Posted on 12/20/2010 8:46:50 AM PST by T Minus Four
Sadly for Paragon Defender, virtually everything he writes about Flying Inman behavior cannot be factually proven.
He is quite the dilettante, pointing the way to a plethora of topics.
When he veers to his obsession, the need to assassinate the character, background and education of Christians,
perhaps his time would be better spent actually studying MORMON history and teachings.
He is not atypical of today's MORMON apologists who operate with the following code:
When in doubt, deflect the inquiry, and if the facts don't fit the story, don't mention them.
Hi TM4,
I understand that there are LDS that believe the “rod of Jesse” refers to Joseph Smith. I think that could be a possiblity, but personally I have yet to be entirely convinced.
It’s not a major deal to me anyway. I know that Joseph Smith was called of God to do an important work, and that he was a true witness of Jesus Christ.
Best,
Normandy
I think I'm beginning to understand the source of your 'bliss'!
Festivus, lds. Festivus makes more sense - place marker
“I know that Joseph Smith was called of God to do an important work, and that he was a true witness of Jesus Christ.”
How do you KNOW Joseph Smith was called of God?
How do you KNOW he was a true witness of Jesus?
Operative word, KNOW.
You have also, never answered the question: How do you KNOW the “testimony” you experienced was not DEMONIC in origin?
KNOW.
ampu
Discuss the issues all you want, but do not make it personal.
Hi ampu,
Good question — It is not possible to effectively transmit personal spiritual experience through the written or spoken word.
However, God is able to communicate knowledge and truth directly to the soul of a man or woman through the power of the Holy Ghost. When one experiences this communication, one knows — receives a personal witness or testimony.
Let me put it this way. How does one recognize the influence of the Holy Spirit?
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
God’s influence enlightens, uplifts and edifies. It fills one with light, peace and a love of God and of one’s fellow beings. It causes one to believe in Jesus Christ’s divinity and a desire to serve God and do good.
Satan’s influence is one of darkness, confusion and destruction. It causes hatred and division and seeks to destroy faith in Christ.
Best to you — I hope you and your loved ones have a merry Christmas!
Normandy
http://www.exmormonscholarstestify.org/testimonies.html
Ex-Mormon Scholars Testify
Testify: To make a statement based on personal knowledge in support of an asserted fact.
Scholar: A learned person. A specialist in a given branch of knowledge.
This website is designed for ex-Mormon scholars, intellectuals, authors or anyone who has special knowledge of Mormonism by study, via authoring books or speaking at ex-Mormon related conferences.
Some testimonies are from the dictionary definition of scholar or someone who holds a PhD or Professor from a university and others are from ex-members regarded as ‘scholars of Mormonism’ by the ex-Mormon community.
This website also gives Ex-Mormon scholars and intellectuals the chance to share their thoughts and feelings about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Every testimony is from a former member of the LDS faith. . . .
One thing we hope to accomplish is helping people understand that ‘apostates’ to the Mormon church are honest and sincere people. Many Ex-Mormons left the church for various reasons but one thing is common amongst many of them. They feel the LDS church has been less than honest in regards to Mormon history and how it’s portrayed to its members.
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