American Unitarian Conference Forum

Had a really good experience yesterday: visited a new Doctor in my effort to find somebody I can work with comfortably in my effort to manage my Type II (Adult Onset) Diabetes and, on the recommendation of a Mormon friend of mine saw Dr. C, a Mormon Family Doctor that he has been very happy with in managing his similar problem.

I found myself enormously impressed by Dr. C and believe that he will definitely become my long-term personal physician.

I have been thinking about how I came into contact with him through meeting my long time friend, Jim S. at Sacrament Service, which I still attend from time to time to please my wife, last Sunday and how much I enjoy so many of my friends in the Mormon Community. As well as how comfortable I felt at Sacrament Service, from the time I was warmly greeted by the Bishop to the time I went home. Everybody there treats me with such affection and respect it really is like I never left. It seems like my idea of remaining a genuine "Friend of the Church" is working out incredibly well.

I regard myself as not particularly blessed with "Emotional Intelligence" and it is a mystery to me as to how this happy state of affairs has come to be. I really attribute it more to the high level of "Emotional Intelligence" that I have found within the Mormon Community than to my own. I've heard a number of real horror stories about the experiences of Mormons who have left that community. They are so at variance with my own experience that I find myself quite baffled by them.

I have been thinking lately about how little I really know of Theological Issues and wondering what I mioght base my own Faith on. Recently, at a Theosophical Society meeting, three paths to spiritual growth were mentioned: The Way of Faith, The Way of Knowledge and The Way of Good Works. The first is pretty much a non-starter for me and I'm getting worn out pursuing the second. Perhaps I will give the third a try, at least for awhile.

I've been thinking of making my credo "Fred L, Friend to All" and letting it go at that.

Fred

In regard to the "truth of Mormonism" (if any), I continue to wonder at the experience(s) that Joseph Smith had in his first and several other visions which form the basis of Mormonism. Were the they similar in nature to those of John Nash as portrayed in the wonderful movie about him, "A Beautiful Mind"? Were they of divine origin but tailored in such a way as to be accessable to his mind and the mentalities of the people of his day and culture?

I guess I'm a creature of my time and the character of our times seems to be transition and the resulting confusion. At least for folks like me, wide open to almost any influnce and fractured in a way that allows me access to many, many truths amongst which severe disagreement exists.

I have enormous respect for my Mormon friends, who stand for the truth they understand and are people of such great personal integrity. Yet....and yet.... perhaps I have my own strengths with my willingness to consider all points of view and ability to understand much of many of them.

Is this properly a Unitarian perspective?

Fred

Hi Fred,

I guess keeping the best of whatever tradition, practice etc. is the only way to go.  I have often wondered how religious founders...some who were not even very literate....came up with their "holy" books.  Interpretation of actual divine encounter?  Hallucinations due to psychological states?  Substance induced?  Combinations of several of the above?  Why would Joseph Smith produce the Book of Mormon?  

We are all blind men feeling the elephant.....I don't think that will ever change....I guess my attitude is to try and live a good life, hopefully learning and growing along the way, realizing it is a continous journey.

Side note...I have a Karate belt test tomorrow...and even though I am progressing....each level makes me realize how much I do not know.  I think the same is true of all efforts at knowledge.

e, thanks for the comments. And, good luck with your test. I have great respect for the various Martial Arts based paths and you are a great representative of yours.

Fred

Well, I passed and am now at the "low purple" belt stage...basically, at our dojo, that corresponds to the 5th kata.....next will be high purple, then the 3 brown belt levels..then eventually black (many people don't realize that there are many levels of black belt...degrees...and that the first black belt is really the beginning of your true understanding of the martial art...everything before is basics.

My Sensei made many of us feel less anxious during our pre-test practices by saying that all of us are graded on our individual progression....we are not compared to others. In other words...I can only be so skilled...unrealistic expectations are not part of the process. For example, I cannot kick high like a 16 year old...I will never be Bruce Lee. Our performance is judged based on a reasonable expectation of what we can achieve (not that I cannot improve) practically. All of us need to keep working at our art(s). In fact, this dojo (martial art school) specializes in special needs kids...watching some of them give it their best effort is really inspiring. There is an exceptional young man, I believe he has Downs, who has obtained his brown belt...and he is very good....he earned it. I have few excuses in comparison. Others, who will never have my (average) skills are judged by what they can do with the limitations they have....will they become black belts...unlikely, but they can advance a fair amount and gain confidence along the way.

Maybe God acts in this way....we can only become what our initial conditions and life experiences bring to us....coupled with our choices all along the way.