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Mormon/Ex-Mormon Thread of 3 hour blocks and salvation flowcharts
- Thread starter ronito
- Start date
Laurentius
Member
Just with spoiler tags please, as I may pick up the game. =P
Shalashaska
Member
Probably not a coincidence as I've read a quote from Ken Levine comparing Comstock to Joseph Smith:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/gaming/2013/03/25/bioshock-infinite-ken-levine-interview/2019867/
And a couple writers who mention part of the inspiration for Comstock:
http://herocomplex.latimes.com/games/ken-levine-the-imagination-behind-bioshock-infinite/
http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9097228/tom-bissell-interviews-ken-levine-mind-bioshock
http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/gaming/2013/03/25/bioshock-infinite-ken-levine-interview/2019867/
And a couple writers who mention part of the inspiration for Comstock:
http://herocomplex.latimes.com/games/ken-levine-the-imagination-behind-bioshock-infinite/
http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9097228/tom-bissell-interviews-ken-levine-mind-bioshock
Laurentius
Member
Interesting. I wonder if any of the members of Irrational are former or current members. Ken Levine did talk about how there were some religious members of the team, and their input resulted in some fairly large changes to the characters in the game.
Speaking of games and Mormons, have any of you played Deus Ex: Human Revolution? I'm fairly certain that one of the writers of that game might be a Mormon or former Mormon. There's about 4 times that Mormons are referenced in that game, and there's a Mormon character as well.
I don't remember really any other religions being mentioned in the game, and the Mormon character seemed to fit a sort of GA archetype to me, that a non member probably wouldn't be able to pull off. Not that a mere mention of the religion means it came from a member, but I just kind of got that vibe.
I can't think off the top of my head of any other games that mention Mormonism.
As for the gay marriage debate, I haven't seen a whole lot of discussion on it. But then again maybe it's just the groups I associate with these days. I dunno. I haven't personally seen the same level of outrage on both sides that I remember from 2008. I've even seen some people supporting it that I would never have expected, and even the members that I see offering support don't seem to be getting the shock and dismay from other members that I would have expected. Maybe that's progress? I dunno, since it's just my subjective experience, and I'm not sure what the widespread reaction in the church has been.
Although I did have sort of a WTF moment the other day when one of my roommates expressed dismay and disappointment in Patrick Stewart for having Ian McKellen officiate his wedding. Surprised me because this guy is generally pretty level headed. I just cannot fathom why you would be disappointed in someone letting a friend officiate their wedding just because of that person's sexual orientation...regardless of where you stand on the morality of homosexuality.
Speaking of games and Mormons, have any of you played Deus Ex: Human Revolution? I'm fairly certain that one of the writers of that game might be a Mormon or former Mormon. There's about 4 times that Mormons are referenced in that game, and there's a Mormon character as well.
William Taggart - there's some emails in the game that talk about how he's from Utah, and he was raised Mormon. It's a bit ambiguous if he still practices, but he retains a belief in God in the game.
I can't think off the top of my head of any other games that mention Mormonism.
As for the gay marriage debate, I haven't seen a whole lot of discussion on it. But then again maybe it's just the groups I associate with these days. I dunno. I haven't personally seen the same level of outrage on both sides that I remember from 2008. I've even seen some people supporting it that I would never have expected, and even the members that I see offering support don't seem to be getting the shock and dismay from other members that I would have expected. Maybe that's progress? I dunno, since it's just my subjective experience, and I'm not sure what the widespread reaction in the church has been.
Although I did have sort of a WTF moment the other day when one of my roommates expressed dismay and disappointment in Patrick Stewart for having Ian McKellen officiate his wedding. Surprised me because this guy is generally pretty level headed. I just cannot fathom why you would be disappointed in someone letting a friend officiate their wedding just because of that person's sexual orientation...regardless of where you stand on the morality of homosexuality.
