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StayLDS-ers. Please see the following statement authored and signed by a broad set of Bloggernacle podcasters, bloggers, moderators, and participants. Room for All in this Church
June 16, 2014
We face a difficult and pivotal moment in Mormonism as LDS leaders and church members wrestle more openly with complicated aspects of our faith, its doctrine, and its history—often in spaces afforded by the Internet. In light of possible disciplinary action against prominent voices among us, we the undersigned Mormon bloggers and podcasters affirm the value of the conversations that take place in the LDS “Bloggernacle” and express our hopes for greater understanding and compassion from all of us involved in current tensions.
May we all remember, as scripture teaches, the intricate intertwining of mercy and justice. May we all follow the admonition to seek understanding before judgment, even as we address matters that can be difficult to talk about.
Scripture and tradition teach us that excommunication is one way of maintaining the boundaries of a religious community. But we believe that excommunication is not the best way to address conflict over doctrine, policy, or tradition. We ask our leaders to consider other ways of maintaining boundaries, strengthening Church members, and encouraging them to grow spiritually within Mormonism’s large and embracing community without the fear and despair the threat of excommunication sows not only in those threatened but in their families, friends, and those who share similar concerns about LDS Church doctrine or history—even those who do so silently. We are deeply encouraged by the recent news about the prospect of de-escalation in at least one of the current cases and pray for positive steps towards reconciliation.
The issues in Mormon doctrine, history, and practice highlighted by those facing church discipline are much larger than any one individual. It is not only unavoidable that these issues will continue to be discussed; such discussion is good for the health of our religious community and faithful to the truth-seeking spirit of the Latter-day Saint Restoration. As bloggers, podcasters, and passionate contributors to good, healthy online discussion, we affirm our commitment to continue speaking openly and publicly, and encouraging others to do so as well. We will continue to use online spaces to grow in knowledge and faith, to attempt to present and see many sides of each issue, and to reach out to those expressing pain, heartache, and loneliness. It is our experience that these conversations can bear good fruit as Latter-day Saints mourn with those who mourn and reflect on, deepen, and renew their faith.
We are grateful for our membership in this Church and for the unique opportunities the Internet has provided us to share our Mormon experiences, questions, and hopes. We pray that a spirit of clemency will guide the words and actions of everyone—especially those who bear the heavy responsibility of ecclesiastical discipline of Church members—and that the words of President Uchtdorf will hold sway: “Regardless of your circumstances, your personal history, or the strength of your testimony, there is room for you in this Church.”
Signed:
Dan Wotherspoon, Mormon Matters podcast
Jana Riess, Flunking Sainthood blog (Religion News Service)
Natasha Helfer Parker, The Mormon Therapist blog
Paul Barker, Rational Faiths blog and podcast
Michael Barker, Rational Faiths blog and podcast
Mark Crego, A Thoughtful Faith Support Group (Facebook)
Lisa Butterworth, Feminist Mormon Housewives
Joanna Brooks, Feminist Mormon Housewives
Gina Colvin, KiwiMormon blog
Lindsay Park, Feminist Mormon Housewives
Jared Anderson, Mormon Sunday School podcast
Daniel Parkinson, No More Strangers blog
Bill McGee, Sunstone
Mary Ellen Robertson, Sunstone
Stephen Carter, Sunstone
Michael Stevens, Sunstone
Chelsea Shields Strayer, LDS WAVE
Tresa Edmunds, LDS WAVE
Chelsea Robarge Fife, Mormon Feminist Cooperative
Kalani Tonga Tukaufu, Feminist Mormon Housewives
David Landrith, Mormon Mentality
Jennifer Finlayson-Fife, Mormon Matters podcast
Jerilyn Hassell Pool, Rational Faiths blog
Spencer Lake, Clean Cut blog
Brittany Morin-Mezzadri, TheLadyMo blog
Katie Langston, Feminist Mormon Housewives blog
Hannah Wheelwright, Young Mormon Feminists blog
Erin Moore, Young Mormon Feminists blog
Kimberly Lewis, Feminist Mormon Housewives
Nikki Hunter, Feminist Mormon Housewives
Nancy Ross, Nickel on the ‘Nacle blog
Mark Brown, The Mormon Hub (Facebook)
Alicia Jones, LDS Left (Facebook)
Elise Villescaz, LDS Left (Facebook)
Emily Summerhays, Feminist Mormon Housewives
Mindy Farmer, The Inquisitive Mom blog
Jeff Krey, A Thoughtful Faith Support Group (Facebook)
Lori Burkman, Rational Faiths blog
Laura Compton, Mormons for Marriage
Alison Moore Smith, Mormon Momma blog
Heather Olsen Beal, Doves and Serpents blog
Brent Beal, Doves and Serpents blog
Ed Snow, Doves and Serpents blog
Erin Hill, Doves and Serpents blog
Meghan Raynes, Exponent blog
Aimee Hickman, Exponent blog
Rachel Hunt, Exponent blog
Liz Johnson, Exponent blog
Libby Potter Boss, Exponent blog
Heather Moore-Farley, Exponent blog
April Young Bennett, Exponent blog
Deborah Farmer Kris, Exponent blog
Jessica Oberan Steed, Exponent blog
Carolyn Kline, Exponent blog
April Carlson, Exponent blog
Sariah Anne Kell, Exponent blog
Chelsea Sue, Exponent blog
Emily Clyde Curtis, Exponent blog
Emily Updegraff, Exponent blog
Dayna Patterson, Doves and Serpents blog
Cheryl Bruno, Worlds Without End blog
Katie Evans, Zelophehad’s Daughters blog
Mike Cannon, Zelophehad’s Daughters blog
Kristy Benton, All Are Alike Unto God blog
Lori LeVar Pierce, All Are Alike Unto God blog
Rebecca Reid Linford, All Are Alike Unto God blog
Paula Goodfellow, All Are Alike Unto God blog
Cheryl McGuire, All Are Alike Unto God blog
Kay Gaisford, All Are Alike Unto God blog
Lorlalie Pallotta, All Are Alike Unto God blog
Wendy Reynolds, All Are Alike Unto God blog
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Thanks for posting this. I’m impressed they gave their real names. It poses a certain amount of risk, but they took it. As a church leader, I would also assume the list is dramatically longer in practice given the fear people have to speak out or give their real identity. I have often wondered if they day will ever come when they will add a question in the TR interview about whether you blog about controversial church matters on the web. And if you do, deny you a TR unless you show them what you’ve written so they can make a determination of whether you should have the TR, be subject to discipline etcetera.
