http://www.mormonfolklore.org/blog/2007/05/31/the-tongue-of-angels/ A satirical look at TRUTH through the mote-free eyes of Elder Stephen Erastus Knudsen III Thu, 04 Dec 2008 03:23:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.3 http://www.mormonfolklore.org/blog/2007/05/31/the-tongue-of-angels/#comment-380 Fenevad Fri, 01 Jun 2007 02:01:55 +0000 http://www.mormonfolklore.org/blog/2007/05/31/the-tongue-of-angels/#comment-380 Not really an answer, but what counts as “lying” varies from culture to culture. In Islam, according to a linguistic analysis I read, untruth is not counted as lying if it serves to preserve a marriage or accomplish certain other noble goals. I’m not arguing that’s the stance we should take, but rather want to point out that truth vs. lying is a culturally defined continuum that varies from place to place. Not really an answer, but what counts as “lying” varies from culture to culture. In Islam, according to a linguistic analysis I read, untruth is not counted as lying if it serves to preserve a marriage or accomplish certain other noble goals. I’m not arguing that’s the stance we should take, but rather want to point out that truth vs. lying is a culturally defined continuum that varies from place to place.

]]> http://www.mormonfolklore.org/blog/2007/05/31/the-tongue-of-angels/#comment-439 bookslinger Mon, 04 Jun 2007 04:21:35 +0000 http://www.mormonfolklore.org/blog/2007/05/31/the-tongue-of-angels/#comment-439 One way to help speak uplifting things is to always think before speaking. I have to remind myself to think before speaking. I have a tendency to put mouth in gear before engaging brain. One way to help speak uplifting things is to always think before speaking. I have to remind myself to think before speaking. I have a tendency to put mouth in gear before engaging brain.

]]> http://www.mormonfolklore.org/blog/2007/05/31/the-tongue-of-angels/#comment-440 Glenn Mon, 04 Jun 2007 05:26:54 +0000 http://www.mormonfolklore.org/blog/2007/05/31/the-tongue-of-angels/#comment-440 Well said. That is a skill that takes a lot of work to refine. I remember a few months ago in Elders Quorum -- the teacher was beginning the lesson with Elder Bednar's talk on taking offense. He mentioned the question Bednar asks to the inactive member -- something like, "why would you intentionally take yourself away from the Lord's blessings?" Many people in the class started to comment how silly and foolish that was of inactive/less-active members to do. What they didn't seem to realize was that a less-active member was sitting right up near the front row, and I just cringed with each well-meaning but thoughtless comment. But you're right -- it is so important to look around and think about what impact our words might have on those around us -- and it is so easy to forget. Well said. That is a skill that takes a lot of work to refine. I remember a few months ago in Elders Quorum — the teacher was beginning the lesson with Elder Bednar’s talk on taking offense. He mentioned the question Bednar asks to the inactive member — something like, “why would you intentionally take yourself away from the Lord’s blessings?” Many people in the class started to comment how silly and foolish that was of inactive/less-active members to do. What they didn’t seem to realize was that a less-active member was sitting right up near the front row, and I just cringed with each well-meaning but thoughtless comment. But you’re right — it is so important to look around and think about what impact our words might have on those around us — and it is so easy to forget.

]]> http://www.mormonfolklore.org/blog/2007/05/31/the-tongue-of-angels/#comment-468 Glenn Tue, 05 Jun 2007 11:37:17 +0000 http://www.mormonfolklore.org/blog/2007/05/31/the-tongue-of-angels/#comment-468 Lynette over at ZD has some interesting things to say on this in her new "<a href="http://zelophehadsdaughters.com/2007/06/04/the-gospel-of-positive-thinking/" rel="nofollow">The Gospel of Positive Thinking</a>" post. Lynette over at ZD has some interesting things to say on this in her new “The Gospel of Positive Thinking” post.

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