Posted on 11/08/2010 4:59:43 PM PST by Alex Murphy
In sacrament meeting last week, the bishop got up and announced he had received a letter from the First Presidency. As he prepared to read it, the congregation perked up.
Moments like this are always attention-getters for Mormons. Normally, we get direction from the top during General Conference.
Occasionally something can’t wait and it comes in the form of an official letter from the brethren telling us to start (or stop) doing something.
Because it’s important enough to warrant pronouncement from the top, the subject could be anything from a formal declaration of the Second Coming to an admonishment regarding inappropriate Sabbath footwear.
“This is it,” my brain hollered as the bishop got ready to read. “We’re going back to Jackson County. I told you to change the oil in the truck. C’mon, let’s go find a map!”
“Shut up,” I said.
Apparently that last part was out loud because the last two rows of worshippers turned and looked at me.
The letter turned out to be something of no real concern to me. Basically, it told/counseled rank-and-file Mormons to stop pestering church headquarters for clarification of church doctrine.
Apparently some members get so stressed about the finer points of doctrine that they’ll fire off a letter asking for the final word. Church HQ can’t handle the demand.
I’ve never done this, but a letter calling for doctrinal clarification probably goes something like this:
“Dear President/Elder [Pick One]:
“When is it appropriate for worthy Latter-day Saints to burn a witch?”
“Please settle a bet. I say Neanderthal man could never hold the priesthood.”
“After much prayer and thought, I can’t decide if the Holy Ghost could beat up Optimus Prime.”
“May I use Chapstick on Fast Sunday and still hold a temple recommend?”
Disclaimer: I’m probably wasting my breath here, but I made up all of those doctrinal questions. Do not forward this column to church HQ. The answers (in corresponding order) are: never; maybe; our money’s on H.G.; and get a grip.
According to the First Presidency’s letter, members with real doctrinal concerns were to seek the counsel of our local leaders — stake president, bishop, Scoutmaster, building custodian, etc.
I’m blessedly free from this mandate because I don’t wrestle with any huge doctrinal questions. I divide church into two distinct categories: stuff I’ll do and stuff I won’t. In both cases I rely on the counsel of my brain, keeping in mind that it isn’t always right.
For example, after sacrament meeting I ran into my stake president in the hallway. When my brain saw him, it immediately began shouting for us to run away.
“Calm down,” I told it.
Apparently that part was out loud as well, because President Russ Davey said, “Robert, I’m always calm when I see you in church.”
The letter turned out to be something of no real concern to me. Basically, it told/counseled rank-and-file Mormons to stop pestering church headquarters for clarification of church doctrine....According to the First Presidency’s letter, members with real doctrinal concerns were to seek the counsel of our local leaders — stake president, bishop, Scoutmaster, building custodian, etc.
Repetitive thread is repetitive.
firing up the popcorn popper.............
Shhh! Don't wake the prophet PING!
Running out of topics Alex?
I’ll take mind-numbed mormons for 10% Alex. . . . .
Never! Well, except for meteorology. I'm not allowed to talk about the weather for fear of offending certain posters.
"Mormons focus on accessible, social aspects of their religion. Although the Mormon system of doctrine is genuinely attractive to many of its members, many have argued that the primary "glue" of Mormonism is the heritage, culture, and family ties, not the doctrine and theology. In other words, the typical allegiance to the Mormon organization primarily stems from something other than doctrinal concerns. The average Mormon sitting in a pew does not care how or why their religion works, they only care that it works for them."
-- from the thread Atheoligical Tendency ~Open~
"It's not easy to learn a new culture, doctrine and terminology — just ask new converts to the LDS Church — one of whom was disappointed to learn that the fireside she'd been eagerly looking forward was not a bonfire. Or the one who showed up in tears at the office of Marleen Williams convinced that no Mormon man would want to marry her because she couldn't operate a hot glue gun....According to the study, members of the church can help new converts by being more open and by giving love and acceptance to them, especially as they struggle to learn LDS jargon and learn the difference between culture and doctrine."Should We Stop Addressing Old Teachings and Non-Official Beliefs? -Mormon- (OPEN)
-- from the thread LDS conversion is a process, study indicates
Q: The Mormon church claims to be a "restoration" of the original Church Jesus Christ started.
Well, imagine that! Either George Washington, who came up with that word "president" to apply to himself, either knew by some hidden occultic source that Jesus Christ used that strictly English term in the Middle East and the supposed Book of Mormon Americas 2,000 years ago...or...
...George Washington invented that term in the 1700s and Jesus was prophetically using that term 2,000 years ago...only for some reason, saw fit to have it stricken from the Bible...and the Book of Mormon.
Alex, what do you think as to which, if any, answer fits the bill here? [Of course, Option #3 is that the Mormon church isn't a "restoration" of anything remotely Christian]
Oh, and for you non-Mormons, allow me to define "the First Presidency" as Mormons have defined it: It's who they regard as their "prophet" in conjunction with two general authority "counselors" -- often men who have served the Lds church as "apostles."
I mean...just think of all those letters the apostle Paul rec'd from New Testament churches at Ephesus, Corinth, Thessalonica, Rome, Philippi, the Galatians and the Colossians! Now imagine that instead of over 1/3rd of the New Testament being filled with Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Ephesians, Colossians, Galatians, Ephesians, and Philippians, we have repetitive "form letters" from Paul reading:
Dear Insert Here,
In response to your letter, hey, stop pestering me for clarification of church doctrine. Besides, I'm on a mission, anyway. And you should know missionary rules mandate that I'm to write "less frequently to...acquaintances" [Literal missionary rule #32] than I am to my parents [Literal rule #31] Source: see Lds Missionary rules @ Post #24
However, if you’re asking these questions with sincerity and real intent, and if you’re a member that has real doctrinal concerns, please seek the counsel of your bishop or stake president.
(I know I haven't mentioned anything about these "stake presidents" in my communications with you...and I know Jesus didn't, either...but if you don't like that, take it up with the "First Presidency")
Uh. On second thought, don't. We're overwhelmed as is.
And, of course, I'll understand if you don't know what a "president" is...We'll explain that later...like almost 1,800 years later.
Signed,
The apostle Paul, Missionary and Missionary President-at-large
First Presidency with Peter and James
I would imagine the term “president” for the mormon leader originated with wannabe Joey Smith when he ran for POTUS in 1844..
After all he made hinself a Lt general (2 star) without spending one day in the army....
and 33rd degree FreeMason was just a one day affair...
so president cant have been a hard rank to achieve either when youre just playacting...
Separation of “church” and state could have been written for Joey Smith...
He sent his 50,000 mormon “missionaries” out knocking on doors around the country to campaign for him...
He wasnt popular with the conservative Republicans, but the Democrats seemed to love him...
Today he would have snapped up the vote in California...
their “prophet” in conjunction with two general authority “counselors” — often men who have served the Lds church as “apostles.”
___________________________________________
and yet in the Christian Bible an apostle is higher than a mere prophet...
Repetitive thread is repetitive.
I am pleased to offer my services for the Betterment of Mankind.
Please feel free to ask me ANYTHING and I'll sincerely post my link list again.
Remember...
I am normal too; and I am a MORMON!
Sincerely,
PD
Repetitive thread is repetitive.
Wow...
The insight that gives...
The deep and fundamental meaning...
The questions it answers...
That’s quite a list placemarker! ... I’ve something brewing in my aging brain that I may have to offer later. Right now I’m struck by the diversionary tactic of this article, to guide minds away from the gravity of heretical doctrine and onto silliness.
You must be a prophet....
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