Comments on: Review: Gospel Principles (revised) Chapters 1-10

By: Frank

Frank — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 14:42:17 +0000

I was looking for a forum online more along the lines of “what were they thinking!” but came across this mutual approbation site.

Why are adults in the church being subjected to this childish presentation of doctrine. If you grew up in the church you were taught all this simpleton content in Primary (or Junior Sunday School, in my case). “When I was a child I spoke and thought as a child…” Now that I am not, do I want some loyal and dutiful instructor to teach me that “the plants and all living things” were put here by a loving creator to help me and make me feel good?

OK, I’ll go away now

By: Matt W.

Matt W. — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 03:37:05 +0000

Peggy Stacker talked to me about this today. She’ll have an article in this Saturday’s Tribune. She is really classy.

By: Clark

Clark — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 03:41:32 +0000

I actually love McConkie’s writings – especially his conference talks and his NT commentary. (Which really isn’t a commentary in the normal sense of the term but is quite enlightening on many doctrinal points)

That said clearly lots of members were treating McConkie’s theories and personal views as if they had the authority of scripture. Back in the early 90′s there were lots of people who’d quote McConkie over just reading the scriptures. And many refused to acknowledge that sometimes McConkie was wrong. That was a dangerous situation (and some of McConkie’s comments on blacks and the priesthood were pretty embarrassing). So I think the Brethren went out of their way to try and get the members to lean on the scriptures rather than McConkie.

By: PSJS

PSJS — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 15:53:00 +0000

Wow, there seems to be a lot of relief that the late Elder McConkie is no longer the staff upon which the saints will lean for gospel understanding.

I’d like to think he’s relieved as well! For years he was the “go-to” guy for gospel questions, kind of like his father in law JFS. I’d also like to think that the scripture committee of the 1970′s was the result of wearied gospel authorities saying, “Can we make the scriptures more accessible to the Church. I’m tired of answering questions that the Saints could easily find themselves from the standard works!”

By: JDD

JDD — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 06:07:39 +0000

Over the course of the past few months I’ve come to dislike “elder brotherism” as well, but I was surprised to see that some other Mormons have felt the same way. It is of course true that Jesus is our older brother in the sense that the Father created us all, but He’s so much more than that. He’s a member of the Godhead, for heaven’s sake. Of course, it is 2 AM, so I may not be thinking straight…

By: BHodges

BHodges — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:36:13 +0000

Good analysis, Matt. Here's a look at a full chapter.

By: Tom D

Tom D — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 04:38:14 +0000

I am looking forward to teaching straight gospel doctrine in Elders Quorum, though I must admit that I was hoping for the Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson :-).

By: mondo cool

mondo cool — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 04:34:45 +0000

Whoa! Matt W. makes BCC Sideblog!

By: A. Davis

A. Davis — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:01:50 +0000

Agreed. Even the The Family: A Proclamation to the World, the cited source of the quote, is present tense. Probably a result of an attempt at editorial minimalism. Nonetheless, current status as spirit children is clear elsewhere.

PS: Mark D., I am interested in getting in touch with you about your tripartite model of matter. I believe I have some thoughts that will be of interest. I give the admins permission to pass my email along to you.

[Admin - email has been passed on]

By: Matt W.

Matt W. — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:58:15 +0000

Mark D.- I think the issue people take is not VSB, but the “Gender is an eternal characteristic” thing. I am agnostic on that, but I’ve seen it battled on the blogs over and over.