An Insiders View Of Mormon Origins...

[_Simon Belmont]

I guess, according to Themis, I am an insider of the Revolutionary War (I'm American, after all!)

Derp

Well am I or not?

Grant Palmer wasn't there in the 1820s/30s to be an insider to Mormon Origins.

I wasn't there in the 1770s to be an insider to the Revolutionary war.

Yet, Themis believes that we can both claim insider status to these events, right?

[_Buffalo]

Well am I or not?

Grant Palmer wasn't there in the 1820s/30s to be an insider to Mormon Origins.

I wasn't there in the 1770s to be an insider to the Revolutionary war.

Yet, Themis believes that we can both claim insider status to these events, right?

Your reading comprehension sucks.

[_Doctor Scratch]

I'm curious as to why Palmer's work within the CES disqualifies him as a Church "insider."

[_Simon Belmont]

I'm curious as to why Palmer's work within the CES disqualifies him as a Church "insider."

It doesn't.

He is a church insider.

He is not an insider of Mormon origins.

[_Daniel Peterson]

I'm curious as to why Palmer's work within the CES disqualifies him as a Church "insider."

It doesn't.

His lack of publications, credentials, special sources, unique connections, and etc. relevant to the historical study of Mormonism means that he fails to qualify as somebody with "insider" status on Mormon historical issues.

[_Doctor Scratch]

I'm curious as to why Palmer's work within the CES disqualifies him as a Church "insider."

It doesn't.

His lack of publications, credentials,

In what sense are these things relevant to his "insider" status (or lack thereof)?

special sources, unique connections, and etc.

So you're saying that he wouldn't have had any of these during his time with the CES?

[_madeleine]

Wait a minute, that is not the definition of "insider".

in·sid·er (n-sdr)
n.
1. An accepted member of a group.
2. One who has special knowledge or access to confidential information.

insider [ˌɪnˈsaɪdə]
n
1. a member of a specified group
2. a person with access to exclusive information

[_jon]

Wait a minute, that is not the definition of "insider".

in·sid·er (n-sdr)
n.
1. An accepted member of a group.
2. One who has special knowledge or access to confidential information.

insider [ˌɪnˈsaɪdə]
n
1. a member of a specified group
2. a person with access to exclusive information

Simon?
Simon?
Has anyone seen Simon...?

[_Pahoran]

With PP's arrival, the conversation, poor as it already was, is now irredeemable.

Quite right.

The greatest weakness of this place is not the Mormon-mocking "humour" of its three "kingdoms" or the levels awarded the participants. Nor is it the fact that sanctimonious school-marms are given carte blanche to put the boot into Mormon (of course) participants. It's not even the justifiable sense of inferiority that keeps it obsessing about MD&D.

It is that people with absolutely nothing to say, like Porta-Potty-mouth, can barge into a thread and essentially condemn it to Telestial oblivion simply by their own copious discharges of utter vacuity.

And with that, I am done here. Goodbye, everyone.

To all the intelligent people on MDB: don't forget to do your home and visiting teaching this month.

To everyone else: try to get a life.

Regards,
Pahoran

[_mikwut]

Hello Dr. Scratch,

special sources, unique connections, and etc. (Dr. Petersen)

So you're saying that he wouldn't have had any of these during his time with the CES? (Scratch)

My father worked for CES for over three decades from seminary teacher, to institute director, to asst. and area directorships. I can categorically state that this did not give him anymore access to historical documents or sources than I myself or any other member, unless an institute library across the hall of his office full of church materials and books counts. He obtained during his career a large library himself but these would be titles such as FARMS publications, Journal of Discourses, etc.. I don't think that is what Mr. Palmer relied on. Any connections that would be utilized if my father wanted to write and publish a historical book relying on historical resources like Palmer's wouldn't have been gained while he worked with CES. He taught at BYU for a time and I would say that would have been his only access to an "insider status" properly defined by Dr. Petersen but even that I don't think reaches any level of "insider" insinuated by Palmer's book. Otherwise, my father's status would be no different than mine or yours as members of the church. He just had the ability to read correlated materials and books as part of his job teaching at a greater pace than members that have non-church jobs.

If my father wrote Palmer's book, and I have my knowledge of a CES man from growing up as child and knowing him, I would certainly feel misled by the exaggerated claim like Palmer's. I think a criticism and proper contextualization of the "insider" insinuations is perfectly proper and appropriate.

my regards, mikwut