As I was reading the Doctrine & Covenants on my way into work the other day, I learned (not to my complete surprise, I will confess) that God has already condemned this blog. In section 121, we read:
God hath set his hand and seal to change the Times & Seasons, and to bind their minds, that they may not understand his marvelous workings; that he may prove them also and take them in their own craftiness; also because their hearts are corrupted, and the things which they are willing to bring upon others, and love to have others suffer, may come upon themselves to the very uttermost; that they may be disappointed also, and their hopes may be cut off; and not many years hence, that they and their posterity shall be swept from under heaven, saith God, that not one of them is left to stand by the wall. (v. 12-15)
It explains alot, doesn’t it?
I have to admit that when President Hinckley began his talk in Priesthood Session—saying that he was would address a growing evil about which he had received correspondence—the thought crossed my mind that he was about to condemn blogging. But why condemn blogging in general (a harmless or at least neutral medium of communication, right?) when a much more targeted condemnation is already in the cannon? Thanks for pointing that out, Nate.
Nate,
I actually had the opposite experience. I was wondering about the value of blogging, when I was reading the Ensign a few months back, and I came across the phrase:
“God watches the times and seasons.”
And not to get all touchy-feely, but I felt that that was an indication that God is pleased with our little endeavor here. And shortly thereafter, the Geoff Johnston incident reinforced that feeling for me.
Yeah, I know that we probably yak too much about trivialities. But when it comes down to it, we’re all discussing the gospel and how it applies to our lives. And that can’t be such a bad thing, can it?
Actually, I think God probably is more thinking Rev. 3:16 about the whole Bloggernacle affair.
“It explains alot, doesn’t it?”
Yes, it does.
Those readers not interested in incurring the wrath of a God not amused by all the apostasy over here might try spending more time at a certain other blog, where righteousness always reigns supreme.
Aaron B
Do you think we’ll get a plague of locusts?
Based on a conversation I had with someone who works for the Church, the Brethren are not opposed to blogging at all. In fact, after donating my domain names LDSBLOG.NET and MORMONBLOG.NET to the Church, I asked this brother about a new domain name I was thinking of acquiring. I asked if the Brethren had any issues with the domain name (I didn’t want to buy new domain names only to get another donation request) and any concerns about my desire to continue blogging. The answer was: “no objections.” Also, this Church employee spoke of several of the Brethren as being “internet savvy”.
I believe that blogging about the Church and the Gospel is a good thing.
I am still debating whether or not I will continue blogging about the Church. So many great blogs already…including Times and Seasons.
Brian, did you ask why the Church was interested in the domain names?
Based on my discussions, though I did not ask directly, the Church was and is concerned about controlling its name and how it is used. Intellectual Reserve Inc. (IRI) has a vast holding of domain names and only a handful are currently active.
While I never proclaimed to speak for the Church, the name could have caused confusion among those who are not members of the Church. I respect the Church’s wishes, therefore I donated the domain names.
The writing might then be on the wall with regards to the MA. Maybe we could work out a trade or something. We’ll give them the domain if they link to the future URL… :)
I have already posted on how God is thrilled with the Bloggernacle. You guys are lucky here though… Try as I might, I couldn’t find any mention of New Cool Thang in the scriptures. [Napoleon] Gosh! [/Napoleon]
You should change the name to Thymes and Seasonings and ‘convert’ the topic to kosher pro-word of wisdom culinary arts.
I sure hope that blogging remains okay with the BIG Boss upstairs, coming from a PA Mormon. PA has the lowest %age of LDS per general population out of any other state besides the District of Columbia (I like to think we have alot of future members). Anyways, blogging is a great way for me to focus on church-ish topics durring the week, seeing as how I rarely have Mormon-contact (excluding my wife) any time durring the week except Sundays. I’m curious if there are any out-of-USA bloggers around here that also feel like this helps connect the “little Mormon in the big city”? Anyway… being a convert I think that I speak for the rest of my Stake when I say, “Send more missionaries … it seems to be working!” :)
My wife and I are living in China right now, at least 5 hours from any major city that I’ve heard rumors contain other members. We conduct our own church service where the “talks” are always excellent, and the Sunday School lesson just happens to always be about the very things I’ve been thinking about during the week.
So, whether or not the bloggernacle is condemned, it helps my wife and me (“little Mormons in a big country”) feel a connection – however remote – with others whose viewpoints are obviously quite varied compared to our 2-person meetings.
Doug:
Wow, I guess you are a little more remote than I am. I do have to say tho, the one time I’ve had an oppurtunity to have a meeting for just my wife and I (we were snowed in and church was canceled) it sure was special. I enjoyed the privilage of blessing and passing the sacrament for us, and I enjoyed the heck out of her talks! I might add the ensign was invaluable at this meeting. Anyway, how’d you end up in China? Give my regards to your wife (let her know that us state-side Mormons are thinkin’ of both of you). God Bless. And I’d suppose you have more potential members around you than I do.
Brandon,
What part of PA are you in?
Dear Kaimi;
I am new to blogging. In fact, my first blog was the one on Sabbath and interest.
