jkwilliams Posted October 7, 2013 Posted October 7, 2013 On my mission, we were instructed never to do such a thing. I had a companion who, when he would get frustrated with a combative person, would jokingly shake his feet as we left. At first I thought that was appalling, but I figured it was better than him getting upset and in someone's face.
Scott Lloyd Posted October 7, 2013 Posted October 7, 2013 Very disappointing. Such ill informed sentiments do nothing for the glory of God. The bigotry and hatred that ensues in such vile propaganda is telling of the hearts of those who spit it. That's not Lucifer at work but self-inspired evil.What are you referring to?
Damien the Leper Posted October 7, 2013 Posted October 7, 2013 What are you referring to? The protestors. They remind me of the propagandists who stand on the corner of 3rd St and Indian School Rd in Central Phoenix during the gay pride festival.
Scott Lloyd Posted October 7, 2013 Posted October 7, 2013 The protestors. They remind me of the propagandists who stand on the corner of 3rd St and Indian School Rd in Central Phoenix during the gay pride festival.Thanks for the clarification. For a fleeting moment I thought you might have been referring to me, as your post came right after mine.
Damien the Leper Posted October 7, 2013 Posted October 7, 2013 Thanks for the clarification. For a fleeting moment I thought you might have been referring to me, as your post came right after mine. Not at all and I apologise for the misunderstanding. I should have been more clear from the start.
jkwilliams Posted October 7, 2013 Posted October 7, 2013 Thanks for the clarification. For a fleeting moment I thought you might have been referring to me, as your post came right after mine. If it makes you feel better, Scott, I'm disappointed in you. BTW, it's nice to see you. I hope all is well with you and yours.
danielwoods Posted October 7, 2013 Posted October 7, 2013 An interesting scripture to throw in the mix. Elijah mocked the prophets of Baal. 1kings 18:27 At noon Elijah began to taunt them. “Shout louder!” he said. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.” 28 So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed. 29 Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention.
awyatt Posted October 7, 2013 Author Posted October 7, 2013 An interesting scripture to throw in the mix. Elijah mocked the prophets of Baal. 1kings 18:27 At noon Elijah began to taunt them. “Shout louder!” he said. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.” 28 So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed. 29 Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention. No one ever said prophets were perfect, did they? ;-) -Allen
awyatt Posted October 7, 2013 Author Posted October 7, 2013 I think we very often confuse sacred with secret. My garments are not sacred. They are SECRET, as should be all undergarments (that probably explains why the store in the mall is called Victoria's Secret ... and not Victoria's SACRED). The fact that I didn't show off my Fruit of the Looms as a non-member did not make them in some way sacred. As I understand things, the sacred part for us is the covenants that those garments represent; not the garments themselves. Therefore, while I MIGHT take offense at someone mocking those covenants, I take no offense at someone making the garments themselves. Neither would I take offense at someone mocking the size and shape of the vessels we use for weekly sacrament. These things are just symbolic representations; not articles imbued with sacred power (we call those things "idols").So, I humbly suggest that we all put on our big boy/girl garments and get over ourselves. The only power that the mockers have is the power we give them. That is certainly one way to look at it. (And I never said I was offended.) However, it isn't a very practical way to look at it. For example, would it be mocking if one were to, at a Jewish passover festival, to get a friend and start treating a kippah as if it were a Frisbee? How about if, while one were tossing it about, one of the game players starting taunting those at the festival by calling them names and saying that their faith was vain and that Jesus would send them all to hell because they killed him? One would rightfully call such mocking anti-Semitic. I personally saw the street preachers not only play Frisbee with a temple hat, but use the apron as a face mask and as a superhero cape. I've also seen the street preachers (not this year but in past years) use the garments to wipe their rear ends. All the while, through all this behavior, they were taunting Mormons by calling them names, saying that their faith was vain, and that Jesus would send them all to hell because they followed "that pervert pedophile Joe Smith." It does no good to be offended by such mocking; I actually feel more sorry for their ignorance than outrage at their behavior. Still, such mocking behavior is unbecoming a person who supposedly follows Christ and claims He is their master. I think it is also telling that such behavior is encouraged by the Street Preachers' Fellowship, the ministry with which these protesters are associated. They even address it and condone it in one of their manuals. (Look for Chapter Four, "On Calling Names.") 1
omni Posted October 7, 2013 Posted October 7, 2013 My experience is that mockery comes from bigotry and feelings of superiority.Or it could be that they're just jerks.
ERayR Posted October 7, 2013 Posted October 7, 2013 Or it could be that they're just jerks. That is another way to say it.
mormonnewb Posted October 7, 2013 Posted October 7, 2013 It does no good to be offended by such mocking; I actually feel more sorry for their ignorance than outrage at their behavior. Still, such mocking behavior is unbecoming a person who supposedly follows Christ and claims He is their master.You are so right! Their tactics only speak to their lack of Christ-like spirit. In fact, I think they even work to OUR benefit. When my wife and I were investigating the church, the sister missionaries invited us to an Easter play outside of our local temple. The protestors were out in full force and unwittingly, made the case for our church. The sister missionaries walked right past them without so much as a sneer while the so-called "real Christians" were yelling and screaming their hateful words. Despite some of my doubts about the truthfulness of our restored gospel, I had no doubt who possessed the true spirit of Christ. So, as I see it, the mockers are hastening the work of The Lord and they don't even know it.
danielwoods Posted October 7, 2013 Posted October 7, 2013 No one ever said prophets were perfect, did they? ;-) -Allen the reason I mention it is because there's no indication that it was wrong or condemned.
jkwilliams Posted October 7, 2013 Posted October 7, 2013 the reason I mention it is because there's no indication that it was wrong or condemned. I kind of like the idea of inspired taunting.
Scott Lloyd Posted October 7, 2013 Posted October 7, 2013 (edited) I kind of like the idea of inspired taunting. At the risk of contradicting my friend Allen Wyatt, I would have to say that not all mockery is bad. Elijah with the priests of Baal is a very good case in point. Edited October 7, 2013 by Scott Lloyd
jkwilliams Posted October 8, 2013 Posted October 8, 2013 At the risk of contradicting my friend Allen Wyatt, I would have to say that not all mockery is bad. Elijah with the priests of Baal is a very good case in point. Sometimes I think evil deserves mockery. Seems like Elijah would agree.
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