• In total there are 2 users online :: 0 registered, 0 hidden and 2 guests (based on users active over the past 60 minutes)
    Most users ever online was 789 on Tue Mar 19, 2024 5:08 am

Ch. 11: Greater than the Truth: Mormonism's Ever-changing History

#123: Sept. - Nov. 2013 (Non-Fiction)
User avatar
Chris OConnor

1A - OWNER
BookTalk.org Hall of Fame
Posts: 17019
Joined: Sun May 05, 2002 2:43 pm
21
Location: Florida
Has thanked: 3511 times
Been thanked: 1309 times
Gender:
Contact:
United States of America

Ch. 11: Greater than the Truth: Mormonism's Ever-changing History

Unread post

Ch. 11: Greater than the Truth: Mormonism's Ever-changing History
User avatar
heledd
Doctorate
Posts: 508
Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 4:47 am
12
Has thanked: 45 times
Been thanked: 117 times

Re: Ch. 11: Greater than the Truth: Mormonism's Ever-changing History

Unread post

The more I read, the more incredulous I become. But the 'Mountain Meadows Massacre' is sickening beyond belief
Life's a glitch and then you die - The Simpsons
ginof
Sophomore
Posts: 259
Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2004 11:06 am
20
Location: San Francisco, CA
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 15 times

Re: Ch. 11: Greater than the Truth: Mormonism's Ever-changing History

Unread post

heledd wrote:The more I read, the more incredulous I become. But the 'Mountain Meadows Massacre' is sickening beyond belief
ain't that the truth?

What I also found sad was the ends that are executed to cover the truth (not just about the massacre). The border on the pathetic (publishing a critique of a book you never read) to the chilling. But I don't think these should be a surprise to anyone familiar with the history of almost any church. I think the people who are apt to believe in something "just because" are not the type of people who want what they believe in to change. I think it would be too shocking to their life philosophy to have someone tell them what they believed all along had changed, regardless of the reason.
just thinking (I hope)
ginof
Sophomore
Posts: 259
Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2004 11:06 am
20
Location: San Francisco, CA
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 15 times

Re: Ch. 11: Greater than the Truth: Mormonism's Ever-changing History

Unread post

And an inquisition, too!

Wow, it too the Catholics over 1000 years to get to that point. The Momon's did it in less than 40! Very advanced!
just thinking (I hope)
youkrst

1F - BRONZE CONTRIBUTOR
One with Books
Posts: 2752
Joined: Thu Dec 30, 2010 4:30 am
13
Has thanked: 2280 times
Been thanked: 727 times

Re: Ch. 11: Greater than the Truth: Mormonism's Ever-changing History

Unread post

ginof wrote:And an inquisition, too!

Wow, it too the Catholics over 1000 years to get to that point. The Momon's did it in less than 40! Very advanced!
:lol: :evil: :lol:

yes, i have to constantly look away because i can only take so much "ugly and stupid" in one glance, then when it descends into "evil and cruel" well it's hard to even look back. amazing how an experience (life) that can be so delightful can be rendered so unbearable by deception.

when i think about all the joy that could have been there where the tears screams and horrors were, well it doesn't bear dwelling on.
User avatar
KayR
Float like a butterfly, post like a bee!
Posts: 55
Joined: Sat Sep 28, 2013 8:26 pm
10
Has thanked: 12 times
Been thanked: 15 times
United States of America

Re: Ch. 11: Greater than the Truth: Mormonism's Ever-changing History

Unread post

I wonder if the notion of "exceptionalism" is as pervasive in other cultures as it is in our own. I remember the arguments over setting standards for the history curriculum--some of those arguments could have been written by Apostle Packer. Where does this idea that history is supposed to inspire and uplift come from? Do we argue that the purpose of mathematics is to amuse? That science is to make us feel cozy and comfortable? Or that spelling should make us feel creative and enterprising?
I'd like to see how German textbooks treat the Holocaust, or Japanese textbooks treat Japan's imperialism during WWII.
ginof
Sophomore
Posts: 259
Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2004 11:06 am
20
Location: San Francisco, CA
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 15 times

Re: Ch. 11: Greater than the Truth: Mormonism's Ever-changing History

Unread post

my understanding is that the idea of "exceptionalism" is/was much more pervasive in the United States than other modern countries. Particularly in the mid to late 1800's.

Modern Italy (formed in the Mid 1800's) definitely did not think of itself that way. And perhaps never has! :-)
just thinking (I hope)
User avatar
KayR
Float like a butterfly, post like a bee!
Posts: 55
Joined: Sat Sep 28, 2013 8:26 pm
10
Has thanked: 12 times
Been thanked: 15 times
United States of America

Re: Ch. 11: Greater than the Truth: Mormonism's Ever-changing History

Unread post

ginof wrote
Modern Italy (formed in the Mid 1800's) definitely did not think of itself that way.
And if anyone has an exceptional history, you'd think the descendants of Rome would make the claim. And yet, we seem to miss that obvious example that history splays out before us: exceptionalism isn't an intrinsic trait. Do we think we are exceptional because 230 years ago certain intellectuals on the eastern seaboard decided to experiment with a new form of government? Or is it that we are exceptional because we have invested in the largest military force the world has ever seen? Or are we exceptional because a small portion of our population has been educated and provided access to resources that enabled them to be innovative and creative? The Mormon tendency to selective memory and their willingness to turn a blind eye on unpleasant facts from the past seem to be American traits.
User avatar
Cattleman
Way Beyond Awesome
Posts: 1141
Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2012 9:19 pm
11
Location: Texas
Has thanked: 474 times
Been thanked: 507 times

Re: Ch. 11: Greater than the Truth: Mormonism's Ever-changing History

Unread post

Want to know something really scary? When I lived in Salt Lake City, I talked with a gentleman (either a non-Mormon ro an ex-Mormon) who informed me that the Mountain Meadows Massacre was only the worst and most publicized one many. His words were something to the effect of "How to you think they built up the area so fast?" He claimed that many small wagon trains, or individual wagons were raided by Mormons disguised as Indians. Guess it is easy to blame everything on the evil Lamanites.
Love what you do, and do what you love. Don't listen to anyone else who tells you not to do it. -Ray Bradbury

Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done, and why. Then do it. -Robert A. Heinlein
Post Reply

Return to “The Complete Heretic's Guide to Western Religion: The Mormons - by David Fitzgerald”