"Mormons
are ashamed of their own beliefs," as well as of some of their "doctrines" (if there are any).
Pahoran wrote:I started Seminary in 1970. I, too, heard the "less valiant in the pre-existence" explanation: it was put forward as speculation only, an example of the sorts of things that people said without any revelatory basis. It was specifically explained to me that it was not doctrine.
I was in seminary before you, then. So what. It was not put forward as speculation to me, especially not as bold-italic speculation. It was not an "example of the sorts of things that people said without any revelatory basis." It was taught to us as doctrine. Whether there was a chapter and verse does not matter. Chapters and verses matter when "the change" comes. When a doctrine falls out of repute, evidence of its nondoctrinality includes the absence of references to it by chapter and verse. But doctrines are taught that for which there are no chapter and verse. That's Mormonism. Never was it "explained to"
me nor anyone with whom I discussed it, that it "was not doctrine." You have had a privileged church education, apparently. One quite different from thousands of others of us.
However, it was a belief, right? Whether or not it was "speculative", it was a "belief". And Mormons are ashamed of it. I contend it was a doctrine, but whatever.
Pahoran wrote:Furthermore, this speculation was flatly contradicted by Brigham Young, whom you anti-Mormons love to quote-mine when it suits you, but whom you completely ignore when he doesn't suit you.
If it had been "flatly" contradicted by BY, that should be no surprise. His jabberings are hardly consistent or rational. But he isn't the issue. I only remark about his confused view of doctrines because of his mention here. I wonder why you call me an "anti-Mormon". That's a damned lie. I suppose it suits you to call people who disagree with your views on Mormonism "anti-Mormons". That's okay. I see a lot of that.
You have misapplied the term "quote-mine". You should look up the definition so you can use it correctly in the future. When you do see an actual quote out of context, it would behoove you to supply the context, rather than whimper about how unfair the mean old "anti-Mormons" are being.
I would expect a psychotic to claim special knowledge of what "suits" people with whom they are not very well acquainted, and what does not suit them. I do not believe you have a reference for knowing what genuinely "suits" me and what does not. You're just throwing words out hoping they stick. A method similar to the building up of Mormon "beliefs" in the 1800s perhaps. The Spirit of Mormon Truth rolls on.
Pahoran wrote:How uninformed are you really?
Four and a half. How about you?
With due respect, if you have nothing substantive to say in reply, Have a nice day.
Pahoran wrote:Regards,
Pahoran
In the words of the Secretary of the Twelve,
Best Regards