Archive for March, 2006
And the winner is…
The Restoration of the Priesthood has beaten the Book of Mormon in a poll of the most influential forces in today’s Mormonism. The final vote was 18-13. I would like to thank everyone who participated.
So, does this tell us anything interesting? Also, any suggestions for the return of Historical Mormon Smackdown next week?
4 comments March 30, 2006
March Mormon Doctrine Madness: The Championship Game!
Here it is. Your votes have determined that these are the two most influential forces in Mormonism today.
1 – The Book of Mormon vs. 11 – Restoration of the Priesthood
Vote and Comment below!
14 comments March 29, 2006
March Mormon Doctrine Madness: Final Four winners!
And the winners are:
11 Restoration of Priesthood Authority 21
1 Joseph Smith 17
1 The Book of Mormon 26
6 Sacrament Meeting 10
So, the championship game tomorrow will be
1 The Book of Mormon vs. 11 Restoration of Priesthood Authority
Maybe this means good things for George Mason.
4 comments March 28, 2006
March Mormon Doctrine Madness: Final Four
1 Joseph Smith vs. 11 Restoration of Priesthood Authority
1 Book of Mormon vs. 6 Sacrament Meeting
Vote and comment! Please!
8 comments March 27, 2006
March Mormon Doctrine Madness: Final Four announcement [corrected]
The Elite Eight results are:
1 – Joseph Smith 23
9 – Gordon B. Hinckley 22
11 – Restoration of Priesthood Authority 24
12 – Saving Ordinances 11
1 – The Book of Mormon 31
8 – The 2nd Official Declaration 4
6 – Sacrament Meeting 26
10 – Relief Society 7
The final four matches are:
1 Joseph Smith vs. 11 Restoration of Priesthood Authority
1 Book of Mormon vs. 6 Sacrament Meeting
Wow! That Joseph Smith/Gordon B. Hinckley match came down to the wire (overtime, even)
[edited to reflect the actual bracket]
Also, after yesterday’s games, I suddenly don’t feel so bad about having an 11 seed make the final.
March 26, 2006
March Mormon Doctrine Madness: We need your votes
The Joseph Smith/Gordon B. Hinckley race is a tie. Do not let it be so! The race is extended until tomorrow.
March 25, 2006
March Mormon Doctrine Madness: Elite Eight
1 – Joseph Smith vs. 9 – Gordon B. Hinckley
11 – Restoration of Priesthood Authority vs. 12 – Saving Ordinances
1 – The Book of Mormon vs. 8 – The 2nd Official Declaration
6 – Sacrament Meeting vs. 10 – Relief Society
Please Vote and Comment Below!
13 comments March 24, 2006
Free will, rocks, and Camus
Since we are all in an uproar regarding free will (see here, here, and here), I’ll toss my idea into the mix. Hypothetically, I am a compatibilist.
In this I mean that, hypothetically, I could see the material aspects of our selves and the world in which we find ourselves as sufficiently influential as to determine some or all of our actions. I am willing to see this as being the way that the God has established the world (or that this is the way it is always set up). In this, I am suggesting that the material world may be designed to bring people to a point wherein they have to make a decision regarding their interaction with God.
In my mind, Camus’s famous essay, The Myth of Sisyphus, is quite helpful. Although Sisyphus has no control over his fate, he is allowed control over his own will. The will is Sisyphus’s alone and, in the essay, he chooses to make his fate his choice, creating an existential hero.
I am saying that it is possible to be a compatibilist if you allow people this one act of free will: whether or not they will submit to the will of God. That act, in similitude of Christ’s act of submission, may be our one true use of free will.
14 comments March 23, 2006
March Mormon Doctrine Madness: Sweet Sixteen wrap-up
I am writing up proposals and applications at the moment, so things have been too hectic of late to keep every thing straight at MMDM headquarters. As a result, I forgot to close the polls yesterday. So, today is the break between the Sweet Sixteen and the Elite Eight. Friday will be the Elite Eight games. Monday will be the Final Four. Wednesday will still be the championship game.
Are you all with me?
