Posted on 04/09/2013 4:52:50 PM PDT by Colofornian
From a second-hand version of the report by Grant Palmer: [Note for a first-hand version, go here: anonymous blog]:
On April 6, 2013 Grant Palmer, former CES teacher and author of two outstanding books (1 & 2) on issues in the LDS church, released a statement through an anonymous blog about his meeting with mission presidents and a first quorum of the seventy member of the LDS church. Many many people have called the account fable and rumor. I’ve heard these experiences since last November, and Grant alluded to them (with the mission presidents) in the exmormon foundation conference (where he also mentioned my public resignation) last October (2012). Late Sunday (April 7), Grant reconfirmed to me personally that the account is indeed from him and that the unnamed General Authority (GA) is fully aware of its posting...I want it to be very clear that I believe Grant Palmer is of the highest integrity.
This blogger then broke down Grant Palmer's claims into three categories..."Most probable factual claims"; "Less probable factual claims"; "Highly speculative"...yet then even says: "I have received corroborating statements (rumors) about some of the less probable and some speculative claims" -- and proceeds to list 11 such "corroborations" of them!
In concluding comments from this blog about these Lds "general authorities," the blogger describes their "rock-stardom" status that "it gives them reaches far into their extended family. They're all surfing a wave created by doctrinal policy sausage grinders they couldn't themselves stomach if they knew it all. They have a lot of perks. They have fans. They have trips. They have ranches, hunting preserves, malls, cultural centers and throngs to enjoy. They have books ghost written and command austere obedience on demand. Not only do they already have many more book deals with their own bookstore (deseret book), they have families with prestige in the state of UT that brings about business opportunities for their children and many of their grandchildren.
These Lds high-level leaders have it all "cushy" -- at the expense of the average Mormon's 10% of their lifetime income! And worse, at the expense of truth itself!
Here's a 2012 podcast interview you can listen to between Dehlin and Grant Palmer: Grant Palmer on Sexual Allegations Against Joseph Smith, William and Jane Law, and His Resignation
Thank you for discussing “rumors” from an “anonymous blog”. Scaping the bottom of the barrel.
Re-Read THIS thread's posting...'cause the writer "id's" the "anonymous" blog-writer as Grant Palmer...As does this thread...ALSO posted: Three Meetings with a LDS General Authority, 2012- 2013
So is Grant Palmer, in your eyes, "The bottom of the barrel." Is that the way you treat ex-Mormons who -- per this thread's author "is of the highest integrity"???
I've suspected that the cult used some kind of legal means to keep people quiet. Perhaps giving them loans that can be called due of they step out of line. Can you tell us more about this point? May dad was a church employee for 20 years before he left. I myself did a bit of consulting for them 15 years ago. This is what I have learned myself: Intellectual reserve, the legal proprietary arm of the church, makes you sign a contract. You cannot disclose what you did for them, how much you were paid or that you were hired as a contractor (I was). You cannot keep copies of the work, talk or publish it, it is owned it its entirety by the church. General authorities (I don't know of this applies to 2nd quorum of the 70's) sign over their property over to a trust, if you violate your contract they keep your property. What I have researched and heard from other ex- leaders: Since the time of BY, the church "lends" money to GA's for personal projects. This money is interest free and does not have to be repaid (this is for legal, tax and doctrinal reasons) if you tow the line. If you step out of line it becomes due and it is a lien on your property. Any income from sitting on boards, as director, consultant, etc- which is what the 12 spend most of their time doing, you keep, if you leave, since you are a representative of the church on those boards, you lose and may have to pay back. of course you loose your "living expenses" (60-120K), your access to church property for personal use (Hawaii, Florida, Europe, etc) This is how a "humble" life long seminary teacher (BKP) or meager church employee (GBH) can end up as millionaires as pass on significant wealth to family members. If you step out of line, its all gone and you are in serious legal trouble.
Mormon Placemarker
I pray that the true Holy Spirit washes the scales from your eyes so that you may come to see the true Jesus Christ, not the brother of Satan. a demonic statement if there ever was one.
I pray that you do not choose to follow Joseph Smith into Hell, for he certainly is there and through his lies, has led millions to join him there forever.
There is a true God in heaven, not one that had sex with his own daughter Mary to give birth to the Mormon Jesus, as is claimed in Mormonism.
I hope and pray that tonight you pray to Him and ask the Holy Spirit to point you to the truth that is available in the Holy Bible but not in Mormon scriptures that Joseph Smith perverted are an abomination to the real God in heaven.
Ex-Mormons, ex-Baptists, ex-Catholics, ex-Presbyterians, ex-Pentecostals, ex-Episcopalians, ex-whatevers - people are free to leave a denomination and seek a Church where they are more comfortable. The LDS Church has converts from all persuasions and your church has ex-Mormons. So what’s your point?
I choose to follow Jesus Christ, my Savior. Here is another example of a FReeper condemning me (and all Mormons) to hell. Please note that my Judge and Advocate is Jesus Christ.
I attended General Conference last Sunday and the anti Mormons were there. One guy was reading the Holy Bible very loudly - and I told him we believe the Bible and that I love the Holy Bible so I thanked him for reading the Scriptures. Then there was this other guy screaming at the top of his lungs condemning us all to hell (your dear friend and compatriot).
I think it would be good if you would seek out the lost rather than waste your time preaching to those who love the Savior with all our hearts.
But it's a free country.
“There is a true God in heaven, not one that had sex with his own daughter Mary to give birth to the Mormon Jesus, as is claimed in Mormonism”
That is untrue and horribly offensive. There is only One Jesus Christ, the Savior of the whole world, Who suffered and died for me to save me from my sins. My Jesus died for Mormons, too. Your Jesus is unknown to me; He seems mean and devoid of love and acceptance. I am sad for you.
My point is that we don't usually reference ex-Evangelicals as "bottom of the barrel" people -- like you referenced ex-Mormon Grant Palmer in your post.
Besides, your post here implies some level of "interchangeable" church membership.
Yet I was looking just yesterday at an LDS Relief Society Manual revised by the Lds church in the year 2000. They were citing Lds "apostle" Bruce McConkie's 1966 Mormon Doctrine book, who claimed that a "valid LDS testimony" MUST have three elements...one of those being a quotation of D&C 1:30 -- that the Mormon Church "is the only true & living church on the face of the whole earth."
SO...per the official Mormon church curricula...no Mormon testimony is valid unless it acknowledges that all other churches are false & dead!
That's hardly something that's "interchangeable" church membership-wise based upon sheer "comfort" level!!!
You've said, District, you are ex-Baptist...Therefore, we'd like to hear per your own keyboard convey...
Per D&C 1:30, we assume you believe that the LDS church is the ONLY true & Living church on the face of the whole earth? Correct?
And, if so, the flip side of that "valid...LDS testimony" is that ALL OTHER churches -- including the various Baptist churches -- are false & dead...Correct?
Discuss the issues all you want, but do not make it personal.
“Here is another example of a FReeper condemning me (and all Mormons) to hell.”
Telling you the truth about mormonism is not “condemning you to hell. It is the opposite, telling you to flee and accept the Gospel of Grace in order to go to heaven. If you do not do so, it is you who condemns yourself to hell.
“Please note that my Judge and Advocate is Jesus Christ.”
Sure, but are you referring to the Biblical Jesus Christ, eternally God, neither begotten, nor made...
OR
... the mormonic Jesus, a created spirit being who later became one of the 4 mormon earth gods - not eternal, and not able to save nor be an advocate.
Which Jesus are you referring to??
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