Milk Doctrines

[Give It Time]

I was born a member in a central stake of Zion. From birth I have been taught and loved the whole, whacky, salted nut roll that is our doctrine.

As an adult, I was living in California and sharing our doctrines with some of our neighbors. I loved our doctrines. They didn't sound strange to me. Yes, they were different from other religions, but our doctrines made our religion more whole. When the man who's now my ex heard I'd been sharing all of our doctrines, he grew pale and told me most plainly not to do that. He explained there were milk doctrines and meat doctrines and that it was important to introduce the doctrines in the right order. Only after a person has accepted and digested the basic doctrines, do we introduce the meatier doctrines of the church. I asked him where he heard a manipulative and under-handed thing like that. He said, it was part of his training as a missionary. Oh, well then. That's okay.

Now that I'm NOM, it's my understanding that the milk doctrines are the ones the missionaries teach the converts. They are nothing too outrageous and, really, very similar to pretty much any other religion, especially Christian. Since, I now believe just the very most basic tennets of the church. The tennets that can be found in pretty much any religion, it just hit me. I would appreciate a list of the milk doctrines, because I think I may be a Vegetarian Mormon.

[Dravin]

The 'milk' of the Mormon doctrine contained in 5 easy lessons: https://www.lds.org/manual/preach-my-go ... e?lang=eng

It's interesting when you think about it, the small amount of information contained in 57 pages, even less than that when you consider the space taken up for missionary specific information and images, is considered sufficient information to become a member and commit to the church. Oh sure, the missionaries and members involved in teaching a potential convert may pony up some extra information and they'll expect you pray about the Book of Mormon (though that comes down to feeling it is true rather than any sort of comprehensive understanding of what it teaches), but by and large if you know the information contained in those lessons you're good to get dunked. In fairness there is more information contained in Gospel Principles but while new members are expected to go through it and investigators are invited to attend Gospel Principles an understanding of the manual is not required for baptism.

* Said no missionary ever, "We don't want you to rush into baptism and want you to attend Gospel Principles for a year to make sure you understand the doctrine before committing. At the very least let us go over the lessons together before you commit."

[Palerider]

Might be easier to list meat doctrines.

1. We become gods and create our own planets and populate them through sex with multiple wives in the eternities.

2. God was once a man/human just like us but through eternal progression has earned his godhood as will we.

3. Mary, mother of Christ, is one of God's multiple wives and his birth was brought about by physical Intercourse between Mary and the Father.

4. Adam and Eve were conceived by natural means somewhere else (kolob?) and brought to this earth to experience the fall.

5. The universe is filled with gods in a patriarchal lineal order that is never-ending.

6. Temple rites give us the only keys to enter the Celestial Kingdom where a continuation of the "seeds" is allowed.

7. Apostles and others deemed worthy, recieve a 2nd extra special, super dooper anointing that most other members can never attain in this life and is meant to create ultra commitment in recipients and envy and hero worship among the unworthies.

8. We have magic underwear that NOBODY knows about cuz it's so secret.

9. Jesus was a polygamist like his father....ETA: Early restoration apostles taught that they were in their callings (as was Joseph Smith) because they carried some of the DNA of Christ in their blood.

10. If a woman wants to upgrade to a higher level priesthood husband she can do so when the time is right.

11. Kolob rules the stars and planets of the universe so set your watch for Kolob time if you think you're going to be a Celestial quality resurrectee.

I'm sure there are more but I'm getting a little nauseaus.

[Give It Time]

Thank you for the resource and the list.

I consider our church--dietarily, doctrinally speaking--to essentially be McDonald's. Now, I don't necessarily mean that as an insult, though it's certainly no pure or true compliment. There are healthy options on the McDonald's menu. There are ways to order the less healthy items so they aren't so bad.

I don't know if you've heard of the Blue Zones, but I try to follow that. Blue Zones is essentially vegan with some occasional meat, fish, eggs, cheese or milk thrown in, every now and then, especially on holidays.

I looked over the discussions and I felt like I was at McDonald's looking for the Vegan items on the menu and there just isn't much there. Even what could be ordered, might need to have something left out to bring it up to dietary snuff.

There is absolutely nothing on Palerider's list I will consume.

Dravin, I've been thinking a lot about how we rush people into baptism. Joining a church is a major life decision. The religion you choose could be a longer term commitment than the spouse you choose. As part of my NOM journey, I have looked into other wisdom traditions. The longest I've been able to stay with one tradition is five months, until recently. I've visited Taoism a couple of other times, decided against it and moved on. Then I'd come back around. I've done that with a few other traditions, as well, so it's not like some weird love story. Anyway, this current run at Taoism is coming up on six months. That's a record for me and I'm quietly pleased.

Am I going to become a Taoist? No. Because there's Taoism the philosophy and Taoism the religion. I prefer the philosophy. So, I'm moving forward on this path, but one step at a time and giving myself permission to leave it at any time.

Contrast that with how quickly we baptize members. Wow! Second discussion and they're asking the Golden Question. If some Taoist sage had done that to me, that's the last time we would have met. I never liked being pressured. I have some well earned trust issues and, like I said, this decision shouldn't be rushed.

[Newme]

Palerider, your list & last line is why we must eat meat sparingly.


GiveItTime,
I prefer water actually. But I realize it's not on the menu so I settle for the light milk of Gospel Principles. It's the only way for me to maintain sanity, not get a nervous breakdown by having to mentally navigate how to correct BS, and to not be completely shunned for questioning insanity and being unable to keep my mouth shut. It does depend on the teacher, but overall, the lessons are aimed at investigators which I am & forever will be.

