50 Questions That Challenge Our Traditions

[AussieOi]

Church having many names better

if they were your questions they were pretty good

[marc]

Church having many names better

You lost me with this.

[Thinker]

What I thought about when reading this. There is a major war going on. Satan is fighting and winning (though he never will win). We have enough problems we should not be "helping" satan in the fight and also condemning anything that is good. We should support anything that is good. Cover multitudes (generations) of sins with our charity. See them with the charity and atonement applied so that we can benefit together and unify and fight the beast.

There are so many flaws and problems in this world that it does no good to complain or worry about the ones in the Church of God. We should be a light on the mountain top for all to see and hope others will come unto Christ. Be their beacon not another means to see all the thorns and thistles in the pathway. The pathway may be dirty but if we follow and get through it we still will receive the light on top of the mountain.

Awesome, TZONE!
I do realize it's good to see how we can improve and to live consciously, but I also like the idea of "dwelling in the light" while acknowledging and dealing with the dark, when needed.

To me, most (not all) of the silly traditions or historical controversy don't bother me and I've explored plenty of it.
What matters most to me are living my life, worshipping God/Love over anybody else.

The 2 main traditions that I see as evil and try to avoid are:
1. The incorrect handling of money by the church (See Deut 14:28-29 & the many references of tithing as increase, not income)
2. Cognitive distortions (which many churches, families & other groups engage in)
http://psychcentral.com/lib/2009/15-com ... stortions/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Still, overall, if you look at the practical application of religion, the LDS Church, IMO is among the best!
And as you seem to imply, no matter who we're dealing with and in what organization, people are imperfect.
Paraphrasing a quote, "To search for a diamond in a dumpster, one must get dirty."

[Thinker]

...so we protect those who may be called saints, but may not be worthy of so great a title. And we hope, it may be a false hope, that those whose faith may be shaken by such questions can find strength in the Lord in some future day and abide all truth.

On a lighter note...
Another question:
Our church is called, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints."
Yet, we call each other, Brother or Sister.
Why isn't our church called, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Brothers and Sisters"...
or
Why don't we call each other Saint, Saint SpeedRacer?

Seriously, I also feel very passionate about having a strength to abide all truth, although it also scares me.
There are some truths, I really don't want to delve into. But I often feel driven to explore and stand up for truth, especially when lies are being mistaken for truth. "Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free."
Getting to know the truth, is freeing because you realize a bigger picture, which frees you up to feel and act in better ways.

However, standing for truth is not always free of trial. Just consider Jesus, WIlliam Tynsdale or Martin Luther King & others who've boldly stood up for truth.
"Speak nothing but the truth and you'll soon be considered dangerous." -A. Brilliant

[Thomas]

Church having many names better

You lost me with this.

The church has had three different names.

[JohnnyL]

I'm interesting in understanding:

What uplifting things have you gotten from this exercise?

What truths/ principles have you learned from this exercise?

Here are some more questions that probably challenge a few traditions:
Do you believe in prophets?
Do you believe they lead the church today?
Do you believe you understand more than them about leading the church?
Do you believe most of those 50 questions really matter in any way?

When I find something that I believe is very important, and it keeps coming up, I talk to leaders and write the church about it.

[FourthHorseman]

...
41. Why is a linen placed over the sacrament?

Even if this is a modern day tradition, I think it adds a lot to the ceremony. After His dead, Christ's body was wrapped in linens:

59 And when Joseph [of Arimathæa] had taken the [deceased] body [of Christ], he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

To me, when I see the white linens over the bread and water, I think of Christ, wounded and wrapped, and of the gift He gave us--dying that we might live again.

[Daryl]

:ymapplause:

...
41. Why is a linen placed over the sacrament?

Even if this is a modern day tradition, I think it adds a lot to the ceremony. After His dead, Christ's body was wrapped in linens:

59 And when Joseph [of Arimathæa] had taken the [deceased] body [of Christ], he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

To me, when I see the white linens over the bread and water, I think of Christ, wounded and wrapped, and of the gift He gave us--dying that we might live again.

