Question for TBM's

The catch-all forum for general topics and debates. Minimal moderation. Rated PG to PG-13.
_Scottie
_Emeritus
Posts: 4166
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2007 9:54 pm

Question for TBM's

Post by _Scottie »

Is there any immoral act that Joseph Smith could have done, claiming that God commanded it, that would cause you to question whether it really came from God?

After all, every atrocity that could possibly be committed is documented in the Bible somewhere.

He already committed child molestation, which in our "puritan" moral views is one of the most horrific things a man can do. And, I know, it was different back then. It was quite normal for mid 30's men to marry 15 year old girls. Uh huh.

Just to throw out a couple of hypotheticals...
If Joseph Smith were to claim that God commanded that all faithful members were to sacrifice their firstborn, would you accept this as commandment from God? After all, it's in the Bible, so why couldn't God command it again?

If Joseph Smith were to claim that God commanded that the saints slaughter a town and take the children to "bring into the fold", and marry the female children as his plural wives, would you accept that?

Any other hypotheticals you all can think of?
_Nephi

Post by _Nephi »

Before I try to answer, do I count as a TBM.
_Scottie
_Emeritus
Posts: 4166
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2007 9:54 pm

Post by _Scottie »

Nephi wrote:Before I try to answer, do I count as a TBM.

I don't know, are you? Answer the question. That will pretty much tell us.
_asbestosman
_Emeritus
Posts: 6215
Joined: Tue Nov 07, 2006 10:32 pm

Re: Question for TBM's

Post by _asbestosman »

Scottie wrote:Is there any immoral act that Joseph Smith could have done, claiming that God commanded it, that would cause you to question whether it really came from God?


If Joseph Smith were to have denied that Jesus is the Christ and that God exists and is our loving Heavenly Father, that would be an obvious indication that it wasn't from God.

I think some things can also be better understood in other contexts. While I'm not big on libel, perhaps what was written was true and in that case not libel. Coercion seems to be a question of degree instead of a black and white thing.
That's General Leo. He could be my friend if he weren't my enemy.
eritis sicut dii
I support NCMO
_Nephi

Post by _Nephi »

Scottie wrote:
Nephi wrote:Before I try to answer, do I count as a TBM.

I don't know, are you? Answer the question. That will pretty much tell us.

I would think so. He is only human, and desires can sometimes cause one to wield power to gain what they want. Besides, I do believe there is Biblical precedent of this occuring (see King David).
_beastie
_Emeritus
Posts: 14216
Joined: Thu Nov 02, 2006 2:26 am

Post by _beastie »

Even materialistic corporations understand the importance of having a representative with at least the appearance of integrity. Why is God apparently ignorant of this fact of life?
We hate to seem like we don’t trust every nut with a story, but there’s evidence we can point to, and dance while shouting taunting phrases.

Penn & Teller

http://www.mormonmesoamerica.com
_moksha
_Emeritus
Posts: 22508
Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 8:42 pm

Post by _moksha »

Nephi, I think it is important to distinguish between True Blue Mormons who accept everything they are told and True Believing Mormons, who come in all stripes, yet hold their beliefs to also be true.
Cry Heaven and let loose the Penguins of Peace
_Jason Bourne
_Emeritus
Posts: 9207
Joined: Sun Oct 29, 2006 8:00 pm

Re: Question for TBM's

Post by _Jason Bourne »

Scottie wrote:Is there any immoral act that Joseph Smith could have done, claiming that God commanded it, that would cause you to question whether it really came from God?

After all, every atrocity that could possibly be committed is documented in the Bible somewhere.

He already committed child molestation, which in our "puritan" moral views is one of the most horrific things a man can do. And, I know, it was different back then. It was quite normal for mid 30's men to marry 15 year old girls. Uh huh.

Just to throw out a couple of hypotheticals...
If Joseph Smith were to claim that God commanded that all faithful members were to sacrifice their firstborn, would you accept this as commandment from God? After all, it's in the Bible, so why couldn't God command it again?

If Joseph Smith were to claim that God commanded that the saints slaughter a town and take the children to "bring into the fold", and marry the female children as his plural wives, would you accept that?

Any other hypotheticals you all can think of?



Well Plural marriage and polyandry has been a kicker for me.

by the way, you sound silly when you accuse Smith of child molestation. Even as disturbed as I am over this subject I think it is more likely then not that his marriage to the Kimball girl was not consummated.
_Scottie
_Emeritus
Posts: 4166
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2007 9:54 pm

Re: Question for TBM's

Post by _Scottie »

Jason Bourne wrote:by the way, you sound silly when you accuse Smith of child molestation. Even as disturbed as I am over this subject I think it is more likely then not that his marriage to the Kimball girl was not consummated.

What would make you think that? Why would an eternal sealing in heaven be any different than a baptism if no sex were involved for poor Helen? Why did she go through such emotional trauma for something so uninvolved?

No, I think YOU sound silly for not believing it.
_Jason Bourne
_Emeritus
Posts: 9207
Joined: Sun Oct 29, 2006 8:00 pm

Re: Question for TBM's

Post by _Jason Bourne »

Scottie wrote:
Jason Bourne wrote:by the way, you sound silly when you accuse Smith of child molestation. Even as disturbed as I am over this subject I think it is more likely then not that his marriage to the Kimball girl was not consummated.

What would make you think that? Why would an eternal sealing in heaven be any different than a baptism if no sex were involved for poor Helen? Why did she go through such emotional trauma for something so uninvolved?

No, I think YOU sound silly for not believing it.



Compton, Vna Wagner and the authors of Mormon Enigma agree with me not with you, thus I think you are silly about this one.
Post Reply