Shalashaska
Member
Fallout has, recently came across an article with someone writing about it. Kotaku link warning:
http://kotaku.com/5988935/im-a-mormon-pop-culture-often-mocks-my-faith-but-fallout-treated-it-right
Laurentius
Member
Interesting, thanks for the link!
On a slightly different topic, I've been thinking a bit about missions. I think one of the biggest things they could do to improve lives for missionaries would be to do away with the whole "sight and sound, 24/7" thing. For me, being stuck with another person 24/7 was the most stressful thing about a mission. They stick two young guys or girls who likely don't know each other at all (and it's often that they have very differing and conflicting personalities) for 6 weeks to 9 months and tell them they have to stay within sight or sound of each other 24/7. (9 months was the most I saw on my mission, but the average was three months.)
That sucks. Hard. At least I know it was a challenge for me, as I'm somewhat of an introvert and value privacy. (Regardless, even for highly social people it's difficult as well.) The church really needs to allow time for missionaries to NOT be together, for their mental stability. It drove me nuts, never having privacy. It also didn't help that I feel like I ended up being the mission psychiatrist -- I had 3 companions who were honestly pretty mentally unstable. Spending 24/7 with them was likely the hardest thing I've ever done in my life.
Let them go on a walk by themselves, or go to the store alone, or SOMETHING.
I think I understand why the church does it. It helps keep them safe in dangerous areas, and helps prevent them from breaking mission rules. However, I think that just shows some flaws in the system. The church doesn't trust its missionaries. They're young and inexperienced, and many of them are there largely because of the social pressures to do so. Lowering the mission age won't help in this regard, in my opinion.
I dunno. I just think there should be 1., less social pressure to serve a mission. 2., a higher barrier to entry, so that only those that are truly committed want to go. 3., more trust for those that do choose to go.
Doing better with #1 and #2 would allow the church #3, in my opinion. The church, in recent years, seems to have done away with the "raising the bar" initiative, and gone the opposite direction. =\
I'm playing through Deus Ex: HR and noticed the same thing. I think it's a bad call on religion choice for Taggart though considering that Mormon transhumanism is actually a thing.
I can link you the video if you want. I sent it to my mom and we talked about it a bit. She said it mostly just feels like a send up of all the religious movements at that time period and that I'm ascribing Mormonism to it because that is the one I'm most familiar with. Seems reasonable enough to me. It certainly made the opening more impactful.
Sure thing man I'd be really interested.
OMG guys, I'm seriously considering starting a thread for this.
BYU's version of anonymous secret confessions is hilariously vanilla
https://www.facebook.com/ByuSecrets
Shocking secrets such as "I married a guy who didn't serve a mission" to liking R rated movies.
Honestly this stuff is really funny.
BYU's version of anonymous secret confessions is hilariously vanilla
https://www.facebook.com/ByuSecrets
Shocking secrets such as "I married a guy who didn't serve a mission" to liking R rated movies.
Honestly this stuff is really funny.
Laurentius
Member
This one is kind of sad:
I dunno why he's standing up for that jerk.
This one made me laugh:
Makes me remember all the silly things I used to feel guilty about. Also, that's a lot of work for a bit of milk.
On a side note, I stumbled on this Youtube channel yesterday. I honestly had a double take when looking at his picture. I can't be the only person that sees it, can I?
Wow, compared to BYUI-Secrets, that does seem vanilla. Then again, BYU is supposed to be more loose and BYUI has this pride thing going on where it thinks its the more righteous of the two, so I suppose it shouldn't be surprising that BYU has less crazy secrets than BYUI.
Welcome to Jerusalem.
peaceiscloser
Member
Conference Weekend is almost here -- and as a result the weird questions from my non-member friends come up.
