Called to serve - as a CYBER Missionary?

[rameumptom]

Originally Posted by Elphaba

Hi Ram,

It is not me who does not use my name. It is posters who don't use my name.

It was Justamere10 who referred to me as the Second Poster rather than Elphaba. I know he was just goofing around, but I had read it just after WordFLOOD did the same thing--and he was not goofing around.

In fact, WF said when this person (he won't say my name) starts writing in the third person he gets nervous. That's not verbatim, but it is the gist of his words. And, of course, I had not used the third person at all.

So, my question is why are people not calling me:

Elphaba

Of course, there isn't an icon that shows tongue in cheek. You did once mention yourself as "Second Poster" in a retort against WF.

As for me, I believe all are children of God, and so each should be called by an appropriate name.

I would be interested in knowing the provenance of your name. Elphaba is not quite a choice name, considering it is the name given the wicked witch of the west! Of course, the green skin would apply, given your icon. However, I do not recall the WWotW having as nice complexion.

Did you use to root against Dorothy as a child, or have people viewed you as a wicked witch since leaving Mormonism and Christianity behind?

[Elphaba]

Originally Posted by rameumptom

Of course, there isn't an icon that shows tongue in cheek.

I think the pink icon with her tongue sticking out is close, and I agree I should have used it, as I was not upset at all

You did once mention yourself as "Second Poster" in a retort against WF.

I have looked for this but can't find it. Could you please send me a link? I don't remember saying "Second Poster" except in Justamre10's post. (I might have spelled Just's name incorrectly. I'm too lazy to go look it up right now.)

As for me, I believe all are children of God, and so each should be called by an appropriate name.

"Elphaba" is as appropriate as appropriate can be. If fits me perfectly.

I would be interested in knowing the provenance of your name. Elphaba is not quite a choice name, considering it is the name given the wicked witch of the west! Of course, the green skin would apply, given your icon. However, I do not recall the WWotW having as nice complexion.

You'd have to see the musical to understand.

The timeframe in Wicked is long before Dorothy arrives on the scene. It shows Elphaba's progression from a terribly lonely young woman who desperately wants people to see her for who she is, not what she looks like, to her realization she is powerful, compassionate and good, just as she is.

She sings The Wizard and I when she is first told she has a wonderful gift, and that she must go to Oz to train with the Wizard. She does not realize his true nature, and thus feels like she is finally going to be accepted. This version was taken by a fan, and his camera shakes, but it is very good.

One of the things you don't see in the movie is that Elphaba and Glinda are fast friends. However, there is a twist at the end.

I love Elphaba's passion, which does get her in trouble; however, her commitment to the "underdog" has much to do with this. She is not evil at all, but circumstances make her look like she is to the inhabitants of Oz.

And, of course, once the Wizard discovers her powers, he is threatened by her, and sends his henchman after her. When she "defies" him, she finally realizes she can use her powers for good, but that she must do so where she will not be misunderstood; thus her move to the West.

This is when Idina Menzel belts out Defying Gravity, and it will always be one of my favorite sings.

Did you use to root against Dorothy as a child, or have people viewed you as a wicked witch since leaving Mormonism and Christianity behind?

Of course not, at least not to my face. If they did it wouldn't bother me. I know who I am and what I am guilty of and not. I am comfortable with who I am, and know I am a wonderful human being, who does not let anyone else define me, my concern for those who are the weakest among us, my beliefs, and finally my character.

By the way, the book is nothing like the musical. It was a fascinating read, but is very dark.

In fact, the producers of the musical really only used the same names from the book, and that is about it. I am so glad one of the names is Elphaba.

By the way, I don't know if this was in the Wiki article, but the author of the book created the name "Elphaba" from L.F.Baum's name, who wrote the original book.

El = L; PH = F;, and Ba = Baum.

Elphaba, and proud of it!

[Casslan]

Come on folks! Lets see some more of you guys signing up on Ask a Mormon site www.lds1.org so we can build it up.

