Public info framing our purpose

[Anonymous]

I was just reading again Bushman’s intro paper to his 2008 summer conference:

http://www.lifeongoldplates.com/2008/08/bushmans-introduction-to-joseph-smith.html

In it he (along with the additional commentary at the end) makes several points that fall directly in line with what we’re trying to do here.

Do we reference this paper anywhere on this site? (Excuse my ignorance)

Bushman: “At the heart of this turmoil is the question of trust. Disillusioned Latter-day Saints feel their trust has been betrayed. They don’t know whom to trust. They don’t dare trust the old feelings that once were so powerful, nor do they trust church leaders. They can only trust the new knowledge they have acquired.”

We are definitely trying to gain their trust.

Seminar participants?: “We began by agreeing that criticisms of Joseph Smith should not be dismissed as foolish or purely evil. The negative attacks that disturb first-time readers are usually based on facts, not merely prejudiced fabrications. To play down the force of the criticism, we believe, only convinces the seekers that we do not understand. We appear to be sweeping trouble under the rug. They may have been devastated by a criticism; we must show that we understand why. Consequently, the seminar took as its first principle to state the negative argument as fully and accurately as we can. We try not to minimize the difficulty or prejudice the case against the critic. In no other way can we persuade the doubters that we understand the problem.

Secondly, we try to avoid dogmatic answers. Rather than replace the dogmatic negative attacks of the critics with our own dogmatic answers, we attempt to show that a more positive interpretation is possible. Critics often claim that Joseph’s sins were so egregious as to utterly disqualify him as a prophet. We can understand their viewpoint, but we think there is another side to the story. Rather than destroy the critics, we want to loosen their grip. In the long run, we believe this approach will persuade questioners more effectively than claims to certainty where none is possible.”

[Anonymous]

Love it Orson, I absolutely agree that it ought to be on our site somewhere. I also loved this talk by Bushman. I have tremendous respect for him.

[Anonymous]

Can we get permission to link to it? Or just do it anyway?

I tend to doubt the Dr. Bushman would let us officially host this, but I don’t know him that well.

[Anonymous]

Could be questions for John D.

[Anonymous]

I agree. Great essay!

I added a link from the “Additional Support Resources” section.

Is that good enough? I’m sure he’d let me host it if ya’ll think that would be more helpful. Let me know.

[Anonymous]

I’d like that, John.

[Author]

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