tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26195116.post115489434425880499..comments2023-10-25T01:42:21.023-07:00Comments on The Fork in the Road: Bob Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01011901559691393063noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26195116.post-1155557584314507502006-08-14T05:13:00.000-07:002006-08-14T05:13:00.000-07:00I should clarify that he didn't tell me what to re...I should clarify that he didn't tell me what to read. He merely suggested that my study should remain centered on the standard works and not on other people's writings. For those not familiar with LDS-speak the standard works are the bible, the Book of Mormon, a book of "revelations" on church government called the Doctrine and Covenants, and the books of Abraham and Moses, which are other things Joseph Smith claimed were revealed to him. "Centered" doesn't mean "don't read other things". Just that the primary emphasis should be on a prayerful study of the scriptures, with other things being secondary.<BR/><BR/> Although he didn't make this point himself I'm assuming what he was trying to get across is that the scriptures are a more reliable source of truth than other books, and I don't dispute this. Even if they are not really truth, they are primary sources for what Joseph Smith taught and felt God was saying to him, and primary sources are going to be more accurate than other people's interpretations of them.Bob Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01011901559691393063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26195116.post-1155060219717051312006-08-08T11:03:00.000-07:002006-08-08T11:03:00.000-07:00CF,Did you ask the SP how he resolved the issues w...CF,<BR/><BR/>Did you ask the SP how he resolved the issues with the Book of Abraham. I've not seen a persuasive argument for the divine inspiration of that book from any apologist yet. I'd like to know how he came to grips with it, if he in fact knows the salient facts that demonstrate clearly that the Book of Abraham is not what the Church purports it to be.<BR/><BR/>Overall, I can see how you would think this was a positive meeting, given some of the horro stories with which we are all familiar. But I find disturbing his counsel that you not lead the youth astray. I would ask, "who is leading the youth astray?" To answer my own question, I think it would be those who try to keep the youth in the dark about the true history of the church while teaching falsehoods as gospel truth. Those who teach our youth falsehoods are the ones leading them astray--at least astray from the path of truth.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26195116.post-1154968332294722932006-08-07T09:32:00.000-07:002006-08-07T09:32:00.000-07:00Another thought or two. 1) It had not occurred t...Another thought or two. 1) It had not occurred to me that "standard works" meant only approved LDS books. I'm not accustomed to having defined for me what is approved or not approved for reading. I don't think that I approve of that idea. 2) Sounded like the SP has had his own troubles with some of the doctrines and issue, but has made his own accomodation with that. In other words there is stuff he doesn't believe either, he just doesn't talk about it. This reminds me of a priest that I once knew who spouted the Catholic line, but told me in private that he really didn't buy any of it. So why was he a priest then. He wanted to do good works for others. How about the SP where does he fall in that regard?<BR/>Well anyway, sounds like you've been given some room to explore for the time being. .....RoomateAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26195116.post-1154960845294248792006-08-07T07:27:00.000-07:002006-08-07T07:27:00.000-07:00I'm not a regular commenter on your blog but I cau...I'm not a regular commenter on your blog but I caught this on a blog aggregator I set up and thought I'd comment.<BR/><BR/>I think the Stake President is, like the last comment said, trying to prevent you from pursuing truth, even if it is in a subtle fashion. By discouraging you from reading books other than the "standard works" he is basically trying to limit your sources of information. One of the key ways oppressive leaders and groups maintain their control over those they are oppressing is by limiting information. <BR/><BR/>On my own journey out of Mormonism I slowly became aware of the huge amounts of good, scholarly information that was not contained in the "standard works." Much of that scholarly information was very influential in my decision to leave (e.g., D. Michael Quinn's work, Armand Mauss's work, David John Buerger, Dan Vogel, etc.). I highly recommend you DO NOT follow your Stake President's advice on this point! If staying within Mormonism is the right path for you, then why should reading outside sources of information be a problem? If "truth" is "truth," why will external information sources be a problem.<BR/><BR/>I say, "seek truth wherever you can and keep that which is verifiably true." Any group or religion that discourages the seeking of truth does not warrant my adherence!<BR/><BR/>Just my two bits!exmoronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15685991239589498237noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26195116.post-1154896487665341322006-08-06T13:34:00.000-07:002006-08-06T13:34:00.000-07:00I'm glad that it went better than you expected. Y...I'm glad that it went better than you expected. You may not want a critical perspective on what you describe, so here's what I see in your comments, framed in a general way. I do not doubt the sincerity of your SP's remarks, but they seem intended to preempt and reduce whatever dissonance you may experience. For example, take the idea that you should bear testimony of the things you know and that will be helpful to others. What we know in studies of attitudes is that this will shape your unspoken ideas in the sense that you'll consider them to be less important than you otherwise would. Maybe that's a good thing, or maybe it isn't. It reminds me of the idea that not all that is true is useful. (Isn't it Packer who said that?)<BR/><BR/>Best wishes for a good journey, where ever it may lead.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26195116.post-1154896172322207312006-08-06T13:29:00.000-07:002006-08-06T13:29:00.000-07:00This is an exciting post. I'm so happy for you th...This is an exciting post. I'm so happy for you that your meeting went this way. It really is great that you are free to explore without sanction. Roomate...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com