BRINKERHOFF'S OWN INTRODUCTION With Notes thereon by Ronnie Bray INTRODUCTION The original research for this book was done as fieldwork for a Master of Anthropology degree from the University of Adelaide, South Australia. [1] It was a study of the methods by which the Mormon church [sic] creates a new 'reality' for their young missionaries. [2] The task was to investigate how a group of young men and women could be sent into 'the field' to preach for and defend an organization that was really undefendable in a traditional Christian context. [3] We looked at the ways the Church imposed [4] its control over these young people. [5] The study had the full support and cooperation of the Church hierarchy. The First Quorum of Seventies [6] [the mission board] [7] and the Apostle of the Church, [8] Mr. Gorden [could he possibly mean GORDON?] Hinckley, gave this task their full encouragement, because of their belief that 'anyone who really understands what the Mormon Church is all about can do nothing else but join'. The only important condition placed upon the study was that we tell the truth about what we might learn, [9] because they know from bitter experience that they don't always get fair treatment from their 'reviewers'. [10] The Mission President [11] told me that there were over 1,600 violently anti-Mormon books on collection in Salt Lake City. We have done our best to report on the Church as we found it, [12] which is not to say that Mormons will be happy with the conclusions. [13] Errors of omission are regretted, but since this is but a short study, [14] we have been unable to follow all the thoughts to their logical conclusions. [15] Knowledgeable readers [16] will be able to identify a number of points which have not been addressed at all. [17] But we have addressed all the important ones. [18] We owe a great debt of gratitude to a large number of very kind Mormons who took us into their homes and confidences; all being eager for us to understand them and to be known for what they are; [19] honest, hardworking, humble people worshipping their god [20] with a great zeal, confident of a good reward if they keep their faith to the end. [21] However, contrary to the opinion that we would become a good Mormon ourselves [22] [they even had us scheduled in for baptism, without our knowledge, at one time], [23] the more we searched into their doctrines and the foundations of the Church, [24] the more obvious became the errors of their whole system. We had thought that the Church was just another of the apostate daughters of Church of Rome [25] (cf. Rev. 17:5), but what opened up before us was a world of intrigue and error, masquerading as Christianity, [26] that has ensnared millions of innocent, naive people around the world. [27] By comparing the truth about their founders, as revealed by people who knew them best [friends, neighbors, the courts, and various enemies both from inside and outside the Church itself]; with the 'improved version' of the Church as it is taught by them today, [28] one is led to the only conclusion possible: the [sic] Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day [29] Saints has both deluded itself and is deluding many in the world around it as they embrace its teachings. [30] Ronnie Bray comments: 1. I contacted this University. They had no knowledge of Brinkerhoff or his fieldwork or his pursuit of a masters degree. 2. There is no evidence in this ‘fieldwork’ book that this subject was ever broached. 3. There is no evidence in this ‘fieldwork’ book that this subject was ever broached. 4. This question is begged. Evidence of sinister work by Brinkerhoff. No evidence for any such imposition is either presented or ever likely to be found within Mormonism. 5. There is no evidence in this ‘fieldwork’ book that this subject was ever broached. 6. The first Quorum of Seventy. 7. Some members of the Seventy serve on the ‘Missionary Board’. 8. There is no such position as ‘The Apostle of the Church.’ This type of error betrays Brinkerhoff’s lack of scholastic and academic rigour, especially for one in pursuit, he alleges, of a higher degree. 9. Brinkerhoff failed abysmally to achieve this because he took the lazy man’s way and read the work of other Anti-Mormons. 10. As in Brinkerhoff’s case. 11. The Mission President is not identified. 12. This has to be an outright lie unless he means as he found it reported in the works of Martin, the Tanners, and other avowed enemies of Mormonism. This cannot be a recommendation for anyone to place his or her trust in Brinkerhoff’s ‘revelations.’ 13. No one can be contented or happy with lies, unless it is Forest A Brinkerhoff. 14. Masters Degrees are not usually satisfied with ‘short studies.’ They have to have some meat and some merit and some original research. Plundering Martin’s atrocious Kingdom of the Cults, &c, is not the avenue to a Masters Degree. 15. Since there is no logic in Brinkerhoff’s work, this is a safe bet. 16. Brinkerhoff apparently has his own definition of what constitutes a ‘knowledgeable reader.’ It has to be one that is not taught by Brinkerhoff and is not dependent on Brinkerhoff for what he or she knows about Mormonism. 17. Such as the TRUTH? 18. Important to whom? Unschooled scribblers? 19. Obviously believing you would be fair and honest, rather than – as you proved to be – treacherous. 20. ‘god’ is usually capitalised by those that know and respect Him. Such belittlement betrays Brinkerhoff’s mile wide mean streak. 21. A solid biblical teaching. “If ye endure to the end … ” 22. Sloppy grammar – ‘we’ is plural, and ‘a’ good Mormon is singular, and the twain cannot be used with each other except when basic, first grade, scholarship is lacking to a notable degree. 23. This is highly unlikely. Baptisms are always scheduled with the candidate for baptism. Hence, this is an extremely suspect statement. 24. No such research is evident in this book. Why raise in an introduction that which is not addressed in the thesis? Just another broken promise from Brinkerhoff: just another faded hope that he might actually have done something correct in his research. However, it proves to be simply one more disappointment among many disappointments. 25. Pity he cannot find words to say why he would think this to be the case and mention if as a propositional statement without any further development of the strain. Perhaps assembling material for a higher degree was too much of a strain for Brinkerhoff. 26. He fails to show this to be the case. Why? What is wrong with the man? 27. Again, Brinkerhoff’s trade mark is opinionated statement without visible means of support. Direct evidence of his mental vagrancy. 28. It is hardly ‘compared’ in this effete body of work. Throwing in the odd scripture that applies to Mormonism as well as Christadelphianism and then claiming that Mormons do not believe it is silly in the extreme, and dishonest to boot. He bears false witness by the usual methods used by anti-Mormons that, for the most part, are bitterly anti-Christadelphian. 29. The name of the Church that Brinkerhoff says he is studying for a Masters Degree in Anthropology is, “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” and not “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.” Anyone capable of pursuing a Masters Degree will know the name of his subject. Brinkerhoff repeatedly demonstrates that he is incapable of earning a decent grade in an ‘O’ Level English Language test, taken by 16 year old schoolchildren in the British educational system. 30. Since there is no evidence presented by Brinkerhoff regarding the subjects he assays in this introduction to address, and since that which is not addressed cannot lead to anything like a conclusion, the only safe conclusion is that Brinkerhoff formed his conclusion prior to penning his introduction and did nothing to test his proposition. Rather, he has lied and cheated his way through this book, another reason why the University of Adelaide have NO record of Brinkerhoff. Perhaps he attended a barbecue there one time and, after the fashion of his major informant, Bogus-Doctor Walter ‘Liar’ Martin claimed to have all kinds of degrees. He has foolishly let Martin lead him straight into the ditch that is full of those whose Bibles have been mutilated at the point where most others declare, “Thou shalt not bear false witness ... ” That is the only possible conclusion. Sad – but undeniably true! Ronnie Bray | 