There are several explanations used. One popular explanation comes from Calvinism in which God has already predestined some to salvation, so it is not our responsibility to try and convert those who have not been predestined. At the other extreme, there are those who believe that a loving God...
I have always been mystified that this story is perverted IMO to prohibit masturbation and contraception. I agree with the OP and appreciate the evenhanded evaluation of the story,
I think the difficulty, from my experience on LDS forums is a great tendency toward evasion, especially of direct questions. Evasion is not lying, but it is frustrating to the questioner. Motives for evasion are difficult to determine.
One example will suffice. When Mormons speak of the...
Actually, the truth of the matter is that nobody visited Mr. Smith. As with his other writings, there is absolutely no means of verification and when such attempts are made, as in the recent DNA testing, the results disprove purported claims. Thus, there is every reason to believe that this is...