tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post3059830789188984737..comments2024-03-26T21:27:42.278-07:00Comments on Pure Mormonism: Infallible Authority, Chapter EightAlan Rock Watermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04971243364867111868noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-69938332160094870642017-05-09T05:04:31.663-07:002017-05-09T05:04:31.663-07:00Did you know you can shorten your long links with ...Did you know you can shorten your long links with <b><a href="http://shortener.syntaxlinks.com/r/Shortest" rel="nofollow">Shortest</a></b> and <b>receive $$$ from every visitor to</b> your short links.Bloggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07287821785570247118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-16707413910877904322013-01-07T02:53:57.188-08:002013-01-07T02:53:57.188-08:00Well, I have done as directed and read the account...Well, I have done as directed and read the account of the attempt at an appeal of this case. I had no idea this occured so long ago.<br>However, to me the account is a lot of "he said, she said" and illustrates nothing substantial. The exchange with the receptionist appears remarkably detailed considering no recording device was used!<br>The way to appeal a case to the First Presidency is not to visit Salt Lake City on the off-chance he may be at his desk. The way is through the stake presidency. You inform the SP you wish to appeal the case to the FP and that is arranged. <br>It seems to me that, for someone who is a stickler for following the scriptures to the letter, just turning up in SLC and asking to see the prophet is just, well............. bizarre.<br>The standing high council my have gone, but the First Presidency hasn't, so the words hairs and splitting come to mind in this regard.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-46809168633149566862011-12-10T11:19:33.556-08:002011-12-10T11:19:33.556-08:00As someone who is quite familiar with J.J. Dewey&#...As someone who is quite familiar with J.J. Dewey's other works, I have to object to Anonymous' description of them as "occult".<br><br>That is a loaded word, and when people read it they often think it refers to the dark arts.<br><br>"Occult" merely means "hidden". That's all it means. We Mormons often balk when others use that word to describe our temple ordinances, but it is apt. The fact is, one must be initiated in order to receive the occult (previously hidden or unrevealed) teachings in the temple.<br><br>Nevertheless , no one I know would ever think to describe Dewey's teachings as occult, precisely because that word has come to mean the opposite of what Dewey shares. The word "occult" would no sooner apply when reading Dewey as it would when reading Hugh Nibley. <br><br>Likewise, describing Dewey's teachings as "New Age" is deceptive, as there is really no adequate definition of the term. New Age is in the eye of the beholder, and is sometimes used pejoratively as Anonymous has done, in order to allow the reader to inject whatever negative connotations or misunderstandings he or she may hold about whatever it is "New Age" means.<br><br>Many protestants consider Joseph Smith's teachings to be New Age, and indeed there are similarities to what some new agers believe. But so what? Are we to reject the teachings of Joseph Smith because some of them seem new and unfamiliar? <br><br>Comparing Dewey's beliefs to others who may or may not hold somewhat comparable beliefs, as Anonymous has done regarding Blavatsky/Bailey, implies that whatever views those professors hold are also Dewey's. Good or bad, that is an attempt to imply guilt by association. Just as Rock can embrace many of the teachings of St. Thomas of Aquinas, that doesn't make him a Catholic.<br><br>I also take issue with the writer's inference that Dewey is a wolf in sheep's clothing. That term, as famously used by President Benson, implies people in leadership positions in the church who would subtly lead the people AWAY from the true path by dint of their title, office, and claim to authority. J.J. Dewey makes no such pretensions, and certainly does not want to be anyone's guru. His works (and again, I am familiar with most of them) all serve to point people to Christ.<br><br>When Anonymous writes that Dewey's teachings are not compatible with Mormonism, he merely reveals that those teachings are not compatible with HIS understanding of Mormonism. I find nothing in Dewey's writings that contradict LDS scripture or the teachings of Joseph Smith. Rather, they enhance them.<br><br>Even though Dewey's writings are directed at a general (non-Mormon) readership, (and yes, that includes New Agers), through J.J. Dewey's writings I have come to a deeper understanding and appreciation for the "greater things" that God revealed through Joseph Smith. <br><br>J.J. Dewey is the Sunday School teacher I could have only hoped for.Cap'n Moroninoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-23915044066121578642011-12-10T09:29:34.317-08:002011-12-10T09:29:34.317-08:00It doesn't bother me one bit how "out the...It doesn't bother me one bit how "out there" some of a man's beliefs may be, if I happen to find some areas of agreement with him.