Quentin L. Cook explains why members are less committed...

[_Drifting]

What the hell drifting ... these are the exact kind of things that many non religious types use to classify and point fingers >>>>>>>>>>>> Oh you are just the worst human being in the world. It seems Mormons just caught up , cuz ofcourse they are alway progressing with that sort of thing.

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You really don't contribute anything of substance to any thread do you...

Why don't you show how the General Authority of God's one true Church, Elder Cook, got his facts right and that indeed these five/two things that he lists are 'prevalent' reasons for members being less committed.

I don't think you can, which is why you choose to distract with some kind of banal charge against a poster or two.
You sound more and more like Belmont every day...

[_LostInProvo]

I thought it was interesting when he mentioned, "Some have immersed themselves in Internet materials that magnify, exaggerate, and, in some cases, invent shortcomings of early Church leaders. Then they draw incorrect conclusions that can affect testimony. Any who have made these choices can repent and be spiritually renewed." Unfortunately, Church leaders view any negative information about the Church as false and do not allow for individuals to be independent thinkers. It's as though leaders have engaged in a crusade (PR campaigns) to warn members to not believe anything that harms the Church and also to pave the road for future revelations and warnings that the attacks against the true Church will increase in the last days.

[_Themis]

I thought it was interesting when he mentioned, "Some have immersed themselves in Internet materials that magnify, exaggerate, and, in some cases, invent shortcomings of early Church leaders. Then they draw incorrect conclusions that can affect testimony. Any who have made these choices can repent and be spiritually renewed." Unfortunately, Church leaders view any negative information about the Church as false and do not allow for individuals to be independent thinkers. It's as though leaders have engaged in a crusade (PR campaigns) to warn members to not believe anything that harms the Church and also to pave the road for future revelations and warnings that the attacks against the true Church will increase in the last days.

It's been going on a lot longer then I have been around. One would think if you have the truth and an examination of these criticisms at church would be the best way to combat supposed lies and half truths, but they never have, and never will.

[Guest]

...

[_subgenius]

You really don't contribute anything of substance to any thread do you...

to be fair, there was no substance to begin with.

Why don't you show how the General Authority of God's one true Church, Elder Cook, got his facts right and that indeed these five/two things that he lists are 'prevalent' reasons for members being less committed.

i believe the quote is as follows:
"While anything that lessens commitment is of consequence, two relevant challenges are both prevalent and significant. The first is unkindness, violence, and domestic abuse. The second is sexual immorality and impure thoughts." (emphasis mine)

It is grammatically obvious that Elder Cook's list are things that he considers to "lessen" a member's commitment. Which hardly seem necessary to "prove" as they are rather obvious...no science necessary.
However, he also notes that they are "relevant"...which implies that the blathering criticism about out-dated and meaningless church history is not relevant - sure it can lessen a commitment...but not in a relevant way....that too is rather obvious.

Now, i find it ironic that on one thread you can demand that the inspiration, prophecy, seers, etc... should have been evident in GC!
but when it is evident you immediately demand proof!...you want the facts that must have surely composed the "revelation"...yet for a GA to assert that public morality is more and more tolerant of promiscuity and violence requires "fact" for you...as if 2+2=4 needs to be proven before you will proceed.

the workings of your criticisms are rather slippery....snake-like even.

[_Drifting]

Why don't you show how the General Authority of God's one true Church, Elder Cook, got his facts right and that indeed these five/two things that he lists are 'prevalent' reasons for members being less committed.

*lots of words that didn't answer the challenge*

Let me help you...

prev·a·lent/ˈprevələnt/
Adjective:
Widespread in a particular area at a particular time.
Predominant; powerful.

So what you should show is how these things; "unkindness, violence, and domestic abuse...sexual immorality and impure thoughts...", are widespread across the Church and are powerful and predominant in lessening the commitment of members.

Because, the evidence seems to be that the Church hiding facts seems to be a bigger, more prevalent factor in keeping people away from activity. As attested to by Elder Jensen not so long ago...