I have two questions and I hope that I am not breaking protocol.
From you biography, I learned that you live in New York. During the 70’s, my first wife and I moved to Crown Heights and attended the Chabad Synagogue on 770 eastern Parkway. After some anti-semitic incidents, we moved to Borough Park and attended the Bostoner Rebbe’s Synagogue. I was curious if the Church had any units in these areas?
During one Sacrament meeting, I noticed the format of the prayer: “O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee, in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ.” Most prayers are addressed to Heavenly Father and closed in the name of Jesus Christ. The Sacrament prayer has both the opening and closing in the opening. I asked some members of my Ward if there were any other prayers with the same format. They couldn’t think of any other prayers with the similar format.
Do you know of any prayers similar to the Sacrament prayer?
I read some of the comments regarding chiami. During several classes, which I taught, I have said that I don’t care if they ever find a cave in South America with the inscription, “Nephi loves Sarah.” My testimony is based on the confirmation by the Holy Ghost.
Yyyyet, as a Jewish convert, there are some interesting passages in the Book of Mormon. Nephi is rescued by an angel at the end of chapter 3 of 1st Nephi. Laman and Lemuel begin to murmur as soon as the angel has departed.
Nephi’s first rebuttal against not going back to Jerusalem is:
4:2 Therefore let us go up; let us be strong like unto Moses; for he truly spake unto the waters of the Red Sea and they divided hither and thither, and our fathers came through, out of captivity, on dry ground, and the armies of Pharaoh did follow and were drowned in the waters of the Red Sea.
His second rebuttal is:
4:3 Now behold ye know that this is true; and ye also know that an angel hath spoken unto you; wherefore can ye doubt? …
If Joseph Smith wrote the Book of Mormon, I have the following question. Since Joseph Smith was a Gentile and grew up in a Gentile culture, why didn’t he mention the angel prior to Moses and the Red Sea? My answer is that Joseph Smith was not the author of the book of Mormon; but the writers of the Book of Mormon had the same mentality as the writers of the Old Testament. No matter, how impressive the appearance of the angel, the power of God shown in the Exodus was the fundamental definition of the power of God to ancient Israel. Even today, the morning and evening prayers of Judaism mentions the Exodus.
I hope that I haven’t broken too many of your blogging rules.
Sincerely;
Benyamin Abrams
Benyamin Abrams: ” Since Joseph Smith was a Gentile and grew up in a Gentile culture.”
Yes on the second part, no on the first. The Book of Mormon teaches that JS was an Israelite through the line of Joseph of Egypt (see 2 Nephi 3).
Doug, thanks for alerting us to your presence. It’s good to know members from as far away as China enjoy the bloggernacle — I suppose we’re the closest thing you get to a monthly home teaching visit. Is there anything we can do to help you or your family? : )
Really, it’s nice to have you here.
Benyamin,
Welcome to the blog, and don’t worry, you’re not breaking any rules.
As to your first question, there are definitely church units in each of the boroughs. I attended a ward in Manhattan while I was in law school, and for the past four years I’ve attended the Kingsbridge Second ward in the Bronx. I’m not particularly familiar with the Brooklyn wards, but I believe that there are multiple wards in Brooklyn. One of my co-bloggers, Greg, attended one of them for a few years. And some of our commenters are from there — we sometimes get comments from Mark Butler, who attends a Brooklyn ward (I don’t know which), as well as Chris Williams, who is a bishop in Brooklyn.
As to your second question — I’ve heard baby blessings performed that way. That is, the name of Jesus Christ invoked at the start of the prayer, not the end. (The phrasing I’ve heard is to invoke the name of Christ at the same time as the priesthood authority — “in the name of Jesus Christ and by the power of the Melchezidek priesthood . . .”).
I suspect that other ordinances could be done the same way. It’s an interesting question.
With regard to blogging, I wonder if Matthew 12:36 is an indication that we’re all in trouble?
Not to be smarmy, but I thought I had given all you unbelievers fair warning.
J. Scherer ,
I’m a member of the Doylestown Ward, Philladelphia Stake in PA. I am just north of Philly. Pretty area, not too much city has encroached on us yet and my wife and I live next to horses and sheep. I am about 15 min. from the Delaware (our only protection from New Jersey).
Brandon,
I feel your pain. I am in the Wilkes-BArre PA ward about 2 hrs north of you. Though there are some advantages of a low lds percentage beside missionary work. It seems that the young people(at least in my ward) find it easier tend to identify themselves by their church membership because of their low numbers. Anyway, let’s keep working and maybe we’ll get that temple soemday that Elder Packer teased about at regional conference last year.
J. Scherer ,
My wife grew up in your stake in the Honesdale Branch (now Ward) If you’ve been there for a while, do you remember the Myer Family? They have 5 kids including my wife. Anyway, I agree with the distinction of being a Latter-Day Saint in our neck of the woods helps to distinquish us. And on the Temple… take this for what it’s worth, but I’ve heard rumors that the Church has aquired ample land suitable for a Temple at Valley Forge. I remind my friends that the fastest way for us to get a temple is to increase attendance at the ones near by. (I try to go at least once monthly).