- Not a Cougar on Joseph Smith as a 19th Century L. Ron Hubbard: “Stephen, respectfully, trying to compare the actions of a woman living in the first half of the 19th century for whom divorce was not a realistic social option to those of women living a century later who had access to divorce courts that would treat them more or less fairly simply isn’t a fair comparison.” Sep 30, 07:27
- on Judging in our Meetings (Or What Did Church Lead You to Think About Yesterday), 9/20: “TexasAbuelo, bishops should internalize the notion that others also can have the gift of discernment at the same time as them and not try to use it as a trump card in virtually every situation. Otherwise, they often come off as the biggest narcissists in the world, especially if they get something wrong and clearly are not discerning properly. I think this sort of pride leads one to judge if judgment was done “unrighteously” or “unthinkingly.”” Sep 30, 06:11
- on Judging in our Meetings (Or What Did Church Lead You to Think About Yesterday), 9/20: “KL’s comment about the Bishop using tithing declarations: “ Fifteen seconds of tithing and ten to fifteen minutes of getting to know you….. that’s exactly what Bishops should be doing. I hear too many people saying that they don’t know or trust their Bishop — and that seems like a tragedy…” was sad but enlightening. Years ago (70’s and early 80’s) we as bishops used not only tithing settlement but a wide array of circumstances and situations to get to know our ward members personally… some were more formal like tithing settlement and annual temple recommend interviews… most were simply us responding to the promptings we felt as “shepherds of the flock…”.and cresting circumstances … to fulfill a responsibility which in the last several years has been de emphasized, diffused and perhaps even over delegated. I was called in my 20’s as bishop of a neighboring ward of about 500+ in disarray…. no one was particularly surprised when I’d managed to personally see and visit and talk and in many cases bless virtually every adult and most youth within the first 6 months or so. Of great help was the gift of discernment explicitly bestowed on bishops in those days at the time of their ordination. We didn’t look to see who we could pawn people and their problems off to initially — we absorbed the first burdens and built trust then look for help” Sep 30, 03:56
- on What Do People Know About Latter-day Saints?: “What others believe or know about the faith/Church is likely mostly a subjective imaginal exercise. Most of us aren’t exposed to a broad representation of the country. We get glimpses on missions or at Grad school or at work but usually keep to our tribes with occasional adventures out. Subjectively in the past year my Mexican neighbor went to Church once and said there was a good feeling. My black coworker knew about the priesthood ban and Gladys but didn’t know about garments or temples. Guessing about the gen pop Housewives or M Wives fans know about those shows. Broadways folks know the broadway show. But not sure they represent. Honestly most folks probably know a bit more than members know about Sikhs.” Sep 29, 19:54
- on What Do People Know About Latter-day Saints?: “Coffinberry, The inside decor of the Fort Collins temple has a decidedly different prominent image – Elk. We like to style our temples to local symbols. Somehow elk became the theme for this one. But – to my wife’s dismay – it’s not just a solo elk here or there. It’s always a group of cows being led by a bull. I mentioned to her once “is this a subtle reintroduction of polygamy?” I meant it as a joke but she can’t visit that temple now without feeling a bit of trauma. Thankfully it’s not our assigned temple, just our backup when ours is closed.” Sep 29, 16:52
- on What Do People Know About Latter-day Saints?: “Coffinberry, thanks for sharing. I would not be surprised if the architect/s for that temple drew inspiration from the classic cross layout of so many European cathedrals.” Sep 29, 16:16
- on What Do People Know About Latter-day Saints?: “Once on my mission in Italy, my companion (who was branch president) and I went to see a recent convert who hadn’t come to church in a little while. While we were there, we popped a tape into the VCR and watched Our Heavenly Father’s Plan and Together Forever together. Her mother watched as well, and told us at the end, “You show Christ, but not on the cross.” It wouldn’t surprise me if she hadn’t seen that sort of thing before. Most pictures of Christ there showed him on the cross, often with the heart showing.” Sep 29, 16:06
- on What Do People Know About Latter-day Saints?: “Re: “our meetinghouses are now identified by a cross symbol” Have you ever seen an overhead image of the Fort Collins Temple? It is a cross. During its open house, a decade ago, one visitor mentioned that he had seen the cross while flying overhead, and was thrilled to get to see the inside of what he figured was a very special place.” Sep 29, 14:02
- on What Do People Know About Latter-day Saints?: “Despite some of the research….I think millions of people of heard enough and think they know enough about Latter Day Saints and The Mormons that they’re becoming more vocal in declaring “Please leave us the H*ll alone – you’ve Knocked our Door so Many Times – we Just Can’t take it Any Longer” I simply can’t imagine being on a Mission these days and attempting to engage someone to become interested in “The Church”. With the possible exception being…..Africa.” Sep 29, 12:17