Female questioner: I too have often been confused by how we view history, especially as I've come to study church history in the last few years. And I'm wondering if that will be reflected in the manuals. Have you had any time? And I'm not trying to be goading here, but I'm wondering when the stuff that I hear from Richard Bushman or Leonard (inaudible), when I read that kind of stuff, when am I going to see that reflected in the Sunday School lessons?

Elder Jensen: That's really a great, fair question. And it's one that was asked by the Institute faculty today, in a sense. And I mentioned there that we've actually been given the task of creating a way to respond. You know, I don't like to think that there are problems with church history. I know someone taught a course at the University of Utah once called "Problems in Church History." (laughter) And he only taught it once. (more laughter) This is what we have in mind: to develop our response to the tough issues, whether that's polyandry or DNA in the Book of Mormon or whatever it is. Then, with the cooperation with the Curriculum Dept and the Church Education System, to build into our curriculum, material that covers these areas. ... My daughter, one of them, came to me and asked me, "Dad, why didn't you ever tell me that Joseph Smith was a polygamist?" Well, Kathy and I never intended to dwell on Joseph's polygamy. (laughter) It didn't occur to us. (more laughter) It might occur to us today, though, to be quite frank with you.

Follow-up question: Has the church seen the effects of Google on membership? Are the church leaders aware? I may be overstating it, but it seems like the people who I talk to about church history are people who find out and leave, quickly. Is the church aware of that problem? What about the people who are already leaving in droves?”

Elder Jensen: We are aware. Let me say this, I often get this question: "Do the Bretheren really know?" They do. And I'm not speaking for me. I'm speaking for the fifteen men that are above me in the hierarchy in the church. They really do know. And they really care. And they realize that maybe since Kirtland, we never have had a period of, I’ll call it apostasy, like we’re having right now; largely over these issues. We do have another initiative called "Answering Gospel Questions." We are trying to figure out exactly what channels to deliver it in and exactly what format to put it in. But we want to have a place where people can go. We have hired someone that’s in charge of search engine optimization. We realize that people get their information basically from Google. They don’t come to LDS.org. If they get there, it’s through Google. So, we are trying to create an offering that will address these issues and be available for the public at large and to the church leaders, because many of them don’t have answers either. It can be very disappointing to church members. And, for people who are losing their faith, or who have lost it, we hope to regain to the church.

[_subgenius]

So what you should show is how these things; "unkindness, violence, and domestic abuse...sexual immorality and impure thoughts...", are widespread across the Church and are powerful and predominant in lessening the commitment of members.

does not say it is widespread across the Church, just that it is widespread...a reasonable conclusion is that he is speaking generally.
As in most music, films, and tv which is available for public consumption.
Violence
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... Id=5390075
http://www.ripon.edu/academics/faculty/ ... thing.html
http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/stories/ ... edia.poll/
"Violence, sex and profanity in movies increased significantly from 1992 to 2003, according to a new study by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH)."
http://askville.amazon.com/violence-mov ... tId=698082
http://books.google.com/books/about/Vio ... lKBsSLPTsC
http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/ ... hools.aspx
Sex
http://www.kff.org/entmedia/entmedia110905nr.cfm
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gsC ... i75vxYyoHw
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19355138

so, quite obviously there is enough "evidence" for Elder Cook's assertion....and now we see that the rock you have been under has been lifted.

[_PrickKicker]

Yes, Sub...

Cause we all know how loving and tame the wild west was back in the 1800's

And the Danites of today are far worse than, Brighams day.

LMAO!

All the promiscuity and violence of today is because of the films we are watching.

What a Joke!

[_subgenius]

Yes, Sub...

Cause we all know how loving and tame the wild west was back in the 1800's

well, the tv shows were lame......

All the promiscuity and violence of today is because of the films we are watching.

What a Joke!

good, you agree that tv/films are reflective for the attitudes of society...which obviously would conclude that the studies cited as showing an increase in that reflection are due to the increase in society...alas, you are another supporter of Elder Cook's assertions......Thank You!

[_just me]

How do we explain all the active members who are abusive and masturbate?