NOM

One of the problems with LDS history and doctrine is words change meanings. I've been researching the period when Martin Harris lost the 116 pages. We also hear that Joseph lost (or the angel took them)the urim and thummim, except we still don't know if that means the breastplate and/or glasses, th...

I think Denver Snuffer takes over. All kidding aside I am guessing that they do the 2 plane travel plan, stagger arrival times, and I would also imagine that they schedule travel times so somebody from the 12 is away from SLC at any given time so if we get nuked or the COB gets toppled in an earthqu...

FiveFinger, apparently they've kept that option when paying to SLC to keep the amount anonymous? If for some reason I ever did go back and needed a TR, I'd pay on surplus and direct to SL. I set mine up a long time ago (maybe 5-6 years ago) and at the time they honored the request not to send the i...

At first I convinced the wife that surplus tithing was the way to go but eventually my disgust led to saying I would no longer pay. She continues to pay "her" tithing on half our previous surplus amount which is pretty arbitrary anyway. We do anonymous bill pay to SLC. She has no income so it's stil...

Why was it only Ballard and not Oaks and Eyring with Nelson?

Maybe they didn't want Eyring photographed with mouth agape.

[emoji848]

This forum post is making me hungry!

I thought this interview was good and the book sounds fascinating. Marshall Brooks is a nevermo cultural anthropologist who embedded himself in both the active lds and exmo communities to study them after his family moved to Utah. https://janariess.religionnews.com/2019/02/28/understanding-ex-mormons/

Looks like our church isn't the only one to have miraculous items saved during church fires:

https://kutv.com/news/nation-world/bibl ... hurch-fire

If this list is true, we are 30 years or less to becoming CoC.

Yep I can't shake the feeling I will never fit in with the gentile crowd. Lost in social wastelands like Moses in the wilderness.

I wouldn't necessarily use history rather I think observed phenomenon and personal experience would be my go to. Primarily the failure of exclusive priesthood to heal and lack of other miracles in modern times vs those myths we read in the scriptures. Second would be my discomfort with the "one true...

Into part 4 now, but I’m taking a sanity break. Jim keeps using “presentism” as an excuse for why we don’t understand polygamy. Presentism is judging past actions, beliefs, attitudes, etc. based on our modern sensibilities and understanding. I don’t see how presentism fits into this; people were ju...

Dang, they sure out-Jospehed Joseph. The Kirtland Anti-Banking scheme pales in comparison to this. Still, they have not out cobbed the COB! TSCC hides it's investments a bit better by making the 15 drive modest cars, live in smaller mansions and borrow the Huntsman jet for most of their trips. Just...

This is a pretty noteworthy story:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... ofits.html

I once brought up all sorts of Campbellite material to Bill that showed a direct connection and he blew me off as if the evidence was weak. I don't think Bill is highly educated in this area of religious doctrinal borrowing unfortunately. He was more interested in rock magic. Yeah this is definitel...

Has anyone read "Educated" by Tara Westover? Looks like it has some gems about survivalist anti-gov anti-vax mindset prominent in some areas of the Mormon corridor (Idaho) and how a young woman escapes the family worldview through education. Educated: A Memoir https://www.amazon.com/dp/0399590501/re...

I agree. Jim Bennett comes across as more reasonable than a McConkie, but he sets the bar too low to sustain the usual General conference speech. Bill Reel, who is often sharp as a tack, picks some odd points to emphasize. Saying Moses 1 is a ripoff of Matthew 4 doesn't seem as helpful as to bring ...

I have so many friends who aren't religious at all who have happy, healthy marriages, and happy, successful kids. Church is not required. This is a bigger cause of cogdis than church history facts in my opinion. At least it was for me. Watching my former active friends live better more fulfilling l...

I'm in mid-listen. I'm confused about something. At about the 30 minute mark Bill discusses asking Hauglid about his comment on Vogel's Facebook page. At this point I get an Emergency Broadcast System announcement. I'm assuming this was intentionally added to cover up some of the discussion (I don'...

I enjoyed it! Good job explaining in simple terms the hoopla around the dating of certain chapters for the BOA and why that matters to the apologetics. Also enjoyed the feedback from Brian Hauglid.