Elder Quentin L. Cook: "Looking beyond the Mark"

[Scott Lloyd]

In his confdrence sermon, Elder Quentin L. Cook spoke of "looking beyond the mark" and gave it a number of applications. One was a not-so-veiled reference to the "prepper" movement that has caught hold of some among us.

He also applied to any who take up some cause and give it a higher priority than the cause of Christ and His gospel. I thought of social and political issues when I heard that.

[boblloyd91]

I like how he mentioned emergency preparedness as a principle that's been pushed to the point of fanaticism. It's been an issue here in Utah.

[VideoGameJunkie]

I think this also applies to those that support polygamy and things like Adam-God theory. 

[Robert F. Smith]

57 minutes ago, boblloyd91 said:

I like how he mentioned emergency preparedness as a principle that's been pushed to the point of fanaticism. It's been an issue here in Utah.

Nevertheless, there are experts in emergency preparedness who are essential to understanding what needs to be done, and we should not consider them among the "extremists" described by Elder Cook.  I know some of them personally, and they are well balanced members who just happen to have survivalism as a wonderful hobby.  They provide a great resource to be called upon when necessary, just as experts in other fields may become necessary (agriculture, medicine, engineering, law, etc.).  This is far different than fanaticism.  Hobbies are not necessarily a threat to Mormonism.

[Robert F. Smith]

46 minutes ago, VideoGameJunkie said:

I think this also applies to those that support polygamy and things like Adam-God theory. 

Yes, and every now and then someone will get on his high horse and even form a personality cult in support of his pet project.  This can indeed be dangerous, but not every such project is an example of extremism.  We must be careful not to condemn everything out of hand.

[Robert F. Smith]

8 hours ago, Scott Lloyd said:

In his confdrence sermon, Elder Quentin L. Cook spoke of "looking beyond the mark" and gave it a number of applications. One was a not-so-veiled reference to the "prepper" movement that has caught hold of some among us.

He also applied to any who take up some cause and give it a higher priority than the cause of Christ and His gospel. I thought of social and political issues when I heard that.

Yet, we do have members who pursue political office, or who actively organize for or back such candidates.  Indeed, the Brethren have urged us to take part in political caucuses and primaries.  Joseph Smith and Mitt Romney have even run as presidential candidates.  As long as such efforts are done with honor, they are presumably well within the bounds the Lord has set for us.

One statement by Elder Cook has stuck in my mind, and it was something like: "Sufficient unto each dispensation are the obstacles thereof."  Or something to that effect.  I'll listen to it again and correct that if necessary.

Edited October 2, 2016 by Robert F. Smith

[The Nehor]

2 hours ago, Robert F. Smith said:

Nevertheless, there are experts in emergency preparedness who are essential to understanding what needs to be done, and we should not consider them among the "extremists" described by Elder Cook.  I know some of them personally, and they are well balanced members who just happen to have survivalism as a wonderful hobby.  They provide a great resource to be called upon when necessary, just as experts in other fields may become necessary (agriculture, medicine, engineering, law, etc.).  This is far different than fanaticism.  Hobbies are not necessarily a threat to Mormonism.

Be wary of those who go around giving firesides and selling things. Priestcraft is very common in this field.

[boblloyd91]

4 hours ago, Robert F. Smith said:

Nevertheless, there are experts in emergency preparedness who are essential to understanding what needs to be done, and we should not consider them among the "extremists" described by Elder Cook.  I know some of them personally, and they are well balanced members who just happen to have survivalism as a wonderful hobby.  They provide a great resource to be called upon when necessary, just as experts in other fields may become necessary (agriculture, medicine, engineering, law, etc.).  This is far different than fanaticism.  Hobbies are not necessarily a threat to Mormonism.

I was referring to those influenced by Julie Rowe

[The Nehor]

Jesus, finally ready for the Second Coming prepares to descend. He looks down and finds many of his chosen people hiding in bunkers sniping at anyone who approaches sitting on top of hordes of bullets and MREs.

He rechecks the specs to make sure his cleansing of the wicked can get through these bunkers. It does. He relaxes and breathes a sigh of relief: "Those nuts would ruin the Millenium within a year."

[Traela]

I noticed he also mentioned those who go overboard on the Word of Wisdom.

 

[Johnnie Cake]

6 hours ago, Scott Lloyd said:

In his confdrence sermon, Elder Quentin L. Cook spoke of "looking beyond the mark" and gave it a number of applications. One was a not-so-veiled reference to the "prepper" movement that has caught hold of some among us.

He also applied to any who take up some cause and give it a higher priority than the cause of Christ and His gospel. I thought of social and political issues when I heard that.

Hope Ammon Bundy and his ilk were listening...too bad this message wasn't given before the killings occurred 

Edited October 2, 2016 by Johnnie Cake

[The Nehor]

38 minutes ago, Johnnie Cake said:

Hope Ammon Bundy and his ilk were listening...too bad this message wasn't given before the killings occurred 

It was. They ignored it. Want to take odds on whether they ignore it again?

[Johnnie Cake]

7 minutes ago, The Nehor said:

It was. They ignored it. Want to take odds on whether they ignore it again?

This talk came bout 2 years too late...but I guess better late than never...

