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  • Fading Teachings

    It's common for Mormon discourse to mention spiritual phenomena such as "feeling an evil presence" or having "an inspired dream." I've even heard of a few "castings out" during blessings.

    But such things haven't even been implied in official, GA-level Mormon discourse in a very long time.

    What's happening here?
    We all trust our own unorthodoxies.

  • #2
    Originally posted by Sleeping in EQ View Post
    It's common for Mormon discourse to mention spiritual phenomena such as "feeling an evil presence" or having "an inspired dream." I've even heard of a few "castings out" during blessings.

    But such things haven't even been implied in official, GA-level Mormon discourse in a very long time.

    What's happening here?
    The charismatic or mystical elements are being removed in favor of "follow your leaders." Mormons are confronting the onslaught of empiricism in light of their past. Do you people even talk about their patriarchal blessings any more? Not the content, but obtaining them?
    "Guitar groups are on their way out, Mr Epstein."

    Upon rejecting the Beatles, Dick Rowe told Brian Epstein of the January 1, 1962 audition for Decca, which signed Brian Poole and the Tremeloes instead.

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by Sleeping in EQ View Post
      It's common for Mormon discourse to mention spiritual phenomena such as "feeling an evil presence" or having "an inspired dream." I've even heard of a few "castings out" during blessings.

      But such things haven't even been implied in official, GA-level Mormon discourse in a very long time.

      What's happening here?
      You must have missed this talk:

      https://www.lds.org/general-conferen...power?lang=eng

      Then one night last May, I was awakened by those two little girls from the other side of the veil. Though I did not see or hear them with my physical senses, I felt their presence. Spiritually, I heard their pleadings. Their message was brief and clear: “Brother Nelson, we are not sealed to anyone! Can you help us?” Soon thereafter, I learned that their mother had passed away, but their father and younger brother were still alive.
      "There is no creature more arrogant than a self-righteous libertarian on the web, am I right? Those folks are just intolerable."
      "It's no secret that the great American pastime is no longer baseball. Now it's sanctimony." -- Guy Periwinkle, The Nix.
      "Juilliardk N I ibuprofen Hyu I U unhurt u" - creekster

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      • #4
        Originally posted by Jeff Lebowski View Post
        That was a very long time ago.
        "I think it was King Benjamin who said 'you sorry ass shitbags who have no skills that the market values also have an obligation to have the attitude that if one day you do in fact win the PowerBall Lottery that you will then impart of your substance to those without.'"
        - Goatnapper'96

        Comment


        • #5
          Our Deacon's Quorum lesson just a week ago was on Patriarchal blessings.

          I get that the lesson wasn't given by one of the GA's. But I'm guessing at least one of them knew that topic was on the list for youth lessons.

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by Jeff Lebowski View Post
            Indeed. I must have drifted off.
            We all trust our own unorthodoxies.

            Comment


            • #7
              I found this RGS talk from 2012 that speak about dreams in recent conference talks while researching a lesson last week:

              https://www.lds.org/general-conferen...-life?lang=eng

              Revelation can also be given in a dream when there is an almost imperceptible transition from sleep to wakefulness. If you strive to capture the content immediately, you can record great detail, but otherwise it fades rapidly. Inspired communication in the night is generally accompanied by a sacred feeling for the entire experience. The Lord uses individuals for whom we have great respect to teach us truths in a dream because we trust them and will listen to their counsel. It is the Lord doing the teaching through the Holy Ghost. However, He may in a dream make it both easier to understand and more likely to touch our hearts by teaching us through someone we love and respect.

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by chrisrenrut View Post
                I found this RGS talk from 2012 that speak about dreams in recent conference talks while researching a lesson last week:

                https://www.lds.org/general-conferen...-life?lang=eng
                I have had a few very vivid dreams with some religious implications. I had assumed some of these were inspired. One of them occurred when I was applying for a job out of residency. It was very clear; I was at SLC and looking at the temple. In the dream, I got so emotional that I cried. If there was ever a spiritual prompting, that was it. I woke up and asked Mrs. NWC what she thought. She shrugged, but I didn't want to miss divine guidance. So I applied to a few practices in Utah. I didn't even get one callback...

                In all seriousness, if God communicates via dreams, how do you tell?
                "...you pointy-headed autopsy nerd. Do you think it's possible for you to post without using words like "hilarious," "absurd," "canard," and "truther"? Your bare assertions do not make it so. Maybe your reasoning is too stunted and your vocabulary is too limited to go without these epithets."
                "You are an intemperate, unscientific poster who makes light of very serious matters.”
                - SeattleUte

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by Sleeping in EQ View Post
                  It's common for Mormon discourse to mention spiritual phenomena such as "feeling an evil presence" or having "an inspired dream." I've even heard of a few "castings out" during blessings.

                  But such things haven't even been implied in official, GA-level Mormon discourse in a very long time.

                  What's happening here?
                  The Everlasting and Almighty God, the Creator of this vast universe, will speak to those who approach Him with a sincere heart and real intent.

                  He will speak to them in dreams, visions, thoughts, and feelings.

                  He will speak in a way that is unmistakable and that transcends human experience. He will give them divine direction and answers for their personal lives.
                  https://www.lds.org/general-conferen...truth?lang=eng

                  President Uchtdorf's address was from October 2014, so maybe that's pretty old according to your timetable or maybe you're just not watching enough of GC.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    I would still argue that these sorts of accounts are much less frequent than they used to be.
                    We all trust our own unorthodoxies.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Pelado View Post
                      That was a very long time ago.
                      It was in April.
                      τὸν ἥλιον ἀνατέλλοντα πλείονες ἢ δυόμενον προσκυνοῦσιν

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Sleeping in EQ View Post
                        I would still argue that these sorts of accounts are much less frequent than they used to be.
                        You can argue all you want but others are proving you to be wrong

                        I don't really find the church to be moving away from supernatural beliefs. I hear about it a lot in F&T meeting and also at general conference. Heck, when I had my past two surgeries I had a ton of people make sure that I got a priesthood blessing before going under the knife (this was for fairly uncomplicated and outpatient surgeries). It's kind of weird. I hate asking for a blessing (I'd prefer MJ just say a prayer for me as I see the efficacy of the two to be the same) but MJ insisted on me getting a blessing. I finally just told her I'd get one from my home teacher who took me to the hospital that morning...I never got one and that surgery went just fine.
                        "Discipleship is not a spectator sport. We cannot expect to experience the blessing of faith by standing inactive on the sidelines any more than we can experience the benefits of health by sitting on a sofa watching sporting events on television and giving advice to the athletes. And yet for some, “spectator discipleship” is a preferred if not primary way of worshipping." -Pres. Uchtdorf

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by All-American View Post
                          It was in April.
                          Right, a very long time ago.

                          Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
                          "I think it was King Benjamin who said 'you sorry ass shitbags who have no skills that the market values also have an obligation to have the attitude that if one day you do in fact win the PowerBall Lottery that you will then impart of your substance to those without.'"
                          - Goatnapper'96

                          Comment

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