how is conference?

[GingerRed]

JeremyOS...WHY are you even watching Conference???  My non member roommate is here watching it with me, and even she is far more respectful!! 

 

Red

[mfbukowski]

What a fool I am to be here instead of immersing myself in the spirit.

[BlueDreams]

16 minutes ago, JeremyOrbe-Smith said:

Wow, the ideas in Oaks' talk and their implications were downright horrific, especially coming right after the great talk on the refugees. 

I feel as though I must have listened to a different talk...but my guess is that it's more to do with who was hearing it. I don't know what's going on for you and what's made you particularly sensitive to issues of pain and struggle, but I wish you peace to come if not peace today.

For whatever it's worth, though it wasn't a revelation landline for me. I do personally believe in much of what he said. I've seen my own struggle as a source for a closer relationship with God and over time (read years) a stronger sense of peace. That is my own life of course...and as much as I wish, I can't replicate it for another. Still the principle/ideas have been anything but horrific in my small experience 

with luv, 

 

[The Nehor]

39 minutes ago, JeremyOrbe-Smith said:

Wow, the ideas in Oaks' talk and their implications were downright horrific, especially coming right after the great talk on the refugees. 

Dude, you are messed up.

What kind of diabolic filter do you see the world through?

[JeremyOrbe-Smith]

To those so incredulous that I would take the time to watch: the Church has millions of members. It influences public policy, as well as the opinions of my friends and neighbors. I watch all sorts of things I disagree with and comment on them; it's about trying to be informed. The Church broadcasts these talks to the world; the men speaking make the audacious claim that they are given inspiration direct from God. I will respect the ideas presented the moment they are worthy of respect; presumably, God's ideas should be able to withstand more than casual scrutiny. Claiming that God has the will and power to fiddle with the laws of physics enough to save the Missionaries of the One True Church from death but did nothing, NOTHING for the people who were blown into bloody pulp is not an idea worthy of respect. Read the list of terrorist incidents in 2016 alone, and tell me where the hell the God of Love was. 

[Stargazer]

On 4/2/2016 at 10:18 AM, JeremyOrbe-Smith said:

Platitudes, moral vacuity, and faith-promoting stories about God taking the time to miraculously find lost keys while the Ebola virus rages elsewhere. 

BS masquerading as pseudo-intellectual mumbo jumbo masquerading as high-nosed sniffery.

You must have been watching another conference entirely.  Or not at all.

[bluebell]

1 minute ago, JeremyOrbe-Smith said:

To those so incredulous that I would take the time to watch: the Church has millions of members. It influences public policy, as well as the opinions of my friends and neighbors. I watch all sorts of things I disagree with and comment on them; it's about trying to be informed. The Church broadcasts these talks to the world; the men speaking make the audacious claim that they are given inspiration direct from God. I will respect the ideas presented the moment they are worthy of respect; presumably, God's ideas should be able to withstand more than casual scrutiny. Claiming that God has the will and power to fiddle with the laws of physics enough to save the Missionaries of the One True Church from death but did nothing, NOTHING for the people who were blown into bloody pulp is not an idea worthy of respect. Read the list of terrorist incidents in 2016 alone, and tell me where the hell the God of Love was. 

As long as you cling to the idea that a God of love either must let everyone suffer or let no one suffer, you won't be able to find Him.

The church has always recognized that sometimes He saves and sometimes He doesn't. It has always taught that God I'd a God of love either way. 

Acknowledging blessings when they are given is not evil.  

 

[Mystery Meat]

it is sad and amazing how many members in recent weeks have abandoned the spirit, embraced anger and entrusted their eternal destiny to Satan. Thank goodness for the Atonement.

[Stargazer]

8 minutes ago, JeremyOrbe-Smith said:

To those so incredulous that I would take the time to watch: the Church has millions of members. It influences public policy, as well as the opinions of my friends and neighbors. I watch all sorts of things I disagree with and comment on them; it's about trying to be informed. The Church broadcasts these talks to the world; the men speaking make the audacious claim that they are given inspiration direct from God. I will respect the ideas presented the moment they are worthy of respect; presumably, God's ideas should be able to withstand more than casual scrutiny. Claiming that God has the will and power to fiddle with the laws of physics enough to save the Missionaries of the One True Church from death but did nothing, NOTHING for the people who were blown into bloody pulp is not an idea worthy of respect. Read the list of terrorist incidents in 2016 alone, and tell me where the hell the God of Love was. 

