tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post5174296940322925689..comments2024-03-28T15:23:18.071-07:00Comments on Pure Mormonism: The 181st Semiannual Bowl of PapAlan Rock Watermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04971243364867111868noreply@blogger.comBlogger144125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-61350648948918242552013-09-25T22:22:14.929-07:002013-09-25T22:22:14.929-07:00Thanks for sharing this with us and giving us all ...Thanks for sharing this with us and giving us all the information. I think everyone tries to get a cheaper insurance if possible. That is one of the fixed cost which people find it expensive.<br><a href="http://www.hajasheriff.com/2010/02/4-steps-to-turn-career-dissatisfaction-at-work-to-work-for-you/" title="steve jobs 10 commandments" rel="nofollow">steve jobs 10 commandments</a> | <a href="http://www.hajasheriff.com/2011/09/the-10-commandments-of-steve-jobs/" title="dissatisfaction at work" rel="nofollow">dissatisfaction at work</a><br>hajasheriffhttp://www.hajasheriff.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-3682969973860446862013-09-07T13:01:02.897-07:002013-09-07T13:01:02.897-07:00hey nice post meh, I love your style of blogging. ...hey nice post meh, I love your style of blogging. It reminds me of an equally interesting blog on my reading list which is <a href="http://danieluyi.com" rel="nofollow">http://danieluyi.com</a>.<br>keep up the good work meh and don't forget to also visit my blog and drop a comment even if it's a simple "nice post" reply.<br>I also accept sidebar link exchange from other bloggers. You can read about it on the Link Exchange page on my blog<br>Regards.Daniel Efosa Uyihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207528724158754856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-33044325884744446722013-04-23T13:49:57.434-07:002013-04-23T13:49:57.434-07:00I'll admit I don't catch General Conferenc...I'll admit I don't catch General Conference often. When you spend your whole life hearing that Conference is this wonderful event where your entire life is changed by inspired words given by mouthpieces of the Lord, and then you listen to it and hear a basic Sacrament Meeting talk fancied up for the masses, you tend to lose interest quickly.<br><br>Monson's contempt for love certainly takes me aback, but then again the organization of the Church is looking more and more like the Church of Ammonihah these days, with all its focus on image and fine and expensive structures, and incidentally casting out the poor for being distasteful.<br><br>Maybe instead of droning repeats of fancy Sunday School messages we should go back to the Primary ones: Jesus loves everyone and we should too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-73327461852920437632012-08-24T15:54:26.507-07:002012-08-24T15:54:26.507-07:00Add me to the members who were not only disturbed ...Add me to the members who were not only disturbed but disgusted when President Monson sneered. Aside from being bad doctrine, it was just plain unbecoming. In recent months, I have heard through the grapevine and read online that Pres. Monson has dementia, possibly alzheimer's. I'm chalking his words up to the ailment and praying that if this is true, he doesn't return to the podium. I say this because there are so many members who will latch onto every word uttered in GC and then build a false doctrine around it, misinterpreting the scriptures to uphold a church leader rather than correcting a church leader so that his words align with scripture and true doctrine.Abigail's daughternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-68215382463390566892012-07-08T10:28:24.257-07:002012-07-08T10:28:24.257-07:00That is an interesting observation, but I do think...That is an interesting observation, but I do think that the Father is very much involved in the mortal realm. When we look at the Genesis story we see Him very much involved. He takes a step away after the Fall, in which case His Son becomes His primary representative. Nevertheless, the Father is involved with both the embodied and un-embodied spirits. All are His.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-31106307881161314122012-07-08T10:21:27.945-07:002012-07-08T10:21:27.945-07:00One thing I forgot to mention is that I read that ...One thing I forgot to mention is that I read that Lennon began to have an interest in Christianity in his later years, and developed a rapport with some Christian missionaries that Yoko did her best to chase away... FWIWAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-26400791174438059262012-07-08T10:19:58.444-07:002012-07-08T10:19:58.444-07:00A very interesting article. About LSD, I think th...A very interesting article. About LSD, I think that's something that backfired against the CIA.<br><br>In an interview, Lennon acknowledged the CIA involvement in proliferating LSD, but he also noted that instead of brainwashing people it set them free to consider other alternatives. I don't think it any coincidence that Lennon was offed in a very similar way that they attempted to off Reagan.<br><br>In any case, when I heard that Monson talk I thought it very curious he would quote a rabbi - not that there's anything wrong with that, but there are plenty of contemporary quotes by past church presidents and general authorities who have made similar quotes lamenting the fall of public mores. Do church presidents gain more credibility when quoting a non-church figure? Something else to watch.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-20001739146691493332012-06-21T15:05:46.629-07:002012-06-21T15:05:46.629-07:00If I had made my comment before reading his blog t...If I had made my comment before reading his blog then it would be a prejudgment. Fact is, I read his blog before commenting.