859
Re: Analogies: Radio Vs. Shelf
It was only recently that I learned that the shelf analogy is generally credited to Camilla Kimball, wife of Spencer W. Kimball. Because of her family’s hospitality toward searching and studying, Sister Kimball says, “I’ve always had an inquiring mind. I’m not satisfied just to accept things. I like...
- Thu Feb 09, 2023 4:57 pm
- Forum: The Coffee Shop
- Topic: Humor Relief
- Replies: 41
- Views: 43376
Re: Humor Relief
If you don't get that last one, then congratulations. You have not spent way too much time on the Internet.
- Thu Feb 09, 2023 4:47 pm
- Forum: Support
- Topic: Anyone want to discuss the changes to the temple?
- Replies: 37
- Views: 3208
Re: Anyone want to discuss the changes to the temple?
I wonder if the temple experience consisted in sitting in an uncomfortable chair in an empty room for an hour, how many people would keep attending regularly and raving about how fulfilling and enlightening it is. I remember thinking at one point that I might enjoy visiting the temple more if I cou...
- Sun Jan 29, 2023 11:08 am
- Forum: Doctrinal Discussion
- Topic: Can there be an Alma?
- Replies: 9
- Views: 896
Re: Can there be an Alma?
. . . let alone getting that special visit from a ministering angel that none of the self-righteous never-strayers so desperately desire but never get. Yes, one element of the Alma the Younger (or Saul) story that I always found interesting is the way he didn't have to "work" for his testimony by e...
- Sun Jan 29, 2023 10:45 am
- Forum: Doctrinal Discussion
- Topic: Sacrament Meetings & My Ramblings
- Replies: 7
- Views: 690
Re: Sacrament Meetings & My Ramblings
I haven't been to a Sacrament Meeting in some time, but one nice thing about technological advances when I did was that I could bring my Kindle and no one would know whether I was reading scriptures or something else during the boring parts. (It was something else.) I agree that it's always better t...
- Sun Jan 29, 2023 10:21 am
- Forum: Support
- Topic: Don't care anymore
- Replies: 24
- Views: 3045
Re: Don't care anymore
I find myself sort of fighting against not caring to some degree. I recently started listening to Mormon Stories episodes again after not keeping up with them for a while (especially the recent John Larsen ones) and I even ordered a new academic-type book that I'm not sure I'll realistically read (t...
- Tue Jan 24, 2023 2:27 pm
- Forum: Support
- Topic: Consciousness
- Replies: 29
- Views: 2526
Re: Consciousness
Unnamed Philosopher maintained that consciousness is a fundamental quality of nature, and that everything in existence possesses it to some degree. Are you sure this wasn't Brigham Young? I seem to remember him having said some very similar things about "intelligence" and how the elements are actua...
- Fri Jan 06, 2023 1:32 pm
- Forum: Doctrinal Discussion
- Topic: Science/Religion
- Replies: 14
- Views: 1329
Re: Science/Religion
Here's my attempt: Religion: A set of ideas and stories that primates accept to help them feel meaning and purpose. Science: A methodology that helps primates comprehend and shape the world that they find themselves in. Both: Distractions from the realization that consciousness is merely a survival ...
- Tue Dec 20, 2022 3:14 pm
- Forum: Support
- Topic: How do you label yourself regarding your belief?
- Replies: 43
- Views: 3963
Re: How do you label yourself regarding your belief?
The labels I have gravitated toward over the years are ignostic and absurdist . But I never really say these terms aloud because they wouldn't mean anything to most people. I've never referred to myself as atheist or even agnostic, regardless of whether those labels might fit, because of the negativ...
- Fri Dec 16, 2022 8:45 am
- Forum: Support
- Topic: Relaxed mission attire
- Replies: 21
- Views: 2025
Re: Relaxed mission attire
I've seen some younger missionaries without ties in my area (still white shirts, though). It was a little jarring, but maybe just because I'm an insider and used to the old traditions. I wonder if this type of change might break the illusion of authority a little. I'm thinking of how I've occasional...
- Fri Dec 16, 2022 8:23 am
- Forum: Doctrinal Discussion
- Topic: Is there a single unique truth claim of Mormonism that holds up?
