NYC Mormon Stories Conference

[_Jason Bourne]

See the link below for the NYC Mormon Stories Conference. Quite a line up. Richard Bushman, Clayton Christensen and Dr Andrew Kimball grandson and biographer of Spencer Kimball.

This is a pretty power packed group. Are these all fringers, NOMers, the type that BC and Droopy love to hate? I just heard Clayton Christensen speak a few weeks ago. Based on his comments he sure does not seem like a person on their way out. How does such an awful apostate like John Dehlin get such a line up pf speakers? I want to go.

http://mormonstories.org/nyc-mormon-sto ... 15th-2012/

[_Blixa]

See the link below for the NYC Mormon Stories Conference. Quite a line up. Richard Bushman, Clayton Christensen and Dr Andrew Kimball grandson and biographer of Spencer Kimball.

This is a pretty power packed group. Are these all fringers, NOMers, the type that BC and Droopy love to hate? I just heard Clayton Christensen speak a few weeks ago. Based on his comments he sure does not seem like a person on their way out. How does such an awful apostate like John Dehlin get such a line up pf speakers? I want to go.

http://mormonstories.org/nyc-mormon-sto ... 15th-2012/

I don't particularly want to attend, but if you do find yourself in NYC, please let me know. : )

[_Cicero]

See the link below for the NYC Mormon Stories Conference. Quite a line up. Richard Bushman, Clayton Christensen and Dr Andrew Kimball grandson and biographer of Spencer Kimball.

This is a pretty power packed group. Are these all fringers, NOMers, the type that BC and Droopy love to hate? I just heard Clayton Christensen speak a few weeks ago. Based on his comments he sure does not seem like a person on their way out. How does such an awful apostate like John Dehlin get such a line up pf speakers? I want to go.

http://mormonstories.org/nyc-mormon-sto ... 15th-2012/

Ditto. I lived in NYC once upon a time, so maybe I'll actually figure out a way to make it out there to attend.

[_Kishkumen]

I would go, if I could. I credit John Dehlin with much improving my feelings toward the LDS Church.

[_Simon Southerton]

John is giving very mixed messages. Here's his talk (18min) from Sunstone.

http://mormonstories.org/john-dehlin-why-i-stay/

He knows the Book of Mormon isn't real history but he believes it contains profound moral and spiritual truths. I cannot understand this. What sort of a God uses a fraudulent book to teach his children moral concepts? Can someone tell me what amazing truths the Book of Mormon contains that cannot be gleaned from the Bible or by having a brief chat with a couple of wise old grandmothers?

He appears to have found his home in the Sunstoned community. Those who know the truth but are smart enough to come up with clever excuses for remaining in the faith.

[_Kishkumen]

I guess that's one way of looking at it. It isn't the way I look at it.

[_Jason Bourne]

John is giving very mixed messages. Here's his talk (18min) from Sunstone.

http://mormonstories.org/john-dehlin-why-i-stay/

He knows the Book of Mormon isn't real history but he believes it contains profound moral and spiritual truths. I cannot understand this. What sort of a God uses a fraudulent book to teach his children moral concepts? Can someone tell me what amazing truths the Book of Mormon contains that cannot be gleaned from the Bible or by having a brief chat with a couple of wise old grandmothers?

He appears to have found his home in the Sunstoned community. Those who know the truth but are smart enough to come up with clever excuses for remaining in the faith.

Well Simon I understand your point. And I guess I might fall into the Sunstoned type. But I figure what the hell. Life is short. If this makes John, me or anyone else happy to do this and it works what do you or anyone else care.

As a NOMer I often am amazed at the LDS that want to kick me out for being a damned hypocrite cafeteria type Mormon as well as those who have left that think I am an idiot for staying. I am ok with people leaving if they want. Maybe I will some day as well. But I don't complain about them leaving nor wonder why they cannot find a way to make it work.

[_Kishkumen]

Life is short. If this makes John, me or anyone else happy to do this and it works what do you or anyone else care.

As a NOMer I often am amazed at the LDS that want to kick me out for being a damned hypocrite cafeteria type Mormon as well as those who have left that think I am an idiot for staying. I am ok with people leaving if they want. Maybe I will some day as well. But I don't complain about them leaving nor wonder why they cannot find a way to make it work.

Hey, I can understand why people are conflicted. Hell, I'm conflicted. Listening to John actually made me less conflicted. I really resonated with what John had to say. It sounds to me like he is saying that living the religion is far more valuable to him than an absolute conviction about things no one really knows in the sense of me knowing I am typing on my keyboard right now. I respect that. That works for me. I think it is a completely legitimate to approach one's faith.

People forget about the spiritual gift of hope. Everyone privileges knowing without understanding what knowing is, or really knowing. A person can be LDS and rely on hope, can believe on the witness of others. It is scripturally sound, and it is high time that people repent of their ostracizing of those who don't pretend to know when they don't have that gift.

[_Simon Southerton]

Well Simon I understand your point. And I guess I might fall into the Sunstoned type. But I figure what the hell. Life is short. If this makes John, me or anyone else happy to do this and it works what do you or anyone else care.

I can understand why John is following this path and it is probably the right one for him (and you JB). If he follows the truth where it leads the destination is obvious but so are the consequences. He'd be a social outcast among his family and friends and community. He is immersed in Mormonism and can't shake it.

Yes, life is short, and for the very same reason I cannot imagine getting Sunstoned. Thankfully, the consequences of following the truth are different for many outside the Zion Curtain, especially those over an ocean. While my siblings and their kids are mostly in the church, essentially all of my friends, colleagues and neighbours are welcoming, non-judgemental, non-Mormon atheists.

I think I need to leave this all behind.

[Guest]

It sounds to me like he is saying that living the religion is far more valuable to him than an absolute conviction about things no one really knows in the sense of me knowing I am typing on my keyboard right now. I respect that. That works for me. I think it is a completely legitimate to approach one's faith.

He could equally be just weighing up the real personal cost of leaving and reaching the conclusion that the price was too high.

I'm disappointed for, rather than in, John.