To all (In honest love and sincerity)
So what would you have me do? I have been away for several days and upon my return I see that there has been a great discussion over the "śbashing issue."ť Am I bashing or am I looking to support my beliefs that I really feel are misrepresented and dragged through the mud. Again, I am not an official spokesperson for the LDS Church, but I do attempt to uphold what I feel is misrepresented. Am I off base that many, not all of you have been telling me what my Church leaders past and present have taught? Am I really being dishonest and deceptive or have I really had a chance to say what I believe? (With the time I have to dedicate to anything on this site?
My apologies if needed:
1) To Dave H. I think we really had a fairly good discussion on the Bible. I would like to continue on this is a less heated manner. I think we were both civil, but became terse at times.
2) To Pirk. I feel that things have gotten out of hand at times. You wanted answers but I felt like you weren"™t willing to answer mine. In all honesty and sincerity I attempted to establish an appropriate dialogue with a question and answer format between the two of us. I thought that would be what is best. You have to understand, as a marriage therapist, I feel it is important for both sides to have chance to speak in a kind and conclilatory manner. I am not attempting to hide anything to be deceitful. I know about my Church history. I agree with you that there are things that do appear to be duplicitous and inconsistent. I can see how an individual not of my faith would feel this way. However, I don"™t base my testimony of Jesus Christ, his Gospel, the Bible, The Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith on Church history. For me prophets are fallable, especially mine in my Church history. Was Brigham a racist? Maybe, I"™ll concede that. However, I don"™t think his version of racism is the same we focus on today. Look at Lincoln, many of the comments he had toward blacks would be extremely racist by todays standards.He didn't even free all of the slaves!It is similar with Brigham. What was racism then is not the same as ours. I see him as very equitable to those of all races. I have quotes that could show that. However, I don"™t know if it is even worth it to present it. What do you think?
I still hold to what I have said before, you are welcome to my campfire or my home anytime. I am not out to convert you or contradict you. I do feel that if you would look at some alternate sources for you information it might be helpful in establishing a better dialogue. Would you be willing to read this article and tell me what you think? It explains much of what I mean about not having a testimony of Church history.
http://www.fairlds.org/pubs/conf/2004BitD.html
3) To Swamp. Maybe my most heartfelt apology needs to be here. I have had some angry feelings toward you. I don"™t know why you feel the way you do towards LDs Christians. I wish I could understand the feelings you have about what you said from the very beginning. I"™m sure you are sensitive to something done or said by members of my faith. Sorry I have not been sensitive enough to feel your pain. I hope I have not added to a burden. I really think you could be a bit more charitable with us though.
As I said to Pirk, I agree there are inconsistencies and discrepancies in Church history and the various "śdoctrines"ť as they have been presented by certain prophets. I will not hide or deny that. However, the approach of many anti-Mormons has not been completely honest in their approach toward the real history and presentation of the other facts that are not known. Furthermore, I just don"™t base my testimony on the personal failing or weaknesses of infallible prophets, past or present. That said, I don"™t think there are many, but most certainly there are some.
If I had a chance, I"™d return to New York, sit down and buy you a cup of coffee (herbal tea for me) and ask you tell me all about your experience with what you feel is distorted. Furthermore, I would hope you could share with me your knowledge of hunting in the area. During the time I was there I only hunted near Rochester. Never shot a deer with a slug gun before. Haven"™t since.
4) Rebel Hog. I really thought we had an okay thing going. It seems though maybe in some way I gave some offense to you. I hope you didn"™t take any. I think it came after I asked, "śWhat would you do if someone was sharing what they though are your beliefs, when really they are not."ť Hope I didn"™t ruffle your feathers to much. Besides, I really liked your suggestions on the Hog Hunting.
5) Chad, I think you and I only dialoged once or twice. Hope I did not give an offense in any way.
6) Chuck. I don"™t think I have offended you have I? I thought we may have had something in common on the Holy Spirit thread, but I didn"™t have time to get back to it. Plus, I felt I needed to put attention elsewhere.
Maybe I can answer a few of your questions from your thread on Momons and Anti-Mormons.
1) I first found this site and decided to be a part of it because I was looking for a real good hunting forum. I had been on Glock talk and not really found a great wealth of hunters on that particular forum. I also thought the religion forum was quite lacking. So, I went hunting and found you all here.
2) I noticed that there was a religious forum on here and some of the topics interested me so I though I might respond. At first, it seems that I was welcomed with open arms, then as I only offered an alternate opinion, the open arms seemed to be gone. Have I really done anything to offend anyone other than express an opinion? I don"™t think I ever said "śI"™m right and you are wrong and here is the way it is."ť (Other than Swampmonster because I really feel he attacked me and my Church., again, aforementioned apologies).
3) I did not join the forum to "śconvert"ť anyone. I believe that the only one who can do the converting is the Spirit of God. He is the witness and the testator. He confirms the truth when we are ready and willing to receive it.
So where do I go from here, I"™ll wait to here from you.
God Bless,
Porter
Apologies and a few Comments and Questions
