LAZY Learners & LAX Disciples - Russell M. Nelson April 2021 | #GeneralConference

A response to the General Conference address "Christ Is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains" by Russel M. Nelson, from the April 2021 Conference.

Video Sources:

Original Video: Christ Is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains

Continents

Michael John U. Teh - Phillipines

Chi Hong (Sam) Wong - Hong Kong

Taniela B. Wakolo - Fiji

José A. Teixeira - Portugal

Edward Dube - Zimbabawe

S. Mark Palmer - New Zealand

Reyna I. Aburto - Nicaragua

Ulisses Soares - Brazil

2020 Statistical Report

2019 Statistical Report

Gospel Topics Essay

Ronald A. Rasband on Miracles

Missed in Sunday school

Moroni 10:7

The original video is included under 'Fair Use' law for the purpose of critique.

#GeneralConference #Mormon #FactChecking

[ThomasJDavis]

4:24 I also disagree with Nelson that "No other message (other than the redeeming message of Jesus Christ) can eliminate contention in our society..." But I think I disagree for different reasons.

I'm of the opinion that one of the major factors that sustains social cohesion and bonding is ideological uniformity. I consider it a product of our evolutionary history. I'm willing to admit that the beliefs Nelson speaks of could eliminate contention in ANY society, so long as EVERYONE believes it. And that could probably be said of any group of people who all believe the same ideology in any region of the world.

I've long said that secular humanism brings people together by accepting differences while religion brings people together by eliminating differences (namely, ideological differences). I may adjust this statement in the future, but I think it's a sign of a mature society when masses of people can peacably live together _despite_ ideological differences. To me it shows that the majority of the population knows how to have a mature and civil conversation about differences or disagreements, should the occasion arise. And if it doesn't the population understands how to respect people's freedom of belief. But I suppose it's the "freedom of ideological practices", so to speak, that causes the actual tangible conflicts in these kinds of societies.

[DMichaelAtLarge]

Funny how my lazy learning has made me a thousand times more informed about the church than my siblings, who for the most part have no idea what I'm talking about when I bring things up.

[joshcarroll]

Damn, just what kind of people does he think are leaving the church? The slackers, religiously uneducated, gamers, and the casual church goers? We were teachers, leaders, missionaries and faithful members our entire lives. Ironically, HUGE numbers of people leaving followed his advice over the years and studied and discovered doubts in the actual STUDY MATERIAL. Respectfully, it's disappointing to think a prophet of God can have so little compassion and such a high level of condescension.

[LibRoseITM]

The lazy learners things gets to me quite a bit as, during my faith crisis, I was absolutely the most diligent in my religious studies than I had ever been before. I also fasted which even in normal circumstances is difficult for me but at the time, I was still breastfeeding my child. I attended church physically, even though I didn't need to (it was during covid) and prayed my heart out.

It serves to perpetuate the idea that people only leave because they lack faith, diligence, or tenacity.

[Callisto]

I had faith in this church most of my life. Suffered through primary, youth program, mission, temple marriage and various callings. I was thoroughly and miserable throughout. I stuck with it because of ‘faith’. But I was let down. I discovered happiness and freedom when I abandoned this church. A church which is very anti Christian on many levels.
Also, well done Douglas. Another well produced fact checker, I always enjoy your work, particularly because you stick to the issues at hand while some of your contemporaries are taking personal potshots at how Nelson speaks in this talk. I’m not interested in such adolescent, personal remarks. I like what you do because you stick to the point.

[deku-bro]

The most ironic part about this (in my opinion) is that he’s subtly encouraging members to be lazy. By implying that those with doubts are lazy he’s subliminally telling members that if they have faith, it means they are not lazy and don’t need to do more learning. He’s giving them license to not learn more.

[SteveSmith-osbs]

I have been inactive for over 2 1/2 years now, I am very glad that I left.

[stephenbethell]

I forced myself to sit through this and then thanked god for the miracle of my excommunication. Well done Nemo

[danielwoodfield]

"Choose to believe." How does one choose to believe a thing they don't believe? Think of any claim you're unconvinced of like "My net worth is ten million dollars." Now, choose to be convinced of that claim. You can't, through sheer force of will, choose to believe anything. When He say's "choose to believe" he's really saying, just pretend as though you do. Lie to yourself and everyone else and claim to believe a thing you don't actually believe and maybe eventually you'll deceive yourself.

