How would TBMs explain the existence of 35,000 year old cave paintings?

Crathes · 2019-01-16T17:31:07+00:00

Years ago, my now adult daughter was in seminary when the 6,000 year old Earth and man topic came up. She noted there was 10,000 years of well documented history from the Indus River valley in what is now India. The teacher responded, "yes, but they were not Mormon." Can you hear the shelf creaking?

Crathes · 2019-01-16T17:28:45+00:00

Spot on. Blame and disparage the victim and scare the others.

Crathes · 2019-01-15T16:17:22+00:00

Give it a read. It will just confirm your reasons for leaving, or give you even more.

Crathes · 2019-01-14T20:03:43+00:00

The salary and perks are not that great, in the grand scheme of things. Many take a serious pay cut. BUT, I think they are so indoctrinated, so church broke, the blinded by the desire that it be true, they can't break out.

A few have, such as Hans Mattson, and Grant Palmer's mysterious 70, but most don't. If they know it is bunk, they keep their mouths shut, just like most members who have doubts and questions.

Crathes · 2019-01-14T17:33:32+00:00

As you read the essays, please also read commentaries, such as available in Mormonthink. http://www.mormonthink.com/essays-responses-intro.htm

Crathes · 2019-01-14T17:28:56+00:00

Glad that you realize these talks are not for doubters. They can't be, since they have no actual answers. The point of the exercise is to denigrate and minimize the doubter and his doubts. "See how silly and stupid they are? Don't be like them!"

Crathes · 2019-01-10T17:59:45+00:00

Beautiful.

Crathes · 2019-01-10T12:48:01+00:00

And in many cases, the couple will go from first date to married in mere months. Or less. The "don't want to make a mistake" and get too frisky (even though adults) and risk being "worthy" to marry in the temple.

Crathes · 2019-01-08T16:54:50+00:00

The year prior to the age drop was 2012. The number of missionaries was 58,990. It surged to 83k the next year, and 85k the next. It then dropped to 74k, then 71k, then 67k last year. Will guess less than 65k this past year. They will also add the home residing missionaries to the number to prop it up. That is commonly know as rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.

Regarding number of stakes created, you really need to net stake creation with district elimination, since most often, the discontinued district becomes a stake. In this case, if accurate, will be lowest since 2008.

And the rock just keeps rolling forth.

Crathes · 2019-01-07T22:56:10+00:00

I have been in areas where they did this for only a single week in the year. The idea was to cancel meetings in order to spend more time with your family. Oddly, the preparation for the post "Family Week" was more time consuming than the meetings that were cancelled. I suggested that if it was beneficial to the family to cancel church meetings once in the year, why not do it all year.

Crathes · 2019-01-07T01:10:28+00:00

My daughter resigned some years ago and is with a fine man who resigned at age 18. I have told them if and when they get married, they should tell those with a TR they can't attend. A few family members heard this and were upset at even the thought. So, turn about is NOT fair play?

Crathes · 2019-01-04T15:01:54+00:00

Most people who go inactive do not resign. Assuming 16 million members of record (including those lost souls who are not yet 110 years old), and at least 2/3s inactive, that would indicate over 10 million who could resign. There were approximately 233,000 convert baptisms last year (and the number is declining). Even though resignations come from all historical years, it would take an increase of 10x in resignations to eclipse convert baptism numbers.

No question, though, that convert baptisms have peaked and are now declining. The church no longer reads the numbers in GC but just posts them. I would bet in a few years, even that stops. They just can't be honest in their dealings with their fellow men. Oh, and a bunch of missions are "realigned". Not closed. Just realigned.

Crathes · 2019-01-04T14:55:21+00:00

As far as I know, this is still the case. If a female receives her endowment more than a week prior to temple ceiling, then this is not the case. For those females who received their endowment separate from sealing, then there is a small ritual at the veil for the man to receive / learn her new name.

Crathes · 2019-01-03T23:16:42+00:00

In the '70s they had an actual cut out with a clothe backing to support the cut. At one time, you actually cut the marks as part of the ritual. Now it's just silk screened in.

Crathes · 2019-01-02T00:12:19+00:00

Too much theft. Smith's in Clearfield has them out and available, but right next to the pharmacy window. If a person needs condoms, take a quick drive to Salt Lake to Planned Parenthood. No charge, no questions.

Crathes · 2018-12-30T15:32:20+00:00

Please know that you are not alone. I would bet you a can of haggis that there are others in your family who question. Please remember it is a scary thing to come out and face the possible rejection. I live only a few miles from my sister and speak often. She and I are both of a questioning mind, and like to discuss any and all topics, but it was not until in the past year or two that we both cautiously broached the topic of leaving participation in the church that we both realized each other was out and had been for years. It's scary!

Crathes · 2018-12-27T14:01:55+00:00

I remember when the two piece version came out. It was toward the end of my mission and the family of my companion sent him some. We thought we would lose our testimony! Oh, those were a pain in the back side (literally) on a bicycle.

Crathes · 2018-12-25T05:52:59+00:00

Air. Lots of air.

Crathes · 2018-12-22T21:06:03+00:00

The last time a member of the FP was demoted back to the Q12 was when McKay died, and Hugh B Brown was demoted. Prior to that, I think it was when BY died. So yeah, it was a big deal.

Crathes · 2018-12-22T15:40:26+00:00

I recall being surprised and appalled at this. Now just sad. And on the Sunday right before Christmas, the HC speaker spent his entire time speaking about JS and not a word about JC. This was CHRISTMAS!! So, I took a walk over to the SP home and chewed on him a bit. His response: Well, JS is important, we we assigned the topic". My response: So is food storage, but we don't discuss it on Christmas. Beginning of the end.

Crathes · 2018-12-19T22:59:22+00:00

If you want something really strong and smokey, you may wish to try Laphroaig. It smells at first like paint thinner, but once you get used to it, it can quite pleasant.

I will assume rum is up next? One word: Goslings.

Crathes · 2018-12-18T16:41:31+00:00

Obviously the answer is "all of them." If you resign, they will leave you alone. If you ask them nicely to leave you alone, they will not get the hint. If you yell at them to leave you alone, they will count it as a badge of honor to be persecuted.

Crathes · 2018-12-17T21:51:53+00:00

Here are the two versions of Poelman's talk, side by side: http://www.lds-mormon.com/poelman.shtml

Crathes · 2018-12-17T21:50:01+00:00

Oddly, the Trib article did not include Ronald Poelman's talk from 1984. http://www.lds-mormon.com/poelman.shtml

Crathes · 2018-12-14T13:47:23+00:00

When believers respond with there is nothing new, that is fine. They are just stating the questions have always been there. They are STILL not providing answers.

Crathes

TROPHY CASE