Now, a word of caution to all, both young and old, both male and female. We live at a time when the adversary is using every means possible to ensare us in his web of deceit, trying desperately to take us down with him. There are many pathways along which he entices us to go, pathways that can lead to our destruction.
Advances in many areas that can be used for good can also be used to speed us along that heinous pathway. I feel to mention one in particular, and that is the Internet. On the one hand it provides almost limitless opportunities for acquiring useful and important information. Through it we could communicate with others around the world. The church itself has a wonderful web site filled with valuable and uplifting information and priceless resources. On the other hand, however, and extremely alarming, are the reports of the number of individuals who are utilizing the Internet for evil and degrading purposes.
-- Pres. Thomas S. Monson, 179th Semiannual General Conference, Apr. 5, 2009
They are going out of their way to make it seem as if every source out there that doesn't agree with the church's official position on things like racism, sexism, homophobia, polygamy, the book of abraham, the kinderhook plates (the list goes on and on and on) are LYING.
Nevermind the fact that most of the sites they consider "anti-Mormon" have more truth on them than the church's own website. That doesn't matter. The truth, honesty and integrity are obviously not important.
Yes, my friends. These websites are the tools of Satan. WindySydney is a tool of Satan. Now go fetch me a small baby to eat for breakfast.
Andee
April 6, 2009 at 10:25 AM
We on the bloggernacle tend to hold our breath during these pronouncements. I'll admit that I was a bit.
But then he immediately segeway-ed into bog-standard pornography stuff, and we all breathed a sigh of relief (or was it disappointment?). False alarm. Carry on.
April 6, 2009 at 10:55 AM
"He then goes on to mostly talk about porn (I guess thats a huge problem with the Saints?)"
A report came out a few months ago saying that Utah has the highest rate of online porn use in the nation. So, I guess Monson actually reads the news (sometimes).
What I want to know is, if the Interwebs are the instrument of Satan, does that mean all those annoying Mo-mommie blogs are going to stop?
April 6, 2009 at 11:14 AM
First, don't forget women are walking porn. People don't need the internet for porn thanks to that announcement (excuse me while I go put on my burka).
They make anything other than LDS.org seem evil because it is helps scare people. The first time I encountered something less than 'perfect' about the church I had a panic attack. It was about the September 6 excommunication. It scared me because it made me rethink everything I thought I knew, everything I based my life on. It is easy to scare members because the thought of the church being less than perfect is so traumitizing.
Just remember, something that are true, are not useful.....
Congrats on being a tool of Satan! I am sort of proud right now.
April 6, 2009 at 12:26 PM
Oddly enough however, largely Mormon Idaho has one of the lowest porn consumption rates.
Hmmm...
April 6, 2009 at 1:19 PM
Did you actually listen to conference?
Also, I now always read these things with Gordon B. Hinckley's old-timey cadence in my head, and I do think "danger of the internet" has long been code for internet porn.
Anyway, have a baby: http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/12/04/eat-a-fetus/
April 6, 2009 at 1:38 PM
Well of course they want their sheeple to avoid the internets. There's no better truth for exposing the truth about mormonism than the interweb. Just a simple google search can give any person more than enough information to show them they've been lied to, just so long as they've an open mind and aren't totally brainwashed.
April 6, 2009 at 11:21 PM
The LDS gerentocracy is ill-equipped to deal with big changes, and they're between a rock and a hard place when it comes to the Internet.
On the one hand, if they encourage the Bloggernacle, then they're handing a lot of influence (power) to a bunch of people who weren't called by the church hierarchy! Including women! On the other hand, if they succeed in getting the faithful off the Internet, then the non-believers have the advantage on all Mormon-related search queries.
The brethren want to maintain information control -- to set the terms of the discussion themselves -- but they can't control the information flow on the Internet. Incomplete and misleading sites can't hold a monopoly in the open marketplace of ideas.
April 7, 2009 at 8:41 AM
C.L.Hanson,
It's always really cool when you post here. I really admire your website and your writing. I have wasted entire days reading your stuff!! Although, I shouldn't call it a waste.
You are right, they know they are losing control and there isn't much they can do about it.
I have heard a few people mention that they think the church will come out with an internet browser of some kind, or content software, that will only allow certain things through. The only problem is that you can't catch everything, and people find their ways through that easily. Ask any teen boy looking for porn. It's possible.