Gray Posted October 6, 2015 Posted October 6, 2015 I don't really know anyone who only listens to the voice of the critic. I don't know if he realizes it or not, but largely the voice of the critic is winning out. Not necessarily because it's louder or proclaimed more commonly. But because it's more likely to consider the totality of Joseph's life. To suggest look at the totality of his life then just repeat a brief synopsis of a couple of events that happened in his life, isn't looking at the totality. That doesnt' really make sense. Too much nonsensical stuff is getting said by LDS and their leaders that it's just shallow. Hate to say it but it's true.We're way way better off acknowledging there is plenty in our history and doctrine that brings good honest people great questions and concerns. If we acknowledge that we can then say, Wait a minute, are these questions and concerns the very things we need to be aware of for us to learn and grow? Perhaps when that starts happening in the upper levels of the Church we'll actually start to get revelation again. Until then it feels like "control the message at any cost, for we fear what may come of thought and exploration" and "repeat and pretend that such repetition in itself is moving us forward".Why not? The history remains problematic so long as we remain fundamentalist in our outlook. Change the outlook and suddenly the history isn't such a big deal. But it's not easy to abandon fundamentalism, maybe it's not even possible for the church as a whole. It's a predicament. 1
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