FAIR Conference Notes

OK I couldn't help it.

Mike Ash- Shaken Faith Syndrome

Whabout doubt?- The Church is biggest enough for those who doubt. I think doubt may ultimately lead to apostasy. A rather extreme view perhaps, however, I think that 'questioning' will often lead to a increase in light and knowledge and ultimately increase our discipleship.

Cognitive Dissonance- This phrase often has a negative connotation. The actual "dissonance", that is to say, the uneasy feelings created by these conflicting thoughts or cognition may again lead to greater faith if the individual seeks resolution through study and faith. The problem lies in the exclusion of one or the other of those two factors of learning.

Some who experience cognitive dissonance when introduced to new information (Polyandry for instance) may abandon their beliefs entirely or only some of them.

Some may stuff that crap way down and smile and pretend everything is fine.( I think most Mormons fall into this category)

Or one may take the new discovery and choose to analyze by study and faith to reconcile with our primary beliefs. I like this one the best.

The difficult part of this process in my opinion is the tendency to force the new info into a mold that is pre-existing. Instead of allowing the entire belief system to evolve. For example, the idea that Joseph was dishonest with Emma about his practice of Polyandry is unsettling (that's a euphemism). It seems impossible to accept that he is both a Prophet and a dishonest husband. What to do? Simple. And I hate to belabor the point, but it is my belief that a search for truth through study and faith will yield a positive developmental experience.

We must not forget that there are certain truths with cannot be found out through exercises of the 'intellect'. To truly know that Jesus is the Christ, one must have it revealed by and through the Holy Ghost. However, without the mental examinations that there must needs be a Savior, or to have relief from some internal misery, or some other form of inquiry, there is nothing for the Holy Spirit to teach, answer, or witness.

Black and White thinking has always been a cognitive distortion for me. It has taken time to recognize and repair this critical thinking error. To be sure, truth is absolute, but the application and infinite number of variables must allow for a continuum that displays every shade of gray between black and white. Some will want to debate this fact but we can simply look for "exceptions to the rule" within the Book of Mormon to find evidence of "grays" that allow for multiple applications of divine truth (e.g. Taking a life and Nephi).

Confusing Tradition with Doctrine- I could go one for 1229 days. It's best not to get me started. The ultimate rule for me is this:

1. Can tradition or statements be reconciled with the standard works.
2. Has there been a contiguous practice or policy from Adam to President Hinckley.
3. Spiritual manifestation from God that the tradition, policy, practice, or statements are true.

I will publish after each talk and try to clean up grammar and sentence structure later, as well as rounding out thoughts at the end of the day.