Are Defenders simply incorrigible?

[_1 Iron]

Is it that you can keep your faith if you just look at the bark on trees, one tree at a time, and that you know if you take a few steps back and look at the forest, whoops, there goes the old testimony?

No. Perhaps, it's comforting for you to believe that about us? It sounds eerily similar to the idea that people only leave the church because they were offended or want to sin. It was milk strippings in your case, wasn't it?

I would echo this thought. In fact, I feel it is the opposite of what you claim. The focusing on the bark of tree, as you say, is what leads to problems with one's faith, in my opinion.

When I step back and reflect on the big picture I am reminded of the counsel of Harold B. Lee, who recommended that the best way to be of real value in the service of the Lord was to "Survey large fields, but cultivate small ones". In looking at the big picture, whether it is in studying the words of Christ, praying and fasting to gain greater charity and love, and seeking to be faithful to the mission of God to "bring about the immortality and eternal life of man", I find it easier to focus on the detail things with greater impact - be it in providing service in the ward and neighborhood, being a kind and loving husband and father in my family, or a participant in every other role I have during the day.

You tell me, sock puppet, that you are happier since you have left the church. Yet here you are trying to cultivate a large field that you can not hope to find in harvest in any season. You have generated a large list of concerns to which any faithful member will tell you as Simon has, "We are aware, and it is not of concern. I have answers sufficient for my needs." I have to imagine that those who agree with you now having read this thread already held this opinion before the thread was written.

I admire those who are not of the LDS faith here, such as Ceeboo and madeleine, who none-the-less are sowing seeds of peace.

So what seeds do you sow that I should till my field under and welcome them? What fruit are you bearing that I should desire it?

[_Morley]

I would echo this thought. In fact, I feel it is the opposite of what you claim. The focusing on the bark of tree, as you say, is what leads to problems with one's faith, in my opinion.

When I step back and reflect on the big picture I am reminded of the counsel of Harold B. Lee, who recommended that the best way to be of real value in the service of the Lord was to "Survey large fields, but cultivate small ones". In looking at the big picture, whether it is in studying the words of Christ, praying and fasting to gain greater charity and love, and seeking to be faithful to the mission of God to "bring about the immortality and eternal life of man", I find it easier to focus on the detail things with greater impact - be it in providing service in the ward and neighborhood, being a kind and loving husband and father in my family, or a participant in every other role I have during the day.

You tell me, sock puppet, that you are happier since you have left the church. Yet here you are trying to cultivate a large field that you can not hope to find in harvest in any season. You have generated a large list of concerns to which any faithful member will tell you as Simon has, "We are aware, and it is not of concern. I have answers sufficient for my needs." I have to imagine that those who agree with you now having read this thread already held this opinion before the thread was written.

I admire those who are not of the LDS faith here, such as Ceeboo and madeleine, who none-the-less are sowing seeds of peace.

So what seeds do you sow that I should till my field under and welcome them? What fruit are you bearing that I should desire it?

I hope you won't take offense at this question, 1 Iron--but, do you talk this way in real life? Here, it comes across as a little condescending. Perhaps I'm misreading.

[_moksha]

Are you saying that academics and "brights" do not have emotional needs?

Nothing that some wet wipes and a tea cosy cannot usually handle.

Do not have a need to validate the 'faith of their fathers' (rather than realize that their fathers fell victim to Mormonism)?

Tradition, Tradition!

In our Mormon village of Anatevka, tradition is important and comforting. We do not have to validate it past our internal sensor sweeps. If it feels right, then we do it. Can you victimize the willing?