12-14-2007, 04:27 PM | #61 | |
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"Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; " 1 Thess. 5:21 (NRSV) We all trust our own unorthodoxies. |
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12-14-2007, 04:40 PM | #62 | |
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I would make one minor adjustment: I don't think alleged disagreements are just for the sake of outside questions and arguments. I think the Twelve really does have legitimate disagreements among themselves. The background each of them have, the life God has led each of them to lead, brings a unique perspective to the table. To this specific example (blacks/ban), I have no doubt Spencer Kimball was raised up by God in part to be the prophet of rescinding the ban. I guess I just don't see why two people who think very differently about a topic can't both be God-inspired, even when they are debating one another. I had two mission presidents on my mission, and as many missionaries will tell you, two more different men you could not find. The 2nd had several disagreements over how the 1st ran the mission, and made swift changes in some respects. I saw both as inspired leaders. I've also had the chance to serve with several different bishops, in close working relationships, if you don't mind me doing a little "position dropping." Each has a distinct way of leading, and they are not at all alike. Mike's never seen a spirited debate? Try going to a Bishopric training meeting with all the bishops in the stake, and the Stake Presidency. I see the hand of God in all of this. In the spirited discussions. In the efforts of men to serve those whom they have been called to serve. In the desires of men to please God. I cannot ... simply cannot ... abide the thought that God sits in the bleachers the entire time, and then comes down at the end of the game and declares a winner. If so, why do we ever bother praying at all during the decision-making process?
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12-14-2007, 04:56 PM | #63 | |
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A very good question. One I myself should ponder. I usually work out the decision and then ask for confirmation. The high percentage of yes's I get to my decision leads some to say I answer my own prayers. |
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12-14-2007, 05:50 PM | #64 | |
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So when your answer from God to a given question usually ends up being "yes", maybe it's more of a sign that you are relatively in line with God's will rather than prayer representing some self-serving, rubber stamp charade. |
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12-14-2007, 05:58 PM | #65 | |
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12-14-2007, 07:11 PM | #66 | |
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I do think your conception that different leaders can be inspired to different conclusions so that a particular result is reached is interesting. Sort of the idea that God wants green so he inspires half to want blue and half to want yellow knowing that they will compromise or settle on green. I'll have to think through the implications of that. Since the only other alternative is that some of them have it wrong some of the time, I can see why this approach appeals to you. I am comfortable with the idea that some of them are wrong some of the time notwithstanding good intentions. Anyway, interesting thoughts.
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12-14-2007, 07:23 PM | #67 | |
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I suppose what I'm really getting at is, I think the conception that "were God involved, all would be in agreement" is false. The diversity of opinion among smart and well-intentioned brethren is an intended consequence of our creation, perhaps given to us by God to remind us that he can be reached in many different ways, and that not all problems have only one solution.
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"Have we been commanded not to call a prophet an insular racist? Link?" "And yes, [2010] is a very good year to be a Democrat. Perhaps the best year in decades ..." - Cali Coug "Oh dear, granny, what a long tail our puss has got." - Brigham Young |
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12-14-2007, 07:23 PM | #68 | |
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12-14-2007, 08:40 PM | #69 | |
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12-14-2007, 08:45 PM | #70 | |
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