[TwoTreesVisuals]

Nemo is well deserving of all the attention he's been getting. Well done Nemo Im subbed and getting notifications. So so good

[lieseljones]

To me this talk is reinforcing it's abusive relationship with its members: keeping them passive, hard working, suffering, and powerless.

The church promises happiness and peace by surrendering yourself to God and giving more to the church.

I promise you will find happiness and peace by reclaiming your emotions and agency from God/the church. Your feelings and emotions and thoughts are your own they are not coming from God or the devil (although they may have been implanted in you by a prophet or teacher or parent). Let go of the idea that peace, happiness and power comes from God, and you will find peace, happiness and power. Amen.

[wendyellsworth]

You’re absolutely spot on! Once again, your take on the church is 100% accurate!

[BreatheDJOY]

Watched ~ Again To Make Sure i Didn’t Get “ It” Wrong ~ Worse Every time i have Watched It 😒Well Done Nemo ~ This Talk Is Very Painful. My History with The Church Is ~ Well ~Some Day i will Gain The Strength To Share My Journey ~ Thank You! Comforting To Know I am Not Alone 🗝Pure Truth Matters!!

[cloudex]

It was funny to see how quickly your facial expression changed as he said that only unbelief will stop miracles coming for you. Your expression is exactly representative of how I feel when hearing that line

[ShinbrigTV]

Never saw the talk until now, him ACTUALLY using the phrase "lazy learners" just solidifies my decision about leaving the church and gets me thinking "the church is starting to fall apart huh?"

[zaboomafia]

My uncle’s patriarchal blessing said he would witness the second coming in his mortal life. He died and Jesus didn’t come.

[cheryltyler]

I’ve heard bits and pieces of this talk but this time, I got the distinct impression the talk was written by President Oaks who is master of double speech

[matthewmitchell]

I sent my resignation letter on the first day of general conference, I’m out and done!

[edwardwilson]

The 'appeal to emotion' section about Joseph, Hyrum and the pioneers reminded me of Elder Holland's talk 'Safety for the Soul'. He said something similar about the events of the martyrdom being evidence of the Book of Mormon's truthfulness. After reflecting on both talks, I realised how illogical that argument is.

A lot of people die for their beliefs, but that only proves they have a strong belief, it doesn't prove it was actually a God-given truth they died for. Jim Jones and his followers believed in their cult enough to commit mass suicide. Same can be said for the Heaven's Gate group that also killed themselves for their beliefs in UFOs and ascension. Nazi fanatics probably believed dying for their vision of Germany was noble. Members of Al-Qaeda believed their ideology enough to become suicide bombers on 9/11. That does not make their claims true any more than Joseph and Hyrum getting martyred.

Loved your analysis, as always! :)

[Kellethorn]

I was so lazy in my learning, reviewing this talk for the 4th time, that I noticed something really interesting (and gross/frustrating)! --Rusty actually has a next-level blip of insane manipulation part way through. Hear me out:

Around 12:15, when the Rusticle starts his list for combatting doubt and lazy learning, yeah he says "Study, become an engaged learner" but what he says next is telling:

"Immerse yourself in the scriptures *to understand better Christ's mission and ministry. Know the doctrine of Christ so that you understand its power for your life. Internalize the truth that the atonement of Jesus Christ applies to you. He...blahblahblah atonement blahblahblah..."*

1) This is a straight-up sleight of hand. He is dangling "Hey! Don't be a lazy learner! Be an ENGAGED learner! Here are some tips for doing so" as the bait, but then he immediately pivots into "learn about christ and the atonement, so you can understand the doctrine [because clearly you don't already if you have doubts]."

---This is REALLY insidious because it creates the illusion that Rusty is promoting study and questioning, while simultaneously completely jumping over the fact that the vast majority of doubts mormons seem to have, are in regards to the church's history and truth-claims --NOT its theology.

*What rusty is saying here is, "If you have questions about this salvaged car's structural integrity, look closer at the seats. They're we JUST had them re-upholstered, AND we installed a new air freshener!!"*

2) It also reinforces the same subtle, but poignant, implication that "if you are even in this phase [doubting], *YOU* are technically the problem for not understanding Christ's doctrine well enough."

3) Finally, it presumes that if someone understands/believes the church's Theology, that any and every possible instance of historical censorship, member manipulation, or human rights abuse the church has ever committed is exonerated.

If it wasn't real life, and harming real people, I'd be really impressed at the level of manipulation here. Rusty would make an AWESOME villain in fantasy. It's a shame he's just an awful person in reality.