Inoculating Ourselves From Certain Aspects Of Church History

[Nomad]

You can view the church's history at http://www.boap.org/..._of_the_Church/

BYU has a much better-formatted site: History of the Church

[Nomad]

If the Church officially addressed some issues, that would be good for missionaries. Greenies wont have to out on a mission sitting infront of some antagonist to learn things about Joseph Smith.

Better to just avoid such "antagonists" altogether, if you ask me. Move on down the road in search of those who are sincerely seeking truth and understanding about the purpose of our existence. Eventually the anti-Mormon antagonists will be convinced of the error of their ways:

Mosiah 27:31

Yea, every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess before him. Yea, even at the last day, when all men shall stand to be judged of him, then shall they confess that he is God; then shall they confess, who live without God in the world, that the judgment of an everlasting punishment is just upon them; and they shall quake, and tremble, and shrink beneath the glance of his all-searching eye.

[Jeff K.]

If people don't want to hear, no amount of research will suffice for them. There will always be an excuse. We see that here with certain posters all the time.

[Hamba Tuhan]

I finally found the time to read the blog post this morning, and, as a priests quorum advisor, this was my favourite bit: 'Quite honestly, in the young men's and young women's curriculum, where their manuals are severely outdated right now, they just announced a new package of materials that is actually going to be a library… where teachers can go and in a sense, create their own curriculum, within certain bounds, for the young people in their ward. They can give lessons drawn from this database. While they may not be revolutionary, they will be a breath of fresh air across the church.'

Under our bishop's direction, we've already been doing this in our ward. It's been really good.

Edited January 23, 2012 by Hamba Tuhan

[KevinG]

I have the feeling that some of our loyal critics won't be satisfied with any release of information in a context that paints the Church in any kind of sympathetic light. Simply releasing more information into an environment saturated with information (good, bad and ugly) won't satisfy critics or mollify doubters.

Sadly some who wish to be convinced at the "wrongness" of the LDS Church will not go to LDS sources of information because the well has been poisoned by critics enough for others to assume we are "liars" and "hide our history" therefore cannot be trusted to tell it.

The best innoculation against ignorance is having the Holy Ghost as a constant companion. The next best innoculation against ignorance is living the Gospel so that others see the Godliness manifested in it.

Edited January 23, 2012 by DaddyG

[frankenstein]

Better to just avoid such "antagonists" altogether, if you ask me. Move on down the road in search of those who are sincerely seeking truth and understanding about the purpose of our existence. Eventually the anti-Mormon antagonists will be convinced of the error of their ways:

Not all that easy as said. As missionaries approach people and ask to go into their homes, also missionaries are some what encouraged to find out a persons concerns.

Within a few weeks of being out on my mission I learned about the white salamander - fortunately I knew all about this before going out and laughed inside that person was bringing up Hoffman years after the truth came out. Also I learned that no one gets into heaven without the approval of joseph smith.

Yes Official answers will not help some people but official answers will help, better to learn about things in a friendly environment.

[KevinG]

Any innoculation against anti-mormon or even debatable historical issues is probably best done in a seminary or institute setting. There isnt enough time in Sunday School or Sacrament to cover the basics of the Gospel, much less get off into the rabbit trials and byways of criticism and apologetics.

Even better families need to talk openly about "stuff" that kids pick up at school or on the internet. The plethora of information available does not mean that information is accurate or contextually framed.

In the end revelation and knowledge from God is the safest route to the truth. Mortals tend to muck up the waters with good and bad intentions.

[Jeff K.]

Not all that easy as said. As missionaries approach people and ask to go into their homes, also missionaries are some what encouraged to find out a persons concerns.

Within a few weeks of being out on my mission I learned about the white salamander - fortunately I knew all about this before going out and laughed inside that person was bringing up Hoffman years after the truth came out. Also I learned that no one gets into heaven without the approval of joseph smith.

Yes Official answers will not help some people but official answers will help, better to learn about things in a friendly environment.

Actually its very easy, one just respectfully thanks someone during their diatribe and walks away. Also missionaries are told they need not understand "all doctrine" and any difficult questions can be passed on to leadership if the questioner is sincere. I have often been approached by missionaries with questions when I was ward mission leader. The level of sincerity is fairly easy to gauge after a few questions.

[Hamba Tuhan]

There isnt enough time in Sunday School or Sacrament to cover the basics of the Gospel, much less get off into the rabbit trials and byways of criticism and apologetics.

My priests regularly bring up in quorum meetings criticisms they've read/heard. We address them forthrightly then and there. If any questions/concerns remain, we continue the conversation outside of class time.

[Jeff K.]

That is a good approach, however priests are usually a few young men. A Sunday School can be very large and the time remains limited.

