CLASS DISCUSSION: "Truth, Sentimentality & Comfort Zones"

In response to this past weekend’s lesson, Fabien in Edinburgh, Scotland writes:

“What an amazing lesson! I totally subscribe to what is written in it! I remember reading a long time ago that Brigham Young claimed that all truths were Mormonism and I interpret this as saying that Mormonism was a quest for truth and knowledge of God and all he expected us to do to become like him in all kinds of ways. So all truths would be working hand in hand with Mormonism to make this possible.

“I liked the image of Adam and Eve returning to a Garden that would not be what they remembered it to be...

“I also liked the idea of searching for God no into some "imagined immaterial world" but in this existence, on this planet. When I consider God, when I reflect on eternal truths and the mysteries of my faith, I do not think of some outer space world à la Kolob but I think of my own nature, created in the image of God, and then I feel so close to this planet, to the grass I sit on, to the leaves in the trees around me. When I commune with God this is not a silent prayer in a building built for that purpose. It can be, of course, but most often it is me being outside in nature and I feel the eternal side of me and that eternal side of me communicates with the kindred eternal side of my God.

“Thank you for another great and greatly inspiring lesson!”


Fabien publishes his own excellent blog in which he explores not only Reform Mormon ideas and concepts but also currents topics and news events relating to Mormonism generally. It’s entitled “Sorta Reform Mormon(s).” Link to it by clicking on to: www.reform-mormon.blogspot.com

On the issues of "comfort zones" and fear of the unknown, Wilhelm in Germany writes:


"While reading through the posting, one thing jumped into my mind, an example for a lot of points that have been mentioned . Electricity in different forms and use reminds me of truth. In its basic form – as lightining – it filled humans with fear for ages. Those humans didn´t know what happened and this added to their fear of the possible destruction it might cause.Whatever our forefathers thought about it – it was there. Science has a long history of discoveries that brought us knowledge of things that we could not see, not smell – and that we better not touch. Today we know how to work with electricity – but still need to follow some rules...You might seem like a magician or even as a God if you met humans who had never known about electricity and they saw you use a flashlight."


ON LESSONS FROM OUR ARCHIVE.

In response to a lesson from our archives (published on February 9, 2007), Lincoln writes:

“I just read and enjoyed your post on "THE COMPLEXITY OF LIFE: Living in an Increasingly Interesting World". At the end of the post, you asked for readers' thoughts on progression and complexity. I certainly think the two are related in an important way: we progress by increasing in complexity, biologically and technologically. We can now readily observe that we have been increasing in technological complexity at an exponential rate for a long period of time (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accelerating_change), and if this trend does not change then we will in the future continue to experience far greater changes in far shorter periods of time than we have experienced in the past. This observation corresponds in interesting ways with visions of the future expressed by Joseph Smith and other Mormon prophets”
(http://transfigurism.org/community/files/11/sunstone_west_2007/entry2338.aspx).

The second link that Lincoln shares is to the website for The Mormon Transhumanist Association. You can link to their website’s homepage at: www.transfigurism.org

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This online Reform Mormon Gospel Doctrine Class is “discussion class”—a forum for Reform Mormons and those with an interest in Reform Mormonism to share their views on the doctrines and principles explored in the “lessons” published here.


So share your insights and views by emailing them to: reformmormons@aol.com. (Emails may be edited for spelling, grammar or length.)

As Reform Mormons, we recognize that there are many different denominations and traditions within worldwide Mormonism—including the LDS and FLDS Churches, the Community of Christ (RLDS) and the Strangite LDS Church, as well as families and individuals who belong to no organization whatsoever. All are welcomed here. However this is not a forum in which to attack Reform Mormonism concepts or to proselyte for other Mormon denominations or traditions.

As Reform Mormons we acknowledge that we are different from other Mormons. We are not Latter-day Saints, nor do we claim to be Christian. Reform Mormonism is founded on the premise that mid-19th century Mormon theology (introduced in Nauvoo, Illinois) sets up a religious paradigm that is completely different from that of Christianity and other monotheistic faiths. For us, Mormonism is truly a new religion.

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