Biggest threat to the Church

[_thews]

The biggest threat Stem, is the truth. Think about these gems most Mormons know nothing about...

1) The Book of Mormon was translated with some magic seer stones owned by Joseph Smith before the Book of Mormon out of a stove-pipe hat. That is the truth. Slice it and dice it six ways till Tuesday, but make no mistake this is the truth.

2) The Book of Abraham is translated incorrectly. If what you need is an argument from silence based on what isn't (supposed "lost" scroll), you disregard what is. What we have is wrong... 100% wrong. What Joseph Smith "translated" was wrong... end.

3) There isn't any evidence anywhere to make a paltry 1% argument that it fits with the historicity of Joseph Smith's story. It's all BS Stem... that's why the null hypothesis is constantly proven to be on the side of Mormonism being a myth based on the facts... and that's because it is a myth when the facts are acknowledged.

So Stem, keep parroting what you're told to believe, but cut the BS already that you buy this logic. If you disagree, give me actual arguments that the above three points are untrue.

[_Inconceivable]

The biggest threat Stem, is the truth.

Not only that, but teaching members from a very young age that they must be honest and choose the right - ie. do what is right let the consequence follow..

Just as I memorized and taught investigators in Oz so long ago: "when we know what is true, we are more likely to do what is right"

[_jon]

The biggest threat to the Church (the thing that prevents conversions and causes resignations and inactivity) is, in my opinion, quite simply the truth.

Mormonism, it's history and beliefs, do not stand up under the spotlight of scrutiny.

[_Yoda]

I can see how it can be seen that "middle Way" members could be a threat to the church, even if I disagree that any of them in particular are threats.

But to me the biggest threat to the Church are the arrogant, self-righteous, blatantly hypocritical jerks who I tend to find at church from time to time. Sincere, polite, thoughtful middle way, or cafeteria types (still trying to figure what that all entails) are far less problematic in my mind, and in many cases are probably beneficial in a lot of ways, than the jerks who self-identify as TBM. I'm not talking about all TBMs of course.

Let's just say I'm in somewhat of a mood today.

Love your post, Stem! I absolutely agree.

Care to enlighten us on anything in particular that "put you in a mood"? Maybe a Sunday incident?

[_Kishkumen]

What is this middle way all about anyway? Are they advocating moderation in all things or something else?

It is basically a way to find peace within the Church after you have come to doubt or reject significant aspects of the doctrine, etc. Like a number of people here, these folks usually have LDS families, LDS communities, and LDS colleagues at work. Just punting the whole thing would not be a practical choice.

And, there are those who still like their culture and heritage enough not to want to throw everything out altogether.

[_Joseph]

"But to me the biggest threat to the Church are the arrogant, self-righteous, blatantly hypocritical jerks who I tend to find at church from time to time."
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like blemnuts, bspace and some of their kind on here?

[_stemelbow]

"But to me the biggest threat to the Church are the arrogant, self-righteous, blatantly hypocritical jerks who I tend to find at church from time to time."
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like blemnuts, bspace and some of their kind on here?

I hate to sound rude, but since you are so often prone to put up your dukes, I'll have to give way to instinct here. No, Joseph, the ones I'm talking about come off more like you do here, than anyone else. There, you set yourself up one too many times. I said it.