Does every Mormon ward still have at least one self proclaimed 'scriptorian' who is an expert at picking and choosing scripture verses which prove the church is true?
Way back in the 50s, 60s and early 70s the priesthood manuals discussed the religious beliefs of varios churches.
The lessons would sometimes be a church published book such as The Apostasy and Restoration broken down into weekly lessons.
I remember being taught things like the original teaching of baptism br immersion was modified by such n such a pope and changed by such n such a church back to immersion but the words to the prayer was only restored by Joseph Smith.
Then the next week they might discuss the role of priests and the next week discuss last rites etc.
Those days are long gone of course.
The point was to prove the value of the restoration and need for modern divine guidance.
I have no idea how accurate these lessons were, but I do know we felt we were "blessed" by having knowledge of restored truth.
No, I think with water downed doctrine there is nothing to say. Even if something is made up you can have a complex lore. Look at Game of Thrones or Star Trek. Sure it is all fiction but there is a logical history and something we can debate about. Now there is just a plan but the the steps are murky.
There are always snobs in every ward/branch. Maybe they are trying harder on social media because church activities are so fewer. Church is shorter.
Maybe if you act like the ward snob, you might get assigned all those undesirable callings. Maybe snobs are keeping their entitled opinions to themselves.
That’s pretty much John Dehlin’s beef with the church. You have a bunch of old men saying they are the ultimate authorities and they aren’t. Some People who follow them end up depressed, suicidal and screwed up because of the bad advice and unrealistic expectations.
There’s a lot of dead bodies and ruined lives in the wake of the church. Why is Utah so depressed and its youth suicidal? A blind person can see why.
You also have a backlash of rebellious behavior. If you want a kinky sex life move to Utah. There’s plenty of members who want you to join their rebellion.
Although most of the Mormons I know are very good and kind, there is an air about them - even if it's just a humble air -because they "know" (have been brainwashed to believe) they belong to the only true church with the only true priesthood and are lead by a prophet who has direct communication with God. Mormons are also taught that they are the only ones who have the "gift" of the Holy Ghost while others only experience it occasionally. They also believe they will be on the top of the heap in the next life while everyone else will be in a lesser kingdom.
How can a Mormon feel like they are equal to people outside their religion when they know they have so many more blessings and privileges that make them feel like they are super chosen and special?
Being elite has a certain essence to it. Mormons feel that they really do think they have the true church. It's rather sad to hear that they have not moved in the elite perspective.
They need to have people come clean about their beliefs. It's quite disconcerting that they feel that they are the only ones that believe that they will be the only ones in heaven.