The LDS Flat Earth
Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2017 11:34 am
How’s that for click bait, pretty good, yes? Let me offer this thesis right away: the LDS belief in the Book of Mormon is perfectly aligned with a belief in flat earth theory. Think about it for a moment both rely on the simple proposition of rejecting all science and fact and then replacing it with personal belief.
“I know the Book of Mormon is true.”
“I know the earth is flat.”
What’s the difference? Zip. This should give insight into why arguing the factual nature of the BoM is a pretty fruitless endeavor. Face it, in the absence of being able to present any factual argument they BoM enthusiast is in the same bind as a Flat-Earth fanboy, they have to turn to simple personal belief, it’s true because they say it’s true. All data may militate against them, all facts stand as a roadblock, there be not a shred of evidence but THEY SAY SO—and that makes it so. Take that belief system and then extrude it to cover LDS historical issues. “Joseph never had sex with anyone but Emma, it’s so because I SAY SO.” “Joseph was killed a martyr because I SAY SO.” “Thomas S. Monson is a prophet, seer and revelator because I SAY SO.” “How can you not believe me?”
Proofs be damned. Facts be damned. Historical records be damned. I BELIEVE IT SO IT IS.
How you gonna argue with that? I offer you don’t. I’d offer that proofs and facts and history is on your side and trying to bludgeon a Latter-day Saint with reality is a serious waste of time. You’re better off calling Shaq up and saying, “Yo, doofus, the earth is round ya know?” Your time is better spent in just being friendly and avoiding their obvious lack of knowledge. Personally I believe in ghosts, can’t prove it, have no science to back me but I believe that events and people can leave a shadow behind. Just do. Realize that there’s no credible science backing me in any way, shape or form but, I just believe it. Are you going to change my mind? Absolutely not, but I will agree that I got nothing; no science, no history, no facts. Maybe that’s what faith is. Latter-day Saints thrive on their flat earth theory because they believe the facts are murky and hidden, there’s a vast archeological conspiracy misinterpreting the data, years of false narratives have corrupted the truth and are twisting it to thwart God’s truth.
They’re all wrong or lying because I SAY SO. How you gonna fight that? I offer quietly and internally. Walk up to me and say, “I believe the world is flat.” I’ll simply go, “How interesting! What are your feelings on Chevy trucks? I used to be a Ford guy but now I’m a Toyota guy. Love the darn thing. Fill it with firewood, press the Tow/Haul button and things are amazing.” It’s not really important that you agree that Chevy is an inferior brand—or that if you do love Chevy you renounce your alliance. It’s small talk about opinion, I don’t need your approval or affirmation. Here’s the important part: Latter-day Saints DO. They need to be right and they need to be validated. LDS need you to agree to strengthen and fortify their OPINION on American pre-Columbian history. When your soul source of confirmation is yourself having someone else agree—or better yet—change opinions and agree is a priceless thing. When you got nothing, anything is something which is why your opinion is so important. If you can remember that simple fact you can begin to understand the anger/desperation of family members who care deeply about your opinion and their panic to get you to “see it our way”. In the end you should treat it like the Chevy/Ford/Dodge/Toyota/Nissan debate and simply remember they all do the same job, some do different things better but you don’t need to agree with me and I don’t need to agree with you because in the end it’s your truck and nobody else’s.
Chevy’s still suck though.
“I know the Book of Mormon is true.”
“I know the earth is flat.”
What’s the difference? Zip. This should give insight into why arguing the factual nature of the BoM is a pretty fruitless endeavor. Face it, in the absence of being able to present any factual argument they BoM enthusiast is in the same bind as a Flat-Earth fanboy, they have to turn to simple personal belief, it’s true because they say it’s true. All data may militate against them, all facts stand as a roadblock, there be not a shred of evidence but THEY SAY SO—and that makes it so. Take that belief system and then extrude it to cover LDS historical issues. “Joseph never had sex with anyone but Emma, it’s so because I SAY SO.” “Joseph was killed a martyr because I SAY SO.” “Thomas S. Monson is a prophet, seer and revelator because I SAY SO.” “How can you not believe me?”
Proofs be damned. Facts be damned. Historical records be damned. I BELIEVE IT SO IT IS.
How you gonna argue with that? I offer you don’t. I’d offer that proofs and facts and history is on your side and trying to bludgeon a Latter-day Saint with reality is a serious waste of time. You’re better off calling Shaq up and saying, “Yo, doofus, the earth is round ya know?” Your time is better spent in just being friendly and avoiding their obvious lack of knowledge. Personally I believe in ghosts, can’t prove it, have no science to back me but I believe that events and people can leave a shadow behind. Just do. Realize that there’s no credible science backing me in any way, shape or form but, I just believe it. Are you going to change my mind? Absolutely not, but I will agree that I got nothing; no science, no history, no facts. Maybe that’s what faith is. Latter-day Saints thrive on their flat earth theory because they believe the facts are murky and hidden, there’s a vast archeological conspiracy misinterpreting the data, years of false narratives have corrupted the truth and are twisting it to thwart God’s truth.
They’re all wrong or lying because I SAY SO. How you gonna fight that? I offer quietly and internally. Walk up to me and say, “I believe the world is flat.” I’ll simply go, “How interesting! What are your feelings on Chevy trucks? I used to be a Ford guy but now I’m a Toyota guy. Love the darn thing. Fill it with firewood, press the Tow/Haul button and things are amazing.” It’s not really important that you agree that Chevy is an inferior brand—or that if you do love Chevy you renounce your alliance. It’s small talk about opinion, I don’t need your approval or affirmation. Here’s the important part: Latter-day Saints DO. They need to be right and they need to be validated. LDS need you to agree to strengthen and fortify their OPINION on American pre-Columbian history. When your soul source of confirmation is yourself having someone else agree—or better yet—change opinions and agree is a priceless thing. When you got nothing, anything is something which is why your opinion is so important. If you can remember that simple fact you can begin to understand the anger/desperation of family members who care deeply about your opinion and their panic to get you to “see it our way”. In the end you should treat it like the Chevy/Ford/Dodge/Toyota/Nissan debate and simply remember they all do the same job, some do different things better but you don’t need to agree with me and I don’t need to agree with you because in the end it’s your truck and nobody else’s.
Chevy’s still suck though.