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MormonDiscussion Podcast will be interviewing Richard Bushman, Terryl Givens, and Kerry Muhlstein, over the next 4 weeks. What would you ask each of them specifically? These three each have had a major influence on LDS apologetics over the last year and each have made an effort in one way or another to both validate the struggler and to answer the tough issues. Here’s your chance to ask them the tough questions.
How can we as faithful members best help guiding the church into its new phase (In 20 years I very much believe the church will be different due to everyone knowing more about church history). They are doing that themselves bit I would like to know how specifically they do it in their daily lives as well as on Sundays/talks etc. There are a million questions, but one practical matter that I hope someone can speak to is how to deal with teaching callings/manuals when you don’t believe big chunks of the lesson? Ann wrote:There are a million questions, but one practical matter that I hope someone can speak to is how to deal with teaching callings/manuals when you don’t believe big chunks of the lesson?
Amen. That is a major problem I have.I had Kerry as a teacher when he was a graduate student and I was an undergrad. He is a really good guy. If you want to make him happy, ask him about hands in the Old Testament.
I would ask their opinion on if they feel that all the stories in scriptures are literally true. And must we believe in the literalness of scripture to believe in the truth of scripture. In other words, is it reasonable to accept the truth of the principles, without accepting the truth of the events.
I deleted my original question because it came across snarky, I am going to try again. First I appreciate these men and women reaching out and not ignoring the pain of faith crisis. I really do.
I struggle though because I sometimes wish that instead of reaching out this direction, they reached out to the traditional camp. When I read Terryl Givens letter to the doubter, I was offended. I felt like he was telling me stuff I already knew, such as rethinking the BoM model. I really wanted the letter to be addressed, Dear Believer – and explain to the believer the limited geography model. Six months later, I am less wound up about it. And as I listened to podcasts, read pieces and books, I changed from offended to appreciative of the effort.
My question though is in light of my frustration – It’s wonderful to not be ignored or dismissed. It’s inspiring to have additional ideas to work through. However my question is – Do they plan to spread their message to the traditional camp? Will they submit and get published a series of Ensign articles on the facts of the history. Will they give public firesides to believers and be endorsed by the powers that need to – whether it’s Deseret Book or the Brethren.
I believe in a bridge that can be built, are these the people to do it? More and more I am coming to a conclusion that the group that needs rescuing may not be us.
It is pretty common nowadays for people to come across things on the Internet, and has been for years now. A recurring anecdote heard is that “it isn’t safe to ask these questions in church classes or to local leaders, so I seek support groups on the web.”
Why is the church so bad at allowing forums for people to doubt, ask questions, and be open about problematic tenets of the gospel?
I can understand people limiting some gospel discussion in classes so that talks or lessons don’t get so far off from the lesson outlined that it is unproductive with pure speculation…however, why is it discouraged in private conversations with leaders?
Is there no place to go within the church to openly discuss real problematic issues to our faith?
Ask whether they feel the peer-review process is the best way to find errors or problems with scholarship. If not, can they suggest a preferred method for vetting scholarship? With so many different religions full of people who regularly have religious experiences, how do we find truth? One more: Active Mormons comprise about 1/10th of 1% of the total world population or just 1 in 1000. Why do you think that God allows the vast majority of his children to be born and raised in ignorance to his true gospel and necessary ordinances? Why has that been the case throughout history as well?
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