I'm LDS. I was raised LDS and I have invested a great deal of my life to understanding and attempting to apply the teachings of Jesus Christ. I know about the goodness of LDS people. I know of their service, their commitment and compassion. I also know if their unique stresses and the culture of the LDS faith and how in our attempts to live up to unreachable standards (Think Matt 5:48) we can offend, confuse, alienate, hurt, appear stuck up and give off the very appearance of what we are so desperately trying to avoid.
I have seen this in my own family, and I have seen it time and again with others. I have seen it while looking in the mirror. Efforts are lofty, implementation can be ... uh... improved.
I want a place to discuss doctrine. Not the fluffy, "Jesus Loves us so lets be happy!" type doctrine, but the kind of doctrine that Boyd K Packer is talking about when he says "True doctrine, when understood, will change behavior faster than a study of behavior, will change behavior!"
Several years ago, I came upon some lesson study notes from an institute class. The teacher was no longer teaching but was serving as a mission president. During his teaching days he had an Old Testament class. "Boring!", "Big Deal", "Been there-done that". I can hear the crowds chant... and I have to admit I was mostly that way too... But after sitting in Gospel doctrine for a few decades, and having tried to teach some simple principles during lessons and had them completely missed, I believe that some of the most beautiful and simple and powerful doctrines of the church are being taught, but simply not understood by most testimony bearing, temple going folks in the kingdom. I am not trying to insult anyone. I am saying that there is a treasure trove of information that I know, many folks don't recognize. Once recognized, the scriptures will explode with meaning, depth, and beauty, doctrine and understandings, that will light your way along this dark path called life.
I have read these lessons over and over and I am convinced that by simply changing your view a little bit, to be more in line with what the Savior would have us be, mysteries will be unlocked, things will become clearer. I am no prophet, I am not better than anyone (well, certain presidential elect folks, but I digress...)
I will say nothing that will contradict current or past prophets. I will not teach outlandish concepts, and doctrines that are questionable. I will EXPLAIN doctrines, from a slightly different point of view, and that view, vista, observational point, or what ever you want to call it, will show you a different, powerful more complete view of the plan of salvation. And I will talk from my own experiences. I will bear testimony and discuss things that are important to me.
Think of it like this. There were those who were persecuted because they proved that the earth wasn't the center of the solar system. Dogma at the time demanded that God would make us the center of the Solar System because we are his ultimate creation. (I never read that in Genesis but who am I to question the religious leaders of the Dark Ages??) By proving that we weren't the center, the church leaders at the time felt that God was being threatened by a theory that made Him "less powerful". When in REALITY he proved that God was even more powerful than THEY were giving credit for. Think reality as Jacob put it... Things as they really are!
Not only is he a God for the solar system, but this galaxy is infinitely larger then they understood, and the near countless other Galaxy's that we have since encountered prove that God is more powerful, bigger in scope, size, power, planning and age than they ever thought! I don't want to take away from what you know, I wish to add to it. I don't wish to agrandize myself either. It is simply I want to share what I have found out. I wish to expand it, look at it from other angles, ones that will emphasize personal worthiness, obedience, temple attendance, covenant making and following current prophets.
I welcome your comments. If you want to pick a fight, or be mean, then go away. If you have a real question, I would be glad to address it. If you don't agree with me, thats fine too, but these thoughts are not either random or shallow. If you know me personally, then you will know, this is who I am.
My personal feelings will be here, so if you don't like them... that's okay. I simply ask that you don't be rude. It will not be tolerated. I hope to do this regularly, as it keeps me going, but don't be overly critical. I think if I can post on a few times a week then I will have been doing well.
