"Done by Common Consent": Part 14

Hollywood Squares

When I was young I used to watch re-runs of the game show Hollywood Squares (ranked by TV Guide as the 7th-Best Gameshow of all Time). 

It was essentially a trivia version of tick-tac-toe with D-list celebrities.  

And the star of the show was Paul Lynde.  Not only did I love Lynde as Harry MacAffee in Bye, Bye, Birdie, but he always gave the best answers on Hollywood Squares.

   ***
Host:  Who stays pregnant for a longer period of time, your wife or your elephant?

Paul Lynde: Who told you about my elephant?

   ***
Host: Eddie Fisher recently said, "I am sorry. I am sorry for them both." Who was he referring to?

Paul Lynde : His fans.

   ***
Host: According to the IRS, out of every 10 Americans audited, how many end up paying more taxes?

Paul Lynde : 11.

** Audience applause **

Anyway, they always put Lynde in the middle, in the coveted Center Square.  

Now imagine if we were hosting Latter-day Saint Squares.  Who would we put in Center Square?​

Drop the Mic​

If ever there was a "drop the mic" kind-a-guy, it was Captain Moroni. 

Remember the epic exchange between Moroni and "President Pahoran," when Moroni stood up to the entire government of Zarahemla?

​   ***
Host:  Sum up the Sermon on the Mount in 10 words or less.

Moroni:  I seek not for power, but to pull it down (Alma 60:36).  Zing!

   ***
Host:  What is the appropriate response when someone expects you to obey their counsel because of their status or office?

Moroni:  I do not fear your power nor your authority, but it is my God whom I fear (Alma 60:28).

   ***
​Host:  What should the Church's social justice agenda look like?

Moroni:  God has said that the inward vessel shall be cleansed first (Alma 60:23).

** Audience applause **

G.O.A.T.

Why was Captain Moroni able to make the bowels of hell quiver like Jell-O salad? (Alma 48:17).

Like David confronting Goliath, Moroni demanded that the leaders of his time "come out and show unto me a true spirit of freedom" (Alma 60:25).

   1.  ​How are we supposed to "pull down power" like Moroni?

   2.  How are we supposed to cleanse "the inward vessel" of the Church?

   3.  How are we supposed to hold leaders accountable to ensure they maintain "a true spirit of freedom?"