Just over a year ago, I posted my second post on Sacred Symbolic. Anyone can post once, so I consider the 2nd post the proof that I was serious about my new project of trying to write up various restored gospel truths, as I studied them, found them, etc.
Its been a great year, and I’ve seen tons of changes in my own life. This blog has meant a lot to me, as you–those who read–give comments and feedback. It has kept me thinking, studying, and praying about doctrines of the gospel, in times when I might otherwise have given little time to such matters, because of the press of less spiritual–but often more loudly demanding–challenges of everyday life. For that I thank all who read.
In the coming year, I’d encourage you to leave your thoughts on each subject as you comment. My original vision was that this blog would become more of a conversation or discussion, where we all learn from one another, rather than myself merely “preaching.”
The following numbers tell me, even at times when comments are few, that people are reading, and coming back. Once again, thank you.
Current Statistics (The Past 3 Months):
- Average Visitors Per Day: 27.35
- Percent that are New Visitors: 78.9
- Total Unique Visitors: 2,010
From the Beginning (All Time):
- Total Unique Visitors: 3421
- Total Countries: 102
- Most Common Countries: US, Canada, UK, Brazil, India, Australia, Germany, Philippines, Indonesia, South Africa
- Facebook Followers: 23
- Average Number of Feed Subscribers: 31
- Most Popular Posts: Elder Bednar’s Talk on Reality vs Cyberspace, The Washington Bible, My Response to ‘The Lost Symbol,’ Church as an Aaronic Priesthood Temple: Part 1.
I wish all of you a Merry Christmas. Make sure that you really make the new year a happy one.
I'm glad that this site was created. I just found it as I was searing for info about Manly P. Hall and Joseph Smith. It's nice to see LDS sites out there that are going beyond the primary answers.
Thanks Dottie. I really appreciate that. It means a lot that there are others who recognize the importance of digging deeper, and who feel we are doing that here at Sacred Symbolic. Hopefully now that my wife is mostly recovered from the delivery of our firstborn, you'll see more great stuff here in the near future.
Oh please! Keep it coming. I was raised in the church, but after losing my husband to cancer, I really wanted to know more than what I had been told all my life. I'm in my twenties and a widow and the whole idea of "Well God has a plan, you'll see him again… blah blah blah" didn't cut it anymore. I mean you spend your whole life being taught and visualizing the ideal situation only to realize that's not the reality at all for some people. That's not a bad thing, and it perpetuates people like myself to either give up and turn their back on the church or jump down the rabbit hole to acquire more information.
Since reading some amazing books (in addition to the scriptures) like God Is A Verb and works by Manly P. Hall, I'm starting to see and understand more about myself and Heavenly Father. And I can understand why these teachings aren't handed out to the general public. I'm grateful for the time you and the other contributors have put into this blog so people like myself can have another resource to turn to.
Dottie,
I'm really sorry to hear about your husband. I can imagine nothing that would be more challenging to my faith at this point in my life, than the loss of my wife. I'm so glad to hear you chose to improve your understanding of the plan, instead of just deciding the Sunday-school answer wasn't enough, and therefore the whole thing isn't worth it/true. One of my favorite scriptures is Alma 31:5. I believe that the entire book of Alma (and perhaps the whole Book of Mormon) is trying to teach what that verse says: that the teaching (and therefore learning) of the word has a "more powerful effect" on people than "anything else." But the same-ole' Sunday-school stuff, itsn't really teaching the word. It might be for somebody completely new to the gospel, but generally, as a church, we need to elevate our teaching above that level. I believe its the only way to be spiritually prepared for for the judgement. Whether it be when I die, or when Christ comes again. That is the hope, point, and purpose of this blog. To elevate our understanding, teaching, and learning of "the Word."
I'm interested to study some Manly P. Hall. This is the first I've heard of him, but after some brief research, I'm very intrigued & will definitely be reading some of his work. Let me suggest a few as well: James Ferrell is an LDS author who "gets it" though he often avoids saying the more precious things too plainly, its there if you'll look, and often more plainly than other places; of course Hugh Nibley is the Church's great scholar; C.S. Lewis understood the restored gospel better than most members of the Church, even though there's no indication he ever came into contact with the Book of Mormon or our doctrines. Also, I highly recommend The Anatomy of Peace by the Arbinger institute. Though written for the world, it contains one of the most essential, powerful, and rarely understood doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Thanks for the suggestions! I have been meaning for some time to check out Nibly and C.S. Lewis. I will do so for sure once I'm done with my current reads.
I have read The Anatomy of Peace and LOVED it!