LDS Church & transparency

There was a recent discussion in an online forum about transparency.   A Church critic claimed that the LDS Church has always hid the controversial topics.  I disagree. 
 
Several thoughts:
 
  •  The Church’s teachings we review in Sunday School are primarily doctrinal and devotional, not apologetic or historical in scope and intent. 
  • The LDS Church’s archives are open. 
  •  Many journals, histories, and accounts have long been published.  And, yes, even on the thorny topics. 
  • LDS and non-LDS folks have long belonged to historical societies (John Whitmer Historical Association is one example) that have openly debated and published on today’s thorny issues, including seer stones, witness testimony, Joseph’s polygamy, and similar topics.

  • These topics — ones that have surprised many members today — are not new.  No new facts. Critics have applied a range of interpretations for over 180 years. Today the criticisms and interpretations are circulated on the internet instead if via books and radio.
  • Personal growth and education must be life long for which we alone are ultimately responsible
One of the videos I shared w/ the most vocal critic was this below. Everything is hiding in plain sight.
Our church is doing a lousy job if hiding its history is a goal…

Could the Church have done better with transparency?  Sure.
Are they doing better today?  Yes. More is available than one could ever read.
Counterarguments to the claim that the LDS Church “whitewashed” it’s history.
FAIR Mormon shares open, lengthy discussions of thorny topics in Church publications.  A very poor job of hiding, indeed!
A convert who studied anti-Mormon material before joining shares his perspective on this topic:

Patrick Mason speaks to many of these issues here: