Archive for the 'thought' Category

Adam and Eve: the First TBM & NOM


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Adam-and-Eve-GardenThere 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 age-old struggle between Orthodox and Liberal in any faith. And as I meditated on their dramatic dialog with Lucifer, with each other, and with God, it donned on me that Adam and Eve were the perfect TBM-NOM couple.

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What is Revelation?


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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? Continue reading…
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Trying to Understand My Friends Who Didn’t Leave the Faith


Here is a modified excerpt from a 60-page writing that I made for close friends and family members when I decided to leave the church a few months ago. It was my attempt at helping them understand my view. I think most of them didn’t bother reading it. I wasn’t looking forward to the conversations that I would be having with them, but I was surprised to find myself not having those conversations.

Today’s guest post is by Michael. In the spirit of Mormon Stories, he was invited to share his experience. Continue reading…

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What Makes People Good?


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An article in NewsweekAdventures in Good and Evil” made a few interesting points about why some people are good and some are evil. Continue reading…
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What Bothers Me, and Why I Still Believe


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I am an active member of the church, and a believer.

I am well aware of most of the controversial issues (Book of Abraham, DNA, Book of Mormon historicity, polyandry, etc.). Some of them occasionally bother me. Others do not. Although according to statistics I am very educated, I probably could not win an argument defending the church on any of those points. I could not support the church on Prop. 8, (if you want to specifically comment on that, please go here). I will probably never understand in this life why we are discouraged from praying to our Heavenly Mother, or why women are no longer allowed bless the sick. I am sure I could go on, and so could many of you.

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Taking the Fun Out of Funerals


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What do you want your funeral to be like?  Do you care or do you figure you’ll be dead anyway?  How do you feel about burial vs. cremation?  Are you an organ donor? Continue reading…

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Women are from Venus, Men are from Kolob


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Based on my experience, I would guess that the majority of LDS women under age 65 would say that polygamy is NOT an eternal principle and that it doesn’t require any earthly worrying as a result.  While the men are probably not worrying about it (although any of them who are married to me should think twice about expecting additional wives in the future), my impression is that a higher percentage of them believe it is an eternal principle that will be practiced long term. Continue reading…
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The Problem with Tolerance


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The church has a history of high level leaders making sweeping pronouncements that are later deemed incorrect, speculative, or unauthorized, yet in each case, church leaders are reluctant to make public correction of those presumptions.  This tolerance sometimes results in dogmatic voices flourishing, drowning out those same tolerant voices that have graciously granted them access to the open mic. Continue reading…

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Interfaith International British DJ


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OK Paul technically isn’t exactly an international DJ, not unless you consider that you can listen to his interviews on line.

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That We Could All Be Like – Satan?


Today we have a guest post from Bishop Mike T. Young of the Spanish Fork 401st Ward.

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April 2009 General Conference – Word Stats


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Based on word count, what was the focus of April 2009 General Conference?  Before you scroll down, see if you can guess the top 3 words that were used. Continue reading…
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Are we going to be Eunuchs after this life?


My home teacher (who is very cool) came by yesterday to drop off some starter cables for my car and as one does in that short interlude we discussed the celestial kingdom and being Gods after this life. He believed that those who don’t make it to the highest kingdom in the Celestial Kingdom won’t have any sexual relationships and if you don’t have sexual relationships their will be no need for sexual organs.

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Scripture Study: The Joy of My Countenance


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 There is a strange parable in D&C 88 about workers digging in a field and their boss giving them the joy of his countenance for an hour during their shift.  Read on to weigh in what you think this means. Continue reading…

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Scripture Study: What’s Expedient?


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I’d like to start a new feature showcasing stuff I read in the scriptures and getting your opinions on what the heck you think it means.  Hope you like it.  I just read D&C 88 and ran across an interesting passage we’ve all heard/read before in vv. 64 and 65 that begs the question:  What’s expedient? Continue reading…

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Faith vs. Doubt


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“Faith and doubt cannot exist in the same mind at the same time, for one will dispel the other.” Continue reading…

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Families Forver Naked and Not Ashamed


Mormon Matters Motto is Exploring Mormon culture in a balanced way- so bare with me on this one (excuse the pun). Continue reading…

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The Problem with Whistleblowers


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A whistleblower is someone internal to an organization who alleges misconduct.  So, what if the organization is the church?  Does the church handle whistleblowers effectively or not?  If so, how?  If not, why not?  Continue reading…

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Battlestar Galactica Series Finale Review: SPOILER ALERT


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OK, I realize that the majority of our regular readership are probably not BSG watchers; however, since the reimagined series is based on the original late-1970s series created by Glen Larson, who used it as a vehicle for Mormon themes and theological musings, it’s likely that there are Mormons (beside me) who followed this much bleaker (and a gazillion times better) version.  This post is ONLY for those who have seen the Series Finale; it not only contains spoilers but is incomprehensible if you haven’t followed the show or watched the finale.  If this isn’t you, go rent the DVDs first, and we’ll see you in a few months.  EXTREME SPOILER ALERT. Continue reading…

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Strange Bedfellows


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One aspect of the church that makes me nervous at times is the alliances we form when our interests coincide with other groups, whether this is in the political realm (as is often the case), or even at times in interfaith work we undertake. Continue reading…

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Why Mormon Doctrine Is NOT Mormon Doctrine


Many people both within the Church and outside the Church think that Bruce R. McConkie’s book, Mormon Doctrine, is the official declaration of LDS church doctrine.  Today’s guest post is by Paradise Destroyed. Continue reading…

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Does Tom Hanks Hate Mormons?


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Tom Hanks is a beloved actor to many Mormons for his family-friendly roles and everyman quality.  Yet, his recent negative remarks (and hasty retraction) calling Mormons who supported Prop 8 “unAmerican,” and his role as executive producer on Big Love which is about to air the most sacred Mormon ritual on television begs the question:  Does Tom Hanks hate Mormons? Continue reading…

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Big Love -Big News


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Filtered Visions by guest Reuben Collins


I’ve been thinking about Levi Peterson’s The Backslider lately (SPOILERS AHEAD). Continue reading…

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Go to Church or Die!


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A recent article in Time discusses several studies about the correlation between faith and health.  Does church attendance contribute to a healthier, longer life?  Is Mormon culture more or less health-promoting than other faiths? Continue reading…

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Shipbuilding: Tasks or Vision?


Spending a week in the Pacific Northwest on vacation, surrounded by boats and the vastness of the sea, when I read this quote from Antoine de Saint-Exupery on my way home, I couldn’t get it out of my head:

If you want to build a ship, don’t herd people together to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea. Continue reading…
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