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Back by popular demand, we review our favorite and least favorite talks from last week’s General Conference.
- Series: Main
Back by popular demand, we review our favorite and least favorite talks from last week’s General Conference.
Moroni tells us how the true Church is to conduct it’s meetings in Moroni chapter 6:
9 And their meetings were conducted by the church after the manner of the workings of the Spirit, and by the power of the Holy Ghost; for as the power of the Holy Ghost led them whether to preach, or to exhort, or to pray, or to supplicate, or to sing, even so it was done.
Never has it been more evident that the Spirit doesn’t guide our meetings than now.
In the midst of a world-wide pandemic, they deliver talks that were clearly written weeks ago and ignore the events that have now gripped our world.
We are now doing church at home. Have any of you heard of anyone who actually can’t wait to go back to real Church? No! Almost universally, members are enjoying their newly found freedom from our rigid, stale, and Spirit devoid meetings.
I’m going to make a prediction (based on experience, not revelation). Once the stay-at-home orders are lifted, church attendance will be down for the reasons you stated. SLC will have to “remind” members that while worshiping at home was righteous during the lockdown, once the lockdown was lifted worshiping at home became a tool of Satan to lead people astray. I suspect they will have to remind people that receiving a temple recommend depends upon attending church meetings. Those that were on the fence won’t come back, whereas those who fear being locked out of the temple will return.
I actually was just thinking the same thing on Sunday. I hope a lot of people realize how freeing it was to not sit in worthless meetings devoid of the spirit. I left almost 10 years ago and haven’t missed it for one second. The only aspect I miss is some ward activities perhaps, but that had nothing to do with the church itself.
So, first of all, you guys make me laugh. Second, thanks for doing all the background on these topics. I also noticed the crying prayer episode, as well as Bednar’s Joseph Smith quote incident, however, I didn’t do the research behind it to see how it was being used—that was very enlightening. I appreciate all the background work you guys are doing. Another thought, I also agree and believe the current endowment represents a spiritual “putting on”. The ordinance is merely a “temporal pattern” of that spiritual reality. Question: from your comments it appears that you don’t believe these “servants” have returned yet. What do you expect their “arrival” to look like in your mind?
I don’t have any inside knowledge on what the servants or their arrival will look like. But I think there are some general patterns that we should be watching for:
* Their teachings will agree with the scriptures (which is one reason why it’s important to search the scriptures to understand what they really teach versus what the philosophies of men tell us they teach). When someone begins preaching and you can’t find where they contradict the established scriptures, that’s someone you will want to pay extra attention to.
* They will be followed by spiritual gifts like true baptism by fire. Obviously the only ones who will recognize or receive those gifts will be the ones who accept and implement their teachings, which points us back to the first pattern.
* At some point, they will bring forth new scripture, which unlike the false attempts we see today, will actually agree with existing scripture while providing more details without contradiction. Yet another reason to be familiar with the existing scriptures.
* At some point, they will exercise power over the elements and work mighty miracles to convince the pure in heart and confound the proud. By this point I suspect they will have already been preaching for a while, so if you haven’t hearkened before, this will be your last chance.
* They will wear white shirts and conservative ties, and have no facial hair, just like John the Baptist and Jesus. (OK – probably not this one).
Sounds like a thoroughly established pattern! I think I can agree. I look forward to the beginning of the miracles that open the eyes of the blind. . Keep up the good news, and the good humor. I laugh often when I’m listening to you two.