- MoPo on Everything wrong with the new hymn book (1799 edition, colorized): “Way to get out ahead of the BCC critiques!” Aug 27, 07:39
- on Everything wrong with the new hymn book (1799 edition, colorized): “Thanks, Jonathan. I will reserve the right to criticize the new hymn book using each of your approved criteria! I’m less concerned about the individual hymns that will be included or excluded from the pending collection. Sure, I have preferences and favorites (and plenty of hymns I can’t stand – new and old). My main concern is with the direction the new collection seems to represent for Church singing. Less emphasis on part singing, registers that are not palatable for many voices, and simplified melodies. Yes, I’m a music snob, but I have always been proud of the quality of singing the current hymnal produced and feel like that is being abandoned. I won’t weigh in on the actual text of the new hymns (those that have been released, thus far). Ridiculous? Definitely. But I sing all sorts of pieces with either blasphemous or nonsensical text and don’t give it a second thought as long as the music is rewarding.” Aug 27, 07:22
- on Everything wrong with the new hymn book (1799 edition, colorized): “I love how the Dresden hymnal was published in Strasbourg. Maybe the Church will publish its new hymnal in Vancouver.” Aug 27, 06:55
- on A Schism of Loyalty: Aidan and Tristan Caplan on the Third Convention: “Love it TexasAbuelo Mexico and Mexicans are severely underrated IMO.” Aug 27, 05:20
- on Anti-Mormon Depictions So Bad They’re Good: “I see 3 different stories on how the Broadway BOM lead to conversion and even remember reading with a creator or star acknowledging they heard about people joining after attending the musical.” Aug 27, 05:16
- on Tangled Assets and Legal Erasure: Emma Smith’s Fight for Financial Survival: “” in hopes they would be merciful enough to keep her children fed, clothed and housed” Because she trusts in God. There’s no other reason for any of this. Haven’t figured that out yet?” Aug 26, 14:43
- on Anti-Mormon Depictions So Bad They’re Good: “I taught someone on my mission who became interested in the church after reading Under the Banner of Heaven.” Aug 26, 05:35
- on A Schism of Loyalty: Aidan and Tristan Caplan on the Third Convention: “Thanks to this site for bringing to light important information about the history of the Church in Mexico (ya’ll had a boatload of great info on hymns from the Mexican Mission recently). Mexico has played an important role in the restoration during the late 19th century and 20th century foward. The great faith of these Saints is truly inspirational. Personally a group of old faithful Mexican saints kept me active during a rebellious (and what could have been disastrous) youth with the strength and depth of their faith, devotion, and inclusion of me – a problem teenager- in their service.” Aug 25, 20:10
- on Coduction (learning together) in our Meetings (Or What Did Church Lead You to Think About Yesterday), 8/23: “The youngest member of the quorum, who has been called to begin a mission in a couple months, spoke of a new-found burden. He has been earning good money all summer, for the first time in his life. “Taxes get taken out of it. And then there is tithing on top of that. It’s a lot to give up.” A heartfelt act of faith that I could imagine building him into who he will be.” Aug 25, 14:35
- on Coduction (learning together) in our Meetings (Or What Did Church Lead You to Think About Yesterday), 8/23: “For my elders’ quorum it was the last time we would for a 50-minute span, and I relished long afterwards that our last time with the format was used to very good effect. It has been the long-standing pattern for the lesson to be a discussion guided along by the instructor, not a lecture. The Confeence talk kicking us off was Bro. Wunderli’s on burdens, particularly the desire that may arise to set aside discipleship to lighten burdens. So many useful and faithful thoughts were voiced by at about ten of us. One told of after his baptism decades ago when friends and family opposed this change he had made and were so hard on him, he thought of giving up the path he had just entered. The extent to which some burdens are chosen, wisely or foolishly was considered by others. Also the burdens that come completely unbidden and uncontrollably. The strength that would be absent if there were no burdens. The succor that comes to bear others. Not every quorum has the numbers or depth to sustain conversation like that for 40+ minutes, and consistency in meeting patterns across all wards and branches has an importance to central church leaders. I don’t begrudge changes to meeting patterns, but I will probably look back fondly now and then to when my quorum could talk together for most of an hour.” Aug 25, 14:22
