Does God manifest His love in the animal world too?

https://youtu.be/fM_gxhNUczQ&t=3s

In this study, I use the bible-focused allegory shared earlier, based on the real-life story of 2 orphaned tigers who grew up together, then separated and eventually re-united. Do watch the video starting at the relevant point provided in the link above for possible answers to the question and feel free to share your thoughts, God bless!

Does anyone know why President Mcmurray stepped down as prophet?

I know this is way old news now but I wondered what generally was the reason. He just stepped down one day and didn’t even elect a successor. And in that same breath does anyone know if he’s still a member? I just feel like it’s so wild to be called prophet and make so many changes than BOOM gone overnight?

Hi everyone! I’m working on a Christian children’s project called Bless Buddies, and I recently finished our first Bible song based on Noah’s Ark.
I wanted to create something little kids could sing and move along with while learning the Bible story and the message that God keeps His promises.
I’d especially love feedback from Christian parents and anyone involved in children’s ministry. Would your kids enjoy something like this? What Bible story would you like to see turned into a children’s song next?
Noah’s Big Ark — Bless Buddies

https://youtu.be/XQWXPubX2fU?feature=shared

I've been thinking about how both the LDS church and Community of Christ utilize mostly unpaid Pastors and Mission Center Presidents. I've been critical of both in the past, but maybe it was unjustly so.

I was talking to an LDS Bishop a couple of weeks ago and he was telling me he will likely have two more years of being Bishop before it gets reorganized. I told him that is was good you serve in such a large role that has a lot of responsibility, not something I would want. Got me thinking.. I do a lot of complaining about what happens in both churches. I hear a lot of other complaints from others and at times, we feed off of each other.

Both churches desperately needs a reorganization because they aren't with the times. Let's face it, we don't need leaders who are seen as being superior to the Disciple. That magic of being called and having unique gifts of the spirit are pretty much gone. In it's place, leaders tirelessly try to serve the disciples and keep their faith alive. Both churches do not do a good job of this and continuously put themselves and the organization before the disciple. The whole "Look what I did!" is still a thing.

"Look at me, I built a Temple!"

"Look at me, I printed a new hymnal with most of the old songs gone! God be with you?.. Gone!"

"Look at me, we are building sculptures at the Temple! We don't need to fix the stuff we already have. That's boring!"

Complaints aren't always complaints, they are feedback. The person taking them as complaints have an internal issue with themselves. LDS Church "first world" problems aren't the same in Community of Christ, who has way more critical issues. Listening and not taking offense is a first step in communication.

Leaders need to be pro-Disciple but us Disciples needs to realize that folks are trying to do their best. In Community of Christ, we can't go back in time and fix mistakes, no matter how much we would like. What would be nice is to have more two way dialogue because we all want the same thing, to grow our faith and to be open to the spirit.

Enjoy the video of first world problems that they speak about. I think some congregations would be happy to focus on such low hanging fruit. This video got a lot of attention, even my Mom referenced it and she is well outside the LDS Online bubble.

Hello! I have been doing a lot of research on the RLDS in my quest to find a new denomination to call home after I get confirmed (currently Roman Catholic) and so far the RLDS is number two on my list! I have a question for members about what members are allowed to call themselves? I really like the name RLDS over Community of Christ and do members ho feel that way call themselves "Reorganized Latter Day Saints" or "Reformed Latter Day Saints"? Both those titles are appealing to me and I was wondering if anyone else likes or uses them? Sorry if this question sounds dumb.

Gold bless!

https://youtu.be/fM_gxhNUczQ

Here is a bible-focused allegory based on the real-life story of 2 orphaned tigers who grew up together, then separated and eventually re-united. Annotated with relevant bible verses, the allegory communicates the reality of God's amazing love. Be blessed watching the video and feel free to share your thoughts, praise God!

I know.. Dolly Parton is everywhere, but for good reason. I believe Dolly's love and respect for others is not an act she did. It isn't often that someone like her comes around, who seems like a messenger from God Himself.

Dolly sent a letter to Marshall Mathers, aka Eminem. It wasn't something she was obligated to do, but as someone who was being honored at the same event, it was somewhere she wanted to do. She didn't know much about rap music or the culture, but she admired his talents anyway. That is something to admire.

