To Mark Oneself

[Gillebre]

I came across this meme on Facebook today and found it to be very bold and thought-provoking. I saw it first when someone posted it in a support group for Latter-day Saints who experience same-gender attraction and want help in living faithful as a member of the Church (you may have heard of it, it's called North Star).

How do you feel about this as a likening of a situation they had in Book of Mormon times to our day? I'm not implying, by sharing this, that if you don't share the position of the Church on the issue of gay marriage that you are no better than an Amlicite. I'm not saying that. The broader meaning that I gathered was more about people in general who choose not to sustain the Lord's revealed will after two decades of consistent reminders (starting with The Family Proclamation).

Do you think that this is connected to the parable of the wheat and the tares? Let me share something else I came across today.

I'm of the opinion that this particular issue is perhaps one of the major sifting points for the elect in our day. To me this was more about a bold statement to draw our attention back to the idea of marking oneself in the last days than it was about rainbow picture filters as a sign of the times (although I don't rule it out).

Insights? Thoughts?

[Bobbieaware]

image.jpg

I came across this meme on Facebook today and found it to be very bold and thought-provoking. I saw it first when someone posted it in a support group for Latter-day Saints who experience same-gender attraction and want help in living faithful as a member of the Church (you may have heard of it, it's called North Star).

How do you feel about this as a likening of a situation they had in Book of Mormon times to our day? I'm not implying, by sharing this, that if you don't share the position of the Church on the issue of gay marriage that you are no better than an Amlicite. I'm not saying that. The broader meaning that I gathered was more about people in general who choose not to sustain the Lord's revealed will after two decades of consistent reminders (starting with The Family Proclamation).

Do you think that this is connected to the parable of the wheat and the tares? Let me share something else I came across today.

image.jpg

I'm of the opinion that this particular issue is perhaps one of the major sifting points for the elect in our day. To me this was more about a bold statement to draw our attention back to the idea of marking oneself in the last days than it was about rainbow picture filters as a sign of the times (although I don't rule it out).

Insights? Thoughts?

Ezra Taft Benson was always so bold to say what was on his mind, no matter how controversial, without worrying about what people might say. While we know the parable of the wheat and the tares is speaking of the righteous and unrighteousness members of the church, and the parable of the ten virgins is also speaking of the righteous and unrighteousness members of the church, it's strange to hear an apostle of the Lord speak of that unpleasant to contemplate division as something that's taking place in the here and now.

In my younger days I was naive enough to think the most difficult trials the saints of the last days would face would come as a consequence of its external enemies. But for many reasons I now believe the greatest threat to the church is going to come from the unfaithful within.

I'm getting older now and in my youth I hoped I could live and die on earth without having to face the terrible tribulations prophesied for the last days, but now I believe the day when all hell is about to break loose is imminent and that I will not be able to escape a very dark period in the world's history as I had hoped. Planet earth is filled with wickedness and the world economic system is built on a house of cards that could very easily tumble at the slightest provocation, causing a terrible worldwide depression. In the midst of such turmoil, fear, insecurity and instability the very worst traits of human nature could very easily soon be on full display. And if that happens tremendous pressures will also be experienced within the church until the tares and foolish virgins fall from the ranks. Heaven help me and my family that we will not be found among the ranks of the unfaithful tares.

Edited June 30, 2015 by Bobbieaware

[The Nehor]

I'm of the opinion that this particular issue is perhaps one of the major sifting points for the elect in our day. To me this was more about a bold statement to draw our attention back to the idea of marking oneself in the last days than it was about rainbow picture filters as a sign of the times (although I don't rule it out).

Insights? Thoughts?

 

I'm not convinced that the sifting points will be something as simple as believing one way or the other with little to no action required. Unless one is actually dealing with same sex attraction or struggling with a loved one who is loyalty to God on this point is a cheap virtue.

 

I expect the sifting points to involve real sacrifice.

[Damien the Leper]

I didn't know you were home from your mission but I see it has been long enough. Glad to have you back, Gillebre.

[BlueDreams]

No, I don't think a rainbow cover would constitute marking oneself. In part because this is a civil protections issues that happens to bridge into traditionally religious grounds (ie. marriage rites). I think that makes it blurry...and because of that I've seen people run the gamut of opinions that doesn't necessarily correlate with their testimonies or actual faith practices. For example I know that Tom Christofferson is definitely for gay marriage...but he also recently was re-baptized into the church and is living by its precepts. I heard him speak not too long ago and he has one of the most pure testimonies about the gospel of Christ I've ever heard...which has come at great sacrifice. Likewise, I saw plenty on FB who I would describe as faithful and good souls, who supported it or were at least celebrating that day. 

