Further Light and Knowledge

I think they believe that whatever random thought crosses through their brain pans is god talking to them.

Srsly. I think that's what they believe.

_________________
The apple cannot be stuck back on the Tree of Knowledge; once we begin to see, we are doomed and challenged to seek the strength to see more, not less. ~ Arthur Miller

I felt that way about everything I ever prayed about.

I was 2nd counselor to two different bishops. One was a closet NOM and pretty much realized that decisions were based mostly on human reason, not revelation. My BIL was bishop in the neighboring stake and was shocked that we didn't pray individually over each calling. We had a pretty transient ward and would often discuss 10+ callings per bishopric meeting. So, did we say 10 prayers plus the opening and closing prayer? No. But my BIL said we should have been.

The second bishop that I was counselor to really thought that every decision was direct revelation from god.

I think that the difference is mostly due to a difference in how people think. There's a huge difference in how we process information. There's also a huge difference in confidence in one's decisions. I'm always second-guessing every decision I make. (Chalk that up to low self-esteem or whatever.) Even things like, "Maybe I should have gone to XYZ for gas because it might have been cheaper there."

But, I know people who are uber-confident in every decision that they make. I'm pretty sure that some of them feel guided by god in the decision of what they had for lunch.

The brain is a funny thing. The more neuroscience I read, the more I'm convinced of it.

This reminds me of that Mike Wallace interview that Gordo did a few years before he died. Wallace asked him what his revelations were and he said, in essence: well, that conference center came through revelation.

He then went on to explain that not very many people could fit into the tabernacle and the number of people who wanted to attend conference was growing. And lo! a still small voice whispered into Gordie's big ol' ears: build a bigger building.

It is the voice of the Lord! exclaimed Gordie. And they did build their building with much building. And the Spirit rolled its eyes and groused unto the Lord: why he couldn't have figured that out on his own, I don't know.

And the Lord did answer saying: LOL. Srsly.

_________________
The apple cannot be stuck back on the Tree of Knowledge; once we begin to see, we are doomed and challenged to seek the strength to see more, not less. ~ Arthur Miller

I think once it crosses their mind its more of a hunch, then they need to get approval from one another. When that happens - its revelation.
I think they make decisions after thoroughly studying it. The spontanious revelation is usually about petty non-matters.

The church leadership has a free hand when it comes to the members, however, I wonder how discipline is maintained inside the COB amongst themselves?
Is there a system of checks and balances?

_________________
CW

The universe likes to laugh at us

Is there a system of checks and balances?[/quote]


I highly doubt it. Probably the "checks and balances" amounts to blind obedience to superiors. And whatever action is needed to keep members on the straight and narrow.

_________________
A Post-Mormon Life: http://postmormongirl.blogspot.com