I do love the way the have chosen to release a discussion on sensitive issue in a book you have to pay for rather than in a Church stamped, free to order manual. It smacks of a get out clause to me, as they can always just say 'well it's not official church doctrine...' even when they quote it like they do with 'Mormon Doctrine'.
ETA: From the advert: "This volume does not address every point of opposition, but it does provide thoughtful and reliable answers to several hard questions." In other words, "Some things we can rationalize away, but most of it -- still waiting for The Lord's inspiration (he must be testing us)." Reminds me of a PeepStone article.
Hmmm, I wonder if my SisIL helped gather information for this book?
She's been in the dept. that writes the Manuals for over 20 years now (along with being in the CES dept). She acted like my stumbling upon the many different versions of 'The First Vision' was no big deal.
Oh, the things one can think. I'm tempted to spend money for the book, just so I know how they're being innoculated against real truth.
ETA: From the advert: "This volume does not address every point of opposition, but it does provide thoughtful and reliable answers to several hard questions." In other words, "Some things we can rationalize away, but most of it -- still waiting for The Lord's inspiration (he must be testing us)." Reminds me of a PeepStone article.
() This article blew my mind. Really? God is Omnipotent and changed it all so as NOT to be confusing? Well he's done a bang up job hasn't he because the whole thing is as clear as mud!
I can't believe that 'intelligent' people can come out with that simplistic rubbish, it's like children saying 'because it is!' or 'my Dad said so' good grief my child has come out with more convincing arguments than that! And if God was being all sensible and omnipotent and understanding that we would learn about DNA and it's significance he would never have 'restored' polygamy as that is a genetic nightmare of an arrangement!!!
ETA: From the advert: "This volume does not address every point of opposition, but it does provide thoughtful and reliable answers to several hard questions." In other words, "Some things we can rationalize away, but most of it -- still waiting for The Lord's inspiration (he must be testing us)." Reminds me of a PeepStone article.
() This article blew my mind. Really? God is Omnipotent and changed it all so as NOT to be confusing? Well he's done a bang up job hasn't he because the whole thing is as clear as mud!
I can't believe that 'intelligent' people can come out with that simplistic rubbish, it's like children saying 'because it is!' or 'my Dad said so' good grief my child has come out with more convincing arguments than that! And if God was being all sensible and omnipotent and understanding that we would learn about DNA and it's significance he would never have 'restored' polygamy as that is a genetic nightmare of an arrangement!!!
Actually, the PeepStone article is satire. It's funny how close to reality some of it's satire is (and mostly the fact that Mormonism is pretty kooky!) that lots of people mistake PeepStone articles as serious journalism. You're not the first one!
But what terrifies me is that there are members out there who would accept that as an answer! Like the questions that no one seems to be able to answer or they don't really want to so they cover it with 'because God commanded it' which is essentially the same thing in the satirical article.
I'm glad I found you guys, really truly but I don't know how I'm going to go to church on Sunday and lead the Primary kids (I'm a councillor on the Primary presidency) - I'm going to be screaming on the inside...
I've heard apologists claim that God didn't provide empirical proof of the gold plates or where Zarahemla is so that the decision to have faith was more of a test. The answers couldn't bee too easy. It was the plan.
So why now are the Bros. and their apolgist minions f-ing with that? Really. If the fact that Mormonism was hard to believe by design to serve God purposes where do they get off messing that balance.
The Mormon God obviously wanted his trurth faith to look just like a fraud statrted by a con man and these ark steadiers need to back here.
But what terrifies me is that there are members out there who would accept that as an answer! Like the questions that no one seems to be able to answer or they don't really want to so they cover it with 'because God commanded it' which is essentially the same thing in the satirical article.
I'm glad I found you guys, really truly but I don't know how I'm going to go to church on Sunday and lead the Primary kids (I'm a councillor on the Primary presidency) - I'm going to be screaming on the inside...
OOOOhh that's a tough spot. I was a counselor in the RS when I learned the truth and I was able to work around issues and lessons I taught with general life improvement lessons. I also hadn't completely dropped Christ as I have now which made that easier too. Maybe you could work sharing times out that way, teach life skills. Presidency meetings and welfare council meetings were awful. I feel for you.
Sounds like the "Children's Friend" version of addressing the questions. (Meaning...the membership is too unintelligent and has to be coddled along...in answering the tough stuff.)
But what terrifies me is that there are members out there who would accept that as an answer! Like the questions that no one seems to be able to answer or they don't really want to so they cover it with 'because God commanded it' which is essentially the same thing in the satirical article.
I'm glad I found you guys, really truly but I don't know how I'm going to go to church on Sunday and lead the Primary kids (I'm a councillor on the Primary presidency) - I'm going to be screaming on the inside...
OOOOhh that's a tough spot. I was a counselor in the RS when I learned the truth and I was able to work around issues and lessons I taught with general life improvement lessons. I also hadn't completely dropped Christ as I have now which made that easier too. Maybe you could work sharing times out that way, teach life skills. Presidency meetings and welfare council meetings were awful. I feel for you.
I want to point out again that the source of this kind of painful predicament is the damn church. It angers me what it does to people's lives! It's times like this that make me want to say that the church is evil. So far it refuses to repent its evil behavior. Instead it keeps on doing what it thinks it can get away with while looking for ways to rationalize its past behavior, instead of just manning up and coming clean. They'd rather continuing harming the lives of thousands of people than take their own damn medicine and repent. Are they "honest in all dealings with their fellow men?" Hell no! Do they care? Obviously not.
