Tal Bachman wrote:Second point: You seem to be quite proud that I am "unable to impact" your opinions. But there was never any hope of that, Harmony. After all, if LDS scriptures, the LDS Bible Dictionary, LDS First Presidency statements on doctrine, and sitting LDS church presidents are ALSO "unable to impact" your opinions, what hope would anyone else have? You just keep inadvertently making my point for me...
Actually, that's not what I meant, but it doesn't surprise me that you personalized it, rather than see what I meant from a stewardship standpoint. (I meant, you aren't my bishop, so you have no stewardship, and there is certainly no pride attached to a very factual statement.)
If you're saying Joseph lost the prophetic mantle the instant he walked outside his marriage vows to Emma, then I agree with you
.
---What would ever make you think he had a "prophetic mantle" to lose in the first place?[/quote]
Good question. I will ponder that.
Of course God will allow the prophet to lead the church astray.
---If the words "lead" "church" and "astray", and the most elementary rules of logic, have any meaning whatsoever, then...yup.
Actually, it has more to do with what one thinks God will do more than anything.
---What you believe you've already made clear. The point is just that it is in conflict with LDS doctrine. Not that I particularly care what you choose in the end to believe; what is germane is just that it IS in conflict...but that that doesn't bother you. And like I said - why should it, really? It's not like "Mormon leaders reveal the truth" or something. They no more do that than anyone else on the planet. So why believe them, or "the scriptures"?
Actually, only some of my views are in conflict with LDS doctrine, and they aren't important enough to warrant their own question on the TRI, which is why I still possess a temple recommend and remain in good standing. I'm still not sure why this is of such importance.
About the rest of your post - like I said, I think if Mormonism is working for you right now, and you're not bothered by discrepancies between your own views and LDS doctrine, then you should probably stick with it.
I'm bothered by very little, and virtually everything I'm bothered about has to do with women and power, but other than that.... I'm just hoping that some day the prophet is humble enough to actually hear what God's got to say, rather ignore it because it's not the tradition.