TBM's & average member, should you really be posting here?

[Guest]

This is quite an interesting question and not meant sarcastically.

On the one hand the Church encourages people to use the Internet to preach and speak about the Gospel and the Church.
On the other you are advised to stay away from the fringe elements of Mormonism and stick with the mainstream subjects as well as avoiding anti-Mormon material and discussions.

Should you be here?

[_bcspace]

Should you be here?

Sure. Why not?

On the other you are advised to stay away from the fringe elements of Mormonism and stick with the mainstream subjects as well as avoiding anti-Mormon material and discussions.

Exposure to such has only strengthened my faith and testimony.

[_Fence Sitter]

BC,

Do you consider your experience and knowledge of LDS doctrine, culture and history to be the greater than, equal to or less than (this last one is not really an option here in my opinion) to the average LDS TBM member?

I think you are far more informed in all of these areas than the average member.

I would like to see Drifting's question expanded to include whether or not the average member should be posting here.

[_Drifting]

BC,

Do you consider your experience and knowledge of LDS doctrine, culture and history to be the greater than, equal to or less than (this last one is not really an option here in my opinion) to the average LDS TBM member?

I think you are far more informed in all of these areas than the average member.

I would like to see Drifting's question expanded to include whether or not the average member should be posting here.

Consider it 'spanded...

[_Buffalo]

I encountered this site once when I still believed. A quick perusal of the thread titles scared me away!

[_Drifting]

Should you be here?

Sure. Why not?

On the other you are advised to stay away from the fringe elements of Mormonism and stick with the mainstream subjects as well as avoiding anti-Mormon material and discussions.

Exposure to such has only strengthened my faith and testimony.

By posting here you aren't you going against the admonitions of the leaders of the Church?

[_bcspace]

Do you consider your experience and knowledge of LDS doctrine, culture and history to be the greater than, equal to or less than (this last one is not really an option here in my opinion) to the average LDS TBM member?

I think you are far more informed in all of these areas than the average member.

Yes. But the average active Mormon is certainly no "chapel" Mormon.

I would like to see Drifting's question expanded to include whether or not the average member should be posting here.

I might be considered "average" if not for anti Mormonism. I tell people under my jurisdiction to freely examine it if they feel so inclined. I remind them that if they consider themselves weak, they may rely on mine or another's testimony because we've been there before. I remind them that even the strong can fall because the arguments against the Church are often insidiously deceptive. And I also remind then that the benefits can be great.

I tell them how I got into "bashing" at the tender age of 15-16 and was exposed to The God Makers at that age and how I had very smart and knowledgeable parents who set me on the right path and how I had early success with evangelical youth groups.

etc. etc.

[_ldsfaqs]

By posting here you aren't you going against the admonitions of the leaders of the Church?

Church leaders encourage us to not watch Rated R movies, but we all know the spirit and intent of that law is to stay away from bad things. R Movies is simply a basic baseline.

Likewise, we are experts in history, LDS scholarship, etc., the admonition to stay away from anti-mormonism doesn't really apply to us. Likewise going into a bar..... The average LDS shouldn't go into a bar, but someone who's "trained" and going into a bar doesn't do anything for or against themselves, such a policy doesn't apply, such as if your a police officer, or you're a strong willed faithful member.

Me, I'm used to the darkside...... Thus, the admonition doesn't apply to me.

Most "teachings" have a spiritual component, that is are we in compliance to the spirit of the law. I'm in compliance of the spirit and intent of the law.

[_Buffalo]

Likewise, we are experts in history, LDS scholarship, etc..

[_Fence Sitter]

Do you consider your experience and knowledge of LDS doctrine, culture and history to be the greater than, equal to or less than (this last one is not really an option here in my opinion) to the average LDS TBM member?

I think you are far more informed in all of these areas than the average member.

Yes. But the average active Mormon is certainly no "chapel" Mormon.

I would like to see Drifting's question expanded to include whether or not the average member should be posting here.

I might be considered "average" if not for anti Mormonism. I tell people under my jurisdiction to freely examine it if they feel so inclined. I remind them that if they consider themselves weak, they may rely on mine or another's testimony because we've been there before. I remind them that even the strong can fall because the arguments against the Church are often insidiously deceptive. And I also remind then that the benefits can be great.

I tell them how I got into "bashing" at the tender age of 15-16 and was exposed to The God Makers at that age and how I had very smart and knowledgeable parents who set me on the right path and how I had early success with evangelical youth groups.

etc. etc.

Very few actually consider themselves weak BC. Your exposure to historical Mormonism is far beyond what a large percentage of normal Mormons know and for the most part even care about. From what I know of the Brethren, they would not agree with your advice to freely examine issues if so inclined. "Faith promoting study...the mantle is greater than the intellect..." and that sort of thing. When someone has doubts or questions, the council is to pray about it, not conduct some online investigation.