Don't forget to invite your non-member friends and work colleagues as well.

[abqfriend]

I am a Roman Catholic and an active member of this site. You might call me a cyber-investigator at this point. I have a great interest in the LDS Church. I signed up on the site you mention. The site is great-but very slow to load. It has bandwidth problems-in my opinion. The site took a very long time to load on my computer. I did join, but the site needs to incease it's bandwidth.
This site loads quickly, The site you mention-loads very slowly. The site is interesting, but it is frustrating that the pages load so very slowly. That is usually a bandwidth issue.
My web browser sometimes times out waiting for the site to load.
-so my advise to the site-and I will email them-is what I would believe to be a bandwidth issue.
-Update- from the site itself-The site mentioned is aware of their problem -and is trying to have the problem corrected with their web hosting service. I posted my concern on the site mentioned, so hopefully the problem will be corrected soon. --it is a great site too-and shows much hard work by the site owners.
-Carol

Originally Posted by Casslan

Come on folks! Lets see some more of you guys signing up on Ask a Mormon site www.lds1.org so we can build it up.

Don't forget to invite your non-member friends and work colleagues as well.

[MrNirom]

Originally Posted by AlexanderX

most Mormons aren't prepared to share factual information that means anything to a critical investigator.

I would have a tendency to agree with you. There are many types of investigators. A critical investigator normally has a large volume of information he has procured from people who are not Mormon. Otherwise.. there would be no need to be asking questions from Mormons... as they would be getting their answers met already. They have information.. and want to see How we answer them. Not really looking for the answers themselves.

And the information they have.. is questions that most Mormons don't even know about or have not taken the time to find out about. It is kinda like me. I know there is bad stuff that goes on every day in this world. The place to find out about it is the nightly news. I don't watch the news.. so you know what.. My world is much different than those who do. Some of us like to have our faith the same way. Old saying.. Ask me no questions.. I'll tell you no lies.

Hey.. it is hard work to find the answers to some of their questions. Most of the time their questions and statement are very hap hazarded with little truth to them. We have search and be 100% accurate otherwise.. we label the "Mormon Religion" as liars.

[justamere10]

Originally Posted by MrNirom

I would have a tendency to agree with you. There are many types of investigators. A critical investigator normally has a large volume of information he has procured from people who are not Mormon. Otherwise.. there would be no need to be asking questions from Mormons... as they would be getting their answers met already. They have information.. and want to see How we answer them. Not really looking for the answers themselves.

And the information they have.. is questions that most Mormons don't even know about or have not taken the time to find out about. It is kinda like me. I know there is bad stuff that goes on every day in this world. The place to find out about it is the nightly news. I don't watch the news.. so you know what.. My world is much different than those who do. Some of us like to have our faith the same way. Old saying.. Ask me no questions.. I'll tell you no lies.

Hey.. it is hard work to find the answers to some of their questions. Most of the time their questions and statement are very hap hazarded with little truth to them. We have search and be 100% accurate otherwise.. we label the "Mormon Religion" as liars.

It is my opinion that the primary task of LDS Cyber Missionaries is to help persuade non-members to browse official LDS websites, particularly Mormon.org That can be done to some extent by a link in one's signature.

Of course there are word warriors, apologists, scholars, teachers of righteousness etc. who can be effective in actively proclaiming the gospel in cyberspace. But ultimately if it's going to happen online it's most likely at mormon.org that the Spirit will reach and teach an investigator.

Threads such as "Ask a Mormon" started on non-LDS boards can be very effective, but only when the LDS writers can keep their calm and always reply with respect. My Hannity Ask a Mormon thread now has more than 4,000 posts and 45,000 views. That's a lot of door knocking!

[justamere10]

The slow loading issue with www.lds1.org has been identified and fixed. Please come and interact with us and the 140 members now registered.

You'll find forums and threads of interest to you, and can easily create your own.

If you aren't yet registered at www.lds1.org now would be a good time to do so to get the screen name of your choice.

See you there.

justamere10 aka LDS1dotOrg