A Mormon’s Greatest Responsibility

Ponder that thought for a moment. What would you say is the most important responsibility of a member of the Church of Jesus Christ?

Ladder On the Wrong Building

When I was a kid, the following parable was taught at church. Perhaps it was even preached in General Conference. It goes like this:

Life is like climbing a ladder. First, we choose what building to lean our ladder against. Then…every day…every month…every year, we advance upward. One rung at a time. At the end of our life, we will have climbed high up on the building that we have selected. But…what if? Just what if…we picked the wrong building? How sad that would be! An entire lifetime of climbing, only to arrive at the top of a worthless building.

I have now learned that my building of choice is highly flawed. Fortunately, at 64, I still have a few years to scurry down my ladder and move it to the building of highest worth.

My New Perspective

Today, during the joint Relief Society/priesthood lesson, Joseph Smith was quoted:

“The greatest responsibility in this world that God has laid upon us is to….”

How would you complete that sentence? You’ll probably get it right. I didn’t. And haven’t my entire life.

Could my greatest responsibility be…..

To follow the teachings and example of Jesus? That would have been my first guess. But, nope, I was wrong.
To love others as I love myself? Another great guess…but wrong.
To love God above all else? Nope. Oh man!
To obey the commandments? Nope. What? And, here I thought that was the first law of heaven.
To love my wife more than anyone else? Nope.
To nurture and take care of my children? Darn it. Another nope.
Provide for my family? Nope
Clothe the naked, feed the hungry, visit the sick? Nope, nope & nope.
Be the Good Samaritan? Nope.
Welcome back the prodigal? Nope
Care for the least of these? Nope.
Everything else I can think of? Nope

Obviously, I’m in big trouble. For 64 years, I did not know what my greatest responsibility was. Thank heavens, it’s finally been lodged firmly in my brain.

A video was shown about the coming Trek activity for our youth. Elder David R. Bednar was the apostolic speaker. He shared the Joseph Smith quote. To drive the point home, the citation was passed out in written form. And then someone was asked to read it out loud. Then we discussed. I tell ya, after all that, I’ve got.

Here’s the quintessential quote from the very first prophet of the restoration.

“The greatest responsibility in this world that God has laid upon us is to…..seek after our dead.”

Now, if your proverbial ladder is leaning on the wrong building, let’s both of us get ’em moved, pronto.

Marginalized Mormons in “Extreme Slavery”

slavery

At the age of 63, I have finally selected a path that is built on a rock solid foundation. I’ve decided to place my faith in Jesus Christ, specifically in His teachings and example. Furthermore, I have also chosen to follow Christ as a member of the Mormon Church.

The Least

One of His most beautiful instructions is that we are to be vitally concerned with “the least of these.” The marginalized. The vulnerable. The undefended, the unguarded, and the unprotected. Not just concerned. Rather, Jesus made it clear that entry into heaven will ONLY be granted to those who actively take care of “the least.”

Frequently, we pass them by. Often, we don’t even see them. Never-the-less, “the least of these” are all around us in society. For the purpose of this article, they also surround us in our very own LDS Church.

Who Are the Marginalized Mormons?

To follow Christ’s mandate, it’s certainly appropriate that we start with our own ‘fellow citizens in the household of God.’ We, as Saints, should minister to marginalized members. Various categories of ‘the least’ are listed below. Of course, this is not a comprehensive compilation. It includes those who many of us are concerned about at present.

Those in Extreme Slavery. Details below.

Our LGBT brothers and sisters.

Children of LGBT married couples.

Families headed by single parents, especially by single mothers.

Members with questions, doubts and transitioned faith.

Are LDS Men Marginalized?

Let me ask 2 questions.

Would you consider those in SLAVERY to be marginalized?

Would you consider those in EXTREME SLAVERY to be marginalized?

Hopefully, most would answer YES to both queries.

SLAVERY? I don’t know anyone in this condition. But, I would put them squarely in the category of “the least of these.”

SLAVERY in the EXTREME? What is that? Who are they? It turns out that I know many, many men in this unfortunate state. Today, I view them as marginalized in the EXTREME.

So, who among us are bound by the fetters of EXTREME SLAVERY?

Consider this citation from an early and official church publication—The Millennial Star. Many ascribe this quote directly to Joseph Smith.

Do you know anyone in Extreme Slavery? Members who would do anything their leaders tell them to do—even if they knew it was wrong?

Early church doctrine designated such obedience as degrading. IT IS!!!

“A man of God would despise this idea.” I don’t qualify as a ‘man of God.’ But, I do despise the idea of doing anything I am told, even if it’s wrong. Thus, I claim my rank among intelligent beings.

Based on this early church definition of “slavery in the extreme” there are myriad members who are marginalized by being in this ‘degraded’ condition.

Ministering to the Marginalized

The list of “the least of these” within the church continues to grow. Many of us have been actively speaking and looking out for those in categories 2-5. Now, I add category #1—those in EXTREME slavery. Likely the biggest marginalized group that surrounds us at church. One more parcel of people to stand up for with our votes of disapproval.

