Culture or Doctrine? Where do the problems lie?

[Anonymous]

I can’t speak for everyone, but the main catalyst of my FC was culture, in addition to the rhetoric behind the doctrine. The seeds were sown by my first companion teaching the true doctrine of grace which is not well understood within the church. The seed was watered by leadership abuse within my mission and my confusion and distress over masturbation. It germinated as I became fed up with Utah LDS culture. Then it sprouted after my first breakup (the girl was not part of the reason BTW). It was only a few days after that breakup that I found this site.

I used to think that doctrine was constant, but Gregory Prince has opened my eyes to the contrary by simply mentioning ordinary, non-controversial, church history I was already familiar with. Doctrine CAN change, and I totally understand (though perhaps not at a personal level) the FP+Q12’s hesitance to change it. This is not to be taken lightly when changing what is perceived to be the word of God. Care needs to be taken not to change doctrine purely for the sake of popularity or pragmatism. This is not the Nicene Creed; we do not vote on what truth is. (I guess we kinda do, but it has to be unanimous to effect any change)

Doctrine itself was never a fundamental issue for me, but I realize it is for some people. Doctrine is always going to be a problem when it is wrong. Sometimes when it is correct, it can still be a problem, however that is typically only because it is taught so poorly- perhaps in an abrasive way, perhaps by being backed by false rhetoric or non-sequitur scriptures.

[Anonymous]

dande48 wrote:

That article was floating around not to long ago.

Personally, it feels like a cheap cop out, a dishonest move to

1. Declare past doctrine “culture”, because you don’t agree with it

2. Declare failed prophecy “personal opinion”

It’s one of the biggest problems I’ve got with the Church. When you’re wrong, you should admit it; not make excuses or “reinterpret” to make it seem like you were right all along. I also don’t like it when TBMs try to come up with a reason for why I feel the way I do, that still fits within their religious paradigm.

Heads I win, tails you lose.

[Author]

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