Fawn Brodies book
Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2017 7:25 am
OK...I finally am almost done with this book. WOW...
Biggest reaction I have is during the pre-Carthage chapters, where the Expositor was written. Joseph was so clever with his public discourse. He always, over and over, would slant the issue, and while talking to the people smear the line to inflect and infuse his personal problems with the "rights" of the people. He always made the attacks he brought on himself appear to be attacks on the LDS saints.
It makes sense that the lies with which he hid his activities kept the general populace ignorant of what was going on with spiritual wifery, and the line between himself and God, as well as his own life and the church in general was intentionally smeared.
The man had immense self assurance, born on narcissistic psychosis. Now that I can see that more in him, I recognize it more and more in leaders that influenced me over the years. Bruce McConkie is an example: the man talked with absolute authority and assurance, and he never spoke in his own voice--it was always him "Declaring the Word of the Lord."
I am reminded of one of the signs of a cult: the line between man and God is diminished. Those who are cult leaders speak as though they were God, and to challenge their word is to challenge God.
How destructive and DANGEROUS!
People who exude that kind of confidence, whether it is naturally justified or just delusionally fueled, must ALWAYS be watched carefully; their words must be weigted with sound and dispassionate minds against the known facts. Only then can possible lies be discovered.
Joseph lied outright, but held others in check by saying that if he fell, it would mean the end of the Church. And with others, if he fell, it would mean their eternal damnation.
I don't believe God builds systems based on lies. If He does, He isn't a God I can follow. That means there are problems with the church, right from the beginning...and that becomes more clear all the time.
I don't think Brodie is lying in this book; it certainly cost her enough to write it--both spiritually and socially.
Biggest reaction I have is during the pre-Carthage chapters, where the Expositor was written. Joseph was so clever with his public discourse. He always, over and over, would slant the issue, and while talking to the people smear the line to inflect and infuse his personal problems with the "rights" of the people. He always made the attacks he brought on himself appear to be attacks on the LDS saints.
It makes sense that the lies with which he hid his activities kept the general populace ignorant of what was going on with spiritual wifery, and the line between himself and God, as well as his own life and the church in general was intentionally smeared.
The man had immense self assurance, born on narcissistic psychosis. Now that I can see that more in him, I recognize it more and more in leaders that influenced me over the years. Bruce McConkie is an example: the man talked with absolute authority and assurance, and he never spoke in his own voice--it was always him "Declaring the Word of the Lord."
I am reminded of one of the signs of a cult: the line between man and God is diminished. Those who are cult leaders speak as though they were God, and to challenge their word is to challenge God.
How destructive and DANGEROUS!
People who exude that kind of confidence, whether it is naturally justified or just delusionally fueled, must ALWAYS be watched carefully; their words must be weigted with sound and dispassionate minds against the known facts. Only then can possible lies be discovered.
Joseph lied outright, but held others in check by saying that if he fell, it would mean the end of the Church. And with others, if he fell, it would mean their eternal damnation.
I don't believe God builds systems based on lies. If He does, He isn't a God I can follow. That means there are problems with the church, right from the beginning...and that becomes more clear all the time.
I don't think Brodie is lying in this book; it certainly cost her enough to write it--both spiritually and socially.