Redefined wrote:Actually, you don't have to put yourself in anyone else's shoes, look as far as your own. Mormons are the one that think they are better than everyone else. I'd say it's one of the most common attitudes among the Mormons. . . it must have something to do with them being the most valiant in the pre-existence to make it down here as a Mormon!
Now you've got caught up in the same fallacy as STS did earlier. I'm LDS and I don't think I'm better than anyone else. But non-LDS folks here are saying they are better than another. We're not discussing what you perceive some un-named LDS might be thinking,
by the way I know some LDS think much like many critics of LDS do here (that they personally are better than others).
Love ya tons, Stem
I ain't nuttin'. don't get all worked up on account of me.
stemelbow wrote:I'm sure to every single person who actually thinks they are better than any other person, actually believes its true too. It wouldn't be comforting if they didn't believe it. That's why Jacob in grammar school was so cool--drawing from my own experience here. He thought he was better than others. he believed it.
There's a huge difference between saying "I'm better than you" and "I would not behave that way because I have higher moral and ethical standards.
I didn't know Joseph Smith, but I know what he did. I will say it again: I would not sleep with other women behind my wife's back; Joseph did. That says to me that my moral and ethical standards are higher than his were.
stemelbow wrote:Trying to put myself in your guys' shoes...that would be a comforting thought. It should also be quite comforting for you all to assume that you are better than every single Mormon person ever. Just assume it. You'll feel comforted.
I don't think I'm better than Joseph Smith (or any other Mormon) but I do think some of the things he did were clearly wrong and that he was no more inspired or a prophet than myself or anyone else for that matter. I think his revelations were largely the product of his own imagination and desires and so I think he was not a prohpet in thew sense that LDS see him.
I certainly don't think Joseph Smith was a better person than me.
Crawling around the evidence in order to maintain a testimony of the Book of Mormon.
Runtu wrote:So, you're saying I shouldn't assume that most people wouldn't sleep with other women behind their wives' backs. Maybe you think less of people than I do.
Or are you saying I'm assuming that I'm better than most or all Mormons? That would be wrong, as I haven't assumed that at all.
Of course I didn't say either of the two. I'm merely commenting on how it would be easy to feel comforted by thinking you are better than another. If I was so after the need to feel comforted I'd assume as much too.
Love ya tons, Stem
I ain't nuttin'. don't get all worked up on account of me.
Buffalo wrote:No need for strawmen. I'm definitely a better person than Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. I am no better or no worse than your average Mormon.
well I'm sure that's comforting too. Just assume it. its an easy thing to do. Just tell yourself each day "I'm better than Joseph Smith no doubt about it. I'm as good as the average Mormon." Look in the mirror and say it.
"I've never slept with another man's wife, let alone a dozen. I've never made it with 14 year old girls behind my wife's back. I've never committed adultery period. I've never coerced or manipulated anyone for sex or money. I've never swindled anyone out of their money by pretending to be able to find hidden treasures. I've never written any self-serving 'revelation' from god to get me off the hook or to provide for my own finances. I've never expressed the opinion that people who marry outside their race deserve death, nor advocated the murder of sinners. Nor did I ever create an atmosphere that lead up to the murder of anyone, let alone more than 100 innocent people."
Hey, that does feel good!
Parley P. Pratt wrote:We must lie to support brother Joseph, it is our duty to do so.
Runtu wrote:There's a huge difference between saying "I'm better than you" and "I would not behave that way because I have higher moral and ethical standards.
In some poeple's minds I suppose. But it seems others here actually do think they are better than Joseph Smith. And to think one is holier than another seems pretty close to being better than. Its the same general idea, if nothing else.
I didn't know Joseph Smith, but I know what he did. I will say it again: I would not sleep with other women behind my wife's back; Joseph did. That says to me that my moral and ethical standards are higher than his were.
I get why you think you are better than he is...or have better standards then he does, or whatever you want to call it. thanks for repeatin'.
Love ya tons, Stem
I ain't nuttin'. don't get all worked up on account of me.
stemelbow wrote:Of course I didn't say either of the two. I'm merely commenting on how it would be easy to feel comforted by thinking you are better than another. If I was so after the need to feel comforted I'd assume as much too.
It doesn't really comfort me because it reminds me that, for years, I rationalized what Joseph did. It sort of makes me feel complicit, and it bothers me that I was capable of that.
Am I "better" than Joseph Smith? I don't know. But I am more honest and faithful to my wife than he was.
badseed wrote:I don't think I'm better than Joseph Smith (or any other Mormon) but I do think some of the things he did were clearly wrong and that he was no more inspired or a prophet than myself or anyone else for that matter. I think his revelations were largely the product of his own imagination and desires and so I think he was not a prohpet in thew sense that LDS see him.
I certainly don't think Joseph Smith was a better person than me.
I hear your opinion. Its good to know.
Love ya tons, Stem
I ain't nuttin'. don't get all worked up on account of me.