God can write straight with crooked lines.

[malkie]

Saving ordinances for the living and the dead are what might be considered to be entry points and/or formal markers of the repentance and faith that one commits to as a follower of Christ. Covenants are not extra burdens, they simply act as guardrails that lead a person along the "straight and narrow" path that leads towards God. Baptism is the beginning "entry point".

You know, Limnor, it might be useful to think of the basic tenets...four basic principles...of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as being the baseline, in a sense. We move from milk to meat as we apply the basic principles and move towards greater understanding and light/knowledge. The simplicity of Christ's message is the foundation, while the temple represents the deeper education/meaning along the road of 'eternal progression" that would naturally flow from commitment to the simple truths.

Proxy work in the temples is the ultimate expression of mortals in "loving one's neighbor"...a core tenet of Jesus's teachings. I can't think of a better example of selfless love than spending one's own time to serve in the temple in behalf of others that we haven't known in this life.

I hope this helps.

Regards,
MG

So the gospel is simple, but you immediately need milk, then meat, then guardrails, then ordinances, then temples, then proxy work, then eternal progression.

So, not simple.

I’ll add this to the list of terms that have to be defined differently when speaking Mormon.

Remember that moving from milk to meat involves (or used to involve) such non-church sources as Sunstone, Dialog magazine, and books by authors like Fawn Brodie. This is because the meat is generally not to be found a church.

[Limnor]

So the gospel is simple, but you immediately need milk, then meat, then guardrails, then ordinances, then temples, then proxy work, then eternal progression.

So, not simple.

I’ll add this to the list of yers that have to be defined differently when speaking Mormon.

It is rather simple. The thing is, one might imagine that a person would not sacrifice their time, talents, and everything they've been blessed with if they didn't/don't believe it.

If a person doesn't believe it all it's gonna look like something 'not so simple'.

For believers the yoke is easy and the burden is light.

Regards,
MG

lol ok you keep telling yourself that

[Limnor]

So the gospel is simple, but you immediately need milk, then meat, then guardrails, then ordinances, then temples, then proxy work, then eternal progression.

So, not simple.

I’ll add this to the list of terms that have to be defined differently when speaking Mormon.

Remember that moving from milk to meat involves (or used to involve) such non-church sources as Sunstone, Dialog magazine, and books by authors like Fawn Brodie. This is because the meat is generally not to be found a church.

Oh I had quite forgotten about that method, thank you. So really it’s simple but you have to look real hard to find it.

[MG 2.0]

So the gospel is simple, but you immediately need milk, then meat, then guardrails, then ordinances, then temples, then proxy work, then eternal progression.

So, not simple.

I’ll add this to the list of terms that have to be defined differently when speaking Mormon.

Remember that moving from milk to meat involves (or used to involve) such non-church sources as Sunstone, Dialog magazine, and books by authors like Fawn Brodie. This is because the meat is generally not to be found a church.

I suppose this would veer off into a whole other discussion one what "meat" is. I think that there are various definitions that might apply. Attending and learning the 'deeper things' in the temple might be included in "the meat". It's going to be different strokes for different folks, granted. For me personally, the meat has come from various places/sources over the span of my life.

The temple has been one source among many.

Regards,
MG

[MG 2.0]

It is rather simple. The thing is, one might imagine that a person would not sacrifice their time, talents, and everything they've been blessed with if they didn't/don't believe it.

If a person doesn't believe it all it's gonna look like something 'not so simple'.

For believers the yoke is easy and the burden is light.

Regards,
MG

lol ok you keep telling yourself that

You probably ought to consider the fact, Limnor, that you are on the outside looking in. You can't actually know what is in the hearts and minds of active Latter-day Saints that are practicing their religion. The fact is, the joy/knowledge that the restored gospel brings into the lives of many people who want to follow Jesus Christ is at the heart of what they do why they do it.

I don't know that you can fault them for that.

Regards,
MG

[Limnor]

lol ok you keep telling yourself that

You probably ought to consider the fact, Limnor, that you are on the outside looking in. You can't actually know what is in the hearts and minds of active Latter-day Saints that are practicing their religion. The fact is, the joy/knowledge that the restored gospel brings into the lives of many people who want to follow Jesus Christ is at the heart of what they do why they do it.

I don't know that you can fault them for that.

Regards,
MG

I don’t like it when people are deceived or deceive themselves.

It’s the fact that you brought it up—the burden is light—after describing it as seemingly heavy that made me laugh.

It sounded like you were convincing yourself more than anything.

[malkie]

Remember that moving from milk to meat involves (or used to involve) such non-church sources as Sunstone, Dialog magazine, and books by authors like Fawn Brodie. This is because the meat is generally not to be found a church.

Oh I had quite forgotten about that method, thank you. So really it’s simple but you have to look real hard to find it.

But we are fortunate that MG pointed us to these sources. Ordinary members and non-members may have to look hard, because the church not only fails to mention them, but actively counsels members against using them. One piece of advice that's sometimes given is not to look to critics for information about the church. Of course, that's a bit of a double-edged sword.

[MG 2.0]

You probably ought to consider the fact, Limnor, that you are on the outside looking in. You can't actually know what is in the hearts and minds of active Latter-day Saints that are practicing their religion. The fact is, the joy/knowledge that the restored gospel brings into the lives of many people who want to follow Jesus Christ is at the heart of what they do why they do it.

I don't know that you can fault them for that.

Regards,
MG

I don’t like it when people are deceived or deceive themselves.

It’s the fact that you brought it up—the burden is light—after describing it as seemingly heavy that made me laugh.

It sounded like you were convincing yourself more than anything.

I understand that this is at the core of what you contribute here. That ought to be valued in a certain sense. I think you are mistaken in your conclusions. It is what it is.

Never the twain shall meet, right?

It's important to get various perspectives out there.

It's kind of funny, in a way, that you would think that Latter-day Saints would do what they do and live as they do if they felt they were deceived. Yes, I know lots of people do things out of deception. I get that.

I suppose there is no way I can convince you that I, for one, do not believe I've been deceived.

Regards,
Mg

[Limnor]

I understand that this is at the core of what you contribute here. That ought to be valued in a certain sense. I think you are mistaken in your conclusions. It is what it is.

Never the twain shall meet, right?

It's important to get various perspectives out there.

It's kind of funny, in a way, that you would think that Latter-day Saints would do what they do and live as they do if they felt they were deceived. Yes, I know lots of people do things out of deception. I get that.

I suppose there is no way I can convince you that I, for one, do not believe I've been deceived.

Regards,
Mg

I’ll be honest—the thing that bothers me most isn’t disagreement, it’s what I see as people speaking falsely about God. I’m uncomfortable with that no matter who does it, because once God is used to authorize things that aren’t true, things like marrying other men’s wives while they are away can happen.

And no, I don’t think you can be convinced that you have been deceived. But then again, I’m not primarily here for you. I came here to talk about the book, but I also have compassion for those who were chewed up by Mormonism.

[MG 2.0]

I understand that this is at the core of what you contribute here. That ought to be valued in a certain sense. I think you are mistaken in your conclusions. It is what it is.

Never the twain shall meet, right?

It's important to get various perspectives out there.

It's kind of funny, in a way, that you would think that Latter-day Saints would do what they do and live as they do if they felt they were deceived. Yes, I know lots of people do things out of deception. I get that.

I suppose there is no way I can convince you that I, for one, do not believe I've been deceived.

Regards,
Mg

I’ll be honest—the thing that bothers me most isn’t disagreement, it’s what I see as people speaking falsely about God.

By the way, that’s one thing we would have in common.

Regards,
MG