sunstoned

It has been several years since I listened to a Mormon stories or RFM podcast, so things might have changed a bit. Folks tell me that RFM has become more cynical. He used to post here, but again, that was a while ago.

Reality check: There are many more ex-Mormons than there are active Mormons in the world. This is the reason that John Delin and others like RFM, who support a transparent view of Mormonism, are extremely popular. People who come from an LDS background and identify as cultural Mormons need an online community.

I have always liked Hugh B Brown. He was never the prophet, but he did serve in the First Presidency under President David O. McKay. He supported the civil rights movement in the 1960's, and like Elder Uchtdorf, he was released from the Presidency when McKay died.

Good to see you back, Tony. I do enjoy my trips to the UK. Lots of history and plenty to see.

My wife and I were in Namibia about ten years ago. We saw a lot of animals. Mostly Zebras, Giraffes, and Baboons. We did see some Elephants and Lions. They came into the water hole. Once the Elephants come in, they scatter all the other animals, including the Lions. My wife had a Hienda stick its nose under her tent.

I reject the idea that there is a devil. I do believe in good and evil, but these are creations of humanity. There is no cosmic influence on this. We, the people, control who we are and what we do. Carl Sagan wrote a book about this, and it saved me. More than anyone else, I credit what I learned from him for really giving me the foundation I need to be a good citizen. Maybe that’s crazy, but I grew up Mormon, and I was always trying to put pieces together that just didn’t fit. Sagan's ideas liberated me, made me more empathetic, and he taught me basic scientific ideas far better than any mythology.

I had these recurring dreams for years. It was traumatizing. This was years ago, and I thought I was over this. They have started to recur. I am not sure why. I served my mission 50 years ago.

They have reduced the stature of the Relief Society, which at one time had a direct role in managing certain aspects of Church operations, such as overseeing female temple workers and temple work for women. They did away with the presiding patriarch in 1979, which was a former office with authority equal to the first presidency. In 1959, the first president stopped making public financial disclosures and has been increasingly non-transparent in financial dealings. Access is highly restricted and centralized to the first presidency. Even Boyd K. Packer, who was president of the quorum of the twelve, could not get access. https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/blog/womans-exponent-acting-with-authority?lang=eng https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/blog/a-history-of-patriarchs-and-patriarchal-blessings?lang=eng https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2019/12/22/excerpts-show-how-lds/

I am well past retirement age, but I have been afraid to pull the trigger and retire. I am in academia, which is one of the few places where age is somewhat respected. But I am losing capacity, both mental and physical. I have no faith in the current administration, and I am worried that Social Security will be targeted by the alt-right. So I suck it up and trudge off to work every day.

I was in Africa for several months doing research. I was shocked by the everyday violence. I was at a university that had armed guards at all entry points. My dorm had locking iron-bar doors. There were panic buttons in each room. People there live in a world of violence. Governments are corrupt. Police are corrupt. It was an eye-opener. My Uncle was in the mission presidency in an African mission. He was assigned 24x7 security. He told me his main concern was the safety of the missionaries and members. I truly feel for the people there.

Anything perceived as diminishing the power of the Q15 will be discounted and rejected.

It is good to see that humanity is making progress.

Very weird. People lining up to buy church approved underwear.

This. Very well stated.

Wow, talk about a conspiracy buzz kill. I bet you don't even believe in Antifa.

They said he could broadcast from Provo as long as there was no swearing.

Many lessons can be learned by reading history.

I think he tempered with age.

I generally concur, but I think it would be nice if Elder Uchtdorf was brought back.

Write-ins are not allowed.

CFR. No that is not correct.

Tyler Robinson is also a Mormon and a registered Republican, raised in a conservative Second Amendment family with access to an unregistered firearm. See how that works? You can spin anything.

140 yards is not a long shot. That is a typical hunting distance.

If you have to ask, then you have probably missed it.

Yes, UVU has given professors the option to change the modality of their current courses to online up until Oct 1st. This is intended to provide a smoother transition back to school. It is up to each professor, but this is what I have done. I can't bring myself to back on campus. In fact I have resigned my poistion and will end my teaching career at the end of this semester.