Comments on: On America and the church

By: Dave P.

Dave P. — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 20:57:49 +0000

Joseph Smith said it best: “I teach men correct principles and they govern themselves.”

By: Jonathan M

Jonathan M — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 08:09:09 +0000

Sorry, I should have made clear that I was referring to the visitor’s centre and not to the Temple itself.

By: Peter

Peter — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 05:08:43 +0000

Lest we forget, Mormon doctrine has the pesky concept of it being a Millennial preparatory organization where two promised lands are mentioned, America and Israel. Initially, Zion will be in these places as the “troubled time” coalesce the world in anarchy. The principles, or law of Zion (aka the US Constitution), are in the doctrine and are meant to be eternal and worldwide – yes there will be a worldwide government – God’s government, with many of the concepts rooted in the Constitution which can trace its roots to Nordic and Israelite tribalism. After these refuges and their purposes are made known to the world, the rest of the world will inherit Zion. This is a very Old Testament concept, but according to the Old Testament, the promised lands are exceptional. I think there is no way around it except to discard multi nationalism or national cultural and legal parity. Like I said, its pesky, classically liberal, but not progressive in any way shape or form.

By: Kevin Barney

Kevin Barney — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 20:50:37 +0000

Can anyone say “tacky”?

By: Ronan

Ronan — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 18:53:21 +0000

Galilee = The Shire? Yes.

By: Scott B.

Scott B. — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 18:35:36 +0000

Ronan, does that mean Peter, James and John were Merry, Pippin, and Samwise?

By: Peter LLC

Peter LLC — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 18:04:51 +0000

I’ve seen some wards on the continent where the shirts change colour.

Yes, but as long as they are muted pastels, I believe no harm is done.

By the way, the only sign of the 4th of July I spotted here on the continent was an American flag and burgers being grilled backstage at the Bruce Springsteen concert venue. Nary a peep at church from the American contingent.

By: Ronan

Ronan — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 18:01:09 +0000

“I am Jesus Christ, etc….”

Said like a white James Earl Jones, which would be cool and all, but it sounds utterly out of place in the Surrey countryside. As we all know, Jesus spoke like Sir Ian McKellen.

By: Ardis Parshall

Ardis Parshall — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 15:29:50 +0000

The new visitors’ centre at the London Temple has a large Christus complete with booming *American* voice. FYI

What, pray tell, does that booming American voice SAY? Our Christus here is just a mute, derivative, secondary, duplicate, copycat, over-exposed, replicated, unimaginative simulation of the original sculpture. At least it’s silent. Can’t imagine what yours would say, in any accent.

By: Jonathan M

Jonathan M — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 15:04:41 +0000

In all seriousness, I find the concept of the ‘booming American voice’ in an English Temple very depressing. I’m sure I’m not alone.

BTW, I am very far from being anti-American; I trust that no reader of this august site will assume otherwise on the basis of my comments above.