Sunstone Magazine

[rpn]

Something makes me think that you are suggesting that your love of things Muslim are hindering your eternal progress.   I rather doubt that --- the Gospel of Jesus Christ that Mormons espouse includes all truth of all kind.    We all learn that truth line upon line and precept by precept.  Sometimes we have to go back and relearn something we once knew but need to know more fully.   We further acknowledge that all things are not yet revealed, but we expect them to be.  

 

There is no reason to fear any search for truth.  Damning one's progress occurs only when we have spiritual confirmation of truth that we then reject and when we quit honest search for truth from scriptures and prayer and the Holy Ghost.

 

We are supposed to explore our world fully --- there is a specific scripture that tells us to do that.   D&C 88:78-80

 

P.S.  When I attended BYU, I participated in a club that celebrated everything Jewish.  Most club members (it was a pretty big club) were Mormons.   We don't get defensive about cherishing cultural things that deserve respect, even though not our culture of origin.

Edited November 27, 2013 by rpn

[EllenMaksoud]

Something makes me think that you are suggesting that your love of things Muslim are hindering your eternal progress.   I rather doubt that --- the Gospel of Jesus Christ that Mormons espouse includes all truth of all kind.    We all learn that truth line upon line and precept by precept.  Sometimes we have to go back and relearn something we once knew but need to know more fully.   We further acknowledge that all things are not yet revealed, but we expect them to be.  

 

There is no reason to fear any search for truth.  Damning one's progress occurs only when we have spiritual confirmation of truth that we then reject and when we quit honest search for truth from scriptures and prayer and the Holy Ghost.

 

We are supposed to explore our world fully --- there is a specific scripture that tells us to do that.   D&C 88:78-80

 

P.S.  When I attended BYU, I participated in a club that celebrated everything Jewish.  Most club members (it was a pretty big club) were Mormons.   We don't get defensive about cherishing cultural things that deserve respect, even though not our culture of origin.

I have been told so twice, however when I mention that President Hinckley and another President said that Muhammad PBHU was a prophet, I do not hear much.

 

I doubt that any Mormons will adopt Muslim ways, though I still cling to some of mine.  And, if Islam was without problems then Muslims would not be killing each other.

[telnetd]

I am still partially Muslim; a fact that is interfering with my advancement in the church. 

 

It seems your ward does not seem to mind advancing you in

light of your admission that they called you to some type of

Internet ministry.

 

But what do you mean you are still partially Muslim?

 

Gail

[EllenMaksoud]

It seems your ward does not seem to mind advancing you in

light of your admission that they called you to some type of

Internet ministry.

 

But what do you mean you are still partially Muslim?

 

Gail

More or less a quote from one of the Presidents: "and bring that which is good and we shall add to it". 

 

If you rely on Western Media, you will believe that Muslims are insane Jihadees.  I know many who are loving, kind and gentle. They helped me to seek God (Allah SWT) as I contemplated the wreckage of my life.  They taught me modesty, and helped me to contemplate the glory of Allah SWT and serving him. Some have a negative view of Christians, owing to their own ignorance.

 

Owing to their own ignorance, many have a negative view of Muslims. Some are awful, but the ones I met were mostly wonderful. They are driven by the fear of not knowing the true nature of Jesus Christ, but that must be helped, if not us, then who will do it?

 

And why would the fact that my Ward likes me cause you issues? Yes, I am very different, but I love Heavenly Father and all that it entails. As to the issues that Sunstone Magazine advances, I rely on Heavenly Father and the Prophet, and have finally settled on the view that their advancing the sentiment that they do is a perversion.

Edited November 28, 2013 by EllenMaksoud

[Damien the Leper]

Sunstone is good but I prefer the Restoration Studies Symposium and the John Whitmer Annual Meeting. Community of Christ is a good balance despite their Universalist approach.

[Stargazer]

More or less a quote from one of the Presidents: "and bring that which is good and we shall add to it". 

 

If you rely on Western Media, you will believe that Muslims are insane Jihadees.  I know many who are loving, kind and gentle. They helped me to seek God (Allah SWT) as I contemplated the wreckage of my life.  They taught me modesty, and helped me to contemplate the glory of Allah SWT and serving him. Some have a negative view of Christians, owing to their own ignorance.

 

Owing to their own ignorance, many have a negative view of Muslims. Some are awful, but the ones I met were mostly wonderful. They are driven by the fear of not knowing the true nature of Jesus Christ, but that must be helped, if not us, then who will do it?

 

And why would the fact that my Ward likes me cause you issues? Yes, I am very different, but I love Heavenly Father and all that it entails. As to the issues that Sunstone Magazine advances, I rely on Heavenly Father and the Prophet, and have finally settled on the view that their advancing the sentiment that they do is a perversion.

 

telnetd commented upon your being called to some sort of internet ministry...  what is that?  Or was she making something up?

