Posted on 12/29/2007 8:34:35 AM PST by greyfoxx39
I know of one article in National Geographic in particular that is written by a non-mormon and never mentions mormonism but describes exactly many of the wars between Nephites and Lamanites.
So your statement is false. The writer didn't make the connection but to an LDS member reading the article it is pretty obvious.
Have you ever read about someone who may deserve to go to Hell?
I haven’t met many people who I think deserve to go to Heaven
I haven't met anyone who deserves to go to heaven. Zilch. Nada.
“The people who genuinely seek the truth will be glad they found the LDS Church.”
Wow, a new definition of irony.
The mere fact that you remain in the LDS ‘church’ clearly tells me you have not sought truth. I was where you are, witnessed some strange things, decided to investigate and research, and found my way. I am sure, if you are intelligent, you will find yours as well.
98% of those in the ‘church’ are so incredibly clueless about the factual history it’s disgusting. But, they choose to remain that way, so it’s their own fault.
Ignorance is bliss, as it is said.
Send me a link, I’d like to see that.
There are also many homosexuals that never harrass men or boys, or other women or girls. They are still sinners, and so are those who justify hatred of them because of the sinfulness of homosexuals.
Hate the sin. Not the sinner.
We are all sinners. We all hurt others, then justify it in our minds. The earth is a fallen place. Each of us are dispicable in our own sense. Some of us think we are “better” or more deserving of God’s favor. The truth is, we all deserve God’s wrath. The liar and the homosexual, the adulterer, the thief, the con-man, the hater, the one who disrespects his/her own parents. Again I ask you, are YOU the one to cast the first stone.
Palmyra (from the dateline) is in western NY. That is where Joseph Smith lived when he supposedly experienced the described revelations. But I suppose that Palmyra was somewhat like the old west in 1830.
“Have you ever read about someone who may deserve to go to Hell?”
Yes. Stalin, Mao, Hitler, Pol Pot, etc.
I am such a worm.
“I know of one article in National Geographic in particular that is written by a non-mormon and never mentions mormonism but describes exactly many of the wars between Nephites and Lamanites.”
By your own words you say that the writer never mentions mormons. So, how can this be an archaelogical account and proof positive when the article itself mentions nothing about mormons or the BoM? Then you go on to say my statement is false.
Wow, s’cuse me for a second whilst I go dig out my hip-waders from the storage room. The dookie is getting deep in here.
Me too Saundra. Me too.
Well then, I guess you could call me a Romneyphobe.
But, but, but he says man is co-equal.
From Joseph Smith's King Follet Sermon
God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens. That is the great secret. If the vail was rent to-day, and the great God who holds this world in its orbit, and who upholds all worlds and all things by his power, was to make himself visible,--I say, if you were to see him to-day, you would see him like a man in form--like yourselves, in all the person, image, and very form as a man; for Adam was created in the very fashion, image, and likeness of God, and received instruction from, and walked, talked, and conversed with him, as one man talks and communes with another.
In order to understand the subject of the dead, for the consolation of those who mourn for the loss of their friends, it is necessary that we should understand the character and being of God, and how he came to be so; for I am going to tell you how God came to be God. We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity, I will refute that idea, and will take away and do away the vail, so that you may see. ………………
The mind or the intelligence which man possesses is co-equal with God himself.
"co-equal" Twice the word co-equal is used by Joseph Smith. Once in this paragraph, and again in the next paragraph ("There never was a time when there were not spirits; for they are co-equal with our Father in heaven"). 10th LDS President Joseph Fielding Smith, recognizing that such a teaching could not be true, blames this on an imperfect record. He excuses this error by saying, "This illustrates the imperfection of the report made on the sermon. For surely the mind of man is not co-equal with God except in the matter of its eternity." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 353, footnote).
(Joseph Fielding) Smith's conclusion is refuted by the fact that three of the four scribes record Smith as saying co-equal. Stan Larson, in his artlcle entitled "The King Follett Discourse: A Newly Amalgamated Text," confirms that William Clayton, Wilford Woodruff, and Willard Richards all record Smith as saying co-equal. Thomas Bullock's notes have him saying the mind of man is as "immortal as God himself" and that "their Spirits coexisted with God." (BYU Studies, Vol. 18, No. 2, p.195,196).
~”What you ARE doing is calling attention to the fact that you have a heavy investment in getting this out of the News forum and I’m sure there are some readers wondering just WHY that is.”~
I thought I’d made that plain? I have no personal investment. I’m just here to learn. Frankly, the more Romney gets pilloried for his religion by the anti-Mormon zealots, the more sympathy he will receive from the majority of voters.
I am concerned, though, that FR is becoming a place where advocacy is replacing serious discussion. Mormonism is not the only such issue. Fred Thompson’s candidacy is another. We’re so hell-bent on his winning that we fail to analyze why he’s losing. Likewise, some FReepers are so hell-bent on discrediting Mormonism that discussion of a decent candidate’s actual fitness for office is becoming obfuscated. Your decision to place this thread in News/Activism contributes to this problem, whether you meant to or not. This problem makes FR a less valuable place to learn and gain insight in political matters.
Do not make the mistake of thinking that I don’t believe God can take care of His own matters. Nothing ever posted anywhere on FR will thwart God’s designs, regardless of who is right about what those designs are. Discussion of my faith does not threaten my faith. Therefore, I have no such investment.
Ah, well, we’ll know where this is all heading in a few days. If Romney loses IA, he’s finished. If he wins IA, he’ll be a shoe-in for the candidacy. My gut tells me that he’ll win. It should be very interesting to watch the reaction to that around here.
If I’m right about Mormonism being a political weapon, though, the attacks on Mormonism will settle down in a few weeks regardless of the outcome in IA. If Romney’s out of the picture, there will no longer be any reason to discredit him based on his Mormonism. If Romney is the nominee, the anti-Mormons will be castigated into silence for not uniting behind the party’s candidate.
To Revolting Cat:
I also enjoyed your summary of the Mormon Apologetics arguments cited in the article. Absolutely nothing of merit is presented. What we have is very thin and unpersuasive. How could an MBA and famous businessman like Romney believe in any of this. For his Mormonism alone, Romney is a doomed candidate. Republicans are flirting with folly if they nominate this man. Something must be happening because Hugh Hewitt seemed to tone down his over the top boosterism a little this week. I think Hugh is leaving a little room to change horses when Romney goes down.
~”Ignorance is bliss, as it is said.”~
Perhaps, but I am far from ignorant, and everything I learn about my faith makes me stronger in it.
The trick is to learn how to discern truth. That takes study, patience, and prayer.
IMO, you should take up your problems with FR with Jim Robinson. This is a presidential campaign season, or haven't you noticed?
You are saying that "advocacy" is a problem, but I don't see you making the same criticisms of your Romney supporter friends....
“The trick is to learn how to discern truth. That takes study, patience, and prayer.”
And, a couple magic stones and a hat don’t hurt either!
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