- PWS on Spiritual Experiences Going off the Rails: “Genuine question. Would it help if we were more willing to have hard conversations such as this? Our default response is to defend the actions, praising the willingness to obey God’s commands even if hard. There is definitely justification for that approach. However, I think it is the only approach I’ve ever heard in church. I’m also struck by how the OP repeatedly asserts belief in that approach, even while very carefully trying to open the door to a more thoughtful discussion.” Jan 3, 12:29
- on Spiritual Experiences Going off the Rails: “If we do indeed have a disproportionate number of members who go off the rails in the name of God, I wonder if part of it could be from attracting those who are more prone to want more supernatural experiences in their life. We talk about personal and ongoing revelation in ways that other denominations don’t. So those who are attracted to that message are going to come to us/stay with us.” Jan 3, 11:11
- on Spiritual Experiences Going off the Rails: “For me, spiritual prompting/revelation took practice and the knowledge that God was not going to pull a Nephi/Laban or Abraham/Isaac for a nobody like me. It also took faith that I would figure it out. Thank God I had a positive and miraculous (to me) experience that helped me understand revelation that has been repeated over and over again for the last 40 years. I am very comfortable with it and trust it. I have a daughter with mental health issues that has been struggling with thinking God is telling her to do odd things like; a normal fast is good but I need a 7 day fast from you. She also feels God is berating her for not being a good enough person/member. She is getting better with therapy and meds. I am lucky that she will talk to me about all her issues so I am aware what she is going through. Not fun. Experiencing this up close has led me to believe that these members that have these issues (or anyone for that matter) have a free pass like those who die before the age of 8. They dont have a chance to make it without the mercy and grace of God with the mind they are dealing with.” Jan 3, 09:31
- on Spiritual Experiences Going off the Rails: “Compulsion is a powerful thing. I went through many painful years learning how to tell the difference between the manifestations of the spirit and OCD–and I still struggle with it at times. I think Elder Renlund’s counsel is spot on. It may not cure the mental condition–but it can certainly keep those who are trying to live right from doing something horrific.” Jan 3, 09:25
- on Spiritual Experiences Going off the Rails: “I think it is useful to distinguish between people who truly seem to be acting in response to personal revelation and those who invoke personal revelation only after their bad acts are revealed or to drive an increase in contributions. Obviously, I’m thinking of Tim Ballard in the latter case.” Jan 3, 08:16
- on Classic President Holland Talks: “Of course, how’d I forget those. Thanks for the suggestions all!” Jan 3, 06:04
- on Classic President Holland Talks: “Most popular YouTube talk on the LDS channel Lessons from Liberty Jail 1.7 mil Lord I believe 1.4 mil Not sure if there’s been a change to how these talks are made available. But lots of Holland messages are highly viewed.” Jan 2, 17:06
- on Classic President Holland Talks: “I’m not sure if they are public but analytics for BYU speeches probably has 2-3 Holland talks in the top 10. YouTube conference videos views likely favor the Presidents.” Jan 2, 16:58
- on Classic President Holland Talks: “Came to add “Like a Broken Vessel”(2013)… that was a landmark talk during my tenure as RSP, and was so liberating to the sisters I served, because it seemed to have given permission to freely take down the Sunday masks. A true watershed moment.” Jan 2, 14:40
- on 2025 in Review: The Year of Hard Numbers and Heavy Books: “At this point I have fragmentary thoughts that don’t add up to anything like answers to the questions I raised. Hopefully that will change, and I appreciate the invitation.” Jan 2, 14:19
