truth dancer wrote:All I know is that if I were at the helm and recognized the problems going on in the LDS church I would...
Or maybe if you were Jesus (you know, at the helm) you would:
1. "Inspire" an LDS scholar to write a book about Joseph Smith giving just enough of the truth to have it out there, right along with the apologetic spin.
2. Inspire an "independent" source share some information that would get the problematic issues out on the table so no one in the church would have to admit there were problems....
3. Inspire smart and respectable folks demonstrate how the "issues" are not a problem for them...
I don't believe the Church or God have control over PBS, of course, but that's another way to look at it.
"And yet another little spot is smoothed out of the echo chamber wall..." Bond
Polygamy Porter wrote:No to you both. Read my post. I am pointing out that, in my opinion, this is the silent reformation of LDS INC.
LDS INC is financially prepared to weather a dip in tithes. Again, look at their options. This was the last one.
They were running on bald, nearly flat tires. Staying in the race was too risky. If they had a blow out it would be a huge wreck and would take even longer to recover. While taking a pitstop to change out all four tires will put them behind, it will get them back into the race.
As an active member I don't see the writing on the wall. The debate between critics and apologists affects no more than a few thousand members. Most who don't speak English know nothing of it. Reactions in my Ward and in my Institute Classes was that the documentary had no effect on anyone's testimony. I do know at least 8 people are having missionary discussions after watching it.
"Surely he knows that DCP, The Nehor, Lamanite, and other key apologists..." -Scratch clarifying my status in apologetics "I admit it; I'm a petty, petty man." -Some Schmo
As an active member I don't see the writing on the wall. The debate between critics and apologists affects no more than a few thousand members. Most who don't speak English know nothing of it. Reactions in my Ward and in my Institute Classes was that the documentary had no effect on anyone's testimony. I do know at least 8 people are having missionary discussions after watching it.
The way the information was presented in my opinion, was exactly what a PR firm would do if they had to disclose "damanging" information for a client, and expensive PR firms are pretty good at minimizing loss.
I am not surprised at all, that members with strong testimonies remain unbothered, or unphased by the documentary.
You have smart LDS scholars who seem unphased sharing the information, you have a very subtle move toward the poetic and metaphorical, you have a tiny bit of disclosure followed by the emotional display of the good... it is exactly what should happen if the program was set out to handle a difficult situation.
I'm quite certain that was the intention of the LDS sponsored program.
I'm actually impressed.
~dancer~
"The search for reality is the most dangerous of all undertakings for it destroys the world in which you live." Nisargadatta Maharaj
Polygamy Porter wrote:No to you both. Read my post. I am pointing out that, in my opinion, this is the silent reformation of LDS INC.
LDS INC is financially prepared to weather a dip in tithes. Again, look at their options. This was the last one.
They were running on bald, nearly flat tires. Staying in the race was too risky. If they had a blow out it would be a huge wreck and would take even longer to recover. While taking a pitstop to change out all four tires will put them behind, it will get them back into the race.
As an active member I don't see the writing on the wall. The debate between critics and apologists affects no more than a few thousand members. Most who don't speak English know nothing of it. Reactions in my Ward and in my Institute Classes was that the documentary had no effect on anyone's testimony. I do know at least 8 people are having missionary discussions after watching it.
That goes without saying, it is tough for someone of your mindset to see anything outside of a chapel. With all due respect, you are still duped.
Over the past 5 years, more and more members are losing faith and citing the very things in this "documentary" as well as the contents of Bushman's recent book.
The leaders of LDS INC realized they must get all of the unsavory history out into the light of the public so that the young of the cult become comfortable with it so that when they become logical critically thinking adults it will not be such a surprise to their sensibilities that they bolt from the cult.
I still have family entrapped in the Mormon theocracy of Utah, so I'd hate to see the only thing holding the economy of Utah together get destroyed. For that I am grateful for unflinching members like you.