9 Responses

1. Here, here on Jen’s comment about the “lazy learner” response we often hear: “it is/was not doctrine.” As you will see from the Merriam Webster definition of “doctrine” below there isn’t some mystical standard something must reach to become “doctrine.” The word can simply mean “something that is taught.”

   Of course, it is especially galling when Mormon apologists use this trick to waive off statements in books by their prophets, seers, and revelators that go under titles like “Mormon Doctrine” or “Doctrines of Salvation.”

   So, when we get that response, we can simply ask: was this idea or principle taught in church? If yes, then it is “doctrine.”

   “Definition of doctrine
   1a: a principle or position or the body of principles in a branch of knowledge or system of belief : DOGMA
   Catholic doctrine
   b: a statement of fundamental government policy especially in international relations
   the Truman Doctrine
   claw : a principle of law established through past decisions
   d: a military principle or set of strategies
   e: something that is taught”
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doctrine

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2. I had nightmares for years after my mission. I asked the question on social media “how many of you out there have had nightmares following your missions?” So many people experienced the same thing. Missions create trauma.

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3. One way to increase numbers would be for LDS Inc. to pay all missionary expenses. They can certainly afford it. Do we think they would ever do it?

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4. I’m just an exmo here, but I manage a team of Gen Zers. f I were consulting for the Mormon Church, I would advise their changes to focus on making missionary service more rewarding and less of a grind:
   * Still unpaid
   * Focus on supporting overtaxed local wards and branches, with some community outreach/ volunteerism; proselyting is a distant third.
   * Safe, clean dorms in urban settings; cars for all missionaries in non-urban settings.
   * Quarterly corporate-style retreats that develop skills that provide a break from the grind. There would be an element of R&R but the primary focus would be to develop the missionary for current efforts and life skills beyond. Team building; leadership training; conflict resolution; self defense; spotting abuse; CPR/ first aid; health and fitness; cultural etiquette; language; money management; and yes spiritual / faith affirming content.
   * And of course, mental health support

   These would be costly changes to implement but I believe would improve retention of missionaries and make them more effective in the community the are supposed to be serving. I believe the church would see more ROI on these investments than building temples.

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5. audio won’t load

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6. Kevin Pearson is a jerk. He is not just the Utah Area President. He is also the Chair of the infamous Strengthening Church Members Committee!!!

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7. What offended me, as a great grandson of Thomas E. Ricks who originally founded that college in Rexburg is that they removed his name in favor of Brother Brigham. I left the Church before that, but that would have been a pretty good excuse If I hadn’t done it before

   But on the main issue, not surprising is it given all the information now easily available on line to call into question the truth claims of the Church. In my day, in the early 60’s you had to wait until you are 19. But in my case I had to be out of the house the day after I graduated…no choice. So I never went though I was an active member at the time. Now that seems like a blessing because I did nothing to spread the fraud.

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8. Link to audio download does not work.

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9. The thought on the 1st Presidency not serving missions is simply not accurate or fair. In their day, only 1-2 per ward we serving missions, and they were called, they could not volunteer. So to say its hypocritical is not fair. They were not called, so they did not go. Pres. Eyring served a district mission, which was the same as a mission back then.

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