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https://www.thechurchnews.com/general-conference/2023/10/2/23900229/how-prophets-words-brought-tears-peace-church-members-general-conference-center?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cn-social&utm_campaign=facebookpage-en&utm_content=churchnews-en&fbclid=IwAR0ca-Qgcc1cU4srb-FGVaRzxJ8s7DjtIWIkWDOj7tEWY34GpEmgqCLrloY ” class=”bbcode_url”> https://www.thechurchnews.com/general-conference/2023/10/2/23900229/how-prophets-words-brought-tears-peace-church-members-general-conference-center?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cn-social&utm_campaign=facebookpage-en&utm_content=churchnews-en&fbclid=IwAR0ca-Qgcc1cU4srb-FGVaRzxJ8s7DjtIWIkWDOj7tEWY34GpEmgqCLrloY Quote:For some members, President Russell M. Nelson’s physical absence and virtual message at general conference brought unexpected blessings and lessons
Church News published an article yesterday about people’s reactions to Pres. Nelson’s pre-recorded GC talk. It’s the typical puff piece that you would expect. Most of it is quoting people saying how excited they were for him to speak, the spirit and love they felt, etc… Of course, no negative reactions were mentioned in the article. Which isn’t really surprising or interesting.
But, what does interest me is this article’s existence. From what I’ve seen on Facebook and other social media, this talk has not been well received by more than a few people. The r/exmormon subreddit especially has been flying off the handle about it (what else is new?). The biggest complaints all over seem to be coming from mixed-faith marriages, ex-mo and TBM alike. Complaints I find very valid.
I’m sure articles like this have been written about prophets talks in the past and I’ve never cared to notice. But, this one just feels like an attempt to put some padding on the bubble around the members. Especially when some real damage was done. “Don’t look at all the rifts that were just made in families. Here, see all the people who loved it!”
In my opinion, there is tension between “eternal marriage/partnership as 2 individuals united” and “almost interchangeable reproduction cogs in an eternal story”. This tension dates Christianity and OT themes tend to lean towards the “reproduction cogs” side [The story of Job being the most notable example. But really, the quasi-figurative dynasty story from Adam to Noah to Abraham/Isaac/Jacob treats spouses as a “+ one”].
The NT has a variation of this as well as Jesus’s teachings are used to state a truth that there are times when the family can be divided “for the cause of truth”.
The main problem with doctrinal implications from our polygamous heritage is that having a 1 male with multiple females sealed/married/bound together is that it depersonalizes the individuals (mostly the women who shared the same husband) in the narrative. Serial monogamy (practiced by 2 of the first presidency) functions similarly in terms of increasing tension. And from a business perspective, it’s best to “ditch the baggage holding an individual back from full participation in the organization”, which is what the church teachings grapple with.
The leaders who talk honestly, frankly, and consistently about family dynamics (such as abuse) are also generally women (who are replaceable cogs themselves with 5 year calling limits and a small general board to consult with). Since “priesthood power” is a power game-changer in terms of church administration and authority figure identification, this isn’t likely to change.
The church news is pretty much an extension of the PR department of the church. Breaking News! Mormons liked prophet’s message. Film at 11!
I don’t think the word “prophet” should have been capitalized in the church news article title.
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