Hi Priest Quorum Surprise

[Fredl]

Last Sunday, High Priest Quorum produced a considerable surprise, at least for me. During a discussion of the Book of Mormon, the question was asked by the Discussion Leader, "How many of you have had a specific experience which convinced you of the truth of the BOM?" Well, with about 20 High Priests in the room, I expected to be in a pretty small minority as I sat with my hands folded in my lap. Myself, I had read the book at the urging of the missionaries and prayed about it. Unhappily, nothing happened.

Well, to my complete surprise, one person raised his hand while murmering, almost to himself, "Well, if you mean over a period of time".

That's right, ONE.

I really don't know what the Discussion Leader expected. If he shifted into recovery mode, he handled it pretty smoothly. I can't remember what was said for the next few minues or how he integrated this into his talk. What I've learned in discussions of "Gospel Priciples" is that every point that is made, no matter how irrelevant or even contradictory it appears to be, it tuens out, in the end to actually support the Speaker's point.

So, there it is. My wife just called for dinner, so there, at least for the moment, it will have to lie.

Fred

[why me]

Last Sunday, High Priest Quorum produced a considerable surprise, at least for me. During a discussion of the Book of Mormon, the question was asked by the Discussion Leader, "How many of you have had a specific experience which convinced you of the truth of the BOM?" Well, with about 20 High Priests in the room, I expected to be in a pretty small minority as I sat with my hands folded in my lap. Myself, I had read the book at the urging of the missionaries and prayed about it. Unhappily, nothing happened.

Well, to my complete surprise, one person raised his hand while murmering, almost to himself, "Well, if you mean over a period of time".

That's right, ONE.

I really don't know what the Discussion Leader expected. If he shifted into recovery mode, he handled it pretty smoothly. I can't remember what was said for the next few minues or how he integrated this into his talk. What I've learned in discussions of "Gospel Priciples" is that every point that is made, no matter how irrelevant or even contradictory it appears to be, it tuens out, in the end to actually support the Speaker's point.

So, there it is. My wife just called for dinner, so there, at least for the moment, it will have to lie.

Fred

I think this is why the members have been instructed to read the book of mormon before christmas in order for them to get a strong testimony of the book. I have this feeling that many members will be sorely tested about the book's truthfulness and relevance. Of course if the church organization is wanting people to read it and strenghen their testimony, this could show that the church does not want its members to be ignorant of the book but rather to strengthen their faith through reading it. This is perhaps demonstrated in the high priest meeting tha you attended. Members can be lead away through issues like southertom because they have no testimony of the book of mormon itself. This is only my take on it of course.