Do religions take advantage of the innate human desire to matter, to have purpose and to exist beyond death? Was this nefarious? As all religions are different, it may not be a blanket statement that could be made. It does stand though that we must take the word of leaders who tell us how toRead more
Tag Archives: Dallin H Oaks
Some things that are true are not very useful to the Mormon church
There is a temptation for the writer or the teacher of Church history to want to tell everything, whether it is worthy or faith promoting or not. Some things that are true are not very useful. Elder Boyd K Packerhttps://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teaching-seminary-preservice-readings-religion-370-471-and-475/the-mantle-is-far-far-greater-than-the-intellect?lang=eng#subtitle2 Not everything that’s true is useful. Elder Dallin H Oakshttps://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/elder-oaks-interview-transcript-from-pbs-documentary There have been many statementsRead more
Gain a testimony by pretending to have one
Many testimonies come off like the bearer thinks that “I know” actually means “I really hope” or “I want to know”. When encouraged to bear a testimony to find it, this doublespeak almost makes sense. We gain or strengthen a testimony by bearing it. Someone even suggested that some testimonies are better gained on theRead more
Weak Foundations Fear Examination
“If a faith will not bear to be investigated: if its preachers and professors are afraid to have it examined, their foundation must be very weak.” George Albert Smith Journal of Discourses, v. 14, p. 216 We are encouraged to examine and investigate everything. Especially our faith & our church. This is in line with whatRead more
Is it Wrong to Criticize Leaders?
It’s wrong to criticize leaders of the Church, even if the criticism is true. President Oaks. How can this be twisted to be seen in a good way? Is it wrong to call out errors our leaders make? No. It could be annoying, or even tactless to harp on every minor thing they do thatRead more
The Truth Cannot Be Harmed By Investigation?
If we have truth, [it] cannot be harmed by investigation. If we have not truth, it ought to be harmed. J. Reuben ClarkJ. Reuben Clark: The Church Years. Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University Press, 1983, p. 24 Investigate the church, we invite the world (non-members) to investigate our claims. Those who are learning and consideringRead more
Oaks Thinks Research Is Not The Answer
President Oaks acknowledged that some Latter-Saint couples face conflicts over important values and priorities. Matters of Church history and doctrinal issues have led some spouses to inactivity. Some spouses wonder how to best go about researching and responding to such issues. “I suggest that research is not the answer,” he said. “But the best answerRead more