Marlin K Jensen: Large numbers NOT apostatizing

[_Daheshist]

The only way to know if there is Uber-apostasy or not is to compare current "resignation" and "activity" rates from those of 5 and 10 years ago. I remember seeing a "Resignation" count of around 80,000 for one year, I think back in 2004, but I'm not sure. I'm sure the Church Membership Office "knows" how many people resign from the Church each year. The Brethren would demand that statistic. But, do they report it? Is it "secret" information?

I can tell you that when I was in my 20s and 30s I used to go to Young Adult Dances in the greater Seattle Area, and there was one every Friday and Saturday night, save one Saturday night. I recently checked the YA Seattle website for dances, and they have ONE per month currently.

I lived in Vancouver Washington in 1993, and the Portland YSA had a dance every weekend, one Young Adult dance per weekend. I checked the Portland YSA schedule and found they have NO DANCES except one at New Year's Eve, a Valentine's dance, one in the Summer, and an Holloween Dance. Four per year. That's it. Single's dances in both areas, Seattle and Portland, are also ___down___ considerably.

What are the yearly "resignation" rates?
What are the "activity" rates for the U.S.?

Compare those with 10 years ago, when much fewer people were on the Internet. That is the only way you can "see" if Google is really having a negative effect. I'm sure the Church is loosing perhaps 100,000 a year to resignation, or more. Is this a Tsunami-Apostasy? Depends upon your attitude I guess. I was told as a young Mormon that NOBODY leaves the Church unless they are lazy, sinful, want to smoke and drink, and adulterers. That was "IT". So.....why not just say "Good riddance?" I mean, the Brethren can see this two ways:

a) a horrible thing in losing Members
b) a "house cleaning"

I just wish the Assholes would leave, and leave the Sweethearts. I'd probably re-join the Church then. But,in actually, the Intellectuals are leaving the Church, and the Simpletons are staying. The Church is just getting "dummer" and "dummer'er".

[_bcuzbcuz]

From the anti Mormon rag, the Salt Lake Tribune:

Jensen insists critics overstate the LDS exodus over the church’s history.

“I have heard that our overall activity, especially in the United States, is as good as it’s ever been,” he said. “To say we are experiencing some Titanic-like wave of apostasy is inaccurate.”

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/53408134-78/church-lds-mormon-faith.html.csp

Correct me if I'm wrong. Aren't apostacy and inactivity two totally different things?

[_bcspace]

Correct me if I'm wrong. Aren't apostacy and inactivity two totally different things?

One results from the other, therefore one can measure apostasy with inactivity.

[_bcspace]

Did you subtract Pres. Fuast out of those numbers?

How about Jensen?

Faust is dead. If MJK votes Democrat, yes I would.

[_Franktalk]

I just wish the Assholes would leave, and leave the Sweethearts. I'd probably re-join the Church then. But,in actually, the Intellectuals are leaving the Church, and the Simpletons are staying. The Church is just getting "dummer" and "dummer'er".

This is predicted in scripture. You may not like this.

1Co 1:19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
1Co 1:20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
1Co 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

If your faith is based on the logic or wisdom of this world then you have no faith but reason. If there is an exodus of the earthly wise then so be it. The wisdom of the earth sorts out the faithful from the goats. If you think that intellectuals have it right then you have missed the bus. Good luck in your own world of ideas. The Creation is made as a snare, one either looks past it or develops a worldly logic to replace spiritual faith. It is one or the other. If indeed there is an exodus then there should be one in the other religions as well. As we approach the end times there will be a sorting out as the dwellers of this earth gather. I am not a dweller of this earth, I am just passing through. The question is always the same, do you look to the end or do you look in front of you. People of faith see heaven. People of this world see the Creation. So be it.

[_Runtu]

I finally heard back from my recent-apostate friend. He seems to be doing well, though he went through a similar experience to mine (those of you who know me will understand what I'm talking about). As I expected, he went through a terribly painful process and in some ways is still working through it. He said he was glad I understood and supported him, as he had felt quite alone for a long time. I wish it wasn't so painful to leave the church, but I think it's designed to be painful.

[_SteelHead]

So according to BC being a GA while being a democrat makes you not a "true" Mormon. Interesting....

I am glad I have met BC. The self proclaimed and self sustained ultimate source of all Mormon truth and the one and only true judge in Israel.

BC, should democrats be allowed to get temple recommends?

[_bcspace]

So according to BC being a GA while being a democrat makes you not a "true" Mormon. Interesting....

I am glad I have met BC. The self proclaimed and self sustained ultimate source of all Mormon truth and the one and only true judge in Israel.

I merely have proclaimed what the Church has stated and believes about it's own doctrine. I can't help it if they have a systematic theology.

BC, should democrats be allowed to get temple recommends?

A Democrat cannot possibly answer this question in the negative:

Do you support, affiliate with, or agree with any group or individual whose teachings or practices are contrary to or oppose those accepted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

So no, a Democrat should not be allowed a TR. However, the current stance is to allow the wheat and the tares grow together.

[_Tobin]

So no, a Democrat should not be allowed a TR. However, the current stance is to allow the wheat and the tares grow together.

You have to be joking.

[_SteelHead]

Do you support, affiliate with, or agree with any group or individual whose teachings or practices are contrary to or oppose those accepted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

And why can the same thing not be said about the republican party?

Oh, and by your definition.... Pres. Faust was a tare.