Mormon Mentality - Thoughts and Asides by Peculiar People » Remembering The Past and Predicting The Future

By Devyn S.

Apr. 28th, 2011 at 2:33 pm

My son recently did a project where he created a solar system using styrofoam balls. It was a lot of fun for him and I learned a lot about the solar system in the process. It reminded me again that the Solar System I learned about as a youth was not the same as it is today (at least not as defined by various Space Scientists like the IAU ).

Yes, Pluto was demoted. Funny thing is that Pluto still exists, and, in fact, has not changed little, if at all, since my childhood. We love to put things into buckets for organizational purposes. It led me to think about how much the Church has evolved (I love using the terms Church and evolve in the same sentence) since I was born – When I was born, Blacks could not receive the Priesthood, there were few Temples, there were some arguably questionable things being stated over the pulpit by leading GAs (wait, that hasn’t changed), and Women’s Lib was equal to satan incarnate… Now, Blacks have the Priesthood, we are getting close to 200 Temples, and Women’s Lib is here to stay. What will the next few decades bring? Any predictions beyond more questionable things being stated over the pulpit by leading GAs?

1. John Mansfield

Thu, Apr 28, 2011 @ 3:12pm

A comment I saw at this site a couple weeks ago about the announced Winnipeg temple started a similar train of thought for me. The temple in Regina currently serves two stakes in Saskatchewan and one in Manitoba, but in a few years the stake in Manitoba will have a temple all to itself. No one could have guessed such an arrangement a dozen years ago, but the place of the temple in the life of the Church has shifted.

Thirty-five years ago, stakes held conferences quarterly with a general authority presiding at every one. General conferences included a couple sessions on Friday. So, conferences are not quite so big in our lives as in the past, and we also are less acquainted with general authorities. The apostles are more remote, and rest are more obscure.

History sites seem to be taking on more importance, particularly with the end of temples as regional focal points. This could increase and change into more ritualized pilgrimages. When I hear about handcart trek reenactments, there is a repetitiveness in the descriptions that suggests that handcart treks could codify into something like the hajj to Mecca.

2. a random John

Thu, Apr 28, 2011 @ 4:33pm

I don’t have much to say about the future at the moment, but I love the fact that Pluto was demoted. It shows that we understand our solar system a little bit better than we used to. There is a great Nova episode about it that you can watch online.

3. annegb

Thu, Apr 28, 2011 @ 6:12pm

I predict laws will be enacted requiring people to drive more fuel efficient vehicles. Smaller cars. By law. And civil war. Definitely we’ll (Utah) will secede.

4. annegb

Thu, Apr 28, 2011 @ 6:13pm

No, really

5. Newly Housewife

Thu, Apr 28, 2011 @ 6:42pm

Lately I’ve been noticing a trend of the church being less socially controlling (IE: birth control use being an issue of temple worthiness) of it’s members and more of a ‘take it what you will’/'to each his own’ method. This might have to do with a better understanding of tradition vs. faith.

But I take the stance that unless it’s asked in a temple interview, it doesn’t matter; so chances are I’m just seeing what I want to see.

6. jjohnsen

Thu, Apr 28, 2011 @ 6:52pm

I was confused by #3 until I saw #4, and now I’m flabbergasted.

7. Devyn S.

Thu, Apr 28, 2011 @ 8:14pm

1. John Mansfield – I did not realize quarterly conferences were that recently disbanded. Good point on the GAs, they are now quite distant from most of us. hmm, Handcart treks – that is one I really don’t get.

2. a random John – I don’t know if we understand it better as now there are arguments about having 12 planets…

3. annegb – Civil war? over what?

5. Newly Housewife – I haven’t noticed but it would be a nice trend

8. a random John

Thu, Apr 28, 2011 @ 9:30pm

If they make 12 planets, I hope that Vesta makes the cut. It would really boost sales.

9. annegb

Sat, Apr 30, 2011 @ 9:52am

Well, lately, as I’ve driven to work, I’ve noticed some really small cars traveling at least 10 miles under the speed limit and I’ve realized how stark the gap has gotten, at least in Utah, between those who are energy & environmentally conscious and choose to reflect that in their choice of vehicles. Many Utahns–most of my neighbors–drive at least one SUV or large pickup. Especially now with gas prices going so high, the movement for smaller, more energy efficient vehicles will become much more militant. And so I was playing with a scenario. Because you’ll have as much trouble getting us to part with our 4-wheel drives as you will getting us to part with our guns.

jjohnsen, I live to entertain you.

10. bearbait

Sat, Apr 30, 2011 @ 8:14pm

I doubt they will ever come to pass, but a few thing I keep hoping for from the GA’s:
1: Give us the straight scoop on some of the controversial stuff from our past, ie. polygamy.
2: Get real on the W of W. Start stressing more of the stuff that actually kills people like obesity and sedentary life styles. To my knowledge no one ever died from drinking tea, but it can keep you out of the temple. Never had any, but it can actually be good for you.
3: In the town I live in some people think this is evidence I may be the anti-christ: Time to dump the scouting program as the official activity of the AP. We could do so much better in-house.

And since I’m thinking big- going to a 2 hour block would be nice.

11. Devyn S

Sat, Apr 30, 2011 @ 8:48pm

10. bearbait – I would agree with every one of yours – I think it would be wonderful if they occurred. However, anything is possible. One other one for me would be to have some recognition of Homosexuality as something that is not just a lifestyle. Maybe even let gay couples come to Church, be active and hold callings… ok, now I am dreaming…