When fellow believers in Sweden first began coming to him with information from the Internet that contradicted the church’s history and teachings, he dismissed it as “anti-Mormon propaganda,” the whisperings of Lucifer. He asked his superiors for help in responding to the members’ doubts, and when they seemed to only sidestep the questions, Mr. Mattsson began his own investigation.
The actions of senior Church leadership, as described in this Podcast, are nothing short of despicable.
This kind of behavior should be made known to the general membership. However, these guys essentially operate in secret and are not accountable to anyone.
Paraphrasing, this Swedish Brother simply asks, "Why was I not told the truth? I went on a mission and taught people what I was taught, but what I taught was not the truth. The main thing my Stake President told me in response to my questions was to not talk about my doubts about anyone else, not even my wife."
What a Church.
What a screwed up excuse for a Church.
Last edited by Guest on Sun Jul 21, 2013 3:36 am, edited 1 time in total.
David Hume: "---Mistakes in philosophy are merely ridiculous, those in religion are dangerous."
DrW: "Mistakes in science are learning opportunities and are eventually corrected."
'Eric Hawkins, a church spokesman, said that “every church faces this challenge,” adding, “The answer is not to try to silence critics, but to provide as much information and as much support as possible to those who may be affected.” Mr. Hawkins also said the Mormon Church, which counts 14 million members worldwide, added about one million members every three years.'
Well, at least they do the right thing. They don't try to hide information, or suppress doubts, right?
NOMinal member
Maksutov: "... if you give someone else the means to always push your buttons, you're lost."
'Eric Hawkins, a church spokesman, said that “every church faces this challenge,” adding, “The answer is not to try to silence critics, but to provide as much information and as much support as possible to those who may be affected.” Mr. Hawkins also said the Mormon Church, which counts 14 million members worldwide, added about one million members every three years.'
Well, at least they do the right thing. They don't try to hide information, or suppress doubts, right?
That's a sign of a true believer, someone who thinks that providing as much information will some how help the Mormon Church. Information is an anathema to the Mormon Church.
'Eric Hawkins, a church spokesman, said that “every church faces this challenge,” adding, “The answer is not to try to silence critics, but to provide as much information and as much support as possible to those who may be affected.” Mr. Hawkins also said the Mormon Church, which counts 14 million members worldwide, added about one million members every three years.'
Well, at least they do the right thing. They don't try to hide information, or suppress doubts, right?
That's a sign of a true believer, someone who thinks that providing as much information will some how help the Mormon Church. Information is an anathema to the Mormon Church.
Of course, saying that you provide information and support is a bit different from actually providing information and support, isn't it?
NOMinal member
Maksutov: "... if you give someone else the means to always push your buttons, you're lost."
A version of this article appeared in print on July 21, 2013, on page A1 of the New York edition with the headline: Some Mormons Search the Web And Find Doubt.
Front page of the Sunday Times? Wow
It is my province to teach to the Church what the doctrine is. It is your province to echo what I say or to remain silent. Bruce R. McConkie
said Mr. Givens, who hosted a similar discussion in July in Provo, Utah, and has others planned in the United States. The church is not sponsoring the sessions, Mr. Givens said, but local bishops give their permission.
I thought these events were approved by church leadership, but now it appears I was mistaken. Really the church has done nothing for the average doubter. FAIR has tried, Givens is trying, but the prophets, and the apostles do nothing. Allegedly there will be essays to engage these issues at some point in the future. I'll believe them when I see them. So glad to see them finally paying the piper for whitewashing history.
Bring on the essays. Let's have a conversation about Joseph marrying his hired help. Let's have everyone hear the story of the proposal to Lucy Walker. Sure some will continue to believe, but I'm betting conversions will take a beating. At least those who stay in will do so knowing the whole story. The members have always deserved at least that much.
This is an interesting and sensitive piece. I appreciate Mattsson's candor.
“The Roman Catholic Church has had 2,000 years to work through the hiccups in its history,” said Terryl L. Givens, a professor of English, literature and religion at the University of Richmond and a Mormon believer. “Mormonism is still an adolescent religion.”
Mormons typically believe Mormonism is exceptional as a religion and religious institution-- especially compared with Catholicism. If we're supposed to believe that Mormonism is credible as anything more than just another man-made faith running an expected course, explaining its development by bringing attention to the church's immaturity in relation to the RCC (which Mormons believe to be in full-blown apostasy) seems a very odd move.