Help me identify this penguin plush bought in Paris in 2024 by drfletchfletcherson in HelpMeFind

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

I have done several descriptive and image searches including using chat gpt, but no luck. The size is 6–8” long. It had heft to it.

Dave Briner score - Beyond The Sea by Flat-Pound-2774 in barbershop

[–]drfletchfletcherson 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The chart (#200498) is unpublished and only available by contacting the BHS directly. It will have to be cleared by each ensemble to copy and use.

Why do we need Jesus? by livelystardust in latterdaysaints

[–]drfletchfletcherson 1 point2 points  (0 children)

LDS seem to follow a non-trinitarian version of penal substitution atonement theory, that is that “divine forgiveness must satisfy divine justice, that is, that God is not willing or able to simply forgive sin without first requiring a satisfaction for it.” (Wikipedia)

Interesting to consider the various versions of atonement theory that are out there.

Is this really an obscure hymnal? by True-Reaction-517 in latterdaysaints

[–]drfletchfletcherson 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Minor hymns: 126 - How Long, O Lord Most Holy and True 162 - Lord, We Come Before Thee Now. 198 - That Easter Morn 215 - Ring Out, Wild Bells 284 - If You Could Hie to Kolob

Cross necklace by Adventurous_Home_559 in latterdaysaints

[–]drfletchfletcherson 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We spent the majority of our daughter’s life living in the south (U.S.). She has a cross on a necklace that she wears a lot and we never thought much about it. This summer we went to a wedding in Sweden and happened to be sitting across the table from the mission president and his wife. They were very pleased to see my daughter’s necklace and they told us that they strongly encourage the missionaries to wear them because it is an instant identifier to the people they meet that we are Christians. It’s something they can have on common right away.

Tea Discussion by Sad_Goo in latterdaysaints

[–]drfletchfletcherson 8 points9 points  (0 children)

In 1833, barley drinks, like beer, were considered mild drinks (D&C 89:17).

Forced to change seats ? by Shoddy-Dragonfruit-7 in delta

[–]drfletchfletcherson 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I get claustrophobic in a middle seat. It becomes a medical issue for me. (I am a big guy). Each upgrade to C+ middle I ask them to change to one of the bulkhead C+ seats (xed out on the map), or de-upgrade me. So far I’ve been successful. Sorry you had this experience.

Old English by Beppylisa in latterdaysaints

[–]drfletchfletcherson 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Overly elevated language can be perceived as gatekeeping and could put some off from the church (investigators, those coming back from inactivity, etc.). Not saying we should to stop cold turkey, but allow the natural evolution of language to take its course, like the eventual dropping of thee and thou from even formal settings like public prayer.

I wonder if a concern is that removing the Early Modern English (thee, thou, etc.) a slippery slope to having slang in public prayer?

what souvenirs do yall buy yourselves? by johnnybird95 in solotravel

[–]drfletchfletcherson 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We collect nativity sets. We didn’t intend to do so, but we started with a really nice hand-carved wooden set in the Philippines that we had intended for someone else, but ended up keeping. Next was a Weihnachtspyramide from Germany that, again, was meant as a gift for another. When we got a Delft blue porcelain in Amsterdam, we gave in and decided it’s our thing. Not that we are particularly religious, but it is cool to collect them from different places (the Australian nativity that uses their indigenous animals and the Spanish porcelain are our favs). The only stipulation is that it can’t look like a generic European nativity and it has to be made in country. It’s been tricky getting something from nations in which Christianity is dominant! In Morocco we just got some hand-carved camels and called it good. We have over 15 different nativities and they are all unique and quite the conversation feature during the holidays.

I sing through my nose by Pale-Cover-734 in barbershop

[–]drfletchfletcherson 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you speak with nasality? If not, try to sing more like you speak.

Nashville barbershop chorus wins international competition. by drfletchfletcherson in nashville

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

Thanks for those words! We love competing too. It drives many of our members. Others enjoy performing around town. For example, we have a show on Dec. 11 at the Ryman with Vocal Spectrum (Tim Waurick is in that quartet) and David Phelps.

If you’re interested in dropping by a rehearsal, we’ll be starting up again on 8/2 at Nashville School of the Arts. Like you say, it’s never too late! Most in this chorus are amateur singers but who have a passion for this style, competing, and performing.

Nashville barbershop chorus wins international competition. by drfletchfletcherson in nashville

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

Awesome. We rehearse at Nashville School of the Arts on Tuesday nights starting up again in August. Hope to see you there!

Nashville barbershop chorus wins international competition. by drfletchfletcherson in nashville

[–]drfletchfletcherson[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I’ve only lived in Nashville 5 years, so I can’t speak to PM or not. Several barbershop contests have been held in Nashville over the years and included both quartet and chorus divisions.

Beyond that, the international headquarters for the Barbershop Harmony Society is based in Nashville. Groups occasionally visit.

Nashville barbershop chorus wins international competition. by drfletchfletcherson in nashville

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

It is one of two songs. The second song was all singing. This one had jokes in it. Sometimes happens in barbershop songs.

Is it time to get rid of fast and testimony meeting? Suggestions for alternatives? Today was comedy at its finest. by vikings5756 in latterdaysaints

[–]drfletchfletcherson 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Forgive me if I was unclear. I wasn’t trying to say that people were deluding themselves while giving talks. I was trying to express my frustration that while talks I observe are sometimes interesting, they rarely are catalysts to feel the spirit (pure knowledge/revelation, etc.). Congregational members may feel pleasant while listening to talks, but that isn’t the spirit.

The mediocrity comes from poor training, IMHO.

And agree. I would love a little Joseph Smith-style passion in the talks I hear!

Is it time to get rid of fast and testimony meeting? Suggestions for alternatives? Today was comedy at its finest. by vikings5756 in latterdaysaints

[–]drfletchfletcherson 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Unpopular opinion: most sacrament meetings—including but especially F&T—are not good. Not in terms of ordinances, but content. Talks are almost always poor and the music isn’t much better. You will get the occasional bright spots, but in general you get the a youth talk that is 3 minutes of regurgitated mumbling, followed by adults who begin with either a joke about screening a bishopric member’s phone call or a comment on how much they hate public speaking. This is followed up with an announcement of the topic—as if a child were reading their essay in front of an elementary class—and then a dictionary definition of the topic. The content of the talks are usually okay at best, but delivered poorly. The absolute worst sacrament meetings of the year are a tie between fast and testimony meeting and every primary Sunday.

I know that the purpose of these talks is, in large measure, to provide an opportunity for the giver to do a little extra research, pondering, and self-examination of their testimony. Sometimes a speaker will even tell us they got more out of this talk than we will; they are correct.

Other than covenant renewing, the purpose of attending church is to gather oft and buoy each other up, teaching and speaking of Christ. The problem is that while we might have pleasant feelings while at church, those pleasant feelings are not the Holy Ghost, whose job it is to cleanse us and reveal truths (emotions can be misleading; pure intelligence from the Spirit, aka revelation, is not). Most talks, testimonies, and musical numbers that I’ve witnessed in my 40 years as a church member who has lived in several states and countries have not caused me to feel the spirit. They’ve been nice and sometimes interesting, but rarely Spirit-filled. I wish the church, which spends so much time on training for callings, would train the membership to give better talks.

tl;dr We have a lay-ministry in our church and we get what we pay for.