Dave, I think the primary problem here is that you have a very polished surface which does not reveal your heart. I'm not trying to offend you. In fact, I think some people on TruthTalk admire you in this way. However, others find it offensive.
At first it appears to some that you are not knowledgeable and that you have a sincere desire to learn of Christianity outside Mormonism. I think some might even think you are considering leaving Mormonism. Then, as they discuss with you, they find that there is not this innocent desire to learn more, but rather you are very knowledgeable and have already heard the knowledge shared concerning what you had inquired about. This jolts them in that they had an impression of you that proved to be wrong upon subsequent discussion. Another level was breached with regard to the Book of Abraham. In that situation, it surely appeared that you do not care at all what the truth is. You will believe the Book of Abraham because your church believes the Book of Abraham, and it really doesn't matter what evidence there is that would challenge that belief. This situation especially shook me because you seemed to project a persona of someone interested in Truth. I have seen polished surfaces many times in Christianity... face it, Christianity is filled with hypocrites. But this reaction showed to many here that perhaps there is even demonic activity preventing you from being honest in this particular situation. I don't mean this in a derogatory way, but rather it just seems very much like the Jews who will not even consider that Jesus is Messiah. There is an invisible veil over the heart. So Mormonism appears to many here, as the result of your testimony here, to be a cult kind of like Judaism, where adherence to an institution and focus upon a particular prophet keeps you from seeing and hearing God in matters of great importance. With regards to TruthTalk as a forum and your involvement here, I just want to remind everyone that TruthTalk is open to everyone regardless of their religious beliefs. Furthermore, how people participate in the forum is strictly up to them. The way DaveH has handled himself is just fine, in fact, exemplary in many ways. We could learn a lot about posting etiquette from DaveH. If you have some concerns or problems or you want to make a point, you will simply have to adjust your methods to work with the way the person you are responding to acts. With respect to this forum, there is nothing wrong with a person who is lurking, or someone who evades answers, or someone who gives poor answers. Adjust your posting to produce the best fruit possible, and don't blame others just because they are not responding the way that you think they ought to respond. I also want to take this opportunity to say that I have very much appreciated Dave Hansen's continued involvement on TruthTalk. Because of him, I have a much better understanding of Mormonism. I've added dozens of Mormon books to my library and I have read them because of Dave Hansen's comments here. I've gained a much better historical knowledge of the relationship of the Stone-Campbell restoration movement and the Mormon restoration movement. I feel like I know about Joseph Smith's life in a very detailed way. For all this knowledge, I am very grateful, and it would not have come about if Dave Hansen did not prod me with questions and challenge me with his ideas in this forum. Thank you Dave. :-) Peace be with you. David Miller, Beverly Hills, Florida. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
