NOM

I predict without much risk of being wrong talks on the evils of pornography. My hope is coffee will now be embraced as good and wholesome drink. Anybody else ??

I think they will avoid saying anything controversial. Maybe we'll get another plagiarism scandal. That would be interesting. They will declare boldly that abuse is wrong, but they won't say anything that very many people could disagree with. It will be Chicken Soup for the Soul, but less tasty.

I disagree. Pornography is so 2020.

Here’s my bingo list.

Prophet worship. Legendary 99 year old prophet! Let’s worship (butt kiss) that for 8 talks.

Obedience (pointed at prophet. See above)

Come follow me (where me = the prophet)

Attempt to blame parents for kids leaving.
(kids leave because they didn’t follow the prophet)

Let’s shorten my list and just narrow it down to Prophetic Worship of President Russell M. Nelson.

Throw in a few policy changes and a few new temples.

And a “save the date” for his birthday extravaganza bash!!

Same




Useless




Pablum.




(As always.)

This is the first time that I expect absolutely nothing... which probably means they'll do something that makes headlines.

But I expect they'll continue to play footsie with all sides of Mormonism while giving talks that some people think are denouncing DezNat types and DezNat types feel are a green light to keep being awful people online.

I'm sure they'll announce a dozen new temples and they'll cite Russell Nelson almost as much as Jesus in their talks.

They'll highlight their humanitarian spending in light of the fact that they intentionally committed fraud to keep members from knowing.

That's about it... I'll just keep hoping they announce the end of garments being required 24/7 but the universe doesn't love me that much.

I wonder if any Tim Ballard groupies will yell opposed.

Conman52 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 26, 2023 1:11 pm I predict without much risk of being wrong talks on the evils of pornography.

I think they will want to avoid any mention of Ruby Franke-Jodi Hildebrandt since that is such a Mormon abuse story and pornography in any context will have people talking about Franke-Hildebrandt. Also, ixnay on the Tim Ballardcay.

I predict MoPag will lead us to glorious Conference discussions that will nourish and strengthen our bodies and the souls of all those who partake of it.

Platitudes
Platitudes
Platitudes

Quote and promote the old guys (circle jerks)

Satan is working hard, the world is against us, we are the few special ones.

A few mundane stories, spun into emotional sub-miraculous tender mercies.

Temples
Temples
Temples

moksha wrote: ↑Wed Sep 27, 2023 12:14 am

Conman52 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 26, 2023 1:11 pm I predict without much risk of being wrong talks on the evils of pornography.

I think they will want to avoid any mention of Ruby Franke-Jodi Hildebrandt since that is such a Mormon abuse story and pornography in any context will have people talking about Franke-Hildebrandt. Also, ixnay on the Tim Ballardcay.

I predict MoPag will lead us to glorious Conference discussions that will nourish and strengthen our bodies and the souls of all those who partake of it.

I'll do my best.

My wishful thinking:
1. Garments are only required to be worn at the temple
2. Tithing should go to local charities that will actually use the money
3. An absolute smackdown of Tim Ballard to the point where there is nothing left to salvage

My actual prediction:
1. A crap-ton of temples announced
2. Leader worship
3. A few women allowed to speak to tongue bathe the male leaders and pressure parents to keeps in the church
4. Members walking away feeling "nourished" by the amazing revelation from God

(I'm cynical, what can I say?)

jfro18 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 28, 2023 7:26 am My wishful thinking:
1. Garments are only required to be worn at the temple
2. Tithing should go to local charities that will actually use the money
3. An absolute smackdown of Tim Ballard to the point where there is nothing left to salvage

My actual prediction:
1. A crap-ton of temples announced
2. Leader worship
3. A few women allowed to speak to tongue bathe the male leaders and pressure parents to keeps in the church
4. Members walking away feeling "nourished" by the amazing revelation from God

(I'm cynical, what can I say?)

If I could add to your wishlist, a smackdown of Jodi Hildebrant and all other bad therapies that are floating around to treat normal sexual feelings would be outstanding. Maybe an apology to people abused by those that the church refers members to, if I'm getting really crazy.

jfro18 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 26, 2023 3:49 pm This is the first time that I expect absolutely nothing...

They just don't say anything of substance anymore, apart from obedience, shame for inadequate obedience, and leader adoration. Any actual information will always come through the newsroom with plenty of wiggle room for denial, removal or later modification.

