God or Fraud: Chromo-chronistic spectral decay

Some of you know that I work in science and technology, and one of my degrees is in physics.  I have a colleague in physics who made an intriguing discovery regarding lepton emissions from the elemental isotope ¹⁹⁷Au.  From quantum chromodynamics—“chromo” for color—my colleague determined that the 197-isotope of element Au emits leptons that prior to annihilation chronically (periodically) release a wide spectrum of electromagnetic radiance which he believes he can detect with an instrument he plans to build.  Most of you know that elemental Au is gold, and ¹⁹⁷Au is the most stable isotope.  By detecting the lepton “chronistic” emission of wide spectrum electromagnetic radiance, my friend can find gold.  A lot of gold.  All the gold in the world, even.

My colleague needs funding to further develop the method of detecting ¹⁹⁷Au through wide spectrum lepton chronistic emission.  He will split all the discovered gold with patrons who join his organization and donate an investment for a certain period of time while he continues receiving inspiration about his method to divine lepton-chrons down the colorful spectrum of light leading to a whole pot of gold.

Yes, you’ve guessed it.  My colleague is selling a method to find leprechauns and the end of a rainbow with pots of gold! Do you want to join us?

No doubt that language like that of the first paragraph, if sold by those with some level of scientific credentials in the kind of language I wrote above, and pitched sincerely to unwitting people—there are so many—could gather a gaggle of “investors” (even in the day of the internet) who want to join the Latter-day Gold Seekers non-profit charity we would establish.  Once we have collected a lot of kickstarter cash, we would skip town and find another place to pitch the scheme.

Our story of divining lepton-chrons emitting rainbows leading to pots of gold-isotopes sounds silly. If we took the cash and ran, then got caught and brought before a judge in the UK, we might actually get off.  Apparently, if you pitch “beliefs” and take money and insist it was all belief-based, some UK judges will call out your prosecutor on “abuse of process” as he withdraws the charges.  We would get off Scott-free, or Brit-free anyway.

You may shake your head at my silliness.  Stealing money from people to detect Leprechauns at the end of a rainbow with pots of gold!?  No judge would let that fraud get a pass.  But Mormonism?  Taking money based on a story about an angel on a hill with plates of gold!?  That’s legitimate!  Says Judge Riddle of the UK.  Riddle, what an apt name.

My “physictitious” colleague and I could couch our story with science about isotopes, leptons, quantum chromodynamics, wide-spectrum electromagnetic emission.  All fancy code words for leprechauns, rainbows and gold.  Mormons couch their story around, over, under and through ancient travels of pre-Hebrews submarines, of ancient Egyptian papyri, of ancient Kolobian astronomy, of unearthly matter elements so pure that you need a refined set of eyes to discern it.  To an 19th century frontier person, submarines, Egyptian papyri, refined matter and an ancient American super-race are the pre-modern equivalent to us preaching leptons, quantum chromodynamics, wide-spectrum emission, and so on.  Marks trust authority figures who sound intelligent and have a great story.  Through preaching the bounty of a heaven-sized award, a mansion and a world of forever peace with that sophistry of words, you can sell a lot of people on a perpetual scam; one that continued well past its prime to the 21st century and into the internet age.

And the Riddle here?  A Judge champions the silliness, fearing the baseless premise that religion deserves a special exemption on telling the truth when taking your money.  We would never get an exemption for taking money on a scheme of leprechaun-based gold-detection.  Why do they get a pass on collecting money with stories of angelic gold-plate doctrines leading to a heavenly mansion of gold at the end of your colorful life?

Stephen Bloor, one of two plaintiffs in the Mormon fraud case, wrote yesterday:

“At first sight I agree it looks like Tom Phillips' evidence in the case wasn't tested in court, but as Christopher Ralph pointed out to me, yes it was. Tom's evidence for the fraud being carried on by the Church was tested by a very experienced District Court Judge, Elizabeth Roscoe. She tested the evidence very thoroughly in Court for nearly 4 months putting every conceivable defense to Tom's legal team until in the end she had to accept 90% of the evidence and issue the Summons. She did not do this lightly, her own reputation was on the line.    Now it seems another Judge, or the legal/political system inthe UK, has decided it is not time to attack religion in this way.  Maybe they are thinking there are bigger repercussions for religion generally?”

