The Shortest Mormon Books Of All Time

[_Ray A]

The comment was pointing at Joseph, in relation to Helen, not about Helen. You know this, Ray. What's the point?

The point, harmony, is that it was tasteless, speculative, morbid, and has no historical verification - except in warped imaginations!

It says far more about the poster, than it does about Joseph Smith.

[_harmony]

The comment was pointing at Joseph, in relation to Helen, not about Helen. You know this, Ray. What's the point?

The point, harmony, is that it was tasteless, speculative, morbid, and has no historical verification - except in warped imaginations!

It says far more about the poster, than it does about Joseph Smith.

If Joseph had not taken a 14 year old as a wife, we wouldn't be having this conversation, Ray. The blame lies with Joseph, not Helen, not Wilma, and certainly not me.

[_Runtu]

Tasteless, yes, but then so is taking a 14 year old bride behind your wife's back.

[_Ray A]

Tasteless, yes, but then so is taking a 14 year old bride behind your wife's back.

You might be interested in Compton's comments about the Tanners: http://www.lds-mormon.com/compton.shtml

As I read through their treatment of my book, I once again recognized aspects of their writing that are problematic for me. Though I appreciate their sincerity, and they are definitely a cut above anti-Mormons such as Ed Decker, and though they have done LDS readers a service in republishing early LDS-related books (though often sensational anti-Mormon exposes), in matters of interpretation, I have not found them to be reliable.

Why are you so quick to swallow all the negative hearsay, Runtu?

Finally, my wish for the Tanners is that they arrive at a more balanced view of Mormonism and their cultural heritage, even if they continue to practice in a Protestant Christian church (which practice I respect). I suspect the Tanners merely looked through my book for negative proof-texting; if so, I hope someday they actually read it completely. Personally, writing In Sacred Loneliness, experiencing the greatness of those thirty or so early Mormon women for five years, caused me to deepen my commitment to my Mormon heritage (within the context of a liberal, non-absolutist faith). I want to be part of the same church those women were part of -- though I am committed to helping the church abandon extremist authoritarianism, censorship of history, and anti-feminism, whenever those things are manifested in the church. (emphasis added)

Do you want to deepen your commitment/understanding, or join harmony in believing that Joseph Smith was one of the worst human beings who ever lived?

[_Runtu]

You might be interested in Compton's comments about the Tanners: http://www.lds-mormon.com/compton.shtml

I'm not a big fan of the Tanners.

Why are you so quick to swallow all the negative hearsay, Runtu?

What the hell are you talking about, Ray?

Do you want to deepen your commitment/understanding, or join harmony in believing that Joseph Smith was one of the worst human beings who ever lived?

Again, what the hell are you talking about?

[_Ray A]

Again, what the hell are you talking about?

You tell me. I am waiting for your explanation. You didn't say anything about "Fingerdoo's" comments, which were appalling. Suggesting that Joseph Smith was a pedophile.

[_Runtu]

Again, what the hell are you talking about?

You tell me. I am waiting for your explanation. You didn't say anything about "Fingerdoo's" comments, which were appalling. Suggesting that Joseph Smith was a pedophile.

I said it was tasteless. What else did you want me to say? And how does that suggest that I like the Tanners and think Joseph Smith was the worst possible human being? What's next, am I supposed to be torturing puppies? ;)

[_moksha]

Except for the aforementioned tasteless comment (no chicken jokes please!) this is the type of thread I love to read.


I knew Runtu is brimming over with cleverness, but kudos to Infymus and Ray A. too.

[_Ray A]

I said it was tasteless. What else did you want me to say? And how does that suggest that I like the Tanners and think Joseph Smith was the worst possible human being? What's next, am I supposed to be torturing puppies? ;)

I'm sorry if I misunderstood you. But you seemed to be, indirectly, supporting Fingerdoo, and harmony's apparent support of "Fingerdoo", whose comments were appalling.

[_Runtu]

I said it was tasteless. What else did you want me to say? And how does that suggest that I like the Tanners and think Joseph Smith was the worst possible human being? What's next, am I supposed to be torturing puppies? ;)

I'm sorry if I misunderstood you. But you seemed to be, indirectly, supporting Fingerdoo, and harmony's apparent support of "Fingerdoo", whose comments were appalling.

What I meant to say was that, although Fingerdoo's comments were pretty tasteless, that doesn't mean Joseph's behavior wasn't appalling as well. Clear enough?