NOM

2bizE wrote: ↑Wed Jun 21, 2017 6:00 pm NOWMormon,
How close are you to getting a response back from the FP about the historical deception?

Thank you for asking.
I have had to put this back-burner for a while, a lot going on, but I am taking a well deserved vacation next week, and then hope to refocus.

Who knows what the outcome will be, but at least some exposure might help others not get burned/betrayed like me (and others).

But when the very latest Ensign article is published to the world, and essentially says that doubt comes from Satan, I believe it is an indoctrinated and perpetuated scare tactic.
If you doubt, it comes from Satan,
Shame on you for being fooled.
It is your fault. (The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.)
Doubt your doubts, because they come from Satan, the creator of all lies.
Hold on to the iron rod.
And the iron rod is the Word of God.
And who does the word of God come from?--the prophets.
Follow the prophets and they will never lead you astray.
They preach that this is a church of learning and the glory of god is intelligence.
But it's only fine until you cross that invisible line, and then all of a sudden, you you are being influenced by Satan.

It's ok to learn, and TRUST THEM, as long as your spiritual blinders are in place.

I could go on and on----kind of on a soap box here.

Grace2Daisy wrote: ↑Wed Jun 21, 2017 5:08 pm

Give It Time wrote: ↑Wed Jun 21, 2017 3:26 pm This is amazing to me. I won't even complain about my issues. This training shows how important the role of ecclestical leader is in other denominations. Just looking at that and it's clear, the leader of a flock is a very serious role.

Having been given the assignment to train new bishops, with really no direction, I was in shock to see how much training the Episcopal church gives to it's parish leaders, and how little the LDS church gives to it's bishops.

But being raised in the church I had no idea how it really should work. We are taught to have full faith in our leadership and the sustain them without question. That means when a young bishop is called, he will gain the mantle of the bishop which includes being president of the Aaronic Priesthood and president of the priests quorum, being a common judge in Israel, being presiding high priest, assisting in temporal matters, providing for the welfare of the members through auxiliaries and priesthood councils, and being responsible for tithes and offerings.

All of this, and more, with no training. It's no wonder they stumble, they screw up, it's no wonder issues such a turning off Savannah's microphone and asking her to sit down happens with little concern or compassion.

This is part of why I say it's systemic and not the poor bishops.

Give It Time wrote: ↑Thu Jun 22, 2017 3:25 pmThis is part of why I say it's systemic and not the poor bishops.

GIT, obviously I agree with you. I might add one additional nugget of interest. The specific Episcopal Priest I mentioned recently retired, so the parish (ward) is on a quest to find a new Priest to lead it. It is a six month process and they have a search team that pours over resumes. The search committee knows what is needed for their parish, and they are interviewing candidates. Clearly it is not a snap decision wherein someone in the congregation is chosen over a weekend. They even made a video about the parish which was sent out to gather candidates.

On another topic, financial clarity. The parish not only publishes their annual budget, but a financial committee creates that budget. Oh. . . . but wait. . . . there's more! Only 5% of their donations go to the leadership of the Episcopal church. As you know, 100% of LDS tithing goes to the COB and then they send back what they think a stake needs, who then gives wards what they think they need.

Grace2Daisy wrote: ↑Fri Jun 23, 2017 8:32 am

Give It Time wrote: ↑Thu Jun 22, 2017 3:25 pmThis is part of why I say it's systemic and not the poor bishops.

GIT, obviously I agree with you. I might add one additional nugget of interest. The specific Episcopal Priest I mentioned recently retired, so the parish (ward) is on a quest to find a new Priest to lead it. It is a six month process and they have a search team that pours over resumes. The search committee knows what is needed for their parish, and they are interviewing candidates. Clearly it is not a snap decision wherein someone in the congregation is chosen over a weekend. They even made a video about the parish which was sent out to gather candidates.

On another topic, financial clarity. The parish not only publishes their annual budget, but a financial committee creates that budget. Oh. . . . but wait. . . . there's more! Only 5% of their donations go to the leadership of the Episcopal church. As you know, 100% of LDS tithing goes to the COB and then they send back what they think a stake needs, who then gives wards what they think they need.

It really is just incredible. This is for the COB lurkers. I'm sure, see this point, you're thinking we should just go join that other religion. They obviously do a better job.

For the full answer to that, I invite you to read the rest of this forum.