bcuzbcuz Posted June 8, 2012 Posted June 8, 2012 2.) a testimony based on science or scientific evidenceI don't think a person comes into the church because of scientific facts but once they leave the church scientific facts are just icing on the cake.
The Nehor Posted June 8, 2012 Posted June 8, 2012 I don't think that anybody joins the Church because of the good looks of the missionaries (or if they did, it would be very rare). Not that rare.
Bob Oliverio Posted June 9, 2012 Posted June 9, 2012 (edited) The emotions generated through isolation from, and insulation caused by, passionate group think! Always maintain your ability to think independently - don't ever be afraid to question, even if it's not popular amongst the "group".The emotions generated due to isolation from within, and insulation caused by, passionate group think! Always maintain your ability to think independently - don't ever be afraid to question, even if it's not popular amongst the "group". Edited June 9, 2012 by Bob Oliverio
volgadon Posted June 9, 2012 Posted June 9, 2012 The emotions generated due to isolation from within, and insulation caused by, passionate group think! Always maintain your ability to think independently - don't ever be afraid to question, even if it's not popular amongst the "group".Funny, because you always seem to want us to conform to the larger US protestant world at large. 1
WalkerW Posted June 9, 2012 Posted June 9, 2012 Funny, because you always seem to want us to conform to the larger US protestant world at large.I just want you to leave your filthy socialism and conform to my filthy libertarianism. 1
volgadon Posted June 10, 2012 Posted June 10, 2012 I just want you to leave your filthy socialism and conform to my filthy libertarianism.You'll teach us (filthy) libertarian individualism even if you have to shoot every last one of us? 1
Verum Posted June 10, 2012 Posted June 10, 2012 I am in the process of trying to formulate ideas on things your testimony should not be built on. I am hopeful this will be a serious list of things that can get a member in dangerous territory or on unsafe ground if these are the things their testimony is rooted in.My list so far1.) a testimony based on church historyTo quote Terryl Givens: LDS doctrine as a whole is rooted inescapably in history. Its claims to divine authority and restored truth are entirely dependent on the narratives of the LDS origins. Without an uncompromising belief in Joseph Smith’s literal visitation by God and heavenly angels, verbally communicating and physically transmitting to him ancient records and priesthood keys, and without verifiable evidence of a continuing conduit linking Joseph’s successors to God—a God who personally directs the continuing work of the restoration—Mormonism would utterly lose its claim to be the unique institutional form of the one true gospel. "
DBMormon Posted June 11, 2012 Author Posted June 11, 2012 KevinG - I like that... probably not Fair or Farms either though I think those were mentioned earlier.
Grundelwalken Posted June 11, 2012 Posted June 11, 2012 Should a testimony be based on miracles? I've heard contradictory views on this within the church.Not a good way to join. Think of Ezra Booth witnessing Alice Johnson's healing and then becoming one of the mobbers.I don't think that anybody joins the Church because of the good looks of the missionaries (or if they did, it would be very rare). Happened a lot in the '70's with the Donny Osmond phenomenon. Witnessed it myself as a missionary in Canada. Sad but true. #666 Internet discussion boards Mucho Laughs for this MW
mbh26 Posted June 11, 2012 Posted June 11, 2012 Not a good way to join. Think of Ezra Booth witnessing Alice Johnson's healing and then becoming one of the mobbers.But don't the scriptures show quite a few examples of people being converted by supernatural events.
DBMormon Posted June 12, 2012 Author Posted June 12, 2012 joined .... yes maintained a testimony on miracles alone? no. If ones testimony is solely based on miracles they will follow the next shaman who strides into town
ERayR Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 Top of my list is that it should not be built on someone elses interpretations of GA talks or someone elses interpretation of scripture.
DBMormon Posted June 12, 2012 Author Posted June 12, 2012 good point erayr. Early in my church life I had a couple of members who shared their view of church doctrine mingling it with scripture. Took a long time till I saw that most of that was false. Pet theories are never good. By the way i have a few of my own, want to hear them?
ERayR Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 good point erayr. Early in my church life I had a couple of members who shared their view of church doctrine mingling it with scripture. Took a long time till I saw that most of that was false. Pet theories are never good. By the way i have a few of my own, want to hear them?I have a few of my own but rarely share them outside of family and very close friends. You know, the people who really know how kooky I am.
DBMormon Posted June 12, 2012 Author Posted June 12, 2012 got ya... here is a small one of mine. Mark of the beast is 666 We know one third of the host of heaven were cast out. 1/3 in decimal is .333 while the two thirds who recieved bodies past their first estate. 2/3 = .666 Not sure what it means but I have wandered if there is a connection. Like you I save the big ones for close circles but you can ponder that one a little... it doesn't go anywhere.......
ERayR Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 got ya... here is a small one of mine. Mark of the beast is 666 We know one third of the host of heaven were cast out. 1/3 in decimal is .333 while the two thirds who recieved bodies past their first estate. 2/3 = .666 Not sure what it means but I have wandered if there is a connection. Like you I save the big ones for close circles but you can ponder that one a little... it doesn't go anywhere.......One of mine comes from almost everybody coming from the assumption that very ancient people lived a pastoral existence with no technology. Would agree to give you my take on that one someday if you are interested.
Anti-NOMunistJackMormon Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 Testimony based on how LDS people treat you.. Always remember the Church is perfect not the people.I'm sorry my friend but I hate that phrase because it is NOT perfect. The church is the people. Going by that logic I can garauntee the church is going to fail you or someone else at some point and blow that straight out of the water. I'm not trying to be offensive, but almost nothing is perfect. I love the USA but it isn't perfect. You can love the church without it being perfect. 2
Solitario Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 Testimony based on "everybody else is wrong & we are the only right one".
cinepro Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 (edited) 18) The sand. Edited June 12, 2012 by cinepro
Damien the Leper Posted June 14, 2012 Posted June 14, 2012 Testimony based on "everybody else is wrong & we are the only right one".Let's make this a little less absolutistic. "Others only have part of what's right but we are more right than others".Ugh...nevermind this is still absolutistic thinking and also arrogant.Testimony should be based on what you have a 'good idea' about and not what you claim to 'know'. When we say we 'know' therein lies the burden of proof.
Tarski Posted June 14, 2012 Posted June 14, 2012 #1. It should not be based on a private ineffable inner event that that we are taught to attribute to the Holy Ghost.
Mola Ram Suda Ram Posted June 14, 2012 Posted June 14, 2012 #1. It should not be based on a private ineffable inner event that that we are taught to attribute to the Holy Ghost.Oh man. I guess I will leave the church now.
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