Ok, so yes, the Monson-Mormon fraud case was dismissed. The lame, deaf and dumb Monson--a complete wimp and unlike the brave Abinadi, Alma and Captain Moroni in his scripture--sent lawyers to speak for him.  Him, the prophet who they teach is “the only person on the earth who possesses and is authorized to exercise all priesthood keys" let the Queens’ Counsel  (attorneys who are not even Mormon) declare LDS policy regarding its doctrinal foundation.  Tom Phillips succeeded in getting on record, legal record, a full day of ranting by the LDS church attorneys. The ranting will be priceless.

If and when the court transcripts come, we can find many concessions the LDS church made in its legal fight. For starters, 1) The LDS church teaches beliefs which cannot ever be viewed as truths (legally). 2) Mormon tithing is optional. 3) “Prophet” Monson is not the "only person on the earth who possesses and is authorized to exercise all priesthood keys" because the lawyers do that now.

I'm sure there are more. We need to list them all and continue to point to them over and over. These have far-reaching implications. The ball is moving toward a more definitive court and the jello has begun to nail to the wall for them. The more they're forced to define themselves legally, the harder it becomes for them to wiggle out of their own trappings.

The careful strategy of nitpicking the LDS prophet's words will put him and future leaders in a doctrinal and speech-limited strait-jacket. The manuals, conference talks, books and more produced by all leaders will be vetted by lawyers.  Zeezrom (Book of Mormon Lawyer) runs the church. We thank thee, oh god, for attorneys!   The general authorities will no longer have the balls to teach strong words.  When they do, strong people will leave.

P.S.  I know that those who were once close to me in life (L & V & A) read my blog, and even search the internet over to find every morsel I write using pseudonyms on forums in order to find ways to "hurt" me.  Why?  Because I dare speak my opinion in a public manner.  If you are one of those former close relations, I wish you the best in your life, but do you not see the hypocrisy in expending so much effort and time coming after me when your complaint is my beliefs hurt yours, so you must find ways to hurt me through mine?  Perhaps you should be 100% personally honest at the deepest level of what you believe and re-examine your own truth if this is where it leads you.  Perhaps my message resonates at such a subconscious core that it causes you distress for a legitimate reason.  Perhaps you fear my message and have no defense except to attack the messenger. Yeah, whatever...

Summons Withdrawn

For immediate release

Contact:   mormonthinkeditors@gmail.com

  JUDGE WITHDRAWS MORMON FRAUD SUMMONS

Monson and LDS Church receive reprieve in UK fraud case

MARCH 20. LONDON--After almost a week of deliberation, a district judge today announced his decision to withdraw the fraud summons issued in February against Thomas S. Monson and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The announcement came almost a week after a daylong hearing in which Tom Phillips’ attorneys forcefully demonstrated the LDS Church’s complicity with a range of illicit acts contained in Fraud Act 2006. For the immediate future, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will not have to defend itself against fraud charges in a trial by jury.         

Tom Phillips, the British citizen who shed light on the Mormon Church’s alleged fraudulent acts in a magistrates’ court last fall, expressed both disappointment and cause for hope at the news, “Although this ruling represents a setback for our cause, we remain steadfast in our commitment to bring the LDS Corporation to justice. For people around the world, this case has brought to light the truth: the LDS organization has committed fraud, and fraud is a serious crime.” Phillips said he continues to believe that governments should “enact and enforce laws that protect victims of fraud and corporate malfeasance, regardless of the wealth, influence, or apparent religious motives of the perpetrator.”

David Twede, a spokesperson for MormonThink.com, said “One way of looking at things is that the Mormon Church dodged a bullet today. As soon as Tom and his legal advisors analyze the judge’s reasoning in detail, I’m sure they will re-evaluate their position and announce a course of action adapted as circumstances warrant. It’s my understanding that they will continue to explore every possible avenue for redress, both in the United Kingdom and abroad.”

Phillips promised, “My legal team will leave no stone unturned.”

In 2013, Phillips took over as managing editor for MormonThink.com. For almost a decade, MormonThink has been a resource for complete information about the LDS Church’s history, doctrine and teachings. Produced primarily by active church members, the site’s goal is to accurately convey the unvarnished truth about Mormonism in its comprehensive materials. David Twede, a previous managing editor, was threatened with excommunication in 2012 when his leadership role was revealed to Church authorities. Twede has since resigned from the Church and serves an at-large editor for MormonThink, and now issues his research, analysis and commentary on the LDS Church primarily through his blog, Mormondisclosures.blogspot.com. Tom Phillips remains an inactive member of the LDS Church.