*FOR CONTEXT: I'M FILIPINO AMERICAN
My friend sends me a text saying:
*FOR CONTEXT: I'M FILIPINO AMERICAN
My friend sends me a text saying:
I say back,text from friend said:
peaceiscloser said:
text from friend said:
peaceiscloser said:
What the heck? There are no Asian Mormons? What even. There are missions in Japan, the Phillippines, etc. Man, these people, I don't know.
peaceiscloser
Member
On the other hand, I went to the Filipino Association at BYU-I once, and there were like 2 other legitimately Filipino people, the rest were all these Caucasian RM's. I have a feeling it's the same way for the other Asian associations lol
It's the same for ALL associations here on campus. Brazilian association is right tragic, as it's like, five Brazilians and fifteen RMs. I went to the African Heritage association a couple times this semester, though, and there were surprisingly few RMs in that.
Bornstellar
Member
We have a ton of Chinese members & non-members on campus at BYU.
I also hear there are no polynesian mormons. Maybe it's a variation of the story about how difficult it is to convert asians
Aslo, NPR did an interview with a guy who wrote a fictional account of missionaries
http://www.npr.org/2013/04/04/176163672/former-mormon-missionary-describes-the-experience-of-elders
It's sorta funny to hear what non-LDS people think of the mission lifestyle.
Having been a member I'm just like "Yeah, that's just what missionaries do" Sorta funny to hear someone else be like "OMG!"
There are tons of polynesian members, though. We have a Samoan ward where I live.
Thaedolus
Member
So are people legitimately excited for conference weekend? My facebook feed seems to overflow with gushing, usually from female members, like it's some big celebrity event. All it really meant to me was I get a week off from church and go out to eat with my dad Saturday night.
Oh yeah, don't look at porn, don't abuse your wife and kids, pay your tithing.
Oh yeah, don't look at porn, don't abuse your wife and kids, pay your tithing.
For shame.
Thaedolus
Member
Oh I probably also had hearing loss as a result of my mom turning it on every TV at max volume. The more removed I am from that reality, the creepier it seems to get.
The only reason that I liked conference was that I could watch it from home.
I really tried to get all excited like everyone else did but it was just for show.
My friends used to get on my case for never going to the priesthood session. But I always replied "I already know not to look at pornography. Don't need to sit for two hours to find that out."
Personally I always thought conference to be really self important. "Not only is what we have to say important, there's 10 hours of important stuff we have to say." Sorta like the 3 hour block. I say get rid of Saturday and call it good.
But I do know people that take it way far. Like one of my wife's friends I remember had a schedule of when the twelve were speaking between Utah and Salt Lake counties and she'd go and take notes and compare notes from talk to talk "Well this time Thomas S. Monson told this story and he did that again in July in Sandy and..."
And yet she thinks nothing of it.
My general conference fav: "When you turn down a calling, you are being unfaithful to Christ."
Bornstellar
Member
Conference just makes sacrament the next Sunday that much better.
JetBlackPanda
Member
This! WTF my wife even said something over dinner like "is there something going on at confrence this weekend people are all excited on Facebook"
Weird.
peaceiscloser
Member
Something I miss about being in the Filipino Ward in San Francisco was the outpouring of culture we had at all the Ward activities. Probably half of the fact it was in SFO.. I have a really different experience in my white wards.
Also Temples announced in Rio de Janeiro, and CEDAR CITY
Why Cedar City guys, seriously.
Also Temples announced in Rio de Janeiro, and CEDAR CITY
Why Cedar City guys, seriously.
I think it's the whole "I'm so holy I get excited for this!" act magnified by 10 on facebook.
People see their friends doing it and think "Do I like conference? I guess I like a few talks."
Next thing: "OMGosh! I'm SOOOOO excited fur conference!!"
Well Rio for Corvo and Cedar City for...well that silly pageant they have there. I forget what it was....
peaceiscloser
Member
Elder Packer giving a poem about how old he is -
When was the last time we had a GA younger than 40?
When was the last time we had a GA younger than 40?
Laurentius
Member
I can't bring myself to watch conference this weekend, but I also am kind of sick of the rhetoric on most ex/post Mormon communities. This thread am good person. I trust you guys will post if anything interesting happens?
