Duncan Posted March 21, 2017 Posted March 21, 2017 in the Doctrine and Covenants 115:6 it reads "And that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth." How would gathering in a stake be a defense and refuge from storms and wrath? I don't get how that would work, or what we would be looking for if we live in a stake
Popular Post Bernard Gui Posted March 21, 2017 Popular Post Posted March 21, 2017 (edited) There is strength, support, and hope in a community of like-minded people when they are faced with outside threats. For example, our school proms were becoming increasingly promiscuous. Most LDS kids and their parents wanted to participate in such a big event, but were uncomfortable with the situation. So, our stake sponsored our own prom with LDS standards. It has now expanded to include several stakes and has become almost as popular as the school proms, even attracting non-LDS kids who want a more wholesome party. Our stakes also have developed survival programs to help us deal with disasters that are possible in our area. This is comforting and reassuring. Edited March 21, 2017 by Bernard Gui 10
probablyHagoth7 Posted March 21, 2017 Posted March 21, 2017 5 hours ago, Duncan said: in the Doctrine and Covenants 115:6 it reads "And that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth." How would gathering in a stake be a defense and refuge from storms and wrath? I don't get how that would work, or what we would be looking for if we live in a stake Brigadoon.
ksfisher Posted March 21, 2017 Posted March 21, 2017 11 hours ago, Duncan said: in the Doctrine and Covenants 115:6 it reads "And that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth." How would gathering in a stake be a defense and refuge from storms and wrath? I don't get how that would work, or what we would be looking for if we live in a stake Don't you live in a stake now?
Duncan Posted March 21, 2017 Author Posted March 21, 2017 Just now, ksfisher said: Don't you live in a stake now? well, yeah but what protection should I give or get?, it's not a fortress or something that we all run to!
stemelbow Posted March 21, 2017 Posted March 21, 2017 Lately I feel much more like the stake is what I need to get away from in order to get out of the storms and wrath. Maybe stakes have changed from being refuges to being the cause of too many of our problems. The whole set up stinks too much of that which was heavily condemned by Jesus in the NT--pharisaic thinking and practice.
ksfisher Posted March 21, 2017 Posted March 21, 2017 4 minutes ago, Duncan said: well, yeah but what protection should I give or get?, it's not a fortress or something that we all run to! Think about the blessings that you receive from living in an organized stake of Zion. 2
stemelbow Posted March 21, 2017 Posted March 21, 2017 Just now, ksfisher said: Think about the blessings that you receive from living in an organized stake of Zion. I'm trying. Can you help me identify any?
ksfisher Posted March 21, 2017 Posted March 21, 2017 4 minutes ago, stemelbow said: Lately I feel much more like the stake is what I need to get away from in order to get out of the storms and wrath. Maybe stakes have changed from being refuges to being the cause of too many of our problems. The whole set up stinks too much of that which was heavily condemned by Jesus in the NT--pharisaic thinking and practice. So your stake is leading you to disobey the commandments and suffer all the consequences of that disobedience?
stemelbow Posted March 21, 2017 Posted March 21, 2017 1 minute ago, ksfisher said: So your stake is leading you to disobey the commandments and suffer all the consequences of that disobedience? My eyes are a bit open. My stake isn't leading me anywhere. Leading hardly seems to apply.
ksfisher Posted March 21, 2017 Posted March 21, 2017 Just now, stemelbow said: I'm trying. Can you help me identify any? Ward leaders receive training from stake leaders. Experienced stake leaders can pass on wisdom to younger ward leaders. You have a stake president to sign your temple recommend. Stake social activities can help us make friends outside of our wards and neighborhoods. Bishops have an experienced leader as a stake president to consult with. Those are some of the things I can think up quickly, I'm sure others can add to the list. 1
stemelbow Posted March 21, 2017 Posted March 21, 2017 1 minute ago, ksfisher said: Ward leaders receive training from stake leaders. Experienced stake leaders can pass on wisdom to younger ward leaders. So I'm benefitted for people getting more and more intertwined in the pharisaic order of things? Not sure I see it. 1 minute ago, ksfisher said: You have a stake president to sign your temple recommend. Anyone could, I suppose. 1 minute ago, ksfisher said: Stake social activities can help us make friends outside of our wards and neighborhoods. So can heading to any event. I can go to the art show, car show, kids ball games, or anything else and get the same benefit. So, again, not really a benefit. 1 minute ago, ksfisher said: Bishops have an experienced leader as a stake president to consult with. Experience might not always translate to good or useful. It might be that experience has taught them to do things in a less productive or helpful way. 1 minute ago, ksfisher said: Those are some of the things I can think up quickly, I'm sure others can add to the list. Ok. I get where your going. I'm thinking we might disagree though.
ksfisher Posted March 21, 2017 Posted March 21, 2017 (edited) 10 minutes ago, stemelbow said: So I'm benefitted for people getting more and more intertwined in the pharisaic order of things? Not sure I see it. Anyone could, I suppose. So can heading to any event. I can go to the art show, car show, kids ball games, or anything else and get the same benefit. So, again, not really a benefit. Experience might not always translate to good or useful. It might be that experience has taught them to do things in a less productive or helpful way. Ok. I get where your going. I'm thinking we might disagree though. I guess in the end you get what you give. My wife and I have both put in a lot of time in stake positions. I feel that it has blessed out lives, continues to bless us as we now serve in ward callings, and hopefully we did some good serving in those stake callings. Edited March 21, 2017 by ksfisher
stemelbow Posted March 21, 2017 Posted March 21, 2017 Just now, ksfisher said: I guess in the end you get what you give. Fashion shoots with Beck and Hanson Courtney Love and Marilyn Manson You're all fakes run to your mansions
ksfisher Posted March 21, 2017 Posted March 21, 2017 1 minute ago, stemelbow said: Fashion shoots with Beck and Hanson Courtney Love and Marilyn Manson You're all fakes run to your mansions That's actually what was running through my mind at the time. I did accidentally hit submit before I added my second sentence.
