Comments on: Sunday Afternoon General Conference Open Thread

By: Justin

Justin — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 21:52:42 +0000

An accompanying ad campaign also highlights the theme of women using meth.

By: Justin

Justin — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 21:45:53 +0000

Re Elder Ballard's reference to substance abuse, he may have been referring to recent headlines in Utah regarding the heavy incidence of meth use in Utah among women of childbearing age. See here and here.

By: Irish

Irish — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 19:17:38 +0000

To post 8: Should it be polygyny dynamic versus polygamy dynamic?

By: Grace

Grace — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:18:43 +0000

I definitely agree with 96 and 98 that anti-depressant use is not substance abuse, and ought not to be confused with it or stigmatized in the ways that it all too commonly is, deterring many from seeking needed help out. I only said it was the first thing that came to mind, not because I was condemning it, but because I lack any other knowledge about drug use among Mormon women. Anyone have any info to share? I certainly hope that diet coke is not among the “drugs” he was referring to. :) It would indeed be unfortunate if members did construe from President Monson’s categorical grouping of “substances” that he was referring to anti-depressants.

By: Ann

Ann — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 14:08:42 +0000

The term “Plan of Happiness” always reminds me of an episode of the old Doctor Who from the late 80′s, “The Happiness Patrol.” Per Wikipedia:

The Seventh Doctor and Ace visit a human colony on the planet Terra Alpha where they find unhappiness to be an illegal act. In a perverse society ruled by the vicious and egotistical Helen A, the Happiness Patrol is a secret police force which hunts down killjoys and eliminates them.

Be happy…or else.

By: Kristine

Kristine — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:57:35 +0000

I think it’s interesting that Elder Packer has also pushed towards using “Plan of Happiness” instead of “Plan of Salvation.” It’s curious that one person’s linguistic preferences should become so broadly accepted. (Of course, if it were my preference being adopted, I’d never complain :))

By: john f.

john f. — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:49:03 +0000

Thanks Justin. In the Condie article you linked in # 76, the following explanation for the differentiation is given:

I am indebted to President Boyd K. Packer, who made us aware of the fact that the term free agency appears nowhere in holy writ. Instead, the scriptures generally speak of agency or free will, but when agency is modified, it is referred to as “moral agency” (D&C 101:78; emphasis added). Because the term free agency has been used by various modern prophets, I use the terms free agency and moral agency interchangeably, aware that the latter term is more correct.

Perhaps this will be helpful to Kevin and others in wondering about why Church leaders now seem to use the term “moral agency” more than “free agency”.

The short answer is that “moral agency” actually appears in the scriptures whereas “free agency” does not.

But Condie also points out that modern prophets have also used the term “free agency” so his approach was to use them interchangeably. Since “free agency” is descriptive of the actual scriptural term/concept of “moral agency”, this seems like a rational approach.

I agree that avoiding the term “free agency” because of a fear that it would lead people to think that there are no consequences for choices might not be the best approach. I am just not sure if that is actually the reason people are using the term “moral agency” more than “free agency” these days.

By: Mark B.

Mark B. — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:42:21 +0000

Out of concern for whom? The Germans, who can complain that both World Wars of the 20th century were in fact caused by Austrians: Franz Ferdinand and Adolf Hitler, respectively. Both Austrians.

Or the Austrians, from that peaceful land of Mozart and Strauss and sachertorte and schnitzel, who can blame it all on those Prussian militarists?

By: Peter LLC

Peter LLC — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 10:59:26 +0000

C’mon, am I the only one who said “Hasta La Vista Baby” to Elder Uchtdorf?

You could very well be the only one who conflated a German with an Austrian. That’s like calling an American a Canadian. It simply isn’t done in polite circles.

By: jlc

jlc — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 09:56:24 +0000

if anyone is reading this blog at this late date and hour- it frightens me that no one seems to understand the huge abuse of drugs, particularly Meth,by Utah women,MANY of whom are LDS. We absolutely have to get our heads out of the sand folks!