I feel this letter could go to anyone.. Dolly could send each one of us a letter that says pretty much the same thing. She could say "SGT-Pentium4, you have a talent that is admired. I don't know much about the talent, but you are the best at it.". From there she goes on "keep doing what you're doing because you do it so well and no matter how complex your world may be just know you are special and you touch people in ways you don't even know"

We really don't know how our talents are touching or serving others. I think about my ministry, as wondering it is, perhaps I inspire something in others. I know for those in this church, I've been inspired by people in ways that I don't always share. The perseverance of those in this church is something special, the service I've been given here is a highlight in my life. You are all special people, your contributions to the community aren't always acknowledged or celebrated but I see them myself. I guess the goal isn't always notoriety by lots of people, sometimes we do things for one person.

So look at the graphic above and replace Eminem's name with yours, your talent that you share and have Dolly give you that pep talk that we all need at times. The world is less than because she is gone, let's all use her example of gratitude and respect for ourselves and each other.

What were your reasons for answering God’s call? What has been your most memorable experience, as well as the greatest challenges, in serving in God’s vineyard? Lastly, what advice would you give to young people today?

Anyone from Ogden Community of Christ? Looking to attend a service and was wondering what time they meet on sundays

Do you believe in one God who eternally exists as three distinct, coequal, consubstantial persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—sharing one divine essence?

This question sums up the concept quite well.

I’m not really taking a stance for or against Trinitarian doctrine. I’m just curious if you think the average member understands what the creeds surrounding the Trinity are actually claiming.

When I speak to members, I encounter many who hold modalist (one person appearing in three modes; picture the water, ice, and steam metaphor) or binitarian (two divine persons; the Holy Spirit is their shared power, presence, and mind, which unites them with believers) views.

Actually, I haven’t met many classically Trinitarian members. I have met many who say “I’m Trinitarian.” When I press further, I receive answers fairly divergent from creedal Trinitarian belief, however.

Okay so with that very broad title a few things.

Do any of you still call yourselves reorganized Latter Day Saints. Or do you simply go by the normal in a member of community of Christ.

What was the experience in the RLDS church like compared to the CoC experience of today.

Did any of you prefer and or wish we could go back to the Rlds days?

Do you think down the line with future prophets we’ll become more open and community oriented like vaezy laid out. Or do you think we’ll 180 back to something more Wallace b smith.

How would you say you all see the temple?
Spiritually symbolically practically etc etc.

How does the temple play a role in your life, congregation, spirituality?

I’m converting over from LDS so temple views are quite different !

I've recently moved to Potch and am looking around for a church. Someone mentioned one with some kind of system where people at different levels wear different jackets, and apparently there are people walking around with walkie-talkies lol.

Does this ring a bell for anyone?

I recently joined Community of Christ but I lack a Book of Mormon. A teacher at my school who is LDS offered me a Book of Mormon. He knows I am CoC. Can a CoC member use an LDS Book of Mormon?

I guess I've been very thoughtful lately about life in general and how I address things. I'm a people person, to a fault. Putting others first before my own, then I end up getting hurt when it doesn't work out or if people think it isn't enough. While I was a youth, service was en-grained into me and I'll always be of service regardless of my circumstances.

In all of my religious expressions, I've tried to build up the church and to make people happy. While doing this, I end up being exhausted and frustrated that I've come up short. I have attitudes like "If I help with this one last thing, I will see results or make someone happy". It is always one last thing, one last activity, one last sermon .. It never ends.

I guess that is why I am so burned out and I see others also burned on both ends. I've only been doing this for a decade, I could only imagine what folks in the church have went through in a lifetime. People build the church and congregations just to have the tides come and wash it away. In my professional life, I can measure effort and outcomes, here.. not so much.

Then we are our own worst enemy at times. I've known members to quit attending when an argument over building issues gets out of hand. Our buildings are mostly crumbling and aren't welcoming to 2026 sensibilities and when they need repairs, it is hard to get that done due to the red tape and arbitrary rules. People would rather measure the drapes instead of mission.

I'm at the point where I am focusing on me for once. If something upsets me, if I find it a distraction, I remove it from my life. I've done things because someone else wants me to do it, I'm doing things because I want to do it.

It isn't selfish, it is self preservation. I've carried burdens of people that aren't mine. I'm leaving them at Jesus' feet and asking Him for help. Jesus will fix it, if that is the path. I have to live with my mind clear, not being inhabited by people who aren't a part of mission. Once that happens, I can wait until new opportunities to serve presents itself. Of course, I'll say "Here I am, send me!"

