Daniel Peterson Posted January 19, 2012 Author Posted January 19, 2012 My vitriol and rage absolutely ooze from this latest piece: http://www.deseretne...-tradition.html(In describing this and other columns as "venomous," etc., I am, of course, channeling my Malevolent Stalker. He does have another mode, though: When, in his judgment, I'm not plainly fueled by an irrational and insatiable lust for vengeance -- because of humiliations allegedly suffered on my mission, or some such thing -- I'm either meekly complying with orders from The Packer FactionTM to cool my jets or, alternatively, I'm vainly trying to change my deserved public image as a monster of cruel rage by faking niceness, or some combination or variation of the two. I believe that something like this is his explanation of Mormon Scholars Testify, for example.).
KevinG Posted January 19, 2012 Posted January 19, 2012 Well there you go... you managed to pack all your raaaacist, homophooooobic and seeeeexist beliefs into a tidy package called "tradition".
Daniel Peterson Posted January 26, 2012 Author Posted January 26, 2012 The editors of the Deseret News are apparently either unable or unwilling to stop me from spewing bitter hatred all over the internet and in print. This week's horrific specimen:http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700218869/John-Whitmer-left-church-but-kept-testimony-of-Book-of-Mormon.html
Daniel Peterson Posted February 2, 2012 Author Posted February 2, 2012 Today's repulsive and angry appeal to subjective emotion rather than the pure disembodied reason of unbelievers:http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700221119/Joy-found-in-stabs-of-divine-homesickness.html
The Nehor Posted February 3, 2012 Posted February 3, 2012 Love it. I remember first reading "Surprised by Joy" in my late teens and being hit with the realization that I was not alone. I'd always imagined those experiences were unique because I couldn't describe them so had never heard others talk of them.Once I made the connection between them and God/heaven (you really can't separate the two) I realized that the banal version of heaven I'd imagined I'd learned in Sunday School and the silly LDS art of heaven could be safely ignored. They are not what I wanted.Favorite column yet.
Libs Posted February 7, 2012 Posted February 7, 2012 That was really beautiful. I know those feelings of not really belonging here and a yearning for those joyful moments to last.The first remembrance I have, of something like that, was at 6th grade camp, when we took a hike along this stream and came to this beautiful little waterfall. I could barely drag myself away from there and imagined myself being able to stay there forever. It was intense, (obviously, since I still remember it! ) Have had many such experiences, since, usually out in nature. I do believe we miss our pre-mortal home, and that it must have been a most beautiful place.
Daniel Peterson Posted February 9, 2012 Author Posted February 9, 2012 I'm really happy to see that others have had, and understand, the kind of experience that I was writing about. Thanks for the comments.But now, it's downward and backward.In today's column, I lie shamelessly about the history of the Church and lash out viciously at its critics -- just as, I'm told, I always do.
Scott Lloyd Posted February 9, 2012 Posted February 9, 2012 I'm really happy to see that others have had, and understand, the kind of experience that I was writing about. Thanks for the comments.But now, it's downward and backward.In today's column, I lie shamelessly about the history of the Church and lash out viciously at its critics -- just as, I'm told, I always do.I enjoyed the piece, Daniel, though it contains ideas I have seen you express before.I was privileged to know Stan Kimball. I associated with him during the late '90s, around the time of the Pioneer Sesquicentennial, when I was covering the Mormon Trail.He was very plain-spoken -- and funny. I miss him.Two examples of Kimballisms:On the Hofmann forgeries and murders: "We in the Mormon History Association stood by Mark Hofmann -- right down to the guilty plea. That was not our finest hour."On members of the Mormon Battalion heritage group: "Everyone of 'em's a full colonel. Some of them even wear their Boy Scout badges on their 1840s army uniforms."
Daniel Peterson Posted February 9, 2012 Author Posted February 9, 2012 I enjoyed the piece, Daniel, though it contains ideas I have seen you express before.The three-levels thing is a favorite of mine. I think it would help many people, if they understood and applied it.I was privileged to know Stan Kimball. I associated with him during the late '90s, around the time of the Pioneer Sesquicentennial, when I was covering the Mormon Trail.He was very plain-spoken -- and funny. I miss him.Two examples of Kimballisms:On the Hofmann forgeries and murders: "We in the Mormon History Association stood by Mark Hofmann -- right down to the guilty plea. That was not our finest hour."On members of the Mormon Battalion heritage group: "Everyone of 'em's a full colonel. Some of them even wear their Boy Scout badges on their 1840s army uniforms."Though I met him a few times, I can't really claim to have known him. But he was a real original. I treasure people like that.
Libs Posted February 10, 2012 Posted February 10, 2012 A lot of people who leave the church get stuck and lost at Level B. (including me, I guess)
Neophyte Posted February 11, 2012 Posted February 11, 2012 Thanks for the timley words that I have been lacking to share with someone I know who is struggling.
Daniel Peterson Posted February 11, 2012 Author Posted February 11, 2012 A lot of people who leave the church get stuck and lost at Level B. (including me, I guess)Sadly, that's true. But Level C, in Stanley Kimball's terminology, is still out there, and it's a really good place. I hope you get there someday.If I can help, I would be happy to.Thanks for the timley words that I have been lacking to share with someone I know who is struggling.I hope they're helpful. I wrote them for just that purpose.
