INTELLECTUAL APPEAL

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#CC9900" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="043005a0dwnjzk.gif"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="EDWARD WATSONS WEBWORLD"><U><B>home</B></U></A><B> | </B><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B>EDWARD WATS</B><B>ON'S WEBWORLD</B></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id118.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="INTRO"><U><B>INTRO</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id120.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="KNOWING TRUTH"><U><B>KNOWING TRUTH</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id121.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="WHY MORMONS?"><U><B>WHY MORMONS?</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><B>INTELLECTUAL APPEAL</B><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id123.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="PURPOSE AND USAGE"><U><B>PURPOSE AND USAGE</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id124.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ADAPTABILITY"><U><B>ADAPTABILITY</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id125.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="WHAT IS MORMONISM?"><U><B>WHAT IS MORMONISM?</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id126.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="THE CHURCH IS THE BRIDE OF CHRIST"><U><B>THE CHURCH IS THE BRIDE OF CHRIST</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id127.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BIBLICAL EXPERTS"><U><B>BIBLICAL EXPERTS</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id128.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="IS MORMONISM A CULT?"><U><B>IS MORMONISM A CULT?</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id129.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="HISTORICAL REFUTATION VS SCRIPTURAL REFU"><U><B>HISTORICAL REFUTATION VS SCRIPTURAL REFUTATION</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id130.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CREDENTIALS"><U><B>CREDENTIALS</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id131.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BIBLICAL VIEW"><U><B>BIBLICAL VIEW</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id132.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="PERSONAL NOTE"><U><B>PERSONAL NOTE</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id133.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOOK OF MORMON"><U><B>BOOK OF MORMON</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id135.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ABBREVIATIONS"><U><B>ABBREVIATIONS</B></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> INTELLECTUAL APPEAL</div> <div> <A HREF="id118.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="INTRO"><U><B>Introduction</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id120.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="KNOWING TRUTH"><U><B>The best way to know the Truth</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id121.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="WHY MORMONS?"><U><B>Why are we called “Mormons”? </B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id122.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="INTELLECTUAL APPEAL"><U><B>The intellectual appeal of Mormonism</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id123.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="PURPOSE AND USAGE"><U><B>What these books are for and how to use them</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id124.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ADAPTABILITY"><U><B>The adaptability of Mormonism</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id125.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="WHAT IS MORMONISM?"><U><B>What is Mormonism?</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id126.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="THE CHURCH IS THE BRIDE OF CHRIST"><U><B>The Church is the Bride of Christ!</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id127.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BIBLICAL EXPERTS"><U><B>The four types of biblical experts</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id128.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="IS MORMONISM A CULT?"><U><B>Is  Mormonism a Cult?</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id129.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="HISTORICAL REFUTATION VS SCRIPTURAL REFU"><U><B>Historical refutation vs Scriptural refutation</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id130.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CREDENTIALS"><U><B>The issue of credentials </B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id131.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BIBLICAL VIEW"><U><B>My view of the Bible</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id132.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="PERSONAL NOTE"><U><B>A personal note</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id133.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOOK OF MORMON"><U><B>Coming back to the Book of Mormon</B></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>[MORMONISM. The Faith of the Twenty-first Century. Volume 1. Edward K. Watson. (Liahona Publications. Copyright © 1998 Edward K. Watson.) pp. liv-lvi. MORMONISM: Series Introduction. All rights reserved.]</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The</B> <B>intellectual appeal of Mormonism</B></div> <bR> <div>      Normally, the higher the education one attains or the higher intelligence one has; the less likely one is a devoted follower of a particular church. This can be seen in Christian churches throughout the land except in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >1</FONT> <B>The LDS church is not only scripturally accurate and socially beneficial but is astonishingly intellectually satisfying.</B> It encourages its members to study and learn as much Truth as possible, regardless of the source.<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >2</FONT> These factors cause those who know critical methodology to admire and appreciate the Mormon faith since it doesn't make the numerous absurd intellectual demands prevalent in contemporary Christianity. One rarely finds church members being unable to think for themselves,<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >3</FONT> whereas our opponents seem unable to do so by their letting anti-Mormon paraphernalia do the thinking for them. This is why the percentage of those with exceptional intelligence and post-doctorate educations who are faithful members within the LDS church are vastly higher than other Christian churches, and the vast percentage of the apostates and less-actives are from the lower intelligence/education brackets, unlike the situation in other churches.</div> <div>      The MORMONISM Series demonstrates the beauty and strength of Mormonism based upon the Scriptures and reason. It demonstrates why Mormonism is called “the most logical and biblically accurate religion in the world.” It demonstrates why we are viewed as having a “<B>rational theology</B>” instead of a “<B>memorized theology</B>.” It shows why Mormonism is so appealing to intellectuals, along with those of spiritual and intellectual integrity.