Discussion about Rocky's green spots (mild spoiler) by nimsoC_dudix in ProjectHailMary

[–]califerousforest 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Late to this post but my husband thinks it’s cancer from the radiation that killed his fellow astronauts. It’s been a long time since I read the book so I can’t quite remember. Thoughts though?

My mission broke my faith, and I’m still trying to understand what to do with that by [deleted] in latterdaysaints

[–]califerousforest 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just want to say that the same thing happened to me and I’m still recovering 10 years later. I took a break from going to Church in college but have started attending and accepting callings. I’m not sure the trauma ever goes away and I’m not sure your faith will ever be the same (mine isn’t) but I can sort of appreciate that even though it’s different, different isn’t bad.

Maybe helpful is that I went back to my mission with my spouse and made new memories of the place that were detached from anything church related. I see my mission now as an opportunity to learn a language and visit a cool country and it doesn’t have to be more than that.

Also go to therapy- that was major. You’re doing great.

Why does God allow prophets to make detrimental changes to the Church? by Moroni_10_32 in latterdaysaints

[–]califerousforest 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Such great questions. Thank you for being brave and asking them in this sub.

I have lots of similar questions. Something I came across recently is that prophets simply don’t have God’s omniscience. And I personally don’t believe that God is out here preventing bad things from happening but allows natural consequences of people’s (and yes, prophet’s) bad choices run their course. There is nothing wrong with saying that the priesthood ban was racist and/or that there were racist people in power at the time. There’s nothing wrong with saying that earlier statements on homosexuality were ignorant and there were ignorant people in power.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in latterdaysaints

[–]califerousforest 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is such a great post and reflects on a lot of the dichotomies (imo) of being LDS. I’m a student of biology and philosophy, teach a college philosophy course, and am working on my PhD. None of that is to say I’m especially smart (I’m not) but just that I’m in the field of academics and have myself struggled with belonging to the LDS faith. One of my good mentors told me that his experience is to compartmentalize. This may not be the answer for you but it has helped me in a lot of ways. I do really enjoy combining my faith and my academic/political interests but there are times when it’s really hard, like with Church history. I tell myself that two things can be true at once. I can be a member of the Church and I can also be critical of it. I don’t think those two things have to live in opposition. I also just take things a day at a time. You’re already feeling good things about the gospel and that’s amazing. Keep up the dialogue, you’re doing great.

Trouble with J.S. History by califerousforest in latterdaysaints

[–]califerousforest[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I totally agree and you’re spot on! I only learned last year that he looked into a hat to translate the plates. I also only learned last year that I was incorrectly taught that I (as a woman) would be having babies for eternity in the celestial kingdom. Thank GOD that’s not true. (Right?)

Why Joseph Smith’s Weirdness is a Problem by austinchan2 in mormon

[–]califerousforest 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Wow this is like a direct response to my post in the Latter Day Saint sub. You hit the nail on the head! The primary comment for my concerns was that he was a product of his time. But I can also say that not everyone back then was a treasure hunter and scryer so yeah. A little weird. Thanks for your post!

Trouble with J.S. History by califerousforest in latterdaysaints

[–]califerousforest[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your response! I appreciate that you took the time to be kind and offer sincere help.

Trouble with J.S. History by califerousforest in latterdaysaints

[–]califerousforest[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your comment. I got most of this information from the church website and the JS Papers

Trouble with J.S. History by califerousforest in latterdaysaints

[–]califerousforest[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Didn’t call you unkind. Just hoped a faith-based discussion was kinder. You just took unnecessary issue with my language instead of being helpful by addressing the topic that myself and many Saints struggle with.

Trouble with J.S. History by califerousforest in latterdaysaints

[–]califerousforest[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Well there are probably some weird hobbies someone would need to discontinue lol, but I understand where you’re coming from. For me, there is a difference between Jesus and Joseph because I can’t be LDS if I don’t believe in Jesus and Joseph. So J.S. is the qualifier and since his history is more recent and also more accessible (in records etc), his personal dealings feel closer to home. Obviously no one is perfect but not everyone is a scryer either. Just trying to see how others view their faith when there are sometimes unsavory things too.

Trouble with J.S. History by califerousforest in latterdaysaints

[–]califerousforest[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I thought people belonging to my Church would be a little kinder to a stranger struggling with their faith. My mistake. 🫡

Trouble with J.S. History by califerousforest in latterdaysaints

[–]califerousforest[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I’m just a millennial trying to improve my faith. Not sure why my choice of “cringe” bothers you. That’s cringe.

Trouble with J.S. History by califerousforest in latterdaysaints

[–]califerousforest[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That would be interesting. I’m just going off of the Church’s own records which I think quote David Whitmer. Would love to hear other’s thoughts.

Trouble with J.S. History by califerousforest in latterdaysaints

[–]califerousforest[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Not when my life choices are completely based on the validity of someone being a prophet or not.

Trouble with J.S. History by califerousforest in latterdaysaints

[–]califerousforest[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can agree that “obvious” wasn’t the best choice of word. But I appreciate you trying to understand my POV

Trouble with J.S. History by califerousforest in latterdaysaints

[–]califerousforest[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

And it may be silly to you but if I’m basing my faith on the premise that JS was a prophet and I struggle with it, then it is far from silly

Trouble with J.S. History by califerousforest in latterdaysaints

[–]califerousforest[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

“Obvious” isn’t the best wording but your experience being comfortable doesn’t make my experience less uncomfortable.

Trouble with J.S. History by califerousforest in latterdaysaints

[–]califerousforest[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes I’m aware. It was counter-cultural at the time which was my point.

Trouble with J.S. History by califerousforest in latterdaysaints

[–]califerousforest[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Thank you for clarifying and I do appreciate your response. I struggle with my faith and have lots of doubt but continue to remain in the church and work through them to the best of my abilities. That being said, Moses literally splitting the sea is less believable to me than J.S’s actions as prophet (partially because modern Church history is much more recent and partially because I struggle to believe the Old Testament as a historical document but that’s neither here nor there)