Blown Away by Church History? Get Real!
I remember the first time I learned some of the challenging aspects of church history. The massacre at Mountain Meadows, details of polygamy, multiple accounts of the first vision, and etc. I felt doubt stirring in my mind and heart. It was painful, but short lived.[1]
On reflection, I now realize I assumed the Lord's appearing to Joseph Smith meant the Lord was there 24/7 guiding the restoration. Consequently there could be no imperfections in the establishment of the church, or in the lives of those who carried the work forward, therefore church history would be uncomplicated and without blemish.
One Part Faith, Seven Parts Doubt-A Recipe to Reduce Faith and Maintain Doubt
The ratio of faith to doubt is what I have on my mind as I write. Faith and doubt are topics that make up much of what is written in the Bloggernacle. I got to thinking the other day about the ratio of post and comments in the Bloggernacle that feed our faith and/or our doubt. I don't have any idea what the actual ratio is, but I came up with 1 to 7. It seems to me that for every post and comment that builds faith there are 7 that foster doubt.
There is plenty of anti-Mormon material on the internet, and there is also ample doubter material as well. Anti-Mormon material, as a rule, is presented by non-members and doubter material, based on my observation in the Bloggernacle, is offered by church members, many who appear to be active members who hold positions of influence in their Wards and Stakes.
“…Ye Ask Not, Neither Do Ye Knock; Wherefore Ye are Not Brought into the Light…”
If we desire to learn the gospel of Jesus Christ we need to study it like we would any other subject. The familiar process of reading, attending class, writing, and discussing will allow us to acquire information. However, there is a difference between knowledge and understanding. Knowledge is to understanding, what an acorn is to an Oak tree.
Years ago I attended a series of lectures where the Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha, the Bible, and the Book of Mormon were discussed. I later learned that some of the scholars who lectured were agnostic. This surprised me. I was hard pressed to understand how someone could spend their life studying these subjects and never experience the things of the spirit.
Hugh Nibley Meets with the “Swearing Elders”–A Group of Liberal Mormons
Maybe the term "liberal mormon" got it start with a group of men who were referred to as the "swearing elders". If anyone knows for sure please let me know.
This is an interesting story, but the reason I am presenting it is to make it clear to all that Hugh Nibley was a testimony bearing member of the church, first, and foremost.
Following is a quote from: Hugh Nibley: A Consecrated Life, p. 160.