Reorganized -- Community of Christ

[Clark Addison]

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

I note that the church that Emma (JS?) founded is in many ways more enlightened and forthright than the big LDS movement (I hesitate to say mainstream in this context), and lacks many of the skeletons. Apparently they have repudiated the Book of Mormon's racism and any other racism in JS's writings. They are all but agnostic on the Book of Mormon's origins, forthrightly recognizing the absurdity of any claim to historicity. They are aggresively eccumenical. Am I correct that they were not polygamists? Did they have a priesthood ban? If so, they seem to have explicitly addressed and repudiated and condemned that too. Not a bad legacy for Emma (and Joseph?).

I guess it's a nice legacy except for the fact that they rarely mention Joseph (or Emma), or much of anything other than being a church of peace. There are a number of conservative congregations (such as around Nauvoo) that still look to their founding, and revere Joseph. but the main body of the church would prefer that the history just kind of go away. There has been a lot of infighting and schisms because of these issues.

It also wasn't great for them that their last President resigned, saying he had "made some inappropriate choices", although I don't think that has been as big an issue as the doctrinal changes.

[Sleeping in EQ]

I have a copy of the CoC's D&C.

[minn_stat]

Originally Posted by Clark Addison

I guess it's a nice legacy except for the fact that they rarely mention Joseph (or Emma), or much of anything other than being a church of peace...

My wife and I toured their temple in Independence once about ten years ago. Nothing like an LDS temple in terms of function, more like a large meetinghouse. Aesthetically, it was mostly very nicely done, although I didn't take much to the nautilus look.

It was a slow day, so we had our own private tour guide, and he was pretty friendly and open. Towards the end of the tour, we asked about the lack of Joseph Smith. He took us to a small but nicely decorated room where they had some historical items of Joseph's, and said people were allowed to come here to meditate.

"Church of peace" was exactly the overall impression we got from the tour. While I'm all for peace, if that is all a church gives you, why have a church at all? Just go to kindergarten once a week and you can get as much substance.

[SeattleUte]

Originally Posted by minn_stat

It was a slow day, so we had our own private tour guide, and he was pretty friendly and open. Towards the end of the tour, we asked about the lack of Joseph Smith. He took us to a small but nicely decorated room where they had some historical items of Joseph's, and said people were allowed to come here to meditate.

Funny. This is close to my impression of the visitors center on Temple Square.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

Funny. This is close to my impression of the visitors center on Temple Square.

Your tour must have missed the new visitor building on the SE corner of temple square. And the Joseph and Hyrum statue by the temple. And the Joseph Smith Memorial Building (former Hotel Utah) with the huge JS statue in the foyer. And the Church History Museum across the street to the West.

It's interesting how our biases affect our perception of reality.

[SeattleUte]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

Your tour must have missed the new visitor building on the SE corner of temple square. And the Joseph and Hyrum statue by the temple. And the Joseph Smith Memorial Building (former Hotel Utah) with the huge JS statue in the foyer. And the Church History Museum across the street to the West.

It's interesting how our biases affect our perception of reality.

I didn't know there was a new VC. I can't comment until I check it out. Since my comment was about the VC your other observations are inapposite.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

I didn't know there was a new VC. I can't comment until I check it out. Since my comment was about the VC your other observations are inapposite.

Come on. Every few months you argue that the church is embarrassed of JS and use your temple square visit as evidence. Given the context of your post above, I think you were making the same case again. It just isn't true.

[SeattleUte]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

Come on. Every few months you argue that the church is embarrassed of JS and use your temple square visit as evidence. Given the context of your post above, I think you were making the same case again. It just isn't true.

Going for the capillary.

[Dan]

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

I note that the church that Emma (JS?) founded is in many ways more enlightened and forthright than the big LDS movement (I hesitate to say mainstream in this context), and lacks many of the skeletons. Apparently they have repudiated the Book of Mormon's racism and any other racism in JS's writings. They are all but agnostic on the Book of Mormon's origins, forthrightly recognizing the absurdity of any claim to historicity. They are aggresively eccumenical. Am I correct that they were not polygamists? Did they have a priesthood ban? If so, they seem to have explicitly addressed and repudiated and condemned that too. Not a bad legacy for Emma (and Joseph?).

Can I get a show of hands as to how many people really take Seattle Ute seriously on discussions of Mormonism. I am well aware of problems with BoM historicity, etc., and the potential to interpret BoM teachings in certain places as racist, but because the great Seattle Ute spins it that one would have to be a moron to see things any other way is ridiculous. Sorry, maybe it is just late, but it seems most of Seattle Ute's posts, that I recall at least, have the same pompous - 'hey I am a big smart guy, my opinion is beyond repraoch and therefore you would be an idiot to try to claim different views when it comes to Mormonism's veracity, historicity, etc.'. Give me a break, there are so many things that are unsettled and uncertain that I believe no one can really say one way or another on veracity claims. Your act is tiring. Maybe I should go to bed as I am tired and grumpy.

[MikeWaters]

Dan, actually, I am much more harsh than you.