Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith Bettered This World

My opponent has neglected to answer my question posed in the previous round. Here it is again "I must ask, can one's life be improved and can one be a great citizen to the same degree as a Mormon yet not be under the influence of Mormonism? If yes, then what is the point of being a Mormon?" He has not provided an adequate answer, thus he has conceded the point, the point being that an individual can have an improved life and be a great citizen to the same degree as a Mormon yet not be a Mormon. When I say this, I am thinking of other religious groups such as other branches of Chritsianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. I am also thinking of nonreligious alternatives such as, atheism, deism, and certain variants of agnosticism. I then followed up my question with this statement: "I would argue that Mormonism does not improve the lives of people in regards to studies in the fields of philosophy. In fact, Mormonism has hindered millions of people from seeking anything of philosophical value outside of Mormonism. This is because of social pressures and the 'threat of Hell' pressure also. Feeding people bread to keep them alive is one thing. Giving them a chance to think for themselves without the consequences of having to forsake your family and eternal paradise is quite another." My opponent did indeed provide an answer to the 'threat of Hell' issue, however, he has not provided me with an answer to the social pressures issue, thus conceding the point, and agreeing that social pressure is a detracter from the philosophical development of Mormons. -DNA- My opponent seems to be taking a presuppositional disposition toward the argument in this area now. He has conceded the point that the scientists are estimating the time period, however, because of my opponents presupposed stance on this issue, he has decided to suggest that the estimations are not accurate. I have presupposed that the science behind the DNA has indeed provided an accurate representation of the possible time periods for the Haplogroup X to arrive in America. This has created a stalemate. I respect my opponent for his religious beliefs in this area, and I hope he can respect me for my beliefs in this area. -Seer Stone- My opponent has once again taken a presuppositional stance in regards to the seer stone. He has concluded that my suspicion is misplaced, and my ideas regarding Joseph Smith looking at papers in his hat to be futile. There is nothing more that can be said about this topic. We both have our presuppositions. We must agree to disagree. -James Strang- Another presuppositional argument. My opponent has not taken into serious consideration the similarities between Joseph Smith and James Strang. If James Strang lied about his experiences then he has deceived millions of people. Joseph Smith was his inspiration. Thus Joseph Smith inspired James Strang to deceive millions of people into unquestioning faith. I have already provided the reason as to why unquestioning faith is not beneficial. -Infinite Regress- My opponent has suggested that we become Gods, but the humans on the planets we will rule do not become Gods. Allow me to quote from the Doctrine and Covenants 132:19 “And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant,… …and they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fullness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever.” Allow me to hone in on this part of the quotation: “and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever.” This is very clear. People will continue forever. However this is impossible because an infinite progress is impossible. My opponent has also suggested that this is irrelevant in a debate about whether Joseph Smith bettered the world even though I have already demonstrated how this is of importance. Allow me to quote myself from earlier in the debate: “I hope you will agree that if Joseph Smith lied about his experiences, then what he did was not beneficial to the world. For if Joseph Smith did lie about what he saw, then Mormons all over the world would be delusional. Truth should be our goal and aim because nothing less can suffice.” “Joseph Smith did not benefit our world because he did not encourage rational thought and an unrestricted search for truth. Rather he encouraged unquestioning faith in himself.” “I would argue that Mormonism does not improve the lives of people in regards to studies in the fields of philosophy. In fact, Mormonism has hindered millions of people from seeking anything of philosophical value outside of Mormonism. This is because of social pressures and the 'threat of Hell' pressure also. Feeding people bread to keep them alive is one thing. Giving them a chance to think for themselves without the consequences of having to forsake your family and eternal paradise is quite another.” I have made it quite obvious through this logical absolute that the Doctrine and Covenants are faulty. Thus Joseph Smith lied when he wrote this book. Thus Joseph Smith has not encouraged a rational and unrestricted search for truth. Thus Joseph Smith has not made this world a better place. -Closing- Quote: “If we take the truth of the gospel out of it Joseph Smith has still bettered this world. There are now approximately 14 million members of his church who are happy. His church has donated 884.6 million worth of humanitarian aid since 1985. His people are great citizens and law abiding. Many great politicians are LDS.” Now allow me to quote myself:"I must ask, can one's life be improved and can one be a great citizen to the same degree as a Mormon yet not be under the influence of Mormonism” My opponent has not answered me therefore I will answer it for him. There are millions of people who are just as happy as Mormons. There are many charitable organizations that have donated millions of dollars worth of humanitarian aid far past 1985. There are millions of people who are great, law abiding citizens. Many great politicians are not LDS. My opponent has not proved anything in regards to these topics because one does not have to be a Mormon to be any of these things. However I have proved that Mormonism is very unhealthy in regards to philosophical inquiry and a rational search for truth. In order for the human race to stop fighting and killing we must have mutual respect for one other. In order for us to achieve this we must strive for the truth, the truth that we could be wrong, the truth that we are not all-knowing, and the truth that all of us deserve to be heard. But the only way we can achieve this goal is for there to be people who admit they could be wrong, for people to admit that they are not all knowing. In order for someone to be heard there must be someone to listen. I would encourage everyone to listen and appreciate other people’s opinions because ultimately that is all you have too, an opinion.