[Scott Lloyd]

1 hour ago, Traela said:

I noticed he also mentioned those who go overboard on the Word of Wisdom.

 

Yes. And other "gospel hobbies."

Edited to add:

He didn't use that term, but it's what came to my mind. 

Edited October 2, 2016 by Scott Lloyd

[mfbukowski]

6 hours ago, Robert F. Smith said:

Nevertheless, there are experts in emergency preparedness who are essential to understanding what needs to be done, and we should not consider them among the "extremists" described by Elder Cook.  I know some of them personally, and they are well balanced members who just happen to have survivalism as a wonderful hobby.  They provide a great resource to be called upon when necessary, just as experts in other fields may become necessary (agriculture, medicine, engineering, law, etc.).  This is far different than fanaticism.  Hobbies are not necessarily a threat to Mormonism.

And if you live in So Cal, where we have been notified by authorities that we have a greater risk of the "big one" than usual  until next Tuesday due to an earthquake swarm (200 minor earthquakes in a couple of days) suddenly preparedness becomes real.

[Calm]

So wonder if stores are being raided or if everyone is so blasé about it they aren't paying attention unless they are in the government or insurance agencies.

[mfbukowski]

6 hours ago, Robert F. Smith said:

Yet, we do have members who pursue political office, or who actively organize for or back such candidates.  Indeed, the Brethren have urged us to take part in political caucuses and primaries.  Joseph Smith and Mitt Romney have even run as presidential candidates.  As long as such efforts are done with honor, they are presumably well within the bounds the Lord has set for us.

One statement by Elder Cook has stuck in my mind, and it was something like: "Sufficient unto each dispensation are the obstacles thereof."  Or something to that effect.  I listen to it again and correct that if necessary.

I caught that also- a great statement and I was thinking how subtle it was and that many would miss that.   Not good old Robert F Smith!

[rodheadlee]

24 minutes ago, Calm said:

So wonder if stores are being raided or if everyone is so blasé about it they aren't paying attention unless they are in the government or insurance agencies.

Most Californians have prepped long ago for quakes.

[Calm]

35 minutes ago, rodheadlee said:

Most Californians have prepped long ago for quakes.

We never did while living there (15 years total of my youth).  Neither did my grandparents who lived there since the Depression.  I left in the late 70s so perhaps it is something new since then.  Never heard it talked about at school or on TV, at church it was more for loss of jobs.  Or it could be Northern California cares less than Southern.  All those hippies living for the moment.

Edited October 2, 2016 by Calm

[The Nehor]

1 hour ago, Johnnie Cake said:

This talk came bout 2 years too late...but I guess better late than never...

And if this were the first time they said it but....oh....

http://archive.sltrib.com/story.php?ref=/sltrib/blogsfaithblog/54913284-180/apostle-lds-oaks-conference.html.csp

[Robert F. Smith]

49 minutes ago, rodheadlee said:

Most Californians have prepped long ago for quakes.

I spent many years in southern Calif training for the Big One in variety of ways, as a first responder, but the entire five-county megalopolis will be completely crippled when that Big One hits.  Most freeways and hospitals will be destroyed.  There is very little that can be done, other than digging victims out of the rubble, triaging the injured, administering the declaration of martial law, and arranging for evacuations.  Utah will be one area needed to accept refugees.  Lots of them.

[mfbukowski]

1 hour ago, Calm said:

So wonder if stores are being raided or if everyone is so blasé about it they aren't paying attention unless they are in the government or insurance agencies.

Mostly blase

Like Rod says, we are mostly prepared.  But statistically it is virtually certain to happen this century.  Biggest problem beside fires will probably be broken water mains that could take years to repair.  Years without water in So Cal.  Could be interesting.  The water mains are already old and breaking several times a year just spontaneously - as if they are made of glass.

Lotsa fun coming sometime.  Time to move to Cedar City imo.    Then I won't be able to complain about Utah anymore.  

Texas is actually starting to look good too.

[mfbukowski]

30 minutes ago, Robert F. Smith said:

I spent many years in southern Calif training for the Big One in variety of ways, as a first responder, but the entire five-county megalopolis will be completely crippled when that Big One hits.  Most freeways and hospitals will be destroyed.  There is very little that can be done, other than digging victims out of the rubble, triaging the injured, administering the declaration of martial law, and arranging for evacuations.  Utah will be one area needed to accept refugees.  Lots of them.

The day it happens go short on all the California companies you can find.  The economic effects alone will probably cause a major recession.  We will be out of commission for years.  It's like being in car headed straight into a concrete pillar at 90 mph and everyone forgot to look through the windshield because no one is actually driving.  

[The Nehor]

30 minutes ago, mfbukowski said:

Texas is actually starting to look good too.

As a Californian who lives in Texas now.....we are starting to get a few earthquakes. Not California level but hey.....we just started. We can work up to it.

[The Nehor]

17 minutes ago, mfbukowski said:

The day it happens go short on all the California companies you can find.  The economic effects alone will probably cause a major recession.  We will be out of commission for years.  It's like being in car headed straight into a concrete pillar at 90 mph and everyone forgot to look through the windshield because no one is actually driving.  

Texas just plans to secede.