Little Stevie and the missionaries

[runtu]

My wife coordinates meals for the missionaries in our ward and 2 branches, so we end up having them over often.

A couple weeks ago, this one kid was going on about how awesome mopologetics is. He dropped the usual names, such as Nibley, and I said I didn’t think Nibley’s mopologetic efforts were worth much. He was a little taken aback, so I explained parallelomania.

But he was really gushing about one guy in particular.

Him: “Are you familiar with the scholarship of Stephen O. Smoot?”

I almost choked on my dinner, but said, “Sure. I’ve known Steve Smoot for years.”

Him: “Nooooo, Stephen O. Smoot. He’s like this brilliant scholar, and he’s only like 30 years old.”

Me: “Yeah, Steve Smoot. I’ve known him since he was in high school.”

He wasn’t too pleased with my assessment of Smoot’s “work,” but he bragged that he’d arranged for Smoot to give their upcoming mission devotional. God help those missionaries.

As they were leaving, I told him if I were him, I wouldn’t go down the mopologetics rabbit hole because “it never ends well.”

He looked mightily offended and replied, “I’ve already left the church once, so I’m not planning on leaving again.”

I didn’t say anything, but I don’t give a crap whether he leaves the church. What I meant is that it seems like at least 90% of mopologists (those who don’t leave the church) end up becoming bitter, dishonest, dogmatic assholes.

[Everybody Wang Chung]

It certainly could've been much worse. I shudder to think if William Schryver's Book of Abraham research had entered the discussion.

[runtu]

It certainly could've been much worse. I shudder to think if William Schryver's Book of Abraham research had entered the discussion.

I’m currently in Utah visiting grandkids, and I saw a guy at Target in Lehi who looked a lot like Schryver. Gave me the creeps.

[MG 2.0]

It certainly could've been much worse. I shudder to think if William Schryver's Book of Abraham research had entered the discussion.

I’m currently in Utah visiting grandkids, and I saw a guy at Target in Lehi who looked a lot like Schryver. Gave me the creeps.

It's fun being a grandfather, isn't it?! It's been a long time since we sat down and ate lunch together hasn't it? I've only met a few people on this board in real life, and you were one of the 'good eggs'. I come and go here. I've been around a bit longer this time around. Hope all is going well for you!

Grandkids are definitely the 'spice of life'.

Question: after all these years your wife is still an active and believing member? It's nice that you have been able to make it work if this is indeed the case. And you have known Stephen Smoot for a long time? I really don't know much about him or his output. What do you think about Jasmin Rappleye? Is she legit in your eyes/opinion?

Best.

Regards,
MG

[runtu]

I’m pretty uninvolved in Mormonism on social media. My wife and I are in a good place. I go to sacrament meeting with her because she doesn’t like going alone. We respect each other’s beliefs and decisions.

Yes, I first interacted with Steve Smoot when he was in high school, though it’s been a few years since we crossed paths. He’s just always struck me as wanting to take over the DCP/Hamblin/Midgley school of belligerent apologetics. I’m not a fan.

As for Jasmin, she generally just summaries in a superficial way other people’s apologetics. So, I have a hard time making conclusions about someone who doesn’t show her work. Her short videos seem pretty shallow.

I’m not hostile to any of these folks. I’ve had more than a few good interactions either Steve Smoot. At least he’s not turned into a Putin-loving conspiracy theorist, like someone we know.

I can honestly say that our lunch meeting was very pleasant and memorable. You are one of the good eggs, too.

[I Have Questions]

I come and go here. I've been around a bit longer this time around.

You're an “ever-present”, the most prolific poster this board has ever seen. Over 7,300 posts on just your 2.0 version alone! Wow! Given that you started a thread to berate posters for spending too much time on the board, and are now telling runtu that you’re an infrequent poster, I’m guessing hypocrisy is your stock in trade.

[I Have Questions]

I’m currently in Utah visiting grandkids, and I saw a guy at Target in Lehi who looked a lot like Schryver. Gave me the creeps.

It's fun being a grandfather, isn't it?! It's been a long time since we sat down and ate lunch together hasn't it? I've only met a few people on this board in real life, and you were one of the 'good eggs'. I come and go here. I've been around a bit longer this time around. Hope all is going well for you!

Grandkids are definitely the 'spice of life'.

Question: after all these years your wife is still an active and believing member? It's nice that you have been able to make it work if this is indeed the case. And you have known Stephen Smoot for a long time? I really don't know much about him or his output. What do you think about Jasmin Rappleye? Is she legit in your eyes/opinion?

Best.

Regards,
MG

It’s inappropriate to seek in real life information about a poster in a public space on the board. Please stop doing that.

[I Have Questions]

What I meant is that it seems like at least 90% of mopologists (those who don’t leave the church) end up becoming bitter, dishonest, dogmatic assholes.

That’s certainly the impression I have of MG 2.0 based solely on his interactions on this board.

[huckelberry]

It's fun being a grandfather, isn't it?! It's been a long time since we sat down and ate lunch together hasn't it? I've only met a few people on this board in real life, and you were one of the 'good eggs'. I come and go here. I've been around a bit longer this time around. Hope all is going well for you!

Grandkids are definitely the 'spice of life'.

Question: after all these years your wife is still an active and believing member? It's nice that you have been able to make it work if this is indeed the case. And you have known Stephen Smoot for a long time? I really don't know much about him or his output. What do you think about Jasmin Rappleye? Is she legit in your eyes/opinion?

Best.

Regards,
MG

It’s inappropriate to seek in real life information about a poster in a public space on the board. Please stop doing that.

I find myself a little surprised at this rule. We are people communicating with each other. There is always something personal involved if people are being honest. I hope they are. Sure, some question could touch something someone would rather not be public. I can see respecting a person not answering a personal question. Runtu may answer part, none, or all of MG's questions as he sees fit.

[huckelberry]

Having thought a couple of times I decided to go a head with this comment. Others see differently I see no point in disputing. I'm glad Runtu replied to MG with a few kind words. I am glad MG posts here. He is more relatable to in a positive way than many apologists. He is not the perfect poster, few are. He does not always respond as directly as possible but he registers as honest and thoughtful in my mind.

Yeah. I Remember some failings. I think it difficult to keep calm and pleasant when a majority are criticizing what you hold dear.