My Alloted Thought For Thanksgiving

[selek1]

Since (as a general rule) I am only allotted one coherent thought per season, I thought I'd share this one (which found its seed in a private message to another poster).

Thursday is Thanksgiving Day here in the U.S., and I wanted to know that my friends here on MADB rank high on the list of people I'm grateful for.

I've been debilitatingly ill, unemployed, melancholy, and even morose- but the lesson has been reinforced in my mind- it has always been the people around me, rather than the things- for which I've been grateful.

Despite the usual cycle- "internet searching" (remarkably similiar in all respects to searching a mine field with a hammer), followed by disillusionment, followed by apostacy- my time here (and the interactions I've had with the wise and thoughtful among you), my testimony has been strengthened, and (in some poor, small measure) my understanding broadened.

There's a very good chance that I might not be in the Church save for the things I learned here and at FAIR- notably that not all "historical" arguments.are precisely what they appear to be, and that faith, humility, and patience will lead to an answer every bit as quickly as mad, frantic, scrabbling in the dirt.

Were I to try, I doubt that I could list even a tenth of you who have helped me on this journey- but whether "mainstream" Christian, Latter-day Saint, or earnest questioner, your thoughts, insights, and goodly countenance have not gone unnoticed in either my thoughts or my prayers.

Thank you all for your part in that outcome.

May the Lord Bless You and Keep You this Thanskgiving.

[DispensatorMysteriorum]

Happy thanksgiving, brother!

[ERayR]

Selek I for one thank you for those kind words. I don't know if I have helped anyone but I have had my understanding helped along by you and others.

Edited November 21, 2011 by ERayR

[Garden Girl]

And a Happy Thanksgiving to you Selek...

I, too, am thankful for many of the people I have met here on the board, and for the many insights I've gained through the years.

All good wishes... GG

[Sky]

Happy Thanksgiving, Selek!

Thank you for the great post.

It's nice to see you posting again!

Edited November 21, 2011 by Sky

[TAO]

Happy Thanksgiving to all! I too am so happy to be able to learn from people on this board =).

[LeSellers]

Yea, verily. Many are those to whom I owe this kind of thanks.

Nibley (whom I seem to be attracted to this past few days, thanks to brother Dowis, I believe) said he was grateful for our enemies, too, because they keep us on our toes.

So, thanks to all those who attack The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for forcing me to be on my toes, to develop, discover, and refine counter arguments to your distortions and fabrications.

And please, remember, it is Thanksgiving, not "Turkey Day".

Lehi

Edited November 21, 2011 by LeSellers

[Mudcat]

The best of Thanksgivings to you Selek!

Times have been tough for so many of us on the board this year... lost jobs, health issues, lost loved ones. It's a reflection of what is going on with the world right now, I think. Hopefully most of us have a bit of food in the cupboard, some change in our pockets, maybe even a few dollars in the bank and surprisingly that makes quite rich compared to so many who aren't fortunate, like we are.

Though you and I discussed it a bit at another point, I thought I would express that reading John 19 (a crucifixion narrative) has helped me quite a bit approaching this Thanksgiving. LDS might find Mark 14:32 (Christ in the Garden) and forward of similar thought. Regardless, from his miraculous ministerial life here with us and from Gethsemane, to the cross, to his resurrection. He has done a thing for us that is beyond our reach and has given us a great hope. That is more worthy of thanks than we are capable to give, I think.

Kindest Regards,

Mudcat