In 1994 I remember an article in the ensign about moroni's promise. And the subtle and powerful psychological trick/technique it is to start with the premise that the church is true. I've casually searched for psych papers addressing this phenomenon. So my question is if anyone has any god links to research to the psychological manipulation this is? Dehlin had a good interview with a psychological hobbiest, but it didn't address that issue specifically.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/c/confirmation_bias.htm

http://www.nizkor.org/features/fallacies/begging-the-question.html

The BoM gives you the test which you use to test it. Circular and begging the question.

It asks you to look for an answer to whether it is true, without ever telling you how you'll know if it is NOT true. Comfirmation bias.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/30/2012 03:57PM by Jesus Smith.

Thanks for those links.

I tried it several times, never worked.

I tried at 9... Didn't get an answer, so as an impressionable kid, I believed Moroni that I was the problem... And have been battling severe depression that I am not worthy (and worthless) since. I just wish I had figured it out sooner so I could be further along in my recovery from Mormonism.

http://www.lds.org/ensign/1994/04/moronis-promise?lang=eng&query=moroni's+promise

Here is that article.... That is some wicked psychology in here. It is a big setup to belief as you start to think about good stuff and you associate it with the morg.

Wow

Of course one must also wonder why Moroni would feel the need to mention whether it's true anyway; how many history books have you read where the author says anything beyond "Fantastic as they may seem, the events in this book are true." Mormons get away with saying that the BoM is NOT a history book, so they can work the prayer angle in. Except that IS a history book. Except that isn't. Except that it is. Any way the wind blows...

Excellent point as well. A US text book company does not deliver books to Africa and ask at the end to pray about it. For confirmation that in the late 60's the US went to the moon.