how many of you all have studies Mormon Fundamentalism?

[ryanjenny1997]

Just curious, I am a lot lol

In my studies, I have learned so much from studies what I call Mormonism "the big picture"

What I mean is that most of us Mormons today are unaware of a huge amount of doctrine that Joseph Smith and others taught. Things like Council of 50 and the kingdom of God. Second Endowments and the Holy Order. What it is to be a King and Priest. I could go on and on.

So by researching for many years Mormon Fundamentalism, and Anti-Mormonism, it has led me to a greater understanding of the complete picture. (don't worry, I know Monson is the prophet, don't get excited lol)

Other Mormon Scholars like Hugh Nibley, Hyrum Andrus, Andrew Ehat, Lydon Cook, Dean jesse, Avraham Gileadi etc also have researched this much. However other scholars like Dean michael Quinn for example went the other way just enough to lose their testimony.

So how many here have studied some of these things? Do you know of all the Mormon Fundy groups like Church of the FB (fred collier, robert Black) Do you know of AUB (Lemoine Jenson) FLDS (warren Jeffs-Timpson-Blackmore) TLC (harmston) Among many others. How many have read the notorious Mormonism Shadow or reality?

I say quality not quantity, because I know sometimes we get advised not to get in too deep, but the rewards are so great in the knowledge you obtain if you are wheat, and not a tare! Any true Mormon who has a testimony will stand well like a Hugh Nibley. If you fall apart at reading Shadow and reality, you never really had a testimony in the first place.

Just curious where people's studies on here take them too.

[ShawnC]

Interesting that you bring that up. I've seen both sides of the equation with righteousness and knowledge, and then pride and apostasy. I feel much like you do, that there is much knowledge out there. I have grown to be a big fan of Nibley and Gileadi. I also read everything from Joseph Smith that I can get my hands on. Many people always say the token "be careful" but I've found that that is usually due to themselves or their pride being somehow threatened because they realize that they have very little grasp on the mysteries of God. Just had a similar confrontation last week in church like this. I think Satan will use others to try to discourage you from really putting your all into learning all about the Kingdom of God that you can.

That being said, there is something to going over board with it. Many have lost their way because of Pride. They get a little what they assume to be "knowledge" and they immediately begin to exercise self righteousness (changed a little, obviously. ) Important to look at your self and see what your propensity for attaining and retaining knowledge is. What is your propensity for pride, ex. how much do you apply scriptures and the words of the prophets to yourself instead of saying "people do this or people do that"? Not our place to determine where they are, but where are we and how do we get where we need to be.

Lastly, there are reasons why the brethren recommend against becoming involved with Mormon fundamentalism. God knows how susceptible we as humans can be.

Shawn

[Nan]

Avraham Gileadi was ex communicated for false doctrine issues. He has come back and been baptized again. I think that there is a danger to becoming too intellectual. Often times there comes along with it the notion you are smarter than everyone else ect. Then suddenly you know more than the prophet ect. Just like with every other strenth, there is a weak side to this.

[kathyn]

Do you know of all the Mormon Fundy groups like Church of the FB (fred collier, robert Black) Do you know of AUB (Lemoine Jenson) FLDS (warren Jeffs-Timpson-Blackmore) TLC (harmston) Among many others. How many have read the notorious Mormonism Shadow or reality?

I know as much as I need to know about these groups. My great-aunt was Maude LeBaron, who was the mother to Joel and Ervil LeBaron...the original Church of the Firstborn clan. We used to get their literature all of the time. They were always after my father to join them. I'm sure they thought they had found where the mainstream church had fallen away and that they had the true calling. It's pretty much like that with all of these groups. I don't really think it's helpful to most LDS to study this stuff too much. Especially when there are so many wonderful books to read. For me, it's a waste of precious time. It's not because I'm blind or afraid or unwilling to look at deeper truths. I just don't find that necessary for my salvation and preparation. It's a personal thing, I suppose.

[pjbrownie]

I know about the geneology of the polygamist groups Lorin C Woolsey and all that sprung from him - from a claim that John Taylor set him apart to lead a remnant Priesthood while the mainstream Chuch would be forced to live the lower law.

Of course, look where it has gotten us. If these people as a whole were more righteous, godfearing, and humble than mainstream LDS, I'd give them pause, but for the most part they're more strident, off-putting, separated, violent, misogynistic, and they don't follow some very important commandements like the one to proclaim the gospel. They don't care about conversions at all - just separate and hunker down.

[ShawnC]

I have a brother and sister who both joined Harmston's group in Manti. Very arrogant, prideful people. I can tell you lots of stories. Went to a couple of their meetings at my brothers request. I became curious about what makes these people tick. I checked out every break off group I could find. they really are all the same in my book. Prideful, misguided people. I could go on all day but that suffices.

Shawn

[ryanjenny1997]

Ya, I know what you all mean. The thing that really stands out for me about the Fundy people in general that are in groups is one word...selfish. In my research I know some of them, and have been to some of their activities, etc. I have tried to teach what I could, and understand them. They tend to have a real selfish clique to them. Let me give one of many examples I could give.

One time a group was having kind of a potluck dinner. One of their married boys broke his colar bone. What shocked me and my wife was we were trying to help him, almost no one else was. Almost no one cared. It was not about them so they just let him lay there. People just went on eating their cake, etc. Their justification was it happens all the time...oh well!

My point is.....the spirit among those type of groups is a snarly selfishness. I know plenty of Mormons are selfish too, but the spirit is very different between the 2. I feel the average Fundy is more knowledgeable in Mormon doctrine then the average Mormon, but the spirit is very different!

I atleast was able to help some understand the spirit. Most groups don't think the LDS has any priesthood authority anymore, so I would ask them to go to the Temple (the outside) and see if they could feel the spirit. You know what, they could! but not enough interest to get out of their hole.

I could go on for many pages, i had better stop lol.

Glad you all have commented. it is nice to know other people on here are aware of this angle off of Mormonism.