Drifting wrote:The fact remains, if a full time theologian serving as an Apostle of the Lord; working under divine guidance, couldn't get a grasp of what Mormonism's beliefs actually were, what chance does anyone else have of sifting through the double speak fudge that is currently produced by the Church's main explanatory arm - the Newsroom?
Exactly. Any TBM would take Bruce R. McConkie's word over some anonymous internet guy with the handle BC Space. McConkie is a good example. How about Randy Bott. He is a professor of religion at BYU, former bishop and mission president. Seems like a good source for Mormon doctrine. Not as good as McConkie, but much better than some anonymous internet guy. Even after teaching Mormon doctrine for years and years at the church's own private university, even he doesn't know what is currently being taught.
"We have taken up arms in defense of our liberty, our property, our wives, and our children; we are determined to preserve them, or die." - Captain Moroni - 'Address to the Inhabitants of Canada' 1775
Based on the scriptures, Joseph Smith declared: “The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.”(Appoaching Mormon Doctrine)
So the word of wisdom and tithing are 'only appendages' to the Mormon religion. However, without them you don't get to live with Heavenly Father. So are they really mere appendages or something big and important?
ap·pend·age/əˈpendij/ Noun: (often with negative or pejorative connotations) A thing that is added or attached to something larger or more important.
It's a rhetorical question, because lets face it. Nobody knows.
“We look to not only the spiritual but also the temporal, and we believe that a person who is impoverished temporally cannot blossom spiritually.” Keith McMullin - Counsellor in Presiding Bishopric
"One, two, three...let's go shopping!" Thomas S Monson - Prophet, Seer, Revelator
Those writing or commenting on Latter-day Saint doctrine also need to understand that certain words in the Mormon vocabulary have slightly different meanings and connotations than those same words have in other religions. (Approaching Mormon Doctrine)
A recent example of this was demonstrated when Sweeney Met Holland.
What we heard "that's not true" Meaning in Mormonism "that's completely true"
“We look to not only the spiritual but also the temporal, and we believe that a person who is impoverished temporally cannot blossom spiritually.” Keith McMullin - Counsellor in Presiding Bishopric
"One, two, three...let's go shopping!" Thomas S Monson - Prophet, Seer, Revelator