- Sure on Why We Shouldn’t Minimize Our Differences: An Evangelical Perspective on the Restoration: “Incidently, if you understood the measure of Elder McConkie, you might take him more seriously: “In other words, true and perfect worship consists in following in the steps of the Son of God; it consists in keeping the commandments and obeying the will of the Father to that degree that we advance from grace to grace until we are glorified in Christ as he is in his Father. It is far more than prayer and sermon and song. It is living and doing and obeying. It is emulating the life of the great Exemplar.” If you don’t think that explains how we worship, I’m not sure what you’re doing.” May 16, 14:34
- on Cutting Edge Latter-day Saint Research, April 2026: “Thanks for this useful summary!” May 15, 17:30
- on Why We Shouldn’t Minimize Our Differences: An Evangelical Perspective on the Restoration: “Anon – One other note…not sure I would ever completely believe/trust what Elder McConkie thought/said.” May 15, 10:22
- on Why We Shouldn’t Minimize Our Differences: An Evangelical Perspective on the Restoration: “Anon – I pray to God and He answers which brings me close to Him. I dont worship Jesus just like I dont worship the Holy Spirit who is also the Godhead as you point out. Regarding the BOM being wrong, dont know, dont really care. My testimony is not based on it. Hope this helps. I am for sure not advocating others should believe/do this, just sharing my beliefs.” May 15, 10:18
- on Why We Shouldn’t Minimize Our Differences: An Evangelical Perspective on the Restoration: “Even though I’ve been a Latter Day Saint all of my Life, through the years I’ve grown so weary of the whole “Restoration” and “Ongoing Restoration” narrative; and the almost inherent presumptive arrogance and supercilious attitude and positioning which comes along with it. (As perfectly displayed by Jonathan above.) I don’t think the general Christian masses are liking us a whole lot anymore – primarily because it is so easy for so many of us to simply become “the Southbound end …of a Northbound horse”. Honestly, I don’t even like us as much anymore.” May 14, 17:01
- on Why We Shouldn’t Minimize Our Differences: An Evangelical Perspective on the Restoration: “I admit I have limited interest right now in Evangelical boundary-policing over theology after watching major segments of Evangelicalism (including the SBC) so fully embrace Christian nationalism and MAGA politics. It is hard to engage in all of this now, considering willingness to compromise so much ethically and spiritually for political power.” May 14, 09:42
- on Every Decade is a Decade of Decision: “@RL: Building and maintaining community *is so* hard, especially in the atomistic modern world we live in. There is always so much to do to make others feel welcome while still avoiding burnout. Today I drove a new convert home from a youth activity and at first felt a little grumbly about not having time to relax and listen to a podcast, but after talking to him and his plans for a mission I felt a new energy. @Frank: I’m so sorry to hear that, I hope the best for you in the Church.” May 13, 19:27
- on Why We Shouldn’t Minimize Our Differences: An Evangelical Perspective on the Restoration: “If you go to the Church website and search for the phrase “heavenly parents,” you’ll find it all over, including in some very official documents the Church pushes heavily–first and foremost would be the Family Proclamation, but there’s also the theme the young women recite every week. That’s clearly referring to our Heavenly Father and our Heavenly Mother. It’s true that there’s no clear scriptural support for the doctrine that we have a Heavenly Mother. It’s something we deduce from other doctrines, which, as Jonathan points out, are also not as clear in the scriptures as we might like. I’m not going to tell anyone they have to believe it–it’s the kind of thing we don’t insist on (see my previous comment). But it’s clear that a large enough majority of Church leaders believe it that they can refer to it in official statements and curricula without anyone objecting. I can’t blame Beshears for thinking the existence of our Heavenly Mother is official Church doctrine. (Personally, I rejoice in it and think there’s a woman-shaped hole in our theology without it, but I understand those who are skeptical tend to think differently about other things as well.)” May 13, 15:25
- on Every Decade is a Decade of Decision: “I have made a personal commitment to persevere until the end, even if I am the last one in my family to do so. My teenage children are finding it increasingly difficult to go to church on Sundays, and it saddens me that, after doing everything we were taught as a married couple and a family, in the end only my wife and I attend on Sundays. I wish church services were more meaningful, and that the classes and participation had a deeper impact on me and my family, but I don’t know if it’s us or if we’ve lost our love for the simple, essential things. Personally, I make a great personal effort to make Sundays at church special, but I don’t know if it’s me or the people at church or the church’s rigid structure, or if I’ve learned to view life with a depth that makes me think that not everything is quite like that, nor as easy as the four- or five-step recipe for reaching exaltation and having a life full of joy.” May 13, 15:20
- on Why We Shouldn’t Minimize Our Differences: An Evangelical Perspective on the Restoration: “REC911, I am a bit puzzled by your comment. You just said that you don’t worship Jesus, a member of the Godhead, the “one god” that Bruce R. McConkie says makes us monotheists. Is the Book of Mormon wrong? “And now behold, I say unto you that the right way is to believe in Christ, and deny him not; and Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down before him, and worship him with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; and if ye do this ye shall in nowise be cast out.” (2 Nephi 25:29). “And they did all, both they who had been healed and they who were whole, bow down at his feet, and did worship him; and as many as could come for the multitude did kiss his feet, insomuch that they did bathe his feet with their tears.” (3 Nephi 17:10).” May 13, 12:38
