prisonchaplain Posted January 18, 2013 Report Posted January 18, 2013 Most here know that I've been on this site for many years (7+). I've posted, chatted, even visited Temple Square. A little over a year ago I had a personal spiritual retreat, part of which was to spend several hours skimming through the BoM. However, I'd never sat down with missionaries to discuss the story of Joseph Smith until today. We had a fine visit, touched on the idea of prophets, the Apostasy, Apostolic authority, being led by the Spirit, the meaning of Jesus in our lives, and that despite our doctrinal differences we could all say prayers that we could all "amen." All this in about 30 minutes. I'm not sure if they will return or how they felt, but I felt good about it. We may not agree on all things, but where there is love and respect Jesus is honored. So...no new insights really...but just a fresh and rather pleasant spiritual experience to report. Quote
Guest LiterateParakeet Posted January 18, 2013 Report Posted January 18, 2013 PC, you are a good example to me of being open to learning and sharing with others. I am following your example, in a sense, by reading Sifted by Rick Lawrence and Contemplative Prayer by Thomas Keating. I am really enjoying gleaning insights from other faiths. If it were possible, I would love to sit down and chat with you about your work in prison. I worked as a Corrections Officer years ago, and ever since I have been concerned about what happens to these men when they get out of prison. Such a culture shock for the ones that are in for a long time. I would love to do what you are doing...for the women. Quote
Guest gopecon Posted January 18, 2013 Report Posted January 18, 2013 Glad to hear you had a good experience with them! I'm sure they will be back if it was a good experience for them too. :) Quote
Vort Posted January 18, 2013 Report Posted January 18, 2013 Well done, PC. A personal spiritual retreat sounds like it might be a useful idea for all of us. Please let us know when you set a baptismal date. :) Quote
Traveler Posted January 18, 2013 Report Posted January 18, 2013 Most here know that I've been on this site for many years (7+). I've posted, chatted, even visited Temple Square. A little over a year ago I had a personal spiritual retreat, part of which was to spend several hours skimming through the BoM. However, I'd never sat down with missionaries to discuss the story of Joseph Smith until today.We had a fine visit, touched on the idea of prophets, the Apostasy, Apostolic authority, being led by the Spirit, the meaning of Jesus in our lives, and that despite our doctrinal differences we could all say prayers that we could all "amen." All this in about 30 minutes.I'm not sure if they will return or how they felt, but I felt good about it. We may not agree on all things, but where there is love and respect Jesus is honored.So...no new insights really...but just a fresh and rather pleasant spiritual experience to report.I do not believe it possible to have a religious discussion with someone of devout faith and not come away uplifted. However, in the past I have had some difficulty with those of the Evangelical variety. You have proven to be unusual in so many ways. You give me eyes to things I have not seen before. Hopefully, you as well, see new things.The Traveler Quote
prisonchaplain Posted January 18, 2013 Author Report Posted January 18, 2013 PC, you are a good example to me of being open to learning and sharing with others. I am following your example, in a sense, by reading Sifted by Rick Lawrence and Contemplative Prayer by Thomas Keating. I am really enjoying gleaning insights from other faiths. If it were possible, I would love to sit down and chat with you about your work in prison. I worked as a Corrections Officer years ago, and ever since I have been concerned about what happens to these men when they get out of prison. Such a culture shock for the ones that are in for a long time. I would love to do what you are doing...for the women.Fortunately corrections is shifting back towards what used to be called rehabilitation. We don't call it that--too liberal and naive sounding. Instead we say we are focusing on re-entry. We offer a good conservative-sounding rationale--we can't afford to house them so we'd better get them ready to stay out.Happily leadership seems to recognize that chaplaincy is on the forefront of programming geared to keep inmates out once they release. We do this, of course, by reconnecting them with their spirituality. Get serious about your God and you will likely get serious about living a good life. Those missionaries actually mentioned that today, btw.Education is the other magic bullet--having a GED is so much more marketable than never having finished high school. Quote
pam Posted January 19, 2013 Report Posted January 19, 2013 Well done, PC. A personal spiritual retreat sounds like it might be a useful idea for all of us. Please let us know when you set a baptismal date. :) I've been telling him for years, we're going to get him wet yet. Quote
prisonchaplain Posted January 19, 2013 Author Report Posted January 19, 2013 Well done, PC. A personal spiritual retreat sounds like it might be a useful idea for all of us. Please let us know when you set a baptismal date. :)Pam said she cannot confirm that I would be granted an automatic calling to the lds.net bishopric if such a thing were to happen, but there are rumors to that effect floating around. Quote
Wingnut Posted January 19, 2013 Report Posted January 19, 2013 Pam said she cannot confirm that I would be granted an automatic calling to the lds.net bishopric if such a thing were to happen, but there are rumors to that effect floating around. Bishopric? I would think you'd be bishop of the LDS.net Ward.Off to find that thread... Quote