- Replies: 17
- Views: 1719
Re: Is there a single unique truth claim of Mormonism that holds up?
I think some of Joseph's theology answered some questions better than traditional Christianity, like the Problem of Evil . . . . Yes, this is what comes to mind for me as well. Not just the definition of God, but the concept of premortal life and everyone being coeternal with God. But of course thi...
- Wed Dec 07, 2022 12:51 pm
- Forum: Support
- Topic: Impermanent Ward Relationships are Still Real
- Replies: 13
- Views: 1335
Re: Impermanent Ward Relationships are Still Real
I agree with this idea. Not every relationship is or needs to be "permanent" (as if anything is permanent anyway). I've had meaningful interactions with people at church and at work who I'll likely never talk to again. One interesting thing I've noticed is how modern social media can kind of zombify...
- Fri Nov 25, 2022 3:31 pm
- Forum: Support
- Topic: Progressive mormonism
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1386
Re: Progressive mormonism
It used to bother me a little when people would say that being an active NOM/progressive type was only a temporary stop on the way out. That might have even motivated me to stay active longer. And while I find it hard to imagine a point at which I don't identify as a "Mormon" in some way, I also fin...
- Fri Nov 25, 2022 3:17 pm
- Forum: The Coffee Shop
- Topic: Watch Under the Banner of Heaven on Hulu for $1.99/m
- Replies: 1
- Views: 516
Re: Watch Under the Banner of Heaven on Hulu for $1.99/m
If only if were their plan without ads. I haven't watched anything with commercial interruptions since high school, and I don't think I could do it now.
- Fri Nov 11, 2022 1:34 pm
- Forum: Doctrinal Discussion
- Topic: The Brighamite God.
- Replies: 6
- Views: 855
Re: The Brighamite God.
This makes me think of the timeless attempts to square God in the Old Testament with Jesus in the New Testament. The OT version of God is often petulant and vicious. Some of that spills over into Mormonism, of course, like the time that Jesus took credit for destroying all those cities in the Book o...
- Mon Nov 07, 2022 12:59 pm
- Forum: Support
- Topic: Does belief equal stupidity?
- Replies: 31
- Views: 2727
Re: Does belief equal stupidity?
I would imagine that for many, fear is a motivator to hold on to beliefs and consciously avoid questioning, more than arrogance, narcissism, etc. I might assume that if I allow myself to entertain another view of the world, this could lead to the loss of strong connections to family or community, mo...
- Fri Nov 04, 2022 7:20 am
- Forum: Support
- Topic: How do we know we’re not living in a simulation theory?
- Replies: 5
- Views: 751
Re: How do we know we’re not living in a simulation theory?
I've had thoughts similar to what you said about the creation being the same as a simulation. Just because the creation was physical, does that make it any more "real?" It makes no difference to us, since we wouldn't even know better. Also, some assume that we're more likely than not to be in a simu...
- Fri Nov 04, 2022 7:11 am
- Forum: Support
- Topic: Does belief equal stupidity?
- Replies: 31
- Views: 2727
Re: Does belief equal stupidity?
It seems common for someone who once believed in whatever religious propositions but does no longer to wonder how they ever believed those things in the first place. But, of course, they didn't suddenly became more intelligent than they were as a believer. I think that sometimes we don't even realiz...
- Sat Oct 08, 2022 12:17 pm
- Forum: Support
- Topic: "Opportunity to receive personal revelation"
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1199
Re: "Opportunity to receive personal revelation"
Yes, it's been said many times before but the system is set up so that God and the church (not limited to Mormonism) always "win" in any situation. If something good happens, it's a blessing. if something bad happens, it's a test or your fault. If you pray and get an answer that's wrong, you didn't ...
- Sat Oct 08, 2022 11:56 am
- Forum: Support
- Topic: Ultra-quick summary of conference?
- Replies: 17
- Views: 1897
Re: Ultra-quick summary of conference?
As an indicator of just how far I've fallen, I didn't even follow the NOM conference threads this time around. In the past, I've at least read those, both because they are entertaining and because I wanted to be alerted of any particularly good or surprising talks and read those ones. In part so tha...