Brother Richards

My aim is to uplift others through prophetic voices.

[Brother Richards @microbrandon]

“mine, in order:

1-Social Issues
2-Church Experience
3-Church History”

At that point, the groupings fall apart because it’s everything. Again, I don’t understand the initial groupings to begin with if someone will just say it’s all of them. No one seems to want to be beholden to the grouping the book Torn puts them in.

[Brother Richards @microbrandon]

“I don’t think anyone falls nearly into just one.”

I think that is the disconnect everyone is having. Some are focusing too narrowly while others too widely. The author of the book wants nice and tidy groupings. Those critiquing his book want an easy one item group of “they just stopped believing”.

[Brother Richards @microbrandon]

@stackerco So you fall neatly into #2?

[Brother Richards @microbrandon]

It's funny. After years and years of ex-mormons explaining they have reasons unique to them for leaving, all the sudden they want to be placed in one of four groupings.

So, which group do you fall into Zac?
Lifestyle, or
Church History Claims, or
Social Issues, or
Church Experience

[Brother Richards @microbrandon]

@TribeRuffner “You copy pasted that explanation from Grok”

I wrote it out, and then asked grok to edit my sentences so as not to have confusion on my end. The ideas expressed are mine, not Groks.

[Brother Richards @microbrandon]

@HarknessRi64787 @JasontheLayman 'Looks like you just did what the OP is referring to. Ironic?'

"Yup"

Thanks for agreeing.

[Brother Richards @microbrandon]

@HarknessRi64787 @JasontheLayman "Proof right here of a mormon cult follower"

'Parrot the same talking points.' - Looks like you just did what the OP is referring to. Ironic?

[Brother Richards @microbrandon]

Paul appears to contradict himself between 1 Corinthians chapter 8 and chapter 10. In the first, he argues that eating meat sacrificed to idols is fundamentally acceptable, while in the second, he insists that such eating must be avoided because it constitutes participation with demons.

[Brother Richards @microbrandon]

@AnneOfTheBooks “The Bible is my standard”

God is our standard.

[Brother Richards @microbrandon]

@ThoughtfulSaint You need to clarify your terms.

What do these words mean: Agency; Change
In what way do you imply God can change? Can He become a frog?

How do you reconcile this verse: “I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.”

[Brother Richards @microbrandon]

“The Book of Mormon is as historical and Christian as the Chronicles of Narnia.”

You, as someone who doesn’t believe the truth claims of the Book of Mormon, at least esteems it as highly as some of Lewis’ works. Lewis understood much in regard to gospel truths.

Just curious, I only cited one verse from the Book of Mormon: “I know that thou speakest the truth, for thou art a God of truth, and canst not lie.”

What do you disagree with in this verse?

[Brother Richards @microbrandon]

@doctorwhy1991 @mrmdotorg “Joseph Smith's fake books don't count.”

I don’t know what this means. They are real.

Do you mean you don’t consider them scripture?

Do you disagree with what I quoted? If so, which parts?

[Brother Richards @microbrandon]

@mfreivald We take Joseph Smith at his word that God the Father and God the Son visited him personally. And they were separate beings/substance/essences/persons/entities. No confusion in trying to describe “essence”, “being”, “person”, etc. No metaphysics needed.

[Brother Richards @microbrandon]

THE AGENCY OF MAN

In mortality, we are given a sacred time of testing and probation to exercise our agency and grow toward eternal life. The power to overcome Satan and his evil influences comes from God through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the gift of the Holy Ghost. As we rely on the Savior and keep our covenants, we can triumph over every temptation and return to our Heavenly Father's presence.

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." -The apostle Paul in his first epistle to the saints in Corinth

"Our challenges, including those we create by our own decisions, are part of our test in mortality. Let me assure you that your situation is not beyond the reach of our Savior. Through Him, every struggle can be for our experience and our good. Each temptation we overcome is to strengthen us, not destroy us. The Lord will never allow us to suffer beyond what we can endure." -The apostle Robert D. Hales to to the general assembly of saints in April, 2009

[Brother Richards @microbrandon]

Cute.

But you are intentionally “othering” Latter-day Saints from the term Christian. And then acting sanctimonious with your rebuttals.

Maybe if you were actually trying to build bridges, you would start to call us Latter-day Saints, or even Saints. But your refusal just shows the hypocrisy of your assertion to not treat us as enemies.