- TNC on What Conditions Might Generate a Social Preference for Polygamy?: “Anon, I said that Utah Mormons were bred. Whether those traits turn into righteousness is a different matter. Personally I believe their vulnerability to scams and tendency to go bald young are some of those traits. By “spiritualism” I wasn’t talking about spirituality, I was talking about spiritualism, or the fad of talking to spirits, seances and Ouija boards and such, which was common in the educated English-speaking world at the time. And I wasn’t talking about extra wives being servants, they could hire servants for that, I was talking about them helping around the house.” Nov 8, 07:18
- on Steadying the Ark: “Thank you, Steve, for that direction you are hoping to pursue. I’m sure it will be helpful to many.” Nov 8, 06:47
- on Steadying the Ark: “Thanks, Morgan. I don’t recall that one from a while ago. I do agree with the sentiment of the poster of problematic applications of that story. ji, I wasn’t aware of that particular story, but have heard rumors of that kind of thing. Jonathan, yes, I agree that non-stop knee-jerk criticism isn’t helpful. We should be supportive and generous towards our leaders as they are trying to do their best. But I do think there can be many instances of those “below” being aware that policies need adjusting. I’ll give some thoughts on observations in church history.” Nov 8, 06:00
- on Steadying the Ark: “On the one hand, it really is aggravating when you want feedback on something, and no one is willing to say anything directly to you, even when you ask them (and so your spouse has to tell you that Brother so-and-so overheard another person saying they really didn’t like the thing you were trying to get feedback on). On the other hand, the kinds of things people complain about can be completely unhinged, people are often highly overconfident about inherently uncertain situations, people read ill intent into far more situations than are actually warranted, and having a check on the impulse to lose one’s mind over something is a good thing. I don’t know about the veracity or intent of the story of Uzzah, but some reluctance to go charging in guns blazing is probably a good thing overall.” Nov 7, 18:11
- on Steadying the Ark: “I like the explanation at Morgan’s link. I think any discussion on a low-status church member trying to “steady the ark” will have to address the church members subordinate to (and harmed by) mission president Philander Smartt a few years ago. I look forward to the series.” Nov 7, 17:38
- on Steadying the Ark: “May be of interest if you haven’t already read it: https://faithpromotingrumor.wordpress.com/2008/06/06/uzzah-killed-for-blind-obedience/” Nov 7, 13:40
- on What Conditions Might Generate a Social Preference for Polygamy?: “Definition of eugenics is as you say a “quasi-Darwinian scenario”. People don’t usually think of mate choice based on their eliteness or reproductive fitness. I don’t think your simulation is a good one. Women and men have many more and important goals in marriage than how many children can they have.” Nov 7, 11:20
- on Church Civil Wars, Liberalization, and Africa: “I think it would be jarring for a not-insignificant minority, but yes, I generally agree that it wouldn’t be foundation shaking, even though theologically it would be a clear move away from the gender complementarianism implicit in the current system.” Nov 7, 04:40
- on Church Civil Wars, Liberalization, and Africa: “Weren’t women some of the earliest leaders among the unofficial adopters of LDS scripture and teachings in Africa? I have no sense if ordination of women is likely any time soon, but it could make little difference overall in some places, including in the U.S. That seems especially likely if ordaining women comes about through a long series of small steps (like recent teachings on priesthood combined with formal recognition of women performing temple ordinances as an order of the priesthood with its own equivalents to quorums and ordination ordinances) rather than a major new canonized revelation.” Nov 6, 19:27
- on Church Civil Wars, Liberalization, and Africa: “Yes, there is definitely a long, technical post to be written at some point on how different Christian churches (including the CoC, ironically) are threading the African polygamy needle (e.g. not recognizing it while not forcing families to break up), with obvious possible implications for our own situation.” Nov 6, 18:54
