Johnny Cope

I believe Jesus Christ is my savior and redeemer.

[Johnny Cope @JohnnyAllenCope]

@Lovemyproxy And then he also says, there is a place for everyone here. Even if you’ve left, come back. Join with us!

I think Papa Ostler does a good job at loving and respecting members on the fringes, but to be fair to your point, idk if he says come join with us again.

[Johnny Cope @JohnnyAllenCope]

@Lovemyproxy I like Uchtdorf’s 2013 talk, “Come, Join with Us”. He says people leave the church for complicated reasons and it may break our heart to see people leave, but we respect those who search for truth and honor their right to worship in their own way.

[Johnny Cope @JohnnyAllenCope]

@Lovemyproxy This is a great quote! I think the ultimate goal is transformation but I think God does that by starting with love.

[Johnny Cope @JohnnyAllenCope]

@Lovemyproxy It depends what you mean by “validating” in that case. If you mean listening to someone and seeking to understand, then yes, that’s what he does. If you mean giving permission or recommending, I don’t think he does that.

[Johnny Cope @JohnnyAllenCope]

@Lovemyproxy I still disagree. I read his article and I'm familiar with his work. I don't think he's going against the Lord's teachings. He just wants us to have empathy and leave judgement to the Lord.

I can definitely see why many member might take offense to his message though.

[Johnny Cope @JohnnyAllenCope]

@JoeyMannarino I was just there yesterday. Some of what you said is right, but pretty hyperbolic. Gondoliers are Venetian. Maybe 10% of restaurants are run by South Asians. You still have the amazing St. Mark's Basilica and cool architecture, but the amount of tourist traps does feel sad.

[Johnny Cope @JohnnyAllenCope]

@Qualifier12 @ExMosPostingLs ?

[Johnny Cope @JohnnyAllenCope]

@Lovemyproxy I see it differently. I don’t see Papa Ostler’s work as feeling different about what the brethren say. I also don’t think he is questioning the brethren. But I think we’re at an impasse.

[Johnny Cope @JohnnyAllenCope]

@Lovemyproxy Well I disagree but I respect your opinion

[Johnny Cope @JohnnyAllenCope]

@RedHotFuzz @ExMosPostingLs @Lovemyproxy I totally agree and that’s why I have empathy for them. They have a lot of answers but not to a few of the deepest questions of their souls concerning their sexual identity and how that specifically fits into God’s plan for them.

[Johnny Cope @JohnnyAllenCope]

@Lovemyproxy @RedHotFuzz @ExMosPostingLs I this you’re wrong on this. I knew Papa Ostler pretty well for a couple years and he’s a good, faithful man. He teaches lectures and always says he supports the brethren 100%. He just has insanely high empathy and love and this is his way of ministering.

[Johnny Cope @JohnnyAllenCope]

@Lovemyproxy @RedHotFuzz @ExMosPostingLs That’s a good point about Christ being the answer honestly. I still think there are a lot of unanswered questions for a lot of people though. And I recognize that can be pretty hard for the people in question.

[Johnny Cope @JohnnyAllenCope]

@RedHotFuzz @ExMosPostingLs @Lovemyproxy These aren’t contradictory. He supports it but also feels it doesn’t really provide answers for LGBT members.

[Johnny Cope @JohnnyAllenCope]

@ATIF_Podcast There may be ways to relate it to Mormon ethics, like godly sorrow, redemption, and the importance of family.

But Odysseus also kills a ton of people lol

[Johnny Cope @JohnnyAllenCope]

@WellitHappened1 @MormonMarksman @CopperMomAZ @Hotchkiz @OfAthenry I can see why you might think that because we hold the Book of Mormon in such high regard. I think we even elevate it over the Bible slightly.

In any case, we study the Bible all the time. Half the time, we study Bible in Sunday School. Most Mormons definitely read the Bible.

[Johnny Cope @JohnnyAllenCope]

@UTDemLttrDaySnt It depends what is meant by suicidal empathy. But I don’t think the ideas have to be at odds. For example, you can love your imprisoned neighbor and minister to them in prison but also think it’s right for them to be there so they don’t harm others.

[Johnny Cope @JohnnyAllenCope]

@hewasinjaws @drpeppercore That’s fair. I’m just pointing out it’s a lot more interesting than the few questionable parts.

[Johnny Cope @JohnnyAllenCope]

@surskitmaxxing @drpeppercore Plenty of non-Mormon academics consider it one of the most important works of American religious literature. Not sure if they were wowed by it, but it’s not insignificant by any means.

[Johnny Cope @JohnnyAllenCope]

@hewasinjaws @drpeppercore Those are fair criticisms but the Bible has worse. If you can look beyond the few warts there’s some pretty cool stuff in the Book of Mormon.