The Thread of Gold - Jane Carole Anderson

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by NeitherFirstnorLast

If there are, and I suppose that there are, real and current members of LSM churches here, then is this really the best way to open their eyes? I have found, in speaking myself to many, that when events of the past are raised then immediately their hands go up, and they refuse to hear you. I have heard them rebut me with things like:
"We shouldn't go there. The Lord has moved on, and so should we."

I see both sides; what you're saying and what Ohio is saying. My point is saints cannot have it both ways.
What about current members who have not been objected when speaking about the past by respected co-workers have taken place in trainings or in conferences?

[NeitherFirstnorLast]

Originally Posted by Ohio

There are some, however, who do want to know history. Some of those in the LC's want to know what really happened in the past. LSM and local leaders provide none of this information. The forum is the only source we have. Some people study early American history, some study church history, some study recent Recovery history, and some study no history at all. Churchill said, "Those who fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it."

I know what you are saying, Ohio... and as I said, if you feel lead to this kind of exposition, then I am not going to tell you that you are wrong. I only caution that it may not be as profitable to the saints as you might hope.

Originally Posted by Terry

I see both sides; what you're saying and what Ohio is saying. My point is saints cannot have it both ways.
What about current members who have not been objected when speaking about the past by respected co-workers have taken place in trainings or in conferences?

Of course you are right brother; saints can't have it both ways. Logically, if these misguided saints can come to understand that hiding history is of Satan and not of God, then they must surely see for themselves how grave is the error and how purposely they have been misled... But again, while it is not at all wrong to expose the truth; such an exposition may not accomplish the end you desire. Always remember "the truth in love".

Let me make a very rude comparison between marketing strategy and reaching the lost, if I may (and I mean no disrespect, Lord).

In the 1980's, Pepsico had an ad campaign wherein they targeted their competition directly. Rather than sing the praises of Pepsi, they 'demonized' Coca-Cola. Rather than tell people that their product was the best and demonstrate it, they used a kind of 'mud-slinging' technique to insinuate that Coca-Cola was for the uncool and the aged ('Pepsi: the Choice of a New Generation'.) Pepsi only advertized their product alongside their competitors, and always showed theirs as the right choice to make (remember the 'Pepsi Challenge', or even the recent commercial with the two truck drivers?).

Coca-Cola, in this same time period, invested heavily in marketing through sing-song lyrics ("I'd like to buy the World a Coke", etc.). Coca-cola focused their marketing efforts on brand-name recognition and having people associate their product with good times and world peace. Coca-Cola never once mentioned Pepsi's name or showed their colors.

You can certainly argue that both strategies are successful. Both Pepsi and Coca-Cola are still here today, battling it out for market dominance. On a personal level, when I watched Pepsi ad campaigns as a child, I was honestly disgusted with their tactics. It turned me off their product completely, and I refused to even consider drinking a Pepsi.

Reaching the lost, and that's really what those stuck under Anaheim's thumb really are, shouldn't be about pointing out the gross violations and the dirty schemes. What does that serve to do? You might get those people to see the truth, and you might get them off that dark path - but what alternative have you shown them? Those of us who 'meet' here don't 'meet' physically. We are collection of Saints, but we don't have anything more than a 'virtual' place to meet - we can't give them the support that they need or the guidance that they will require if we do convince them to leave. How have people like 11 of 101 been helped? How many people are there like that out there; people who have now seen that everything that they held dear, everything they believed, was a lie... and now fear that Christ was the liar too.

In Christ,

NeitherFirstnorLast