tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3880654315943365046.post7169660901947940988..comments2023-05-18T08:46:59.064-06:00Comments on from the desk of Denver Snuffer: PeoplehoodDenver Snufferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13850530477432070456noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3880654315943365046.post-14838324322737606942010-05-17T13:01:24.443-06:002010-05-17T13:01:24.443-06:00First off, I saw another Brandon on this post. Thi...First off, I saw another Brandon on this post. This is Brandon Blair- I wouldn't want the other Brandon to be critiqued for my posts and vice versa.<br /><br />I am imperfect and quite independent by nature. However, I sometimes experience a deep yearning to be surrounded by a people bonded by the Spirit of God, having one mind and one heart, a community of saints, where nothing but the best of feelings prevail. My heart is filled with much joy having such thoughts, because I know such a thing exists, though currently I can only see it with the eyes of faith.<br /><br />I completely feel this reality, this building of a separate people...a peculiar treasure. I converted to this Church because of the doctrine, and the freedom and peace it brings through the transformative power it contains thanks to the accompaniment of the Spirit. <br /><br />I do have some concerns about this blog but perhaps that's because it could be misinterpreted. <br /><br />Joseph Smith along with establishing an Hebraic resurrection of God's People, also established the Articles of Faith...a set of beliefs that among other things, ties us to the Primitive Church of Christ's time and the strict adherence of laws and covenants. <br /><br />It seems that although this 'People' have the freedom to believe what they will, there is a balance where there are certain beliefs and practices that are non-negotiable if we are to be a part of the People.<br /><br />Furthermore, to even covenant with the Lord by means of the proper authority who has been given such keys/power to perform the associated ordinance(s), interviews must first be conducted where our very beliefs are questioned. If we want to receive the ordinances, we must believe certain things and obey certain commandments. Some may see this as control. Others may see this as proving that they are willing to do all that the Lord commands (Abr 3:25).<br /><br />It appears that not only did Joseph Smith establish a People but he also established the associated order (D&C 107:84), which would include not only shared and set beliefs set forth and exemplified by Christ, but the observance of them as well.<br /><br />When Christ restored His Way, the apostles and disciples began to live in communities. When people from all over joined the Church during the Restoration, they began to build up and live in communities. I yearn for this. We are a people without a promise land to immediately gather to and live together in peace under the leadership of the King of Kings. I'm in exile in my 2-bedroom condo with all the amenities one could ask for.<br /><br />Note: the word verification below is not a word...what's lardsci? Or what's google for that matter? I guess they can now list any array of characters and call it 'word verification'...they're Google. Just jesting...MassageGuruhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12780539640700464783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3880654315943365046.post-75436927938651177412010-05-10T23:17:47.115-06:002010-05-10T23:17:47.115-06:00I like this view, especially where you said, "...I like this view, especially where you said, "It will produce independently converted, self-empowered, capable people who do not look to another to tell them what to do. The bar which will be raised will be wholly within the souls of members."<br /><br />That particular sentiment reminds me of several things, but only one is worth mentioning:<br /><br />Jeremiah 31<br /><br />" 33 But this shall be the acovenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my blaw in their inward parts, and write it in their chearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.<br /> 34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all aknow me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their biniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."<br /><br />==========<br /><br />But, as to the comparison with the FLDS, I can't say that I agree with your premise that the Articles of Faith "obligate" us or anyone else to do anything. The early church history is littered with similar examples where LDS church members were much more willing to rebel against the laws of the land. Today we seem to have developed a complex where we're uber-obedient and even scared to do anything that might go against this or that rule. We've positioned ourselves as the ultimate Statists.<br /><br />As you probably know, the Articles of Faith were never really viewed as anything that approached the level of "binding" or even an "obligation" until Woodruff presented them as being the equivalent of "scripture" just prior to presenting the original Manifesto in 1890. Prior to that date it was far cry to call it an obligation and was, if nothing else, the very definition of a mixed bag and much more in line with Acts 5:29 then the current dogma. <br /><br />What's amusing, is that if we were to apply the 12th AoF - especially in the definition used in the mainstream - as binding or obligatory, then we'd never have the likes of Washington, or Jefferson, or any other revolutionary thinkers who thought it much worse to be blindly accepting and obedient to governments and the laws they create. Unfortunately, today it's quite the opposite.Tomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3880654315943365046.post-7675707549191799322010-05-10T22:39:25.702-06:002010-05-10T22:39:25.702-06:00With respect to the FLDS and their resistance to c...With respect to the FLDS and their resistance to compromise: Except, of course, with respect to their obligation to comply with the law, as the Articles of Faith obligate them to do. As well as honoring and respecting a woman's right to be educated, make an informed choice and wait to marry until after she is of age. Such compulsion of child-brides as we saw at the YFZ ranch was criminal and resulted in the conviction of Jeffs, who is now in prison.Denver Snufferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13850530477432070456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3880654315943365046.post-8416134408132603042010-05-10T11:39:27.625-06:002010-05-10T11:39:27.625-06:00Brandon:
Well, in that respect, maybe the FLDS fi...Brandon:<br /><br />Well, in that respect, maybe the FLDS finally got something right! They dont compromise anything at all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3880654315943365046.post-18604752671812754232010-05-10T07:38:33.936-06:002010-05-10T07:38:33.936-06:00Sure, some of us can do something it!!
