A fraudulent marriage...

[_jon]

Let's say you are married and that before you were married you and your now wife discussed many things about each other. Some frivolous and some really important things. Great, you've been open with each other and found you are compatible and the result is that you tie the knot.

Fast forward a number of years.

Prior to your marriage, you talked about stuff, but actually your wife didn't tell you the whole truth. She missed some important bits out, let you come to some conclusions about her that weren't 100% right. In fact on some things, she just flat out lied to you. She is not the woman you thought you married.

Other people know the truth of the matter, but you still don't.

Should they tell you?
Should your wife have told you up front (some of the things are so important they may have prevented you from getting married)?
Is it grounds for divorce?

-------------------

Think about this and think about your answers.

-------------------

And then think about how this story parallels exactly what happens when people become members of the Church.

[_karl61]

Let's say you are married and that before you were married you and your now wife discussed many things about each other. Some frivolous and some really important things. Great, you've been open with each other and found you are compatible and the result is that you tie the knot.

Fast forward a number of years.

Prior to your marriage, you talked about stuff, but actually your wife didn't tell you the whole truth. She missed some important bits out, let you come to some conclusions about her that weren't 100% right. In fact on some things, she just flat out lied to you. She is not the woman you thought you married.

Other people know the truth of the matter, but you still don't.

Should they tell you?
Should your wife have told you up front (some of the things are so important they may have prevented you from getting married)?
Is it grounds for divorce?

-------------------

Think about this and think about your answers.

-------------------

And then think about how this story parallels exactly what happens when people become members of the Church.

This is regarding Mormons so being honest is challenging because of how judgemental the church and it's members are. My experience is in your teens and twenties in Mormonism it's important to report or say the right thing, and later on you can always correct it. Fear and judgement is a big factor. If you are going for a classic christian answer then it would come from the gospels which would say only adultery on the part of the spouse is grounds for divorce.

[_jon]

This is regarding Mormons so being honest is challenging because of how judgemental the church and it's members are. My experience is in your teens and twenties in Mormonism it's important to report or say the right thing, and later on you can always correct it. Fear and judgement is a big factor. If you are going for a classic christian answer then it would come from the gospels which would say only adultery on the part of the spouse is grounds for divorce.

Karl, the marriage tale is a metaphor for expressing the way the Church deliberately keeps information and facts hidden from prospective converts and existing members.

[_bcspace]

Karl, the marriage tale is a metaphor for expressing the way the Church deliberately keeps information and facts hidden from prospective converts and existing members.

So the metphor for salvation is a good spouse? The conclusion would seem to be other than what you intended; not that there was any significant "withholding" of information in the first place, the Church itself being esoteric, like Jesus.

[_Morley]

Karl, the marriage tale is a metaphor for expressing the way the Church deliberately keeps information and facts hidden from prospective converts and existing members.

So the metphor for salvation is a good spouse? The conclusion would seem to be other than what you intended; not that there was any significant "withholding" of information in the first place, the Church itself being esoteric, like Jesus.

My emphasis.

The bride metaphor is one that's used repeatedly in the Bible. If it's good enough for God, it's probably good enough for this thread.

[_bcspace]

The bride metaphor is one that's used repeatedly in the Bible. If it's good enough for God, it's probably good enough for this thread.

Sure. When did I imply otherwise?

[_Morley]

The bride metaphor is one that's used repeatedly in the Bible. If it's good enough for God, it's probably good enough for this thread.

Sure. When did I imply otherwise?

You seemed to be questioning the usage. I guess I misunderstood.

[_bcspace]

You seemed to be questioning the usage. I guess I misunderstood.

Just the conclusion using the metaphor.

[_jon]

So the metphor for salvation is a good spouse?

Yes.

The conclusion would seem to be other than what you intended; not that there was any significant "withholding" of information in the first place, the Church itself being esoteric, like Jesus.

The conclusion being - that a good spouse wouldn't withold significant, relationship changing information prior to a marriage.

In that respect, I think the metaphor exactly matches what happens when people are converted to joining the Church.

Or do you believe that converts are told everything up front, rather than just the information that somebody else (who has a vested interest in them being baptised) decides is 'just enough'?