BKP Predicts the End of the World as We Know It?

[_mentalgymnast]

Shame on me for placing such little value upon human life.

It is common to devalue human life when we see so much in the way of what appear to be wasted lives and death and destruction throughout history and in our day. But each life is important to God. Especially each eternal life/existence. All we can see is what is in front of our face, so to speak.

My conclusion is that the Bible and Mormon God is a deadbeat parent. He could go a long way by teaching a little patience and self control.

Nowadays it almost seems like God goes too long without intervening (or apparently not intervening at all...think Sudan, etc.) in some way doesn't it? It appears that throughout history God has dealt with and intervened with different groups of people in unique ways to accomplish his purposes. One size consequence/intervention does not fit all situations/conditions.

When the Bible or Mormon God wants to make a point His message doesn't seem much different than one Al Capone would send.

At times that appears to be the case. We have to hope that Al Capone's victims went on to a better place. We have to trust that God takes his children home at a time when it fits in with their eternal journey/progress. If we second guess God we're in for a world of hurt trying to figure out the why's and wherefore's behind why he does what he does. Do you find yourself in that position at times?

I think we all do to some extent.

Isaiah 55: 8-11
8 ¶ For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Regards,
MG

[_Roger Morrison]

From the previous page I said:

... I'll just leave my testamony: The LDS Church has some very good programs; it's full of all kinds of people, some better than you'll find anywhere, others not so good. No different than in any church. But, the LDS Church does not--as it claims--for it cannot, represent an in-our-image "God" that does not exist.

Which answers the following by MG:

Nowadays it almost seems like God goes too long without intervening (or apparently not intervening at all...think Sudan, etc.) in some way doesn't it? It appears that throughout history God has dealt with and intervened with different groups of people in unique ways to accomplish his purposes. One size consequence/intervention does not fit all situations/conditions.

Are you serious about, "...God goes too long without intervening..." Inferring that God does intervene. Or is that simply facetious MG tongue-in-cheek?

Roger wonders.

[_Jason Bourne]

Hey Inc

You ever read the Book of Revelation?

Jason,

I understand your point and it's a good one if I yet believed the standard works. I pay little to no attention to my dreams anymore. John should have tossed his as well.

Hi Inc. That is fair enough for me. I just want people to be balanced and not just beat on what they think are atrocities from the Mormon view about God while letting others get a free pass.

[_mentalgymnast]

Are you serious about, "...God goes too long without intervening..." Inferring that God does intervene. Or is that simply facetious MG tongue-in-cheek?

Roger wonders.

You left off the "seems like" before the remainder of your cut and paste. The "seems like" can for all intents and purposes dovetail with what we see as the apparent reality...God is nowhere to be found. The fact (or at least the possibility) is, however, that God may be intervening in ways that may not be apparent to us. As I said earlier, he may be involved at the macro level while having a knowledge, or at least an understanding, of what is happening at the micro level...and the consequences (and remedies/fixes...even if it's long term) thereof. Also, if he is involved at the micro level in ways that are not within our eyesight/perceptual framework or abilities to comprehend, his involvement is not going to be readily apparent. So no, I wasn't being tongue in cheek. At least that's what it "seems like" to me.

Good to talk to you.

Regards,
MG

[_Sethbag]

If anyone on this board ever lived up to his or her name, it's Mentalgymnast.

[_Roger Morrison]

If anyone on this board ever lived up to his or her name, it's Mentalgymnast.

"Seems like" ya might be right Seth... :-) He does provide a challenging work-out... ;-)

[_ludwigm]

If anyone on this board ever lived up to his or her name, it's Mentalgymnast.

First Name Origin: Ludwig
Gender: Masculine
Usage: German
Pronounced: LOOT-vikh

From the Germanic name Hludwig which meant "famous warrior", composed of the elements hlud "fame" and wig "warrior".

I having been a humble man in all my days. (See 1 Ne 1:4)

[_mentalgymnast]

If anyone on this board ever lived up to his or her name, it's Mentalgymnast.

I've come to believe that things are not what they may "seem like" (In other words's, that all should be easily and immediately comprehensible to the human mind). There are layers. There are levels. There are twists and turns. There are perceptual difficulties. There are a muddy messes. There are imperfect humans doing stupid things. There are mismangements of agency/choice that result in sorrow and pain. There are anachronisms in both scripture and in real life. There are biochemical/physical difficulties that cause human afflictionsthat are hard to understand and/or accept, etc.

I believe there is a huge amount of wiggle room for agency and choice, and an allowance for incomplete knowledge/ability/disfunctional minds, etc. This is literally a fallen and corrupt world with a myriad of condundrums and puzzles to solve and/or overcome.

The overriding assumption that I've made to this point is that there is an all knowing God, and an all powerful God who knows the end from the beginning and can make things right and as good as it can get at some point along an eternal spectrum of possibility. I figure if he can do it, we can at least attempt to do so, even in the here and now. This means, at least to me, that the message of the restoration needs to be taken seriously (because it is a message of exaltation and becoming like God). Seriously enough to allow for the things I've listed at the beginning of this post, and more, in the mix.

Patience is key. In other words"s, weathering the storm/onslaught.

If I'd made a decision (in regards to faith/church activity) based upon what I had read in books/journals/magazines and on the internet during the first few (well maybe more than a few) years that the new Mormon history , updated Christian history, scientific theories, etc. became publically/readily available, I would be where you and many others are at today. Out of the church or silently suffering. Fortunately I've met some good folks along the way that I've been able to talk things out with and reach somewhat of an equilibrium.

I decided to hang in there. So far, so good. It's not an easy path and I can see why many struggle.

And yes, I've had to keep working out at mentalgymnastics all along!

Best wishes,
MG

[_Dr. Shades]

There are anachronisms in both scripture and in real life.

No, there are no anachronisms in real life.

[_mentalgymnast]

There are anachronisms in both scripture and in real life.

No, there are no anachronisms in real life.

You're right. It would have been better to use the word incongruity instead. Similar in meaning but different application.

by the way, I've read parts of your missionary journal here and there. Cool! Thanks for posting it.

Thanks,
MG