Posted on 12/29/2010 12:07:25 PM PST by Colofornian
On October 24th, the LDS First Presidency (led by Prophet Thomas S. Monson) wrote several letters that were to be read in Mormon Sunday services around the world. According to examiner.com, the first letter was “likely spurred by Boyd K. Packer’s most recent General Conference talk entitled ‘Cleansing the Inner Vessel.’ Church Headquarters has been receiving an increased amount of correspondence from its members about doctrinal issues. Because of this influx of correspondence, the First Presidency reminded and encouraged LDS church members to utilize their local church authorities – bishops, branch presidents, stake presidents, etc — before resorting to contacting Church Headquarters.”
In other words, the Mormon laity was told to quit bothering their church leadership on issues related to doctrine. We can only wonder why the church is apparently receiving so many inquiries. Could it be that Christians are asking their Mormon friends and family members difficult questions who are unable to provide satisfactory answers? Regardless, the leadership apparently feels the number of questions is overwhelming their resources. I just can’t imagine Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Malachi writing in the Old Testament, “You people are asking too many questions. We’re too busy doing other things, so leave us alone.” Yet this appears to be the attitude of Monson and his two advisers.
Since Monson and his counselors are supposed to have a direct connection with God—they are, after all, leaders of God’s supposedly restored church—it would seem that they have the necessary resources at their disposal to provide answers. Just direct the general authorities speaking at the biannual general conferences to deal with these befuddling issues. But Monson and the other leaders weren’t born yesterday. They know that deferring to local leaders means the hierarchy can distance themselves from any answers brought forth by bishops, stake presidents, and others below the general authority level. Their answers can not be considered official doctrine, so if they come up with unpopular responses or even contradict Mormon teaching, nobody will call their answers “official doctrine.” Letting the lower leaders take the heat keeps the pressure off those in Salt Lake City. Smart move.
I can only imagine the questions being asked that the LDS leadership would rather avoid, including:
* Is it true that Joseph Smith was married to some 34 different women at the same time, 11 of whom were already married to other men and 11 who were teenagers?
* How do I answer my Christian friends who have been showing me this DNA video saying there is no scientific connection between Native Americans and the Lamanites talked about in the Book of Mormon?
* President Monson, there must be archaeological evidence to support the Book of Mormon story, but I’m being told there’s none. Can you please direct me to these artifacts?
* Is it true that three of the apostles have been spiritually married in the temple to second wives for eternity?
* If we believe in free agency, then why is our church trying to buy a street in Manti in order to keep Christians from sharing their faith near the pageant grounds?
* I’ve been shown some very difficult verses in the Bible about salvation, as my Christian friends say it’s possible to know that we are forgiven because it’s not based on my efforts. It seems to contradict the way I’ve been taught. How can I answer?
* Why does our church emphasize Gethsemane for the atonement rather than the cross?
* I need direction on the Virgin Birth. We don’t believe there was some type of physical union between Heavenly Father and Mary, do we?
Are you able to see why the church had to write this letter?
PD, you are an agent of the deceivers. How proud you must feel. You truly must be liberal.
You are deeply confused.
(Uh, that's green jello to the wall if you're going to "truly" be culturally sensitive...:) )
That’s certainly an axiom.
Perhaps our FRiend will indulge with an “aha” moment?
Well, Megan, I'd like to say PD's been toyin' 'round w/that new "Spam Autobot" Christmas toy he opened Christmas morn...
But, since that Spam's been around for so long it's now taken on Christmas Ancient Fruitcake status around here.
[Perhaps somebody has a graphic that would aptly combine those two images - SPAM & Fruitcake - ... Ah, perhaps we've done it...is there an online recipe somewhere for making a Spam Fruitcake? Hmmm...Delish!]
What!!!??? PD’s spam links don’t answer EVERY question???
As the "three minutes hate" crowd has a huge number of canned posts, and there's a fair number of them, PD's seems fair.
The best of luck to you trying to defend your religion in the “three minutes hate” crowd.
You could always do what they do: make up a series of posts containing gross mischaracterizations if not outright lies, as long as they are severely derogatory, in fact downright insulting. They need not logically address an issue - you want to get your opponents so flustered with the insults they CAN’T logically respond.
Then you just spew them on out there, under any guise: “spreading the truth”, or “correcting doctrine” or “saving souls”. As long as you have a quasi-reasonable motive, the sewage you purvey will entertain others, and soon you’ll have a nice group of sycophants.
Of course a good Mormon boy wouldn’t do that.
But then I’m not a good (or even bad) Mormon boy.
(yeah, I just don't understand why the Lds hierarchy simply didn't attach PD's spam links to their circular letter they routed in late October...they could just delegate ALL of these things to the Mormon Apologist Cottage Industry!)
“You could always do what they do: make up a series of posts containing gross mischaracterizations if not outright lies,”
Owl Manure!
How about if you point out one gross mischaracterization or a lie.
I don’t believe you can do it.
ampu
Owl Manure!
Would that be Hoo Hoo Poo Poo ???
:)
http://www.exmormon.org/exmoblogs.html
http://www.exmormonfoundation.org/
http://www.exmormonscholarstestify.org/
http://mormoncult.org/
Great question! My guess is that the LDS hierarchy doesn't think the armchair apologists are offering reliable answers. And if they don't think so, why should anyone else?
I have read your spin post. Harry Reid and Flip Flop Romney would be proud of all the non-answers and pathetically lame excuses given.
The LDS church has painted itself into a corner with well over a century of lies.
There was already one war in heaven, I think another one might take place on judgement day when Joseph Smith and Brigham Young stand face to face with the likes of you, Reid and Monson !!
If your religion is true as you say it is, WHO ARE YOU OR ANY OTHER MAN TO QUESTION OR CORRECT THE MEN WHO STOOD FACE TO FACE WITH GOD AND HIS ANGELS ?
Really.
And even if you really truly believe the "explanations" at the links, why doesn't the church just bring up these issues and explanations to prospective members during the missionary lessons ? I'd be more than happy to find a few conference talks about honesty that point out that not telling the whole story is lying.
This is a pattern that keeps repeating. I have received emails both here and through other accounts telling me that my name has beeen turned over to the FBI, ATF ect, during both a shooting in California and an lds arson attack. I live in Alaska.
Please either open the other thread or remove his link to it.
Pointing out the deception of a cult, by posting refernced quotes of their founders, does not equate to threats of violence, nor does this thinly veiled threat to turn us over to Morris Dees or the FBI for "hate crimes" acceptable behavior here on Freerepublic.
They are tyring to do to Christianity what RINOS like Romney have done to the republican party, and it must be met head on.
Do you also call the hundreds of thousands of ex-moromon's hater's too?
He basically just threatened us all that if we don't stop exposing mormon deceit he'll turn us all over to the FBI as potential terrorists.
That link was a threat.
Sorry to say for them....
Moral of the story - don't read the bom after eating spicy foods
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