Changing in activity since participating in CUF?

[ERCougar]

I think I understand what you are saying. I also see the same argument/tone in other members from time to time, but it only bothers me when it is used to oppress other people or make them feel bad because they don't see the matter in the same rigid way. I don't like that.

To me, obedience is intensely personal, and if someone wants to be more of an "iron rodder" than I might be on a given issue, that's their choice. (This occurs often in my own extended family.) It does not bother me or shake my own testimony. If anything, it makes me examine my own position all the more closely. (I hope that my position or thoughts also cause others to think about their own, in a positive way.)

Big, big subject. I am hard-pressed to answer briefly. I do not think The Foyer is a bad place to be at all (if I did I wouldn't come here). It's another very individual thing and will vary from person to person. Hanging out in The Foyer could damage a testimony; so could hanging out at Cougar Board or with a group of polygamists. IMO, evolving is very important -- after all, it's what we are here on earth for -- as long as one is evolving in the right direction -- towards better knowing and loving God and loving one's neighbor, and becoming a true disciple. I think The Foyer helps me do those things. (I especially enjoy the constant practice I get at forgiving. SU is invaluable in that regard.)

I agree. You are treading on perilous ground here, however. How do we "know" that we have received such confirmation?

Seriously, action based on a spiritual confirmation is an exercise of faith, and not blind faith. What's interesting is that often we need to act on prior spiritual confirmation because it's impractical to get confirmation every time.

Non-spiritual example: I tell my young daughter to drop to the floor immediately. She'll probably do so, and that's because of past experience and her trust in me. It's not a blind reaction.

Spiritual example: When GBH asked everyone to read the BofM in 2005, I decided simply to do it because based on a prior spiritual manifestation (that he was indeed a prophet of God) I trusted that following his counsel would result in blessings to me. I didn't give the admonition that we read the BofM a second thought. I just did it. That was not blind faith either.

Make sense?

Yeah, what you're saying makes sense. You're one of the good ones, LA (if I leave out the Ute part). The problem is, despite your claims, I encounter too many exes and too few LAs, at least per their public persona at church. That's part of the reason I've really appreciated the Foyer--I can see that there are reasonable people who are active in the Church. It's also the reason I think it's a shame when you and pelagius and Art and cowboy and company avoid this place.

I have more to say, but I have to run. Thanks for responding.

[LA Ute]

Yeah, what you're saying makes sense. You're one of the good ones, LA (if I leave out the Ute part). The problem is, despite your claims, I encounter too many exes and too few LAs, at least per their public persona at church. That's part of the reason I've really appreciated the Foyer--I can see that there are reasonable people who are active in the Church. It's also the reason I think it's a shame when you and pelagius and Art and cowboy and company avoid this place.

I have more to say, but I have to run. Thanks for responding.

I don't avoid it here, but sometimes I am not in the mood for the food fights. To me, boards like this are for fun and relaxation (yes, I know it is sick that so many of see a place like this that way). For me, coming to this forum is not fun. Sometimes!

[Donuthole]

You shouldn't have moved:nana:

You'll get the last laugh when his house is swallowed up by a massive prairie-dog hole.

[Jarid in Cedar]

You'll get the last laugh when his house is swallowed up by a massive prairie-dog hole.

The work is already in progress. I expect it to take about another 3 years or 3,000 more prairie-dogs working full time for 6 months.

[Moliere]

I wanted to post in this thread but didn't get around to it at the time. I figured I'd wait until my 1,000th post (which I just wasted on the "Gum" thread ).

I'll start out by saying that I ran into CUF in a haphazard sort of way. I didn't know anyone on this board personally until I found out that one person served in the same mission as me and at the same time and another works a stones throw from my office. I'm a diehard BYU fan and have attended as many games as possible even though I live 1,600 miles from Provo. Thankfully I was able to attend two games last year (OU and Tulane) and it looks like I'll at least get one each year coming up (TCU in 2010 and UT in 2011).

My thirst for BYU football knowledge led me here and I lurked in that forum for a bit before venturing into the "non-sports" forums. I remember my first visit to the Foyer which entailed opening up a thread started by RF. I'm sure it was one of his threads to push his agenda but it intrigued me as I read the responses from both practicing and apostate mormons. I grew up as an uber-mormon and remain so today but I've always felt "shelled" in as it relates to doctrine and thought. I've always been uncomfortable with the deification of prophets and apostles, although I regard them as inspired men but I always thought the general body of the church takes it a bit far. I also have some issues with the way girls are taught/treated and that concerns me as a father. There are other things that I won't get into in this forum but suffice it to say that even as an uber-mormon I found the Foyer refreshing.

As far as a change in activity, CUF has actually increased my activity. Granted I always attended church and probably always will, but I used to get incredibly bored during SS and EQ. We have the same lessons and learn the same stuff and it all feels so correlated (thanks to Rosebud and whoever else posted the correlation stuff as it was like removing the mud from my eyes), which is fine to an extent but I just wanted "more". And by correlated (may not be using the term correctly) I mean that every question asked by the teacher in SS has a goal or a definite answer and the classes objective is to guess what that answer is. It's an annoying way to teach a class and it has frustrated me ever since a SS calling I held back in my BYU days.

CUF has given me that "more" and that "more" doesn't just come from the uber-mormons on this site. In fact, that "more" more often than not comes from RF, SU, etc. so thanks you guys for strengthening my testimony. I also really enjoy the contributions of Waup, Solon and UtahDan but I'll stop naming names since I'm sure there would be hurt feelings. In any case, after joining CUF I find my scripture study has taken on a new meaning. I'm more interested in the scriptures, especially the OT and BOM. I love thinking about the OT allegorically, which is something I never did before joining this place.

CUF has also made me interested in the temple endowment again. I knew there was more meaning to be had in that place but I just couldn't find it. I wondered sometimes what was wrong with me. I attend the temple very regularly but I found it boring and uninteresting after the 100th time since I felt like I had uncovered most of the symbolism. My inlaws and my own family talk about how much they love temple attendance, but I just wasn't getting it. It wasn't until I read the temple thread (in which I've been meaning to make a post but haven't) that my "activity" in temple attendance increased. I do wonder if sometimes people attend the temple and talk about how wonderful it is just so they can sound like the choir. And this brings me to another issue that I have in that we tend to alienate visitors that come to church due to the intense correlation and the unwritten order of things.

In short, I came looking to see what recruits BYU was going after and left with a much deeper love and understanding for the church and the temple. I also found a place that respects the opinions and thoughts of others (for the most part) regardless of whether they are in tune with current church thought or not.

Thanks CUF!

[KillerDog]

CUF hasn't changed my activity level. Activity in a religious or social group is for an individual and their close family and friends. Changing that activity because of people you don't truly know and haven't ever met is a pretty short sighted move.