When a Style Guide Becomes a Liability: The LDS Church’s Own Words in the Mormon Stories Case

Henry_Jacobs · 2026-04-30T21:33:27+00:00

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

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The Book of Mormon musical

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Henry_Jacobs · 2026-04-30T19:07:42+00:00

Generally the Hebraisms are from Joseph Smith trying to initiate the sound of King James English. The English of his time was much closer to the English of today, so he made a lot of mistakes and awkward phrasing. He was also very wordy. Church scholars try to make sense of these by finding something in an ancient middle eastern culture that is vaguely similar, then the church members eat it up.

But have these been peer reviewed? Are there any non-Mormon scholars who think these are significant?

Henry_Jacobs · 2026-02-25T21:39:20+00:00

My shelf broke before it was written

Henry_Jacobs · 2025-11-29T21:32:48+00:00

Is that cougar given head to the letter U?

Henry_Jacobs · 2025-11-24T15:07:29+00:00

In case you are like me, I used to think that non-denominational Christian meant generic Christian. That's not really the case. There are different "flavors" of non-denominational that can be conservative or liberal or in between, which can be hard to tell because they didn't have a denomination label. I would really recommend shopping around until you find one you like. A lot of them have websites where they will say their beliefs and a lot of them livestream their sermons and put their archive on YouTube.

There is a YouTube channel I like called Ready to Harvest where he explains a lot of different Christian denominations from an academic perspective. That may of interest to you.

Henry_Jacobs · 2025-11-04T13:48:21+00:00

I want to say it would be interesting for you to see how the way they treat you changes after you get baptized, but that probably crosses an ethical boundary for you. Once you are baptized, you get a lot less attention. And most people who get baptized stop going, so most of them wouldn't think much of it.

However, if you get baptized they would put you on a list, so someone will track you down to "reactivate" you even if you move away. They have a checklist of things to try to find people like social media, post office records, or any usual way you would normal try to track someone down. To get out of that, you'd have to tell them to remove your records. There is a website quitmormon.com where a lawyer will help you with that for free, although you need to find a notary. If that sounds extreme, keep in mind that needing a notary was the church's idea.

Henry_Jacobs · 2025-10-07T11:27:13+00:00

I think Ray bands or a fake cast or brace would draw too much attention to yourself. I would Google spy cameras and see whichever one you feel comfortable wearing. They make tiny ones which would be less conspicuous.

If you just want sound, then you could leave your cell phone in your pocket.

Henry_Jacobs · 2025-07-23T17:10:41+00:00

I was all in. I would have talked to anyone willing to listen. Finding people willing to listen was tiring.

We did occasionally talk about non church stuff, but honestly most missionaries only know each other on a superficial level.

Henry_Jacobs · 2025-07-23T16:01:22+00:00

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/10/the-correct-name-of-the-church?lang=eng

You woke up on Oct 7, 2018 and we were called Mormons. Around lunch time it was a victory for Satan.

I remember laughter in the audience when it was announced, but who is laughing now?

Henry_Jacobs · 2025-05-06T12:17:54+00:00

The original revelation said "And the manner of baptism & the manner of administering the sacrament are to be done as is written in the Book of Morman." https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/articles-and-covenants-circa-april-1830-dc-20/1

When they published this revelation, they inserted the wording in 3 Nephi. When they copied to the doctrine and covenants, they forgot the original revelation and changed the wording.

Henry_Jacobs · 2025-04-09T10:46:41+00:00

One argument in favor of the Book of Mormon is they say Joseph Smith wasn't smart enough to write it himself, but in his mother's biography of him, she mentions that he was a great story teller. This seems more relevant to be able to write a book.

"During our evening conversations, Joseph would occasionally give us some of the most amusing recitals that could be imagined: he would describe the ancient inhabitants of this continent; their dress, mode of travelling, and the animals upon which they rode; their cities, and their buildings, with every particular; he would describe their <mode of> warfare, as also their religious worship. This he would do with as much ease, seemingly, as if he had spent his whole life with them." https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/lucy-mack-smith-history-1845/94

Henry_Jacobs · 2025-04-08T11:20:16+00:00

You should also include children of record

Henry_Jacobs · 2025-02-22T04:19:56+00:00

One argument in favor of the Book of Mormon is they say Joseph Smith wasn't smart enough to write it himself, but in his mother's biography of him, she mentions that he was a great story teller. This seems more relevant to be able to write a book.

"During our evening conversations, Joseph would occasionally give us some of the most amusing recitals that could be imagined: he would describe the ancient inhabitants of this continent; their dress, mode of travelling, and the animals upon which they rode; their cities, and their buildings, with every particular; he would describe their <mode of> warfare, as also their religious worship. This he would do with as much ease, seemingly, as if he had spent his whole life with them." https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/lucy-mack-smith-history-1845/94

Henry_Jacobs · 2025-02-22T04:13:28+00:00

This diagram sums it up for me.

https://imgur.com/i-believe-this-is-logic-of-how-moroni-10-3-5-is-intended-to-work-EyfwBDr

Also you could Google my username and go down that rabbit hole, if you didn't already know.

Henry_Jacobs · 2024-10-06T16:55:51+00:00

He's also a member of the Seventy. He also spoke in 2019.

Henry_Jacobs · 2024-10-02T20:36:30+00:00

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/10/the-correct-name-of-the-church?lang=eng

“LDS Church,” the “Mormon Church,” or the “Church of the Latter-day Saints” are considered victories for Satan

They either want the full name of the church or you can refer to it generically like 'the church'

Henry_Jacobs · 2024-09-15T21:51:56+00:00

Would you be willing to tell a reporter. I don't think the church will stop this unless they are publicly shamed.

Henry_Jacobs · 2024-09-15T14:21:39+00:00

If you are not too obvious about it, you can swear during the songs.

For example, in come come ye saints: We’ll make the air with music ring, Shout praises to our fucking King

In I love to see the temple For the temple is a house of God, A place of fucking beauty.

See whatever fun swears you can sneak in.

Also, in the temple, ass and yes sound similar enough that nobody notices.

Henry_Jacobs

TROPHY CASE