This is a big problem for the church.
It's easy to forget what it's like to deal with what the membership is going through when the last time you had an urge like that was 3 decades ago.
I heard something about mission organization or something. It would make sense you'll need someone to keep all the new missionaries in check.
Thaedolus
Member
This is a problem I've had while following some ex/postmo stuff. I don't have a problem with retarded church history or illogic being mocked, even derisively so, but I do have a problem with stupidity being refuted by more stupidity, or being against something because it happens to come from a certain source, not based on its own merits. If you turn off your brain and just act like a hater, you're really just a pot calling the kettle a descendant of Cain.
NOTHER TEMPLE IN BRAZIL SUCKAS NOTHA TEMPLE IN BRAZIL!!!
And still not a one closer to where I served.
I really liked Pres. Eyring's talk, and also Elder Scott's. One of my roommates is a recent convert and this was only his second talk, so his reaction to the litany of Seventy names was hilarious.
And still not a one closer to where I served.
I really liked Pres. Eyring's talk, and also Elder Scott's. One of my roommates is a recent convert and this was only his second talk, so his reaction to the litany of Seventy names was hilarious.
From my experience, RfM is like a bonfire with new logs being thrown onto it all the time. You just get spent after a while. Some people stick around either because they've made friends and do OT discussion or because they can keep posting the same stuff.
peaceiscloser
Member
You know, I don't want to prescribe my religious beliefs to gaming or anything, but the organization of the modern church... kinda reminds me of Nintendo (or the other way around?)
With all of their older leadership (no disrespect to the Apostles/Shiggy&Iwata) it seems they're not willing to take as many chances and make changes.. but we see that the younger(?) talent out there is really promising. Also the Church/Nintendo are bigger now than they have ever been. But the early church/Nintendo always were doing new things and experimenting with what would work in a fledgling community/company.
There's a lot of things that I feel are wrong with the church, just like I feel like Nintendo's been making some serious slip-ups and mistakes lately... but my experience with the Church/Nintendo is such a vastly different experience from anything else I've tried, and I get this feeling of satisfaction from the church that I don't get anywhere else - like I enjoy Nintendo's products for their sincerity and heart above most other games.
Also I guess that's why the more uneventful Nintendo E3 conferences were tolerable for me - I was used to it from General Conference haha
With all of their older leadership (no disrespect to the Apostles/Shiggy&Iwata) it seems they're not willing to take as many chances and make changes.. but we see that the younger(?) talent out there is really promising. Also the Church/Nintendo are bigger now than they have ever been. But the early church/Nintendo always were doing new things and experimenting with what would work in a fledgling community/company.
There's a lot of things that I feel are wrong with the church, just like I feel like Nintendo's been making some serious slip-ups and mistakes lately... but my experience with the Church/Nintendo is such a vastly different experience from anything else I've tried, and I get this feeling of satisfaction from the church that I don't get anywhere else - like I enjoy Nintendo's products for their sincerity and heart above most other games.
Also I guess that's why the more uneventful Nintendo E3 conferences were tolerable for me - I was used to it from General Conference haha
I actually really liked the part of Elder Uchtdorf's talk where he mentioned treasuring diversity and using it to build each other up. And even though Pres. Monson repeated the story of the missionaries in Canada who went back to the old guy's house, I still liked it, because this is the first time I've listed to it from the POV of an RM.
All in all, Priesthood session was pretty good. All those stories of excellent Deacons continues to make me feel like a total chump about how I behaved as a Deacons' Quorum Pres., though. Wish I'd heard all this back then.
All in all, Priesthood session was pretty good. All those stories of excellent Deacons continues to make me feel like a total chump about how I behaved as a Deacons' Quorum Pres., though. Wish I'd heard all this back then.
You're probably right, but I do remember being pretty concerned in the period between getting the call and being set apart about all that newfound responsibility.
Brianemone
Member
I would join this if i could stomach a conference
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