Our Church Cares About The Trees

[MormonFreeThinker]

"I have been asked to represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in this symposium on faith and the environment...In the Book of Mormon, it is prophesied that in the latter-days there would be “fires, tempests, and vapors of smoke…and…great pollutions upon the face of the earth,”...The LDS Church wants to be good stewards of the environment, conserve energy and water resources, minimize pollution, create and maintain cost effective properties and be a good neighbor" - Elder Marcus B. Nash 

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/elder-nash-stegner-symposium

 

"the environmental damage caused by such man-made problems as acid rain, excessive carbon dioxide and other chemicals in the atmosphere, deforestation, and the pollution of our oceans, lakes, and streams...Find ways to reduce unnecessary personal consumption of energy, water, wood products, and other products that come from scarce resources...Learn more about natural processes and earth science"  

- Earth—A Gift of Gladness - Ensign July 1991 - ensign

https://www.lds.org/ensign/1991/07/earth-a-gift-of-gladness?lang=eng

 

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has not taken a position on global warming, but did participate in last week's "Earth Hour," by dimming the lights of the Salt Lake Temple."Prudent stewardship and wise use of resources are principles that church leaders have emphasized throughout the history of the church," Trotter said last week of the church's participation in the worldwide event." 

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705294746/Gore-and-LDS-leaders-meet.html?pg=all

 

"The greenhouse effect is what keeps our planet warm. Natural gases in the atmosphere form a sort of blanket over the earth’s surface that lets sunlight in and prevents heat from escaping (like the glass in a greenhouse). There’s a problem, however, when we add too many gases to that natural blanket. Then lifegiving sunlight is blocked out (as you’ve seen on a smoggy day), and temperatures can rise to ecologically harmful levels. How do we add gases? By burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas; by using aerosol cans; and by filling landfills, which release gases into the air as the garbage degrades. We can’t cut those activities out altogether, but we can be more careful about how we do them." 

- FYI: For Your Information - New Era July 1991 - new-era

https://www.lds.org/new-era/1991/07/fyi-for-your-information?lang=eng

 

"True disciples… would be consistent environmentalists"

- Elder Neal A. Maxwell (A Wonderful Flood of Light, 103)

 

"The religion of the Latter-day Saints is not hostile to any truth, nor to scientific search for truth,”

-Elder Widtsoe

 

"Latter-day Saints believe in applying the best available scientific knowledge" - Elder Oaks 

 

"The ever-changing world of technology shapes our world today" 

https://www.lds.org/media-library/images/solar-panels-770794?category=technology

 

"Sulfur from industrial processing and burning of fossil fuels such as coal and gasoline is one of the most poisonous components of smog" 

- Our Deteriorating Environment - Ensign Aug. 1971

https://www.lds.org/ensign/1971/08/our-deteriorating-environment?lang=eng

 

"Every day we are assaulted with big worries: global warming...But as serious as all this is" - Elder Oaks 

http://scottwoodward.org/Talks/html/Oaks,%20Dallin%20H/OaksDH_PushBackAgainstTheWorld-Sabbath.html

 

"Their concerns range from wars, rumors of wars, famine, and inflation to drug addiction, climate changes, pollution... a look at the causes of the difficulties proves that they are man-made and that solutions are within man’s ability to accomplish."- Elder L. Tom Perry

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/print/1981/10/when-ye-are-prepared-ye-shall-not-fear?lang=eng

 

"there could be a greater chance of a new record global average temperature in 2015" 

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/el-nino-could-make-u-s-weather-more-extreme-during-2014/

Edited June 15, 2014 by MormonFreeThinker

[thesometimesaint]

[Nate]

I agree.  The church does believe in good environmental stewardship.  But the core mission of the church is about teaching and helping people to live the basics of the restored gospel, so we're not likely to hear a lot of blatant instruction in general conference on environmental issues.  I can imagine that meeting: "Getting our people to read the scriptures is hard enough; can we get them to read the scriptures and sort their recyclables?"

[MormonFreeThinker]

I agree.  The church does believe in good environmental stewardship.  But the core mission of the church is about teaching and helping people to live the basics of the restored gospel, so we're not likely to hear a lot of blatant instruction in general conference on environmental issues.  I can imagine that meeting: "Getting our people to read the scriptures is hard enough; can we get them to read the scriptures and sort their recyclables?"

 

to live the basics of the gospel and helping members to improve their lives. 

 

Elder Marcus B. Nash also said, "that the quality of the earth and its environment will directly affect the quality of our life—and that of future generations." 

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/elder-nash-stegner-symposium

 

"God has made us responsible for the earth" 

Earth—A Gift of Gladness - Ensign July 1991 - ensign

https://www.lds.org/ensign/1991/07/earth-a-gift-of-gladness?lang=eng

Edited June 15, 2014 by MormonFreeThinker

[Avatar4321]

has anyone claimed we dont care about taking care of our planet?

[MormonFreeThinker]

has anyone claimed we dont care about taking care of our planet?

 

many fellow LDS don't care about the pollution caused by the burning of fossil fuels  

 

"Another consequence of our burning large amounts of fossil fuels has been a condition called acid rain. Forests, streams, and lakes have all been seriously damaged in regions where pollutants in the atmosphere are converted into mild acids that are brought back to earth through rain and snow. As the acid accumulates, it kills both plant and animal life." 

Earth—A Gift of Gladness - Ensign July 1991 - ensign

https://www.lds.org/ensign/1991/07/earth-a-gift-of-gladness?lang=eng

Edited June 15, 2014 by MormonFreeThinker

[Zakuska]

Cfr. What mormons might these be?

