08/06/2009 00:02:43

It's been a long time! How are you guys doing?

04/15/2009 23:10:06

Faded,

My thoughts on Rigdon versus Smith are based on internal textual evidence and comparision of the religious histories of the two men. I hope I haven't offend you by proferring my views on what you hold to be scripture.

Joseph Smith had numeours religious influences Methodism, Presbyterian and Universalism. Rigdon was greatly influenced by the Restoration Movement.

When I comare the BoM with latter LDS scripture, there is in my opinion a dichotomy between them. The BoM reads like a manual for propagation of "Restoration Movement" values and veiws but from the Rigdon angle of it. (Certainly not Alexander Campbell's) The BoM seems to miss some of the things that Smith would have by religious inclination put in it. The areas were Smith differed from Rigdon do come through very strongly in the latter LDS material.  Just as Kirtland Mormonism appears quite distinct from Navou Mormonism.

Futhermore Rigdon  appears to have had orartory and liguistic skills to deliver such a work (ie the BoM) but not the charisma and people skills to build a movement.

I'm curious do you think there is anything doctrinal in the BoM that would not have fitted Rigdon's worldview/mindset? Because from my reading of the BoM there was nothing I couldn't fit with my understanding of where Sidney Rigdon was at (from a descendant of the same movement that he spent some time in)

 

03/31/2009 02:07:00

Faded,

I was meaning the Church of Christ. Given the small numbers of people in that movement in the US, when the LDS started, the number of early converts to Mormonism is very high. Sidney Rigdon, Pratt brothers, Eliza Snow and a number of other LDS apostles.

Obviously there is the belief in apostasy and the need for restoration (although much milder in my tradition.) Not many other churches have the belief that baptism is for the remission of sin but only baptizes adults. Has weekly communion as the central part of the church worship and historically followed that with short talks from the congregation.

If the BoM isn't divinely inspired, (which you clearly believe it was but I'm dubious else I'd be be off to join the Community of Christ by now) then you have to look for a human author and I think Sidney Rigdon is the most likely human author. The doctrines that make LDS distinct comes mainly from the latter books not the BoM. The BoM is much more orthodox (or historic) then the other books. I have found little in it that wouldn't fit the mindset of a "restoration movement" believer with Sidney Rigdon's personal eccentrities.

03/30/2009 15:33:38

Faded,

Thanks for the interesting discussion and answering my questions.

I've really enjoyed reading the BoM. I really didn't know much about LDS before  came till I came to this forum, nor the linkages between the church movement that I grew up in and your church.

03/25/2009 11:59:28

Now would be a great time for me to take lightning picture, I'm in the middle of a thunder storm. SCARY!

03/23/2009 12:58:41

Heloha, I was ramdomly cruising around the site when I saw your pic, I have been trying to get a pic of lightning for a while now, but I always snap one second too late.

 

I think your church history is very impressive, I thought my mom was the first to join then we came across a bunch of family members way back who fell away, how sad, but this just proves that the Lord always has a plan.

 

 

03/07/2009 11:22:04

Just wanted to stop by and say hi!! Hope all is going well for both of you!

02/26/2009 01:22:25

Hello! Hope all is going well for you. Just want you guys to know you're in my prayers. :-) Keep me posted...your story has been a source of strength and hope for me. Thanks!

01/19/2009 09:03:13

You are brave to open up and seek help! The Spirit will guide you moment by moment....keep listening!

Welcome!

01/19/2009 00:58:26

Hey there,

 

I've been following you and Tarnished's posts and I really want to say THANK YOU. You are an inspiration. Though you may be using this site as an outlet to seek advice or support, please know that you are also helping others who are in a similar situation. Stay strong and know that your brothers and sisters in the gospel are rooting for you! Imagine the success story you are writing and will be able to share for the rest of your lives to help other couples who are struggling. We all have our woes...it's what we do with them that matters. :)