</div> <div>      Modern science's inheritance of Greek philosophy's domination of Western education has given Mormonism a tremendous advantage over other Christian faiths, since our worldview is compatible with the worldview of modern science whereas theirs is with Greek philosophy. Today's educated man no longer accepts the assumptions and views of Greek philosophy without question but knows critical examination and scientific foundations. As more scientists, engineers and other professionals get to understand Mormonism, the greater the number of them will join the church.</div> <div>      Tremendous intellectual validity and satisfaction exists in Mormonism. Even if I were to disregard the spiritual and emotional benefits I've received, especially the events that I firmly believe were communications from God that testified of the legitimacy of the Book of Mormon and Ezra Taft Benson, I still possess intellectual strengths that can't be found in any other faith. </div> <div>      Here are three concepts that demonstrate how  intellectually satisfying Mormonism is and why intellectuals with integrity find so much validity with the LDS faith:</div> <bR> <div>      [A] <B>Mormonism explains how God can be all-powerful and all-good that can co-exist with evil. </B>Perhaps the single most important logical and intellectual strength of Mormonism is its theology is the <I>only one</I> able to resolve the paradox of theodicy (see MORMONISM: Section 1, Chapter 16). How can evil exist if God is all-good and all-powerful? For example, the Mormon belief in the pre-existence means God is not responsible for undeserved suffering (e.g., Why did the baby suffer cancer and die?). The Mormon belief in the uncreated intelligence which is the foundation of our spirits means God is not responsible for our failures and evil deeds, which he would be if he created us <I>ex nihilo</I>. The Mormon belief in the uncreated nature of Good and Evil means God is not responsible for the existence of evil because it pre-existed God as God. Otherwise, he would be responsible for the existence of evil and would be an evil God. The Mormon belief that God is unable to destroy the Law of Justice (law of cause and effect) means the Atonement of Christ makes sense.</div> <div>      [B] <B>Mormonism explains where God and the universe come from</B>. Another concept that gives great intellectual satisfaction is the Mormon concept of infinity that extends in both directions (<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP IconicSymbolsA" >ø</FONT>) instead of Traditional Theism's  unidirectional infinity (<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP IconicSymbolsA" >÷</FONT>) (see MORMONISM: Section 1, Chapter 14). This is best described by the Mormon belief that God has a God who has a God, ad infinitum, i.e., there never was a period where a “God” didn't exist. Each “God” experienced a mortal existence in a particular universe ruled by a “God,” which means there is an unending chain of universes that give birth to other universes. This is what modern scientists call the “ Multiverse” and is viewed to be the best logical explanation for the origin of the universe. Despite Aristotle's “Unmoved Mover” (i.e., nothing <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP IconicSymbolsA" >ö</FONT> something) still exists in Traditional Theism (Judaism, non-Mormon Christianity and Islam), modern scientists and thinkers realize that it doesn't satisfactorily explain the existence of the universe because it means a static “thing” needs to be non-static in order to become non-static (In religious terms, a static God needs to be non-static in order to become non-static). Their embracement of the  Multiverse gives tremendous credibility to Mormonism since we've consistently rejected the traditional conception and advocated the Multiverse model of reality.</div> <div>      [C] <B>Mormonism explains what we are and what we can be</B> (see MORMONISM: Section 5). We  are “Gods in embryo” which means we are more than mere creatures of God, but are actually endowed with the potential to become what he is and join the unending chain of “Gods” who rule the Multiverse. For all the obstinacy of atheistic evolution's advocates, the existence of “God” is the logical and inevitable final result of evolution which means <I>atheistic</I> evolution is self-defeating. Given that the Multiverse is<I> infinite </I>and biological evolution has a <I>superior</I> life form emerging from an inferior one, this means there's a 100% probability that a “God” (or “Gods” numerically) exists and a 0% probability that a “God” doesn't exist. Any “God” who is all-good and all-powerful would desire to aid other ontologically inferior creatures to become like himself.</div> <div>      I am not aware of any other religion that contains <I>any one</I> of these intellectual points with only Eastern Orthodoxy coming close to the third. <B>There mere fact Mormonism has all three gives it an incredible </B><I><B>logical</B></I><B> advantage over any other faith. </B>I simply can't disregard these three intellectual advantages of Mormonism since I don't know of anything that can even come close to replacing them to the intellectual mind. If I leave Mormonism, I leave the only faith that possesses these three logically satisfactorily concepts. My point is this, “What intellectual benefit can I receive outside Mormonism that outweighs these three found within it?” The answer? Nothing.</div> <div>      These three concepts of Mormonism show its intellectual appeal, which becomes even more apparent when they are coupled with what Mormonism really is (whatever is true and right).</div> <bR> <div> <B>[ENDNOTES]:</B></div> <div> 1.ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MORMONISM. Educational Attainment. Article by Terrell H. Bell; SAINTS AND SCIENTISTS (Dr. Richard Wotton)-http://inficad.com/~seth/index.html; SCIENCE AND SCIENTISTS (E.L.Thorndike) (MacMillan Press, New York. 1992; HISTORICAL STATISTICS OF THE US (US Dept. of Commerce. Mesa Az. 1995). pp.18-52; http//www.nettally.com/lds/scientists/html. Utah, being mostly LDS, is consistently among the top states in the production of scientists by ratio of the population. (Most of these scientists receive their education outside the state). </div> <div> 2.See THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MORMONISM. <I>Attitudes towards Education</I> by David P. Gardner; <I>Intellectual History</I> by Richard F. Haglund Jr & David J. Whittaker; and <I>Reason and Revelation</I> by Ralph C. Hancock; JD 14:196-197, Brigham Young, June 3, 1871 “I want to say that we are for the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth; we are pursuing the path of truth, and by and by we expect to possess a great deal more than we do now; but to say that we shall ever possess all truth, I pause, I do not know when. We receive light and truth from the fountain of light and truth, but I am not at liberty to say and do not know that we shall ever see the time when we shall possess all truth. But<I> we will receive truth from any source, wherever we can obtain it.</I>” [italics added.]</div> <div> 3.In accordance with Brigham Young's exhortation -JD. 15:6. Apr 28, 1872.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="mailto:ewatson@shaw.ca" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:ewatson@shaw.ca"><U>e-mail me!</U></A></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>