I remember jokes at the time. I don't think I knew anyone who believed it, but I wouldn't have been surprised if someone did

I don't believe it 100%, but I love the coincidence of BYU selling caffeinated sodas around the time the church bought the printer's manuscript of the BofM. Like they bought it and then needed to increase revenue to pay for it.

Hot drinks in the WofW was a swipe at women socializing. (I do think it's more generally about other "health" stuff going on at the time, but misogyny was part of it too)

Games can be so subjective depending on personal interests and preferences. I tried to cast a wide net with different types, but focused on games I've enjoyed with adults and kids. Betrayal is one of my favorites, but isn't everyone's thing. Others are generally received well.

Organ Attack. It's quick to learn, fast to play, and a lot of fun.

Tapple, Forbidden Desert, Betrayal at House on the Hill, Dutch Blitz, Zombie Dice, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, Spot It, Sushi Go, Sheriff of Nottingham, Codenames, Azul, Pandemic, Quirkle, Skyjo, Happy Salmon, Camel Up

Definitely. There was one night when we had to kill a chicken for dinner. The leaders did their best to be humane, and no one was forced to participate. But for a bunch of kids mostly from the suburbs, it was not a great experience.

Sitting here crying while after getting WhatsApped the photo on the right, so let me tell you a little story about how we got here from the photo on the left and why repatriation research matters!

My year we pulled the handcarts for ~5 minutes before "angels" came to help (adult leaders/support that weren't in families all dressed in white). It was such a short time it didn't really make an impact. I've heard of others where it was much longer or where the boys stood to the side and watched.

Yet another thing the men get to have that the women don't. But we're so much more spiritual! 🙄

Man, I forgot about the women's pull. I don't miss the Mormon version of misogyny

Not the same as published works, but another example of it being in the culture.

It was common in my stake for the patriarch to include something about the second coming in patriarchal blessings. I know one girl in my seminary class shared that hers said she'd be alive to see it. I know mine says something about it, but it implies not in this life.

I agree. You can't possibly cover every current doctrine in 16 hours/year. It's an opportunity for those who speak to say publicly whatever opinion they have that they want everyone to know. Like Nelson's talk on the name of the church from the 90s. Took a while but he got what he wanted eventually.

Okay, end rant. Sorry. This kind of stuff drives me nuts.

But also, these topics are in the standard works! The millennium, the battle of Armageddon, the gathering of Israel. It's in there. You don't have to go to a manual you don't like or an author you don't agree with. Open up the New Testament or Doctrine and Covenants. Those are authoritative.

I had a professor that said if the church puts their name on it, it counts as scripture. I think that's taking things too far, but the church chooses what to publish. If they don't approve of the content, they can change that. And they have, repeatedly.

How then do you supplement scripture? Mormons are not sola scriptura. Are we only counting GC talks and the standards works? GC talks do not cover every verse of scripture.

Oh, and the manuals aren't authoritative? This from a church that required the use of a specific English Bible translation? If the church doesn't approve of the content, why is their name on it? I agree that the manuals change over time and can have major issues.

I haven't been out of the church that long. These ideas may not be over the pulpit, but they're in the culture.

I feel like I'm taking crazy pills. I remember being terrified as a child that the 2nd coming would happen before I could go to BYU or get married. We drew pictures in seminary illustrating signs of the times. On my mission there was constant talk about gathering Israel to usher in the millennium.

Revelation (book) is scripture. Take it literally, don't take it literally. Pick a method and be consistent. The only book of scripture I'm aware of that Mormons are allowed to ignore is Song of Solomon. Joseph Smith took Revelation literally. See D&C 77 where he has a Q&A with God about it.

And I saw this mentioned but kinda buried - I'll hear an argument that it doesn't get talked about over the pulpit, but to say it's not a belief requires changing the articles of faith. AoF 10 specifically is about the millennial reign, but to believe in that you have to believe in how we get there.

I knew someone when I lived in TN who was subscribed to some "scholarly" service that was all about signs of the times. I worked for an LDS adjacent organization that put out lectures and some of the most popular related to the second coming. It's alive and fucking well among lay members.

Trying to catch up with a glitchy Bluesky and working around the blocked posts, but what the hell?

I feel like I must have gone to a completely different church or something. Preparing for the second coming and watching for the signs was a frequent topic.

Also 600 times!! I think I'm somewhere in the teens 😄

Thank you! I was very curious what your response would be if you saw this post. I seem to remember you posting about the misunderstanding/reconciliation at some point, which I think I had in the back of my mind while watching last night. It really sticks out when you're looking for it.

😆 I love that

I decided this year that I wanted to tackle some long books I've been meaning to read. I chose four, but probably should have picked one. Somehow I read thousands of pages one semester for my Russian lit class, but finding time to read while working full time is much more difficult.

I appreciate the insight!

I find myself going down Wikipedia rabbit holes all the time, so maybe Hugo is a kindred spirit haha

Thanks! I've heard that piece about the sewers 😄 I bought an unabridged copy years ago, and then last year I researched translations and bought a different version. I figure I'll give the unabridged a chance and if it's too much I'll try abridged.