GRAND COUNCIL OF GODS

[_Roger Morrison]

Does such a "council" as written, and described in great detail, in Moses have any credibility in the astronomical universe wherein we dwell? Do astrophysicists refer to Mose in their research?

Reading those claims, and others such as, "...a globe like sea of glass and fire..." (DC130:7) are certainly grand & exciting to imagine! Should a reader do more than that?

Are such assertions to be taken as more than the efforts of highly imaginative creative writers, attempting to describe wonders and marvels beyond understanding--but not beyond respect and appreciation? Were they to be taken literally? Are they to be taken literally today?

Roger

[_truth dancer]

Hi Roger... :-)

I believe myths are based on the experiences of the myth-makers. (smile)

People's stories are based on how they understand the world so myths tell us not about the reality of the universe (or God) but about the experience of those creating the stories.

Myths often evolve as new information comes forth, and are not released until a new myth, (a more appropriate and believeable or workable myth) is created to replace it.

I actually think that myths, so long as they match the experience of believers provide a valuable foundational belonging, or maybe an important grounding to its adherents.

One of the reasons I think humankind is struggling today is that our myths no longer match the reality of which we know and the world in which we live.

It is as if our foundation, our grounding is crumbing around us. People are lost.

Our new story would be the one based on our current understanding of life and existence; the story of our universe as we know it. It is an amazing story and one that matches our more enlightened consciousness.

Personally, I think it is time to release the ancient stories that were created for a much different time and a much different human awareness of life.

~td~

[_The Nehor]

Huh?

How would a council of Gods be shown by astrophysics? Do you think we'd see a God with Hubble?

[_Roger Morrison]

Huh?

How would a council of Gods be shown by astrophysics? Do you think we'd see a God with Hubble?

Good questions. I thought maybe all of the information LDSism has from the C0G could have some practical application??

"God with a Hubble?" Nothing else has worked...

Roger

[_The Nehor]

Huh?

How would a council of Gods be shown by astrophysics? Do you think we'd see a God with Hubble?

Good questions. I thought maybe all of the information LDSism has from the C0G could have some practical application??

"God with a Hubble?" Nothing else has worked...

Roger

It has practical application only in the sense that it is designed to motivate us.

God rarely seems to give what I would call practical advice. It does happen but on the whole the gospel is designed to put the human skillset to the right uses. God tells us to feed the poor but does not give lessons on nutrition and cooking or a list of approved charities. God tells us to preach the gospel but does not give lessons on public speaking. God tells us to seek out of the best books wisdom but does not give a suggested reading list. God commands us to keep the Sabbath Day Holy but does not give a prescribed list of Sabbath duties. God tells us to love one another but does not tell us how to show that love. God tells us to build Zion but does not explain how to build such a society in the modern economy.

God does not supplant our natural skills. He gave them to us for a reason. The gospel just puts those skills to the right use.

[Jersey Girl]

Roger, are you looking for the correct order of chevrons for their stargate address?

[_Roger Morrison]

Nehor said: (I'm in red)

It has practical application only in the sense that it is designed to motivate us.

That could be if a person limited themselves to one source of stimulation.
God rarely seems to give what I would call practical advice.Again, that depends on your understanding of "God". IMSCO, "God" is most practical. The original "re-cycler". Scientists depend on "God's" practicality. It does happen but on the whole the gospel is designed to put the human skillset to the right uses. Possibly so, but I see "Life" putting "human skillset to the right use". Which addresses your following thoughts. God tells us to feed the poor but does not give lessons on nutrition and cooking or a list of approved charities. God tells us to preach the gospel but does not give lessons on public speaking. God tells us to seek out of the best books wisdom but does not give a suggested reading list. "God" does let us pick & choose. LDSism, OTOH, does strogly advise what to read/watch/listen-to/wear?? God commands us to keep the Sabbath Day Holy but does not give a prescribed list of Sabbath duties. True, as Jesus taught, "the Sabbath was made for man." Mormonism, OTOH, has a rather stringent set of Sabbath duties?? God tells us to love one another but does not tell us how to show that love. God tells us to build Zion but does not explain how to build such a society in the modern economy. Again, it's precept. When a person identifies with the Universe/"God" their individual Spirit/Disposition is 'Zionized' (if you'll allow that term alteration :-). Society is then slowly rebuilt, one person @ a time, as Jesus encouraged.

God does not supplant our natural skills. He gave them to us for a reason.Totally true! The gospel just puts those skills to the right use. I respectfully suggest, a thoughtful, conscious "Life" does that, irrespective of religious affiliation. Since, "the glory of "God" IS intelligence"; "God" expects it to be used by each & all glorifying/stewarding our shared planet. Wouldn't you say??