[ERayR]

Cfr. What mormons might these be?

 

The majority are from his mind.  You know like invisible friends.

[The Nehor]

Cfr. What mormons might these be?

The ones convinced that any restraint on the use of natural resources or responsible management of pollution is a socialist leftist plot aimed to destroy all that is good and capitalist.

[Sevenbak]

Not to derail this thread, but the title reminds me of something I've never heard explained.  When Jacob is speaking of the power of faith, and says said "and the very trees obey us", to what prior incident was he referring?  I think it can be assumed it was an event of something not recorded in the record, but has anyone every heard an explanation about this event/passage, other than general hyperbole?

Edited June 16, 2014 by Sevenbak

[strappinglad]

Watched a program about NY in the late 1800s. It outlined the problems associated with having horse drawn carriages in the city. There were thousands of deaths from disease from the tons of manure left on the streets . Street cleaners couldn't keep up with the deposits. Hundreds died every year from accidents caused by runaway horses etc. The introduction of the motor car was an huge leap forward in environmental cleanliness. Imagine now a nation of 350 million run solely on the use of all natural hay and oats. Picture China and India doing the same. Despite the future promise of hydrogen and other non-fossil fuels , the only current way to significantly reduce the use of oil is to wipe out 50% + of the human population ( strategically of course ). All in favor say , aye !

Edited June 16, 2014 by strappinglad

[The Nehor]

Despite the future promise of hydrogen and other non-fossil fuels , the only current way to significantly reduce the use of oil is the wipe out 50% + of the human population ( strategically of course ). All in favor say , aye !

 

Aye!

[The Nehor]

Not to derail this thread, but the title reminds me of something I've never heard explained.  When Jacob is speaking of the power of faith, and says said "and the very trees obey us", to what prior incident was he referring?  I think it can be assumed it was an event of something not recorded in the record, but has anyone every heard an explanation about this event/passage, other than general hyperbole?

 

That would be the Zenock Apocryphon wherein he learns the Entish language and becomes a shepherd of the trees.

[Zakuska]

The ones convinced that any restraint on the use of natural resources or responsible management of pollution is a socialist leftist plot aimed to destroy all that is good and capitalist.

hmmm... I havent met any of those on the boards. I have met a lot of people who try and Keep a balance and all the chicken littles of the world in check.

[The Nehor]

hmmm... I havent met any of those on the boards.

 

Then I envy you.

[ERayR]

Of course they do.  It would be quite difficult to build home, churches and temples without them.

[rodheadlee]

I have a wind generator and a solar panel, 3 more panels and I'll never have to run the diesel to make electricity. The second one will be easy to mount, the other 2 not so much.

[MormonFreeThinker]

Cfr. What mormons might these be?

 

The Mormons that love the burning of fossil fuels 

 

"Sulfur from industrial processing and burning of fossil fuels such as coal and gasoline is one of the most poisonous components of smog"- Our Deteriorating Environment - Ensign Aug. 1971

Edited June 16, 2014 by MormonFreeThinker

[strappinglad]

I have a wind generator and a solar panel, 3 more panels and I'll never have to run the diesel to make electricity. The second one will be easy to mount, the other 2 not so much.

Now , if they could just figure out how to make a solar sail.... other than in outer space that is.

[Zakuska]

The Mormons that love the burning of fossil fuels

"Sulfur from industrial processing and burning of fossil fuels such as coal and gasoline is one of the most poisonous components of smog"- Our Deteriorating Environment - Ensign Aug. 1971

Which Mormons love to burn fossil fuels?

Oh the irony of those who point a condescending finger at the rest of the world while using technology fueled by the very thing they are condescending preaching to the chior about. This is akin to holly wood jet set types who fly around on their private jets while scolding the rest of us for flying economy.

Edited June 16, 2014 by Zakuska

[saemo]

Not to derail this thread, but the title reminds me of something I've never heard explained.  When Jacob is speaking of the power of faith, and says said "and the very trees obey us", to what prior incident was he referring?  I think it can be assumed it was an event of something not recorded in the record, but has anyone every heard an explanation about this event/passage, other than general hyperbole?

Paraphrasing Luke?

17:6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

[Zakuska]

I have a wind generator and a solar panel, 3 more panels and I'll never have to run the diesel to make electricity. The second one will be easy to mount, the other 2 not so much.

I realy want to do this. There's a house a few blocks over who installed solar panels this past summer and one of these days I plan on making a visit to get some info from the home owner. I have a large southern facing rectangular roof on a rambler that is perfect for solar panels. Cost has been the main prohibative factor because we're upside down and we're trying to get caught up. (that's what layoff after layoff does)

[Sevenbak]

Ok, that's interesting.  I'd never considered that reference.  Truth is eternal eh?

 

Perhaps that's how Nephi moved all that lumber to build the boat…  ;-)

[halconero]

How are we supposed to become exalted beings over thrones, powers and principalities if we cannot be good stewards of our mortal plane?

I'm convinced that "learning our exaltation" as Joseph Smith would say, includes learning to manage not only our homes, callings, and individual lives, but the environment as well.

[Calm]

I realy want to do this. There's a house a few blocks over who installed solar panels this past summer and one of these days I plan on making a visit to get some info from the home owner. I have a large southern facing rectangular roof on a rambler that is perfect for solar panels. Cost has been the main prohibative factor because we're upside down and we're trying to get caught up. (that's what layoff after layoff does)

Check into "solar freaking roadways" for your driveway.

TSS posted a promo video in Social a bit back. It appears to be spreading given I had heard of it two days prior from my daughter. Have no clue when they might go into production if they eventually do.

Edited June 16, 2014 by calmoriah