Joseph Fielding Smith: Two-Faced?

[_Gazelam]

You obviously got your meat a little too soon and failed to chew it properly.

It would help it the meat was certified Angus instead of a big hunk of pig fat.

God, being Jewish, doesent offer pork. What line did you get in? You must of gotten one of Kim's brown bag specials. Throw it away.

[_CaliforniaKid]

By the way, I think the statement cited in the OP was deceptive in two directions. First, it suggests that Mormons do not in fact believe the item in question. Second, it suggests that Mormons derive their beliefs about Jesus exclusively from the New Testament. Wouldn't it be easier to say, "the Church doesn't take an official position on that"? Or "I personally believe that, but we do not preach it as one of the doctrines of the Church"?

[_skippy the dead]

By the way, I think the statement cited in the OP was deceptive in two directions. First, it suggests that Mormons do not in fact believe the item in question. Second, it suggests that Mormons derive their beliefs about Jesus exclusively from the New Testament. Wouldn't it be easier to say, "the Church doesn't take an official position on that"? Or "I personally believe that, but we do not preach it as one of the doctrines of the Church"?

That would be the better approach. The repetition of "milk before meat" and not teaching what someone is not ready to hear is actually ridiculous. Instead of misleading responses to hard or uncomfortable questions, just be honest and say "That's not something we discuss outside of the membership" or "I don't think you're ready to learn about that without first knowing blah." Deceptive answers serve no purpose other than to deceive, no matter the intent.

[_Boaz & Lidia]

By the way, I think the statement cited in the OP was deceptive in two directions. First, it suggests that Mormons do not in fact believe the item in question. Second, it suggests that Mormons derive their beliefs about Jesus exclusively from the New Testament. Wouldn't it be easier to say, "the Church doesn't take an official position on that"? Or "I personally believe that, but we do not preach it as one of the doctrines of the Church"?

That would be the better approach. The repetition of "milk before meat" and not teaching what someone is not ready to hear is actually ridiculous. Instead of misleading responses to hard or uncomfortable questions, just be honest and say "That's not something we discuss outside of the membership" or "I don't think you're ready to learn about that without first knowing blah." Deceptive answers serve no purpose other than to deceive, no matter the intent.

Kind of like the bank telling a new homeowner that their payment will only be $1500/month for this beautiful $500K home.

When the borrower asks, "I've been informed and read on the internet that my payment will double in three years, please tell me about this?"

Bank: "Ahhhh that is just not TRUE! And even if it were it would be the worst case. Why would you trust information from the internet? Don't you know it was landlords who built that to keep people like you paying rent?"

Borrower: "Really? I also read that part of the interest for those three years is being ADDED to the mortgage balance, so my home could be worth less than I owe?"

Bank: "Look, if you want to know about us why would you ask someone else? As to your interest, yes.. perhaps a little will be added, but I guarantee you home will rise in value, well above any accumulated interest."

Borrower: "Why won't you give me a full disclosure on this financial transaction before I sign?"

Bank: "There are things that you won't understand until AFTER you commit to this, so just trust me and sign!"

[_SatanWasSetUp]

In his defense, those quotes were three years apart. Maybe he changed his mind. Three years is an eternity for Doctrine/GA opinion. Does anybody still remember the tattoo and multiple earring ban from a few years ago?

[_LifeOnaPlate]

I think the secret and/or embarrassing nature of certain aspects of Mormonism foster deceptive behavior.

Mormons, to my thinking, are not at all generally deceptive people, but I know from experience that it's disconcerting to be asked to keep things secret from investigators and even other members. I justified it with the old "pearls before swine" argument, but even with that excuse, I was often uncomfortable with not telling the complete truth at times. I never felt telling people certain things were "sacred" and that I couldn't talk about them was a good answer, but it was the only answer I could give.

Looking back, I resent being asked to keep religious ordinances secret from others--even my own family at times.

KA

I tend to try not to fall back on a "pearls before swine" escape when I am in one-on-one situations, or especially when I know the person I am talking to and feel they know me. Friends know where I stand on some of the less-discussed issues because we have a relationship aside from a happenstance religious discussion.

[_LifeOnaPlate]

How soon before a reporter asks Tommy Monson to reconcile all of Gordon's "I don't know that we teach that" statements?

any reporter who followed up on the story knows that Pres. Hinckley already "reconciled" his statements.

[_LifeOnaPlate]

By the way, I think the statement cited in the OP was deceptive in two directions. First, it suggests that Mormons do not in fact believe the item in question. Second, it suggests that Mormons derive their beliefs about Jesus exclusively from the New Testament. Wouldn't it be easier to say, "the Church doesn't take an official position on that"? Or "I personally believe that, but we do not preach it as one of the doctrines of the Church"?

It seems different people answer questions differently.

[_Dr. Shades]

It seems different people answer questions differently.

In that case, why didn't Abinadi answer King Noah by saying "I don't know that we teach that?"

[_LifeOnaPlate]

It seems different people answer questions differently.

In that case, why didn't Abinadi answer King Noah by saying "I don't know that we teach that?"

Beats me. When I get to heaven I'll ask him.