DiscussMormonism.com

In addition to clicking on those buttons that animate the Social Media Reality, folks who wish to see a FARMS-style apologetic presence at the Maxwell Institute are urged to contact various leaders who are part of the decision-making process. And among the targets of this activism are our very own general authorities:

If you have personal friendship or ties to any General Authorities, express your concern about the situation, and your appreciation for everything FARMS has done.
Contact BYU’s President Samuelson, and let him know how you feel.
Contact BYU’s administration, and let them know how you feel.
Contact the Maxwell Institute, and let them know how you feel.

That thing with the general authorities? Don’t do it. Just don’t.

Certain kinds of apologetic argument take some sophisticated approaches in order to be done well. Fortunately, there is a very powerful apologetic approach that takes nothing more than insight, inspiration, and initiative. All you have to do is sit down and articulate why the Book of Mormon is worth reading or the LDS lifestyle worth living. And if you have a web site, collect and publish such stories from your readers who do not themselves have your publishing platform. In other words, most of us need to just keep doing what we’re doing and we will be keeping the apologetic tradition alive and successful.

A few comments, Mogs. We do not “wish to see a FARMS-style apologetic presence at the Maxwell Institute.” We want to see FARMS live on, but that will not necessarily be at the Institute. It may well be re-grouped as an independent organization once again.

Why can’t members talk to General Authorities? Since General Authorities (i.e. President Hinckley) were involved in the merge of FARMS with BYU, they should at least be aware of its demise, and of those who are concerned about its future. We’re not suggesting people horde the Brethren, or harass them like paparazzi. We’re suggesting they talk to them about it, if they have personal acquaintances, as you note through “love and wisdom,” so they know what’s going on.

Armchair bloggers are not sufficient for apologetic response in the Church. As Elder Packer has well noted, bloggers can do a tremendous work for the good of the Church on the Internet, but I do not think they are well-equipped to address the sophisticated claims and attacks by many of the Church’s most sly detractors and their organizations. What about them?

MsJack wrote:You forgot the link.

Quickmere Graham says:
July 1, 2012 at 10:20 pm
Bryce, you’re freakin people out, srsly.

Bob Loblaw wrote:Lobbying the GAs? Bunch of ark-steadying apostates!

Bob Loblaw wrote:Had an interesting conversation with Brother Haymond on his "live chat" feature. He said he didn't see the personal attacks or hostility from FARMS, so I mentioned Midgley's nasty piece on Grant Palmer. He said, because a book doesn't come out of thin air, an author's character is fair game. My impression is that he sees the personal attacks and at least tacitly approves of them.