Welcome

Welcome to our blog.

We would hope this blog could be a place where we can help each other search out truth and knowledge - of some of the most important questions in life - in a safe environment, no matter where our individual and collective journeys take us, and by so doing, come to greater mutual respect and understanding, deepen our love and appreciation for each other, and result in a greater feeling of acceptance and closeness  within the family.

Family is what's most important in our lives, and it's wonderful that we have the technology and willingness to share a search for truth, as a family group. These are some of the most important questions any of us ever contemplate, which questions go directly to our understanding and appreciation of our families and relationships - both here and hereafter.

I hope this sharing can remain primarily for our family (extended), with contributions from select individuals to whom one family member has extended a carefully considered invitation.

Maybe my questions and research aren't such a bad thing. I have taken encouragement for my own study from many places. I posted a few quotes which have been helpful to me.

"I will not seek to compel any man to believe as I do, only by the force of reasoning, for truth will cut its own way."

- Joseph Smith

"If a faith will not bear to be investigated: if its preachers and professors are afraid to have it examined, their foundation must be very weak."

- George Albert Smith, Journal Of Discourses, v 14, page 216

"If we have the truth, [it] cannot be harmed by investigation. If we have not the truth, it ought to be harmed."

- J. Reuben Clark, counselor in the First Presidency

"Religious teachers... advance many ideas and notions for the truth which are in opposition to and contradict facts demonstrated by science, and which are generally understood. In these respects we differ from the Christian world, for our religion will not clash with or contradict the facts of science in any particular."

- Discourses of Brigham Young, 397-398

"I admire men and women who have developed the questioning spirit, who are unafraid of new ideas and stepping stones to progress. We should, of course, respect the opinions of others, but we should also be unafraid to dissent - if we are informed. Thoughts and expressions compete in the marketplace of thought, and in that competition truth emerges triumphant. Only error fears freedom of expression. This free exchange of ideas is not to be deplored as long as men and women remain humble and teachable. Neither fear of consequence nor any kind of coercion should ever be used to secure uniformity of thought in the church. People should express their problems and opinions and be unafraid to think without fear of ill consequences. We must preserve freedom of the mind in the church and resist all efforts to suppress it."

- Hugh B. Brown, counselor in First Presidency, Speech at BYU, March 29, 1958

"To Latter-day Saints there can be no objection to the careful and critical study of the scriptures, ancient or modern, provided only that it be an honest study - a search for truth."

- John A. Widtsoe

"The man who cannot listen to an argument which opposes his views either has a weak position or is a weak defender of it"

- Brigham Young

"This book ["The Book of Mormon"] is entitled to the most thorough and impartial examination. Not only does ["The Book of Mormon"] merit such consideration, it claims, even demands the same."

- James E. Talmage, The Articles of Faith