tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8266009681076554415.post8342074967532674035..comments2023-09-05T20:54:42.242-04:00Comments on A Latter-day Voice: More apostolic counsel some might have missed...Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11294214866282354575noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8266009681076554415.post-5910066895249161792012-02-09T10:46:54.402-05:002012-02-09T10:46:54.402-05:00Rosy, I think you're right that it's good ...Rosy, I think you're right that it's good to follow prophetic counsel. <br /><br />Those who have ears to hear do hear. And those who don't don't. <br /><br />Should we judge those who don't? I don't think you're suggesting that we should. Some may not hear because that bit of counsel isn't the most important thing for them in their personal progression. Of course others may not hear because they are rebellious and choose not to.<br /><br />If we hear counsel that doesn't ring true to us, then it's time to study it out, and go to the Lord in prayer. We may even want to follow the Savior's teaching in John 7:17.Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11294214866282354575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8266009681076554415.post-4998032970964583922012-02-09T10:15:47.168-05:002012-02-09T10:15:47.168-05:00My mission president, Elder LeGrand R. Curtis, (Sr...My mission president, Elder LeGrand R. Curtis, (Sr.) taught us that when the general authorities say something in conference such as: we encourage, we suggest, we advise, it would be wise to, or other such words, that we should take this as a commandment. I don't think we're supposed to judge others, but those with ears to hear and eyes to see will pick up on the commandments and obey them. We're told that we "shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God." (D&C 84:44, and that "whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same." (D&C 1:38) <br />That is why I listen carefully during conference and then read and re-read the Ensign following conference. There is so much to help us purify our lives, repent and improve.Rozy Lasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06019413665136390175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8266009681076554415.post-23423915002596707472012-01-25T07:38:04.326-05:002012-01-25T07:38:04.326-05:00Robin, LOL! I suppose that's another reason t...Robin, LOL! I suppose that's another reason to leave the watch behind, so it won't distract (or give heart attacks) to others.Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11294214866282354575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8266009681076554415.post-28390108464771323542012-01-24T22:48:16.934-05:002012-01-24T22:48:16.934-05:00Interesting comments.
I, too, try to follow Elder...Interesting comments.<br /><br />I, too, try to follow Elder Scott's counsel, and leave my watch in the locker. It helps me focus on the message of the session, rather than on the passage of time.<br /><br />On a more humorous note... I have always tried to at least hide my watch (i.e. keep it under my sleeve), ever since the woman next to me saw my watch and almost had a heart attack. We were in the Chicago Temple, but my watch was on Michigan time (an hour later). She was shocked (and in a bit of a panic) to see how 'late' it was...!Robin Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13762942736068477765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8266009681076554415.post-5087626605748581142012-01-24T08:08:57.956-05:002012-01-24T08:08:57.956-05:00ji, I agree with you. In fact, I said the same ab...ji, I agree with you. In fact, I said the same about Elder Nelson in my prior post. I don't think any of the apostles are in the business of stirring us up to judge one another.<br /><br />But I think that would be true if this were a "commandment" or "counsel" or "advice."Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11294214866282354575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8266009681076554415.post-13286338864581051922012-01-24T00:51:14.947-05:002012-01-24T00:51:14.947-05:00I tend to believe that Elder Scott would be deeply...I tend to believe that Elder Scott would be deeply saddened if he heard that members were condemning other members for wearing watches in temples. I believe he offered it as advice, not as commandment. Good advice, which some members might accept and some might not.jinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8266009681076554415.post-30192867084448156462012-01-23T11:30:15.817-05:002012-01-23T11:30:15.817-05:00These are fair questions, and I suppose everyone a...These are fair questions, and I suppose everyone answers them for himself. <br /><br />Commandments are pretty clear to me: There are two Big Ones -- Love God, Love your fellow man. There are 10 supporting commandments that are popular in the religious world (see Exodus 20).<br /><br />And then there are those items that are in the temple recommend interview, which are important to demonstrate worthiness to attend the temple (and participate in other ordinances) which would include Tithing and Word of Wisdom. (Honesty, mentioned in the TR questions, is one of the Bit Ten.) <br /><br />I think what you're asking is about accepting counsel and the relationship to sustaining our leaders (also a TR question). <br /><br />My sense is that from the beginning of the restoration, the church has been growing in its understanding of doctrine, ordinances and practices in the gospel. Some programs have sprung from test cases or pilot programs (like seminary or Sunday School), and others have come from the mouth of God and been enacted instantly (like baptisms for the dead). <br /><br />In the case of baptism for the dead, even that practice was modified over time in terms of who is baptized for whom and how the ordinances are recorded. <br /><br />This is why our handbooks (which have been characterized as a standardization of our practices, not a list of commandments) are updated from time to time, because practices change.<br /><br />I think President Hinckley's piercing direction is helpful. He publicly stated in a general YW meeting that women should have one set of ear piecings, not more. He then repeated that counsel in a talk the next week in general PH. And then his direction was included in the next For the Strength of Youth pamphlet. The direction was clear and the standard was "standardized". Some may not like the standard, but it's clear.<br /><br />Elder Scott's no-watch recommendation is the only one of its kind as far as I know. And personally I think it's a great idea (as are all ten of the items on the list). But nobody talked to me about it in my recent temple recommend interview. And at least three brethren in my session on Saturday were wearing watches. Are they less worthy? I don't think so. They might be forgoing some blessings of following Elder Scott's counsel, however.<br /><br />I don't know if that addresses your questions. Please let me know if not. The discussion is good for me, too -- I've certainly not completely settled this thought in my mind.Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11294214866282354575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8266009681076554415.post-49496703972398501122012-01-23T10:42:25.186-05:002012-01-23T10:42:25.186-05:00I understand the distinction you are making betwee...I understand the distinction you are making between counsel and commandment - but at what point does "good counsel" become "commandment". When it is mentioned in Conference twice? Three times? Seven? What is the magic number?<br /><br />If it isn't printed in the handbook or on policy documents, does that imply that there is does not reach commandment level at all?<br /><br />I would be curious to know God's view of the distinction between "counsel", "suggestion", "Commandment", or "advice" I see trying to following the "counsel" of our leaders as part an parcel of sustaining our leaders. In my perspective, picking and choosing - finding gray areas - is a slippery slope.Middle-aged Mormon Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06250594175961381412noreply@blogger.com