Quote:I have often wondered if they day will ever come when they will add a question in the TR interview about whether you blog about controversial church matters on the web.
Won’t happen.
Why not Ray? I’ve heard of corporations demanding to have access to Facebook pages when they have heard someone was written something untoward about a company….notwithstanding this, why wouldn’t the church use its power to try to stem the flow of people developing faith and commitment crises as a result of the web? We’re already seeing a rash of threats of disciplinary councils, and people who blog having their recommends taken away, or threatened with church discipline.
i have to say that the press response to our letter has been amazing: huffingtonpost, nyt, wsj, others have taken up the story. sadly, though, the more conservative wing of the bloggernacle think us to be like the expositor….interesting analogy.
the divide in the church is as deep as ever.
Joanna Brooks – “The Real Mormon Moment is Now” https://askmormongirl.wordpress.com/2014/06/20/the-real-mormon-moment-is-now/ “whether or not the june disciplinary courts for kate and john were coincidental, i am now hearing every day about more bishops seeking unsolicited meetings with women who have been publicly feminist. not just leaders, but rank and file members with views no different than mine. i so wish this were not the case. but it goes to show how high profile courts create an environment where local leaders and members feel empowered or obliged to “act” towards mormon feminists. a very difficult time.” Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
cwald wrote:“whether or not the june disciplinary courts for kate and john were coincidental, i am now hearing every day about more bishops seeking unsolicited meetings with women who have been publicly feminist. not just leaders, but rank and file members with views no different than mine. i so wish this were not the case. but it goes to show how high profile courts create an environment where local leaders and members feel empowered or obliged to “act” towards mormon feminists. a very difficult time.”
It is a highly polarized moment. Absent clear leadership direction from the top, the situation at the local level among conservative leaders is “retrenchment”. Others wisely are steering clear of the situation. I checked with my HC and executive secretary friends, and my stake is not taking any action. This seems to me that “Priesthood Roulette” is ruling the day.wayfarer wrote:cwald wrote:“whether or not the june disciplinary courts for kate and john were coincidental, i am now hearing every day about more bishops seeking unsolicited meetings with women who have been publicly feminist. not just leaders, but rank and file members with views no different than mine. i so wish this were not the case. but it goes to show how high profile courts create an environment where local leaders and members feel empowered or obliged to “act” towards mormon feminists. a very difficult time.”
It is a highly polarized moment. Absent clear leadership direction from the top, the situation at the local level among conservative leaders is “retrenchment”. Others wisely are steering clear of the situation. I checked with my HC and executive secretary friends, and my stake is not taking any action. This seems to me that “Priesthood Roulette” is ruling the day.I agree – our stake is also not taking any sorts of action and in fact seems to be trending toward – and quite focused on – working
withpeople instead. In places where retrenchment and increased scrutiny are happening, we tend to hear about it. In cases where it is not happening, we tend not to hear about it. This creates a perceptual distortion that is easy to miss or misunderstand. Is this a real issue that ought not be? Absolutely. Is it a sweeping movement and representative of the overall desire of the top leadership and the actions of most local leaders? I don’t think so.
Old-Timer wrote:
Is this a real issue that ought not be? Absolutely. Is it a sweeping movement and representative of the overall desire of the top leadership and the actions of most local leaders? I don’t think so.
I am not sure I follow you ray. Either that or I am not sure I agree.I agree completely with the idea of the post and believe it is an issue that must be addressed in the Church. I just don’t see any widespread crackdown on people who blog about controversial topics, for example, even on those whose positions don’t match generalized doctrinal standards, like concerning gay marriage. I think you are trying to hard to protect the church Ray. Which, is okay, and perhaps admirable for this site. I don’t blame you.
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