<br><br>My experience with my wife heightens my awareness, it does not cloud my perception.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-80668903953615600352012-06-21T07:14:03.718-07:002012-06-21T07:14:03.718-07:00Sounds like your negative experiences with your ex...Sounds like your negative experiences with your ex-wife are clouding your ability to read this blog without adding your own pre-judgments. Where you see only an accentuation of the negative, what I see is Rock's love of the gospel and his concerns that false doctrines are creeping into the church and diluting the true teachings.GayBob Spongebathnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-67708246485049353462012-06-20T11:47:07.066-07:002012-06-20T11:47:07.066-07:00As you know two people can view the same talk and ...As you know two people can view the same talk and come away with opposite opinions of same. <br><br>My basic point is you seem to be dedicating this blog to the accentuation of the negative. Blowing things out of proportion, making mountains out of molehills, etc. etc.<br><br>Much like my x-wife. <br><br>Such an approach tends to tear down rather than build up the things we love.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-72510939250766439222012-06-20T08:03:54.862-07:002012-06-20T08:03:54.862-07:00Anonymous,I always appreciate being corrected when...Anonymous,<br>I always appreciate being corrected when I am in error; I try not to be rigidly dogmatic in my opinions. However, it would help if you were to point out the specific problem in my essay to which you object.<br><br>I feel it's important when reading scripture that we pay attention to every word in the sentence. The key word in the scripture you quoted above is "wrongfully." We are not to "judge wrongfully."<br><br>If you have found something in the above essay that is incorrect, unfactual, contrary to doctrine, inconsistent with the teachings of the Restoration, or just plain wrong, please bring it to my attention and I will immediately correct it. <br><br>In addition, if you can provide any scriptural citations to the effect that members of Christ's church should shy away from being watchmen on the wall, I would be interested in seeing those, too.Alan Rock Watermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04971243364867111868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-81923366657525096582012-06-20T02:25:45.742-07:002012-06-20T02:25:45.742-07:00I don't understand why Alan Rock Waterman stil...I don't understand why Alan Rock Waterman still attends church. I've never seen anyone spend so much time and energy nitpicking about every little imperfection.<br><br>"...see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-38411805652140728542012-02-25T10:15:08.921-08:002012-02-25T10:15:08.921-08:00I WATCHED the talk, Anonymous. Several times. Of c...I WATCHED the talk, Anonymous. Several times. Of course I made it quite clear Monson was quoting Rabbi Sacks. It was Monson's derisive delivery of the word "love" - a scoffing attitude he obviously shares with Rabbi Sacks, that I found out of harmony with LDS teachings. You won't get Monson's disdain for the word "love" merely by reading the talk. It's in his delivery.<br><br>I provide the link to the video of that talk in the piece above, including the approximate time, 2 minutes,17 seconds. Please watch it and then tell me if you think I was misrepresenting him.Alan Rock Watermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04971243364867111868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-23033167555708060282012-02-24T17:50:26.314-08:002012-02-24T17:50:26.314-08:00I think you should re-read the actual talk. Some o...I think you should re-read the actual talk. Some of the points that you made do not coincide with what Pres. Monson is actually saying, such as where you say he is making fun of the commandments. He is quoting another person who had written and article and then goes on to say that they are not guidelines. <br>Here's the link where you can read the talk:<br>http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/stand-in-holy-places?lang=engAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-1808228532507557652011-12-05T21:01:04.268-08:002011-12-05T21:01:04.268-08:00Beautiful, Rock.Beautiful, Rock.Jeanmarienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-19581604287806335772011-11-09T09:19:48.523-08:002011-11-09T09:19:48.523-08:00My apologies. That's http://zomarah.wordpress....My apologies. That's http://zomarah.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/thomas-s-monson-a-seer-a-revelator-a-translator-and-a-prophet/<br><br>Among the most important articles ever written.The Arkwelderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03156847150929492694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-11650867942002969442011-11-09T09:16:11.371-08:002011-11-09T09:16:11.371-08:00Just want to add that there are true prophets in o...Just want to add that there are true prophets in our midst. I suppose it isn't what any of us had in mind, but the good Lord is raising them up from without the Church. Read Zomarah's article again and you will see the likes of Chris Hedges are the true prophets in our midst. This video (and countless others) can leave no one doubting who the real prophets are today: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfPDp0jCT_U . Thomas S. doesn't fit the profile. He does--as many others do.The Arkwelderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03156847150929492694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-89986832628190719452011-10-28T14:17:59.991-07:002011-10-28T14:17:59.991-07:00Steven,I have had dreams of both "realms"...Steven,<br>I have had dreams of both "realms" that you mention. I think whether this knowledge is inside or outside of Mormonism is irrelevant. While I still go to church, I am well aware of the paradox that exists between the "doctrine" espoused and the actions in SLC. I have come to ignore these "abominations" and just focus on loving others, while still seeking the type of understanding you speak of.