LDS Church Misrepresents the Truth in FLDS Response

[_asbestosman]

I think the FLDS women were uncomfortable having representatives of the state with them when they prayed.

I think they'd be less comfortable with LDS members present for those prayers.

I think the LDS Church is really making a major misstep on this one. If the Community of Christ needed help, they'd be there. It's a relationship issue, it's wanting to distance from polygamy and not have current members, particularly converts, realize how closely aligned they are.

That may or may not be the case. I'm sure the church wouldn't be happy with converts knowing that other groups simlarly believe the Book of Mormon is true when it is used to help converts believe that the LDS church is true. Obviously then the Book of Mormon and a testimony of Joseph Smith are insufficient for knowing who is right. But I don't see why it's the church's job to say all this to the press in the interest of "full disclosure" or whatever. I think in context the church's response was appropriate. We are not close the the FLDS church, at least not in any significant way that we would be a better "kidney donor" match than some other group for the purpose of letting the FLDS feel comfortable being watched while they pray (not spied on, but still watched).

[_the road to hana]

We are not close the the FLDS church, at least not in any significant way that we would be a better "kidney donor" match than some other group for the purpose of letting the FLDS feel comfortable being watched while they pray (not spied on, but still watched).

I think the only mistake here is in the judge thinking that the LDS would be friendly to the FLDS and want to help in whatever way they could. She can't be faulted for not knowing there was any hostility either direction.

"Buffer" isn't "being watched" or "spying."

Personally, I'd go out there myself if I thought there was anything I could do to ease the situation or help in any way.

You know, over on MADB there were whole threads devoted to how suspicious it was that the Baptists were "helping" (God forbid--they'll try to convert them), and now that the LDS Church, even if just locally, is given an opportunity to help, they balk at it.

Thankfully, other communities locally stepped up to the plate when the state needed them, providing busses, blankets, cots, facilities, food, whatever.

I continue to maintain that the LDS Church has acted wrongly and badly here, and am not likely to change that position. They are their brother's keeper, they are at least partially responsible for the FLDS existing in the first place, and now that there's a problem, they won't do anything. Would they provide food? Blankets? Clothing? Shelter? Financial help? if any of those were requested?

[Analytics]

Would they provide food? Blankets? Clothing? Shelter? Financial help? if any of those were requested?

I would think that those things would be nice, but those are things the FLDS would want. The FLDS probably have no desire for the busses nor for a buffer. I have no idea whether the LDS church would provide those things the FLDS desire and need. I suspect they would and you probably suspect they wouldn't. There's really not much to discuss when it comes to our guesses.

[_the road to hana]

Would they provide food? Blankets? Clothing? Shelter? Financial help? if any of those were requested?

I would think that those things would be nice, but those are things the FLDS would want. The FLDS probably have no desire for the busses nor for a buffer. I have no idea whether the LDS church would provide those things. I suspect they would and you probably suspect they wouldn't. There's really not much to discuss when it comes to our guesses.

The primary point of my thread is that the LDS Church spokesperson misrepresented the truth, as they have continued to do, regarding the FLDS and their relationship to the LDS Church.

My point about their not stepping up to the plate is secondary.

[_asbestosman]

The primary point of my thread is that the LDS Church spokesperson misrepresented the truth, as they have continued to do, regarding the FLDS and their relationship to the LDS Church.

Ah, well in that case:
I'm sure the church wouldn't be happy with converts knowing that other groups simlarly believe the Book of Mormon is true when it is used to help converts believe that the LDS church is true. Obviously then the Book of Mormon and a testimony of Joseph Smith are insufficient for knowing who is right. But I don't see why it's the church's job to say all this to the press in the interest of "full disclosure" or whatever. I think in context the church's response was appropriate. We are not close the the FLDS church, at least not in any significant way that we would be a better "kidney donor" match than some other group for the purpose of letting the FLDS feel comfortable being monitored while they pray.

(note how I replaced the "watched" with "monitored").

[_the road to hana]

The primary point of my thread is that the LDS Church spokesperson misrepresented the truth, as they have continued to do, regarding the FLDS and their relationship to the LDS Church.

Ah, well in that case:
I'm sure the church wouldn't be happy with converts knowing that other groups simlarly believe the Book of Mormon is true when it is used to help converts believe that the LDS church is true. Obviously then the Book of Mormon and a testimony of Joseph Smith are insufficient for knowing who is right. But I don't see why it's the church's job to say all this to the press in the interest of "full disclosure" or whatever. I think in context the church's response was appropriate. We are not close the the FLDS church, at least not in any significant way that we would be a better "kidney donor" match than some other group for the purpose of letting the FLDS feel comfortable being monitored while they pray.

(note how I replaced the "watched" with "monitored").

I think if you look collectively at all statements the LDS Church has issued regarding the FLDS Church, or polygamous groups, from the beginning, you'll see a pattern of misleading the press and the public, if not outright misstating fact.

[_asbestosman]

I think if you look collectively at all statements the LDS Church has issued regarding the FLDS Church, or polygamous groups, from the beginning, you'll see a pattern of misleading the press and the public, if not outright misstating fact.

Did we have any examples in this thread, or was this case merely the proverbial straw which broke the camel's back?

I already conceded possible reasons why the church doesn't want to be closely associated that group. I'm just not sure that this one case was actually deceptive--at least not by itself.

[_beastie]

I'm suspicious of the whole thing. I tend to think the FLDS just want to meet privately so they can tell their kids what to say.

[_the road to hana]

I'm suspicious of the whole thing. I tend to think the FLDS just want to meet privately so they can tell their kids what to say.

Absolutely.

The point was they claimed to want to pray in private. It's not like the state of Texas can pull in more FLDS to pray with them. They thought (erroneously) that LDS could be a compromise solution.

Heck, I'd even go sit with them when they pray, if that's what it would take.

OK, I should be a spokesman for the LDS Church. Here's what I'd say instead of Scott Trotter's comments above:

The LDS Church has a long and complicated history with various splinter groups that have arisen from the time of Joseph Smith, including some which continue the practice of polygamy long after the LDS Church officially ceased the practice in 1890. As a result, not all relationships between the various groups are amicable, and some are marked by mutual distrust. While we respect the great challenges that the state of Texas and the judge in this case are facing in dealing with the many complex issues involved, we do not feel we would be the best choice to act in any way that is perceived to be intervening in this case.

[_tortdog]

Why would the FLDS want the LDS church to monitor prayers for the FLDS when the LDS church excommunicated them and/or their ancestors?

Seems the LDS Church is at minimum hostile to the FLDS.