Comments on: Does the Church not want thinkers?

By: Mr. Berry

Mr. Berry — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 05:41:00 +0000

In reply to Jacob Matthews. Bruce R McConkie's work has been discredited. He was a strong personality and had very set opinions of doctrine. Unfortunately not all of his opinion were as well thought out as he believed. Any time someone quotes Bruce R McConkie to explain doctrine to me, I immediately withdraw. I am not interested in his view points.

By: Jacob Matthews

Jacob Matthews — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 04:36:00 +0000

“It is my province to teach to the Church what the doctrine is. It is your province to echo what I say or to remain silent.” – Bruce R. McConkie

It’s statements like these that make members wonder if thinking and discussion is truly allowed among members of the Church.

By: MormonMama

MormonMama — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 14:25:00 +0000

Denise states that she is separated from her family. I’m wondering why? Did they turn their backs on her when she joined the Church? That is the impression I get from her post, although I could certainly be wrong. If they did, then is she really willing to trade her exaltation for a handful of years, or even decades, with people who would turn their back on her for following her beliefs? I hope she follows up. I think there are a lot more issues going on here than not getting answers from ward members or leaders.

By: Antodav

Antodav — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 02:14:00 +0000

The Church fully embraces, encourages, and loves thinkers. However, “thinking” is not enough. One must also actively seek, and do, and that requires a substantially greater amount of energy and commitment than many members (and certainly Evangelicals, with their lazy, works-free theology) are willing to put forth. The advice given here is spot-on. Wishing to be excommunicated shows that there is not much “thought” being put forward here at all. It also shows a willingness to heed the voices in the Great and Spacious Building (which appear to be coming from ignorant family members in this case) over the voice of the Lord.

By: Wanda

Wanda — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 23:34:00 +0000

My family disowned me when I joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My bishop suggested that I continue to show love and concern for my family no matter how they treated me For many years I sent them a letter every week telling what was happening in my life but not mentioning religion. It took my father about a year to accept me again and my mother maybe ten years, but they both eventually loved me as much as they loved my brothers and sisters. None of the rest of my family has joined the church, but the church helped me become a better person, and I have helped my family maintain close ties.

By: Marco

Marco — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 16:19:00 +0000

My personal believe is that when members ask you to pray and ask God, is for two reasons. Either they don’t know the answer to that question or they rather have you seek God and not flesh. God wants you to ask him rather than depending on arm and flesh. Receiving a testimony is through Jesus Christ, not men. Hope this helps.

By: Arizona Grandma

Arizona Grandma — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 16:04:00 +0000

I too am a convert to the church having attended many other religious affiliations during my youth and into my young adulthood. In the past I have had many questions about doctrine, rituals, history, etc. It is human nature for us to want a quick answer, but we also often times want an easy answer, one that we are happy with instantly. When the answer is something we don’t necessarily want to hear we often times doubt or find a problem with the answer giver. When we are told to study and pray we take out the middle person and open the communication with our Heavenly Father through the Holy Ghost. Because I have a testimony of the Book of Mormon and the Bible and the divine guidance I receive from prophets, I know that the answers are available directly for me. Many questions can be answered through family scripture study and prayer, along with this is humility and an open heart which allows the whisperings of the spirit to enlighten and give testimony to the answers you personally receive while strengthening family bonds. Discussion is always good but when I am looking for the answer to a deeply concerning question, I go to the scriptures and then to my knees.