Quasimodo wrote:Sorry, Z. I know this is not the answer you're looking for.
Never-the-less, I'm ALWAYS suspicious of people that presume to tell me what God's plan is. As if they know the mind of God. Who could truly claim that?
When I hear the words "God's plan" (usually uttered by evangelists) I turn away.
Well, if we had a very clear definition, would it make it easier for you to make such a judgment?
Well, it's the same problem. Who's definition would we be willing to take?
I'm not arguing against God. Just other people's interpretation of God. I suppose if God showed up in my bedroom one night and gave me his plan, I would give it some serious consideration.
The preachings of an evangelist with hair spray and a pinky ring (or any other mortal) do not carry much weight with me.
This, or any other post that I have made or will make in the future, is strictly my own opinion and consequently of little or no value.
"Faith is believing something you know ain't true" Twain.
Its all about charity and love to me. His plan is for us to develop a very real, very deep love for others. Abiding by His laws and ordinances is doing nothing if not making the goal of loving others more important to us.
Love ya tons, Stem
I ain't nuttin'. don't get all worked up on account of me.
stemelbow wrote:Its all about charity and love to me. His plan is for us to develop a very real, very deep love for others. Abiding by His laws and ordinances is doing nothing if not making the goal of loving others more important to us.
I think that's one of the ways the church lost me: living the laws and ordinances has become the end as well as the means, with love left on the side of the road.
stemelbow wrote:Its all about charity and love to me. His plan is for us to develop a very real, very deep love for others. Abiding by His laws and ordinances is doing nothing if not making the goal of loving others more important to us.
No offence, Stem, but how do you know?
This, or any other post that I have made or will make in the future, is strictly my own opinion and consequently of little or no value.
"Faith is believing something you know ain't true" Twain.
Runtu wrote:I think that's one of the ways the church lost me: living the laws and ordinances has become the end as well as the means, with love left on the side of the road.
My conclusion has been the opposite, obviously. What can i say more?
Love ya tons, Stem
I ain't nuttin'. don't get all worked up on account of me.
I'm good with concluding that the term God's Plan is subjective to individual differences. That makes sense to me. However, I wonder if a church organization would like take hold of something more concrete in order to package it up and "sell" it. Otherwise, what unique contribution does the church provide?
What I'm trying to do here is define the package the LDS church is offering in a clear way. I understand it to be something along the lines of:
"If a person becomes (or stays) Mormon and follows its basic ideas, this person will find genuine happiness."
I believe that is a fair explanation of what they are trying to offer, do you?
My thought process was that I need to get a handle on what happiness is because that would make a difference in the worth of the "package" they offer. If you go to the Church website and look at the main page, you will see one of the headings is "We Can Find Happiness" next to a man with brown hair standing next to a railing. Do you see that? If you click that link, it will eventually take you to the link in the OP. I was essentially trying to see what LDS is currently trying to market. What is their package?
Do you think I'm out in the weeds on this?
Oh for shame, how the mortals put the blame on us gods, for they say evils come from us, but it is they, rather, who by their own recklessness win sorrow beyond what is given... Zeus (1178 BC)
True happiness comes from following Christ’s example and developing Christlike attributes such as obedience, goodness, honesty, gratitude, humility, love, charity, and forgiveness. It comes from serving others and helping them to follow Jesus Christ. It comes from controlling the appetites of our human bodies and following the promptings of the Spirit. It comes from working hard and having a healthy lifestyle, friends, family, and personal achievements.
OBEY. OBEY. OBEY. OBEY. OBEY.
Parley P. Pratt wrote:We must lie to support brother Joseph, it is our duty to do so.
I'm good with concluding that the term God's Plan is subjective to individual differences. That makes sense to me. However, I wonder if a church organization would like take hold of something more concrete in order to package it up and "sell" it. Otherwise, what unique contribution does the church provide?
What I'm trying to do here is define the package the LDS church is offering in a clear way. I understand it to be something along the lines of:
"If a person becomes (or stays) Mormon and follows its basic ideas, this person will find genuine happiness."
I believe that is a fair explanation of what they are trying to offer, do you?
My thought process was that I need to get a handle on what happiness is because that would make a difference in the worth of the "package" they offer. If you go to the Church website and look at the main page, you will see one of the headings is "We Can Find Happiness" next to a man with brown hair standing next to a railing. Do you see that? If you click that link, it will eventually take you to the link in the OP. I was essentially trying to see what LDS is currently trying to market. What is their package?
Do you think I'm out in the weeds on this?
No, I don't. I think you're right about the message from that link (I didn't see the link in the OP until you mentioned it just now). It's about packaging and marketing. The message has always been, "Join the church, keep the commandments, and you'll be happy in this life and exalted in the next."