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With the proliferation of the Internet, there have been a lot of sites that have sprung up around Mormonism, offering non-traditional views, free of any cultural or even disciplinary consequences. Many of the ideas are very much COUNTER to the desired patterns of thought we see in our Wards. If we stood up in Fast and Testimony meeting and shared the thoughts we share here or at other non-traditional LDS sites, we’d be pulled aside or potentially disciplined. Certainly labelled as strange and even apostate (I’ve already been given that label by a TBM friend I converse with on the phone who lives in a distant land). On the other hand, I think sites like these provide valuable interaction and a sense of community you can’t get in your Wards which have traditional ideals. What reaction have you seen from the Church to these sites? Comments from GA’s? And what impact do you see this having on the culture and future of the Church?
SilentDawning wrote:What reaction have you seen from the Church to these sites? Comments from GA’s?
Other than warnings about the evils of the internet, not much really.Quote:And what impact do you see this having on the culture and future of the Church?
The church will have to accomodate the fact that there is a proliferation of easily accessible information that is ‘true’ and is sometimes unflattering to the church or conflicts with church teachings. Maybe we’re seeing it already, but it’s hard for me to tell sometimes. The publishing of the Joseph Smith papers? And while I’m not seeing it in my local unit, all these people involved with all of these websites go to church somewhere. They must certainly have an affect on the church experience locally. I believe many of you are examples of that, and I think I’m trying to be.Excellent question! I think we can easily point to comments on both sides. Elder Ballard encouraged students to go online and share their thoughts and feelings. I like to think I’m following his counsel.
I also think over time the effect will obviously be an evolution in outlook and attitude of church members. I have seen it close to me, where some ideas that were quickly attacked and labeled heretic a few short years ago – are now dealt with more patiently and charitably. I have seen some of my local leadership become more familiar with issues of history and doctrine, and I think truly understand why some people struggle (even if they can’t emotionally go there themselves).
I see the internet savvy LDS.org people more accepting of broader views than the general church membership.
To me the future looks bright, and I think understanding is growing.
I agree that it will eventually affect the Church locally. Already, I have integrated thoughts from this site into my world perspective and philosophy, and the change in my thinking has been significant. At times I’ve even shared them with people in the various classes I teach in my Ward. This HAS to have an impact on the Chuch membership at some point, particularly as the population grows, the tech-savvy younger generation takes over, and participating in discussion forums becomes more of a way of life. It certainly has become a way of life for me in the last year. Also, what prompted my participation in this, and one other TBM forum is hardship I experienced in the Church. There was no outlet there to express my concerns, and the local leaders didn’t care, knew there was a problem, but for whatever reason, chose not to reach out to me, even in interviews. Online, however, there were a wealth of people with empathy, advice, and caring. As people encounter their inevitable trials and challenges to their faith during their Mormon experience, they will probably come to places like this seeking support.
It is bound to have an impact over the long-run depending on how many people have the necessary skills and inclinations to participate in forums, and how many people feel they need to ask questions and get support they can’t find in their face-to-face relationships.
Glasnost is here. I doubt any GA’s have ever visited a site like this. Maybe but probably not. Maybe it would be good for them. I think people would be greatly surprised to know how well most of the apostles understand what is said on Mormon-themed blogs. Let me rephrase that: Based on my own expereinces, I am positive of that.
Also, I am certain it’s a HUGE net good.
Cadence wrote:I doubt any GA’s have ever visited a site like this. Maybe but probably not. Maybe it would be good for them.
Don’t they have researchers and folk who do that kind of thing? I’m sure they keep tabs on anti sites as well.
SamBee wrote:
Don’t they have researchers and folk who do that kind of thing? I’m sure they keep tabs on anti sites as well.Yes, It’s called the “Strengthening the Members Committee” and used to be staffed by 2-3 GAs plus staff that researched and kept files on people. It came to light some years ago with excommunications of scholars and dissidents. Gene England publicly denounced it thinking it was run by mid level functionaries but then apologized when her learned that general authorities were the main committee members.
GBSmith wrote:SamBee wrote:
Don’t they have researchers and folk who do that kind of thing? I’m sure they keep tabs on anti sites as well.Yes, It’s called the “Strengthening the Members Committee” and used to be staffed by 2-3 GAs plus staff that researched and kept files on people. It came to light some years ago with excommunications of scholars and dissidents. Gene England publicly denounced it thinking it was run by mid level functionaries but then apologized when her learned that general authorities were the main committee members.
Ouch!! This sounds like the FBI to me — is it possible a file is being kept on us here? Efforts to track us down and ensure we never hold positions of responsibility in the Church ever again? I don’t like the sound of this — even if high-ranking GA’s are involved.
SilentDawning wrote:Ouch!! This sounds like the FBI to me — is it possible a file is being kept on us here? Efforts to track us down and ensure we never hold positions of responsibility in the Church ever again?…
I hope so.
EDITED
cwald wrote:[I hope so.
-Edited by Moderator per user request-
Laughing in the face of danger again, I see.
SilentDawning wrote:Ouch!! This sounds like the FBI to me — is it possible a file is being kept on us here? Efforts to track us down and ensure we never hold positions of responsibility in the Church ever again?
If we have anything to worry about you would think they would have caught Ray by now. Uncertainty is to be expected, if you are
certainthe church is evil – that’s another story. Orson wrote:SilentDawning wrote:Ouch!! This sounds like the FBI to me — is it possible a file is being kept on us here? Efforts to track us down and ensure we never hold positions of responsibility in the Church ever again?
If we have anything to worry about you would think they would have caught Ray by now. Uncertainty is to be expected, if you are
certainthe church is evil – that’s another story. Nope. Ray hasn’t been busted because he’s willing to wear the white shirt and took the second ring out of his ear. In the church’s eyes, he’s okay.
🙂 There are lots of members in obvious leadership positions in the Church who post and comment regularly around the Bloggernacle – and many of those posts and comments express frustration and or concerns. Even blogs like BCC have multiple examples of that daily. I am known to some people in SLC because of my involvement online; I know that, objectively. I have no idea whether or not it will effect future callings, but I’m not worried at all, and I really do view it as a HUGE net plus. I believe strongly that the mentality now, perhaps embodied most directly in Elder Ballard’s passion for the internet, is very different than it was 15+ years ago. I have some personal experience that tells me that the general feeling now is one of a deep desire to be more “open-tented” – but it’s not something that can happen quickly or easily or radically.
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