During my time as an undergraduate geology student at Brigham Young University (B.S. 1984), the “days of Peleg” (Gen. 10:25) came up more than once. I fondly recall Professors Morris Peterson, Ken Hamblin, Lehi Hintze and others chatting with us students around campfires during geology field trips. I recall them making the point that there were better interpretations than the highly creative interpretation that it was the continents which were divided during the days of Peleg. These professors were the ones that first introduced me to the plainer understanding that “divided” was more likely intended to communicate a political reality that has continued uninterrupted to this day — that boundary lines or borders between tribes were established. They reinforced the fact that there is little biblical and no physical evidence to go out on a geological limb to claim that Gen. 10:25 refers to a catastrophic episode of continental drift.
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Does the Church Control Members?
One of the perennial debates that springs is how much control the Church exercises over its members. Ever since the early days of the Church, critics have charged that the Church exercises an inordinate amount of control over its members in their daily lives. Even today we hear resurgent claims that “when the prophet has spoken, the thinking is done” (which sentiment has been roundly denounced by—of all things—a prophet over 60 years ago) and the concept that Mormons are somehow brainwashed. (This last charge is particularly prevalent among those who need, for whatever reason, to classify Mormonism as a cult.)
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FAIR Puts Together Prop 8 Information Page
The Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR) launched a new webpage about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) and California Proposition 8. The passage of California Proposition 8 during the November 2008 election has generated a number of criticisms of the LDS Church regarding a variety of issues including the separation of church and state, accusations of bigotry, and the rights of a non-profit organization to participate in the democratic process. This page documents the events leading up to and resulting from the effort to pass California Proposition 8 as they relate to Latter-day Saints. Your comments on the webpage are welcome.
Post Prop 8 election blues
It is interesting to see the reaction against Mormons now that the election is over. There are protests at the Temples, a chapel in Orangevale was vandalized, and a boycott on Utah has been called.
During the election, there was even an anti-Mormon commercial that shows Mormon Missionaries invading a home and pawing through women’s underwear to find a marriage certificate to tear up.
Some have commented that the ex-Mormon community has used the cover of the election to strike some blows against the Church.
On the positive side, Church Leaders in other faiths have come out in our defense.
I thought one of the more interesting ant-Mormon rants came from actress-comedian Rosanne Barr.
The FAIR Journal — October 2008
====================================================================== THE FAIR JOURNAL October 2008 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Apologetics: The branch of theology that is concerned with defending or proving the truth of Christian doctrines. (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, 2000.) INSIDE THE JOURNAL ---------------------------------------------------------------------- * MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT. Scott Gordon comments on Califonia's Proposition 8, which deals with the issue of same sex marriage. * FAIR FUNDRAISING. If you would like to help FAIR in its work to provide "well-documented answers to criticisms of LDS (Mormon) doctrine, belief and practice," we encourage you to contribute through the FAIR web site. * NEW ON THE WEBSITE: FAIR has added responses to additional sections of the "DNA Evidence for Book of Mormon Geography" DVD. * NEW ON THE WEBSITE: "Mormon's Editorial Method and Meta-Message." Brant Gardner's 2008 FAIR Conference presentation is now available on the FAIR website. * RESOURCES ON THE WEB: "A letter to a friend: Joseph Smith polygamy." J. Stapley blogged on helping people understand difficult historical issues. * ASK THE APOLOGIST. Got a question you are dying to ask? Here's how. * FAIR TOPICAL GUIDE. The Topical Guide on the FAIR Web site is one of the most popular resources offered. Learn what is available and help us expand our references. * FAIR WIKI. The FAIR Wiki is an excellent resource for someone looking for a summary of an issue and for pointers to more detailed information. Links to many new and changed articles are included in this issue. * FAIR YOUTUBE VIDEOS. FAIR has had a presence on youtube.com for several months and new video clips are added frequently. * FAIR LDS BOOKSTORE. Check out the FAIR Bookstore's monthly specials. * ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS. Interested in writing for FAIR? Learn how you can have your apologetics work published. * PUBLISHING NOTES. Learn how you can become more involved in FAIR and how you can reuse the material we publish. * FAIR JOURNAL ARCHIVES. All of the FAIR Journal issues since October 2001 are on the FAIR web site. [Read more...] about The FAIR Journal — October 2008
More musings on Prop 8 and Amendment 2
Earlier, I had written a post titled, “I will not quit my post until properly relieved.” I wish to thank those of you who commented–even if you disagree.
The point of my original post was that we should follow the Brethren when they act ex officio, even if it means certain defeat. I would like to comment more along those lines. Now, what should you do if you’re a government official, and the Brethren advocate policy X, which is extremely unpopular, and, in your best judgement wrong, and perhaps illegal or perhaps unconstitutional? Then your oath as a government official may supercede the Brethren’s counsel. The late Rex Lee stated in his confirmation hearing as US Solicitor General that if the Brethren advocated something in contravention with the Constitution and laws of the United States, then his duty was to side with the law. Indeed, all Latter-day Saints (at least the ones in the USA) are expected to “befriend” the constitutional law of the land [D&C 98:5-6]. Even Dallin Oaks opposed the Brethren’s take on a public issue (school prayer).
Asking those I agree with to be honest
I’ll be up-front about my politics here: They’re conservative, libertarian, anti-foreign intervention, and pro-civil rights. I have mixed feelings about California’s Proposition 8; I probably would vote “no” on it if I still lived in California.
Considering my views, it only makes sense that I’ve read and enjoyed Andrew Sullivan’s blog for many years.
But at issue is not my politics, it’s Mr. Sullivan’s over-the-top claim in his October 31st blog post:
Yes On 8 has been bankrolled to the tune $20 million from the LDS church. And their main theme has been the ancient blood libel against gay people (and Jews): that we’re out to “recruit” or abuse others’ children.
Disagreement with another’s political views is one thing; outright dishonesty is quite another.
Believe what you want, Mr. Sullivan, about what’s really in Mormons’ hearts as they go to the polls on November 4th. But no pro-Prop 8 campaign advertising has even come close to using “blood libel against gay people” and fears of gay “recruiting” or abuse of children — let alone made it the “main theme” of the campaign.
Andrew Sullivan is employing the same sort of stereotyping of Mormons that he complains Mormons are doing about practicing homosexuals. And, as someone who usually enjoys his writing, I find it beneath contempt.
Identifying Mormons for Proposition 8
Only 8 days left until election day in the United States, and some of us will be very happy when the posturing, spinning, campaigning, and criticizing will be over.
The Church has taken quite a bit of heat in some quarters regarding its stance relative to Proposition 8 in California. I know and support the call from the Church for members to help pass the proposition. I also know several faithful members who take exception to the Church making such a call. (Of course, a few other faithful members may take exception to characterizing those exception-taking members as “faithful.” So be it; that’s a nit I am not willing or worthy to pick.)
Remember the Missionaries
In a letter distributed to the families of the missionaries of the Australia Sydney North mission President Scruggs recounts the events of Tuesday, October 14: [Read more…] about Remember the Missionaries
Talk by President Boyd K. Packer goes viral
In the last week FAIR has received an increasing number of queries about the supposed transcript of a talk given by President Boyd K. Packer in the Forest Bend Ward on 12 October 2008.
We have been in touch with Church Public Affairs about this matter. Here are the facts:
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