[EllenMaksoud]

telnetd commented upon your being called to some sort of internet ministry...  what is that?  Or was she making something up?

Telnetd showed up being hostile, and she is on ignore to me.

 

Yes, I have been called to be a Ward level Internet Missionary. I opened my Facebook up for all to see. The incredible mercy that Heavenly Father has shown me, in spite of my icky past is the center of my life.  Internet Missionary is a new thing and so far the only direction I have is "Keep doing what you do". Though soon we will start meeting Sunday morning with the Elder Missionaries and others to discuss strategy. That the Mormons would engage me is a shock, though it makes thankfulness course through me.

 

I had thought to reveal my real name on this board, knowing that with most members I would be safe. There are a few that made me abandon the notion.

Edited December 6, 2013 by EllenMaksoud

[Buzzard]

Ellen, sorry if a few have made you feel cautious. This board does have an entertaining and eclectic mix of participants. From real, full time scholars to ex-LDS, from orthodox goofballs like me to apostate bomb throwers (short half life with most of those folks for the most part thanks to the mods), from those who think they have met the three Nephites to skeptics, with a few Catholics and EV's thrown in for fun. I think an ex-Muslim woman who still wears a head scarf sometimes leavens our lump a bit.

Someday, if you feel comfortable, I think it would be great to hear about your Internet missionary calling. 

[EllenMaksoud]

Ellen, sorry if a few have made you feel cautious. This board does have an entertaining and eclectic mix of participants. From real, full time scholars to ex-LDS, from orthodox goofballs like me to apostate bomb throwers (short half life with most of those folks for the most part thanks to the mods), from those who think they have met the three Nephites to skeptics, with a few Catholics and EV's thrown in for fun. I think an ex-Muslim woman who still wears a head scarf sometimes leavens our lump a bit.

Someday, if you feel comfortable, I think it would be great to hear about your Internet missionary calling. 

Thank you.  One of the most unexpected healings that Heavenly Father has done in my life is soothing my hate for my old denomination, so in regard to the Ev less acid will be in my words.   As to the head scarf, I expect to return to wearing it full time soon. Mormon women wear it at times ...  To address two faiths at once is called dialectal thinking. I know a few Mormons who also embrace Buddism. As to the Christ, it is firm in my heart that he is probably the most important human being to ever live and in a Western sense, the Son of God. You can't imagine the wreckage of my old life, and for Mormons to seek me out is completely astonishing, especially since no one else did.  Mormons seem to happily give trash life.

 

OH, um Merry Christmas.

Edited December 13, 2013 by EllenMaksoud

[Tacenda]

https://www.sunstonemagazine.com/category/podcasts/page/689/

 

I'm starting with the Jan 1, 1980 symposium, very first podcast!  it will be interesting to listen to.  I'll bet 100 doll hairs that they spoke of much of what we speak of today.  Now the one on JS and the Egyptian Papers probably won't be anything near what is being said currently, or not. 

 

BTW, Dan Wotherspoon said in a recent Mormon Matters Podcast that Sunstone received a $10,000 grant and this is how they were able to take cassette tapes and put them into audio podcasts for our listening ears online, fascinating!     

 

Is anyone attending the Sunstone this year?  I might, and if I do, the presentations I will attend will be by Don Bradley, Michael Quinn, etc. and anything having to do with JS's polygamy.  Not so much the John Dehlin, Joanna Brooks or Kate Kelly crowd.  Though they are certainly worthwhile to a lot of people to listen to, I've just  moved past those presentations, been there done that, don't need to repeat for the 3rd time.   

Edited July 22, 2015 by Tacenda

[Saint Sinner]

I heard John Dominic Crossan will be there.

[Broker]

I don't know anything about Sunstone or their annual symposium, other than what I've briefly run across on various blogs. Although I have been curious and am certainly not hesitant about hearing what other people think about the Church, I am done when people descend into depravity and personal insults. 

 

I came across one excerpt from the 2014 Sunstone Symposium. I won't repeat it here, but it had to do with a Symposium panelist commenting on the keys of the priesthood held by the Church leadership. It was disgusting, yet received a huge applause. Any group that would sponsor and tolerate that kind of comment is not good. I wouldn't recommend attending if you think the Second Coming is near....be one of the first things to go up in flames.

[Nevo]

I heard John Dominic Crossan will be there.

 

He's also going to be at Benchmark Books next week

 

I wish I lived closer. There are several Sunstone sessions that I would have liked to catch. Apart from Crossan's lecture, the session "Four Views of Joseph Smith: Historians Debate the Prophet Puzzle" should be quite interesting. Not least because a former Joseph Smith critic will be defending him as a "true prophet", while a formerly friendly Jan Shipps-like "outsider/insider" will argue that Joseph was a con man (and worse).

Edited July 23, 2015 by Nevo

[Saint Sinner]

That will be an interesting panel, Nevo. I wonder if they'll post it to YouTube.