Spending too much time on Facebook, as usual, and a friend shared this link from the page LDS General Conference, a quote from M. Russell Ballard from October 1995 General Conference: We do not need more members who question every detail; we need members who have felt with their hearts, who live close to the ...
Many Mormons understand their “orientation” to be to their spouse. This is commendable, because it demonstrates dedication and fidelity. However, a spouse for Latter-day Saints means “someone of the opposite gender.” Homosexuality gets compartmentalized as an affliction that can lead to “selfishness” if not kept in check. This selfishness is understood to “disorient” a person ...
Not sure who or why, but you can download a full scan of the Church Handbook of Instructions – 2010 version here: http://martinluther537.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/2010-church-handbook-of-instructions-book-1a.pdf http://martinluther537.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/2010-church-handbook-of-instructions-book-2a.pdf Here’s his summary of what is in them and why he’s doing it: http://martinluther537.wordpress.com/ Views: 20793 ...
We’ve discussed before how difficult it is to determine official mormon doctrine. Policies and guidelines seem to change with the generations, with geographical area or with personal revelation. I’ve heard from two different sources that someone very high up in mormon priesthood and corporate leadership drinks coke on a regular basis. So since I’m not ...
Stetson Hallam, a 20-year old sophomore at BYU, was rebuffed by one of the girls for whom he was a home teacher. His response: Catch her in their apartment complex, use a stun gun to immobilize her, then attempt to handcuff her (unclear what he was planning after that). But the home teachee fought her ...
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I heard this story this morning- about an exhibit at the Jewish Museum in New York: An exhibit at the Jewish Museum in New York looks at some of the many ways people are re-imagining Jewish ritual. From “green energy” synagogues to a prayer shawl that doubles as an apron, many of the works are ...
Continuing our discussion of John R’s impending excommunication, Holly has written an interesting series on the power of the priesthood (specifically, on its power to corrupt), see Men with First Names and Sweaty Palms, Stunted and Misshapen by the Priesthood, and The Priesthood is Magic. The angryyoungwoman, also inspired by John R’s words and experiences, ...
These days, I don’t talk religion that much with people offline that much, and even when I do, I keep my religion/lack thereof cloudy until someone asks outright (it’s amazing how many people will talk and talk presuming you’re Christian and never ask you if you feel otherwise…but maybe that’s just because I go to ...
Although he appears to be a star professor at BYU, I have only become aware of Robert Millet’s efforts during the last two years. As a convert, I have to admit that his approach to investigators distresses me somewhat. I know that Millet means well when he suggests to side step investigators’ questions. Sometimes, gentiles ...
I heard this story on Friday on NPR. I support the Utah LDS church’s movement towards openness and honesty. I admit, this effort seems a little like a drop in the ocean. Yet I have to acknowledge the attempt. One of the comments Quentin Cook made was that they were “surprised” by the reaction from ...
In light of the sensationalist press coverage of Mormon fundamentalism, the LDS Church is eager to disassociate itself from more traditional forms of Mormonism. Whatever the historical and theological relationship between mainstream and fundamentalist Mormonism may be, there is, of course, a big difference between the LDS and the FLDS churches: The LDS Church submits ...
Editorial Note: I have previously reported about rumors of Boyd Packer’s and Gordon Hinckley’s response to criticism of Julie Beck’s conference address, which has not only been discussed with a variety of points of view on the Bloggernacle and the DAMU but also by readers posting on the websites of various Utah newspapers. Thanks to ...
Robert Kirby, everyone’s favorite Jack-Mormon writer for the SLTrib, wrote an intriguing column this morning. This got me to thinking about the claims of obedience to the prophet and I had to respond (I post under the name SofP). Here’s my response: Views: 909 ...
Sunday morning I walk through the chapel doors, greeted by Brother Jones who hands me a program. I find my usual pew and sit with my children and my dad who’s visiting. We hear a beautiful prelude hymn, “O My Father†being played by the organist. I open my Book of Mormon to prepare for ...