Themis wrote:I covered this in a post directed to you.
Themis, in a post in which thread? Could you point me to it so I can read it?
LOL I posted my quote as well. Equality I see provided where he was accused of abortions. It's not to say there is good enough evidence to conclude abortions were going on, but it does provide an answer to why Joseph may not have had many children if any with his polygamous wives. Also limited sexually access will limit number of children as well.
I don't know about pissing TBM's off but I CAN tell you the best way to get them to see that the Church isn't true. Here's the approach that worked for me with dozens and dozens of people:
Me: "I'm really scared and have a bunch of questions and concerns that nobody seems to be able to help me with. I don't want to go to hell but I think the Church might not be true and nobody will help me with my concerns"
TBM: "What kind of questions and concerns do you have?"
That's pretty much it. Then you can just give them the first ten questions/concerns about the Church. They won't be able to find decent answers to any of them. Then give them ten more. And ten more.
They leave the Church before you give them 40 questions/concerns about 70% of the time.
When you go at them with the attitude, "The Church isn't true and this is why" they immediately put up their "Thechurchistruenomatterwhat" shield and won't hear a thing you say. But if you say to them, "Help meeeeeee, I'm so scared." suddenly they go into protective "I can't let this good and faithful member down" mode and they WILL try to find answers to your questions.
Then eventually they discover that ALL of your questions have one answer: Joseph Smith was a fraud.
Try it, it works like a charm.
The truth is a lot easier to see when you stop assuming you already have it. - Me