I've heard apologists claim that God didn't provide empirical proof of the gold plates or where Zarahemla is so that the decision to have faith was more of a test. The answers couldn't bee too easy. It was the plan.
So why now are the Bros. and their apolgist minions f-ing with that? Really. If the fact that Mormonism was hard to believe by design to serve God purposes where do they get off messing that balance.
The Mormon God obviously wanted his trurth faith to look just like a fraud statrted by a con man and these ark steadiers need to back here.
My problem with this argument is that if steel, horses, and all the other anachronisms in The Book of Mormon were resolved, it would not prove that the book is true. All if would prove is that the book's stories could have taken place where and when Joseph Smith claimed they did.
Faith would still be needed to account all the content of the book that is untestable. For example, archaeologists are never going to find evidence of Alma the Younger being visited by an angel.
As it stands right now, it is pretty clear that The Book of Mormon account could not have taken place in the Americas at the time specified. No matter how warm it makes someone feel and no matter how well it directs someone's life for good, it can't be true.
But what terrifies me is that there are members out there who would accept that as an answer! Like the questions that no one seems to be able to answer or they don't really want to so they cover it with 'because God commanded it' which is essentially the same thing in the satirical article.
I'm glad I found you guys, really truly but I don't know how I'm going to go to church on Sunday and lead the Primary kids (I'm a councillor on the Primary presidency) - I'm going to be screaming on the inside...
OOOOhh that's a tough spot. I was a counselor in the RS when I learned the truth and I was able to work around issues and lessons I taught with general life improvement lessons. I also hadn't completely dropped Christ as I have now which made that easier too. Maybe you could work sharing times out that way, teach life skills. Presidency meetings and welfare council meetings were awful. I feel for you.
I want to point out again that the source of this kind of painful predicament is the damn church. It angers me what it does to people's lives! It's times like this that make me want to say that the church is evil. So far it refuses to repent its evil behavior. Instead it keeps on doing what it thinks it can get away with while looking for ways to rationalize its past behavior, instead of just manning up and coming clean. They'd rather continuing harming the lives of thousands of people than take their own damn medicine and repent. Are they "honest in all dealings with their fellow men?" Hell no! Do they care? Obviously not.
Monson? Iring? Uchtdorf? Hiding behind apologists still, as serious as the situation is you still pass the buck? Nothing has changed nor will it.
Remember when the GA's used to answer gospel questions in the New Era/Ensign? Now question are answered by regular members, and the big 15 regularly send out letters telling the members to quit bugging them with questions.
"Just send us the money, as for the rest....well, you are on your own. "
But what terrifies me is that there are members out there who would accept that as an answer! Like the questions that no one seems to be able to answer or they don't really want to so they cover it with 'because God commanded it' which is essentially the same thing in the satirical article.
I'm glad I found you guys, really truly but I don't know how I'm going to go to church on Sunday and lead the Primary kids (I'm a councillor on the Primary presidency) - I'm going to be screaming on the inside...
OOOOhh that's a tough spot. I was a counselor in the RS when I learned the truth and I was able to work around issues and lessons I taught with general life improvement lessons. I also hadn't completely dropped Christ as I have now which made that easier too. Maybe you could work sharing times out that way, teach life skills. Presidency meetings and welfare council meetings were awful. I feel for you.
I want to point out again that the source of this kind of painful predicament is the damn church. It angers me what it does to people's lives! It's times like this that make me want to say that the church is evil. So far it refuses to repent its evil behavior. Instead it keeps on doing what it thinks it can get away with while looking for ways to rationalize its past behavior, instead of just manning up and coming clean. They'd rather continuing harming the lives of thousands of people than take their own damn medicine and repent. Are they "honest in all dealings with their fellow men?" Hell no! Do they care? Obviously not.
(Rant over)
this is really why i hate the church. this is why the core is rotton.
This type of article or book that purports to 'come clean' or 'give answers to the hard questions' reminds of spousal abuse.
A man can abuse his wife for years and when she gets enough courage to walk away from this terrible person he says, 'trust me.... I won't do it again, please don't leave me!'
The 'church' has lied about its history, scriptures, revelations, power, racism, sexism for 182 years now. And now it says, 'trust us, we can answer all your questions, and we'll be honest.' AND THEY WANT US TO BELIEVE THIS???!!!
I say, turn around and run away, don't walk... run!!
"From the time Joseph Smith walked out of the grove of trees having experienced a vision and having spoken with God and Jesus Christ, his words have opened the door to persecution."
Good God, y'all. I guess if you lump legitimate inquiry at conflicting stories and history under the umbrella of "persecution." Seems more like the church promulgates B.S., people call them on it, and they call it persecution.
So why is this book necessary? To stop the persecutors? Please let members read this and try, as they will quickly learn whatever explanation the book has is pathetic rubbish and may they then find out all the concerns the book does not mention.
Why would 12 or so Egyptologists claim the Book of Abraham scrolls translate to normal funeral texts, i.e. the ancient equivalent of a Hallmark card? Let me guess...they're PERSECUTORS!!!!
In other words, "Some things we can rationalize away, but most of it -- still waiting for The Lord's inspiration (he must be testing us)." Reminds me of a 
