Kenngo1969

For what it's worth, I queried our friend (and the font of all knowledge! ), Google Gemini, as follows: Here is how Gemini responded: P.S.: Pragmatism and ethics?! Hmmm! I wonder what our friend, @Mfbnew would have to say about that?!

Clearing his throat and asking for donations ... We're up to six minutes already! No wonder his videos are so long!

Takes him three minutes just to clear his throat, doesn't it?

I'm sure it would be quite an ambitious undertaking, but I wonder if there are any plans afoot to replicate this idea beyond the so-called "Mormon Corridor." I think that would be pretty cool, but, regardless, it's cool that it's in SLC.

In Meridian Magazine, Steve Densley, an attorney, has commentary that is very helpful regarding the [attempted] interaction between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on the one hand; and John Dehlin/Open Stories Foundation/Etc., on the other. It discusses the whole "victory for Satan" allegation and attempts to provide context for when the Church of Jesus Christ and its leaders might find the use of the word "Mormon" objectionable and when they likely will not (e.g., the "I'm a Mormon" campaign sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ itself). Brother Densley recaps what leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ, including later-President Russell M. Nelson, who had been speaking on the subject since at least 1990, themselves have had to say on the topic, since at least 1979. President Gordon B. Hinckley cited then-Elder Nelson's address from April 1990 approvingly in his address from October of that year, "'Mormon' Should Mean 'More Good.'" Brother Densley's article supplies much needed context, I think. I commend it to anyone who is sincerely interested in the topic. https://latterdaysaintmag.com/protecting-the-symbols-of-christs-church-how-a-trademark-lawsuit-aligns-with-prophetic-guidance/

Except that Doctrine and Covenants 77 specifically identifies the 144,000 as High Priests ordained to administer the Gospel (in its broader [or narrower, if you prefer] context, I suppose it could be concluded that missionaries "administer" the Gospel, but I've always thought [perhaps erroneously] that the "administration" performed by the 144,000 is a bit broader than that). For what it's worth, I asked Gemini: Here is its response: Elders vs. High Priests While both Elders and High Priests hold the Melchizedek Priesthood, the distinction in this specific doctrinal context is significant: The Office: The revelation explicitly names the office of High Priest. In Latter-day Saint administration, the office of High Priest is generally associated with a calling to preside and hold specific administrative or spiritual oversight. The Mission: The 144,000 are described as being "ordained out of every nation" to a specific mission of gathering and administering the "everlasting gospel." Summary According to the interpretive framework of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the 144,000 mentioned in Revelation are High Priests ordained to the holy order of God for a specific global ministry in the latter days. While Elders hold the same Priesthood (Melchizedek), the scriptural definition in D&C 77 specifies the higher office.

Previously posted by @Calm: For what it's worth, I asked our friend, Google Gemini, specifically, what relief the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is seeking in appealing to these legal provisions. My question/prompt appears immediately below, followed by Gemini's response [of course, I make absolutely no claim that Gemini's assessment of the legalities here is correct, but, for a relatively straightforward query ("What's in each of these legal provisions ... ?") I have no reason to doubt it]:

From the Amazon summary of Kay Burningham's book, as posted by @Smac97: I wonder who wrote this Amazon summary. If I were a betting man, I would put my money on Ms. Burningham. I always thought I kinda sucked at math, but Ms. Burningham [or at least Ms. Burningham's "summary writer"] makes me feel better, 'cause she [or her "summary writer"] sucks even worse: The "second two-thirds"? How many thirds are there in a whole? I always thought that there were three thirds in a whole that has been divided into thirds, but, apparently, in Ms. Burningham's world [or in her "summary writer's" world], there are at least four thirds in a whole that has been divided into thirds, since that's the only way there could be a "second two-thirds." Buuuuuuut ... I digress ... Aaaaaaaaanyway ... Or, as we say here in Yew-taw, "Aaaaaaaaanyways ..." ("Oh, come on, Ken! Don't be such a pedant! You're the only one who cares about such things! Clearly, she [or her summary writer] simply meant the last two-thirds ... Yeah, yeah!) Also, with no disrespect to @smac97 , who is a proud graduate of JRCLS, Ms. Burningham kinda makes me feel not so bad, as well, that JRCLS didn't accept me!

Welp, everybody has to make a livin' ... somehow!

I was attempting to extend an olive branch to you, for what little I now realize that was worth. I should have known that you'd simply beat me about the head with it. Lesson learned! Thanks very much!

Your mileage may vary, not valid in all areas, void where prohibited, restrictions apply, see local retailer for details, but ... extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

In fairness to @Notatbm (though I'm sure most everyone here knows this already: "Thank you, Captain Obvious!" ) leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints haven't always been consistent in their stance on the use of the term "Mormon." Consider, for example, this: https://keepapitchinin.org/2013/09/10/i-am-a-mormon-boy-girl/ (RIP, Sister Ardis Parshall. Gone too soon! ) And this: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1990/10/mormon-should-mean-more-good?lang=eng Examples could, of course, be multiplied, but for me, these will suffice. Does [or should] any of this have a bearing on the Trademark claim of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the term "Mormon"? I'll leave that question to those who are more erudite than I am [read, "practically anyone" ].

Nah! I'm sure the Brethren reserve their hatred for people who really deserve it: Anyone who doesn't like "funeral potatoes," people who fall asleep in church ... "Yewt" fans ... Sincerely, Kenngo1969, proud graduate of The Devil's School , fka "University of Deseret," nka "University of Utah"

Well, 1990 was the last year of my mission so ... you're welcome!

Okay.

Okay. I guess the rest of us are "denying objective reality," then. By all means, you do you.

Technically, he's more than one tree, so, it's President Oaks, possessive Oaks' or Oaks's. 😉 Sorry! Couldn't resist!

Where did the "I am convinced are untrue" come from in the first place? That's not a choice you made? So, some "[un-]convincer" just showed up, committed aggravated k!dnapping, aggravated a$$ault, and so on, on you, and said, "You are [or are not] going to believe this," and you had no choice but to go along? You had no choice to act, but only the choice to be acted upon? OK. As I said, to each, one's own. As for me, I was created to act rather than to be acted upon. See 2 Nephi 2:26. (I will emphasize that I might think all of my possible choices to act completely suck, and my only real option is to choose the one that I think sucks the least, but that doesn't remove my power to choose, or my power to act.)

Fair enough. Your reply illustrates perfectly well that, although questions may be inevitable, doubt and faith are choices. To each, one's own.

My pen name is Smedley Smileright. 😁 I appreciate the kind words and the encouragement, very much. I have [at least] a couple of ideas rattling around in my brain. They haven't germinated much beyond the "concept" stage, but ... never say never!

Cue rimshot?

Is a joke appropriate for Easter? Well, perhaps, while seldom have I considered myself especially intrepid, I'm about to prove the old adage about fools rushing in where angels fear to tread. Joseph of Arimathea's friends were beside themselves. "Dude!" they said. "Is it really true that you gave up that expensive mausoleum just so that some crazy, anonymous itinerant preacher who was crucified by the Romans could be buried in it?" "Guys, relax!" Joseph said. "I'm not worried! He said he just needed to borrow it for the weekend!" Happy Easter, Everyone. [Thanks. I'll be here all week. Try the chicken! It's delicious!]

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1n26rdLl3qLiWc3rsw5W93MHSruHG3zJK1FxtJhIybWA/edit?tab=t.0