Libs Posted February 11, 2012 Posted February 11, 2012 Thanks, Dr. Peterson. I appreciate the offer. I think I have reached the point where the history is not really a big problem...at least, not as big as it was. I don't think that was ever the bigger problem, to begin with, although, I would have sworn to you on a stack of Bibles, that it was, just a short time ago. I think my real stumbling block has been the conservative culture of the church. I come from very liberal roots (and it is more than just politics, it's a value system, as well)..and it, sometimes, clashes with the church (in a rather big way, recently, in regards to homosexuality).Of course (as I have said to myself many times), if the LDS Church is true...I shouldn't allow the cultural aspects (or anything) to get in the way. I guess my faith or belief that it is true, is not strong enough to overcome the problems.. And, perhaps, it's also true that what I am calling "cultural" may be more than that. Conservatism is somewhat built into the doctrine. OTOH, this church, in some regards, is much more liberal than, say, a fundamentalist Evangelical Church. I really learned to appreciate that, after spending some time in Evangelical Churches.I don't know that I will ever make it back, but I do sometimes still miss the church (very much). I guess, I do not have the humility it would take, to go back....or more accurately I don't have the faith it would take to stimulate the humility required. The faith it would take to "follow the prophet" (on some of the things with which I have a difference of opinion). That would be...so difficult.
Nevo Posted February 12, 2012 Posted February 12, 2012 The three-levels thing is a favorite of mine. I think it would help many people, if they understood and applied it.I agree.I noticed you asked in the article if anyone had a transcript of Kimball's talk. I don't, but Kimball does mention the three levels in his 01 December 1981 letter to Boyd K. Packer, a copy of which can be found here.
Daniel Peterson Posted February 13, 2012 Author Posted February 13, 2012 Thanks. That's very helpful. When I get a chance, I'll track it down.
Daniel Peterson Posted February 16, 2012 Author Posted February 16, 2012 My column this week is practically a Vesuvius of hatred and bile:http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765551094/Are-Mormons-spared-from-reality-Hardly.html?pg=2
Pahoran Posted February 16, 2012 Posted February 16, 2012 My column this week is practically a Vesuvius of hatred and bile:http://www.deseretne...ardly.html?pg=2Very good and thought-provoking. I have also had occasion to point out that sending missionaries out is a pretty silly way to keep them living in a bubble.While I always enjoy your articles, I have to admit that it's the comments that are most entertaining. That "skeptic" fellow seems obsessed with sticking his oar in every time you publish anything.Pity he can't write a coherent paragraph.Regards,Pahoran
Daniel Peterson Posted February 17, 2012 Author Posted February 17, 2012 Sheesh. The link should have been to the first page of the article:http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765551094/Are-Mormons-spared-from-reality-Hardly.html?pg=1I agree that the comments can be extremely amusing. Roughly fifty percent of the time, the critics don't even seem able to accurately summarize the thesis of the article.
Calm Posted February 17, 2012 Posted February 17, 2012 Sheesh. The link should have been to the first page of the article:http://www.deseretne...ardly.html?pg=1I agree that the comments can be extremely amusing. Roughly fifty percent of the time, the critics don't even seem able to accurately summarize the thesis of the article.Sometime it's hard to read the actual words when you think you already know what they say.
The Nehor Posted February 17, 2012 Posted February 17, 2012 Sometime it's hard to read the actual words when you think you already know what they say.I disagree. The socialist worldview teaches no such thing.
Daniel Peterson Posted February 17, 2012 Author Posted February 17, 2012 Fish or cut bait, The Nehor. And don't complain about it being over-salted when you're the guy who salted it in the first place.Sheesh.Va va voom!
The Nehor Posted February 17, 2012 Posted February 17, 2012 Fish or cut bait, The Nehor. And don't complain about it being over-salted when you're the guy who salted it in the first place.Sheesh.Va va voom!Your obvious bias against pepper is noted and will be used against you at some future date.
Daniel Peterson Posted February 23, 2012 Author Posted February 23, 2012 As if the topic of vicarious baptisms for the dead weren't already contentious enough, I lash out with my trademark vitriol and contempt in this latest exercise in irrational vengeance-fueled rage:http://www.deseretne...-dead.html?pg=1
Storm Rider Posted February 23, 2012 Posted February 23, 2012 As if the topic of vicarious baptisms for the dead weren't already contentious enough, I lash out with my trademark vitriol and contempt in this latest exercise in irrational vengeance-fueled rage:http://www.deseretne...-dead.html?pg=1Another example of your wickedness! You are an affront to good Christians everywhere.An aside, Stendahl's discussion is one of the most sincere, loving comments I have ever heard from either LDS or from those outside of the Church. Thank you for bring him back to the forefront and may his words bring some sanity back to the public debate.
Daniel Peterson Posted March 1, 2012 Author Posted March 1, 2012 Seeking vengeance against all those who have demeaned and belittled me all my wretched and forlorn life, I strike out at them in blind, irrational fury with today's Deseret News column, which I myself call "Sarah's Story":http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765555334/Life-after-death-is-a-joyful-fact.html
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