Seeking

Thanks for all of your posts. Please be aware that I am sincere in this learning process. Not to single anyone out, but many thanks to Ruthiclan for your supportive words and generous heart...

Seriously slamjet, how was that question indicative of a confrontational tone? It was a fair question coming from someone ignorant of its answer. Really, you have nothing to worry about with regards to me (troll/not a troll?). I'm simply looking for answers. Peace brother:)

LOL...that was great. Seriously though, is my understanding that the prophets are directed by God mistaken?

'and thus ends the thread of yet another person unwilling to accept the possibility that their ideas/beleifs could be wrong.' Not at all...I am quite willing to accept that my ideas and beliefs could be wrong. It seems that my thread generated a bit of confusion not only from me but even with members of your faith (see mightynancy & wingnuts posts). It's just hard for me to believe that a prophet who had a direct line to God would have chosen to follow "American traditions that created the Southern Baptist church and other Chritian churches that were pro-slavery" (as rameumpton offered above) rather than follow a more egalitarian synthesis one might expect from an omnipotent, merciful God. Seems the reports of this threads demise were a little premature?

Sorry for raising those suspicions. I guess sometimes forums like this aren't the best place to discuss certain issues since we cannot know what the other person is really like. I appreciate your input...thanks for helping.

But I am sorry for wasting your time...I'll remove my profile/post and won't bother you again.

I am an atheist. I'm completely open about that on my profile, as you saw- and that is why I joined - to evaluate how the Mormon position approaches reality and to see if it would be a tenable faith for me to subscribe to.

Who was being accusatory? Matthew0059 when he suggested my legitimate question smelled of and "honesty' game, or blackknight5k, who called me a troll. I am trying to find a religion/church/belief to subscribe to, and I want to make sure of what I am getting in to. I am sorry if you found me accusatory/confrontational.

Thank you estradling75...that makes sense. I actually have read the whole thing but I think I need to read it a few times to really parse it...it was just really confusing.

I never said it wasn't about lineage, just that lineage and skin color are mutually inclusive. And because the priesthood ban did not apply to Haitians, Dominicans, Cubans, or anyone else with black skin not of African descent still leaves you having to answer why those with black skin OF African descent were discriminated against.

Also, your comment "it's about lineage, not skin color" is poor spin. Skin color is a product of lineage, which still leaves you having to answer the question. Perhaps the answer is unbecoming?

I didn't realize honest questioning was a game. I guess I have a little more respect for it than you do?

Of course, I don't know, but I think it is an interesting article and an interesting thought experiment to conceptualize of a world without religion. When you think of all of the religious explanations for phenomena that have had to capitulate to the scientific understanding of phenomena, perhaps it is just the natural order?

So Nephi wasn't referring to skin, per se, but to the spirit? Why wouldn't he have just said that? And if it was just a metaphor for spirit, why weren't black's able to assume positions of authority within the church for all of that time?

I am mistaken then. Who did write the Book of Mormon?