Dr. Shades wrote:If nothing else, after all is said and done, the following blank still cannot be filled in: "Although the authors of Massacre at Mountain Meadows had a conflict of interest, it is clear that this conflict didn't compromise the book in any way, because if it had, then they wouldn't have included the part about ________________."
That would only be a valid demonstration of authorial bias if it could be established than an unbiased book on the subject would necessarily have included what the authors omitted.
Such a notion has not been established, so far as I've seen.
Dr. Shades wrote:I'm quite willing to be proven wrong. When you pick up your copy from the BYU bookstore, please share with us a document found between the covers therein which reflects negatively on either Joseph Smith or Mormonism in general.
Cheerfully.
And, when you don't look at any of the thirty volumes, please feel free to point out some of the documents that the editors omitted in order to skew the documentary record.
Dr. Shades wrote:I'm quite willing to be proven wrong. When you pick up your copy from the BYU bookstore, please share with us a document found between the covers therein which reflects negatively on either Joseph Smith or Mormonism in general.
The problem would be whether or not Joseph actually documented anything that would be "negative" or "embarrassing". If I understand correctly, he seemed to show a pretty acute sense of self-awareness later in life and didn't mind leaving out things that he wanted left out of his personal history.
The most "embarrassing" stuff we would find in Joseph's own handwriting might be his letters to his plural wives (or potential plural wives).
Dr. Shades wrote:I'm quite willing to be proven wrong. When you pick up your copy from the BYU bookstore, please share with us a document found between the covers therein which reflects negatively on either Joseph Smith or Mormonism in general.
The problem would be whether or not Joseph actually documented anything that would be "negative" or "embarrassing". If I understand correctly, he seemed to show a pretty acute sense of self-awareness later in life and didn't mind leaving out things that he wanted left out of his personal history.
Well, he didn't mind changing revelations... why would his own history be exempt?
The most "embarrassing" stuff we would find in Joseph's own handwriting might be his letters to his plural wives (or potential plural wives).
It's only embarrassing if one is inclined to believe them.
(Nevo, Jan 23) And the Melchizedek Priesthood may not have been restored until the summer of 1830, several months after the organization of the Church.
harmony wrote:What little LDS apologist reading I get is from Sunstone, and that's just fine with me.
You owe me a new keyboard. I was drinking when I read that.
"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
cinepro wrote:The most "embarrassing" stuff we would find in Joseph's own handwriting might be his letters to his plural wives (or potential plural wives).
Even more embarrassing is when the church uses excerpts of one such letter in countless church publications on the principle of "Happiness," without giving the context. http://www.i4m.com/think/history/smith_letter.htm
"Happiness is the object and design of our existence... That which is wrong under one circumstance, may be, and often is, right under another." Joseph Smith
cinepro wrote:The most "embarrassing" stuff we would find in Joseph's own handwriting might be his letters to his plural wives (or potential plural wives).
Even more embarrassing is when the church uses excerpts of one such letter in countless church publications on the principle of "Happiness," without giving the context. http://www.i4m.com/think/history/smith_letter.htm
• According to Samuel, the Nephites had “sought for happiness in doing iniquity” (Helaman 13:38). Why is it impossible to find true happiness in sin? (See Helaman 13:38; see also Alma 41:10–11.) How can we find true happiness? (In addition to asking for class members’ responses, you may want to read the statement on the next page.) How can we help others find true happiness?
-The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 255–56).
The first paragraph is hilarious if you know what the second paragraph is referring to.
Seven wrote: Even more embarrassing is when the church uses excerpts of one such letter in countless church publications on the principle of "Happiness," without giving the context. http://www.i4m.com/think/history/smith_letter.htm
• According to Samuel, the Nephites had “sought for happiness in doing iniquity” (Helaman 13:38). Why is it impossible to find true happiness in sin? (See Helaman 13:38; see also Alma 41:10–11.) How can we find true happiness? (In addition to asking for class members’ responses, you may want to read the statement on the next page.) How can we help others find true happiness?
-The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 255–56).
The first paragraph is hilarious if you know what the second paragraph is referring to.
LOAP is always squeaking on about "quote mining" and taking text out of context. I'm sure he will be interested in sending a strongly worded letter off to Church headquarters.
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You just can't make this stuff up.. ! LMAO !!
God has the right to create and to destroy, to make like and to kill. He can delegate this authority if he wishes to. I know that can be scary. Deal with it. Nehor.. Nov 08, 2010