Arthur Patton - still no news...

[_just me]

I missed Arthur Patton stories. It gets better everytime TSM tells one. I want to hear the Arthur Patton story about how he saved the galaxy, but at the end of the day he was only offered a color-coded choice of A, B, or C which were virtually all the same endings.

OH! Like a choose-your-own adventure story!!! SWEET!

[Guest]

Here is the second talk from 2007.

In March 1944, with the war now raging, Arthur was transferred from the USS Dorsey, a destroyer, to the USS White Plains, an aircraft carrier. While at Saipan in the South Pacific, the ship was attacked. Arthur was one of those on board who was lost at sea.

Caution: when reading it please do not assume it is an evidence based narration of real events...

http://www.LDS.org/general-conference/2 ... hur+patton

And here is the second one from the New Era 1991 but it is a publication of a talk by Monson originally from 1969.

Then came the Battle of the Coral Sea, the sinking of the Lexington, and the death of Arthur Patton.

http://www.LDS.org/new-era/1991/04/mrs- ... hur+patton

The game:
Read one talk and note down the key material facts stated about Arthur Patton, then do the same with the second talk. Compare and contrast...
(keep in mind, neither account is supported by historical documents)

Also keep in mind that, according to Thomas, he and Arthur were not strangers...

one of my childhood friends, Arthur Patton,

[_just me]

Gosh, I have both talks printed out (and highlighted) at home. I think the first one is from a New Era or something. Should be able to find it by doing a search.

[_Tobin]

What makes me sad about Arthur Patton stories is that it typifies the state of the modern-day Mormon Church leadership. Instead of delving into the hebrew and greek that the scriptures were written in, exploring the archeology and history of the cultures involved, and truly coming to an understanding of the scriptures and doctrines of the Church - they tell urban-legends and folk-tales like this. Instead of really interfacing with real, live people that they could've actually helped a few days ago, they tell stories about people and their history they barely knew (or in this case didn't know at all).

[_Drifting]

What makes me sad about Arthur Patton stories is that it typifies the state of the modern-day Mormon Church leadership. Instead of delving into the hebrew and greek that the scriptures were written in, exploring the archeology and history of the cultures involved, and truly coming to an understanding of the scriptures and doctrines of the Church - they tell urban-legends and folk-tales like this. Instead of really interfacing with real, live people that they could've actually helped a few days ago, they tell stories about people and their history they barely knew (or in this case didn't know at all).

The night befor the Japan Tsunami Monson and his two counsellors attended a patchwork quilt expo. He had absolutely no idea, no clue, no inkling, no prophetic insight into the events that were about to befall a nation. Either God chose not to tell him, or God was unable to tell him.

He is of no good use to the world whatsoever.