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I'm having a dialogue with someone elsewhere and a certain issue came up. I made a few statements regarding folks monitoring these LDS boards. I've read that it's being done on more than a casual level.

Could someone who is more knowledgeable than me, address this issue?

1. Do you think these boards are monitored on more than a casual basis?
2. If so, who or what types of persons do you think are doing the monitoring?
3. And why would they be monitored?

Thanks,
Jersey Girl

They probably are being monitored.....I don't know if it would be an organized group (such as the famous SCMC) actively trying to keep tabs on what people are saying about the LDS on a large scale or just random members looking to see if their spouse is having doubts on RfM (and is foolish enough to give up enough in real life information to make positive ID possible).

Let me add another few questions here...

1. Why do people want to keep tabs on what folks are saying about the church?

2. Why do some people seem so interested in finding out the real life identity of some posters on these boards?

Jersey Girl wrote:Let me add another few questions here...

1. Why do people want to keep tabs on what folks are saying about the church?

Paranoia, to hear the common man's complaints about the church (so the most pressing things can be addressed)

2. Why do some people seem so interested in finding out the real life identity of some posters on these boards?

Heck if I know....unless it's a someone looking into the spiritual well being of a family member. An organized manner....uhhh just part of the way religious organizations want to nose into peoples lives I guess.

My thoughts on these:

Jersey Girl wrote:Let me add another few questions here...

1. Why do people want to keep tabs on what folks are saying about the church?

Simple persecution complex. Keep them believing that the bad guys are out to get you and it helps to keep the bond.

Jersey Girl wrote:2. Why do some people seem so interested in finding out the real life identity of some posters on these boards?

I think it is to try to help them to sharpen their personal attacks. If the apologist can find out that a poster's Phd is in American History, but focused on appalachian culture, then certainly he/she has no credibility in discussing Mormon history. Sort of like that silly plant geneticist trying to discuss DNA.....what does he know.

Just my opinion.


Chris <><

Actually, I think someone at church headquarters does monitor these boards, and reports what people are saying to the leaders of the church. And I think some of the talks in general conference are a direct result of things that have been said here. I think Pres Hinckley's loyalty talk was an example of a talk that was a result of what is said on LDS boards. I'm sure there are others.

harmony wrote:Actually, I think someone at church headquarters does monitor these boards, and reports what people are saying to the leaders of the church. And I think some of the talks in general conference are a direct result of things that have been said here. I think Pres Hinckley's loyalty talk was an example of a talk that was a result of what is said on LDS boards. I'm sure there are others.

So what you're saying is that you think it's possible that someone at CHQ could monitor boards like these for disturbing trends?

Jersey Girl wrote:

harmony wrote:Actually, I think someone at church headquarters does monitor these boards, and reports what people are saying to the leaders of the church. And I think some of the talks in general conference are a direct result of things that have been said here. I think Pres Hinckley's loyalty talk was an example of a talk that was a result of what is said on LDS boards. I'm sure there are others.

So what you're saying is that you think it's possible that someone at CHQ could monitor boards like these for disturbing trends?

Any and all trends, not just the disturbing ones. It's an easy way to find out what people are thinking. What disturbs them. What comforts them. What they believe. What they don't. How the product can be packaged to appeal to them.

Thanks, harm!

I know that in Britain it went on with public magazines. With a forum as straightforward as this it isn't unlikely that someone at CHQ is looking in to see whats being discussed. Kind of like wetting ones finger to se where the doctrinal winds are blowing and what needs to be addressed.