June 3 —LDS Told Research Isn’t the Answer to Questions. Acts 17:11 “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”
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The Church published an article by Dallin Oaks in the June Ensign that mirrored several other talks in recent years. See LDS Leaders Who Admit Mormonism Isn’t True for more info. Once again, they seem to be worried about their diminishing numbers.
Instead of taking a page from the Bible on how God grew the body of Christ, the LDS Church is telling people that research isn’t the answer to questions one might have about its own history.
Their words are a sign they have something to hide. If they have the truth, there should be no reason to not research!
Ask the Mormon you know what they think about the article Mr. Oaks wrote.
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Ensign, ‘Keeping the Faith on the Front Line’, June 2020 “Increase Faith in Jesus Christ…I hope all Latter-day Saint marriages are loving and free from serious conflict over important values and priorities, but we know that some are not. A faithful wife submitted this question: “My spouse has gone inactive due to doubts regarding Church history and doctrinal issues. As someone who believes in the gospel and wants to remain active, how should I go about researching and responding to these issues?”
I suggest that research is not the answer. References to the Church’s many helps to answer familiar questions, such as the Gospel Topics Essays at ChurchofJesusChrist.org, may help one who is sincerely seeking, but the best answer to any question that threatens faith is to work to increase faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Conversion to the Lord precedes conversion to the Church. And conversion to the Lord comes through prayer and study and service, furthered by loving patience on the part of the spouse and other concerned family members.” — Dallin Oaks
It’s circular reasoning as well. If conversion to the Lord comes through study as they say, why would you say research is not the answer? Research is part of study.
This is called INFORMATION CONTROL, and it’s the second letter in Steve Hassan’s acronym of his BITE model. All the other 3 letters also apply as well, but each are a different topic.
B. behavioural control
I. information control
T. thought control
E. emotional control
Right, research isn’t the answer. How dare anyone want to search for truth.