Gillebre Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 So after an interesting conversation with Oxy_Mormon today, I've learned that I'm disobeying Gordon B. Hickley by forming 'relationships', whether intentional or not, in being here on this site (and the chat room).Friendships, etc...He cites the link below, from a 2001 talk by GBH, as his proof that if we're here and forming relationships, we're in opposition to what the Lord's anointed in the Latter-days has said.LDS.org - Ensign Article - A Prophet’s Counsel and Prayer for YouthSpecifically, this paragraph and even more specifically, the bold portion."And while I speak of such matters I want to give emphasis again to the matter of pornography. It has become a $10 billion industry in the United States, where a few men grow rich at the expense of thousands upon thousands who are their victims. Stay away from it. It is exciting, but it will destroy you. It will warp your senses. It will build within you an appetite that you will do anything to appease. And don’t try to create associations through the Internet and chat rooms. They can lead you down into the very abyss of sorrow and bitterness."While I can easily understand 'risk' in being present online, making friends, etc... I can also easily understand the great spiritual uplift that I find here, having met a lot of you. Learning from you, being humbled by some of the trials people experience, even growing from hearing a simple testimony.Yet, by forming these 'associations', are we disobeying President Gordon B. Hinckley?That I ask to you...and I also invite Oxy_Mormon to explain his position in more detail. I figured this thread would work better than the chat room.Your thoughts and comments are welcome. Whatever you can contribute...is welcome, but on-topic. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Mormon Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 I think he was referring more to people who try and seduce others or form intimate relationships on the INTERNET. I don't think he would discourage us from forming friendships online. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gillebre Posted January 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 I had similar thoughts. and like I said, I well understand being careful and such, but what it came across as was more of a 'if you do it at all, you are not in line with his counsel'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_jason Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 If he truly told you that then he's a hypocrite, as he has spent time in the chat room as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Mormon Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 If that is true, than Elder Ballard is also going against the counsel. See following quote:"The emergence of New Media is facilitating a world-wide conversation on almost every subject including religion...may I ask that you join the conversation by participating on the Internet, particularly the New Media, to share the gospel and to explain in simple and clear terms the message of the Restoration." "Most of you already know that if you have access to the Internet you can start a blog in minutes and begin sharing what you know to be true."M. Elder M. Russell Ballard, "Using New Media to Support the Work of the Church." Speech was given at Brigham Young University-Hawaii’s graduation ceremony on December 15, 2007. Hey Jason, I don't ever recall seeing Pres. Hinkley in chat. Have you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_jason Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 Um, I wasn't referring to President Hinckley. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Mormon Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 My mistake, I now see you were referring to Oxy_Mormon. My most humble of apologies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gillebre Posted January 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 well, when i asked Oxy Mormon what he was doing here (in the chat, mainly), he said he wasn't here to form ANY relationship with anyone. Just here for entertainment and conversation, as he put it. I'm still a little stumped how you can be a Mormon in a chatroom with fun people like us and NOT form an association...I'd think that as Mormons, we'd be more prone to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PentiumInside Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 "And while I speak of such matters I want to give emphasis again to the matter of pornography. It has become a $10 billion industry in the United States, where a few men grow rich at the expense of thousands upon thousands who are their victims. Stay away from it. It is exciting, but it will destroy you. It will warp your senses. It will build within you an appetite that you will do anything to appease. And don’t try to create associations through the Internet and chat rooms. They can lead you down into the very abyss of sorrow and bitterness." Thats called..bum bu dum.....Taking somthing OUT OF CONTEXT :) Anti-LDS people do it every day and will no doubt use that very example in the future. If you look at it and read it as it was meant to be read/heard it is referring to sexual relations/intimacy over the internet. Its so painfully obvious that there should be no doubt. :) and thats not "just my 2 cents" its common sense :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
checkerboy Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 I have to agree with pentium. It appears this is in relation to intimacies formed in chat rooms. I have actually had a bad experience with this and can take Pres. Hinckley's counsel to heart. I have found that there are many that turn to the relative anonymity of the internet to fill some void in their lives. I have done that myself seeing as I am seperated from my wife. I feel like I have found my boundries, though, and realize that it can be easy to form inappropriate attachments. I do have to say though that there is nothing wrong with developing friendships whatever the method. I am truly thankful for the wonderful people that I have met here and in other places. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_jason Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 2 - Personal attacks, name calling, flaming, and judgments against other posters will not be tolerated. (Attacking someone's source of information does not constitute a personal attack, unless that source is Scripture or from another Official Church publication.) As a Moderator Team, we have tried our best to setup an environment where a friendly and non-judging conversations may take place. There are those who post here who are very strong in their beliefs, and we know it can become frustrating when others oppose them.We believe that no one can convert anyone or compel anyone to understand his/her view point when it is being presented in a hostile manner.One of the objectives of this site is to reach out to others and show them the benefits and happiness that comes from living a Christ-like life. We will fail in this objective if our members do not do their best to uphold this viewpoint. It is important to let others know that even though we may not agree with them, we still love and respect each other as children of our Heavenly Father.Please take this time to read through the guidelines so that you may return to the site:http://www.ldstalk.com/forums/index.php?act=boardrules Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WANDERER Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 · Hidden Hidden Ignore and block, moderators,forum rules and other internet safety guidelines ...'stay safe' is good sense. Link to comment