At least that's how I now understand things :-)

Warm regards,
Roger

[_The Nehor]

Nehor said: (I'm in red)

It has practical application only in the sense that it is designed to motivate us.

That could be if a person limited themselves to one source of stimulation.
God rarely seems to give what I would call practical advice.Again, that depends on your understanding of "God". IMSCO, "God" is most practical. The original "re-cycler". Scientists depend on "God's" practicality. It does happen but on the whole the gospel is designed to put the human skillset to the right uses. Possibly so, but I see "Life" putting "human skillset to the right use". Which addresses your following thoughts. God tells us to feed the poor but does not give lessons on nutrition and cooking or a list of approved charities. God tells us to preach the gospel but does not give lessons on public speaking. God tells us to seek out of the best books wisdom but does not give a suggested reading list. "God" does let us pick & choose. LDSism, OTOH, does strogly advise what to read/watch/listen-to/wear?? God commands us to keep the Sabbath Day Holy but does not give a prescribed list of Sabbath duties. True, as Jesus taught, "the Sabbath was made for man." Mormonism, OTOH, has a rather stringent set of Sabbath duties?? God tells us to love one another but does not tell us how to show that love. God tells us to build Zion but does not explain how to build such a society in the modern economy. Again, it's precept. When a person identifies with the Universe/"God" their individual Spirit/Disposition is 'Zionized' (if you'll allow that term alteration :-). Society is then slowly rebuilt, one person @ a time, as Jesus encouraged.

God does not supplant our natural skills. He gave them to us for a reason.Totally true! The gospel just puts those skills to the right use. I respectfully suggest, a thoughtful, conscious "Life" does that, irrespective of religious affiliation. Since, "the glory of "God" IS intelligence"; "God" expects it to be used by each & all glorifying/stewarding our shared planet. Wouldn't you say??

At least that's how I now understand things :-)

Warm regards,
Roger

I disagree with several of your responses. I do not think 'LDSism' does more then offer a few guidelines on clothing, doesn't tell us not to read anything (except pornography), what to watch (the R-rated movie command is culled from one single talk to a group of youth and to my knowledge has never been repeated by a General Authority), never heard them tell me what to listen to.

I don't think they prescribe much of anything on the Sabbath. The only counsel I've universally heard is to try to avoid working on the Sabbath if feasible. The rest is up to the individual.

I think that a thoughtful, intelligent life is better then what most people do with it. I do not think it exceeds in quality a life given to God. The glory of God is intelligence but none of us are intelligent enough. In fact in the Scriptures we're told that in comparison to God we are fools. Not exactly a ringing endorsement for us to carve out a life acceptable to God without seeking his guidance.

[_Roger Morrison]

Hi Nehor, you said: (I'm in blue) But first a preface: Demographically there is possibly quite a gap between us :-) I've been in the church since 1955. Held all local positions except Stake Presidency. Lived in several Ont Canada cities. Lived in Hawaii '78-'79 while at BYU, (VERY mature student ;) ExEcSec in Lieha (sp?) Ward...Professional/worldly experience sufficient...
So my/our exposures and experiences undoutedly will be different...

I disagree with several of your responses. I do not think 'LDSism' does more then offer a few guidelines on clothing,Are you including women? Most/many of whom think more independently today than have past generations. doesn't tell us not to read anythingGlad to know that. Things must surely have changed. I well recall a list of Approved/Disapproved books. As well the church book store wasn't a place to buy many books that raised questions about (except pornography), what to watch (the R-rated movie command is culled from one single talk to a group of youth and to my knowledge has never been repeated by a General Authority), never heard them tell me what to listen to.Within the month I heard a Bishop strongly advise against Hip-Hop??

I don't think they prescribe much of anything on the Sabbath. The only counsel I've universally heard is to try to avoid working on the Sabbath if feasible. The rest is up to the individual.Glad to learn that as well. Beach picnics/swimming? Fishing? Hunting? Playing/attending sports? OTOH there are a number of Sunday meetings that seem rather mandatoryish, with a dress-code-expectancy as well...Sabbath ritualism attempts to be some of the glue-that-binds? Gota be there to get it?

I think that a thoughtful, intelligent life is better then what most people do with it.Possibly so? judgemental? I do not think it exceeds in quality a life given to God.Serving your fellows?? The glory of God is intelligence but none of us are intelligent enough.Do you mean we don't use our "intelligence" enough? In fact in the Scriptures we're told that in comparison to God we are fools.Some would like us to believe we are fools, but what did Jesus say about calling another a fool? Not a good thing to do according to the guy that I attempt to follow?? Not exactly a ringing endorsement for us to carve out a life acceptable to God without seeking his guidance.Seeking guidance, learning and progressing should be ongoing. Constant penance OTOH can be rather counter productive. If one feels that need very often, it would be helpful for them to seek professional help.

