Fairmormonsupport.org

[juliann]

There seems to be a lot of hope on that board amongst the 'afflicted' that the Church is somehow changing in terms of doctrine.  I certainly wouldn't want to be the one to lead them on in that false hope.  The Church hasn't changed doctrinally on Plural Marriage, the Priesthood ban, or homosexuality so there is no reason to hope for it to change on it now.  The board looks pretty slow. Maybe I'd consider posting there if there was more activity.  DB, perhaps you should extend your invitation on 'Shadier' boards to draw in more of those struggling with doubt.

If you don't think there have been significant changes in how the church approaches all of these topics (hiding behind the word "doctrine" doesn't change that)  then to be blunt, you are not a good fit for the support board.

[juliann]

Who are the people providing the answers? If I am going to direct people to that board, I'd like to know they're in capable hands. Are Kevin Barney or Greg Smith or Michael Ash involved? Because there really aren't too many others I'd be comfortable offering as guides to someone in a "faith crisis."

If you want specific people, ask for them.   If it is a scholarly background you are wanting, there are others you probably aren't aware of.  Jon, for instance, has a PhD.

[BCSpace]

If you don't think there have been significant changes in how the church approaches all of these topics (hiding behind the word "doctrine" doesn't change that)  then to be blunt, you are not a good fit for the support board.

 

Do you think hiding published doctrines or shielding others from them will help?  Experience has proven that it doesn't.  It's like claiming Jesus didn't drink wine but grape juice.  The Church has changed it's approach, but not anywhere near the way you seem to think.  I often find people who have been shielded from doctrine in my office constantly on Sundays and Tuesdays and even on other days of the week seeking to be put back together spiritually. I do it the very same way you see me doing it now which is very similar to the training we have received.

 

The directive has been to teach the doctrine and show people how it fits together and applies in their daily lives.  Notice that the Church, while it hasn't hidden it's doctrine or history previously, is making it more accessible online as evidenced by the new page on the First Vision accounts among other things.

[CA Steve]

Don Bradley's story would be a great sticky thread for your board.

[ALarson]

Can you set those things aside and rather then try to win people to your point of view, help them towards regaining faith?  Will your personal views (I have my own) detract from helping those in a faith crisis?

Why wouldn't your goal be to provide the truth regarding church history and then just allow the person to decide?  Many members know all about the troubling issues and still remain faithful with an even stronger testimony.

 

I have trouble with either "side" trying to win people over to their point of view.  Just provide the evidence, writings, documentation that exists, journal entries and so on and then allow the person to decide.  

 

I would join your new site, but I would also be one that posts all evidence.  I still love the church and I find its history fascinating (warts and all).  But I don't like to gloss over the warts as I believe they are important too (right along with all the faith promoting writings and experiences).  

 

So this forum might not be a good fit for me.

[Calm]

FairMormon does believe in looking at all the evidence and not being shy about the warts, but we do admit we do it from a faithful POV and would not allow a process that hampers that ability (such as using anti-sites that have a negative spin as references, etc. or giving excessive weight to warts over positive things).

 

I don't know if you can read the FM board without being registered for it.  If one can read it unregistered, perhaps before drawing any conclusions about us not providing all the truth we have available to us (though as I said from a faithful POV, we don't pretend to come from an impossible perfectly balanced unbiased position) one should take some time to see how we are typically approaching things.  Undoubtedly there will be some that see us as favouring too strongly the positive aspects of our faith, church and history...there will be others that think we aren't positive enough but we get a lot of people telling us we are 'just right' so at this point given that our purpose is to defend the Church and help people maintain a positive relationship with it, I don't think we'll be changing our emphasis anytime soon.

 

And I do appreciate those whose caution leads them not to join the board as a 'helper' as we would prefer the board not be used for any experiments of 'seeing if it fits' as it is meant to be a support board for those in need first and foremost, helping others refine their own techniques for sharing the gospel, being supportive, etc. is a plus if it happens, but we will protect the first priority fiercely.  So if you are wondering if the board is for you (and you are not looking for answers yourself, but intending to provide them to others), check it out first (assuming it can be read, if not write the board people and ask for their opinion) rather than joining to see.

[ALarson]

FairMormon does believe in looking at all the evidence and not being shy about the warts, but we do admit we do it from a faithful POV and would not allow a process that hampers that ability (such as using anti-sites that have a negative spin as references, etc. or giving excessive weight to warts over positive things).

 

I don't know if you can read the FM board without being registered for it.  If one can read it unregistered, perhaps before drawing any conclusions about us not providing all the truth we have available to us (though as I said from a faithful POV, we don't pretend to come from an impossible perfectly balanced unbiased position) one should take some time to see how we are typically approaching things.  Undoubtedly there will be some that see us as favouring too strongly the positive aspects of our faith, church and history...there will be others that think we aren't positive enough but we get a lot of people telling us we are 'just right' so at this point given that our purpose is to defend the Church and help people maintain a positive relationship with it, I don't think we'll be changing our emphasis anytime soon.

 

And I do appreciate those whose caution leads them not to join the board as a 'helper' as we would prefer the board not be used for any experiments of 'seeing if it fits' as it is meant to be a support board for those in need first and foremost, helping others refine their own techniques for sharing the gospel, being supportive, etc. is a plus if it happens, but we will protect the first priority fiercely.  So if you are wondering if the board is for you (and you are not looking for answers yourself, but intending to provide them to others), check it out first (assuming it can be read, if not write the board people and ask for their opinion) rather than joining to see.

Thanks for this response, Calmoriah.  I've always appreciated your balanced comments on here.

 

I will go over and do some reading on the site (if I can) and I might register and post.  Are you one of the originators of this site?

 

I have always believed in trying to find as much information as I can on any subject (including events within our church's history) and reading everything.  Then I decide for myself what I believe most likely happened.  I tend to stop reading when someone starts making their own conclusions (especially if they heavily lean towards the negative but also if they spin things to be unbelievably positive).

 

I'm looking forward to checking this new discussion forum out.  Thanks again for your help.

[Calm]

No to being one of the originators, I have just barely registered myself.  Just been party to some of the planning and instruction FairMormon members have received themselves about the board and sharing the info here to help smooth its way into cyberlife.  

 

And thank you for the compliment.