Growing Up LDS--Things We *Didn't* Care About Then

[_Runtu]

So, all the offense you take to what was told to you in the Salt Lake valley; the things withheld from you; the bufoons who served you as Bishop and the rings you ran around your bishop while yet a youngster; the claimed dissembling by Pres. Hinckley on national television; all is meaningless hot air and the musings of a superior one. What is meaningful is what the Spirit whispers to you is doctrine.

rcrocket

I don't know about you, but what the Spirit whispers seems to differ according to the person to which He is whispering. Are you suggesting that nothing matters but a subjective "following of the spirit"?

[_Blixa]

So, all the offense you take to what was told to you in the Salt Lake valley; the things withheld from you; the bufoons who served you as Bishop and the rings you ran around your bishop while yet a youngster; the claimed dissembling by Pres. Hinckley on national television; all is meaningless hot air and the musings of a superior one. What is meaningful is what the Spirit whispers to you is doctrine.

rcrocket

I don't know about you, but what the Spirit whispers seems to differ according to the person to which He is whispering. Are you suggesting that nothing matters but a subjective "following of the spirit"?

In which case why are there prophets, teachers, priests, public and private rituals and convenants, why even an organized church?

[_Runtu]

So, all the offense you take to what was told to you in the Salt Lake valley; the things withheld from you; the bufoons who served you as Bishop and the rings you ran around your bishop while yet a youngster; the claimed dissembling by Pres. Hinckley on national television; all is meaningless hot air and the musings of a superior one. What is meaningful is what the Spirit whispers to you is doctrine.

rcrocket

I don't know about you, but what the Spirit whispers seems to differ according to the person to which He is whispering. Are you suggesting that nothing matters but a subjective "following of the spirit"?

In which case why are there prophets, teachers, priests, public and private rituals and convenants, why even an organized church?

Well, that's what I was wondering. What if the spirit tells you not to follow the men in Salt Lake?

[_rcrocket]

So, all the offense you take to what was told to you in the Salt Lake valley; the things withheld from you; the bufoons who served you as Bishop and the rings you ran around your bishop while yet a youngster; the claimed dissembling by Pres. Hinckley on national television; all is meaningless hot air and the musings of a superior one. What is meaningful is what the Spirit whispers to you is doctrine.

rcrocket

I don't know about you, but what the Spirit whispers seems to differ according to the person to which He is whispering. Are you suggesting that nothing matters but a subjective "following of the spirit"?

See, you are getting closer to the truth. It is there.

Well, that's what I was wondering. What if the spirit tells you not to follow the men in Salt Lake?

The Spirit does not respond to hypotheticals. You could easily ask me if you should commit a heinous crime if the Spirit has told you to do so.



rcrocket

[_Runtu]

See, you are getting closer to the truth. It is there.

rcrocket

You remind me of a conversation I had with my father last year. He said, "Do what feels right, and you know the church feels right." I told him that the one thing in my life that didn't feel right was the church. I always tried to determine what was right and do it. Look where it got me. :)

[_Runtu]

The Spirit does not respond to hypotheticals. You could easily ask me if you should commit a heinous crime if the Spirit has told you to do so.

rcrocket

Well, we have at least one scriptural account of such a thing happening. I guess my question is how to you determine the source of a spiritual prompting? How do you, for example, decide to keep your spiritual experiences within an LDS context?

[_rcrocket]

In which case why are there prophets, teachers, priests, public and private rituals and convenants, why even an organized church?

You are asking the right questions.

As Paul points out in I Thess 1:5, an understanding of the gospel comes "not unto you in word [written and spoken] only, but also in power [i.e., the priesthood], and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance [exhortation] . . . ."

There is a purpose for this structure. The church structure does not exist for its own purposes, but to advance the individual. The publications, preachings, and meetings are all essential elements in Paul's teaching to bring folks to the Spirit.

rcrocket

[_harmony]

What is meaningful is what the Spirit whispers to you is doctrine.

rcrocket

I don't know about you, but what the Spirit whispers seems to differ according to the person to which He is whispering. Are you suggesting that nothing matters but a subjective "following of the spirit"?

In which case why are there prophets, teachers, priests, public and private rituals and convenants, why even an organized church?

Well, that's what I was wondering. What if the spirit tells you not to follow the men in Salt Lake?

Following the men in Salt Lake is not doctrinal. Just as the ancient church members did not follow Peter, James, or John, we should not follow Pres Hinckley, Pres Monson, or Pres Faust. Following Christ has always been the path to God. Anyone who says differently is simply wrong (and we all know that prophets have been wrong before, and will be again.)

[_Jason Bourne]

What is meaningful is what the Spirit whispers to you is doctrine.

rcrocket

I don't know about you, but what the Spirit whispers seems to differ according to the person to which He is whispering. Are you suggesting that nothing matters but a subjective "following of the spirit"?

In which case why are there prophets, teachers, priests, public and private rituals and convenants, why even an organized church?

Well, that's what I was wondering. What if the spirit tells you not to follow the men in Salt Lake?

Following the men in Salt Lake is not doctrinal. Just as the ancient church members did not follow Peter, James, or John, we should not follow Pres Hinckley, Pres Monson, or Pres Faust. Following Christ has always been the path to God. Anyone who says differently is simply wrong (and we all know that prophets have been wrong before, and will be again.)

Actually Paul often admonsihed his flock to follow him and what he taught. The idea of apostles and other leaders having authority in the Church is quite doctrinal in the New Testament.

[_rcrocket]

Well, we have at least one scriptural account of such a thing happening. I guess my question is how to you determine the source of a spiritual prompting? How do you, for example, decide to keep your spiritual experiences within an LDS context?

My legal work involves the representation of religious organizations in First Amendment issues (establishment clause, typically). So, I get to meet and associate with men (always men) in what we would call "general authority" positions in other religions, although some of the religions I represent are diffuse without a lot of centralization.

The one thing I see in my relationships with truly good people is how the Spirit works among them, the good they accomplish, and the struggles they overcome to be Christians (or in one of my cases, good Hindus). I also see a lot of evil people -- those who are predators, those who are defamers, those who destroy families for pure sexual pleasure. These types typically do not find themselves long in the pinnacles of power in the religions I represent.

The Spirit transcends the LDS Church. But, the priesthood of God resides only within the LDS Church structure, so when the Spirit works among men it works in such a way that the Lord's objectives are advanced.

If you say that Spirit has told you that the Church is not for you, and you should not be a part of it, will then follow what you are told if you believe it. But be courageous, and follow your convictions rather than sit eternally on the fence in a place like this. I know that being lukewarm is bad in and of itself.

rcrocket