You seem to expect that life should be a bed of roses, and since it isn't, well obviously there is no God of Love.

[Deborah]

I thought all the talks were wonderful. When they announced Elder Holland finally speaking I was so happy. I wondered where he was.

 

Edited April 3, 2016 by Deborah

[Storm Rider]

13 minutes ago, JeremyOrbe-Smith said:

To those so incredulous that I would take the time to watch: the Church has millions of members. It influences public policy, as well as the opinions of my friends and neighbors. I watch all sorts of things I disagree with and comment on them; it's about trying to be informed. The Church broadcasts these talks to the world; the men speaking make the audacious claim that they are given inspiration direct from God. I will respect the ideas presented the moment they are worthy of respect; presumably, God's ideas should be able to withstand more than casual scrutiny. Claiming that God has the will and power to fiddle with the laws of physics enough to save the Missionaries of the One True Church from death but did nothing, NOTHING for the people who were blown into bloody pulp is not an idea worthy of respect. Read the list of terrorist incidents in 2016 alone, and tell me where the hell the God of Love was. 

Jeremy, you are on a thorny, dark road and it is road and an experience that you have chosen to walk.  I wish it was different for you at present, but it is not a permanent decision. Humility is not an easy lesson to learn and/or re-learn, but it is a rather constant state of humans.  I hope that you find both joy and peace soon; until then I hope you walk softly, choose thoughtfully, remember that you are not alone. 

[Scott Lloyd]

14 minutes ago, bluebell said:

As long as you cling to the idea that a God of love either must let everyone suffer or let no one suffer, you won't be able to find Him.

The church has always recognized that sometimes He saves and sometimes He doesn't. It has always taught that God I'd a God of love either way. 

Acknowledging blessings when they are given is not evil.  

 

I think it was Elder Oaks who made the point today that God will not ordinarily infringe on the agency of one person to accommodate another, but He will bless the sufferer to bear up under his/her trials and burdens.

An understanding of that principle can help one come to terms with the question of why suffering is allowed to happen. At least it has for me over the years.

 

Edited April 3, 2016 by Scott Lloyd

[Sleeper Cell]

27 minutes ago, JeremyOrbe-Smith said:

Claiming that God has the will and power to fiddle with the laws of physics enough to save the Missionaries of the One True Church from death but did nothing, NOTHING for the people who were blown into bloody pulp is not an idea worthy of respect. Read the list of terrorist incidents in 2016 alone, and tell me where the hell the God of Love was. 

Would you have been less bitter, had the Missionaries not been saved?

[The Nehor]

1 hour ago, JeremyOrbe-Smith said:

To those so incredulous that I would take the time to watch: the Church has millions of members. It influences public policy, as well as the opinions of my friends and neighbors. I watch all sorts of things I disagree with and comment on them; it's about trying to be informed. The Church broadcasts these talks to the world; the men speaking make the audacious claim that they are given inspiration direct from God. I will respect the ideas presented the moment they are worthy of respect; presumably, God's ideas should be able to withstand more than casual scrutiny. Claiming that God has the will and power to fiddle with the laws of physics enough to save the Missionaries of the One True Church from death but did nothing, NOTHING for the people who were blown into bloody pulp is not an idea worthy of respect. Read the list of terrorist incidents in 2016 alone, and tell me where the hell the God of Love was. 

So your wife makes you?

[Rivers]

Conference is always a mixed bag for me.  Some talks grab my attention. Some Don't.  But by watching all of conference I am bound to hear a few gems. 

I do feel it is worth pondering on why more talks don't focus on major world problems like disease, hunger, poverty, terrorism, etc. Most talks are about spiritual matters. 

 

[Tacenda]

5 hours ago, Mystery Meat said:

it is sad and amazing how many members in recent weeks have abandoned the spirit, embraced anger and entrusted their eternal destiny to Satan. Thank goodness for the Atonement.

Not Satan...you're wrong there.  Jeremy has a lot of passion and a lot of pain for those that didn't make it...so very far from Satan.

Edited April 4, 2016 by Tacenda

[rodheadlee]

4 minutes ago, Rivers said:

Conference is always a mixed bag for me.  Some talks grab my attention. Some Don't.  But by watching all of conference I am bound to hear a few gems. 

I do feel it is worth pondering on why more talks don't focus on major world problems like disease, hunger, poverty, terrorism, etc. Most talks are about spiritual matters. 