I think we've discussed somewhat before about Taoism etc, but I've been researching Chinese Medicine. Have you looked into it much? Now there's some real meat!

[Give It Time]

Palerider, your list & last line is why we must eat meat sparingly.


GiveItTime,
I prefer water actually. But I realize it's not on the menu so I settle for the light milk of Gospel Principles. It's the only way for me to maintain sanity, not get a nervous breakdown by having to mentally navigate how to correct BS, and to not be completely shunned for questioning insanity and being unable to keep my mouth shut. It does depend on the teacher, but overall, the lessons are aimed at investigators which I am & forever will be.

I think we've discussed somewhat before about Taoism etc, but I've been researching Chinese Medicine. Have you looked into it much? Now there's some real meat!

I know that TCM is a very large field. I haven't looked into it. It is an aspect of Taoism, though. I'm very early in my understanding of it. I do Qigong and the teacher has mentioned it only in passing, but I know that moving chi along the meridians is major. He's doing his own one step at a time, but he isn't asking me to give my life away and he's okay if I don't show up to the session.

I'd be curious to know more of what you're learning (small bites, please).

I was thinking Palerider's list was full of gristle-y, fatty meat that is really difficult to chew.

[moksha]

I have conceptualized the milk doctrines as being basic Christianity. It would make sense to teach that to non-Christians first. When proselytizing Christians, perhaps keeping the other stuff at bay keeps it from weirding out potential prospects till they have bought into Mormonism enough so that they will not flee in fright or horror when the mystery meat is presented. Even established Mormons have trouble with the Temple ceremony if they are not sufficiently briefed about it ahead of time.




***Speaking of doctrines, do you think the General Authorities will issue a warning of apostasy against Dr. Who now that a woman, Jodie Whittaker, has been named the 13th Doctor?***

[LostGirl]

When proselytizing Christians, perhaps keeping the other stuff at bay keeps it from weirding out potential prospects till they have bought into Mormonism enough so that they will not flee in fright or horror when the mystery meat is presented

The phrase "mystery meat" makes me think of spam or hotdogs and other faux meat which seems somehow appropriate to the conversation.

[Give It Time]

I have conceptualized the milk doctrines as being basic Christianity. It would make sense to teach that to non-Christians first. When proselytizing Christians, perhaps keeping the other stuff at bay keeps it from weirding out potential prospects till they have bought into Mormonism enough so that they will not flee in fright or horror when the mystery meat is presented. Even established Mormons have trouble with the Temple ceremony if they are not sufficiently briefed about it ahead of time.




***Speaking of doctrines, do you think the General Authorities will issue a warning of apostasy against Dr. Who now that a woman, Jodie Whittaker, has been named the 13th Doctor?***

Yeah! A woman?my I've been wanting to see a woman Dr. Who for a few years, now! Fantastic!

[Newme]

Palerider, your list & last line is why we must eat meat sparingly.


GiveItTime,
I prefer water actually. But I realize it's not on the menu so I settle for the light milk of Gospel Principles. It's the only way for me to maintain sanity, not get a nervous breakdown by having to mentally navigate how to correct BS, and to not be completely shunned for questioning insanity and being unable to keep my mouth shut. It does depend on the teacher, but overall, the lessons are aimed at investigators which I am & forever will be.

I think we've discussed somewhat before about Taoism etc, but I've been researching Chinese Medicine. Have you looked into it much? Now there's some real meat!

I know that TCM is a very large field. I haven't looked into it. It is an aspect of Taoism, though. I'm very early in my understanding of it. I do Qigong and the teacher has mentioned it only in passing, but I know that moving chi along the meridians is major. He's doing his own one step at a time, but he isn't asking me to give my life away and he's okay if I don't show up to the session.

I'd be curious to know more of what you're learning (small bites, please).

I won't go into it too much - just that the principles empower and motivate me to be my best in mind, body and spirit.

[wtfluff]

Milk-Toast Doctrines:

• Get blessed as an infant
• Say your prayers
• Read your scriptures
• Go to church
• Get Baptized
• Priesthood (if you are attached to a priesthood antennae)
• Go on a mission
• Get married in the temple
• Have lots of kids
• "Magnify" your callings
• Endure to the end

[Give It Time]

Palerider, your list & last line is why we must eat meat sparingly.


GiveItTime,
I prefer water actually. But I realize it's not on the menu so I settle for the light milk of Gospel Principles. It's the only way for me to maintain sanity, not get a nervous breakdown by having to mentally navigate how to correct BS, and to not be completely shunned for questioning insanity and being unable to keep my mouth shut. It does depend on the teacher, but overall, the lessons are aimed at investigators which I am & forever will be.

I think we've discussed somewhat before about Taoism etc, but I've been researching Chinese Medicine. Have you looked into it much? Now there's some real meat!

I know that TCM is a very large field. I haven't looked into it. It is an aspect of Taoism, though. I'm very early in my understanding of it. I do Qigong and the teacher has mentioned it only in passing, but I know that moving chi along the meridians is major. He's doing his own one step at a time, but he isn't asking me to give my life away and he's okay if I don't show up to the session.

I'd be curious to know more of what you're learning (small bites, please).

I won't go into it too much - just that the principles empower and motivate me to be my best in mind, body and spirit.

I looked into the Taoist diet. It's based on TCM. Wow! Complicated! I just decided to do the diet I mentioned up thread. I figure it'll be a big improvement over my old SAD diet.

I know TCM is very complicated. I'm glad it's helping you. I know it can be very powerful.