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Lately I am struck by the juxtaposition between the church’s current emphasis on worthiness and Joseph Smith’s behavior. When I read a book like Rough Stone Rolling, I am filled with this feeling that I am doing fantastic from a worthiness point of view. If Joseph Smith could receive revelation for the church at the same time as he was doing the stuff he was doing, then there is certainly hope for me! In that light, it seems really ironic that young men are made to feel ashamed and unworthy for doing the kinds of things they typically end up talking to priesthood leaders about. I love that the church has a high moral standard and that we are all encouraged to live up to it, but when that crosses over into calling people “unworthy,” then I have problems with it. I wish that morality lessons in church were more often accompanied by messages like, “we can be happiest when we strive for these ideals, but none of us are able to pull it off without a hitch. So do your best, but don’t beat yourself up when you mess up.” I think young men in the church could really benefit from hearing about how Joseph Smith was still (from a TBM perspective) functioning as a prophet at the same time as he was lying to Emma and the church about polygamy. It is wonderful evidence of God’s mercy and forgiveness.
Has anyone ever used that in a youth lesson or with their kids?
Quote:I love that the church has a high moral standard and that we are all encouraged to live up to it, but when that crosses over into calling people “unworthy,” then I have problems with it.
Agreed. I really don’t like the connotations of how we tend to use “worthy” and “unworthy” in our culture, even though I’ve heard quite a few talks and messages that I did like. When we stop trying to walk a balance beam and start categorizing people in such clear-cut terms, we lose.
I’ve talked about Joseph’s faults openly in my Sunday School class – and I like to point out that he was the most chastised person in the D&C (and it’s not close). The same general concept is why I like 2 Nephi 4 so much, since it shows a real, non-caricature side of a “great, visionary prophet” that so many people don’t want to acknowledge (even if it doesn’t give the kind of detail we have about Joseph).
new6 wrote:If Joseph Smith could receive revelation for the church at the same time as he was doing the stuff he was doing, then there is certainly hope for me!
Completely agree. I think this is evidence that God has more mercy and love than we can imagine. From a worthiness perspective, I wonder how JS would answer a couple of the temple recommend questions.
new6 wrote:In that light, it seems really ironic that young men are made to feel ashamed and unworthy for doing the kinds of things they typically end up talking to priesthood leaders about… Has anyone ever used that in a youth lesson or with their kids?
This doesn’t answer your question directly, but I haven’t felt the need (yet) to highlight that JS was lying to the church and Emma, although frankly, our lessons don’t really get into history or polygamy discussions much with the YM. If it came up or if I was asked I’d be honest, though. My perspective is that we’re better as a church than we were 30 years ago (experience may vary depending on location) about using less guilt. Leaders in my area talk about abstinence before marriage (which is probably a good thing) but don’t seem as big on using guilt, although worrying about “worthiness” is still there.
With my own kids I’ve been very forthright in talking to my teenagers about JS, his faults, and actions I don’t understand. I don’t think my kids believe me though, unfortunately.
Also, just to put it out there, the concept and principle of worthiness is good and necessary – and part of every aspect of our lives, inside and outside church. It’s keeping it in perspective as only one part of the picture, under-girded and resting on a foundation of love, mercy, grace, etc. that I think is the key. Quote:From a worthiness perspective, I wonder how JS would answer a couple of the temple recommend questions
If JS lived today he would have been excommunicated long ago.
Quote:Also, just to put it out there, the concept and principle of worthiness is good and necessary – and part of every aspect of our lives, inside and outside church. It’s keeping it in perspective as only one part of the picture, under-girded and resting on a foundation of love, mercy, grace, etc. that I think is the key.][/
Well said.
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