Request to RFM and Bill Reel - Episode on Mosaic of Problematic Mormon History
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2019 9:51 am
Dear consiglieri,
I think it would be fantastic if you and Bill Reel put together an episode (or multi-part episode) that would act as a mosaic in covering the problematic points of Mormon history from the beginning to the present time. Would love to hear you and Bill highlight what you believe to be the most important and problematic points of each piece of the mosaic. I think this could be a classic for those traveling the rabbit hole or referring open minded TBMs in exploring some of the critical points of history that drive people away from the church.
I'll suggest some candidate pieces of the mosaic, and I'm sure you could get many more and possibly better points from contributors to this forum.
Cheers,
Arcturus
Beginning the mosaic:
I think it would be fantastic if you and Bill Reel put together an episode (or multi-part episode) that would act as a mosaic in covering the problematic points of Mormon history from the beginning to the present time. Would love to hear you and Bill highlight what you believe to be the most important and problematic points of each piece of the mosaic. I think this could be a classic for those traveling the rabbit hole or referring open minded TBMs in exploring some of the critical points of history that drive people away from the church.
I'll suggest some candidate pieces of the mosaic, and I'm sure you could get many more and possibly better points from contributors to this forum.
Cheers,
Arcturus
Beginning the mosaic:
- The Smith family connection to Dartmouth and the borrowing of Dartmouth theology (Behrens 2006)
- Messy timeline of burned over district which catalyzed Joseph's search for truth (see this forum: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4401)
- Treasure digging (Melonakos interview on MS)
- First vision accounts
- BofM translation process and similarity to some concurrent literature
- Joseph's attempt to sell the BofM
- Fanny Alger
- Messy priesthood restoration timeline and Whitmer reaction
- Swedenborgism and Mormon afterlife theology
- Polygamy
- Masonry/temple
- Council of 50 (Grant Palmer's last interviews on MS
- Mormons persecuting locals (challenge the popular notion of Mormons' being victims of persecution
- Printing press destruction and Carthage
- Martyrdom
- Samuel Smith timely passing
- BY's supposed transfiguration (Van Wagoner 1995 Dialogue article)
- Apostolic Coup-D-Etat
- BY's wealth
- BY's Adam-God doctrine
- BY's blood atonement doctrine
- BY being a first-rate a**hole (treatment of employees, favoritism with wives)
- Mountain Meadows
- BY's suspicious death
- John Taylor's revelation from Christ on polygamy being eternal
- Timeliness/convenience of first manifesto
- Second manifesto
- Adam-God coverup
- Multiple first vision accounts coverup
- Ronald E. Poelman 1984 coverup
- Changes to barbaric temple rituals
- POX and Christofferson's lack of involvement in policy (interview with Greg Prince)
- POX overturning
- Mormonism's wealth and <1% charitable contributions (Mormon Wikileaks)