Or is it simply a caryover from the original "The Church"?

[Daryl]

I'm interesting in understanding:

What uplifting things have you gotten from this exercise?
Personally, I feel closer to the Lord.

What truths/ principles have you learned from this exercise?
It reminds me how far we have fallen and how much we all need to repent.

Here are some more questions that probably challenge a few traditions:
Do you believe in prophets?
I believe we need to receive true prophets and not prophets who are concerned about profits.

Do you believe they lead the church today?
I believe Christ leads his Church.

Do you believe you understand more than them about leading the church?
I believe Christ knows far more than any of us about running His church.

Do you believe most of those 50 questions really matter in any way?
Yes, I believe each of those questions are related to important truths. Otherwise I would not have published them.

When I find something that I believe is very important, and it keeps coming up, I talk to leaders and write the church about it.
How's that working out for you? Are you getting answers or more traditions?

[jo1952]

I'm interesting in understanding:

What uplifting things have you gotten from this exercise?
Personally, I feel closer to the Lord.

What truths/ principles have you learned from this exercise?
It reminds me how far we have fallen and how much we all need to repent.

Here are some more questions that probably challenge a few traditions:
Do you believe in prophets?
I believe we need to receive true prophets and not prophets who are concerned about profits.

Do you believe they lead the church today?
I believe Christ leads his Church.

Do you believe you understand more than them about leading the church?
I believe Christ knows far more than any of us about running His church.

Do you believe most of those 50 questions really matter in any way?
Yes, I believe each of those questions are related to important truths. Otherwise I would not have published them.

When I find something that I believe is very important, and it keeps coming up, I talk to leaders and write the church about it.
How's that working out for you? Are you getting answers or more traditions?

Thank you, Daryl. A great opportunity for us to really ponder and benefit from pondering.

jo

[Jeremy]

50. Do these questions shake your testimony?

That probably depends on what your testimony is in. If your testimony is based on the church...good chance these kinds of questions could shake it. However, if your testimony is based on Jesus Christ and his gospel there is a good chance these kinds of questions won't phase you.

Jesus Christ is the way...not "His" church.

[Daryl]

50. Do these questions shake your testimony?

That probably depends on what your testimony is in. If your testimony is based on the church...good chance these kinds of questions could shake it. However, if your testimony is based on Jesus Christ and his gospel there is a good chance these kinds of questions won't phase you.

Jesus Christ is the way...not "His" church.

Great point. Thanks, Jeremy.

[Daryl]

3. Why do we fold our arms when we pray?

A friend of mine informed me that folding arms cut off the flow of spiritual energy. When we pray we should hold our arms & hands either out (to receive) or up (to profess). He told me that members of the church of Satan, by tradition, fold their arms when they pray. Is there any truth to this? I believe so.

In the temple we learn what to do with our arms when we pray and it is NOT folding them.

If so, why do we fold our arms when we pray?

[SpeedRacer]

I am pretty sure the folding arms and closing eyes is so we reduce the distractions around us and focus on the what is being voiced. That is the way it was explained to me.

[Daryl]

I am pretty sure the folding arms and closing eyes is so we reduce the distractions around us and focus on the what is being voiced. That is the way it was explained to me.

Perfect example of how traditions are perpetuated.

I remember this primary song from when I was a kid:

1. I have two little hands, folded snugly and tight.
They are tiny and weak, yet they know what is right.
During all the long hours till daylight is through,
There is plenty indeed for my two hands to do.

2. Kind Father, I thank thee for two little hands
And ask thee to bless them till each understands
That children can only be happy all day
When two little hands have learned how to obey.

[jo1952]

Perfect example of how traditions are perpetuated.

I remember this primary song from when I was a kid:

1. I have two little hands, folded snugly and tight.
They are tiny and weak, yet they know what is right.
During all the long hours till daylight is through,
There is plenty indeed for my two hands to do.

2. Kind Father, I thank thee for two little hands
And ask thee to bless them till each understands
That children can only be happy all day
When two little hands have learned how to obey.

