Monthly Archives: June 2009

No More Strangers

June 30, 2009
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No More Strangers

The church in California is initiating a Young Single Adult conference of unprecedented proportions. On August 7th and 8th, all of the YSA’s in the state will gather by temple district for 2 days of doctrinal workshops, sports activities, a humanitarian project, a variety show, dancing, and a special sacrament meeting . As part of this conference, some state-wide goals have been defined. Among these goals is a massive search-and-rescue effort to reach out to less active, inactive, and non-member single adults. The theme of the conference is derived from Ephesians 2:19: “No More Strangers.” (See the YouTube Promotional Video)

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Groupthink

June 30, 2009
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“Groupthink” is what naturally happens when a group becomes sedentary and sluggish.  When change is introduced or new people are introduced, they challenge the “groupthink.” I’ve never seen the word groupthink (when used correctly) as a positive.  Does the church suffer from groupthink or just unity (“being one,” and “if ye are not one, ye are not mine.”)?  You decide.

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Adam and Eve: the First TBM & NOM

June 29, 2009
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Adam and Eve: the First TBM & NOM

There have been several attempts over the years to categorize Mormon “belief-styles”: Orthodox Mormon versus Liberal Mormon, Iron Rod Mormon versus Liahona Mormon, and so on. In the online world of LDS blogs commonly called “the Bloggernacle”, Mormons are often categorized as being TBMs (True Believing Mormons) or NOMs (New Order Mormons). One evening when my wife and I had the opportunity to reflect on the timeless story of Adam and Eve, it struck me that their different responses to God’s commandments, and to Lucifer’s “temptation”, perfectly exemplified the different mindsets of TBMs and NOMs, and symbolically portrayed the...

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Welcome to the Niblets Nominations!!

June 28, 2009
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Welcome to the Niblets Nominations!!

Mormon Matters introduces the 2008 Niblets Awards! Comments are now closed.  If you have further nominations, click HERE. The opportunity to honor the unique and talented Mormon bloggers was sorely missed this year. So we decided to give you a chance to look back on 2008 and remember the great things that happened in the Bloggernacle. Mormon Matters will be hosting this event to highlight YOU and your favorite 2008 Mormon blogs, and we’ll be back again in 2009 to do the same. We are pleased to announce our collaboration with Ziff of Zelophehad’s Daughters, the mighty numbers cruncher,...

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Japanese: A Modern Case for Reformed Egyptian

June 27, 2009
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One of the common complaints about and arguments against the Book of Mormon is the claim that it was written in “Reformed Egyptian” – a unique and obsolete language that was peculiar to the Nephites and could not be read by anyone else.  There have been many things written about this issue over the years, some of which are merely skeptical and more of which are mocking.  One of the common themes has been, “Well, that’s convenient.  There’s no way to check any language for accuracy and veracity.  Great con scheme.”  What the people who wrote these things in the...

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Mormon Mythology: Sons of Perdition

June 26, 2009
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Mormon Mythology: Sons of Perdition

From a mythological perspective, why does our religion have such a powerful and detailed “Sons of Perdition” element?  I asked myself this recently after observing other members talk about this theme in length during separate conversations.  They were so passionate about discussing this state of being, going on and on about it, even though it was only tangential to the conversation at hand.  I watched them go deep within themselves as they pulled out all the information they knew about Sons of Perdition and reviewed it out loud.  It prompted me to ask myself “why is this important to...

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Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson: Tributes are in order

June 25, 2009
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Two pop icons are gone on the same day.  A clingy swimsuit; multiple noses – that hair; the moonwalk - Angels; Demons.  So much to mourn; so much to lampoon.

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When the Spirit leaves……

June 25, 2009
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We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, repentance; third, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Articles of Faith 1:4)

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The Disillusionment Phase

June 24, 2009
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Today’s guest post is by Kate from Myriad Mormon Musings.  Here is a brief introduction, in her own words, followed by her post: “My name is Kate. I was raised Catholic, but converted to the Mormon church in 1999 in a hippy branch at Cornell University. Since leaving that branch, I have struggled to find my voice within the LDS world. Where does a politically liberal, PhD-holding, working mom fit in? I created the Myriad Mormon Musings blog in an attempt to find my niche as I struggle with LDS culture versus doctrine.”

