Simplicity spares apostasy

[Tex]

One of the surest ways to avoid even getting near false doctrine is to choose to be simple in our teaching. Safety is gained by that simplicity, and little is lost.

-- Henry B. Eyring, April 1st Presidency Message

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by Tex

-- Henry B. Eyring, April 1st Presidency Message

I remember it, but still don't know if I accept the premises and conclusions.

It is an interesting focal point in urging simplicity for the sake of keeping people in the fold.

[MikeWaters]

The apostolic K.I.S.S. message. Hooray!

Simplicity is good. But not always.

[Sleeping in EQ]

Who cares about the false doctrine boogie man?

I don't believe the same things I did 20 years ago, and I'm better for it. Figuring out that some POV has error is a great way to cultivate love of truth.

As Hugh B. Brown said, the remedy for bad thinking is generally more thinking.

I'm not interested in becoming a simpleton, or a tape recorder for someone else's thoughts.

Mortality is not about safety. Adam chose safety, but Eve chose rightly. It's as though some members of the Church have a "stay in the Garden where it's safe" fetish.

Seeking truth and avoiding error are not the same quest. I'm all about the former.

[MikeWaters]

A ship that will not risk running aground will never find new lands.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by Sleeping in EQ

Who cares about the false doctrine boogie man?

I don't believe the same things I did 20 years ago, and I'm better for it. Figuring out that some POV has error is a great way to cultivate love of truth.

As Hugh B. Brown said, the remedy for bad thinking is generally more thinking.

I'm not interested in becoming a simpleton, or a tape recorder for someone else's thoughts.

Mortality is not about safety. Adam chose safety, but Eve chose rightly. It's as though some members of the Church have a "stay in the Garden where it's safe" fetish.

Seeking truth and avoiding error are not the same quest. I'm all about the former.

Very good thoughts.

[Tex]

Originally Posted by Sleeping in EQ

Who cares about the false doctrine boogie man?

Apparently, Henry Eyring does. His message is titled "Teaching True Doctrine". Here's another worthy snippet:

Because we need the Holy Ghost, we must be cautious and careful not to go beyond teaching true doctrine. The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of Truth. His confirmation is invited by our avoiding speculation or personal interpretation. That can be hard to do. You love the person you are trying to influence. He or she may have ignored the doctrine previously heard. It is tempting to try something new or sensational. But we invite the Holy Ghost as our companion when we are careful to teach only true doctrine.

[MikeWaters]

Is "personal interpretation" kind of like "personal revelation"? and if so, does the Holy Ghost help us avoid it?

[BlueK]

Originally Posted by Tex

Apparently, Henry Eyring does. His message is titled "Teaching True Doctrine". Here's another worthy snippet:

Simplicity in teaching or in thinking? Or both? You seem to be taking his message about what we should teach as doctrine and concluding that we don't need to do any personal thinking or study beyond that. Obviously what I think after my own scripture study and what the spirit reveals to me personally isn't doctrine and I won't teach it as such. But I can share some thoughts in class and let others make their own conclusions. Is there something wrong with that? Or do we want to be like the JW's where hear the same thing from every person as if turning on the tape recorder? Halfway into my mission after running into so many JW's I think I knew about all there was about their doctrine because it was so simplistic. After 18 months or so I probably knew more JW doctrine than plenty of JW's I met and could correct them from their own books if I wanted to. I think you can take things too far in that direction.

[Tex]

Originally Posted by BlueK

Simplicity in teaching or in thinking? Or both? You seem to be taking his message about what we should teach as doctrine and concluding that we don't need to do any personal thinking or study beyond that.

I do?