Does a chapel Mormon really know church history?

[_Zoidberg]

In my branch in Russia, most people in my age group were not familiar with even the most basic issues of history and doctrine. I've talked about the reasons before, but there was nothing other than Church manuals or yellow press accounts (which don't even mention history, instead perpetuating the myth that there is still polygamy [as understood by most of the population] practiced in the COJCOLDS) available to them.

My husband who is an RM, seminary gradate and attended many institute classes, had no idea until recently (thanks to yours truly) that Joseph Smith was married to anyone but Emma during his life; he thought everyone else just got sealed to him later.

I had a better idea what I was going into as a convert than most, but a Q&A session with my BP about celestial polygamy in which he ended up quoting D&C 132 where God threatens Emma with destruction if she does not accept Joseph's other wives quickly taught me to keep my knowledge to myself (you see, I was afraid that another such explanation from my ecclesiastical leaders would be a serious threat to my testimony). I suspect that's what other chapel Mormons who know a bit about history are doing. You sort of get this vibe, like I did, having taught SS and seminary and looked at the official biographies of Church leaders, that the Church does not intend for us to discuss the things that, although true, are not very useful.

[_Nephi]

I have run(sic) into several that do not want to know. As if what I'm about to say is either an infection that literally destroys truth or is simply a pin to burst a bubble they recocnize to be exceptionally fragile.

That's a rather negative way to put it and misses the point. Though the truth will always set you free, sometimes the environment one would be set free into is worse than their guilded cage is currently. Trent Reznor was correct in stipulating that sometimes, "you can find happiness in slavery," or (in this case) truth vs. emotional stability and happiness have nothing to deal with one another. Its not that some cannot handle the bubble being popped, or that its some sort of infection. Moreso, its simply that one is happy where they are -- if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Their goal is a stable happy life, and the environment around them appears otherwise within their guilded cage.

[_Zoidberg]

That's a rather negative way to put it and misses the point. Though the truth will always set you free, sometimes the environment one would be set free into is worse than their guilded cage is currently. Trent Reznor was correct in stipulating that sometimes, "you can find happiness in slavery," or (in this case) truth vs. emotional stability and happiness have nothing to deal with one another. Its not that some cannot handle the bubble being popped, or that its some sort of infection. Moreso, its simply that one is happy where they are -- if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Their goal is a stable happy life, and the environment around them appears otherwise within their guilded cage.

I agree. How would you feel if the truth that you guys don't really exist and are all just many of my personalities was revealed to you? (yes, I watched Identity last night; sue me!)

The problem comes in with people who don't have a say in whether or not they are to left in the cage. Like children.

[_Inconceivable]

I have run(sic) into several that do not want to know. As if what I'm about to say is either an infection that literally destroys truth or is simply a pin to burst a bubble they recocnize to be exceptionally fragile.

That's a rather negative way to put it and misses the point. Though the truth will always set you free, sometimes the environment one would be set free into is worse than their guilded cage is currently. Trent Reznor was correct in stipulating that sometimes, "you can find happiness in slavery," or (in this case) truth vs. emotional stability and happiness have nothing to deal with one another. Its not that some cannot handle the bubble being popped, or that its some sort of infection. Moreso, its simply that one is happy where they are -- if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Their goal is a stable happy life, and the environment around them appears otherwise within their guilded cage.

I don't discount either view.

We have all been taught that outside of the church's bounderies is the valley of the shadow of death (and this is a myth, lie, fabrication). It's a scary place from the inside looking out - much like how the inhabitants of "The Village" percieved the wilderness surrounding their little community (recall it was the elders that made the wilderness dangerous in order to "protect" the villagers).

What some were telling me was, "shut-up, don't tell me that the only thing that makes life understandable is unstable".

One official doctrine has never changed: It is all or nothing.

[_Nephi]

One official doctrine has never changed: It is all or nothing.

Maybe so, but I never bought that doctrine when joining the church, and never will. Such a doctrine is only their to keep the luke warm people from looking and questioning.

[_Runtu]

One official doctrine has never changed: It is all or nothing.

Maybe so, but I never bought that doctrine when joining the church, and never will. Such a doctrine is only their to keep the luke warm people from looking and questioning.

Nephi, get out while you can.

[_Nephi]

One official doctrine has never changed: It is all or nothing.

Maybe so, but I never bought that doctrine when joining the church, and never will. Such a doctrine is only their to keep the luke warm people from looking and questioning.

Nephi, get out while you can.

Runtu, I thought you knew me better than that. Some people can keep their heads above water within religion (regardless of church). Unless they have some sort of brain altering chemicals in the sacrament water and bread, I don't see me ever accepting the idea of all or nothing.

[_Runtu]

Runtu, I thought you knew me better than that. Some people can keep their heads above water within religion (regardless of church). Unless they have some sort of brain altering chemicals in the sacrament water and bread, I don't see me ever accepting the idea of all or nothing.

To quote Dr. Emmett Brown, "It's not you I'm worried about. It's your kids."

You might not swallow it whole, but your kids will be raised on it and may not be as well-equipped to keep their heads above water.

Sorry, moralizing again.

[_Nephi]

Runtu, I thought you knew me better than that. Some people can keep their heads above water within religion (regardless of church). Unless they have some sort of brain altering chemicals in the sacrament water and bread, I don't see me ever accepting the idea of all or nothing.

To quote Dr. Emmett Brown, "It's not you I'm worried about. It's your kids."

You might not swallow it whole, but your kids will be raised on it and may not be as well-equipped to keep their heads above water.

Sorry, moralizing again.

Heh, you should be at my house for family home evening sometime. I doubt my children will swallow it hook, line, and sinker. Just to give you an idea of our family home evenings; last month we had a FHE about beer and how its not a bad thing, we had one about Universalism, we had one about homosexuality and how it is not a sin, we had one about yoga, and all this we backed with scriptural references, hard facts, and personal experiences. Yeah, my wife and I spend most our time "unlearning" or sharpening our children's understandings of spirituality and what religion is.

[_Runtu]

Heh, you should be at my house for family home evening sometime. I doubt my children will swallow it hook, line, and sinker. Just to give you an idea of our family home evenings; last month we had a FHE about beer and how its not a bad thing, we had one about Universalism, we had one about homosexuality and how it is not a sin, we had one about yoga, and all this we backed with scriptural references, hard facts, and personal experiences. Yeah, my wife and I spend most our time "unlearning" or sharpening our children's understandings of spirituality and what religion is.

It's a losing proposition. Whatever you teach them at home, the church is the center of their social universe. It's incredibly hard to "unteach" the stuff that will be pounded into their heads.

Run, Luke, run! ;)