Ummm...
I...Sure, some of us can do something it!!<br /><br />Ummm...<br /><br />I tried to weave the sentiment into my Mother's Day talk yesterday... not sure if that counts.<br /><br />I really didn't know what correlation was until a few days ago when you brought it up. Hadn't given it any thought. Just figured we were dumbing down, cuz people are putting less and less effort into studying and learning generally. I joked that the next GD manual would be the Choose The Right A manual. Guess that's not funny.<br /><br />I, for one, don't have the foggiest clue how to do anything about this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3880654315943365046.post-15364869957392806702010-05-09T08:58:38.727-06:002010-05-09T08:58:38.727-06:00Tom: Yes, I think the concept that joining in wit...Tom: Yes, I think the concept that joining in with us in covenant, accepting the ordinances, and learning that they have part in the great latter-day resurrection of the People of Israel should be what makes a Latter-day Saint. From that point it is merely a matter of education. And by education I mean persuasion, example, pure knowledge, the power of the spirit and inviting and enticing them to a higher plane. Not control. Not compulsion in any degree. Not strict rules and mandatory catechisms. Merely showing the light and inviting to move toward it should be the gentle spirit of the Restoration. It will produce independently converted, self-empowered, capable people who do not look to another to tell them what to do. The bar which will be raised will be wholly within the souls of members.Denver Snufferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13850530477432070456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3880654315943365046.post-80002037257649285302010-05-09T08:15:27.309-06:002010-05-09T08:15:27.309-06:00The first thing I can do is to really study the or...The first thing I can do is to really study the original teachings of Joseph Smith. The second is to read your book on the subject when you write it.lcnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3880654315943365046.post-59693308156140554352010-05-09T01:41:03.593-06:002010-05-09T01:41:03.593-06:00Can you clarify something for me? You've touc...Can you clarify something for me? You've touched on this elsewhere - way back when - when you noted that one of your acquaintances (?) had said that they whole world should be allowed to partake of the ordinances the Church offers, and then be allowed to practice/honor those ordinances as they please, inside/outside the confines of a church in whatever way they see fit/inspired to do.<br /><br />If so, then it appears to be a similar chord you're striking on this write up when you say, "it did not matter what they believed. It only mattered that they accepted and took upon them the covenant."<br /><br />Is that a fair understanding?Tomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3880654315943365046.post-39179754453545918832010-05-08T23:47:21.560-06:002010-05-08T23:47:21.560-06:00Here's a question about a previous post. You ...Here's a question about a previous post. You said something to the effect that God is continually surrounded by concourses of angels, and that this fact tells us something important about the nature of God. After studying the relevant scripture on the matter I don't see what it is that you're driving at. Circles within circles of angels surrounding Diety suggests that the angels themselves are organized with an eye for order and harmony and perhaps progression, but what does it tell us about God himself? Can you help us understand?<br /> Thanks so much for the hard work you put in to your writing.gordonnoreply@blogger.com