Pressure from leaders and Mormon Stories/John Dehlin

Post by **_why me** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 5:41 pm

Well, I posted my kick butt letter on John's site. And I also called out the Danites to surround John and protect him from whomever he needs protecting from. It's kick butt time for sure.

Post by **_Sethbag** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 5:58 pm

You called on the Danites to protect John? Isn't that like setting the fox to guard the henhouse? ;-)

Post by **_gramps** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 9:08 pm

Hi, everyone. A little more update. A friend sent this information to me and I will let it stand as he wrote it:

Apparently a couple in another state went to their bishop and told him about their issues with the LDS church. I can't remember if John said they were resigning or just letting the bishop know they were going inactive. In the process of talking with the bishop, they mentioned the mormonstories website and blog.

Their bishop visited the site, and then contacted John's bishop and said he was damaging people's testimony. In the process, he got a bunch of stuff wrong, like confusing John with his brother who is the CIO for the church and saying John went on a mission to Chile.

Dehlin's bishop then called him and said he needed to speak with him about the allegations and his website. That is why Dehlin is trying to gather as many positive "testimonies" as he can; they are, I guess, the equivalent of a character witness for the defendant in a criminal trial. I think he's wrong to do so--he needs to stand his ground on free speech, and tell the bishop to read his site and see for himself what he's done. If they still want to take action after that then let them, but make the corporation show its true colors.

Well, if this is true, then the contact did not originate from the top. However, it still doesn't look pretty. I guess we will see how John handles it. I agree with my friend. John should not back down, but rather force the church (corporation) to show its true colors.

The saga continues. (sigh)

Post by **_Who Knows** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 9:20 pm

Excuse my lazy research ;) but who is this guy? And why is he still in the church to even worry about this?

Post by **_gramps** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 9:26 pm

Who Knows wrote:Excuse my lazy research ;) but who is this guy? And why is he still in the church to even worry about this?

Well, he at one time ran Sunstone, but no longer does that.

He has become quite "famous" recently for his podcasts with quite well-known Mormons, from both sides of the fence. His latest podcasts included a five-part series with Bushman, of Rough Stone Rolling fame.

For some who are trying to stay in the church, despite what they have learned about the history, he is very much appreciated.

Some others, including myself, feel a little sorry for him to be so naïve to think that he could get away with what he has posted for so long.

Whatever side of the fence one is on, and however one views the legitimacy of his point of view, still, it is not fun to watch the Church always pulling its power trip on those who wish for a more open environment, in the Church. He may be just the next one in the long line who have to learn the hard way. Shut up or else!

Post by **_Gazelam** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 10:42 pm

Heres a link to the site: http://mormonstories.org/

Theres actually an article by Harry Reid as to what his testimony is! I might have to read that one.

Post by **_gramps** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 10:48 pm

Gazelam wrote:Heres a link to the site: http://mormonstories.org/

Theres actually an article by Harry Reid as to what his testimony is! I might have to read that one.

Gaz, there already is a link to the site, in the first post. But, whatever. Don't you think Harry Reid can have a testimony?

Post by **_Gazelam** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 12:01 am

Yeh, I noticed the link above after I posted it.

If he has a testimony, then why did he vote against the council of the Apostles after they stood against Gay Marriage? How does any Christian vote in favor of Gay mariage?

Post by **_capt jack** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 12:09 am

Gazelam wrote:Yeh, I noticed the link above after I posted it.

If he has a testimony, then why did he vote against the council of the Apostles after they stood against Gay Marriage? How does any Christian vote in favor of Gay mariage?

Maybe God told him they were only speaking as men, and he wanted to get ahead of the pack rather than wait 40 years for the rest of the church to catch up.

Post by **_Sethbag** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 12:26 am

I'm not sure we should assume John Dehlin would be confrontational about this. Since he obviously wishes to remain a member of the church, how do we know he'd do anything other than simply pack it all up if his bishop tells him to? I mean, as a TBM, you're sort of obligated to obey the council of the judges in Israel set above you, right? Why would we expect John to act any differently?