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Bloggernacle Rankings: BCC is #1!

June 23, 2009
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According to alexa.com, By Common Consent is currently the top ranked site in the Bloggernacle.  Congratulations to our esteemed colleagues; you have earned the distinction of “top blog”!  Not to toot our own horn, but Mormon Matters is also on the rise in the Bloggernacle (at #3), coming in behind #2 bloggernacle perennial favorite Times & Seasons. 

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WHAT THE WORLD THINKS OF GOD

June 23, 2009
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WHAT THE WORLD THINKS OF GOD

The ICM poll of 10,000 people in the USA, UK, Israel, India, South Korea, Indonesia, Nigeria, Russia, Mexico and Lebanon was carried out for the BBC

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The Genius of Mormonism: Missions

June 22, 2009
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I wanted to do a series of posts on aspects of the LDS church that I consider to be sheer religious genius.  These are religous practices or concepts that have given Mormonism its staying power, and when compared to other religions are “best-in-class” (to borrow a term from business).  The first practice I will address is full-time missions.

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Spirituality, Rationality, Mentality, Duality

June 21, 2009
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Spirituality, Rationality, Mentality, Duality

Today’s guest post is by jmb275. In my first guest post, I talked about intellectualism and faith. A few of the commenters pointed out that I had somewhat assumed that we had dual natures – spiritual and rational. The point was mentioned that the term “spirituality” could be loosely defined to be many things – not necessarily religious in nature. In this post I would like to address these issues as I have been pondering it for quite some time.

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Bushman’s Take on Polygamy

June 20, 2009
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Bushman’s Take on Polygamy

A few weeks ago, here at Mormon Matters, I posted on My Perspective on Polygamy (with a longer version found on my blog.)  I hinted that I wanted to talk about it some more, and this time I thought I would try a more “faithful” perspective.  A commenter on my blog took exception to some “hearsay” I had been discussing.  So, I wanted to see what Bushman had to say on these issues, as well as address some assertions by others regarding Joseph’s possibly nefarious motives for polygamy.  Specifically, I want to address 3 controversial issues:

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My first time at Young Womens Camp

June 19, 2009
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This week I volunteered to help as the “priesthood” on staff for a couple days at Young Women Camp.  Perhaps this is all old hat to a lot of you, but it was my first experience.  I was very impressed.  It was both fun and tiring.  I never knew girls could be so crazy!

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Looking Forward to the Good Life

June 18, 2009
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I’ve spent some time over the years thinking about questions that remain in regards to the logistics of the afterlife.

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The Power of Choice

June 18, 2009
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One of the most important doctrinal points of the LDS Church is the power of choice, called agency or free agency in the Church.  In many ways, the entire Plan of Salvation hinges on the power of choice.

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Mormon Matters Now on Facebook and Twitter!

June 17, 2009
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We have sold our social networking souls! Please follow us! On Twitter! This link has been updated… On Facebook! If you join the facebook blog network, please give the blog a rating as well!

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Learning and Understanding Vs. Winning Arguments

June 17, 2009
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Why do you read and comment on blogs? What is your goal? Do you want to make points and debate with others? Is it more important for you to reach mutual understanding and learn from each other? Can both happen at the same time? This is an adaptation of a post my good friend Ron wrote. He is Catholic, so with his consent I have modified some of it to fit the audience here, as well as added some of my own thoughts. It was inspired by some of his encounters with a “rather nasty Fundamentalist Christian” who was...

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What is Revelation?

June 16, 2009
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What is Revelation?

People have different opinions on what personal revelation is.  Is it from God or from within us?  Is it personal or universal in the scope of its truth?  Does it only come in some ways or should we take inspiration however we can get it?  Is it only available through the HG, or to all who seek truth?

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