Comments on: In Our Ward: Lesson 28: “After the Fire a Still Small Voice”

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 10:05:59 +0000

There was good discussion on that point — I think some class members appreciated being able to comment with the promise that the discussion wouldn’t get out of hand. Class members offered ideas like: those issues can come close to home when they affect family members, and we all can get passionate in that case; there is some validity to both sides of just about any issue; and once we get wrapped up in a hot-button issue, the desire to win at all costs sometimes overwhelms our better natures.

All in all, I really like the discussion that often comes up in class. It’s necessarily short, but lots of different ideas are usually given, and they very seldom fall into the standard sleepy Sunday School answers anymore. Some of my questions take people by surprise, I think, but they seem to understand that I’m not being disrespectful or trying to start an argument, just get people to think. The question, for example, about how you felt about a God who would curse the land as Jehovah did in stopping the rain, which probably fell more harshly on the poor than on Ahab’s court, was followed by silence for a moment, then there were some really good, sincere, thoughtful comments made that were definitely not rote answers.

By: john willis

john willis — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 04:12:25 +0000

Well said, Ardis, your comment about letting social and political issues divert us from listening to the still small voice of the spirit is very relevant , as we see social and politcal issues heating up as we approach the November election.

It would be great if we could hear a talk on this subject and expressing Ardis’ perspective in October General Conference

By: Ariel

Ariel — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 03:44:59 +0000

[edited -- I'm sorry, but I don't want to invite a debate of the merits of those specific issues here any more than in class. If this comment stood unedited, then in fairness I would have to let stand an opposing comment, and then the fight is on. -- AEP]

I thought the call for more careful examination of the issues was wonderful.