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The Future of Church History (In 1972)
Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 1:22 am
by _Fence Sitter
Interesting 1972 Ensign article by A Dyer regarding the newly formed Church History Department and their plans for the future. Too bad Peterson, Packer and Benson didn't allow this to continue.
http://www.LDS.org/ensign/1972/08/the-future-of-church-history?lang=engOnce collected, the records of the Mormon past are arranged, classified, and indexed to make them available to members of the Church and others interested in LDS history
In 1976 Ezra Taft Benson, then president of the council of the twelve warned of the tendency to humanize church leaders. Such an approach minimized God's ruling hand and undermined "our prophetic history."
After it was shut down Leonard Arrington lamented
"Our great experiment in church-sponsored history has proved to be, if not a failure, at least not an unqualified success."
One has to wonder how much better today's chapel Mormons would be prepared to defend their history had Arrington been allowed to continue guiding the Church History Department.
Re: The Future of Church History (In 1972)
Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 4:37 am
by _harmony
Fence Sitter wrote:In 1976 Ezra Taft Benson, then president of the council of the twelve warned of the tendency to humanize church leaders. Such an approach minimized God's ruling hand and undermined "our prophetic history."
What the? Were they apes, not human?
Re: The Future of Church History (In 1972)
Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 4:39 am
by _ludwigm
The Lord has stated, “Behold, there shall be a record kept among you. …” (D&C 21:1.) To keep that record in its entirety, accurately and securely, is the mission of the Historical Department.
In the meantime another words of the Lord proved themselves to be more important and acute...
D&C 123:4
"And perhaps a committee can be appointed to find out these things, and to take statements and affidavits"The Strengthening Church Members Committee (SCMC)
Re: The Future of Church History (In 1972)
Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 6:13 am
by _moksha
harmony wrote:What the? Were they apes, not human?
No, it simply means that it was disrespectful to regard the Brethren as mere mortals, when THEY had slipped their earthly bounds and ascended into the clouds.
Re: The Future of Church History (In 1972)
Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 7:24 am
by _Drifting
moksha wrote:harmony wrote:What the? Were they apes, not human?
No, it simply means that it was disrespectful to regard the Brethren as mere mortals, when THEY had slipped their earthly bounds and ascended into the clouds.
And yet, we are repeatedly told not to expect too much from the Leaders because they are only human after all!
Re: The Future of Church History (In 1972)
Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 6:57 pm
by _Carton
Fence Sitter wrote:Interesting 1972 Ensign article by A Dyer regarding the newly formed Church History Department and their plans for the future. Too bad Peterson, Packer and Benson didn't allow this to continue.
http://www.LDS.org/ensign/1972/08/the-future-of-church-history?lang=engOnce collected, the records of the Mormon past are arranged, classified, and indexed to make them available to members of the Church and others interested in LDS history
In 1976 Ezra Taft Benson, then president of the council of the twelve warned of the tendency to humanize church leaders. Such an approach minimized God's ruling hand and undermined "our prophetic history."
After it was shut down Leonard Arrington lamented
"Our great experiment in church-sponsored history has proved to be, if not a failure, at least not an unqualified success."
One has to wonder how much better today's chapel Mormons would be prepared to defend their history had Arrington been allowed to continue guiding the Church History Department.
Amazing that the CHD still won't let anyone see or touch the Kirtland Egyptian Papers--except for a racist/misogynist like William Schryver who they can count on to "lie for the Lord".