 

I personally have so many mixed feelings about it, that I've decided to stay generally neutral. I don't actively support it because it goes against personal beliefs about marriage....but I don't feel like I could actively fight against it because it goes against my other beliefs about the need for protections of all families and recognize that people's civil liberties are being infringed without it. Ergo I didn't feel much dread (until I looked on facebook and saw that it would be one of those politically bipolar days). I also didn't feel much celebration. I think the best emotion would be, waiting. I'm waiting to see what long-lasting effect (if any) this will have on faith communities. So far, the ruling has little religious ramifications. If/when it does, then I think there may be more of a "sifting" as you put it. Until then, this is in no way to me a marking oneself moment....because it's not a direct assault to our community and those with rainbow flags aren't attacking their own peoples under said banner.     

 

 

Wtih luv,

BD

[Buckeye]

No, I don't think a rainbow cover would constitute marking oneself. In part because this is a civil protections issues that happens to bridge into traditionally religious grounds (ie. marriage rites). I think that makes it blurry...and because of that I've seen people run the gamut of opinions that doesn't necessarily correlate with their testimonies or actual faith practices. For example I know that Tom Christofferson is definitely for gay marriage...but he also recently was re-baptized into the church and is living by its precepts. I heard him speak not too long ago and he has one of the most pure testimonies about the gospel of Christ I've ever heard...which has come at great sacrifice. Likewise, I saw plenty on FB who I would describe as faithful and good souls, who supported it or were at least celebrating that day. 

 

I personally have so many mixed feelings about it, that I've decided to stay generally neutral. I don't actively support it because it goes against personal beliefs about marriage....but I don't feel like I could actively fight against it because it goes against my other beliefs about the need for protections of all families and recognize that people's civil liberties are being infringed without it. Ergo I didn't feel much dread (until I looked on facebook and saw that it would be one of those politically bipolar days). I also didn't feel much celebration. I think the best emotion would be, waiting. I'm waiting to see what long-lasting effect (if any) this will have on faith communities. So far, the ruling has little religious ramifications. If/when it does, then I think there may be more of a "sifting" as you put it. Until then, this is in no way to me a marking oneself moment....because it's not a direct assault to our community and those with rainbow flags aren't attacking their own peoples under said banner.     

 

 

Wtih luv,

BD

 

Thanks for the update on Tom Christofferson. Does this mean that his relationship with his long-term partner (15+ years) has ended?

[rockpond]

image.jpg

I came across this meme on Facebook today and found it to be very bold and thought-provoking. I saw it first when someone posted it in a support group for Latter-day Saints who experience same-gender attraction and want help in living faithful as a member of the Church (you may have heard of it, it's called North Star).

How do you feel about this as a likening of a situation they had in Book of Mormon times to our day? I'm not implying, by sharing this, that if you don't share the position of the Church on the issue of gay marriage that you are no better than an Amlicite. I'm not saying that. The broader meaning that I gathered was more about people in general who choose not to sustain the Lord's revealed will after two decades of consistent reminders (starting with The Family Proclamation).

Do you think that this is connected to the parable of the wheat and the tares? Let me share something else I came across today.

image.jpg

I'm of the opinion that this particular issue is perhaps one of the major sifting points for the elect in our day. To me this was more about a bold statement to draw our attention back to the idea of marking oneself in the last days than it was about rainbow picture filters as a sign of the times (although I don't rule it out).

Insights? Thoughts?

 

The rainbow filter is a way to show love and support for gay friends and family members.  Those who suggest it is marking oneself as the Amlicites did have missed the point.

[BlueDreams]

Thanks for the update on Tom Christofferson. Does this mean that his relationship with his long-term partner (15+ years) has ended?

Oh, I didn't realize it was an update...he was re-baptized, I believe, sometime last year (summer/fall?).

And I'm not sure how to answer the relationship q because he didn't give the clearest answer (it was obviously a painful topic for him). It sounded more like they were in contact of some sort, but separated. But I don't know where he'd say it's at today, though he had obviously committed to live the tenets of baptism including the law of chastity.

[CV75]

Insights? Thoughts?

The stand we take on every issue we face is not the sole acid test of life. Our acceptance by the Lord is based on so many more internal and external factors than that, though to Him it is probably a simple matter of our presenting our true selves with enough drops of oil relative to the grace He extends us.

 

I think the same holds for the use of symbols in expressing our stand. This gesture is no more deliberate and authentic than the person using the symbol.

 

So I think both the stand we take on issues and how we express ourselves symbolically has more to do with the Parable of the Ten Virgins. Some are wise and some are foolish.

[Paddy]

Insights: extreme

Thoughts: stupid