<br><br>I've decided that if I champion one facet of "doctrine" (like "Jesus = the Father," or "we have to go to church on Saturday, the 7th day"), then I'm risking the opportunity of missing out on other possibilities. <br><br>The Church may not be the perfect canvas for what the Lord would have me paint, but I think it's sufficient. Look what Christ had to work with. If I just worry about loving others instead of getting caught up in the dogma, then truth will flow no matter what congregation I hang out with on Sunday.<br><br>PS - It would be fun to hang out with you in some setting (probably not Church ;) )Inspirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07915227658956979023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-57241460881634796182011-10-28T13:05:59.118-07:002011-10-28T13:05:59.118-07:00Steven, I for one do enjoy your posts. They really...Steven, I for one do enjoy your posts. They really make me think outside the box. Hard to say if I agree or disagree with you because you talk about things I have not studied but nonetheless, I do think they are thought provoking. Thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-50565840656037123832011-10-28T01:59:50.156-07:002011-10-28T01:59:50.156-07:00There are generally one of two experiences that th...There are generally one of two experiences that those who die and see Heaven and then return report on. <br><br>The first involves a realm wherein there are no bodies to speak of, only spirits made up of light or a kind of glowing electromagnetism. There are billions of these spirits and just as with the glowing bulges of galaxies being made up of billions of suns, so is this realm a vast and constantly chattering (via telepathy) group of moving or stationary mini-suns of intellect and memory. In the middle of this immense ball of entities dwells the source of all of them, known to all as the Father, a personage of light whose love for everything that is is so overwhelmingly transcendent that it transforms all that it touches into perfect servants who willingly obey Him because the love connection becomes so deeply abiding that their only desire is to be with Him and to be like Him. They can think of almost nothing else. This is the Father.<br><br>Then there is the land or lands of the embodied. There is always a lot of grass and many streams with a few walls here and there and many big buildings usually beautified with jewels and gold. Here there is one great leader who seems to have enough time to listen to and be with everybody there individually, in spite of how many must be there. We are talking billions again. He is described over and over and over as being Jesus and His authority is complete and there is never any mention of a Father, only of Jesus.<br><br>So, apparently, Father dwells with the unembodied and Jesus runs the embodied world. There you go. Question answered. You heard it here first. I realize that that you will ignore this posting like you ignore all of my other ones, but there is knowledge that exists outside of Mormonism, believe it or not.Steven Lesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285355643172321289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-68168683584795757172011-10-27T22:26:18.013-07:002011-10-27T22:26:18.013-07:00Still, as I previously stated, I had what I felt w...Still, as I previously stated, I had what I felt was a sure knowledge of confirmation regarding many matters of religion, for which I now feel there is solid evidence that they were not true. This has demonstrated to me that my "spiritual confirmation" was not an indicator of truth, but instead, a natural physiological response that some of us seem to manifest more or less frequently based on our individual biology. <br><br>I have recently been reading a blog that I feel has good descriptions of what I believe about this, and if anyone is interested, you can go to the index<br><a href="http://entreated.blogspot.com/2007/11/my-blogs-topical-guide.html" rel="nofollow">here:</a> <br>and read anyone of the posts under the section "Spiritual Naturalism". This has helped me with my new understanding of what I previously would have refereed to as spiritual experiences.<br><br>As far as the comments on the pain of letting go, I understand this very well, both when I first started to let go of my TBM beliefs, and also when I became very skeptical of all religious beliefs, but it has gotten a lot better for me, and I feel exhilaration at being able to accept what I think is truth outside of the confines of limiting factors like scripture. <br><br>This certainly becomes more complex when ones spouse is still a true believer. As I previously stated, I think much blame can be laid at the feet of The Church for tearing families apart in an effort to protect itself, and this seems to be an area where one must tread very lightly. The issue of true-believing parents is a complex one for me as well as some good friends. <br><br>I have generally always looked for the good in people and believed them to be genuine. I have many questions about life and how it works, and sadly, sometimes this has made me prone to believing that people who claim to have the answers (without a doubt) are the people that really do have the answers. It goes without saying that this has not proven to be the case, and I have had to learn a lot about how confidence often has little to nothing to do with accuracy. Sometimes I have had to trade sugar-coated-falsehoods for painful-truths, but in the end I have always been glad that I did.