A bridge too far?

[non sequitur]

If God is really concerned with matters like tattoos and piercings, he must be awfully bored.

[Indy Coug]

God is concerned about everything. That's part of the job description.

[BYU71]

Originally Posted by Tex

Hinckley.



It's a good point. A lot of times when people say "Temple Recommend questions," they are thinking of concrete, measurable things, like Word of Wisdom or chastity.

Some of the other questions leave a lot more room for interpretation.

Really. Who do you think I should consult with to get the right interpretation, you or Indy?

Sustaining the brethern doesn't mean you follow their counsel in everthing, does it.

[Solon]

Originally Posted by non sequitur

If God is really concerned with matters like tattoos and piercings, he must be awfully bored.

A-FREAKING-MEN!

[Indy Coug]

Originally Posted by BYU71

Really. Who do you think I should consult with to get the right interpretation, you or Indy?

Sustaining the brethern doesn't mean you follow their counsel in everthing, does it.

I didn't offer a definition of what it means to sustain the brethren, I merely pointed out that it might be worthwhile to reflect on what it does and doesn't mean.

[BYU71]

Originally Posted by Indy Coug

I didn't offer a definition of what it means to sustain the brethren, I merely pointed out that it might be worthwhile to reflect on what it does and doesn't mean.

Agreed. I personally have reflected on it quite a bit and have come to a conclusion there is a difference between commandment and counsel. After much reflection my measuring stick is Temple worthiness.

That is the conclusion I have come to for myself. It doesn't bother me if someone else comes to another conclusion for themselves.

[SteelBlue]

I do think that the forum where the comments are made are important. For instance, I've heard many people say that they don't drink Coke because GGH said that we don't during his interview with Larry King. Now, beside the fact that I don't believe he actually said that (he was answering a 7 part question with one yes), I don't think he'd ever choose Larry King Live as the forum to finally lay down the law on anything.

[Tex]

Originally Posted by SteelBlue

I do think that the forum where the comments are made are important. For instance, I've heard many people say that they don't drink Coke because GGH said that we don't during his interview with Larry King. Now, beside the fact that I don't believe he actually said that (he was answering a 7 part question with one yes), I don't think he'd ever choose Larry King Live as the forum to finally lay down the law on anything.

Heh, funny, I know people like that too. They watch the clip and they say, "Yep, clearly caffeine is against the Word of Wisdom."

It interesting to see where everyone draws their personal line.

[Solon]

Originally Posted by Adam

Attempts to freeze the line of acceptable dress at 1950s American corporate culture is silly. As soon as the current crop of church leaders (who were raised to believe that the IBM/CIA look is the only look approved by God) pass on, things will lighten up.

Even the CIA is okay with facial hair.
http://media.militaryphotos.net/phot...SF_Cowboy2.jpg

[BYU71]

Originally Posted by Adam

I wish my wife had a belly piercing. I won't blink an eye if my daughters get a belly piercing. I think they are sexy and cool.

Now if they come home with an eyebrow piercing, they are going to have it torn out with a pair of pliers.

Looking shocking/ugly/disturbing on purpose is not ok. Seeking to look attractive is ok.

Attempts to freeze the line of acceptable dress at 1950s American corporate culture is silly. As soon as the current crop of church leaders (who were raised to believe that the IBM/CIA look is the only look approved by God) pass on, things will lighten up.

It is the height of irony that Brigham Young couldn't attend BYU and the most pious Hindu guru is considered immodest and lewd in dress and appearance.

I wonder. There are plenty of young people who will buy into the more conservative approach to dress. It is quite possible they will be the ones who will rise through the ranks to leadership. That type of personality may very well be a qualification for leadership. I think at the present time the body of the church is more liberal than the leadership in general.

That is probably the case in all religion. We are lucky our leadership doesn't move in a fundamentalist direction. While conservative for the most part they are quite tolerant of members free agency. I can find internet posters who are much less forgiving and lesstolerant than most of the church leadership.