 

Because we are in the business of eternity, saving souls from the 2nd death,which is eternal. Every mortal on earth is going to die, there is no way around it. It is up to each one of us to pick up our cross and bear it. That means it's our job to relieve suffering, feed the hungry, heal the sick and preach the Gospel.

[stemelbow]

5 hours ago, bluebell said:

As long as you cling to the idea that a God of love either must let everyone suffer or let no one suffer, you won't be able to find Him.

The church has always recognized that sometimes He saves and sometimes He doesn't. It has always taught that God I'd a God of love either way. 

Acknowledging blessings when they are given is not evil.  

 

THat's an unfair judgment, Bluebell.  Much like Jeremy expressed, it's really hard to comprehend a favorite for God.  People suffer.  In fact, as it has been, for the majority of this earth, more have suffered through mortality than have understood anything regarding modern LDS thought and practice.  It's horrifically sad, in my mind, this world.  NOt necessarily for me, because for some reason, while I have my problems are heartache, they are nothing compared to what the majority of this world has faced.  It makes me terrible sad.  I don't get preference.  I don't get it at all.  I think I or anyone can find God in our own way.  Your described path may be for you but it's not for others. 

[stemelbow]

33 minutes ago, Rivers said:

Conference is always a mixed bag for me.  Some talks grab my attention. Some Don't.  But by watching all of conference I am bound to hear a few gems. 

I do feel it is worth pondering on why more talks don't focus on major world problems like disease, hunger, poverty, terrorism, etc. Most talks are about spiritual matters. 

 

IT's similar for me.  I tend to feel we, as a Church, are misdirected.  Not only are most talks on spiritual matters, but they are appeals for us to pay more attention to ourselves.  I think that, itself, shows some misdirection. 

[stemelbow]

On ‎4‎/‎2‎/‎2016 at 11:18 AM, JeremyOrbe-Smith said:

Platitudes, moral vacuity, and faith-promoting stories about God taking the time to miraculously find lost keys while the Ebola virus rages elsewhere. 

I for one, can't deny how right you are.  I really can't get on board with the self-love in conference. All too often it feels like we're too proud of ourselves to accept the truth.

[Calm]

4 minutes ago, stemelbow said:

Not only are most talks on spiritual matters, but they are appeals for us to pay more attention to ourselves.

Stuns me at times how different people hear the same words.  This should be old news to me by now, but still every now and then I feel like I am getting hit between the eyes with that reality of human communication.

[stemelbow]

1 minute ago, Calm said:

Stuns me at times how different people hear the same words.  This should be old news to me by now, but still every now and then I feel like I am getting hit between the eyes with that reality of human communication.

You're telling me.  But I really do enjoy, when it comes down to it, the way various people hear things.  My take was that most talks told the faithful members to work on themselves, focus more on them.  It seems like a big mistake to tell members do to that, considering the amount of pride in the Church.

[bluebell]

27 minutes ago, stemelbow said:

THat's an unfair judgment, Bluebell.  Much like Jeremy expressed, it's really hard to comprehend a favorite for God.  People suffer.  In fact, as it has been, for the majority of this earth, more have suffered through mortality than have understood anything regarding modern LDS thought and practice.  It's horrifically sad, in my mind, this world.  NOt necessarily for me, because for some reason, while I have my problems are heartache, they are nothing compared to what the majority of this world has faced.  It makes me terrible sad.  I don't get preference.  I don't get it at all.  I think I or anyone can find God in our own way.  Your described path may be for you but it's not for others. 

I'm not trying to pass any judgements, I'm just speaking the truth. If we only look for God where He's not, we aren't going to be able to find Him. 

If we create false ideas of who God HAS to be in order to exist, we won't be able to recognize Him when we see Him. 

[bluebell]

24 minutes ago, Calm said:

Stuns me at times how different people hear the same words.  This should be old news to me by now, but still every now and then I feel like I am getting hit between the eyes with that reality of human communication.

I agree. I heard nothing like focusing on ourselves. It would be really interesting, once the talks come out, to revisit this and see some exact quotes that people felt support that idea. 

[stemelbow]

1 minute ago, bluebell said:

I'm not trying to pass any judgements, I'm just speaking the truth. If we only look for God where He's not, we aren't going to be able to find Him. 

If we create false ideas of who God HAS to be in order to exist, we won't be able to recognize Him when we see Him. 

You don't know where God is not.  It felt rather judgmental to me.  Jeremy has his own path in life.  Have faith that he too is on a path God needs him to go down.