tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894828339833547908.post5875317969068688444..comments2012-12-12T13:03:58.596-08:00Comments on Gospel Doctrine Underground: Discussion Forum: Getting the Word Through Joseph SmithThe Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134204886730230261noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894828339833547908.post-86214756692065900042009-03-28T08:37:00.000-07:002009-03-28T08:37:00.000-07:00Anonymous commenters: I like the role of prohet a...Anonymous commenters: I like the role of prohet angle. We have such a tendency to transform prophets into perfect people. It is just harder to do with a real person whom we know something about! It makes persecution of the ancient prophets more understandable. Their neighbors and contemporaries knew thier foibles, which made it easy to disregard or resent them. And yet, they were prophets who taught us great things.The Teacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02134204886730230261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894828339833547908.post-36033128932852189062009-03-27T22:06:00.000-07:002009-03-27T22:06:00.000-07:00Thanks for the suggestions. I particularly like t...Thanks for the suggestions. I particularly like the Section 76 thoughts. I was actually thinking of highlighting some of the truths about Jesus Christ, the plan of salvation, and the philosophy and meaning of life revealed through the Prophet Joseph. Each of those topics will allow reference to all of the books of modern scripture, provide stark contrasts with other religious ideals (both historically and currently), and provide fertile ground for discussion without overmuch controversy. As I mentioned originally, I'm teaching a very large class of middle age and retired people. They really have problems when I challenge long-held ideas or force them to think about the basis for their beliefs. <BR/><BR/>That being said, I now envision starting my discussion with a discussion of the role of a prophet, including some of the quotations indicating that the Prophet is not always in full prophetic mode. <BR/><BR/>Should be fun.FKA Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894828339833547908.post-90607319564293616122009-03-27T16:53:00.000-07:002009-03-27T16:53:00.000-07:00I'm not a teacher, but you touched on one of the g...I'm not a teacher, but you touched on one of the great things I love about Joseph Smith: he was imperfect, and yet the Lord really used him. Gives the rest of us hope that if we just say yes, the Lord will overlook our human idiocies and really do some good out there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894828339833547908.post-18900624966445191692009-03-27T09:04:00.000-07:002009-03-27T09:04:00.000-07:00Anonymous: I like that approach, and think it cou...Anonymous: I like that approach, and think it could lead to some interesting discussions. One thing I have considered is focusing on 2 or 3 of the topics, rather than trying to do a comprehensive list. I think the story of Section 76, for example, is very interesting. We have a fair amount of detail about how it was received, how it was published, and the reaction of the saints. It was pretty controversial in the early Church, since it described salvation for all (or almost all). Not everyone was comfortable with that, and Brigham Young said many left the Church over it. Of course, you would want to be careful not to preempt the lesson of Section 76, which is still coming!<BR/><BR/>I think the understanding we have through Joseph Smith regarding the priesthood is also fertile ground for discussion. “Priesthood” was a pretty significant doctrinal departure from most of the religious movements of Joseph Smith's day, and the idea informs much of our beliefs and doctrines, from family, to Church government, to the temple.<BR/><BR/>Good luck with the lesson. We would all be interested to hear your thoughts as they develop.The Teacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02134204886730230261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894828339833547908.post-57592642796428428862009-03-26T21:23:00.000-07:002009-03-26T21:23:00.000-07:00Glad I ran across your site. I'm swamped at work ...Glad I ran across your site. I'm swamped at work and have just started looking at the lesson. I have to admit that nothing is leaping out at me. However, I'm thinking about picking out several of the topics from the chart on p. 74 and discussing what Joseph added to our knowldege, rather than focusing on the different books of scripture. Any thoughts on that approach, especially given an older conservative class that already frowns on my ventures off topic.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com