Recently, the MormonThink editors issued the following statement concerning the UK fraud case: “The recent summons of Thomas S. Monson, corporation sole, by an English magistrate to address charges of fraud by two former Mormons was led by our managing editor, Tom Phillips. Although Tom acts on his own behalf in this case, we want to clarify our role and position.

“Since its founding, the mission of MormonThink has been to make public accurate knowledge of Mormon history, doctrine, and teachings so that current and potential members can make an informed evaluation of the faith. Our overarching premise is that transparency, truth, and full disclosure are the least members should expect from Mormon leaders, or of leaders of any religion.

“To the extent that this case will serve to uphold transparency, truth, and full disclosure about Mormonism, we support the spirit and intention of our colleague’s endeavor. Regardless of its outcome, we remain committed to our mission.”

Phillips, for his part, remarked that, “I look forward to the day, and it will be soon, when the LDS Corporation is brought to justice.”

He added, “While today we are disappointed, we draw hope from the knowledge that getting to this point is a victory few thought possible. And while today we are saddened, we draw strength from the outpouring of support and encouragement we have received from around the world. The thousands of people who stand with us give us fortitude to forge ahead, regardless of today’s ruling. We thank you all for your many expressions of support. I believe the future is a bright one for our cause.”

# # #

http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/

https://www.gov.uk/browse/justice

http://mormonthink.com/

Note about MormonThink editorial staff:  Besides managing editor Tom Phillips and myself, there are many others who have contributed so much to MT.  MT Founder and Bill Johnson have contributed the longest; former CES director Ken Clark, editor Dianne Ormond, and contributors Grant Palmer, Richard Packham, Will Bagley, Jeremy Runnells, Avery Wright, Darron Smith, Steven Bloor, and others are all noteworthy of helping MT be what it is today. 

Fraud Case First Day Official Release

From the MormonThink Editors

For immediate release

Press contact: David Twede

mormonthinkblog@gmail.com  

JUDGE HEARS DAY-LONG ARGUMENTS IN MORMON FRAUD CASE
Case may advance to Crown Court for trial; judge will announce ruling on Thursday


Saturday, March 15.   After a full day of arguments in front of a British magistrate yesterday, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ legal counsel failed to get dismissed fraud charges against the Church’s Prophet, Seer and Revelator, Thomas Monson.  Instead, Church leaders will wait until Thursday, March 20, to learn the next steps in the case.  On that day, the judge will announce whether the fraud case will proceed to Crown Court for trial.    

At yesterday’s hearing, Church attorneys attempted to discredit the case in two ways.  First, they argued that the fraud charges emanated from a grudge.  They claimed that Thomas Phillips, the British subject who instigated the fraud charges, was a “disaffected” Mormon whose problems with the church were personal, not legal in nature.  Second, the Mormon legal team declared that religious teachings and matters of belief are outside the sphere of criminal law.  They argue the charges against Monson are on the basis of his beliefs and not about facts which Monson may or may not have spoken.

Phillips’ legal team clarified that religions are not above the law.  They cited examples of lay and clerical members of religious institutions convicted of serious crimes in the United Kingdom.   Focusing in on the case at hand, Phillips’ attorneys showed how specific LDS Church representations, particularly its deceptive use of the term, “translate,”  are consistent with the illicit acts covered in the United Kingdom’s Fraud Act of 2006.  These particular representations, argues Phillips, are statements of fact by LDS leaders, including Monson, and subject to scrutiny under the Fraud Act.  The Act stipulates three types of fraud Phillips’ counsel affirmed that the Church carried out:  fraud by false representation; fraud by failing to disclose information; and fraud by abuse of position.   If the case proceeds to trial in Crown Court, Phillips’ team will need to further substantiate, corroborate and verify each charge in detail.

    David Twede, the Phillips case’s spokesperson, remarked that,  “Today’s hearing shows us that the British legal system takes those who violate its laws seriously, regardless of who they are and what kind of putative religious authority they speak from.  I’m glad we live in a day and age when certain governments can be enlightened enough to recognize that fraud is fraud.”

# # #

For further research, consult:
The Fraud Act 2006:  http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/d_to_g/fraud_act/

“LDS UK Fraud Case” on MormonThink.com: http://www.mormonthink.com/monson-summons.htm


I want to clarify a couple of points:  
1) Tom Phillips is still a member
2) Tom Phillips is not paid for his prosecution on this case.

The LDS Church can't seem to get its trees in a row