barrelomonkeys wrote:I'm not going to say her name (well maybe via PM since I think it's public knowledge on MAD) but there's a woman that was an adult atheist that investigated the Church and joined. She is a current poster on MAD at this time.
Well, there you have it. Facsinating!
"If False, it is one of the most cunning, wicked, bold, deep-laid impositions ever palmed upon the world, calculated to deceive and ruin millions… " - Orson Pratt on The Book of Mormon
barrelomonkeys wrote:I'm not going to say her name (well maybe via PM since I think it's public knowledge on MAD) but there's a woman that was an adult atheist that investigated the Church and joined. She is a current poster on MAD at this time.
Back when I was an apologist on FAIR, a young woman from California stumbled across the board and began asking questions. She ended up joining the church because she had some spiritual experiences that to her confirmed that it was true. But even after she was baptized, she still had doubts.
barrelomonkeys wrote:I'm not going to say her name (well maybe via PM since I think it's public knowledge on MAD) but there's a woman that was an adult atheist that investigated the Church and joined. She is a current poster on MAD at this time.
Back when I was an apologist on FAIR, a young woman from California stumbled across the board and began asking questions. She ended up joining the church because she had some spiritual experiences that to her confirmed that it was true. But even after she was baptized, she still had doubts.
But was this young woman aware of the issues that are so often raised on these boards. Or were her questions kind of like an investigater. (So that's 10% we need to pay, right?)
"If False, it is one of the most cunning, wicked, bold, deep-laid impositions ever palmed upon the world, calculated to deceive and ruin millions… " - Orson Pratt on The Book of Mormon
barrelomonkeys wrote:I'm not going to say her name (well maybe via PM since I think it's public knowledge on MAD) but there's a woman that was an adult atheist that investigated the Church and joined. She is a current poster on MAD at this time.
Back when I was an apologist on FAIR, a young woman from California stumbled across the board and began asking questions. She ended up joining the church because she had some spiritual experiences that to her confirmed that it was true. But even after she was baptized, she still had doubts.
Well I stumbled across FAIR and was told to read a section from Alma (which I put off -DREADING IT!) and had a bizarre experience. But Hammer came in and informed me (again!) that I was of Satan so the world was right again. ?
*edited cause it wasn't MAD at that time - it was FAIR*
Ten Bear wrote:I was just thinking. Forgive me if this has been covered before.
I know of and have read about members who, after digging into the histroy of the church, have decided that it isn't true. Well read, and educated people, no less. Does anyone know of the opposite ever happening?
I don't know, maybe a nevermo joins the board(s), starts intvestigating the church and reads up on Joseph Smith, his wifes, the Book of Abraham, the Book of Mormon ...... Then he/she decides it "has" to be true and is baptized.
Anyone?
The only real defenders of the faith, that I can perceive, are those who were already members and probably had very limited knowledge of the church when baptized - maybe some (most) were only 8 years old. But then, after learning about everything, they defend it vigorously because it's too close to the heart. If you honestly believe in something, it's not hard to twist facts, evidence, and common reasoning till it fits the mold.
Just a thought.
Not on these boards but I do know of people who were never a part of the Church studying Church History and it leading them to contact the Missionaries.
Actually I find that interesting. I haven't heard of that before. Do you suppose it was just a meanial interest or and outright "study and learn" on their part? What happened after the they contacted the missionaries?
A few examples:
One Mason was researching his organization's past and found Joseph Smith. After studying his life and teachings for about a year he contacted the Missionaries and was baptized.
A scholar who was researching the genesis of religious movements was drawn to the LDS church as a topic of interest. He found the teachings of Joseph sound. While he struggled with Polygamy for a while he eventually prayed and had what he believed to be an inspired dream that cleared up the issue for him. He was already in contact with the Missionaries and several members as sources. He asked to be baptized.
A friend who left the Church over history he felt made it likely Joseph a liar. While never outspokenly antagonistic to the Church he did continue to study. Eventually he began to respect Joseph again. He said the turning point was when he read the account of Joseph writing to Oliver Cowdery and asking him if he had eaten husks long enough.
"Surely he knows that DCP, The Nehor, Lamanite, and other key apologists..." -Scratch clarifying my status in apologetics "I admit it; I'm a petty, petty man." -Some Schmo
barrelomonkeys wrote:I'm not going to say her name (well maybe via PM since I think it's public knowledge on MAD) but there's a woman that was an adult atheist that investigated the Church and joined. She is a current poster on MAD at this time.
Back when I was an apologist on FAIR, a young woman from California stumbled across the board and began asking questions. She ended up joining the church because she had some spiritual experiences that to her confirmed that it was true. But even after she was baptized, she still had doubts.
Well I stumbled across FAIR and was told to read a section from Alma (which I put off -DREADING IT!) and had a bizarre experience. But Hammer came in and informed me (again!) that I was of Satan so the world was right again. ?
*edited cause it wasn't MAD at that time - it was FAIR*
Just so you know, you're not of Satan.
"Surely he knows that DCP, The Nehor, Lamanite, and other key apologists..." -Scratch clarifying my status in apologetics "I admit it; I'm a petty, petty man." -Some Schmo
Ten Bear wrote:I don't know, maybe a nevermo joins the board(s), starts intvestigating the church and reads up on Joseph Smith, his wifes, the Book of Abraham, the Book of Mormon ...... Then he/she decides it "has" to be true and is baptized.
LOL. I seriously doubt it happens that way. I don't know of anyone joining the church because of polygamy, the Book of Abraham, or the Book of Mormon internet debate. It would be funny if it ever happened though. People join the church for emotional reasons, for the most part.
"We of this Church do not rely on any man-made statement concerning the nature of Deity. Our knowledge comes directly from the personal experience of Joseph Smith." - Gordon B. Hinckley
"It's wrong to criticize leaders of the Mormon Church even if the criticism is true." - Dallin H. Oaks
Ten Bear wrote: But was this young woman aware of the issues that are so often raised on these boards. Or were her questions kind of like an investigater. (So that's 10% we need to pay, right?)
Yes, she was aware of the issues. But she had helpful people like me telling her to trust her feelings. Sigh.
Yong Xi wrote:I don't know of this happening. It probably has, however. Go post this on MAD. I am sure you will get real life examples.
.....said the spider to the fly.
I posted over there once with a sincere and honest question. Selek attacked me immediately and then others took the lead. That is not a happy place.
You might have to present your post this way:
What's with all the critics whining these days? All I ever hear about is how FAIR/MAD helped lead them out of the church. Why don't they ever talk about the people who join the church because of what they learned on this board. I just don't get it. Critics just see what they want to see.
Would those who are faithful please share your stories of conversions that came about because of participation on this board?
Doctor Steuss wrote:I know of one. But, he’s a pretty volatile individual, and ended up leaving the Church, joined another faith movement, left that one, rejoined the Church, left it, joined another faith movement, and as of now, I think he has no particular allegiance.