"By What Authority?" Part 1

Trump Card

This new Series may be a tad overambitious.  

But, as they say, "fools rush in."

This will certainly be the most candid of anything I have written so far, because I want to address one of the most common objections I hear that goes something like this:

"Tim, darling, you make some good points.  But who cares?  The only thing that matters is divine authority.  And the only legitimate priesthood authority on earth is controlled by the Prophet and apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

The implied message behind their raised eyebrows is, "You don't want to get sideways of them" (as if the Brethren were mafia dons just out of earshot).

When I hear this, I know it's time for dessert.  One's mind is made up when they play this Trump Card. 

And so this Series will address their Ace head-on:

"Thems got keys!  Zion's at ease!  Pay the check, please!"

Debate School

I miss the good old days in Kirtland, where Joseph Smith hosted a debate school for the Elders (just don't tangle with William Smith).

Back then they vigorously debated doctrine and policy.  They had thick skins and big dreams for the future of the Church.

Today we're not encouraged to debate (or dream) because the deciding's been done for us.

We are trained to hold the party-line, to give the appropriate, Church-sanctioned answers instead of voicing our true feelings and opinions (should the two be in conflict).

But this has come at a tremendous cost.  The deprivation of sincere, honest discourse in the Church has resulted in sky-rocketing spiritual cholesterol among the membership. 

We're seeing unprecedented numbers of heart-attacks and strokes because our spiritual lifeblood can't flow free; there are blockages everywhere.

So what is stopping the Spirit from being poured out like on the day of Pentacost?  

What is causing this hardening of our hearts?

Well, just look at Sunday School: it is a well-choreographed dance where we all know the proper way to tango should we wish to avoid drawing the ire of chaperones holding the paddle boards. 

Sitting through Church, ask yourself, what learning outcomes are being reinforced?  

Nulla Valde Extrema!  That's the motto of ward congreations everywhere:

   No Sore Bums!

You know of what I speak: a certain political correctness that governs our discourse in the Church. 

We all understand the rules of engagement:

We're allowed to sin and speak all manner of blasphemy against the Son of Man, but blasphemy against His apostles and prophets is unforgiveable.

Grab Your Muskets

The leaders enforce the boundaries of appropriate discourse in the Church with statements like:

   a.  “Criticism is particularly objectionable when it is directed toward Church authorities . . . . It does not matter that the criticism is true."  (Elder Dallin H. Oaks, "Criticism," Ensign, February 1987)

   b.  Elder Oaks actually acknowledged that this is "religious censorship," but justified the censorship with the utilitiarian philosophy that "not everything that's true is useful." (This idea was also espoused by Boyd K. Packer.) (Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Interview with Helen Whitney, PBS Special, "The Mormons," April 30, 2007) 

   c.  The leaders, we are told, are called of God, who "makes no mistakes in His calls."  So any criticism of them is defacto criticism of Christ.  (President Eyring, "The Lord Leads His Church," October 2017)

   d.  Members are warned that anyone exposing the faults and hypocrisy of leaders or criticizing Church policies are in grave danger of apostasy.  Often they use Oliver Cowdery, Thomas Marsh, and David Whitmer as cautionary examples. (Elder Claudio Zivic, "Avoiding Personal Apostasy," Ensign, June 2009)

   e.  Finally, if members raise legitimate concerns about Church policies or doctrines that happen to place the Church in a bad light (and whose fault is that?), those brave enough to speak up are often disciplined as if this were the Spanish Inquisition (see: Sam Young).  (CNN, "Why a former Mormon bishop was excommunicated for criticizing sexually explicit youth interviews," 9/24/2018)

What Are We Supposed to Do?

So what are members supposed to do when there is no appropriate forum for them to express their heart-felt, genuine concerns?

Simple: we play our fiddles while Rome burns, ignoring the gentle whisperings of the Spirit that all is NOT well in Zion. 

We make our abode with cognitive dissonance and paint a smile on our Sunday-faces.

Meanwhile, those for whom the Lord's word is like a fire shut up in their bones, they slowly burn from the inside out, silencing their tongues while the truth sears their souls.

Eventually, if you're like me, at some point you decide to reclaim your authentic voice and give expression to every good gift God has given you ― consequences be damned.

Everything We Need to Know About the Current State of Affairs in the Church

Here's a litmus test.  This is a banal example of what's going on in the Church today, and highlights the head-scratching priorities of our current leadership. 

If something seems "off" about what you're about to read, then you're probably an Owl in the Desert like me.  

But if you see nothing at all wrong with what follows, then this Series is written for you.  I love you and the fact that you're willing to read these words gives me hope. 

Handbook Sec. 38.8.8

"The Church’s name, wordmark, and symbol are key Church identifiers. They are registered as trademarks or are otherwise legally protected worldwide. They are used to identify official literature, news, and events of the Church.

"The Church’s key identifiers are to be used only according to the guidelines provided below.

"Written name of the Church. Local units may use the written name of the Church (not the wordmark or symbol) when all of the following conditions are met:

   -  The activity or function with which the name is associated is officially sponsored by the unit (for example, a sacrament meeting program).

   -  The name of the local unit is used as a prelude to the name of the Church (for example, Campo Rosa Branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).

   -  The typeface does not imitate or resemble the official Church wordmark.

"Wordmark and symbol. The Church’s wordmark and symbol (see the illustration above) are to be used only as approved by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles."

What. The. Heck.?