<br><br>I don't reject everything written by St. Thomas Aquinas, for instance, simply because he happened to be Catholic and some of his teachings don't comport with my current beliefs. <br><br>I don't have to accept or give credence to everything a man believes in order to see the wisdom and validity in some of it. In my opinion, Dewey's take on the prophesied falling away of the latter-day Saints (which is an essential theme of our scriptures, after all) and his experiences as a member of the church, are of great merit. These are lessons we can benefit from.<br><br>Assuming that we have to agree with everything that comes from a particular source is the fallacy that trips up many members when they assert that "the Church is either all true, or it's all false."<br><br>Even Church leaders concede that some LDS teachings handed down through the church are now considered to be decidedly false, yet that couplet continues to play in the minds of many. <br><br>The reality is that, like most things, some of it is true, and some of it is false. The same could be said of the beliefs of any man.<br><br>I hold to the admonition of Paul, that we should prove (investigate) all things, and hold fast to that which is true. I therefore glean from Dewey and others that which rings true for me, and let the rest go.Alan Rock Watermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04971243364867111868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-5663541750638105262011-12-09T22:24:33.711-08:002011-12-09T22:24:33.711-08:00Rock,While you are posting these writings by Dewey...Rock,<br>While you are posting these writings by Dewey, you should be aware that he is deep into the occult - accepting the teachings of Blavatsky/Bailey and many New Age ideas.<br>Generally, what you are posting is good and shows his experience of dissatisfaction with what the church has become. But you need to be aware of where his journey led him.<br>There are many things esoteric in nature that have yet to be revealed, but what JJ Dewey now teaches is definitely incompatible with Mormonism. And Rock, if you (like I) seek a 'Pure Mormonism', you can't let the wolf fool you as a sheep.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-38445518941418894812011-12-09T14:06:16.393-08:002011-12-09T14:06:16.393-08:00The "appeal" reminded me of this exchang...The "appeal" reminded me of this exchange from <i>The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson</i>:<br><br><i>Synthetic female voice:</i> Thank you for calling the parking violations bureau. To plead "not guilty," press "one" now.<br>[<i>Homer dials "one"</i>]<br><i>Synthetic voice:</i> Thank you. Your plea has been...<br><i>Rough male voice:</i> Rejected.<br><i>Synthetic voice:</i> You will be assessed the full fine plus a small...<br><i>Rough male voice:</i> Large lateness fee.<br><i>Synthetic voice:</i> Please wait by your vehicle between 9 AM and 5 PM for parking officer Steve...<br><i>Rough male voice:</i> Grabowski.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-31251737941966624032011-12-09T12:41:27.074-08:002011-12-09T12:41:27.074-08:00C.L. Hanson,Per your question about Dewey, I have ...C.L. Hanson,<br>Per your question about Dewey, I have been asked, since I've expressed dissatisfaction with the modern LDS church, why don't I just join the Reorgs?<br><br>The problem is, both outfits have a hierarchy which lays claim to having some special "authority" requiring obedience from their members. I maintain that no ecclesiastical body has authority over me. The "church" consists of the people as a community of equals. We are to be led by the Holy Ghost, not by some self-appointed leaders.<br><br>I can't speak for Dewey, but my guess is that after they booted him out, he realized he had no need to attach himself to another faction. It is the restoration of the gospel that matters, not the faction claiming superiority.<br><br>By the way, I'm happy where I am because I was baptized into the church of Jesus Christ, not the corporation of the President.Alan Rock Watermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04971243364867111868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-7365789830220719332011-12-09T11:25:20.416-08:002011-12-09T11:25:20.416-08:00These guys actually thought the church would follo...These guys actually thought the church would follow the direction in the scriptures! Ha. Everyone knows that scriptures are just around for good stories. Real direction from the Lord comes from the Handbook of Instruction that was put together by various committees. Duh.<br><br>Silly people, scriptures are for kids.Zo-ma-rahhttp://zomarah.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-55972289943980157552011-12-09T09:52:49.977-08:002011-12-09T09:52:49.977-08:00The Reorganized LDS Church still has such a counci...<i>The Reorganized LDS Church still has such a council, but it seemed that the Utah church feels it was not needed.</i><br><br>So, did he then go join the RLDS? Seems like the obvious solution.C. L. Hansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698855413639518095noreply@blogger.com