The Kolob Theorem: A Mormon's View of God's Starry Universe

[Loudmouth_Mormon]

Originally Posted by its_Chet

bash other people and their ideas.
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ridicule
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belittle
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offending [God] by mistreating His children.
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hateful to each other
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treat each other the way satan wants us to treat them
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vilifying the author and those who agree with him
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persecution
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can't allow each other, within the Church, to explore the mysteries of the universe
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deriding each other
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silly bickering and arguing
...
If I've offended anyone, it was not intentional.

Now, what possible reason could anyone possibly have to get offended by your post...

I sure would appreciate not being told that because I try to understand things that aren't taught in Primary I must be chasing after false doctrine.

The phrase "false doctrine" has been used exactly three times on this thread, all by you. Care to be more specific?

If, however, people still feel the need to be hateful to each other in these forums, consider this my appeal to the website administrators to step in and do something about it.

No, admins consider the "report" button your appeal to the admins. It requires you actually identify a specific person and their specific statements, instead of just reciting a litany of accusations pointed everywhere and nowhere. Feel free to use it, if you think you've found a post that does the "bashing ridiculing belittling mistreating hateful vilifying persecuting deriding bickering and arguing that offends God by treating someone the way satan wants us to treat them and refusing to allow each other to explore the mysteries of the universe" that you're complaining about. I sure don't want such a post to go unmoderated - but I really don't see it on this thread. Surely, since you're so worked up about seeing it, you can find the post or posts and click the "report" button...

LM

[Hemidakota]

Originally Posted by its_Chet

God bless you all, including the ones who are inclined to bash other people and their ideas. You too are children of God.

But then, so are the people you ridicule. You would do yourselves a tremendous service to ponder about how He feels when you belittle deride His own children. Allowing one's self to be wrong once in a while is an opportunity for growth. It's really not that bad an idea to be careful about how we speak about the children of God almighty. No sense in offending him by mistreating His children.

If, however, people still feel the need to be hateful to each other in these forums, consider this my appeal to the website administrators to step in and do something about it. If we want to watch people treat each other the way satan wants us to treat them, we can always go to a political website, and witness venom to our hearts' content.

I think it would be really neat if all us Latter Day Saints either started acting the part, or increased whatever efforts we're already making. There's nothing non-doctrinal about being nice to people and behaving the way we all know we're supposed to.

As for the legitimacy of this book and the right of its author to be treated the way we should all treat everyone (in a Christ-like manner), I'm not asking anyone to believe anything they're not comfortable with, but I sure would appreciate not being told that because I try to understand things that aren't taught in Primary I must be chasing after false doctrine.

"We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God."

Joseph Smith knew all kinds of things he never taught, because the people weren't ready. Part of being ready means having an open mind. I do not apologize for having an open mind. If a General Authority ever comes out and says this book is inaccurate, I'll accept that cheerfully, and will comply. But until and unless that happens, there is absolutely no reason why I can't believe it. Every true thing is crazy talk to someone. Ask any convert how their relatives feel about the Gospel doctrines that we rightfully consider beyond reproach. Disbelief proves nothing but its own existence.

If someone gets prideful, and assumes that they know something the General Authorities don't, yes, that is a problem. And let's remember that just because they don't teach something doesn't mean they don't know it. They teach what they're led by God to teach, which is probably only what we're ready to hear. Joseph Smith knew about things that he didn't teach, because he knew the people just weren't ready for some of it. And some of the things he did teach caused people to get offended and leave the Church anyway. According to Brigham Young and others, Joseph Smith delayed teaching plural marriage until after an angel appeared to him with a sword pointed at him, commanding him to delay it no longer.

I do not claim the Kolob Theorem is Gospel. It is, as the author clearly states A THEOREM. It is an attempt to explain something that has not been explained to us yet. It happens to make sense to some people. It is one man's effort to understand and explain something that has no other explanation, at least beyond difficult metaphors. If it doesn't make sense to some, does that require vilifying the author and those who agree with him? Where is it written in the scripture that persecution is okay, as long as you believe your opinion is correct?

If we can't allow each other, within the Church, to explore the mysteries of the universe, especially when we feel that they have an impact on our lives and the lives of our loved ones, what kind of people are we? I'm not talking about ideas that contradict established Gospel. False doctrine is not acceptable. But nothing in this book goes against established doctrine of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Sure, it may be hard to believe. It may even sound a little crazy. But that's not enough to make it false doctrine. There are many strange and unimaginable realities waiting on the other side of the veil. Again, if we can't refrain from deriding each other, within the Church, how can we call ourselves Latter Day Saints? If we are not one, we are not the Lord's. If we are going to be fit for Zion, we have to rise above silly bickering and arguing, ESPECIALLY among each other.

If I've offended anyone, it was not intentional. I don't feel I've said anything wrong or insulting. But I do apologize if I've offended anyone. I don't have to be perfect to be right. I don't have to be without fault to be a beloved child of God. And if I am wrong, it will be made known to me in due time. Until then, there is no need to condemn my beliefs. They've served me well so far, having gotten me into the true Church. I believe in nothing that has ever been condemned as false doctrine by the Gospel or the Prophets. My conscience is clear.

God bless you all.

Excellent posting...

[Hemidakota]

Originally Posted by Loudmouth_Mormon

Where was this galaxy, Helgi? Was it ours?

MW... is the answer.

[its_Chet]

Thank you Hemi.

I hope any non members who happen upon this thread get the impression that most of us are like you. And I'm not just saying that because you were complimentary just now.

I've seen plenty of your posts and they always reflect well on the Church and yourself as an individual.