Comments on: Puddleglum as a Skeptical Believer

By: working mother

working mother — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:45:33 +0000

Mormon testimony ala Puddleglum (heard at sacrament). “I don’t know if it’s true – I don’t care – it’s a great way to live, I’ve got nothing to lose.”

By: Christine Thackeray

Christine Thackeray — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:21:26 +0000

Hey, my sister and I just wrote a new book called “C. S. Lewis: Latter-Day Truths in Narnia.” I was so impressed by this same point and believe it was significant that the only one injured on their quest was Puddleglum for his valiance. When faith wanes, bright hope can sometimes carry us through. The book is currently available at cedarfort.com, if your interested.

By: True Religion: Why There Can Be At Most One at Mormon Matters

True Religion: Why There Can Be At Most One at Mormon Matters — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 23:57:22 +0000

[...] Its a little like taking a happy 70 year old woman, content in her memories of her perfect life long marriage to a now dead spouse, and telling her that it’s all a crock because he cheated on her. It may be the truth, but it’s not a helpful truth. In this one circumstance, and this one circumstance only, could we truly say “whatever works for you.” [1] Best to just let them believe what they want because it makes them happy. [...]

By: John Nilsson

John Nilsson — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:19:21 +0000

Bruce,

Thanks for the fun post. My wife and I are both Lewis fans and she is a Narnia addict, so I’m sharing this with her.

Could you imagine, or has anyone ever heard, someone bear their Mormon testimony in a Puddleglum fashion?

By: Doc

Doc — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 04:00:02 +0000

I just finished reading this one with my daughter. Puddleglum shines at the end. I wonder at times how autobiographical he was for the Lewis. What a great moment, taking the leap of faith in what is good and right when it is the least comfortable to do so. I like it. Bet that foot never did heal right, I shouldn’t wonder.

By: Andrew Ainsworth

Andrew Ainsworth — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 02:45:54 +0000

Ah, it was Joseph Smith. That explains why I couldn’t find that “Brigham Young” quote I’d been looking for. Thanks Bruce!

By: Bruce Nielson

Bruce Nielson — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 01:20:03 +0000

“And if we go to hell, we will turn the devils out of doors and make a heaven of it. Where this people are, there is good society.”

- Teaching of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 316.

By: WestBerkeleyFlats

WestBerkeleyFlats — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:45:54 +0000

[comment removed]

By: Andrew Ainsworth

Andrew Ainsworth — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:35:17 +0000

I can’t top Matt’s comment, but this also reminds me of something I once read Brigham Young said, that went something like this:

“People say we Mormons are all going to hell, and if that’s where we all end up in the next life, we’ll kick the devil out and turn it into a paradise!”

I loved how Brigham thought we could collectively bring something into existence through our sheer willpower and determination.

BTW, I’ve been looking for that quote for years, so if someone can point me to the source, I’d be much obliged.

By: Matt Thurston

Matt Thurston — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:13:07 +0000

This reminds me a little bit of what the Mormon kid Gary says to Stan in the South Park episode, “All About Mormons”:

Gary: Look, maybe us Mormons do believe in crazy stories that make absolutely no sense, and maybe Joseph Smith did make it all up, but I have a great life, and a great family, and I have the Book of Mormon to thank for that. The truth is, I don’t care if Joseph Smith made it all up, because what the church teaches now is loving your family, being nice and helping people. And even though people in this town might think that’s stupid, I still choose to believe in it. All I ever did was try to be your friend, Stan, but you’re so high and mighty you couldn’t look past my religion and just be my friend back. You’ve got a lot of growing up to do, buddy. Suck my balls.

Cartman: Damn, that kid is cool, huh?