John Larsen wrote: LOAP is always squeaking on about "quote mining" and taking text out of context. I'm sure he will be interested in sending a strongly worded letter off to Church headquarters.
When I first came across the Nancy Rigdon letter 4 years ago, I was pretty devastated. To think of all the times I had heard that quote in church lessons and probably used it myself! When I did a search on it a few days ago on the church website and google, it was pretty funny to see where people used it.
Cinepro's find in the Gospel Doctrine Manual is my favorite. Hilarious!!!!
My LDS spouse has read some books on polygamy and this letter bothered him quite a bit.
"Happiness is the object and design of our existence... That which is wrong under one circumstance, may be, and often is, right under another." Joseph Smith
Even more embarrassing is when the church uses excerpts of one such letter in countless church publications on the principle of "Happiness," without giving the context. http://www.i4m.com/think/history/smith_letter.htm
This was one of my favorite quotes from Joseph Smith until I learned the full context of the comment. Is sort of just ruined it for me.
