Comments for Progressive Ex-Mormon

Comment on 3 Meetings with an LDS General Authority, 2012/2013 ~ Grant H. Palmer by ProgExMo

ProgExMo — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:46:29 +0000

A Follow-up to the Grant Palmer disclosure, c/o David Twede, plus a fantastic breakdown of the dependability of the various claims made:

http://mormondisclosures.blogspot.ca/2013/04/rumor-rumor-every-where-nor-any-fact-to.html

Comment on 3 Meetings with an LDS General Authority, 2012/2013 ~ Grant H. Palmer by Sunday in Outer Blogness: the Lord’s side edition! » Main Street Plaza

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 18:49:12 +0000

[...] to do the math themselves when the membership figures don’t add up. Plus there are some pretty strange rumors [...]

Comment on 3 Meetings with an LDS General Authority, 2012/2013 ~ Grant H. Palmer by Christopher

Christopher — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 20:32:07 +0000

Here is the quote: “When I asked the GA how he knew these things, he answered by saying that the Quorum of the Twelve today is more isolated from the Quorums of the Seventies now because there are several of them. When only one Quorum of the Seventy existed, there was more intimacy. During his one on one assignments with an apostle, conversations were more familiar.” In other words, the alleged 70 claimed that the basis of his knowledge was his interaction with the 12 when there was only one quorum.

I don’t know Grant. He may very well be credible. But credible or not, you would agree that he is not sharing this story in a vacuum. He has a position, and this story, if true, would strengthen that position. But this story can’t be true because the key figure and source of the story can’t exist–unless the 70 was being dishonest about the source of his information. I also disagree with Grant’s evaluation of this made-up 70 as someone with great integrity. If the 70 existed, and if had any integrity, and if these stories were true as he purportedly said in private, then a man with even a drop of integrity would step forward and publicly name names, dates and sources. Grant lost credibility with that assessment.

Comment on 3 Meetings with an LDS General Authority, 2012/2013 ~ Grant H. Palmer by Steve

Steve — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 17:39:54 +0000

But the GA never says he started when there was only one quorum. He just says the apostles were more intimate with the first quorum before the other 70′s were added. He could easily know that by word of mouth from other older 70′s members with whom he served. I don’t see that as any reason to doubt this account. Grant Palmer has specifically authorized Mormonthink and other sites such as this to post the account. He’s a very credible person, and I don’t think he’s desperate enough to invent some fake story. The church fails on its own, without the need of Palmer creating a “doubt promoting myth.”

Comment on 3 Meetings with an LDS General Authority, 2012/2013 ~ Grant H. Palmer by Christopher

Christopher — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 13:55:04 +0000

I know this story resonates with some, but it is doubtful on so many levels. As just one, there is no current 70 who factually fits the description in this story–who served in the 70 back when there was just one quorum (look at his explanation for how he knows all this.) The second quorum was created in 1989 and quorums three through 5 in 1995. Of the current first quorum, only Elder Carlos Amado was serving in 1989–he was called the same day the second quorum was organized. Moreover, he is in the area presidency in Central America, which would make the monthly meetings with Grant a bit impractical to say the least. All of the other 70s were called on or after April of 1995, when there were already five quorums. This story seems to be nothing more than a “doubt promoting myth.”

Comment on LDS Quotations by Al

Al — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 20:03:23 +0000

I am very grateful for your website. I am going through the process of disentangling myself from the LDS Church. I still retain a faith in God, which makes it all the more ironic, that as I have been praying about this process, the feelings I get tell me to,”Get the hell out.” This has been a process which began a year or so ago, as I began to research Church history more closely.

It is amazing to me, when you’re deep into the Church and a TBM, how you blindly look past glaring errors in the doctrine, history, and fallibility of prophetic statements. Not only that, but as you sacrifice to enter into more serious covenants through ritualistic practices, it causes you to be more committed and devoted. I can’t tell you how in the past I have loathed and hated myself, because of the garbage they shoveled into my brain. When I was younger, I acted to commit suicide on three different occasions because of what they were teaching. Fortunately, my suicide attempts failed and I can live to leave the LDS groupthink.

Peace.

Comment on Walking the [Gay] and Narrow Path by ProgExMo

ProgExMo — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 07:12:58 +0000

As I noted in the post, I do not believe it is my place to judge Josh’s relationship with his wife as being anything less than what he describes it to be. My blog post was simply trying to illustrate the social and theological environments that underly and contribute to such relational decisions made by self-identified LGBT Mormons.
Also, if Josh did not want his story to be commented on, then I would assume he would know better than to post his story online.

If you have any particular criticisms about my post, I invite you to make them so that I may consider them.

Comment on Walking the [Gay] and Narrow Path by Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 06:37:31 +0000

When you judge someone’s relationship, it doesn’t matter how many times you tell us you are pro-gay rights. You, like the churches you criticize, are trying to tell them about their own sexuality and how it affects their lives. If that story was co-written, they probably really do love each other and believe that they have achieved ultimate intimacy. How would you react if an internet blogger that doesn’t even know you publicly questioned your relationship with your partner?

Comment on Protect the Children: Overview by Heather Craw

Heather Craw — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 17:45:23 +0000

An “appeal to emotion” is a rhetorical ploy rather than an overt logical fallacy. Conflating any issues arising in non-traditional families with all the atrocities perpetrated against children around the globe, however, may be one.

Comment on Changing Views on Drinking by ProgExMo

ProgExMo — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 12:50:08 +0000

The judgemental attitude toward drinking that is instilled in every Mormon is quite amazing. Since writing this post I’ve begun having the occasional drink, experimenting with the different beers, liquors, and wines. It’s definitely an acquired taste, and I’m still rather cautious about having more than one drink in an evening, but I’ve discovered that social drinking and flavour exploration can be quite enjoyable.

I’m sorry to hear that you have had to experience the same struggles in overcoming the stigma of drinking. I recommend taking it slowly, and drink only when in the company of trusted friends (or fellow Ex-Mormons, as they are a great group of exploritory people who respect that not everyone will jump on the drinking bandwagon). The stigma does wear off.