They no longer have a message. They no longer have anything for members who tune in to conference looking for actual information or guidance. The emphasis is almost always on the illusion that the church is growing, and the biggest takeaway is the new temple announcements.

Hagoth wrote: ↑Thu Sep 28, 2023 8:19 am
They just don't say anything of substance anymore, apart from obedience, shame for inadequate obedience, and leader adoration. Any actual information will always come through the newsroom with plenty of wiggle room for denial, removal or later modification.

Yep - the last few times any real policy changes have been made they're released through church news outlets a few days before GenCon such as removing the Nov 15 policy by a secondary revelation. You'd think such a revelation would be really amazing to hear at GenCon... but for some reason they were almost ashamed of it. Odd.

blazerb wrote: ↑Thu Sep 28, 2023 8:07 am If I could add to your wishlist, a smackdown of Jodi Hildebrant and all other bad therapies that are floating around to treat normal sexual feelings would be outstanding. Maybe an apology to people abused by those that the church refers members to, if I'm getting really crazy.

Absolutely! I just assume they'd have no reason to smash Jodi down because church members don't seem upset by that one so it's easier to just keep quiet about. But it would be nice to hear them actually take a stand.

Looks like Rusty and Jeff won't even be attending this one in person, might deflate potential drama even more me thinks. Pair that with the recent news about Hunstsman going after TSCC for his 5 million in tithing donations, the Ballard BS, the IRS...2023 turning out to be a bit rough for the billionaire boys club.

https://kslnewsradio.com/2045452/church ... nt-nelson/

RubinHighlander wrote: ↑Thu Sep 28, 2023 2:46 pm Looks like Rusty and Jeff won't even be attending this one in person, might deflate potential drama even more me thinks. Pair that with the recent news about Hunstsman going after TSCC for his 5 million in tithing donations, the Ballard BS, the IRS...2023 turning out to be a bit rough for the billionaire boys club.

https://kslnewsradio.com/2045452/church ... nt-nelson/

Oaks laughing: "Now is the great day of my power. I reign from the rivers to the ends of the earth."

I have a bit of empathy this morning for the dear leaders. How would it feel to have inherited a church that was growing rapidly and see that growth stop and probably reverse during your leadership? Is RMN on his knees at night wondering what he is doing wrong? Does he think it is a test for him to go through this?

They have implemented their strategies for growing the church: raising the bar, temples dotting the Earth, home-centered/church-supported, etc. In spite of that, or more likely because of that, the church is likely shrinking as far as the number attending each week. Do they worry about that the way I did on my mission when baptisms did not come?

Maybe I'm not very empathetic. I'm kind of hoping that they are pained by what they see and that they are taking it personally. I have heard that RMN gets angry that he is not seen as a world religious leader. I think that explains this picture:

MoPag wrote: ↑Thu Sep 28, 2023 6:57 pm Oaks laughing: "Now is the great day of my power. I reign from the rivers to the ends of the earth."

Love it!

RubinHighlander wrote: ↑Fri Sep 29, 2023 9:28 am

MoPag wrote: ↑Thu Sep 28, 2023 6:57 pm Oaks laughing: "Now is the great day of my power. I reign from the rivers to the ends of the earth."

Love it!

If jOaks is gonna do this: He has to wear a Michael Ballam wig whilst laughing.

blazerb wrote: ↑Fri Sep 29, 2023 6:40 am Is RMN on his knees at night wondering what he is doing wrong? Does he think it is a test for him to go through this?

Nah!
He'll just pass the blame on to the members or Satan. I think he sees at least some of the writing on the wall and he's just trying to build his legacy (temples announced and treasure accumulated) to make himself look better to future generations so they can blame those who follow him for screwing the pooch. "Gosh, remember how great the church was under President Nelson? He announced 300 temples, but the new guy is only getting 10 of them built every year, and hardly announcing any new ones at all!"

I think this really is one reason they put so much emphasis on temples. All they have to do, if they want to look like a righteous hero doing God's work, is announce plans for more temples, whether they plan to actually build them or not.

RubinHighlander wrote: ↑Thu Sep 28, 2023 2:46 pm Looks like Rusty and Jeff won't even be attending this one in person, might deflate potential drama even more me thinks.

Pretty sure Nelson hurt his back trying to take out Tim Ballard in the middle of the night by himself.