Signs of the Times

[SCcoug]

I've got lesson 43 for priesthood this Sunday which is the signs of the second coming. The end of the gospel principles manual have some tough lessons when it comes to practical application.

I'm an optimist by nature and the doom and gloom that tends to dominate these types of discussions isn't my thing. Every generation expects the end to come shortly and for Christians that has been the case for 2000 years, probably because the signs of the times are generic enough that they are always present. For instance the war, wickedness, natural disaster type of signs are always present.

The manual also lists several LDS specific things like the restoration of the gospel, Book of Mormon and missionary work as signs. Those things have been in place for the past 180 years. So out of the signs the manual mentions that leaves the "Lamanites to blossom as a rose" and building the New Jerusalem in Missouri. I'm beginning to think those two have to do with conference alignment.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

[mtnbiker]

So out of the signs the manual mentions that leaves the "Lamanites to blossom as a rose" and building the New Jerusalem in Missouri. I'm beginning to think those two have to do with conference alignment.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Ha ha, I dare you to bring that up in the meeting. If you do, be sure to share the results.

[CardiacCoug]

You could talk about BKP's address last week:

Sometimes you might be tempted to think as I did from time to time in my youth: “The way things are going, the world’s going to be over with. The end of the world is going to come before I get to where I should be.” Not so! You can look forward to doing it right—getting married, having a family, seeing your children and grandchildren, maybe even great-grandchildren.

[tooblue]

You could talk about BKP's address last week:

I know many here love to bring up BKP's talk mockingly but, from my perspective I found it to be an astute response to the obsessed fervor for apocalyptic themes, prevalent in American culture. The US economy is in shambles and now so is, seemingly, every other major economy on the planet. The risk of a depression is very real. What's more, we have idiotologues "occupying" Wall street etc. in addition to witnessing the unprecedented events of an Arab Spring that has not ended. Syria is next and then what?

Beyond all of that, popular culture is particularly obsessed with the end of the world as we know it. Some would argue Hollywood always has been, but now, so is television on an unprecedented level. Terra Nova, The Walking Dead and even Breaking Bad, Damages or, Dexter are more than incredibly depressing and violent shows, they are remarkably good at raising anxiety levels of their viewers in a manner previously assigned to the slasher movie genre and more specifically the soundtrack of the Halloween movies franchise. There is real science to those piano notes—look it up.

As well, throw in reports of asteroids, the threat of mutating super viruses, not to mention the whole Mayan calendar nonsense or any other conspiracy theory idiocy, from birthers to 911 truthers and you have the perfect storm of infotainment fueled paranoia.

The reality is we are living in a remarkable time in the history of man kind. I think it's awesome that a man I consider a prophet, spoke so directly and plainly about having hope in the face of so much chaos.

[Donuthole]

I know many here love to bring up BKP's talk mockingly but, from my perspective I found it to be an astute response to the obsessed fervor for apocalyptic themes, prevalent in American culture. The US economy is in shambles and now so is, seemingly, every other major economy on the planet. The risk of a depression is very real. What's more, we have idiotologues "occupying" Wall street etc. in addition to witnessing the unprecedented events of an Arab Spring that has not ended. Syria is next and then what?

Beyond all of that, popular culture is particularly obsessed with the end of the world as we know it. Some would argue Hollywood always has been, but now, so is television on an unprecedented level. Terra Nova, The Walking Dead and even Breaking Bad, Damages or, Dexter are more than incredibly depressing and violent shows, they are remarkable good at raising anxiety levels of their viewers in a manner previously assigned to the slasher movie genre and more specifically the soundtrack of the Halloween movies franchise. There is real science to those piano notes—look it up.

As well, throw in reports of asteroids, the threat of mutating super viruses, not to mention the whole Mayan calendar nonsense or any other conspiracy theory idiocy, from birthers to 911 truthers and you have the perfect storm of infotainment fueled paranoia.

The reality is we are living in a remarkable time in the history of man kind. I think it's awesome that a man I consider a prophet, spoke so directly and plainly about having hope in the face of so much chaos.

I don't think CC was bringing that up mockingly. Many of us thought it refreshing to hear one of our prophets talk about how it is not the end of the world.

[FMCoug]

You could talk about BKP's address last week:

Agreed. And then focus on positive stuff. How missionary work is in fact spreading to parts of the world never thought possible, temples being built, etc. Too many times these lessons are all about the "evil world" and not about the positive things.

[tooblue]

I don't think CC was bringing that up mockingly. Many of us thought it refreshing to hear one of our prophets talk about how it is not the end of the world.

IMO the only reason it gets as much play here as it has is not because it is refreshing to hear such a message but, because it was delivered by Boyd K. Packer.

[SteelBlue]

IMO the only reason it gets as much play here as it has is not because it is refreshing to hear such a message but, because it was delivered by Boyd K. Packer.

Sorry my friend but you're wrong on this one. It gets mentioned here a lot because people agree with the message.

[tooblue]

Sorry my friend but you're wrong on this one. It gets mentioned here a lot because people agree with the message.

Yes, people agree with the message but, had it been delivered by Oaks or, Cook etc. it wouldn't get the play it get's here. You and I have been on these boards too long to be so naive as to state otherwise.

[taekwondave]

Yeah, I don't believe in the "end of the world." I'm glad BKP talked about this. I thought I started a thread on this once, but it's my opinion that the most pernicious false doctrine ever to be advanced among mankind is the doctrine of the apocalypse or second coming. Anything that gets people taking charge of their own lives and problems and accepting responsibility for changing the world to better reflect their ideals is while they have the chance to do so is, in my opinion, in direct opposition to the idea of a second coming.

[tooblue]

Yeah, I don't believe in the "end of the world." I'm glad BKP talked about this. I thought I started a thread on this once, but it's my opinion that the most pernicious false doctrine ever to be advanced among mankind is the doctrine of the apocalypse or second coming. Anything that gets people taking charge of their own lives and problems and to accept responsibility for changing the world to better reflect their ideals is, in my opinion, working in the opposite direction than the notion of a second coming.

And enters Korihor ... lol ... talk about signs of the times

[taekwondave]

And enters Korihor ... lol ... talk about signs of the times

That picture of Mary Poppins you have there... good choice

[tooblue]

That picture of Mary Poppins you have there... good choice

Yes, it is a good choice; thank you Babs.

[grapevine]

I knew of people that would pinpoint when they thought the Second Coming would be. Within the last 20 years. Thing is there is still quite a bit to do before the Second Coming comes.

Worst was people going on and on about this and that that is so bad. Cain and his followers lived in bad places too. For centuries people have been saying how bad it is and how much worse it is going to be.

[woot]

Steven Pinker's new book just came out; it's about why violence is decreasing. He's been banging that drum for a long time and I look forward to seeing it in long form. A couple researchers disagree with him, but I'm inclined to tentatively agree with his premise based on the evidence I've seen him present.

In addition to the issues already mentioned about working to build a better future rather than assuming it's all supposed to go to shit and then not matter anyway, it doesn't seem like any of the "prophecies" have been fulfilled.