10 Things Every Mormon Should Know

But if you are more concerned with the correctness or falseness of the religion, claims do matter.

I think seeing “through a glass darkly” (ie, not having the full picture/understanding) is one thing. Providing contradictory revelation to your followers is a completely different matter.

This was a primary question for me as I looked to shape my new belief. Is contradictory or changing doctrines a deal breaker? If teachings cannot be seen as completely reliable should I just abandon religion all together? How do you obtain a rationally sound, objective, duplicable verification of religious claims? In my view you can’t as a human being. Yes, seeing through a glass darkly means sometimes contradicting doctrines will be taught. If religion needs to be an “all or nothing” proposition – too often it will end up as nothing. Personally, I would rather try to see through the dark glass than just close my eyes and look for nothing.

That’s me.

Some of these, although technically correct, do not reflect reality (as I see it). …in my experience it is generally not okay with other Mormons to question/examine the statements of Church leaders.

I agree, many other members may feel that way. I think we can look back in time and show other areas where the broad membership was probably out of harmony with what is widely accepted in the church today. Personally I take comfort in the “technically correct” part, and just wait to see how the broader membership moves in the future.