Elder Maxwell discredits Boylan, other Mopologists

[Tapir Rodeo]

The following quote was posted on Facebook by LDS apologist Ben Spackman. I would post a screenshot, but that feature doesn't seem to work anymore.

Elder Maxwell. "It never ceases to amaze me how gullible the Latter-day Saints can be. Our lack of doctrinal sophistication makes us an easy prey for ... fads." There is a historical tendency for Latter-day Saints to be, variously described, populist, anti-intellectual, or uncritical in the sources they read. I have a lot of concerns and feelings about this. Recent Church publications have emphasized seeking out *reliable* resources, and then talking about what that means a bit. As a general rule of thumb, if it's self-published, online-only, out of the person's lane, and recognized experts have a low opinion ... it's probably not a reliable resource.

I think some of our problems are self-inflicted, because we take in the intellectual equivalent of McDonald's. It looks good and pushes buttons, maybe confirms our priors, but is ultimately unhealthy. And to that point, the Church's guidelines say, "Reliable sources will not
always affirm what you already think. They may challenge your views."

As Elder Delbert Stapley glumly observed, "The Saints are suckers."

The list of qualities that indicate if a source is unreliable matches up well with Robert Boylan's work. Boylan self-publishes books and leaves five-star reviews on them. As far as I know he has never written anything peer reviewed. His work is almost entirely online, in the form of a quote mine blog. He has no serious credentials and experts are either totally unaware of him or have a low opinion of his work. Some of these qualifications apply to other Mopologists like Jacob Hansen and Travis Anderson.

[Doctor Scratch]

Recent Church publications have emphasized seeking out *reliable* resources, and then talking about what that means a bit. As a general rule of thumb, if it's self-published, online-only, out of the person's lane, and recognized experts have a low opinion ... it's probably not a reliable resource.

All qualities that perfectly describe Interpreter, FAIR, Scripture Central, etc.

[Everybody Wang Chung]

I think some of our problems are self-inflicted, because we take in the intellectual equivalent of McDonald's. It looks good and pushes buttons, maybe confirms our priors, but is ultimately unhealthy. And to that point, the Church's guidelines say, "Reliable sources will not
always affirm what you already think. They may challenge your views."

As Elder Delbert Stapley glumly observed, "The Saints are suckers."

[/quote]

Speaking of the intellectual equivalent of McDonald's, it's probably a good thing the Lord took Elder Maxwell back home in 2004. Elder Maxwell would have been beyond mortified had he been alive to see the Interpreter. He also would have been filled with righteous indignation watching the Afore's blatant priestcraft.

[drumdude]

If Mopologists were chefs, Robert Boylan would be Chef Boyardee. Unhealthy, way too salty, mechanically separated facts floating around in the gishgallop he calls a blog.