October 11, 2023: Salvation vs Exaltation, Democrats and job growth, Parents behaving badly at youth sports, What are the appropriate limits on free speech?

Real Mormonism

Send us a Text Message.

The Thought Provoker:
Shawn: President Nelson and President Oaks both preached clear and direct doctrine about what salvation is and what exaltation is. I am a little surprised at how new this concept was to many. The Scriptures teach it abundantly. Two questions: Question 1: Why do you think this was the primary message from General Conference from the Prophets? Question 2: Why would people choose single eternal life in a wonderful kingdom of glory versus familial exaltation and continuation of eternal lives?

Matt: September jobs numbers just came out and the US economy created over 300k new jobs in September. The unemployment rate is as low as it has been in 50 years. In fact, if you look at the unemployment numbers back to Obama, the only spike in unemployment is during the COVID-19 shutdown during the spring of 2020. The clear pattern beginning with Obama and continuing through Biden is a steady decline in unemployment. It appears that Democrats do a really good job of making sure that the private sector creates employment opportunities for everyone. Isn’t it time for us to acknowledge that Democrats are just as good at managing the economy as Republicans? Maybe the polling on this is actually wrong.

Sam: “Why is the intensity increasing in kids sports by parents today? “ Why are more parents living vicariously through their kids? Why is there more yelling, fighting and impatience at kids sporting events? Is it post Covid impacts? Is it people are not happy and living vicariously through their kids? Is it sports are more competitive? | | psychologytoday.com | |
| | Perspective | Overzealous parents are ruining youth sports. It’s past time to sit quiet and let the kids play. washingtonpost.com |
| | Why parents go nuts on the sidelines nbcnews.com

Big Question:

John Stuart Mill was a political philosopher whose thinking was very influential to the founders of our nation. He was known for having a very liberal position on the question of freedom of speech. In chapter 2 of his book On Liberty, Mill argues that “there ought to exist the fullest liberty of professing and discussing, as a matter of ethical conviction, any doctrine, however immoral it may be considered.” He really does mean that no topic should be off limits for public debate. However, he recognizes that some limits on free speech are necessary and states that “the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others.” Mill meant that speech leading to physical harm to others should be prohibited and that is what has guided legislative and judicial actions limiting free speech in the United States. However, it seems to me that Americans are now expanding the idea of harm to something that causes emotional or psychological harm. The net effect is that some ideas, and some opinions are being excluded from public discussion because they might “harm” others in non-physical ways. What is