Should Mormons try to learn everything about their leaders' lives and their church's history?

Question

If so, should they learn it ONLY from LDS Church sources?

Or should they learn it ONLY from Anti-Mormon sources?

Should they learn it ONLY from impartial 3rd-party sources?

Or would they probably have the best chance of learning the truth by comparing the three equally?

Answer 1

I think many other LDS people are scared that if they ever consult anti- material (or even 3rd-party) material, they'll lose their faith and leave the Church.

I have found it to be opposite. Even God's true Church isn't so squeaky clean as to appear "too good to be true". Mormon leaders have had their share of problems and made their share of mistakes.

I find it uplifting, rather than damaging, to my faith to see what people think about my church. By understanding my church's shortcomings, I learn how to better 'perfect the saints'. Others will continue ignoring problems with the Church, but I usually try to be the one to recognize them, understand them, and present them in their true form.

For instance, Joseph Smith made plenty of false prophecies. He also made plenty of true prophecies. Joseph Smith definitely could have "lost the light of God" for a period in his life, but that doesn't change his calling. Likewise, Brigham Young was as racist as they come, yet was never more racist than the God of the Old Testament... he was very imperfect, but that was Brigham as a man, and not as a prophet.

Sure, the Church today has fraud allegations and convictions every once in awhile, but these are against employees of the Church and not clergy. Again, it doesn't change the truth of the Church.

We need to make this whole argument "less of a big deal" and concentrate on what really matters: the message of Jesus Christ's sacrifice for humanity, transmitted through His servants today.

Answer 2

They should learn what the leaders have been up to. I am among the group that says an honest study of Mormon sources is enough to drive people with honesty from the church.
There is little chance they will learn the required history from the LDS unless they know where to look. It has to do with the president saying that some people don't deserve to know the truth.
To them there are no impartial sources.

Answer 3

You ask a valid question. There is a multiple part answer to this one. If it is truth you are seeking, then there is only one source, directly from God. So if you study the information with a prayer for understanding and discerning the truth, then you will be able to tell which source is correct.
As for my part, I have found that LDS sources are generally more correct than non-LDS sources. Why would you want to learn about a subject without going to the actual source and learning from those that know it best, the practitioners of it. If I want to learn about Catholics, do I go to a Protestant? If I want to learn about biology, do I go to an astronomer? Thus, if I want to learn about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I will go to an LDS source. After you have learned from the first hand source, then you can check out the second hand and third hand sources for different perspectives. You cannot appreciate the other perspectives if you haven't yet learned the foundation upon which those perspectives are based.
I have studied as much or more than most and I can faithfully say that I have learned many interesting things from the external sources, but the best knowleged comes from the internal sources.

Answer 4

I often learn something new from an Anti-Mormon or 3rd-party source, then research it through LDS sources. It would be to the benefit of the individual if they learn from all all three sources, there should be no need to hide from the various content regarding our religion that is circulating the Internet. As you are quite aware of, there are a lot of misconceptions of our religion, or in some cases over dramatized material. Of course, I would also suggest them to pray on the matter.

Answer 5

As we do not worship our leaders, I personally, do not see the need to learn everything about their lives.

Undertaking such an endeavor would seriously encroach on one's study of the scriptures. While there is value in learning about our leaders' lives, understanding their teachings about the gospel and the savior is far more important then learning "everything" about them.

Personally, I would read autobiographies, biographies and other church sources. While I have read some anti-mormon literature and answered many anti-mormon questions, I would not encourage anyone to waste their time on such hate filled material. Impartial third-party sources would not be bad but I am not aware of many such sources doing in depth research into the lives of LDS leaders.

Answer 6

Well, when I try to learn about something I go to the source. I wouldn't read a book on plumbing to learn about installing carpet.
When you bring religion into the mix though, there is more than one reliable source than just the person themselves - the Lord. I can go to him in prayer and ask what is true. I can ask him if he is racist towards blacks, or if our underwear really is magic, or if Joseph Smith is a true prophet... and I have (well not the underwear thing cuz I already knew they aren't magic!) I have gained that knowledge as well as many other things I wanted to know. Also, I would say there are lots of things I still want to know but probably don't need to at this point so I don't worry about them....like where did dinosaurs really come from?
The important thing is, He has answered me, that is why I can shrug off rude or hateful comments - because I know what is true and what isn't. It's called personal inspiration...
So no, I don't think we need anti-mormon sources to rely on or even 3rd party sources...we have enough and know where to go for answers.Thanks for your concern though.

Answer 7

I think the first and the third. LDS sources help put things into context for us and 3rd party sources are good, but usually have some kind of agenda. Bitter and disgruntled people generally don't give an accurate picture. And if you don't think that exmormon.com isn't bitter and disgruntled...well...I've got some beautiful property to show you. It's located in Phoenix, gorgeous ocean view...

Yes, I think that Mormons need to be aware of our history. And it's good for us to be aware of Jewish history. And Catholic/European history. And Meso-American history. And while we're at it, let's learn about China, Japan, SE Asia and Africa too. In fact, Brigham Young said (as you are, no doubt aware) that people need to study from good books, and learn as much as they can about everything that they can.

Answer 8

First, I doubt that there is any impartial, third party sources. It's pretty much you are for or against.

And anti-Mormon sources are pretty much guaranteed to be as untruthful as possible. At least, LDS sources are going to be as truthful as possible, albeit leaving out some things that might be unpleasant or unimportant in the grand scheme of things.

Answer 9

I think you have to be secure in your beliefs to go to an anti source. However, I do like hearing from non-Mormons who do studies on Mormon life/culture and are generally positive or at least not bashing us. I agree with others who have said that you need to rely on the gift of discernment when learning about spiritual matters.
I do like learning about church history, and love it when we study it, and while I know there are stories about Mormons who did bad things (just as bad as Haun's Mill) I prefer the stories that I hear in Sunday School.
As for my church leaders, I trust they are generally good people, who have and will be spiritually prepared to lead. Their expierence may give them a source for some neat stories, but I trust that God has prepared them in what ever way He sees fit, so I don't think I need to know their whole life story to support them.

Answer 10

Of course people should learn as much as they can about their own (and other people's) religions - and as much as they can about math, science, history, art, etc.

Of course multiple sources is good - don't forget to add the 4th source of inspiration from God Himself.

Should we learn "everything" in this life? Uh, probably not, because that would leave no time for working, eating, sleeping, spending time with friends and family - there has to be some balance in our pursuit of knowledge.