Yesterday’s results:
9 – Gordon B. Hinckley 25
11 – Hugh W. Nibley 2
11 – Restoration of Priesthood Authority 19
9 – Word of Wisdom 7
8 – The 2nd Official Declaration 16
11 – Mormon Doctrine 9
6 – Sacrament Meeting 16
4 – Temple Building 10
So, the Elite Eight matches are: (more…)
4 comments March 23, 2006
Six Easy Steps to Becoming an “Expert” Anti-Mormon
1. Don’t read the Book of Mormon. Indeed, this can only inform the anti-Mormon about its true content. Doctrines will be discovered, insights will be obtained, and most importantly, the spirit might be felt while reading it. If one does feel something divine within its pages, put the book down immediately, fight the feelings inside, and do something else. Make a loud noise, clap your hands, kick the dog; anything to avoid seeing something divine before you. Instead of reading the Book of Mormon and subjecting yourself to its childish 19th-century dogmatic interpolations, pick up a book or pamphlet about the Book of Mormon, especially if written by a non-Mormon, because of course only the non-Mormon can be totally objective about its message and content. By extension, don’t read the D&C or PofGP either. This will only add to the confusion and madness. Stay informed about the book, just don’t read it. Or just read your Bible. After all, the Bible is God’s word, and is a perfectly believable book with no strange stories, characters, or incredible situations, unlike that weird Book of Mormon (see #6 for more).
2. Avoid original sources. Why plough through thousands of pages of Joseph Smith’s journals, the Journal of Discourses, or other autobiographical sources when you can just pick up a perfectly decent abridgment of all this material by such noteworthies as Ed Decker or Jerald & Sandra Tanner? These folks are reliable and objective in their research, and after all, they were Mormons at one time! So that means that they undoubtedly know their stuff and have no malicious agenda whatsoever—they’re totally objective! Original sources cannot possibly reflect the reality behind the situations they describe, especially sources produced by the Mormons. Original sources will only slow you down and misdirect your research.
3. McConkie’s thoughts = everyone’s thoughts. First off, if you really want to know the ins and outs of Mormon doctrine, just buy the book by that very name! A book by any other name just isn’t the same. Surely a volume with such a name as “Mormon Doctrine” contains exactly what the title purports – an exhaustive and authoritative treatment of the doctrine of the Mormon church. And don’t be tricked into thinking that the ideas expressed in Mormon Doctrine are outdated, biased, or non-representative. Every Mormon reveres this guy (he was, after all, one of their apostles!), and they all adhere to this book like the Book of Mormon itself. This book should be your most valuable tool in learning about the Mormons. It’s handy, too. It’s arranged just like a dictionary. Just pick the doctrine you want to know about, turn to it, and voi-la, you’re an expert on Mormonism.
4. Don’t stay current. Avoid reading Journal of Mormon History, Dialogue Journal, or others. These works are mostly written by Mormon outcasts and gays who are well on their way to becoming Protestants or atheists anyway. They certainly have an ax to grind, so reading this material might actually lead you to think that Mormons think differently among themselves, which is surely not the case. They all conform to the “prophet,” dontchya know? Staying current might actually alert you to upcoming trends in defense of Mormonism, which should only be handled by experts (like your pastor or local “professional” counter-cultist). Staying current will also take time away from reading Mormon Doctrine or one of the Tanner’s books/pamphlets.
5. Consult outside sources. Never, ever ask a Mormon about Mormonism. They’ll only tell you what you want to hear, make themselves sound much less cultish than they really are, or try to pass themselves off as people who worship the same God that you do. This could lead to a friendly invitation to a church basketball game, barbecue, or a “family night” at the Mormon’s house. Avoid these activities, for there the Mormon will try to seduce you into their fold with nice words and a bowl of green jello. Always go to “professionals” for the answers.
6. Ignore hypocrisy. It’s best not to bring up beliefs or problems of faith that you share with the Mormons. Don’t mention difficulties in translating ancient texts. Don’t mention that the KJV, the long-time English language standard Bible, talks of anachronisms like steel bows, domesticated animals before they were domesticated, etc. Avoid discussing difficult aspects in any system of belief – the nature of God, revelation, life after death, etc. Don’t talk to the Mormon about the patristic writings, and how some of the early church fathers discussed such issues as a corporeal deity, eternal nature of souls, human deification, or a pre-mortal life. Don’t talk about how some of the writers of the New Testament used and abused Old Testament passages for their own exegetical agendas. Don’t talk about how the Christian Church has been manipulated by its leaders through the ages, especially such topics like the Crusades or the Inquisition, because for all it’s ugliness, the Christian Church is the imperfect perfection. Showing respect or “faith envy” for the Mormons leads to nowhere.
So there you have it. Becoming an “expert” anti-Mormon is much easier than one might think. Following these simple steps, you’ll be well on your way to becoming an “expert” anti-Mormon.
15 comments March 22, 2006
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