Below is the epistemological framework that we get in Sunday school. This is how we identify truth (or, if you’re Glenn Beck, this is how you decide whether or not to invest in gold–watch the second video towards the bottom; Mormon Matters addresses the same topic here).
The last time this was laid out for me in a Sunday school lesson I decided to diagram how it actually works. I’ve tried to be as accurate as possible.
Take a look at the diagram below. Is it accurate?
Perfect. I posted it to my facebook wall. Hopefully it will help family and friends who couldn’t understand get a better picture of my experience.
Very well done. Even in the initial model, there are some major problems. I think that model reinforces the idea of certainty being of such importance – it promotes grasping and clinging to things that for many many people just cannot be sustaining or nourishing. It disrupts (ultimately, I think) rather than promotes faith.
Love the way you’ve diagrammed “Beat your head against the wall until you get the “right” answer–if the “right” answer doesn’t come, it’s your fault.
Right on C.C.! Self-blame and/or guilt is NOT helpful in that situation.
Brilliant.
Yes so I have a theory that this can be explained mathematically but since I’m not mathematician I have no idea how to set up the equation…this will have to due.
Wow, does this hit home. Spent too many years in this flowchart. You nailed it.
I would like to bear my testimony that I know this model is true.
This is awesome. Next time some Ven diagrams, please.
But Moroni promised! You just pulled the curtain back to reveal the wizard.
Brilliant!
Fantastic! You can never go wrong with a flow chart. I’m working on that last box right now and while I think there are some people who might propose an alternate ending, this one will probably be where I end up.
Excellent explanation. :)
What a shallow and cynical misrepresentation. I was never taught this in Sunday School, and I suspect that none of you were either.
@Feste, are you referring to the first diagram, or to the second? My point was that we aren’t taught the second one–the more complicated one (but that it more accurately represents reality than the first “official” version).
Is it awesome? Yes!
Ha! Brilliant!
This is the best diagram I have ever seen. It really does describe my own experience and why I struggled for so long within the church until I finally decided to take an extended break.
Excellent! Totally captures the essence of learning “truth” through the “Spirit.”
Where is the step where you study it out in your own mind, make a personal decision about the Truth or Not Truth-ness, then pray for confirmation or your decision?
Isn’t the process supposed to be
1. Receive information, is it True or not true-
2. Study it out, and then make a decision-
3. Take the decision you have made to the Lord in prayer-
4. Receive confirmation of your decision then act on the decision,
or
4. Receive a stupor of though, and return to step 2 study it out again…
The whole point in my opinion is that we pray for confirmation of our own judgements and decisions, not that we pray for the answers to be given to us.
Great point, Chibby!
Great article (with additional flow charts): http://mormonexpression.com/blogs/2012/03/30/fostering-a-healthy-environment-for-independent-thought-and-why-the-church-fails-to-do-it/
The post above was originally posted here: http://oxymormongirl.blogspot.com/2012/01/fostering-good-environment-for.html