I learned in church today

[Pheidippides]

We went to Nanking (Nanjing) this year and walked along the centuries old wall that defended the city against the Japanese. We saw pictures and read stories of the atrocities committed by the Japanese -- really something I will never forget. There's an analogy there to Mountain Meadows in that the Japanese army had suffered many more losses and hardships in Shanghai than they had expected and so were taking out their frustrations in Nanking once they had turned the tables and had the upper hand over the defenseless Chinese.

I think it's important to talk about things like Mountain Meadows in Church meetings. Great idea to quote Elder Eyring. Keep fighting the good fight. Great job.

I was surprised at how many people seemed to be getting new information with the story. I didn't actually say the words "mountain meadow" until at the very end when I told them what it is usually called.

But I think that the general reaction from those who were hearing it for the first time was a sense of tragedy, of "how could we do something so horrible," of shame for our collective and historical sins. Which is sort of what I was going for, so that worked well.

[wuapinmon]

In response to some stern BS from the pulpit during priesthood opening exercises by a stake person, I sent this to my EQP.

Dear XXXXX,

I hate writing emails like this, especially to you because I respect you and like you, but, here goes. I will not accept any assignment to give rides to the sister missionaries. The mission is asking me to underwrite their bottom line by donating my gasoline and professional time so that they can save miles on their vehicles. Those sisters, like the elders before them, can wisely budget their own miles and take care of their own transportation needs. I gave the elders rides to the store, but, what really gets me is that we're being asked to bring our wives along. I have three small children (as do you). If I bring my wife and my kids, I do not have room in my car for the sisters. But, that's mere logistics; we should not be doing this, plain and simple. It is an illogical assignment that we should all refuse. The leadership will never know of our dissension if no one dissents.

I also will not call anyone else to take my place if given this assignment. You may forward this email along to whomever you think should see it.

Respectfully,

Mac

[Jeff Lebowski]

Nice job, nikuman.

[The Fourth Nephite]

Billy Jean or Smooth Criminal?

Some lesser known song about faith.

[Moliere]

In response to some stern BS from the pulpit during priesthood opening exercises by a stake person, I sent this to my EQP.

If you really wanted to have fun, you'd show up alone to drive them somewhere. If they refused (they probably have a mission rule to not ride alone with a man) then I'd just drive off and wish them luck.

[PaloAltoCougar]

Sheesh, this CUF thing may be syncing us up in many ways. I taught the same subject last week and I, too, mentioned the Rape of Nanking.

This week we focused on the latter half of Mormon 8, and what it portends for us. I liked a comment from Julie Smith's blog on this lesson, and read the following therefrom:

General thought: every time I have ever been in a lesson that mentioned wealth/pride, someone, and usually most people, have deflected: ”this isn’t about us, it is about those rich people.” (No one ever does that in a lesson about, say, faith–we all recognize we could do with a dollop more faith.) I wonder why people tend to dig in on this topic and generally refuse to think that the BoM warnings about wealth apply to them. There seems to me to be a huge unwillingness for introspection on this topic, but I don’t know why.

Contrary to her observation, however, I thought we had a fair amount of introspection and the class seemed to take it both personally and seriously. Sign-ups for our ward's four service projects were brisk, and I know I'm going to work a bit harder this season to "notice" the hungry and the needy (Mormon 8:39). I've always tried not to make eye contact with the panhandlers; not anymore.

[Moliere]

Today's F&T meeting was superb, and I don't make comments like that lightly. I was on the verge of tears a couple times and I generally never cry (except for at BYU games). Truly though, Mormon theology was shining bright and beautiful today in my little ward.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Sheesh, this CUF thing may be syncing us up in many ways. I taught the same subject last week and I, too, mentioned the Rape of Nanking.

