tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21099449.post115219591852044503..comments2023-11-02T09:32:27.746-04:00Comments on Caroline Richmond, YA Author: Line by Line, Precept by PreceptCaroline Tung Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10668185436035686911noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21099449.post-1153031859121012912006-07-16T02:37:00.000-04:002006-07-16T02:37:00.000-04:00Here is a quote from Elder James E. Faust's talk i...Here is a quote from <A HREF="http://www.lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,49-1-602-21,00.html" REL="nofollow">Elder James E. Faust's talk</A> in the last General Conference. It is an amazing talk. I think it applies really well to this topic:<BR/>"We believe that the fulness of the gospel of Christ has been restored, but this is no reason for anyone to feel superior in any way toward others of God's children. Rather, it requires a greater obligation to invoke the essence of the gospel of Christ in our lives—to love, serve, and bless others. Indeed, as the First Presidency stated in 1978, we believe that "the great religious leaders of the world such as Mohammed, Confucius, and the Reformers, as well as philosophers including Socrates, Plato, and others, received a portion of God's light. Moral truths were given to them by God to enlighten whole nations and to bring a higher level of understanding to individuals."25 Thus, we have respect for the sincere religious beliefs of others and appreciate others extending the same courtesy and respect for the tenets we hold dear."Travis Butterfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04699155292753336820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21099449.post-1152543162935151582006-07-10T10:52:00.000-04:002006-07-10T10:52:00.000-04:00Dear John,Thank you so much for your thoughtful co...Dear John,<BR/><BR/>Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! I enjoyed your insights very much. <BR/><BR/>I definitely believe that Mormonism is evolving as a religion. (Perhaps sometimes not as quickly as I would like, but ah well.) There is so much we still have yet to understand about the nature of God. <BR/><BR/>And I guess this is why I enjoy learning about other religions (and even learning about agnosticism and atheism too). There are so many aspects of spirituality---like meditation---that I find fascinating and fulfilling. <BR/><BR/>Furthermore, learning about other religions helps me to be more humble. I'm forced to realize that my own little viewpoint of the world is too narrow. <BR/><BR/>Thanks again, John! I really look forward to reading more posts about your religious pilgrimmage.Caroline Tung Richmondhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10668185436035686911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21099449.post-1152394027358499932006-07-08T17:27:00.000-04:002006-07-08T17:27:00.000-04:00I'm surprised our atheist friend hasn't tried to r...I'm surprised our atheist friend hasn't tried to rip this post apart yet. Ha ha ha.Travis Butterfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04699155292753336820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21099449.post-1152302699153111752006-07-07T16:04:00.000-04:002006-07-07T16:04:00.000-04:00No, I completely agree with you, Trav! And I thank...No, I completely agree with you, Trav! And I thank you for bringing up that story about the man looking for a diamond. That story definitely reminds me of my own life in the past few months---so thank you for mentioning it. <BR/><BR/>I too am excited for the day when I can finally understand God's entire plan. There definitely are a lot of questions that I have! I think it's wonderful that there is still so much to learn---and I think it's so amazing that we will never stop learning. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for your comments, Trav. Your faith is really an inspiration.Caroline Tung Richmondhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10668185436035686911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21099449.post-1152292381976473362006-07-07T13:13:00.000-04:002006-07-07T13:13:00.000-04:00Don't get me wrong -- I also really like to study ...Don't get me wrong -- I also really like to study other religions. I love learning about Judaism especially. It always makes me happy when people believe in something higher than themselves - whether it's Buddhism, Islam, or whatever. I DID serve my mission in Korea, after all. I didn't intend to disparage other religions at all. I guess I just thought I would weigh in on the issue. I love the story of the guy who sold his farm to search the world for diamonds - and his farm ended up containing the biggest diamond mine in the entire world. He went searching for something he had all along. I guess that's all I was trying to point out.<BR/><BR/>Won't it be exciting when the Millennium comes, and we become blessed with the answers to all of the mysteries of our religion? I sure have a few questions I'd like to have answered. But, part of why we don't have all the answers is because we MUST develop faith while we are in this life. Those things we don't understand must be accepted on faith, and on the ministrations of the Holy Ghost - which turns out to be better than factual knowledge.Travis Butterfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04699155292753336820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21099449.post-1152282383663001772006-07-07T10:26:00.000-04:002006-07-07T10:26:00.000-04:00I wholeheartedly agree with the statement that eve...I wholeheartedly agree with the statement that even our own religion is revealed line upon line, precept upon precept. I find much truth in my faith, but I also find it amazing that there is still so much out there that will be revealed to us one day. <BR/><BR/>Since there is so much we still have to learn, I enjoy studying other religious beliefs and partaking in the truths therein. Learning about other faiths helps me to understand God better because it helps me to understand His children better. <BR/><BR/>I guess for me, I kind of view spirituality as a big buffet. I find Mormonism to be nutritious and quite delicious, but I also like to dabble in the rich array of foods around me. Trying new things (whether or not they taste good or bad) helps me to grow. <BR/><BR/>Hope that makes sense.Caroline Tung Richmondhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10668185436035686911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21099449.post-1152257492819014162006-07-07T03:31:00.000-04:002006-07-07T03:31:00.000-04:00I echo your sentiments, Travis.As well as yours, C...I echo your sentiments, Travis.<BR/><BR/>As well as yours, Caroline. When I was reading your post it made me remember all the things that excited me about the world religion class I took. There is so much truth and wisdom out there. And there is so much to learn in all aspects of life. I think the Lord loves to watch us learn and begin to understand...as long as we do not get high and mighty on ourselves and forget him.BlueAdagiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15444074730481795399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21099449.post-1152228054621090812006-07-06T19:20:00.000-04:002006-07-06T19:20:00.000-04:00the only thing I would add regarding religion is t...the only thing I would add regarding religion is this: it is true that all religions have some truths about God. It is also possible that God revealed only parts of his true nature to different religions. But, I don't think it makes much sense that we have to study all other religions to understand God better. What was revealed in part surely exists within what was revealed in its entirety (i.e. through the prophet Joseph Smith). I think it is safe to say that we CAN find truth in other religions, but that truth will only reaffirm the truths we already posess. We used to tell people on my mission that we believe in ALL truth. It just so happens that we know where it all is. But, even our own religion is revealed line upon line, precept upon precept. <BR/><BR/>I like this post. I love it when I can see other people thinking deeply about stuff. I'm always doing that.Travis Butterfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04699155292753336820noreply@blogger.com