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eman wrote:
While I agree that if they had “toned it down” it would have made a big difference in how we perceive our leaders, I can’t help but wonder about the effect it would have had in church culture…
If we as a church generally accepted that they weren’t prophets like Moses but rather imperfect leaders like peter, would we follow as easily what they say? Or would we second guess everything they tell us to do, recognizing that it was more likely their opinion (though well thought out, i’m sure) than pure revelation. I don’t want to beat a dead horse but would we accept something as silly as the WoW prohibitionsconcerning tea when research points to the many health benefits there of (in moderation)? So while personally I wish we viewed them as they are, I can’t help but see why someone at some point may have lifted them up on a rameumptom, er, pedestal. Overall I think it is probably more benifical for stage 3 rank and file members. Gives them more confidence in the church and what they are doing.Granted it also removes the need to reason things out for yourself. Sigh…glad I’m just a normal person not weighed down with the tough decisions… In theory I could see this grandiose Old Testament style prophet idea maybe being some kind of noble myth if the LDS prophets were mostly only asking people to believe and do things that are beneficial or at least relatively harmless. In that case, boosting Church members’ overall level of confidence and keeping the message fairly simple actually could mostly be comforting to them and make them feel better about their beliefs and what they are trying to do. However, to me it looks like some of the worst dissatisfaction, unnecessary confusion, and arguable mistreatment that millions of members have already experienced in the Church is actually directly related to the idea that the prophets and scriptures are almost always right and it’s not alright for rank-and-file followers to decide things for themselves.
Basically I think the Church could avoid diminishing the faith of orthodox members that much without being quite so unfriendly to less-faithful members to the point that so many of them feel like they almost have no choice but to avoid dealing with the Church. I understand that Church leaders are probably much more concerned with what the majority of active members think than what any vocal critics or would-be reformers have to say as if these agitators are just an insignificant exception to the rule but at the same time I don’t think it would really be such a devastating thing overall if more members didn’t take everything the Church teaches nearly as seriously as they currently do. One problem with the way things are is that this makes the Church and individual members heavily dependent on all these inflexible doctrines standing up to the serious challenges that already exist over time which looks like it is becoming increasingly unlikely with the easy access to conflicting information nowadays (Luke 8:17, John 8:32).
Well said DA. Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
cwald wrote:Well said DA.
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Good to see your still around
cwald wrote:Well said DA.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Good to see your still around
I’m hanging in there…barely. I want so badly to “graduate” Staylds and Mormonism, but I can’t…
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cwald wrote:I’m hanging in there…barely.
I want so badly to “graduate” Staylds and Mormonism, but I can’t…
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I graduated stayLDS….for a month…then I came back…
I’m afraid I’m on the tenure track. 
Old-Timer wrote:I’m afraid I’m on the tenure track.
Long may it be so
http://mormondiscussion.podbean.com/http://mormondiscussion.podbean.com/” class=”bbcode_url”> Highlights from the 2013 General Conference for those who struggle with faith
[img]http://messengerandadvocate.files.wordpress.com/2007/04/general-conference.jpg [/img] Dont’ forget
Kirtland Mormons in the Middle Conference April 26-28
I am speaking the 27th
Brad Wilcox Interview coming soon
Fair Faith Crisis Panel Discussion in August
http://mormondiscussion.podbean.com/2013/04/16/faith-crisis-stake-training/ ” class=”bbcode_url”> http://mormondiscussion.podbean.com/2013/04/16/faith-crisis-stake-training/ Faith Crisis Training Fireside for Stake Leaders.
This shares the presentation I put on for Leaders in my stake in hopes of raising awareness of Faith Crisis and how we can better help. I am hoping Some of you will do the same. Included in this is a list of things I included in a Packet that was handed out to each leader present. You will also need the power point presentation. Email me and I will send it to you. You are free to use and adapt as needed though I ask you give credit where it is due (Bill Reel & Chris Taber) email to get the PowerPoint Presentation –
reelmormon@gmail.com The presentation is most effective if you create a packet for each using the resources below as well as show the power point.
Bill, I listened to Highlights from the 2013 General Conference today and I am listening a second time. Thank you for this! Yes, Thank you! Your welcome. Let me know what you think of the newest one, the faith crisis training for leaders http://mormondiscussion.podbean.com/http://mormondiscussion.podbean.com/” class=”bbcode_url”> Newest Episode explores a new online community called FAIR Mormon Outreach
http://www.fairmormonoutreach.org/http://www.fairmormonoutreach.org/” class=”bbcode_url”> FAIR Mormon Outreach – is a online community designed to help those who are struggling with the paradigm of Faith and Doubt and who also want to find ways to choose Faith.
Welcome to our community! This is not just our community, but it is yours as well. It is a safe place for you to explore with others the questions and challenges that confront you as you live a life of faith as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We are here to help you and to support you as you seek continued participation in the Church despite questions or doubts you experience.
No question or concern is off limits. We do ask however, that you approach every issue you face with an eye towards reconciling your questions with the faith you have felt in the past. Our goal is to help you regain, maintain, or increase your faith in the restored gospel. If this is your desire, this is place where you find help in your journey.
We are here because we know what it is like to struggle, and we have found perspectives that bring us peace, and we want to share that with you. It is our prayer that we might play some small role in helping you in your personal journey!
– This board seeks to show compassion, empathy, and understanding while offering ways to see one’s struggles that allow for Faith in the Lord’s Church.
– It seeks to validate their struggle rather then minimize it
– This board is not a place to debate the issues
– This board is not a place to try and promote doubt but it is a place where one should feel welcome to get their struggle off their chest and not feel judged as long as the objective is to gain Faith
– This board is not a place for Critics to come and play, they will be thrown out quickly.
Loved the faith crisis training. It was spot on. Fair Mormon Outreach – How is this similar and different from StayLDS. Is it for those that seek to return to a more traditional faith? Establish a more nuanced faith? Seek to hold on to the things of value even without a belief in the foundational stories? Where might it fall on the spectrum of websites?
Perhaps this site (Fair Mormon Outreach) should get its own thread so that we might discuss it more fully. Thanks!
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