This week we focused on the latter half of Mormon 8, and what it portends for us. I liked a comment from Julie Smith's blog on this lesson, and read the following therefrom:

General thought: every time I have ever been in a lesson that mentioned wealth/pride, someone, and usually most people, have deflected: ”this isn’t about us, it is about those rich people.” (No one ever does that in a lesson about, say, faith–we all recognize we could do with a dollop more faith.) I wonder why people tend to dig in on this topic and generally refuse to think that the BoM warnings about wealth apply to them. There seems to me to be a huge unwillingness for introspection on this topic, but I don’t know why.

Contrary to her observation, however, I thought we had a fair amount of introspection and the class seemed to take it both personally and seriously. Sign-ups for our ward's four service projects were brisk, and I know I'm going to work a bit harder this season to "notice" the hungry and the needy (Mormon 8:39). I've always tried not to make eye contact with the panhandlers; not anymore.

That's a great quote, but I would extend it beyond wealth/pride. We ought to be reflective about every type of admonition, including those that would relate to the church as a whole. For example, next time your class is discussing WoW ask everyone if maybe we are just like the pharisees in the manner in which we interpret and practice the WoW. I doubt it would go over too well.

[Bo Diddley]

That's a great quote, but I would extend it beyond wealth/pride. We ought to be reflective about every type of admonition, including those that would relate to the church as a whole. For example, next time your class is discussing WoW ask everyone if maybe we are just like the pharisees in the manner in which we interpret and practice the WoW. I doubt it would go over too well.

And along these lines, can I get a ruling? I sometimes put Imitation Rum Extract in my Diet Coke. Am I guilty of the Alcohol clause or not?

[Portland Ute]

And along these lines, can I get a ruling? I sometimes put Imitation Rum Extract in my Diet Coke. Am I guilty of the Alcohol clause or not?

Just put real rum in it.

The carbonation makes the alcohol effervesce out of the drink.

It's totally okay.

[All-American]

Just put real rum in it.

The carbonation makes the alcohol effervesce out of the drink.

It's totally okay.

But you have to drink whatever is left, because alcohol goes bad the day after you open it.

[pellegrino]

But you have to drink whatever is left, because alcohol goes bad the day after you open it.

wth are you talking about? Are Tobias and Lindsey your parents?

[All-American]

That's a great quote, but I would extend it beyond wealth/pride. We ought to be reflective about every type of admonition, including those that would relate to the church as a whole. For example, next time your class is discussing WoW ask everyone if maybe we are just like the pharisees in the manner in which we interpret and practice the WoW. I doubt it would go over too well.

One of these days, I'd like to do an informal poll after telling the story of the prodigal son to find out with which of the three main characters (father, prodigal son, and the other son) we most strongly identify. My guess is that most LDS associate themselves with the "good" son, who stayed home, honored his father, did what he was told, and will inherit all, and believe that the story is a message to them to be more tolerant of others who haven't lived so righteously. There may be a few who see themselves in the role of the father, who loved, sacrificed, and gave their all for their children, and have joy in those who love and serve God, and whose hearts break for those who are lost. I wonder how many think of themselves as the Prodigal, who fell away, came to himself, and is making the long, hard trek back home.

However many fit in that last category, it's probably not enough. There is not likely any among us who at one point or another in their lives have not been cast in the role of the prodigal.

[All-American]

wth are you talking about? Are Tobias and Lindsey your parents?

The producers have been deliberately unclear on that point.

[Jeff Lebowski]

One of these days, I'd like to do an informal poll after telling the story of the prodigal son to find out with which of the three main characters (father, prodigal son, and the other son) we most strongly identify. My guess is that most LDS associate themselves with the "good" son, who stayed home, honored his father, did what he was told, and will inherit all, and believe that the story is a message to them to be more tolerant of others who haven't lived so righteously. There may be a few who see themselves in the role of the father, who loved, sacrificed, and gave their all for their children, and have joy in those who love and serve God, and whose hearts break for those who are lost. I wonder how many think of themselves as the Prodigal, who fell away, came to himself, and is making the long, hard trek back home.

However many fit in that last category, it's probably not enough. There is not likely any among us who at one point or another in their lives have not been cast in the role of the prodigal.

Excellent post.