Bodysurfing with Monson

Post by **_Runtu** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 8:41 pm

I had the strangest dream last night. I was at County Line beach in Southern California, and I had my board and my wetsuit, but someone told me that only bodysurfing was allowed that day. So I swam out, and there was only one other person in the water: Thomas S. Monson. I taught him how to bodysurf, and we talked about church some. He told me that it was OK not to accept all the baggage of Mormonism, but that I should focus on truth as I saw it. He said that he had always tried to help church members see the good in the church.

After we got out of the water, we both dressed (he into a dark suit, natch), shook hands, and parted. I went home and told my wife what had happened, and she laughed and said, "Yeah, sure."

Post by **_Dr. Shades** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 8:43 pm

So, which parts of Mormonism did Monson concede was mere "baggage?"

Post by **_CaliforniaKid** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 8:45 pm

Runtu, you should know better. Dreams can only be inspired if they reinforce the party line. A dream that teaches liberal theology is prima facie either you or the devil. So I'm not sure what you're trying to accomplish here.

-Chris

(rofl@Tommy.com)

Post by **_Runtu** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 8:45 pm

Dr. Shades wrote:So, which parts of Mormonism did Monson concede was mere "baggage?"

He didn't really say. It was a dream, after all.

Post by **_Some Schmo** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 9:00 pm

Do we get to try to interpret this, if only for fun?

Post by **_Runtu** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 9:06 pm

Some Schmo wrote:Do we get to try to interpret this, if only for fun?

Go for it.

Here's the canonical "John-approved" interpretation. County Line is where I surfed most often in my youth, so my subconscious was taking me back to a more faithful, innocent age, when I accepted what the church taught without much question. Bodysurfing makes it even earlier in my youth, as I learned to boogie board and then surf fairly early on. So this is the "becoming as a little child" thing adapted to my life.

As for teaching Monson about bodysurfing, this was empathy for his position, but in my childlike state recognizing that the only thing I could teach him was to bodysurf. He, on the other hand, could teach me about God.

The last part shows a desire on my part to leave the church baggage alone and try to make Mormonism work, at least on a subconscious level.

There, does that work?

Post by **_Sethbag** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 9:10 pm

What, exactly, can Thomas S. Monson teach you about God that A) will be recognized by LDS as "official", and that B) is actually reliable?

Post by **_Some Schmo** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 9:16 pm

Runtu wrote:
Some Schmo wrote:Do we get to try to interpret this, if only for fun?

Go for it.

Here's the canonical "John-approved" interpretation. County Line is where I surfed most often in my youth, so my subconscious was taking me back to a more faithful, innocent age, when I accepted what the church taught without much question. Bodysurfing makes it even earlier in my youth, as I learned to boogie board and then surf fairly early on. So this is the "becoming as a little child" thing adapted to my life.

As for teaching Monson about bodysurfing, this was empathy for his position, but in my childlike state recognizing that the only thing I could teach him was to bodysurf. He, on the other hand, could teach me about God.

The last part shows a desire on my part to leave the church baggage alone and try to make Mormonism work, at least on a subconscious level.

There, does that work?

That was great! Much more than I expected.

Here are a couple questions about the details. I want to see if any of these mean something to you:

- When you were in the water together, is it accurate to say that you were both in over your head?
- Doesn't the rule to only bodysurf seem somewhat arbitrary to you?
- Was Monson having any trouble keeping his head above water, or treading water?
- When you both dressed, did you dress casually in contrast to him dressing formally?
- What exactly do you think your wife was incredulous about? That you saw him at all or that the conversation went as you said?

Post by **_Runtu** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 9:17 pm

Sethbag wrote:What, exactly, can Thomas S. Monson teach you about God that A) will be recognized by LDS as "official", and that B) is actually reliable?

I'm saying that my earlier, childlike person would have believed that.

Post by **_Runtu** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 9:25 pm

Some Schmo wrote:That was great! Much more than I expected.

Here are a couple questions about the details. I want to see if any of these mean something to you:

- When you were in the water together, is it accurate to say that you were both in over your head?

We were both treading water. I could feel the cold and the motion of the swells, and the salty taste of the water. It felt like I was home.

- Doesn't the rule to only bodysurf seem somewhat arbitrary to you?

No more so than the number of earrings you can have.

- Was Monson having any trouble keeping his head above water, or treading water?

No, we were talking easily and pleasantly while floating in the water.

- When you both dressed, did you dress casually in contrast to him dressing formally?

Yep.

- What exactly do you think your wife was incredulous about? That you saw him at all or that the conversation went as you said?

Both, probably.