Thanks for the peaceable convivial exchanges.

Warm regards, Roger
Roger

[_The Nehor]

Hi Nehor, you said: (I'm in blue) But first a preface: Demographically there is possibly quite a gap between us :-) I've been in the church since 1955. Held all local positions except Stake Presidency. Lived in several Ont Canada cities. Lived in Hawaii '78-'79 while at BYU, (VERY mature student ;) ExEcSec in Lieha (sp?) Ward...Professional/worldly experience sufficient...
So my/our exposures and experiences undoutedly will be different...

I disagree with several of your responses. I do not think 'LDSism' does more then offer a few guidelines on clothing,Are you including women? Most/many of whom think more independently today than have past generations. doesn't tell us not to read anythingGlad to know that. Things must surely have changed. I well recall a list of Approved/Disapproved books. As well the church book store wasn't a place to buy many books that raised questions about (except pornography), what to watch (the R-rated movie command is culled from one single talk to a group of youth and to my knowledge has never been repeated by a General Authority), never heard them tell me what to listen to.Within the month I heard a Bishop strongly advise against Hip-Hop??

I don't think they prescribe much of anything on the Sabbath. The only counsel I've universally heard is to try to avoid working on the Sabbath if feasible. The rest is up to the individual.Glad to learn that as well. Beach picnics/swimming? Fishing? Hunting? Playing/attending sports? OTOH there are a number of Sunday meetings that seem rather mandatoryish, with a dress-code-expectancy as well...Sabbath ritualism attempts to be some of the glue-that-binds? Gota be there to get it?

I think that a thoughtful, intelligent life is better then what most people do with it.Possibly so? judgemental? I do not think it exceeds in quality a life given to God.Serving your fellows?? The glory of God is intelligence but none of us are intelligent enough.Do you mean we don't use our "intelligence" enough? In fact in the Scriptures we're told that in comparison to God we are fools.Some would like us to believe we are fools, but what did Jesus say about calling another a fool? Not a good thing to do according to the guy that I attempt to follow?? Not exactly a ringing endorsement for us to carve out a life acceptable to God without seeking his guidance.Seeking guidance, learning and progressing should be ongoing. Constant penance OTOH can be rather counter productive. If one feels that need very often, it would be helpful for them to seek professional help.

Thanks for the peaceable convivial exchanges.

Warm regards, Roger
Roger

There was an actual approved list of books? Do you have a copy of something like that or some examples? I talked to my grandfather (before he died) about banning books. I was ambiguous about the practice of banning books in my young mind; he was adamantly opposed and said he always had been. He was a stake president at the time though this was in liberal California. Might have been a geographic thing.

Bishops are people too. I've had a Bishop advise against metal for example. Most don't. While I hate to make generalizations like this I would say the best of them don't. If I'm ever put into such a position (please no) I think I'm going to follow the counsel that teaches that teaching doctrine changes behavior faster then teaching about behavior. An expansion of teaching correct principles and then turning them loose.

Regarding the Sabbath, I should also mention that the teaching to try to avoid work also includes avoiding making others work as well. There's a tradition against parties and the like on the Sabbath. I think for many people this is a good idea. I personally avoid loud gatherings of people as a personal choice. I wouldn't choose to go to a pool or beach party. However, I do do wargaming and such on the Sabbath and do swim. I have no interest in hunting or fishing but I wouldn't have a problem doing them on the Sabbath if I chose to. I would feel uncomfortable using either as an excuse to miss Church though. There is the three hour block mandatory meeting but I've noticed the Church trying to trim off useless extra meetings. Unless you're a member of the Bishopric, the High Council, or the Stake Presidency the burden isn't that heavy.

I don't think Jesus's prohibition against calling others fools extends to saying that humanity as a whole compared to God is foolish. If you don't include yourself in that foolish population you are probably in trouble. I think constant penance is a good thing if it's done in the right way. So many people take it as an excuse to endlessly beat themselves down. Most repentance should be along the lines of "Ooops, shouldn't' do that again." and a quick mental prayer and then put the whole thing out of your head and move on. Repentance is liberating. In essence it should (except in the case of serious sin) be a quick realization of the mistake, confessing it was a sin, throwing it to the Lord and thanking him for taking it, then moving on without guilt or remorse. Most people who repent often that I know are very happy. They're like children in the sense that they don't have heaps of guilt on them and are less self-conscious about their actions. In short, they're more fun.