long ago ideas

“When we are tired, we are attacked by ideas we conquered long ago." - Friedrich Nietzsche Long ago, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery conquered false claims that the Book of Mormon was fiction or that it came through a stone in a hat. But these old claims have resurfaced in recent years. To conquer them again, we have to return to what Joseph and Oliver taught.

Saturday, June 18, 2016

Stages of Truth and the geography question

One of the ironies of Book of Mormon geography is that we are simply going back to the beginning, but many people seem to think of the North American setting as something new.

I'm all in favor of people believing whatever they want, even when it comes to Book of Mormon geography. Maybe especially when it comes to this topic. At the same time, I hope people think about it a little.

One of the more famous explanations of the stages of truth is attributed to  Arthur Schopenhauer. a German philosopher (1788 – 1860). These stages seem to apply to individuals as well as groups, societies, nations, and even worldwide culture.

Of course, it's easy to quibble with this particular expression of the stages, but they are thought-provoking. And it should be obvious that the same stages could apply to a variety of concepts.

See how they apply to what you think, not only about Book of Mormon geography but other issues.

All truth passes through three stages. 

First, it is ridiculed.

Second, it is violently opposed.

Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.
___________

Others have added some gloss:

First, truth is ignored. (Alex Paterson)
Second, truth is ridiculed.
Third, truth is violently opposed.
Fourth, truth is accepted as being self-evident.
Fifth, truth was my idea. (Arthur C. Clark)

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