Wingnut Posted January 19, 2013 Report Posted January 19, 2013 Found it! http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/44335-if-you-were-bishop-lds-net-ward.html Quote
Vort Posted January 19, 2013 Report Posted January 19, 2013 Found it! http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/44335-if-you-were-bishop-lds-net-ward.htmlI remember that thread. Rather funny. But I forgot to make my crack when PC posted his 1-800-LDS-TONGUES number about how I thought that was the BYU Dating Service. Ah, well. Moment passed, opportunity missed. Quote
Wingnut Posted January 19, 2013 Report Posted January 19, 2013 I remember that thread. Rather funny. But I forgot to make my crack when PC posted his 1-800-LDS-TONGUES number about how I thought that was the BYU Dating Service. Ah, well. Moment passed, opportunity missed.1-800-LDS-TONGUES, ext. NCMO is the exact line, actually. Quote
prisonchaplain Posted January 19, 2013 Author Report Posted January 19, 2013 Bishopric? I would think you'd be bishop of the LDS.net Ward.Off to find that thread...Oh, I would think there would be several wards here. As punishment, I'd probably get the Open Forum Ward--especially if the 1-800 # were involved! Quote
skippy740 Posted January 19, 2013 Report Posted January 19, 2013 We should move this thread JUST so we can have the laugh button! Quote
Palerider Posted January 19, 2013 Report Posted January 19, 2013 Most here know that I've been on this site for many years (7+). I've posted, chatted, even visited Temple Square. A little over a year ago I had a personal spiritual retreat, part of which was to spend several hours skimming through the BoM. However, I'd never sat down with missionaries to discuss the story of Joseph Smith until today.We had a fine visit, touched on the idea of prophets, the Apostasy, Apostolic authority, being led by the Spirit, the meaning of Jesus in our lives, and that despite our doctrinal differences we could all say prayers that we could all "amen." All this in about 30 minutes.I'm not sure if they will return or how they felt, but I felt good about it. We may not agree on all things, but where there is love and respect Jesus is honored.So...no new insights really...but just a fresh and rather pleasant spiritual experience to report.Thumbs up there Prison Chap...:) Quote
Wingnut Posted January 19, 2013 Report Posted January 19, 2013 Sorry (sort-of ) to have derailed the thread... Quote
Magen_Avot Posted January 19, 2013 Report Posted January 19, 2013 PC, I'm sure the Elders walked away with eye opening, mind clearing and a testimony strengthening conviction in the Lord Jesus Christ. Or they should have! Um,... is anyone's son serving a mission up in the Seattle area? Quote
prisonchaplain Posted January 20, 2013 Author Report Posted January 20, 2013 I'll narrow it down for you...two caucasian young men, 19-20 years of age, sandy brown hair (both), and their accents suggested Utah or S. Idaho...hope that helps. :-) Quote
M_T_E Posted January 20, 2013 Report Posted January 20, 2013 Most here know that I've been on this site for many years (7+). I've posted, chatted, even visited Temple Square. A little over a year ago I had a personal spiritual retreat, part of which was to spend several hours skimming through the BoM. However, I'd never sat down with missionaries to discuss the story of Joseph Smith until today.We had a fine visit, touched on the idea of prophets, the Apostasy, Apostolic authority, being led by the Spirit, the meaning of Jesus in our lives, and that despite our doctrinal differences we could all say prayers that we could all "amen." All this in about 30 minutes.I'm not sure if they will return or how they felt, but I felt good about it. We may not agree on all things, but where there is love and respect Jesus is honored.So...no new insights really...but just a fresh and rather pleasant spiritual experience to report.I have yet to physically sit down with missionaries in my area. I met two sisters at the Portland Temple on my first visit who provided me with a copy of the Book of Mormon, and I have spent time reading through 1 Nephi.Beyond this forum I have also sought out information through missionaries online, via chat and Facebook. I hope when the time comes that I do meet in real life, that it is as insightful as your visit was. =] Quote
Maureen Posted January 20, 2013 Report Posted January 20, 2013 I'll narrow it down for you...two caucasian young men, 19-20 years of age, sandy brown hair (both), and their accents suggested Utah or S. Idaho...hope that helps. :-)When the missionaries come to my house for a visit, I check out their name tags; but within a few days I've usually forgotten their names. M. Quote
NightSG Posted January 20, 2013 Report Posted January 20, 2013 When the missionaries come to my house for a visit, I check out their name tags; but within a few days I've usually forgotten their names. If you keep them tied up in the basement, you can check the tags whenever you want. Quote
AnthonyB Posted January 20, 2013 Report Posted January 20, 2013 How could you forget their first name, they all seem to have the same strange LDS name....Elder. (Actually knew a girl when I was in my teens, who meet some LDS misso's in my home town and was really amazed they had the same first name.) Quote
AnthonyB Posted January 20, 2013 Report Posted January 20, 2013 I hearby nominate PC as Bishop of the non-LDS LDS.net ward, I'm sure people will sustain him. Quote
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