Bridge Burning vs. Bridge Building

[Cow Poke]

Quite honestly, OC, I have no desire to "fellowship" with a bunch of people who question my honesty and challenge my integrity simply because I very clearly and openly share my sincerely held conviction that they follow a false prophet and a book(s) that they claim to be Scripture when it's not.

How do you bridge that?

[OtherCheek]

I prefer to C4 bridges myself. I am wondering though, if you are in a position to burn a bridge there is no need to build one because it's already there, and if you're in a position to build a bridge there is nothing to burn because there isn't a bridge yet. It seems like this is a false choice, because there is no situation in which you have both options available to you at the same time.

Well, if it helps, then look at it this way.

As we are all children of the same Heavenly Father, a bridge is already in place. Being our brother's keeper tends to strengthen that bridge, (bridge building), while rebuffing people from speaking on political issues at a commencement, just because of their religion, weakens that bridge. (bridge burning).

[Cow Poke]

As we are all children of the same Heavenly Father...

I think that's one of the major obstacles, OC .... your Heavenly Father used to be a man - mine never was. Can't really be the same God.

[OtherCheek]

Quite honestly, OC, I have no desire to "fellowship" with a bunch of people who question my honesty and challenge my integrity simply because I very clearly and openly share my sincerely held conviction that they follow a false prophet and a book(s) that they claim to be Scripture when it's not.

How do you bridge that?

I can't. Because you would just keep burning what I am trying to build. So, I would then be inclined to find others who are more willing to build bridges.

[OtherCheek]

I think that's one of the major obstacles, OC .... your Heavenly Father used to be a man - mine never was. Can't really be the same God.

So, where did I come from then--according to your beliefs? Who created me?

[Cow Poke]

So, where did I come from then--according to your beliefs? Who created me?

That's easy. My God.

[Cow Poke]

I can't. Because you would just keep burning what I am trying to build. So, I would then be inclined to find others who are more willing to build bridges.

So, why this sudden interest in Bridge Building, when your Church's founder was so intent on separation?

[OtherCheek]

So, why this sudden interest in Bridge Building, when your Church's founder was so intent on separation?

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that "love is one of the chief characteristics of Diety, and ought to be manifested by those who aspire to be the sons of God. A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 174).

[Cow Poke]

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that "love is one of the chief characteristics of Diety, and ought to be manifested by those who aspire to be the sons of God. A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 174).

Why are you always bringing up old quotes, OC?

[OtherCheek]

That's easy. My God.

Then my original statement is affirmed which was "As we are all children of the same Heavenly Father... "

Both you and I believe it that we are children of the same Heavenly Father (God).

[Cow Poke]

Then my original statement is affirmed which was "As we are all children of the same Heavenly Father... "

Both you and I believe it that we are children of the same Heavenly Father (God).

No -- you were CREATED by my God, but you worship another. That's a real problem.

[OtherCheek]

Why are you always bringing up old quotes, OC?

Because you just a few seconds ago brought up Joseph Smith. I thought it only appropriate that I give you a response from the man that you brought up.

[Cow Poke]

Because you brought up Joseph Smith. I thought it only appropriate that I give you a response from the man that you brought up.

I was just picking on you, OC --- you seem annoyed when I bring up "old quotes", but it's what you use to defend your position. Seems a bit odd to me.

The real point, however, is that you can always find something Smith SAID, but that doesn't mean he DID it. Or, maybe God commanded him NOT to do something, then commanded him to DO it, then commanded him NOT to do it... or maybe some other prophet came along and negated, changed, or vacated what Smith previously said.

Smith was incredibly divisive -- even in his own Church -- best friends one day, excommunicating them the next --- he doesn't have a real good track record for bridge building, OC.

In another post, just the other day, weren't you indicating that you believe actions speak louder than words?

[OtherCheek]

I was just picking on you, OC --- you seem annoyed when I bring up "old quotes", but it's what you use to defend your position. Seems a bit odd to me.

When you attack a man of the past because of a cherry-picked quote, it is only appropriate to provide a quote or two from that same man, that you ignored when you formed your conclusions.

The real point, however, is that you can always find something Smith SAID, but that doesn't mean he DID it. Or, maybe God commanded him NOT to do something, then commanded him to DO it, then commanded him NOT to do it... or maybe some other prophet came along and negated, changed, or vacated what Smith previously said.

That was too confusing to parse.

Smith was incredibly divisive

Hey. So was Jesus.

In another post, just the other day, weren't you indicating that you believe actions speak louder than words?

This account comes from the journal of an ancestor of mine. It indicates the big heart Joseph had, even for his captors just before he was murdered.

[OtherCheek]

When you attack a man of the past because of a cherry-picked quote, it is only appropriate to provide a quote or two from that same man, that you ignored when you formed your conclusions.



That was too confusing to parse.



Hey. So was Jesus.



This account comes from the journal of an ancestor of mine. It indicates the big heart Joseph had, even for his captors just before he was murdered.

There are many journal entries of people who knew the Prophet that show how big his heart was, not only in word, but in deed. Just let me know if you have any interest.