- Last Lemming on Musical Archaeology: Recovering the Sophisticated Sound of Pioneer Utah: “I’m trying to imagine the instrument distribution in a seven-member orchestra. I am failing.” Jun 12, 06:52
- on Mimicry or New Religious Hotspot: Jesus-Figures and Joseph Smith-Figures in 1st Century Palestine and 19th-Century New York: “We still accept the 9th Article of Faith as scripture. The passage of time hasn’t superseded it. The Restoration – the thing that Joseph Smith helped launch, not just the parts inspired by Christian Primtivism – wasn’t a completed project in 1844, and still isn’t. Circumstances change and prophetic guidance is still needed, and it isn’t hard to see it happening, if you’re willing to see it. I’ve certainly trying my best to change people’s minds! People have a lot of bad and wrong ideas that I wish they would change. A particular problem is people choosing to hang onto misguided expectations or assumptions about the Church, when they would be much happier with their religious life if they let go of those assumptions, but they cling stubbornly to assumptions that are only making them miserable.” Jun 11, 23:12
- on Mimicry or New Religious Hotspot: Jesus-Figures and Joseph Smith-Figures in 1st Century Palestine and 19th-Century New York: “Jonathan Green – Your quote, I believe was published in 1842 and the only official revelation since was section 132. (canonized) So its not a stretch to question an ongoing restoration IMO. Ongoing revelation, which is what I think is what the statement is actually referring to, sure but you can make a good case that that is not happening as well, again, imo. Maybe you can tell me what Nelson actually restored from the primitive church, that would help me better understand? Or does restoration mean something else to you? I think most understand that when we comment here we are not trying to change anyone’s mind but simply sharing views on the subject. I for one have appreciated your views even though they are sometimes the complete opposite of my own.” Jun 11, 16:16
- on Mimicry or New Religious Hotspot: Jesus-Figures and Joseph Smith-Figures in 1st Century Palestine and 19th-Century New York: ““…and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.” I don’t know what to do with comments that people are sick of hearing about an ongoing Restoration, or about Joseph Smith. A few weeks back it was someone sick of hearing so much about kindness. It’s like wandering into a library and complaining about the relentless promotion of literacy.” Jun 11, 11:17
- on Mimicry or New Religious Hotspot: Jesus-Figures and Joseph Smith-Figures in 1st Century Palestine and 19th-Century New York: “LHL- IMO the “ongoing restoration” was just a Nelson thing. I am old and I dont remember any past leaders using that phrase but instead they said “the church has been restored.” I was not a fan of Nelson claiming he was restoring anything that hadn’t been. Of course the rank and file will quote Nelson until Oaks starts saying some new catchphrases. Stephen C – Nice Mauricio Berger mention! That story was fascinating to me.” Jun 11, 08:26
- on Mimicry or New Religious Hotspot: Jesus-Figures and Joseph Smith-Figures in 1st Century Palestine and 19th-Century New York: “Love the post and comments. What kind of philosophy of a theological could get traction in today’s world? And where. Could it withstand scrutiny over years, tens of years, or more? I’m thinking we’ll see AI Christianity, Judaism and really any tradition. AI LDS? Will the prophets of these new schisms reveal their source? Or will AI reveal itself to the world, requiring our devotion. I’ve been pondering Jacobs prophecy. “…for the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls.”” Jun 10, 22:17
- on Mimicry or New Religious Hotspot: Jesus-Figures and Joseph Smith-Figures in 1st Century Palestine and 19th-Century New York: “I agree with all of the above re the reformation. The proximal cause of Martin Luther not losing his head was Frederick the Elector of Saxony willing to stick his neck out and protect him. But then that begs the question of why he was able to do that at that point, and then the Muslim invasions at the gates of Christendom forced the Christian world to not be super picky about your allies’ beliefs about priesthood, etc. A lot of things came together for ML that didn’t for his less fortunate predecessors.” Jun 10, 21:23
- on Mimicry or New Religious Hotspot: Jesus-Figures and Joseph Smith-Figures in 1st Century Palestine and 19th-Century New York: “I’m skeptical of technological determinism. Print had been around for 65 years by the time Martin Luther got around to posting his theses, and it’s a lot easier to censor a print workshop that relied on skilled labor and expensive equipment than it was to keep all the handwritten stuff from circulating. You also need a political environment where the powers that be are on your side, or at least don’t mind 250-5000 printed tracts getting exported from their town.” Jun 10, 16:33
- on Mimicry or New Religious Hotspot: Jesus-Figures and Joseph Smith-Figures in 1st Century Palestine and 19th-Century New York: “The Reformation took off not due to religious fervor, because there had always been periods of religious fervor in the European environment, but by the early 1500s there was a new technology that made new or revolutionary ideas go “viral” namely, the printing press. Mormonism took root and flourished because there were cultural, social, political and technological elements which aided its development.” Jun 10, 12:56
- on Mimicry or New Religious Hotspot: Jesus-Figures and Joseph Smith-Figures in 1st Century Palestine and 19th-Century New York: ““A thought experiment that kind of bugged me when I was younger was what would have happened if Joseph Smith was born in 2000s America, his brother knocked on my door telling me that his brother discovered Gold Plates and that God had restored the Church. Such a movement wouldn’t have made it very far, and I certainly wouldn’t have given them the time of day, so why would 1830s New York be any different? But it was, and that’s precisely the reason why it took off there.” THIS! For me…..the whole “Ongoing Restoration” narrative has become boring, worn out and quite useless.” Jun 10, 07:20