Jesus PLEADS His Case for Common Consent

Five short months ago, I decided to start living, in earnest, the Law of Common Consent. Since then, I have discussed this commandment with many members. I have been shocked at how few are familiar with it. Many have never even heard of it. It’s never taught or discussed in church. Yet, it’s one of the most plainly stated laws of the restored gospel.

So, I’m going to write a few posts on common consent. In this one, I’ll simply quote Jesus Christ. This is His church. Certainly, the words that come directly from Him should take precedence over those flowing from the mouths of men.

Mormonism is my religion. We consider Jesus Christ to be the Son of God. We also view Him as the God of the Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon and of the Doctrine and Covenants. Here’s what Jesus has to say about the governance of His religious organization.

Old Testament

“Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee.” —Jesus Christ, speaking to the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 8:7)

Commentary: It’s hard to get more clear than this. Hearken means to listen carefully, to listen with respectful attention. And in this case, to follow the will of the people, even though it may not be what Jesus would have chosen. As It turns out, God had already selected Israel’s first king.

Book of Mormon

“Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law–to do your business by the voice of the people. –Jesus Christ , through His prophet Mosiah (Mosiah 29:26)

Commentary: God knows that wisdom resides in the majority. He plainly stated exactly that, here. Error and the danger of unrighteous dominion lie in the minority.

Doctrine & Covenants

“And a commandment I give unto you, that you should fill all these offices and approve of those names which I have mentioned, or else disapprove of them at my general conference.” –Jesus Christ, speaking to Joseph Smith (D&C 124:144)

Commentary: The Lord had just revealed who he wanted called to various positions in the church. Even though these names had come directly from Jesus, He still wanted them presented for approval or disapproval. God values & trusts the opinion of the general membership of the church.

“And all things SHALL be done by common consent in the church.” –Jesus Christ. (D&C 26:2)

Commentary: Revelation given to Joseph Smith in July 1830. Only 3 months after the official organization of the church, the Law of Common Consent was affirmed. This principle of governance was established well before the apostolic leadership was added. They are both vital components in the administration of the restored church.

“For all things MUST be done in order, and by common consent in the church.” –Jesus Christ (D&C 28:13)

Commentary: Here, Jesus reaffirms this essential principle of how His church is to be governed. This time, He leaves NO wiggle room. His words have changed from the polite “SHALL be done” to the imperative “MUST be done.” In His words, this is to be the “order” of the His church.

“It is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.” –Jesus Christ, through Joseph Smith (D&C 121:39)

Commentary: Of course, God knows the nature of men. The great danger to those entrusted with authority is the temptation of “unrighteous dominion.” Even mere mortals recognize this principle. We proclaim it in these terms, “Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Jesus has organized His church to provide accountability to His leadership. Thus, helping to avoid unrighteous dominion and the corruption of power. That accountability is to the general membership in the form of common consent.

Going Forward

Oh, what a glorious thing! Our Savior, Lord and King has established His church in these latter-days. He is pleading with His flock to follow him. Pleading that his flock stand up, as adult fellowcitizens, and actively participate in the governance of His sacred organization. The very first revealed principle for administering the kingdom is the Law of Common Consent.

It’s time for the membership to respond to the pleas of Jesus. It’s time that we plead Jesus’ case of common consent before the leaders of the church.

I have pled with my upraised hand in sincere and loving opposition. Opposition to the continued disregard for the Law of God—the commandment of Common Consent.

“The Dominant Church Narrative Is Not True”

This, according to Dr. Richard Bushman. I have many friends who have left the church because they, also, have found out what Bushman knows. More friends are on the fence. “The dominant church narrative is NOT TRUE.”

Fireside

Dr. Richard Bushman, is a serving LDS patriarch, former stake president, historian, expert on Joseph Smith, and author of Rough Stone Rolling. At a recent fireside, he was the featured speaker. During the Q&A, the following exchange took place:

Questioner: “In your view, do you see room in Mormonism for several narratives of a religious experience or do you think that in order for the Church to remain strong they would have to hold to that dominant [orthodox] narrative?”

Richard Bushman: “I think that for the Church to remain strong it has to reconstruct its narrative. The dominant narrative is not true; it can’t be sustained. The Church has to absorb all this new information or it will be on very shaky grounds and that’s what it is trying to do, and it will be a strain for a lot of people, older people especially. But I think it has to change.”

Not True

Thank you, Richard Bushman, for validating what so many of us already know! “The dominant narrative is not true!”

We have been taught, and are still teaching, things that are untrue. Untrue = false. Teaching a known falsehood = lying. Either way, unwittingly teaching falsehoods or lying, neither should an integral part of the “only true and living church.”

Somehow, our LDS culture has developed to where it’s improper, stigmatized, or outright forbidden to discuss “new information.” As a result, half truths and falsehoods are commonly taught. Openly discussing our history, doctrine and policies is not permitted, at least not in my locale.

It Can’t Be Sustained

So, why are we trying so hard to sustain & control our current curriculum and discussion?

I think many members are totally fine with the falsehoods in the church. For them, the false narrative feels safe. I’m OK with that.

