I realize you kind of think of yourself as a sage and all, and one of the things that sages do is speak in koans, thinking they hold the key wisdoms and insights that unlock a secret consistency that is out of the grasp of the rest of us. But, well, your fantasy self is not your real self. Let's leave it at that.
I'm not a sage...a better description would be goofball. I was trying to provoke a laugh, not imply some deep meaning. It doesn't carry over well here. All in favor of smilies?
"Surely he knows that DCP, The Nehor, Lamanite, and other key apologists..." -Scratch clarifying my status in apologetics "I admit it; I'm a petty, petty man." -Some Schmo
How many people do you think TRULY BELIEVE they were Jesus Christ (or some other famous person), in a former life?
There are billions of people on this planet who believe they have lived multiple lives.
How many people TRULY believe they are being directed by other worldly beings? Totems? Spirit guides? Angels? Aliens? Folks from the other side?
The world is seriously FILLED with folks who believe they are interacting with otherworldly/magical/spiritual/mystical beings.
Some of them are bound to be in the LDS church, just like they are in virtually every other faith tradition or belief system.
I have witnessed some people have amazing past lives experiences; I have discussed various visions and mystical experiences with people from a variety of faith traditions.
My observation is these experiences are very real to the experiencer.
What this means in real life may require some interpretation. :-)
~dancer~
"The search for reality is the most dangerous of all undertakings for it destroys the world in which you live." Nisargadatta Maharaj
I missed this one, I was not reading this thread at all. I'm not surprised though. I remember an exchange with Mormonmason on Michael/ Holy Ghost theory in which he stated he was a Prophet and that he had visions. He would not say how he knew, but insisted that the speculations were absolutely false doctrine. He's what I've nicknamed a "gnostic Mormon"--one who tells you he has "secret knowledge"...just leaves you hanging to wonder what it is:)
As an LDS person who believes people can see visions, I would not discount what he says outright. But I don't know him other than the interactions on the board, so whether his claims are true or not, I have no clue.
My sister's then-husband claimed that Jesus spoke to him in an audible voice several times. He instructed Carl to join himself to a very small offshoot LDS polygamous group that referred to itself solely as "the body of Christ". Jesus also told Carl not to worry about supporting his wife or children because God had a greater calling for him and would provide for them. Little did my father know God had him in mind to support Carl's wife and children.
Jesus spoke to me, too, and told me Carl was the armpit of the body of Christ. Or he may have said the arsehole, it's been a while.
We hate to seem like we don’t trust every nut with a story, but there’s evidence we can point to, and dance while shouting taunting phrases.
beastie wrote:My sister's then-husband claimed that Jesus spoke to him in an audible voice several times. He instructed Carl to join himself to a very small offshoot LDS polygamous group that referred to itself solely as "the body of Christ". Jesus also told Carl not to worry about supporting his wife or children because God had a greater calling for him and would provide for them. Little did my father know God had him in mind to support Carl's wife and children.
Jesus spoke to me, too, and told me Carl was the armpit of the body of Christ. Or he may have said the arsehole, it's been a while.
I hope "Jesus" spoke to his wife and told her to divorce him. :)