[Senator]

Any innoculation against anti-mormon or even debatable historical issues is probably best done in a seminary or institute setting. There isnt enough time in Sunday School or Sacrament to cover the basics of the Gospel, much less get off into the rabbit trials and byways of criticism and apologetics.

Even better families need to talk openly about "stuff" that kids pick up at school or on the internet. The plethora of information available does not mean that information is accurate or contextually framed.

In the end revelation and knowledge from God is the safest route to the truth. Mortals tend to muck up the waters with good and bad intentions.

So, you disagree with some of the sentiments expressed by Elder Jensen?

[Jeff K.]

I would be surprised if Senator agreed with everything an active member or leader of the church said. Do you senator agree with everything Elder Jensen says?

[frankenstein]

Actually its very easy, one just respectfully thanks someone during their diatribe and walks away. Also missionaries are told they need not understand "all doctrine"...

Joseph being a polygamist or polyandrist is not so much Doctrine and it would seem apparent that essentially hiding from our past is what is contributing to what elder jensen termed apostacy.

[Jeff K.]

Many of them are like many of the posters here. No amount of information will satisfy them. Within that context, why bother?

[Senator]

I would be surprised if Senator agreed with everything an active member or leader of the church said. Do you senator agree with everything Elder Jensen says?

I would be surprised if Senator agreed with everything an active member or leader of the church said. Do you senator agree with everything Elder Jensen says?

.....SOME....

Regardless, I wasn't addressing you.

[Jeff K.]

If you weren't addressing everyone, allow me to acquaint you with private messaging.

[Mola Ram Suda Ram]

If you weren't addressing everyone, allow me to acquaint you with private messaging.

Pooned.

[Senator]

If you weren't addressing everyone, allow me to acquaint you with private messaging.

That's why I responded to HIS post and expressly addressed HIM with a direct question.

Don't be dense, Jeff.

...and Mola

Edited January 23, 2012 by Senator

[Libs]

Any innoculation against anti-mormon or even debatable historical issues is probably best done in a seminary or institute setting. There isnt enough time in Sunday School or Sacrament to cover the basics of the Gospel, much less get off into the rabbit trials and byways of criticism and apologetics.

Even better families need to talk openly about "stuff" that kids pick up at school or on the internet. The plethora of information available does not mean that information is accurate or contextually framed.

In the end revelation and knowledge from God is the safest route to the truth. Mortals tend to muck up the waters with good and bad intentions.

Not everyone goes to Seminary and not everyone was raised in the church. I have heard that converts are particularly vulnerable to falling away (often within the first year). Maybe address some of this history, a bit, in Gospel Principles? I think I would have appreciated that, rather than finding it, accidently, on the internet.

Edited January 23, 2012 by Libs

[Jeff K.]

As a convert (or gee are you addressing me or are you addressing someone else, its all so confusing with senator here), I can say that converts are quite often assailed, but you would also be surprised how quickly they learn and ask questions and continue to investigate. This is mainly because it isn't the knowledge so much as the spirit that makes them strong. If they aren't neglected and allowed to flourish they will do well, even as they are assailed.

[Hamba Tuhan]

Maybe address some of this history, a bit, in Gospel Principles? I think I would have appreciated that, rather than finding it, accidently, on the internet.

I agree that it needs to be addressed somewhere, somehow. A few years ago, the missionaries taught an investigator in my home. After several discussions, I encouraged her to explore critical material and then ask questions if she had any. She spent several days perusing internet sites after that, and I think that really helped her.

[Jeff K.]

If you have the rapport with the investigator and there is trust, it is definately a good thing.

[Daniel Peterson]

Were these journals written by Cannon with the intent and understanding that they were and would remain private property, and thus he would be free to record his personal and intimate thoughts?

Yes. Absolutely.

...or are they the product of a scribe retained by the LDS Church to record the daily events and statements of the Prophets for posterity?

Absolutely not.

Can we infer from this comment, that in your opinion, the existence of embarrasing content would be a valid reason for the LDS Church to supress the contents of historical documents?

No. You cannot.

[bluebell]

I finally found the time to read the blog post this morning, and, as a priests quorum advisor, this was my favourite bit: 'Quite honestly, in the young men's and young women's curriculum, where their manuals are severely outdated right now, they just announced a new package of materials that is actually going to be a library… where teachers can go and in a sense, create their own curriculum, within certain bounds, for the young people in their ward. They can give lessons drawn from this database. While they may not be revolutionary, they will be a breath of fresh air across the church.'

Under our bishop's direction, we've already been doing this in our ward. It's been really good.

I'm in the YW's presidency in my ward and we've been using the resource material almost exclusively. The books truly are horribly outdated and the resource guide is awesome.

[Craig Paxton]

I'm glad that the church is going to start telling members the whole story.

I'll believe it when I see it...Not holding my breath...