However, there is a large and growing group of members who will not tolerate a narrative saturated with falsity. I have joined this group. Feeling betrayed, many have left. Feeling betrayed, I stay. Still committed to the church. Still committed to truth. No longer committed to false narratives. Life is too short. Salvation, too precious to embrace what I & Bushman know to be false.

All Truth Can Be Circumscribed Into One Great Whole

I now pay very close attention to the covenants and doctrines of the temple. At the end of the endowment ceremony, we are taught that “all truth can be circumscribed into one great whole.” Profound and thought provoking. The church is violating it’s own temple instruction. It has circumscribed falsehoods into the “great whole” and consigned much truth into hidden obscurity.

My temple covenants are more sacred to me than circumscribing a narrative that is “not true.”

Driving Members Away

I have been told that we should never discuss our true and complete history and doctrine at church. It can cause people to lose their testimonies.

What a weird thing to say! So, it’s better to hide the truth so that a person will continue to believe the “truth” that’s really not true? I know that there are adults in the church who want to be treated this way. Not this adult. In fact, most adults would say this is not adult behavior. “When I became a man, I put away childish things.”

I now see the other side. Not discussing our complete history and doctrine at church is causing members to lose their testimony. It has driven my friends right out of the LDS church. The church whose “dominant narrative is not true.”

Teaching and embracing falsehood is not good…at least, not in my neighborhood. My church is good, it’s time to get better.

Joseph Smith IS My Hero

Born & raised in the Mormon Church, I was taught that Joseph Smith has done more for the salvation of mankind, except for Jesus Christ. Joseph was highly respected and revered. Sixty-two years of my life transpired before I heard the proverbial “rest of the story.”

Over the past 2 years, I have studied, pondered, discussed & prayed……a ton. Joseph Smith had big problems. The narrative taught in the church has huge holes. At this point, I DO NOT dismiss the historical and doctrinal issues. However, the topic of this blog posting is not the challenges. Rather, the subject is just one quote from Joseph. One that I love. I wish it were taught in the LDS Church, the very church that he founded.

My Favorite Scripture

We are taught that words from the prophets that are spoken under the direction of the Holy Spirit are scripture. To me, the following paragraph is so gorgeous that I’m taking it as inspired by the Spirit. That makes it scripture.

“We have heard men who hold the priesthood remark that they would do anything they were told to do by those who preside over them — even if they knew it was wrong. But such obedience as this is worse than folly to us. It is slavery in the extreme. The man who would thus willingly degrade himself should not claim a rank among intelligent beings until he turns from his folly. A man of God would despise this idea. Others, in the extreme exercise of their almighty authority have taught that such obedience was necessary, and that no matter what the Saints were told to do by their presidents, they should do it without any questions. When Elders of Israel will so far indulge in these extreme notions of obedience as to teach them to the people, it is generally because they have it in their hearts to do wrong themselves.” — Joseph Smith, Jr. in the Millennial Star, volume 14, number 38, pages 593-595.*

Why Do I Like This So Much?

Let me count the ways.

LDS culture–follow the prophets, even when they are wrong. JS–that is “slavery in the extreme.”
If we follow leaders even when they are wrong–JS: We “should not claim a rank among intelligent beings.”
When LDS leaders say follow “no matter what” and “without any questions” they (the leaders) generally “have it in their hearts to do wrong themselves.”

Wow! Just Wow! Joseph Smith, you are my hero!!! Can we print those words in the sacrament meeting program? Every week? Can we discuss this prophetic pronouncement out in the open in priesthood meeting?

It appears that Joseph was warning of and condemning the very culture that seems to be prevalent, today. No wishy-washy words. Spoken with perfect clarity. I embrace them. So special are these words that I’ve decided to go even further. To obey when I know it’s wrong or to obey without question….I now classify as an unholy practice…for me. I won’t “willingly degrade” myself. My desire is to claim a “rank among intelligent beings.”

Of course, this is only my interpretation. I recognize that many of my friends and family believe in following without question, even if it’s wrong. That’s OK. It’s a path that I followed for 62 years. It’s a fine approach and consistent with our culture. I hope my friends and family will be equally non-judgmental of my approach.

THANK YOU

Even with all your problems, thank you, Joseph. You are my hero.

* There are questions about the authorship of the quote. Some have attributed it to Joseph Smith. Some, say it was likely composed by someone else. All questions aside, there are 2 things that I “know.” 1) It was printed in a church publication, sanctioned by church authorities. 2) This quote has huge appeal to me. So, I’ve embraced an official view straight from an official church journal. I’m glad to err on the side of Joseph Smith and refer to him as my hero.

This is somewhat of a pattern for me. For example, there are some who say Jesus didn’t really exist. That the gospels were written decades after Christ’s death. That they don’t contain first hand accounts. Contradictions and other problems are easy to identify. To me, if He is real or not doesn’t much matter. I love the teachings and example that are attributed to Jesus. So, I’ve embraced His gospel. I’m glad to err on the side of Christ and refer to him as my Savior.

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Tag: Joseph Smith