And so it is that we set the stage for being bound by preaching bondage to our children. And with the best of intentions, because we are still bound ourselves.

jo

[AussieOi]

Yeah, that's a fair observation of all societies in general

[Daryl]

5. Why is the "little stream" asked to give?

not familiar

This is a primary song. Here is the link to it on the church website and the lyrics.

"Give," Said the Little Stream
1. "Give," said the little stream,
"Give, oh! give, give, oh! give."
"Give," said the little stream,
As it hurried down the hill;
"I'm small, I know, but wherever I go
The fields grow greener still."
Singing, singing all the day,

"Give away, oh! give away."
Singing, singing all the day,
"Give, oh! give away."

Here is a youtube of a young girl singing the song:
http://youtu.be/dFkUe4PbR_I" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Primary Days
By President Thomas S. Monson

Each Wednesday afternoon in Primary, we would talk about the future Primary Children’s Hospital, where little children could be cared for and where skilled physicians could mend broken limbs and ease the effects of sickness.

In our ward we had a cardboard replica of the hospital. It formed a bank with a little slot in the top of it. Each Wednesday we would sing and march to the tune, “‘Give,’ said the little stream; ‘Give, oh! give, give, oh! give.’ ‘Give,’ said the little stream, As it hurried down the hill.” 4 To its cadence we would walk by the bank and put our pennies in it. I recall sitting next to a dear friend of mine and saying, “Jack, I’ve got a good idea. I’ve got in my pocket a dime and a penny. When we march by and put that penny in the little bank, let’s just march right out the front door. We won’t go to class at all, but I’ll take you over to the Hatch Dairy, and there we’ll buy two of those delicious five-cent fudgesicles.”

Who is "the little stream"?

[deep water]

As to the tradition of folding arms during prayer, Abraham was in a position that he had no room for error as shown in the facsimile no.1 in the book of Abraham. His life depended on being right. The children of Israel would begin to lose the battle they were engaged in if moses's arms would fall to his side.

[deep water]

Just a funny thought on the little stream. Gods way is that you gather blessings as you give. The stream grows as it gives. Mans way is irrigation, we take from the stream, for our own benefit and divide it off, until it is gone.

[Daryl]

Just a funny thought on the little stream. Gods way is that you gather blessings as you give. The stream grows as it gives. Mans way is irrigation, we take from the stream, for our own benefit and divide it off, until it is gone.

Very interesting thought. Thank you for sharing.

[AussieOi]

As to the tradition of folding arms during prayer, Abraham was in a position that he had no room for error as shown in the facsimile no.1 in the book of Abraham. His life depended on being right. The children of Israel would begin to lose the battle they were engaged in if moses's arms would fall to his side.

I have absolutely no idea what that old folks ditty about a stream is about.

As for the facsimiles. Sorry, they just don't cut it no more. Even lds apologists cant work with them.

One day the church will just say they gave him inspiration

[deep water]

knowledge given =/= knowledge gained

[Sheol27]

As to the tradition of folding arms during prayer, Abraham was in a position that he had no room for error as shown in the facsimile no.1 in the book of Abraham. His life depended on being right. The children of Israel would begin to lose the battle they were engaged in if moses's arms would fall to his side.

I have absolutely no idea what that old folks dirty about a stream is about.

As for the facsimiles. Sorry, they just don't cut it no more. Even lds apologists cant work with them.

One day the church will just say they gave him inspiration

I never thought that there was a clear cut story on how the Book of Abraham came to be. I already chalked it up as inspiration. :-s

[TZONE]

When we fold our arms, they make the symbol for infinity, the 'lazy eight'. This is meant to focus our minds on our eternal nature. Closing the eyes removes more distractions, so we can concentrate better. Bowing of the head is to show respect and reverence to the Deity to whom we pray. When this practice started, I cannot say. It goes beyond the Mormon culture, so it must have been brought in from other religions. Whether at the time of Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, or David O McKay, I don't know.

Another blogger on another site. Folding the arms. The entire discussion was actually about how to pray in a true order.