Ahab Posted March 21, 2017 Posted March 21, 2017 12 hours ago, Duncan said: in the Doctrine and Covenants 115:6 it reads "And that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth." How would gathering in a stake be a defense and refuge from storms and wrath? I don't get how that would work, or what we would be looking for if we live in a stake I think the Lord could have narrowed it down a bit more...that the gathering together upon the land of Zion (pure in heart), and upon her stakes, within Church stake centers and ward buildings and temples and the homes of faithful members...may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm... But if he had made it that clear then you probably wouldn't have spent so much time pondering over his words to try to figure out what he meant by that. The more you work at something the more it usually means to you. 1
JAHS Posted March 21, 2017 Posted March 21, 2017 President Ezra Taft Benson said: "Stakes are a defense for the Saints from enemies both seen and unseen. The defense is direction provided through priesthood channels that strengthens testimony and promotes family solidarity and individual righteousness." You can read his entire talk here:"Strengthen Thy Stakes" The above is very evident when I go to our Stake High Priest quorum meetings and feel the spiritual strength and unity of the brothers from the entire stake there. 4
Duncan Posted March 21, 2017 Author Posted March 21, 2017 Just now, JAHS said: President Ezra Taft Benson said: "Stakes are a defense for the Saints from enemies both seen and unseen. The defense is direction provided through priesthood channels that strengthens testimony and promotes family solidarity and individual righteousness." You can read his entire talk here:"Strengthen Thy Stakes" The above is very evident when I go to our Stake High Priest quorum meetings and feel the spiritual strength and unity of the brothers from the entire stake there. Thanks!!!!!!!
The Nehor Posted March 21, 2017 Posted March 21, 2017 I am not sure some people in this thread know what pharisaic means. It seems to here have the definition of "things organizations do that I do not personally like." 1
stemelbow Posted March 22, 2017 Posted March 22, 2017 2 hours ago, The Nehor said: I am not sure some people in this thread know what pharisaic means. It seems to here have the definition of "things organizations do that I do not personally like." Not at all, the nehor
carbon dioxide Posted March 22, 2017 Posted March 22, 2017 21 hours ago, Duncan said: in the Doctrine and Covenants 115:6 it reads "And that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth." How would gathering in a stake be a defense and refuge from storms and wrath? I don't get how that would work, or what we would be looking for if we live in a stake It is not just the stakes but also the wards. In our ward we practice emergency preparedness a couple of times a year with mock drills. When disaster does happen whether natural or man made, the wards and stakes will play an important role in dealing with many issues that will come up. It is easier to handle big trials together than our own. Many outside the church do not have such a support system and they will have a much harder time dealing with these trials. One can say the government will be there to serve and protect but that may not always be the case.
Bernard Gui Posted March 22, 2017 Posted March 22, 2017 10 hours ago, ksfisher said: Ward leaders receive training from stake leaders. Experienced stake leaders can pass on wisdom to younger ward leaders. You have a stake president to sign your temple recommend. Stake social activities can help us make friends outside of our wards and neighborhoods. Bishops have an experienced leader as a stake president to consult with. Those are some of the things I can think up quickly, I'm sure others can add to the list. They provide quality social, recreational, and artistic activities for members. In times of crisis the organizational aspects of the local churches provide comfort and safety for members and non-members. Conferences provide a sense of community. They direct church programs and keep practices and doctrines within acceptable boundaries. They provide opportunities for members to learn teaching and administrative skills. They provide buildings for church, family, and community events. They give members a sense of belonging to something bigger than just their neighborhood or ward. 2
The Nehor Posted March 22, 2017 Posted March 22, 2017 5 hours ago, stemelbow said: Not at all, the nehor Well, with that stunning rebuttal I must now commit seppeku to cleanse myself of dishonor.
stemelbow Posted March 22, 2017 Posted March 22, 2017 6 hours ago, The Nehor said: Well, with that stunning rebuttal I must now commit seppeku to cleanse myself of dishonor. I don't see that there's much more to say. You have mischaractized how I view pharisaic. I'm not even sure how you arrived at your conclusion. But it doesn't matter, we likely disagree with how it may apply or not apply to the church today.
ksfisher Posted March 22, 2017 Posted March 22, 2017 7 hours ago, stemelbow said: I don't see that there's much more to say. You have mischaractized how I view pharisaic. I'm not even sure how you arrived at your conclusion. But it doesn't matter, we likely disagree with how it may apply or not apply to the church today. 2. (lowercase) practicing or advocating strict observance of external forms and ceremonies of religion or conduct without regard to the spirit; self-righteous; hypocritical. http://www.dictionary.com/browse/pharisaic?s=t Out of curiosity, what is it that you find pharisaic about your stake?
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