A comforting thought to all disaffected and ex-Mormons

[_stemelbow]

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.

However you wish to put it, Runtu. I wish ya the best. i don't think telling yourself that you compare better than another is the best way to do it, but if it works for ya, then be my guest.

[_Buffalo]

However you wish to put it, Runtu. I wish ya the best. i don't think telling yourself that you compare better than another is the best way to do it, but if it works for ya, then be my guest.

I'm better than Bernie Madoff. I don't feel guilty for saying that. :)

[_Runtu]

However you wish to put it, Runtu. I wish ya the best. i don't think telling yourself that you compare better than another is the best way to do it, but if it works for ya, then be my guest.

As someone else said, I'm just stating a fact. I'm not putting myself up on a pedestal, just saying that my moral standards would prevent me from acting like Joseph Smith did. If that bothers you, so be it. Not a problem here.

[_Redefined]

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).

Isn't going to the Celestial Kingdom better than the Terrestial Kingdom. How bout having the exclusive Holy Ghost, isn't that better than not having the Holy Ghost. How about having the one true gospel isn't that better than not?

[_stemelbow]

As someone else said, I'm just stating a fact. I'm not putting myself up on a pedestal, just saying that my moral standards would prevent me from acting like Joseph Smith did. If that bothers you, so be it. Not a problem here.

It doesn't bother me. I just realize what you call fact is merely your assumption. If you are better than he is, in your mind, and that helps you get by. Then go ahead. Get by. I would think there are better ways to go about it, but whatever floats yer boat, as they say.

[_Buffalo]

As someone else said, I'm just stating a fact. I'm not putting myself up on a pedestal, just saying that my moral standards would prevent me from acting like Joseph Smith did. If that bothers you, so be it. Not a problem here.

It doesn't bother me. I just realize what you call fact is merely your assumption. If you are better than he is, in your mind, and that helps you get by. Then go ahead. Get by. I would think there are better ways to go about it, but whatever floats your boat, as they say.

This is assuming that marital fidelity is a good characteristic, yes.

It's sad when your religion prevents you from making that kind of assumption. :( Most of us take that for granted.

[_stemelbow]

Isn't going to the Celestial Kingdom better than the Terrestial Kingdom. How bout having the exclusive Holy Ghost, isn't that better than not having the Holy Ghost. How about having the one true gospel isn't that better than not?

Okay. So in your view people believing in differing levels of heaven, or the Holy Ghost offering witness, or believing in holding truth is equivalent of people thinking they are better than others? Whatever. I find your reasoning flawed from the jump.

[_stemelbow]

This is assuming that marital fidelity is a good characteristic, yes.

It's sad when your religion prevents you from making that kind of assumption. :( Most of us take that for granted.

Well sadly, buffyload, I did not indicate anything like unto that.

[_Runtu]

It doesn't bother me. I just realize what you call fact is merely your assumption.

I am not assuming anything. I have never slept with anyone behind my wife's back (in fact, I've never slept with anyone other than my wife, ever). That's a fact. Joseph Smith slept with a lot of women behind his wife's back. That is also a fact. The only assumption, it seems, is that sleeping with other women behind you're wife's back is wrong. Maybe you don't believe that. I hope your wife knows that.

If you are better than he is, in your mind, and that helps you get by. Then go ahead. Get by. I would think there are better ways to go about it, but whatever floats your boat, as they say.

It doesn't help me get by. As I said, I feel bad that I once rationalized what Joseph did. I don't spend any time thinking "Thank God I'm better than Joseph Smith." But the subject came up, and I offered my opinion. That seems to really rankle you, for some reason.

To quote Wade, "To each his own."

[_Redefined]

Isn't going to the Celestial Kingdom better than the Terrestial Kingdom. How bout having the exclusive Holy Ghost, isn't that better than not having the Holy Ghost. How about having the one true gospel isn't that better than not?

Okay. So in your view people believing in differing levels of heaven, or the Holy Ghost offering witness, or believing in holding truth is equivalent of people thinking they are better than others? Whatever. I find your reasoning flawed from the jump.

So the Celestial kingdom isn't superior to the Terrestial? Having the Holy Ghost isn't superior to not having it? Having the one true gospel isn't superior than not having it?