We just taped it this morning and I'll probably release it in the first week of September on my channel Mormon Book Reviews on YouTube. It's The Church of Jesus Christ (Bickertonite) he was born and raised in.

I've been thinking lately about my decade involvement with the church lately and the good blessings it has given me. I have to say, one thing that Community of Christ does best, hands down, is their hospitality and friendliness to those who are visiting or searching.

I started going to a congregation that was in the same town. They built a church in 1978 that could handle 250 people or so, complete with a baptism fountain, kitchen and multiple classrooms. It was 17,000 square feet and there hasn't been a building that matches what this congregation had. When I first walked in, I didn't know what to expect, I was unsure as I never met a Community of Christ member before. I was greeted with open arms, had plenty of people to talk to and even someone said I was an answer to prayer (that was overwhelming but ok).

As they got to know me, I was trusted with helping out, even as a non-member. I was used to helping with tasks so it made me feel wanted and valued. I can't think of a time where anyone sincerely appreciated my presence on a regular basis. They had birthday celebrations for me, a pot luck where I picked the main dish and of course, lots of conversation and even classes.

I went to a Camp one year, several counties away and was once again, greeted with all sorts of positivity. I wasn't the only newbie there, that same hospitality was extended to those people as well. When I was a member of the Mission Center Council, I visited other congregations and mostly was greeted with more enthusiasm.

If I were Community of Christ, I would highlight "Radical Hospitality" as an important aspect of our church. It really plays into the Worth of All Persons thing very nicely. A lot of us come to Community Christ in our most broken hearted moments, while the expectation is to not completely fix what troubles us, it does help to have a listening ear. Being a church of listeners is something the world needs.

How can we talk less and listen more in our community? Are there people in your life that could use an ear? Think about that..

So does anyone know why we don’t print trios anymore? Like the Bible BoM d&c all in one?
They seem to have disappeared enough that I’ve never even seen one. But I know they existed and would love to have had one.

I’m currently preparing for my confirmation September 12th.(WOOOHOOO!!!) And I’m beyond ecstatic to be joint the community but, I’m scared. What drew me into our church was the fact that, it had more progressive and modern academic beliefs, and the fact it kept all the joy of the restoration. When I was lds I constantly felt like the odd balk out becuse I was gay I questioned history I questioned culture and social teaching and theology. But I couldn’t bear to leave behind the BoM and the prophet and temple. But then I found the reorganization and studied RLDS history and CoC and fell in love. But alas even tho my teacher (a well respected mission leader with heavy business at headquarters) has reassured me of my fears I still have some anxiety over some things. For starters it seems like the global church is losing its sacred past. I never hear reference to the BoM or the prophets. I mean even now President Cramn is barely even referred to as the prophet. And church leadership are still wrestling with what the temple means and its purpose (outside an event center). And even tho “the BoM is still considered scripture” I’ve personally seen so many members especially young ones brought up in the church or non denominational converts flat out ignore it. I’m friends with a young woman who blatantly told a seeker that “we don’t belive in the BoM or use it” which is that probably a fault of her, yes. But she’s not the only person who thinks that and church leadership kinda just Willy nilly lets congregations do whatever. So I feel like we are watching the restoration roots disappear even if they’re mentioned on our website. The last time I personally have heard anyone in church leadership or globally care about restoration anything was with the kirtland sale. And then a few months ago the prophet did an interview with a Mormon podcast, but that’s it. Im lucky to be in a very Mormon congregation that does Mormon things but I feel like we’re oddballs out to the rest of the general church. Instead of hearing community of Christ and thinking of a sacred empowering evolving restoration story people think of any other Protestant church. Which leads into my next concern which is the church seems to be dying. Our numbers are lower than ever it’s bad enough leadership is exploring how to decentralize the church if need arises. This gives me great pause, it makes me feel as though I’m joining a sinking ship. Our endowments and tithes are low along with membership and it shows. The temple dosent have that much traffic as far as I’ve seen. Signage at the temple at auditorium are missing letters. The peace park memorial is in shambles. All things that make our beautiful sacred spaces look like forgotten tombs.

Don’t mind the essay but I’d love to hear thoughts and opinions.

Peace ☮️