PentiumInside Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 I guess that means if I talk to someone Im related to with Skype ( an internet phone service) I must be breaking a commandment :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ztodd Posted January 26, 2008 Report Share Posted January 26, 2008 When you converse or discuss, you have a kind of relationship there by definition. Taken in context, it seems obvious to me that he meant to try not to create associations that are improper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NateHowe Posted January 26, 2008 Report Share Posted January 26, 2008 This question is the classic anti-Mormon (or anti-anything for that matter) tactic of taking one snippet of text from a speech that spans pages and trying to characterize it as a doctrinal exposition. One soundbite out of context usually sounds ridiculous coming from anybody's lips. By the way, caution and discretion in choosing chat opportunities is still quite a valid concern. For every wholesome social chat, there are many others which don't live up to LDS standards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskagain Posted January 26, 2008 Report Share Posted January 26, 2008 My perspective - Look at the internet "neighborhoods" and content available in 2001 and compare it to today's environment. In 2001, MySpace existed (I think) but in a very limited capacity in comparison to today. A typical chat room, if I remember correctly, was basically a cyber-singles bar, unless it was a techie board. I think the neighborhood has improved substantially! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WillowTheWhisp Posted January 27, 2008 Report Share Posted January 27, 2008 I think he was warning against flirting online where the anonymity may make it seem harmless. I know someone whose (ex)wife spent a great deal of time flirting online which then led to more and she eventually left her husband and went off with the man she'd formed an online relationship with.Another woman I know was flattered by the attention she received in PMs from another man on a message forum. She became insanely jealous when he spent time chatting to others. Although he was married he chatted up everyone online on that forum. The end result was misery all round with several broken marriages and others shaken to their roots.Those examples are a world away from innocent friendship and chatting and debating topics such as we are doing here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mahonri Posted January 27, 2008 Report Share Posted January 27, 2008 As has been explained, President Hinckley was referring to inappropriate associations. Elder Ballard was telling us that we need to make the voice of reason and truth heard throughout cyberspace. I have known those who have gone into chat rooms and there have begun to form inappropriate relationships. Those are the ones that Our Prophet is talking about. We also need to be careful about what we disclose on-line. I was once seeking help for a close friend on line. I will tell you... that was a big mistake. Eventually a judgmental "Card" came along at "Nauvoo" and made a horrible misjudgment. Eventually that misjudgment would bless my life but not how I expected. I am so grateful for a wonderful, faithful wife who I dearly love and who loves me. She and my great children are all that really matter. I do wish though that I could have helped my friend who once served as a bishop and is now divorced. M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prisonchaplain Posted January 28, 2008 Report Share Posted January 28, 2008 I'm convinced that if you avoid becoming unequally yoked (dating/marrying unbelievers), then you'll ultimately avoid the displeasure of church leadership, or the Heavenly Father. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenton Posted February 1, 2008 Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 I think that, since mormon.org has it's own little chat room that Hinckley must have been referring to not making or forming initimate relationships over the 'net, and to not use it in a totally wrong way... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissouriBoiler Posted February 1, 2008 Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 Pharisee came to mind, when taking what the Prophet said to the letter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moksha Posted February 1, 2008 Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 There is wisdom in children avoiding internet relationship. However, you are an adult (I assume). You might want to check out LDSPlanet or LDSSingles to see that such internet advice goes virtually unheeded by those old enough and wise enough to think for themselves. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moksha Posted February 1, 2008 Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 I'm convinced that if you avoid becoming unequally yoked (dating/marrying unbelievers), then you'll ultimately avoid the displeasure of church leadership, or the Heavenly Father. So if I avoid this, can I then enjoy Starbucks with impunity? Just yoking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WillowTheWhisp Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 You know that is sometimes kinda hard to do in areas where church membership is very small. It also creates situations where all the Ward members are related to each other through marriage because there's no-one else available to marry except for your cousin's brother-in-law's nephew! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elgama Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 hmm I have an intimate relationship with a man I met online in an MSN chatroom many years ago lol -Charley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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