Conference

[Archaea]

it seemed more lively than many from the past, though we still had some yawner talks.

One talk which didn't receive much acclaim, or at least I missed it, was from Joseph Sitate. He was quite articulate and charming. My kids thought he was difficult to understand but I did not.

Does Holland strike anybody as a bible thumper? He missed his calling as an evangelist.

Interesting conference nonetheless.

[Valentinus1]

Originally Posted by Archaea

it seemed more lively than many from the past, though we still had some yawner talks.

One talk which didn't receive much acclaim, or at least I missed it, was from Joseph Sitate. He was quite articulate and charming. My kids thought he was difficult to understand but I did not.

Does Holland strike anybody as a bible thumper? He missed his calling as an evangelist.

Interesting conference nonetheless.

I'm unfamiliar with conference in general. Is there often a specific theme to the individual sessions? What were some of the topics?

I worked and did school work all weekend. I wanted to atleast catch one session so that I could be more familiar with what happens but it didn't happen.

Thanks

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by Valentinus1

I'm unfamiliar with conference in general. Is there often a specific theme to the individual sessions? What were some of the topics?

I worked and did school work all weekend. I wanted to atleast catch one session so that I could be more familiar with what happens but it didn't happen.

Thanks

The details of planning the semi-annual conference are unknown to me, as that is far above my paygrade, humor intended.

The purpose of the conferences is always to inspire faithful living, and perhaps to convince a few interested observers to look at our faith more closely. One usually walks away with some "feel-good" talks, some guilt talks and some plain vanilla stuff.

For the most part, no deep theological discussions are promoted in such an environment. These talks are to be distributed broadly and are written by non-theologians. The style at times can be almost too matter of fact, but others do a good job in content and delivery. Not every speaker is necessarily selected on the basis of oratorial splendor. In fact some of the speakers are downright dull, but one can often find one or two talks which speak to you the listener, either from a point of provocation or as a reminder to do better in some area of Christian service. It's light fare, but useful and part of the culture nonetheless.

[Valentinus1]

Originally Posted by Archaea

The details of planning the semi-annual conference are unknown to me, as that is far above my paygrade, humor intended.

The purpose of the conferences is always to inspire faithful living, and perhaps to convince a few interested observers to look at our faith more closely. One usually walks away with some "feel-good" talks, some guilt talks and some plain vanilla stuff.

For the most part, no deep theological discussions are promoted in such an environment. These talks are to be distributed broadly and are written by non-theologians. The style at times can be almost too matter of fact, but others do a good job in content and delivery. Not every speaker is necessarily selected on the basis of oratorial splendor. In fact some of the speakers are downright dull, but one can often find one or two talks which speak to you the listener, either from a point of provocation or as a reminder to do better in some area of Christian service. It's light fare, but useful and part of the culture nonetheless.

I think I'll do as my mother does then, wait for it in magazine and then decide if I want to read it.

I'm curious, is the Community of Christ World Conference done in the same manner?

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by Valentinus1

I think I'll do as my mother does then, wait for it in magazine and then decide if I want to read it.

I'm curious, is the Community of Christ World Conference done in the same manner?

By Thursday, you can read or listen to certain talks online at lds.org and follow links to conference. It's my preferred method, picking and choosing.

[MikeWaters]

I didn't really care for Holland's talk. Maybe it is my hard heart or my native dislike for people who are so strident and black and white, and almost antagonistic. Of course, the flip side is that he is just being passionate. But sometimes passion is a cover for insecurity.

Anyway, I'm sure it was very useful and touching to many.

The news about Joseph Smith and the BoM seems to have generally been "bad" for many years now, i.e. little has come forward that supports the historicity of the BoM, and a very significant thing has come forward that suggests most Native Americans are not of Hebrew descent. Chiasma seems like a very flimsy basket to hold our eggs in. Of course, the proper argument is that "I don't need to prove the Book of Mormon to you or anyone. It is God's book, and He will prove it, in His way, in His time--to you. If you will seek it. The end."

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

I didn't really care for Holland's talk. Maybe it is my hard heart or my native dislike for people who are so strident and black and white, and almost antagonistic. Of course, the flip side is that he is just being passionate. But sometimes passion is a cover for insecurity.

Anyway, I'm sure it was very useful and touching to many.

The news about Joseph Smith and the BoM seems to have generally been "bad" for many years now, i.e. little has come forward that supports the historicity of the BoM, and a very significant thing has come forward that suggests most Native Americans are not of Hebrew descent. Chiasma seems like a very flimsy basket to hold our eggs in. Of course, the proper argument is that "I don't need to prove the Book of Mormon to you or anyone. It is God's book, and He will prove it, in His way, in His time--to you. If you will seek it. The end."

I appreciate it for what it is.

[Portland Ute]

Originally Posted by Valentinus1

I think I'll do as my mother does then, wait for it in magazine and then decide if I want to read it.

I'm curious, is the Community of Christ World Conference done in the same manner?

Valentinus, is your mother LDS? She must have joined the LDS church after you "left the nest", I assume?

[Valentinus1]

Originally Posted by Portland Ute

Valentinus, is your mother LDS? She must have joined the LDS church after you "left the nest", I assume?

No. She is 'born in the covenant'. She is inactive but reads the conference issue when it comes out. None of us kids were raised LDS because my mother was inactive and my father an atheist.

I was never part of the LDS movement.

I did hear from my sister that my mom is trying to get active again. I wish her the best and hope that she finds peace with the LDS faith. I also understand that she may ask my father to listen to the missionaries if only to develop some kind of faith. But this is mostly hearsay. I don't know what is happening really with my parents. We aren't close and don't talk often.

[Valentinus1]

Originally Posted by Archaea

By Thursday, you can read or listen to certain talks online at lds.org and follow links to conference. It's my preferred method, picking and choosing.

I'll do that. Any recommendations as to which to listen to?

Originally Posted by Archaea

I appreciate it for what it is.

Getting over my 'evangelistic' arrogance has been fairly easy. Talking to you, Archaea as well as some others, helps me to be more apologetic to LDS theology rather than antagonizing with bad post topic names like my first. I'm going to the nearest LDS bookstore to also pick up a BOM. If I find no faith in it, then maybe I can simply appreciate it for its literature.