Slog Bog

Everybody Wang Chung wrote: Sat Sep 06, 2025 4:18 pm

Hound of Heaven wrote: Sat Sep 06, 2025 10:38 am Can someone please explain what a progressive Mormon is? I attempted to watch several episodes of Mormon Stories, but I find myself unable to continue beyond the first 15 minutes. John's repeated use of the term "Progressive Mormon" is incessant and becomes quite irritating, leading me to stop watching altogether.

The last time I tried to watch an episode, which I believe was called "An Inconvenient Faith & Progressive Mormonism," there was a panel of Mormons and ex-Mormons discussing various topics related to Mormonism. Within the first 15 minutes, the term "Progressive Mormon" was mentioned at least 12 times. It's not merely that he employs the term "Progressive Mormon"; it's the manner in which he does so, as if he perceives himself as the creator of a new faith where those identifying as progressive Mormons form their own distinct religion.

Is John under the impression that he is the prophet of progressive Mormonism? He certainly behaves that way when discussing progressive Mormonism. In another episode, I recall him discussing how, prior to his influence and Mormon stories, progressive Mormonism didn't exist, as if he had created the thought process that many Mormons experience when they leave the Mormon faith to embrace the progressive Mormon movement. In other episodes, he'll get so excited discussing progressive Mormonism, highlighting how it is more inclusive, more accepting, and more open. Yet, just 30 seconds later, he shifts to demeaning Mormons and criticizing the religion.

It seems he may not be aware, but he presents himself as though he considers progressive Mormonism to be superior to traditional Mormonism, claiming sole credit for its development as a competitor to the latter. Just as Joseph Smith established Mormonism to rival Christianity, John is similarly creating progressive Mormonism to challenge traditional Mormonism.

Could someone clarify what progressive Mormonism entails? Convince me otherwise that John Dehlin does not see himself as a prophet of progressive Mormonism. Is he requesting financial support to sustain progressive Mormonism, is he not? Does he frequently articulate the beliefs of progressive Mormons? He does!

Prophet John Dehlin! It has a nice ring to it! Or maybe we can refer to John as the Temu Russell Nelson!

The term progressive Mormonism is commonly used to describe a person who identifies with the faith and culture of Mormonism but holds progressive or liberal views on social, cultural, and even some doctrinal issues. It's a broad label that encompasses a spectrum of beliefs and practices, and predates John Dehlin by about 60 years.

As far as John Dehlin, I don't think most people have strong opinions about him either way. He's just one growing voice out of thousands on social media. Who cares if some people view him as the leader of progressive Mormonism? I just think it's great that there are so many voices out there right now offering help and alternatives to Mormonism.

OpenAeye wrote: Sooo many YouTubes nowadays are soul-sucking time-suckers.

One remedy: capture a transcript and ask artificial intelligence to distill their bloated fare into something that edifies instead of exhausts.

Poem out:

Voices loud, opinions flare,
Progress, prophets, “truth” to share.
But when the noise has drained your sight,
Seek the Spirit, still and bright.

++

Kishkumen wrote: Sat Sep 06, 2025 12:41 am There’s a new YouTube channel documenting the personal journey of a woman named Barbara who recently converted to the LDS Church from Catholicism. In this episode, I talk about the strengths of her channel, what her experience stirs up in this former missionary, and the accompanying anxiety I feel wondering what will ultimately come of this conversion.

https://youtu.be/vhkF2VXJOr8?si=2MTg3W9Of2koVSTU

“He disturbs the laws of his country, he forces himself upon women, and he puts men to death without trial.” ~Otanes on the monarch, Herodotus Histories 3.80.

Michael Sherwin paraphrase wrote: “Have you noticed that the signs I give are beyond the manipulation of men? Dreams may falter, testimonies may fade, but when the earth itself trembles at a precise second, there is no hiding it. The Lord confirms truth in patterns that no human hand can forge.”

Transcript Link

What is its relationship to the Pearl of Great Price?
[41:39] Mike believes the 'Writings of Abraham' were received by a man named Samuel, who was part of a fundamentalist group. Someone from that group gave it to Mike, feeling impressed to do so. [44:51] While there are some similarities to the Pearl of Great Price, it offers a different perspective. It delves deeply into Abraham's life, including his father's pagan worship, which shows ties to the facsimiles in the Pearl of Great Price.

Perfect Here’s the phpBB embed with thumbnail + title + timemark (41:38) and a direct transcript link right below: