Isn't speculation wonderful? It gives you the opportunity, if you so choose, to dig deeply...think deeply...and reason out the world, religion, politics, etc.I Have Questions wrote: ↑Sat Oct 17, 2026 9:38 amYou can see the pattern later on too, whenever Joseph felt his power slipping, he came up with something spectacular. That’s how the First Vision came about, he had need of something to re-establish himself in the sector. A new product development, as it were.
The church tends to get most of its convert baptisms nowadays from parts of the world that have more limited access to online resources and where they have had less exposure to Mormonism. Newer markets, as it were.Limnor wrote: ↑Sat Oct 17, 2026 7:41 pmInvestigators may find that some speculation is more plausible than others. For instance, the idea that Joseph reflected his own experiences and companions in a book seems much more plausible than the claim that an ancient record, supposedly engraved on gold plates, was translated by looking at a stone in a hat, often without the plates even being present.
Again, isn't speculation and personal interpretation of all the information available wonderful? As we think deeply and use the brain which sits on top of our heads we can come to tentative conclusions.Limnor wrote: ↑Sat Oct 17, 2026 7:41 pmInvestigators may find that some speculation is more plausible than others. For instance, the idea that Joseph reflected his own experiences and companions in a book seems much more plausible than the claim that an ancient record, supposedly engraved on gold plates, was translated by looking at a stone in a hat, often without the plates even being present.
African nations, for example. Although Starlink is making a dent. But yeah, not everyone has an internet connection.I Have Questions wrote: ↑Sat Oct 17, 2026 8:35 pmThe church tends to get most of its convert baptisms nowadays from parts of the world that have more limited access to online resources and where they have had less exposure to Mormonism. Newer markets, as it were.Limnor wrote: ↑Sat Oct 17, 2026 7:41 pmInvestigators may find that some speculation is more plausible than others. For instance, the idea that Joseph reflected his own experiences and companions in a book seems much more plausible than the claim that an ancient record, supposedly engraved on gold plates, was translated by looking at a stone in a hat, often without the plates even being present.
You just might be in a cult when your primary growth markets are areas with spotty Wi-Fi.I Have Questions wrote: ↑Sat Oct 17, 2026 8:35 pmThe church tends to get most of its convert baptisms nowadays from parts of the world that have more limited access to online resources and where they have had less exposure to Mormonism. Newer markets, as it were.Limnor wrote: ↑Sat Oct 17, 2026 7:41 pmInvestigators may find that some speculation is more plausible than others. For instance, the idea that Joseph reflected his own experiences and companions in a book seems much more plausible than the claim that an ancient record, supposedly engraved on gold plates, was translated by looking at a stone in a hat, often without the plates even being present.
Well, that’s gotta be the most ‘spot on’ thing I’ve read here recently.Everybody Wang Chung wrote: ↑Sat Oct 17, 2026 10:58 pmYou just might be in a cult when your primary growth markets are areas with spotty Wi-Fi.I Have Questions wrote: ↑Sat Oct 17, 2026 8:35 pmThe church tends to get most of its convert baptisms nowadays from parts of the world that have more limited access to online resources and where they have had less exposure to Mormonism. Newer markets, as it were.
I’ve read an article where the Church is suggesting it is on track for a record number of convert baptisms in 2026. On track to be above 400,000 and maybe even as high as 500,000. It will be interesting to see how that ends up when the announcement is made in April 2027. In isolation the number is largely meaningless. What we need to understand is: which parts of the globe are they coming from, and (the information we won’t get) how many will remain active participants beyond the first flush of their honeymoon when they are the centre of the wards attention.I Have Questions wrote: ↑Sat Oct 17, 2026 8:35 pmThe church tends to get most of its convert baptisms nowadays from parts of the world that have more limited access to online resources and where they have had less exposure to Mormonism. Newer markets, as it were.Limnor wrote: ↑Sat Oct 17, 2026 7:41 pmInvestigators may find that some speculation is more plausible than others. For instance, the idea that Joseph reflected his own experiences and companions in a book seems much more plausible than the claim that an ancient record, supposedly engraved on gold plates, was translated by looking at a stone in a hat, often without the plates even being present.
It is amazing to see the growth of the church. But you're right, what matters is the numbers that remain in the fold without straying off the path.I Have Questions wrote: ↑Mon Oct 19, 2026 7:34 amThe number of convert baptisms and the number of new children of record and the total number of names on the membership list, will be proclaimed far and wide by the Church. But they are largely irrelevant numbers outside of the context of how many of those people actively participate in the religion itself, and where.
The methods were indeed unconventional. No one is going to argue that. Naturalism is the 'go to' nowadays when it comes to the lens in which religious 'miracles' occur. One ought to look closely at the events, the people, the context, the outcomes, etc., as they come to a determination as to whether or not unconventional methods hold any water. It wouldn't be the first time the unconventional resulted in something amazingly spectacular.Limnor wrote: ↑Sat Oct 17, 2026 7:41 pmInvestigators may find that some speculation is more plausible than others. For instance, the idea that Joseph reflected his own experiences and companions in a book seems much more plausible than the claim that an ancient record, supposedly engraved on gold plates, was translated by looking at a stone in a hat, often without the plates even being present.