I learned in church today

[Indy Coug]

I never eat baloney and I've been in plenty of boring sacrament meetings. But I said I learn or re-learn. Maybe "am reminded" is better. When the lesson was on Abinadi's prophecies last week, I was exposed to some insights I hadn't seen before and was reminded of things I already knew-- mainly just from reading the verses. I also went off on my own on some footnotes (iPads make that easier, and I always do it when the lesson is not terribly well-presented). So for me it was worth the time, and almost always is. That's just me. I know it's not the same for everyone.

Exactly. There is nothing precluding any member from teaching themselves, or rather, allow themselves to be taught by the Spirit when the source material and/or instructor is not as up to snuff as they could or should be.

[Scorcho]

Last Sunday in Priesthood, I don’t recall learning anything new (not that I’m some gospel doctrine savant – I’m far from it), but I did leave the class inspired after hearing a story about President Kimball thinking I need to do a little better and be more Christlike.

If you want to dig deep into a gospel topic, the basic gospel lessons you hear on Sunday in Gospel Doctrine or Sacrament Meeting aren’t designed for that. Considering that we learn line upon line, precept on precept and a good percentage of members are in the infancy of their gospel knowledge it’s probably wise that they don’t get to deep in those environments. I do think you can find much deeper gospel knowledge through attending the temple and through personal study.

[TripletDaddy]

Always? That reminds me of an apostle/prophet who was quoted as having said that he'd never been in a boring sacrament meeting. I thought he was full of baloney.

of course it is baloney. Why else do you think all the Breth just bought iPads? Boring meetings.

I bet the most popular app for the Breth is Temple Run.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Always? That reminds me of an apostle/prophet who was quoted as having said that he'd never been in a boring sacrament meeting. I thought he was full of baloney.

That's funny. A couple of years ago a discussion started in our HPG about the idea that church meetings can be boring. It was considered a blasphemous thought and it was concluded that anyone who thinks church is boring is engaging in sin and exhibiting a lack of spirituality and needs to repent.

[falafel]

That's funny. A couple of years ago a discussion started in our HPG about the idea that church meetings can be boring. It was considered a blasphemous thought and it was concluded that anyone who thinks church is boring is engaging in sin and exhibiting a lack of spirituality and needs to repent.

Lemme guess - you were the one that started that discussion.

[Pheidippides]

All of this is fine and good if you believe in the brethren. If you believe in them as not just good men but inspired men of God who are prophets, seers and revelators, then fine, we can move past speculative doctrinal issues and focus in the "fluffy" feel-good talks and such. I agree that this is both the current direction and a good thing about which we need not be embarrassed.

But the problem is that the very thing they are trying to put behind them - the very speculative issues and thorny history - undermines a belief in the brethren. I think it's hard to argue otherwise, at least in the aggregate. I said undermine, not cause to disbelieve.

The foundation of the church is continuing revelation. It is also the thing eating away at belief in it. The church does not claim to be the main repository of feel-good thoughts, of which there are plenty. It claims to be the sole keeper of knowledge and pathway for salvation. And yet all arguments against those claims are simply swept under the rug. This is the problem. It is the effect of somebody being accused of fraud when they hold out innocence, being asked by a reporter what about facts x,y and z that don't look good, and saying "no comment."

[Northwestcoug]

Always? That reminds me of an apostle/prophet who was quoted as having said that he'd never been in a boring sacrament meeting. I thought he was full of baloney.

I've heard Henry Erying say this, either in a conference address or his book.
I have to agree with him. You can zone out of any boring meeting and let your mind wander enough to entertain yourself. Kind of like the endowment...

[Scorcho]

That's funny. A couple of years ago a discussion started in our HPG about the idea that church meetings can be boring. It was considered a blasphemous thought and it was concluded that anyone who thinks church is boring is engaging in sin and exhibiting a lack of spirituality and needs to repent.

haven't iPad's and iPhones assured that no church meeting will ever be boring again.

I basically have 3 free hours to play games, read the Huffington Post or review CUF threads to determine whether Seattle or Viking is this sites biggest douche canoe?

I honestly think technology has factored into increased church attendance world wide.

[TripletDaddy]

lol @ Android users. The Breth went iOS.

Also, in typical Mo fashion, we adopt something years after everyone else had already figured it out.

[LA Ute]

All of this is fine and good if you believe in the brethren. If you believe in them as not just good men but inspired men of God who are prophets, seers and revelators, then fine, we can move past speculative doctrinal issues and focus in the "fluffy" feel-good talks and such. I agree that this is both the current direction and a good thing about which we need not be embarrassed.

But the problem is that the very thing they are trying to put behind them - the very speculative issues and thorny history - undermines a belief in the brethren. I think it's hard to argue otherwise, at least in the aggregate. I said undermine, not cause to disbelieve.

The foundation of the church is continuing revelation. It is also the thing eating away at belief in it. The church does not claim to be the main repository of feel-good thoughts, of which there are plenty. It claims to be the sole keeper of knowledge and pathway for salvation. And yet all arguments against those claims are simply swept under the rug. This is the problem. It is the effect of somebody being accused of fraud when they hold out innocence, being asked by a reporter what about facts x,y and z that don't look good, and saying "no comment."

I think (and call me a Pollyanna) that the GAs are trying to figure out how to address the thorny issues and that we will see progress in that direction. Experience tells me, however, that we can't expect very quick movement. Maybe we'll be surprised. I hope so.

[Donuthole]

lol @ Android users. The Breth went iOS.

Also, in typical Mo fashion, we adopt something years after everyone else had already figured it out.

On that note, I saw my first ASUS Transormer Prime in church this weekend. Not gonna lie, that keyboard dock is pretty smooth. You could hardly tell it wasn't a super-slim netbook. Also, the tablet captured the styling of the iPad pretty well. If I didn't have an iPad, I would give serious consideration to that setup.

[TripletDaddy]

If I didn't have an iPad, I would give serious consideration to that setup.

In other words, if you didn't buy an iOS device, you would buy an Android device.

I won't quibble with you there.

[Donuthole]

In other words, if you didn't buy an iOS device, you would buy [that] Android device.

I won't quibble with you there.

FIFY

[Jeff Lebowski]

Lemme guess - you were the one that started that discussion.

Ha. Nope.

That was another one of those cases where I had to bite my tongue because all of the things I wanted to say would have offended someone ("You're kidding, right? That is one of the craziest...").

haven't iPad's and iPhones assured that no church meeting will ever be boring again.

I basically have 3 free hours to play games, read the Huffington Post or review CUF threads to determine whether Seattle or Viking is this sites biggest douche canoe?

I honestly think technology has factored into increased church attendance world wide.

Yes!

[Jeff Lebowski]

Speaking of apostles with iPads, check this out:

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogsfa...knows.html.csp

It's clear that the LDS Church knows how to tap technology to promote the faith and to reach the faithful.

But now it also knows how new devices can simplify tasks such as scripture-reading for Mormon leaders and members.

At a recent devotional in Asia, LDS apostle Dallin Oaks was looking up scriptural passages on his iPad. He told the members gathered there that Boyd K. Packer, the senior Mormon apostle, “had made them all get iPads which has been a much more convenient and light way to carry his scriptures with him," reported a blogger at Wheat&Tares who was there.

But does that mean the apostle will be playing games on the iPad when he gets bored in General Conference?

Probably not.

The LDS scripture, Oaks said, is the only app he has on his Apple device.

The only app on his iPad?

Looks like Elder Oaks is still lying for the Lord.