I perused the transcript of the fireside. I would have loved to be present in that meeting. The questions were great.

It starts in a very condescending way, just like any fireside I've attended. Trying to "bring the spirit" into the meeting by citing scriptures that pretty much say just accept it or you are being influenced by the devil.

It seems the people present were anxious to ask their questions and didn't just swallowed the usual phrases but questioned them also. they read between the lines, even in a second languate. I love it how they would state the facts and pretty much say, fine those are the facts so why are we lying? Someone even quoted Packer on lying for the Lord. At the end, I don't think the usual mormon language worked.

Also at the beginning they mentioned that the visit is because the Swedish are different. It seems to me they have been talking with each other, they are networking. They are probably a very open minded group.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/22/2013 05:46PM by deconverted2010.

I'd explain more but politics isn't for this board.

...and how about those Meatballs?!

They can also claim the greatest music ever created.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/22/2013 08:33PM by archytas.

I'm soo hoping you're not talking about the Herrey's. ;-)

I mostly had melodic death metal in mind. :)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/22/2013 09:34PM by archytas.

Hell yes!!

ABBA!

ACE OF BASE!

EUROPE!

ROXETTE!

SWEDISH HOUSE MAFIA!

OPETH!

Hi from the USA!

The Cardigans!

There are several countries in Europe, notably the Nordic ones, where the last few decades have produced a refreshing secular enlightenment, a refining of culture and society that brings a more sensitive cultural goodness. They have progressed by abandoning faith, which is a good thing. It's time that modern societies came to the realization that most of what's good today came from secular enlightenment. Traditionally religious people don't realize it at all, but most of their ethics and morality has been heavily filtered through this. If you were to live strictly by the Old Testament, you'd be thrown in prison. Live strictly by the New Testament and you'd be committed to an asylum.

And yes, Swedes, Danes and Norwegians don't like hypocrisy or dissembling. They are very direct and expect that of others.

I love when they told Jensen and Turley who said "You have good questions" - "Do you have good answers?"

To which the answer was demonstrably "No"

rationalguy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There are several countries in Europe, notably the
> Nordic ones, where the last few decades have
> produced a refreshing secular enlightenment, a
> refining of culture and society that brings a more
> sensitive cultural goodness. They have progressed
> by abandoning faith, which is a good thing. It's
> time that modern societies came to the realization
> that most of what's good today came from secular
> enlightenment. Traditionally religious people
> don't realize it at all, but most of their ethics
> and morality has been heavily filtered through
> this. If you were to live strictly by the Old
> Testament, you'd be thrown in prison. Live
> strictly by the New Testament and you'd be
> committed to an asylum.

Actually, both secularism and Christianity are soon about to be replaced with something quite else because of sheer demographics. Won't write it here but I'm sure you can guess.

> And yes, Swedes, Danes and Norwegians don't like
> hypocrisy or dissembling. They are very direct
> and expect that of others.

I wouldn't put it that categorically black & white. There's a reason why for example journalists get the absolutely worst points when people are asked about which groups they trust most.

But there are still way too many people who only read the headlines, often very shallow or even diametrically opposed to the whole truth.

I do hope Americans don't imagine Sweden for one, is some kind of a paradise. It's not.

If it weren't so darned cold! Enlightened society without strong religious overtones. Sounds perfect right now!

These answer men were so incredibly condescending and arrogant, beginning with comments about how amazing it was that the Swedes speak English and ending with the standard apologetic tactic of I'm a smart guy and still believe so what's wrong with you......could it be Satan? (Church lady voice).

Yes, and a reference to someone being a good "Viking" was thrown in.

And the section about the temple and the bad feelings some of the Swedes had after attending the temple ceremony. When they questioned the historians about the Holy Ghost ...

The historians answered, saying that certain "cultures" react differently to the Holy Ghost promptings than others.

Translation: You're not a U.S., born in Utah, pioneer-stock, real Mormon because you are Swedish.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/23/2013 01:16PM by Senoritalamanita.

As an American, I'm always quite proud to point out that The Greatest Nation in the World is... (wait for it) Sweden! Yes, Sweden. It horrifies fellow Americans to hear me say it. Of course, if one is all about, "Well, we have the best military in the world!", then America may well be the greatest nation, so long as the world is all just a universal penis contest. But for a country being truly great, it's Sweden. At least at this very point in time with no wars and not upsetting neighbors over the question of neutrality. One needs to go to Sweden for the whole experience--the cities, the education, the hospitals, the coffee, the sweet rolls, the people, of course... When DD was getting her master's in hospital admin, one class took part of the semester to go on the road and visit what were believed to be the best hospitals in the world. In NY? No. In Boston? No. In Mississippi? Hardly. No, they were Sweden.

If you think you would like a "promised land" with few poor among them, think Sweden.

Canada runs a very close second. Just saying.

cludgie Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> At least at this very
> point in time with no wars and not upsetting
> neighbors over the question of neutrality. One
> needs to go to Sweden for the whole
> experience--the cities, the education, the
> hospitals, the coffee, the sweet rolls, the
> people, of course... When DD was getting her
> master's in hospital admin, one class took part of
> the semester to go on the road and visit what were
> believed to be the best hospitals in the world. In
> NY? No. In Boston? No. In Mississippi? Hardly. No,
> they were Sweden.
>
> If you think you would like a "promised land" with
> few poor among them, think Sweden.

Sorry to say but you're too late. It's been downhill for years.

Mmmm, Swedish Fish....the German Haribo gummy bears are good too.

You guys have convince me, I want to move to Sweden.

Hey, wasn't the wikileaks guy from Sweden?

Rationalguy, reading your post made me think that I should start a church. The Secular Illuminatti. Bringing real miracles since the stone age. =)

I could use an exmo drinking buddy :-)

Great! I'll be on the next plane. ;-)

deconverted2010 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Great! I'll be on the next plane. ;-)

I wouldn't recommend moving permanently to Sweden, though.

the Swedes are not do-dos.

You're missing out on a real treat. Unless you hate fish.

MMMMmmm, sounds good. Smoked cod roe. I love caviar, sushi, and when I lived in Hawaii I loved poke'.

Do you buy this online or in the grocery store?

You can buy it at IKEA or you can order from any number of sites.

Although Mads Mikkelson, a Danish actor, is my all time heart throb, I also love Swedish movies. He now plays Hannibal on American television.

At first when I saw The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, I was not into it that much. But when I saw the uncut Swedish version, I loved it. Noomi Rapace is a fantatic actress.

Someone on RFM recently mentioned Wallander. DH and I are watching it now on Netflix and we love it! The actors I believe are from England, but it is filmed in Sweden, and the film is adapted from Swedish crime writer, Henning Mankell's book.

In 2008 there were 42 congregations in Sweden. There are now just 40.

Hmmm. Not steep enough of a decline for me.