+1Cowell wrote:I think this thread is an indication of how little Church history is understood among members of the Church today. I can tell by some of the posts that some of us almost retract from these topics as if anti-Mormon topics are being discussed. This is unfortunate because the Church's history is fascinating, and extremely rich.
I could list books that the most reputable LDS scholars and Church historians recommend we study in order to understand our Church history better. Incidentally, Magic World View is near the top of the list for recommended reading by the most reputable active LDS Church historians. I know personally a very very well respected professor who works in the Church History Department at the Church office building who thinks it is absolute nonsense when members discount this book based on D. Michael Quinn's subsequent excommunication. One interesting anecdote this particular professor highlights is that the book was sold at Deseret Book. The list of recommended reading includes books by active members, inactive members, non members, and excommunicated members, but each author is reputable, well researched, and seeking to understand Church history.
I would also like to correct something that I think has been inadvertently mis-characterized about Early Mormonism and the Magic World View. This is not a book linking the roots of the early Mormon Church with occult worship of the Devil. The book is about "folk magic" practiced by members of the Church and much of the American frontier. And it isn't just this book, all reputable LDS historians inside and outside of the Church agree that such superstitious religious practice was prevalent at that time in history and common among members of the Church at that time. In fact, most people on the frontier didn't attend a Church congregation, but instead mixed bible study with their superstitious religious practices at home and with their families. But this shouldn't be surprising to anyone who knows anything about Church History.
I would be interested in a thread that actually discusses the contents of these Church History books, as opposed to demonizing the authors in an effort to discredit what is presented by their studies.I think what you are missing is he is not part of a conspiracy. This thread hasn't added a lot of credibility to your position that new age spirituality is spreading throughout the Church and world Bella. I'm not saying it is or isn't, but you can't just look for it everywhere and assume it applies everywhere. You might be able to convince people who haven't studied early Church history, but I find this whole thread completely unconvincing. I say this in all kindness as I know this is an important topic for you. But this is neither here nor there. I am personally more interested in discussing the early Church history itself than one particular historian.Bella wrote:Not sure what I am missing here. People scream other people are part of the conspiracy and are evil and are untrustworthy liars for far less serious reasons than what Quinn has said and done.
Cowell.......the ever grounded, well reasoned and methodical.