The Hatchet is Passed On to FAIR

[_Daniel Peterson]

Plainly, FAIR hates, fears, and despises Blake Ostler, and wishes to marginalize him and to distance him from the Church.

When I chaired the panel on Mormonism and philosophy at the most recent FAIR conference that included Jim Faulconer and Brian Birch, as well as Blake, I could sense the hostility that everyone there, and particularly the FAIR leadership, felt toward him. There was a noticeable increase in the frequency of of words containing the letter "s" used both immediately prior to and just after the panel, which, I'm sure, represented a conscious imitation of the sound of a viper -- thus indicating their opinion of him.

It was horrifying. I think they owe him an apology.





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[_LifeOnaPlate]

Even more troubling may be the rising division between Internet Mormons, Chapel Mormons, and Mister Mormons.

[_Sethbag]

That was a good find, Loap, and does undercut my criticism of the "Mr." title. I'm not sure what to think about it now; I do admit, this "Mr. Ostler" thing does undercut my criticism.

[_truth dancer]

Hi LoaP,

truth dancer: see Sethbag's post beneath yours.

AFAICT, Sethbag is asking the same questions as am I.

Care to respond to them?

Anyone?

:-)

~td~

[_Alter Idem]

Slightly off-topic, but Alter Idem, I am honored to be in your signature line. I had forgotten about that memorable exchange with Hammer. Hilarious.

When I read your comment to Hammer, I knew it was too priceless to let be lost and forgotten in the ethernet. It HAD to be immortalized in my signature.

You know, I kinda miss Hammer. He was such an exasperating person and yet endearing in some ways because he was entertaining. I can forgive a lot if a poster is entertaining. Besides, the boards can be pretty dull if you don't have a few characters around.

[_mentalgymnast]

Then there was the Jack West slides, using the same idea. Lots and lots of "evidences" were presented, some very impressive.

I used these on my mission back in the mid seventies back in Wash. D.C.

We expended alot of energy carting that dang projector and slides around. It wasn't a waste of energy and time, was it?

Amazing the things you'll cart around and show on people's walls as gospel truth when you don't know any better.

On another thread I asked this question of Dr. Peterson:

"I would imagine it might be too much to ask...but...what do you think about Meldrum's theories? Do you see him as being misguided?"

There was no answer. I'm still interested in knowing Dr. Peterson's personal opinion of what's been coming from Bro. Meldrum. Is Bro. Meldrum misguided? It's kind of a BIG DEAL if he is...isn't it?

Truth Dancer made an interesting comment on the same thread:

"A point came up in another thread concerning Meldrum vs. apologists...

Meldrum is clear that he has prayed and received inspiration from the HG concerning his work. I get the impression that he truly believes he is following divine guidance to help the church and the gospel of Christ.

Do the FAIR/FARM apologists similarly make this claim?

Seems to me, Meldrum is in line with Joseph Smith and the teachings of the early church, while the apologists believe Joseph Smith just had a "superficial understanding" of the Book of Mormon.

Is there confusion concerning the message from the HG or is Meldrum the only one who claims to have received divine inspiration from the HG concerning this topic?"

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=7323

Interesting thoughts. I came to a dead end trying to wrap my mind around a positive spin on this one.

Regards,
MG

[_harmony]

Plainly, FAIR hates, fears, and despises Blake Ostler, and wishes to marginalize him and to distance him from the Church.

Of course not. If FAIR wanted to marginalize him, they'd call him Blake... and thereby relegate him to a woman's position.

[_Daniel Peterson]

[On another thread I asked this question of Dr. Peterson:

"I would imagine it might be too much to ask...but...what do you think about Meldrum's theories? Do you see him as being misguided?"

There was no answer. I'm still interested in knowing Dr. Peterson's personal opinion of what's been coming from Bro. Meldrum. Is Bro. Meldrum misguided? It's kind of a BIG DEAL if he is...isn't it?

I haven't paid much attention to him. From what I've seen, though, I don't think much of his theories, and I do think he's misguided.

Truth Dancer made an interesting comment on the same thread:

"A point came up in another thread concerning Meldrum vs. apologists...

Meldrum is clear that he has prayed and received inspiration from the HG concerning his work. I get the impression that he truly believes he is following divine guidance to help the church and the gospel of Christ.

Do the FAIR/FARM apologists similarly make this claim?

FAIR and FARMS are two distinct organizations. But no, I'm unaware of anybody affiliated with either organization who makes such a claim.

Seems to me, Meldrum is in line with Joseph Smith and the teachings of the early church

I don't think that's true.

while the apologists believe Joseph Smith just had a "superficial understanding" of the Book of Mormon.

I wouldn't agree with that formulation, though I do think it demonstrable that Joseph didn't use the Book of Mormon much, and that it can be inferred from that fact that he didn't study it much.

Is there confusion concerning the message from the HG or is Meldrum the only one who claims to have received divine inspiration from the HG concerning this topic?"

Meldrum seems to be pretty much on his own.

[_collegeterrace]

Truth Dancer made an interesting comment on the same thread:

"A point came up in another thread concerning Meldrum vs. apologists...

Meldrum is clear that he has prayed and received inspiration from the HG concerning his work. I get the impression that he truly believes he is following divine guidance to help the church and the gospel of Christ.

Do the FAIR/FARM apologists similarly make this claim?

FAIR and FARMS are two distinct organizations. But no, I'm unaware of anybody affiliated with either organization who makes such a claim.

What about the testimony bearing that finds it's way to the end of many articles posted by FARMS/MI?

[_Daniel Peterson]

What about the testimony bearing that finds it's way to the end of many articles posted by FARMS/MI?

FARMS has published hundreds and hundreds of articles and books. A few dozen examples of testimony-bearing (there are, you say, "many" such) would serve to start the discussion. And if you have any that specifically bear testimony of divine confirmation that, say, the Grijalva is the River Sidon, or that doubled and sealed documents form a parallel to the Book of Mormon plates, or that Canaanite religious symbolism appears in 1 Nephi 11, or that Wadi Sayq was the location of Old World Bountiful, or that the name Nephi is attested in late Egyptian papyri, or the the Maya baktun has a parallel in Nephite prophecy, that would be an especially good conversation starter.