Elder Andersen, I plead with you to stop making statements that drive families apart with fear. Instead, help us remove unnecessary wedges between sincere truth seekers and their loved ones. As an organization that claims ultimate truth, the church needs to move beyond it’s fear of accurate historical information and shunning of those who doubt the claims of Mormonism as a result. Please, use your influence to encourage the church to be a place where families can be accepting and loving of all, regardless of ones faith or doubt. I take exception with you advising my family and friends that my pointing out Joseph Smith’s humanity should make them fear conversing with me. Why should sincere seekers of truth fear accurate information? In the January 2014 Ensign James E Talmage was quoted as saying, “The man who cannot listen to an argument which opposes his views either has a weak position or is a weak defender of it. No opinion that cannot stand discussion or criticism is worth holding. Elder Andersen described sincere seekers who experience doubt after discovering uncomfortable truths about the prophet Joseph Smith as being misled by “half truths and subtle deceptions.” He implied that those whose doubts have led them out of the church are the worst of traitors saying that, “Studying the church through the eyes of its defectors is like interviewing Judas to understand Jesus.” What stronger message could he send to members than comparing their doubting loved ones to the man who betrayed the Savior himself?
Posted on: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 15:39:33 +0000
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