Does The Study Of Church History Lead To Faith, Strength And Virtures?

[Craig Paxton]

President Hinkley said that ...

" we have nothing to hide. Our history is an open book. They may find what they are looking for, but the fact is the history of the church is clear and open and leads to faith and strength and virtues."

~ Dec. 25, 2005 interview with The Associated Press

This certainly wasn't my experience...

But do you believe that the study of church history leads to more faith, strength and virture? Why hasn't it done so in Sweden or for those who read church history on the internet? Please share your expereicne and how it was able to strengthen you if your experience was different than mine.

Edited July 26, 2012 by Craig Paxton

[CASteinman]

But do you believe that the study of church history leads to more faith, strength and virture?

In my case -- absolutely 100% yes. Resoundingly yes.

In fact, I feel I understand Jesus, the early Apostles and early Christianity (including its foes) after studying LDS Church history. It is hard for me to think of any single activity aside from Prayer that has had a stronger influence on my testimony.

In fact, my experiences in this regard are so positive that I sort of do not understand how people fall away -- really. I mean, I know that there are things people can read that are disturbing to them, but when all the evidence is brought forward in a reasonable way, its hard to get very upset unless you are no longer listening.

Edited July 26, 2012 by CASteinman

[wenglund]

President Hinkley said that ...

" we have nothing to hide. Our history is an open book. They may find what they are looking for, but the fact is the history of the church is clear and open and leads to faith and strength and virtues."

~ Dec. 25, 2005 interview with The Associated Press

This certainly wasn't my experience...

But do you believe that the study of church history leads to more faith, strength and virture? Why hasn't it done so In Sweden or on the internet?

From what I have observed, it all depends on the reader's approach to and perspective of the history. To me, it is very difficult, if not near impossible, to increase in faith, strength, and virtue if a person is looking to find fault, and or where the reader hones in on the relatively few warts and ignores the wealth of beauty, edification, and inspiration in the lives of the saints, and drastically elevates in importance the irrelevant and insignificant aspects of Church history.

However, I believe one may be assured of more faith, strength, and virtue by approaching Church history with the desire to be fair, balanced, humble, and charitable, and with the intent to increase in faith, strength, and virtue.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[Craig Paxton]

From what I have observed, it all depends on the reader's approach to and perspective of the history. To me, it is very difficult, if not near impossible, to increase in faith, strength, and virtue if a person is looking to find fault, and or where the reader hones in on the relatively few warts and ignores the wealth of beauty, edification, and inspiration in the lives of the saints, and drastically elevates in importance the irrelevant and insignificant aspects of Church history.

However, I believe one may be assured of more faith, strength, and virtue by approaching Church history with the desire to be fair, balanced, humble, and charitable, and with the intent to increase in faith, strength, and virtue.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

So -Wade-,

The problem isn't the history of the church...since even raw, un filtered church history is faith promoting...the problem (if one does lose faith) is with the person researching/reading church history? Just wanting to clarify your position.

Thanks, -Craig Paxton-

Edited July 26, 2012 by Craig Paxton

[Hamba Tuhan]

But do you believe that the study of church history leads to more faith, strength and virture? Why hasn't it done so in Sweden or for those who read church history on the internet?

I've never been in Sweden, but I have read heaps of Church history on the internet. I also happen to have a PhD in history, for what that may be worth. In answer to your question: yes, the study of Church history has increased my faith, making me stronger and more virtuous.

I'm not entirely certain how to account for the differences, but my professional experience has repeatedly led me to suspect that many, many people don't really grasp what 'history' is, how it's produced, and how it needs to be read critically. Again, for what that may be worth.

[Craig Paxton]

I've never been in Sweden, but I have read heaps of Church history on the internet. I also happen to have a PhD in history, for what that may be worth. In answer to your question: yes, the study of Church history has increased my faith, making me stronger and more virtuous.

I'm not entirely certain how to account for the differences, but my professional experience has repeatedly led me to suspect that many, many people don't really grasp what 'history' is, how it's produced, and how it needs to be read critically. Again, for what that may be worth.

I appreciate your perspective...I also majored in history...just no PhD

Edited July 26, 2012 by Craig Paxton

[DBMormon]

Craig Paxton,

I think it depends on the expectations one has been taught or expects. I think it can be bothersome if one is reading the critical perspective and large chunks.

I think the real question is what is felt by individuals who simply sought out the actual source material and read it without being prompted and swayed by critical material.

Is there anyone here who read "7 volumes Church History", "Journal of Discourses" "Parley Pratts Autobiography", and other first hand source material but was never read in critical or anti material? Did that material bother you? If one reads "Shaken Faith Syndrome" or reads FAIR or NAMI and sees answers to the critcal questions and has a faith crisis? unlikely.

I also think the perceived way one see the church handling the info can be more bothersome for 90% then the info itself.

I really feel like there is satisfactory answers to the problematic issues but like John Dehlin says the critics think it has the same chance of being true as a flying spaghetti monster.

Being one of those who have had faith crisis (due to my false expectation and perception of how the church handled the info), I have yet to find a historical issue where I felt there was no good answer after dedicating time to trying to understand. Feel free to throw one out if the case