~Clint~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09357719835853628668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-92052132500115727492011-10-27T22:23:27.851-07:002011-10-27T22:23:27.851-07:00Searching for Answers,Sorry if my comments may hav...Searching for Answers,<br><br>Sorry if my comments may have made you feel obliged to respond when you were content to just sit back and enjoy the conversation. You sound a lot like my wife in terms of your thinking process. Being surrounded by religion, she was very reluctant to say that she had never had a spiritual confirmation that The Church was true, or that there was a God. When she confided this in me, I certainly did not fault her, but I thought, maybe it is my job to use the facts to demonstrate that it is true, and at the time I thought the facts were on the side of the church and religion, but I have become pretty skeptical about that.<br><br>I think one thing that is pretty confusing can be reconciling peoples claims to religious experiences, and/or the lack there-of. I am going to ramble a little here, but I would frame part of this by my story of entering the MTC many years ago at 19. <br><br>When I entered the MTC, I was immediately pressured to share my experience of how I had prayed to know the Book of Mormon was true and received a witness from the holy ghost. (It should be noted that all 11 other people in my group, as well as all 3 or my MTC teachers, stated that they had this specific experience). I had not had this specific experience, and stated so, but added that I had an intellectual testimony of the Book of Mormon. This was not good enough, and caused quite a stir. I received a lot of pressure from both the teachers and my peers, with some comments that I had no business as a missionary without this confirmation. On several occasions I knelt and prayed, and could not get this feeling from the spirit. Finally, I told them I could not get the confirmation because I was praying about something I already knew to be true. At this point they finally gave up. <br><br>On the other hand, there have been times in my life when I prayed about things, and experienced a very profound and warm feeling which I took to be a confirmation from the spirit. Some people that I know have had no such experiences, while others have received confirmation from the spirit for nearly everything you could possibly name. So, I think I am kind of a middle ground on this topic.~Clint~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09357719835853628668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-50534779144314792492011-10-27T20:44:32.392-07:002011-10-27T20:44:32.392-07:00Ok, now you really have me confused.You just asked...Ok, now you really have me confused.<br><br>You just asked if it should bother the Lord that Mormons are calling another member of the Godhead Father instead of Him.<br><br>But I thought you just said that Jesus IS God the Father. In fact your whole rant was about how Jesus Is God the Father.<br><br>But your question seems to imply that there is someone else in the God head besides Jesus and God the Father. If Jesus is God the Father then the Godhead only consists of two beings Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Since Jesus = God the Father the god head would only consist of Jesus(as God the Father) Jesus( as God the Son), and the Holy Spirit.<br><br>If that is the case then what other member of the Godhead are Mormons calling Father? It can't be the Holy Spirit. That only leaves Jesus which means Mormons are praying to God the Father(Jesus).<br><br>I hope I don't sound like I'm attacking you but I honestly don't understand what you're talking about. I guess my question is if there are three members of the Godhead and Jesus is the Father, who is this mystery third member you referenced in your latest comment?Zo-ma-rahhttp://zomarah.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-10355342124252884222011-10-27T16:28:20.770-07:002011-10-27T16:28:20.770-07:00Would it bother you that your children were callin...Would it bother you that your children were calling your brother father instead of you? Should it bother the Lord that Mormons are calling another member of the Godhead Father instead of him? If you knew the Lord, you would deeply feel the pain it causes him and wouldn't dismiss it out of hand as if it were of no import.whitehuskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10462985530221490302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-84574115933732625432011-10-27T06:17:24.606-07:002011-10-27T06:17:24.606-07:00@ searching: Perhaps you haven't considered on...@ searching: Perhaps you haven't considered one option. You stated that either you're "not asking hard enough or being good enough or he isn't there." I would like to suggest that perhaps it's not up to you. Your thought seems to indicate that you believe if you take greater action on your part you will find God. This makes sense if you're looking for something like house keys. If you look harder you will eventually find them.<br><br>But have you factored God's will into the equation? No matter how hard you search, if God is not yet ready to reveal himself to you then it wont happen.<br><br>My suggestion would be rather to find spiritual practices that will help bring harmony to yourself. Find some spiritual practices you enjoy. If it's reading the scriptures then that's find. If it's meditation that's fine too. Just find something that fulfills your spiritual needs.<br><br>I think too often we get caught up in trying to be right the we forget to find joy in the journey.<br><br>I don't know if any of that was helpful. Sorry if it wasn't.<br><br>@whitehusky: If Jesus is God the Father then wouldn't praying to God the Father still be praying to Jesus? It makes little sense to get worked up over people who are praying to God but call him by a different name.Zo-ma-rahhttp://zomarah.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com