Internet Mormons and Joseph Smith.

[_Droopy]

And, once more, the Internet Mormon/Chapel Mormon dichotomy is a fiction created by Shades to impugn the intelligence of those who don't take his particular brand of intellectual bigotry relative to the Church seriously or who do not feel it necessary to preoccupy themselves with every iota of Church history that might, depending upon preassumptions or level of doctrinal/historical knowledge, cast doubt upon the Church and its claims.

I began reading anti-Mormon literature my first year in college, and pursued it for many years after that. It did not affect me as it has affected Shades and others here. The reason for that defines this entire website.

[_Mister Scratch]

And, once more, the Internet Mormon/Chapel Mormon dichotomy is a fiction created by Shades to impugn the intelligence of those who don't take his particular brand of intellectual bigotry relative to the Church seriously or who do not feel it necessary to preoccupy themselves with every iota of Church history that might, depending upon preassumptions or level of doctrinal/historical knowledge, cast doubt upon the Church and its claims.

I began reading anti-Mormon literature my first year in college, and pursued it for many years after that. It did not affect me as it has affected Shades and others here. The reason for that defines this entire website.

The trouble with this is that Shades's dichotomy is directly in line with the advice given by Elder Packer in "The Mantle is Far, Far Greater than the Intellect." In other words, according to BKP, a good percentage of members of the Church would be better off if they were kept dumb. (Hence, the "Mantle" is "Greater than the Intellect".)

[_Dr. Shades]

Let me give my philosophy. The more dishonest and corrupt the character, the weaker the testimony. Your advice to Scottie to lie to the government and his ex-wife about his income demonstrates dishonesty and corruption.

Obviously reading comprehension isn't one of your strong suits.

Please go back and show me where, specifically, I advised Scottie to lie to the government.

Thanks in advance.

I reject the concept that the more ignorant, the stronger the testimony.

Then why, in Fast & Testimony meeting, are the weirdest members the ones who bear the strongest testimonies?

[_Droopy]

The trouble with this is that Shades's dichotomy is directly in line with the advice given by Elder Packer in "The Mantle is Far, Far Greater than the Intellect." In other words, according to BKP, a good percentage of members of the Church would be better off if they were kept dumb. (Hence, the "Mantle" is "Greater than the Intellect".)

We are all aware of your careful misreading and misinterpretation of Packer's talk. You would actually, however, have to have some substantive and nuanced understanding of LDS doctrine and philosophy to work your way through that, which, as we all know, will not be forthcoming from your end any time soon.

You worrying about intellect is like Godzilla worrying about etiquette.

[_Droopy]

Then why, in Fast & Testimony meeting, are the weirdest members the ones who bear the strongest testimonies?

There are several possibilities here, and none of them reflect well on Shades' character or motivations.

[_moksha]

I reject the concept that the more ignorant, the stronger the testimony.

Then why, in Fast & Testimony meeting, are the weirdest members the ones who bear the strongest testimonies?

Why are the terms ignorant and weird being confused?

[_Dr. Shades]

Then why, in Fast & Testimony meeting, are the weirdest members the ones who bear the strongest testimonies?

There are several possibilities here, and none of them reflect well on Shades' character or motivations.

In that case, don't keep us in suspense. Please list some of these "several possibilities."

And don't worry about whether they reflect well on my character or motivations, whatever those are. You hereby have free license to list some of those "several possibilities."

Go ahead.

Why are the terms ignorant and weird being confused?

A fair question.

In the LDS meetinghouses, there is often a correlation between ignorant and weird. The ones who bear the strongest--if also the most nonsensical--testimonies are usually those who carry both banners.

Get some of those weird members in Gospel Doctrine, and they almost invariably ask the most stupid questions--ones that can easily be answered by even a 1st year seminary student--thus also belying their ignorance.

[Guest]

Ohhh no, am I one of those? LOL. I think I just don't care about anything. Harhar.

Then you're just the kind of Mormon that the heirarchy wants.

Do you think Internet Mormons have a firmer testimony after they resolve within themselves that it wouldn't matter, than say, Mormons that know nothing of what really happened?

Of course not.

The more ignorant the Mormon, the stronger the testimony. This has been borne out repeatedly. Just pay attention in Fast & Testimony meeting for all the proof you need.

I have reason to believe I am the only Internet Mormon in my home ward and possibly even here. I was advised by my home ward not to be one. I don't bear my testimony. Only if I am asked to and I don't say the typical rolling of the tongue crap that all the children and people who have no testimony says. I just simply say experiences I have had that I feel relevent, like when I was ward missionary. I just thought that perhaps Internet Mormons had a stronger testimony because they know things and still go, yet those who don't know things will fall easier because they haven't had their testimony tried.

Maybe...but I'm betting not. Of course you were advised not to be here, because they know what happens when members learn things. I think there are a few more 'Internet Mormons' in your ward then you even realize and I'm betting there are more CUB's (closet un-believer) in your ward than you know. They just don't want to upset the apple-cart. Many people are not ready to face what is a very real truth (in many or at least a majority of situations) of family alienation, divorce, loss of job, etc. That's why they choose to remain in the closet.

[_guy sajer]

Ohhh no, am I one of those? LOL. I think I just don't care about anything. Harhar.

Then you're just the kind of Mormon that the heirarchy wants.

Do you think Internet Mormons have a firmer testimony after they resolve within themselves that it wouldn't matter, than say, Mormons that know nothing of what really happened?

Of course not.

The more ignorant the Mormon, the stronger the testimony. This has been borne out repeatedly. Just pay attention in Fast & Testimony meeting for all the proof you need.

I have reason to believe I am the only Internet Mormon in my home ward and possibly even here. I was advised by my home ward not to be one. I don't bear my testimony. Only if I am asked to and I don't say the typical rolling of the tongue crap that all the children and people who have no testimony says. I just simply say experiences I have had that I feel relevent, like when I was ward missionary. I just thought that perhaps Internet Mormons had a stronger testimony because they know things and still go, yet those who don't know things will fall easier because they haven't had their testimony tried.

Congratulations for graduating from the ranks of the lazy, unmotivated general membership who lack the initiative to get up and spend hours upon hours on the internet and reading apologetic materials to find out 'the rest of the story,' as it were. Prof P. and the rest of the FARMSistas would certainly be proud of you.

[_antishock8]

Ohhh no, am I one of those? LOL. I think I just don't care about anything. Harhar.

Then you're just the kind of Mormon that the heirarchy wants.

Do you think Internet Mormons have a firmer testimony after they resolve within themselves that it wouldn't matter, than say, Mormons that know nothing of what really happened?

Of course not.

The more ignorant the Mormon, the stronger the testimony. This has been borne out repeatedly. Just pay attention in Fast & Testimony meeting for all the proof you need.

Let me give my philosophy. The more dishonest and corrupt the character, the weaker the testimony. Your advice to Scottie to lie to the government and his ex-wife about his income demonstrates dishonesty and corruption. No employer would make such a person any kind of fiduciary

I reject the concept that the more ignorant, the stronger the testimony.

This coming from a guy who won't answer whether or not his firm knows of the extent to which he posts on Internet forums, or whether or not he bills his clients for time actually spent producing Mormon apologia.