(February 11, 2015 at 12:55 pm)vorlon13 Wrote: Yeah, there is definitely a pattern to what is and isn't available for inspection/historical research from the extensive Mormon archives.
[snip]
So, I am not just being snarky when I post the Mormon's don't know what their fundamental tenets are, they in fact, do NOT know what they are, and there are so many lies and so much confusion on this subject, that it is impossible to take seriously any account of Joseph's first vision.
I, for one, am not arguing that most Mormons are hopelessly ignorant of their own church's history, it's very clear that they are. The most common denominator among people who question and/or leave the church is finding out that the church actively suppresses negative (non-faith-promoting) information.
And you're absolutely right - most rank and file Mormons don't know that there are multiple accounts of the first vision. Most don't know that Joseph Smith "translated" the BOM by looking at a rock in a hat, either.
Teenaged X-Files obsession + Bermuda Triangle episode + Self-led school research project = Atheist.